Kam's Kapsules for Movies Opening 7-15-16

Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun

by Kam Williams

 

OPENING THIS WEEK

BIG BUDGET FILMS

Ghostbusters (PG-13 for action and crude humor) Gender-bent reboot of the classic comedy revolving around a scientist (Melissa McCarthy), a professor (Kristen Wiig), a nuclear engineer (Kate McKinnon) and a subway token booth clerk (Leslie Jones) who join forces to save Manhattan from a demonic disembodied spirit (Neil Casey). Ensemble cast includes Chris Hemsworth, Cecily Strong, Andy Garcia and Michael Kenneth Williams, with cameo appearances by Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver and Ernie Hudson.

The Infiltrator (R for pervasive profanity, graphic violence, drug use and some sexuality) Bryan Cranston plays the title character in this fact-based drama, set in 1985, about a U.S. Customs Agent who posed as a money-launderer in order to infiltrate Pablo Escobar's Colombian drug cartel. With Benjamin Bratt, John Leguizamo, Diane Kruger and Amy Ryan.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

C Street (R for sexuality and drug use) Freewheeling farce about a U.S. Senate intern (Evan Hall) who pimps out his crib to sex-starved politicians only to catch his boss (Dylan Walsh) in bed with the object of his affection (Shaun Licata). Cast includes Bruce Altman, Carey Lowell and Don Stark.

Cafe Society (PG-13 for violence, suggestive material, smoking and a drug reference) Woody Allen romantic dramedy, set in the 1930s, revolving around a New Yorker (Jesse Eisenberg) who relocates to Los Angeles hoping to work for his uncle (Steve Carell), only to fall in love with the powerful Hollywood agent's secretary (Kristen Stewart). With Sheryl Lee, Jeannie Berlin and Richard Portnow.

Don't Blink: Robert Frank (Unrated) "Say cheese!" biopic chronicling the enduring career of 91 year-old Robert Frank, legendary photojournalist and independent filmmaker.

Equals (PG-13 for sensuality, mature themes, partial nudity and disturbing images) Futuristic tale of forbidden love, set in a dystopia devoid of disease and human emotion, about a couple of co-workers (Nicholas Hoult and Kristen Stewart) who find themselves falling head-over-heels for each other after becoming infected with a mysterious new virus. Cast includes Guy Pearce, Jacki Weaver, Scott Lawrence and Kate Lyn Sheil.

Free to Run (Unrated) Fitness documentary revisiting the rise of running as a popular form of exercise 50 years ago. (In French and English with subtitles)

Hillary's America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party (PG-13 for violence, mature themes and smoking) Political documentary, written and directed by arch-conservative Dinesh D'Souza, incriminating Hillary Clinton while uncovering shady skeletons in the Democrats' closet. Featuring commentary by D'Souza, Jonah Goldberg and Peter Schweizer..

Madaari (Unrated) Revenge thriller revolving around a grieving widower's (Irfan Khan) search for answers after losing his family and everything he owns in a man-made disaster. With Jimmy Shergill, Vishesh Bansal, Nitish Pandey and Tushar Dalvi. (In Hindi with subtitles)

Outlaws and Angels (R for profanity, disturbing sexuality and graphic violence) Western tale of vengeance about the game of cat-and-mouse which ensues after a criminal gang invades the home of a frontier family. Co-starring Luke Wilson, Francis Fisher, Francesca Eastwood and Teri Polo.

Tulip Fever (Unrated) Romance drama, set in 17th Century Amsterdam, about a portrait artist (DaneDeHaan) who embarks on a passionate affair with a married woman (Alicia Vikander) he's been hired to paint. With Christoph Waltz, Zach Galifiniakis and Dame Judi Dench.