Kam's Kapsules for Movies Opening 5-20-16

Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun

by Kam Williams

OPENING THIS WEEK
BIG BUDGET FILMS

The Angry Birds Movie (PG for action and rude humor) Animated adventure, inspired by the video game series of the same name, set on an island inhabited by a flock of flightless birds with anger management issues whose patience is suddenly tested by an overwhelming pig invasion. Voice cast includes Jason Sudeikis, Kate McKinnon, Josh Gad, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Sean Penn, Keegan-Michael Key, Peter Dinklage, Hannibal Buress and Bill Hader.

Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (R for crude sexuality, brief graphic nudity, pervasive profanity and drug use) Teensploitation sequel finds young marrieds Mac (Seth Rogen) and Kelly (Rose Byrne) expecting their second child just as the out of control fraternity next door is replaced by a sorority full of party animals. With Zac Efron, Chloe Grace Moretz, Selena Gomez and Lisa Kudrow.

The Nice Guys (R for violence, profanity, sexuality, nudity and brief drug use) Unlikely-buddies crime comedy, set in L.A. in '77, about a pair of private eyes (Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe) who grudgingly join forces to investigate a fading porn star's apparent suicide. Support cast includes Kim Basinger, Keith David, Matt bomer, Yaya DaCosta and Hannibal Buress.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

Art Bastard (Unrated) Reverential biopic about maverick artist Robert Cenedella, an inveterate iconoclast who has managed to enjoy an enduring career without compromising his rebellious spirit.

Hard Sell (Unrated) Dysfunctional family dramedy, set on Long Island, about a poor, prep school student (Skyler Gisondo) who comes to the aid of his unstable single-mom (Kristin Chenoweth) by fleecing spoiled-rotten rich kids with the help of a debutante classmate (Katrina Bowden) With Kevin Kilner, Amy Rutberg and Hannah Marks.

Holy Hell (Unrated) Mind control documentary revisiting The Buddhafield, an ill-fated, religious sect located in L.A. in the Eighties which was run by a charismatic cult leader called Michel.

Ma Ma (R for some nudity and brief sexual references) Character-driven drama, set in the Canary Islands, revolving around a young mother (Penelope Cruz) recently diagnosed with cancer who forges a friendship with a soccer scout (Luis Tovar) who just lost his wife and daughter in a car accident. With Asier Etxeandia, Teo Planell and Anna Jimenez. (In Spanish with subtitles).

Maggie's Plan (R for profanity and sexuality) Greta Gerwig plays the title character in this romantic comedy about a woman who has second thoughts about having a baby with a married professor (Ethan Hawke) three years after stealing him from his wife (Julianne Moore). Support cast includes Travis Fimmel, Bill Hader and Maya Rudolph.

A Moment of Silence (Unrated) "A Man of the People" documentary revisiting the 2005 election of Evo Morales, Bolivia's first President of indigenous extraction. (In Spanish with subtitles)

The Other Side (PG for mature subject matter and mild epithets) Political science documentary examining how the American people have become more Balkanized than ever before.

Song of Lahore (PG for mature themes, smoking and violent images) Cross-cultural documentary chronicling the musical collaborations of a Pakistani classical orchestra and Wynton Marsalis' big band. (In Urdu with subtitles)

Weiner (R for profanity and sexuality) Warts-and-all documentary chronicling disgraced Congressman Anthony Weiner's second fall from grace when caught sexting during the 2013 campaign for Mayor of New York. Featuring Weiner's wife Huma Abedin, his spokesperson Barbara Morgan, and his text message recipient, aspiring porn star Sydney Leathers.