Kam's Kapsules:for Movies Opening 4-15-16

by Kam Williams 

Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun

OPENING THIS WEEK

BIG BUDGET FILMS

Barbershop: The Next Cut (PG-13 for profanity and sexuality) Third installment of the urban comedy franchise finds Calvin (Ice Cube) and company caught up in a lighthearted battle-of-the-sexes when not fretting over the gang violence claiming so many lives on Chicago's South Side. Ensemble cast includes Regina Hall, Cedric the Entertainer, Eve, Regina Hall, Common, J.B. Smoove, Anthony Anderson, Nicki Minaj and Deon Cole.

Criminal (R for graphic violence and pervasive profanity) Suspense thriller about a recently-deceased CIA agent (Gal Gadot) whose memory and skills are implanted into the brain of a dangerous convict (Kevin Costner) in a desperate attempt to foil a terrorist plot. With Tommy Lee Jones, Ryan Reynolds, Alice Eve and Gary Oldman.

The Jungle Book (PG for scenes of peril and scary action) Live-action/CGI remake of the Disney animated classic revolving around an orphan (Neel Sethi) raised in the forest by a panther (Ben Kingsley), a bear (Bill Murray) and a couple of wolves (Lupita Nyong'o and Giancarlo Esposito). Cast includes Idris Elba, Scarlett Johansson, Christopher Walken and the late Garry Shandling.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

13 Cameras (Unrated) Psychological thriller about a couple of newlyweds (PJ McCabe and Brianne Moncrief) whose Peeping Tom landlord (Neville Archambault) invades their privacy by secretly installing surveillance cameras all around their new home. With Sarah Baldwin, Sean Carrigan and Jim Cummings.

The Adderall Diaries (R for sexuality, drug use, disturbing content and pervasive profanity) James Franco stars in this adaptation of reporter Stephen Elliott's memoir of the same name recounting his struggle with substance abuse and writer's block while covering a bizarre murder trial. Cast includes Amber Heard, Cynthia Nixon, Ed Harris, Christian Slater and Wilmer Valderrama.

Hostile Border (R for violence, profanity, nudity and graphic sexuality) American Dream drama about an undocumented immigrant's (Veronica Sixtos) attempt to return to the U.S. after being deported to Mexico by the FBI for credit card fraud. With Jesse Garcia, Jorge Jimenez and Julio Cedillo. (In English and Spanish with subtitles)

The Measure of a Man (Unrated) Midlife crisis drama, set in France, about the humiliations suffered by a blue-collar worker (Vincent Lindon) while trying to find employment after being laid off from his factory job. Support cast includes Yves Ory, Matthieu Schaller and Karine de Mirbeck. (In French with subtitles)

Our Last Tango (Unrated) Reverential biopic chronicling the 50-year career and enduring relationship of the most famous dance partners in the history of the Tango, Argentina's Maria Nieves Rego and Juan Carlos Copes. (In Spanish with subtitles)

Sing Street (PG-13 for profanity, mature themes, bullying, drug use, teen smoking and a suggestive image) Coming-of-age tale, set in Dublin in the Eighties, revolving around a troubled 14 year-old (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) who runs away from home to start a rock band in London. With Aidan Gillen, Jack Reynor and Maria Doyle Kennedy.

Sky (Unrated) Marital crisis drama about a battered French woman (Diane Kruger) who leaves her husband (Gilles Lellouche) for parts unknown while they're vacationing in California. Cast includes Lena Dunham, Norman Reedus and Lou Diamond Phillips. (In English and French with subtitles)

The Syndrome (Unrated) Criminal justice expose' debunking the junk science underpinning the diagnosis of Shaken Baby Syndrome which has led to the conviction and incarceration of many an innocent person.