Friday, January 15, 2016

Kam's Movie Kapsules for 1-22-16

OPENING THIS WEEK
Kam's Kapsules:
Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun
by Kam Williams
For movies opening January 22, 2016


BIG BUDGET FILMS

The 5th Wave (PG-13 for violence, destruction, profanity, mature themes and brief teen partying) Post-apocalyptic, sci-fi thriller set on a planet already overrun by aliens and revolving around a teenager's (Chloe Grace Moretz) desperate attempt to save herself and her little brother Zackary Arthur) with the help of a stranger (Evan Roe). Ensemble includes Liev Schreiber, Ron Livingston, Gabriela Lopez, Maria Bello, Maika Monroe and Matthew Zuk.

The Boy (PG-13 for violence, terror and mature themes) Supernatural thriller about an American nanny (Lauren Cohan) who arrives in England to find that she's been hired to care for a life-sized porcelain doll by a couple (Jim Norton and Diana Hardcastle) grieving the loss of a young son. Supporting cast includes Ben Robson, James Russell and Rupert Evans. 

Dirty Grandpa (R for profanity, drug use, frontal nudity and pervasive crude humor and sexual content) Robert De Niro plays the title character in this unlikely-buddies comedy about a retired Army general who embarks on a raunchy road trip to Florida with his grandson (Zac Efron) for Spring Break. With Aubrey Plaza, Zoey Deutch and Dermot Mulroney.


INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

Exposed (R for profanity, violence and rape) Supernatural thriller about an attractive Latina (Ana de Armas) who witnesses a miracle before being befriended by a cop (Keanu Reeves) investigating his partner's mysterious death. With Big Daddy Kane, Mira Sorvino and Christopher McDonald.

Get Happy! (Unrated) Romantic comedy about a hopelessly miserable misanthrope (Chris Riggi) who gets a new lease on life when he starts dating a free-spirited bon vivant (Lauren Sweetser). Cast includes Adam LaVorgna, Rebecca Blumhagen and Jordan Lane Price.

Ip Man 3 (Unrated) Donnie Yen reprises the title role in a high attrition-rate sequel which finds the legendary martial arts master taking on a gang doing the bidding of a ruthless real estate tycoon (Mike Tyson). With Lynn Hung, Jin Zhang and Patrick Tan. (In Cantonese and English with subtitles)

Jeruzalem (R for violence, sexuality, nudity, brief drug use and pervasive profanity) Horror flick about a couple of young Americans (Danie Jadelyn) whose vacation in Israel is ruined by the arrival of an apocalypse of Biblical proportions. Support cast includes Dibi Ben-Yosef, Odo Di Capua and Geri Gendel.

Mojave (R for profanity and violence) Cat-and-mouse thriller about a suicidal artist (Garrett Hedlund) who ventures into the desert to die only to encounter a homicidal drifter (Oscar Isaac). Featuring Walter Goggins, Mark Wahlberg and Dania Ramirez.

Monster Hunt (Unrated) Martial arts comedy, set in medieval China, revolving around the efforts of a half-human/half-monster baby's parents to protect him from both the humans and monsters who want him dead. Starring Boran Jing, Baihe Bai, Wu Jiang and Elaine Jin. (In Mandarin with subtitles)

Naz & Maalik (Unrated) Out-of-the-closet dramedy, set in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, about a couple of gay, African-American lovers (Curtis Cook, Jr. and Kerwin Johnson, Jr.) whose secretive relationship leads an FBI Agent (Annie Grier) to suspect them of terrorism. With Ashleigh Awusie, Anderson Footman and Bradley Brian Custer.

Prescription Thugs (Unrated) Healthcare expose examining Big Pharma's role in the abuse of prescription drugs.

Synchronicity (R for profanity and sexual references) Sci-fi thriller about the creator (Chad McKnight) of a time machine who must travel to the past in order thwart a temptress' (Brianne Davis) attempt to steal his invention for a unscrupulous venture capitalist (Michael Ironside). With AJ Bowen, and real-life husband and wife Scott Poythress and Claire Bronson.

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