Kam's Kapsules for movies opening April 7, 2017

 

by Kam Williams

Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun 

OPENING THIS WEEK

BIG BUDGET FILMS

The Case for Christ (PG for mature themes, incidental smoking and medical descriptions of crucifixion) Faith-based docudrama based on investigative journalist Lee Strobel's (Mike Vogel) best seller of the same name chronicling his conversion from a skeptical atheist to a devout believer after two years of trying to convince his Born Again wife (Erika Christensen) that God doesn't exist. With Faye Dunaway, Robert Forster and Frankie Faison.

Going in Style (PG-13 for profanity, drug use and suggestive material) Remake of the classic crime comedy revolving around a trio of retirees (Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Alan Arkin) who conspire to rob the bank that bankrupted their pension fund. Supporting cast includes Joey King, Ann-Margaret, Matt Dillon, Kenan Thompson and Christopher Lloyd.

Smurfs: The Lost Village (PG for mild action and rude humor) Reboot of the animated franchise finds Smurfette (Demi Lovato) and BFFs Brainy (Danny Pudi), Hefty (Joe Manganiello) and Clumsy (Jack McBrayer) racing through a forbidden forest filled with magical creatures to find a lost village before the evil wizard Gargamel (Rainn Wilson). Voice cast includes Mandy Patinkin, Julia Roberts, Michelle Rodriguez, Meghan Trainor and Gordon Ramsay.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

Aftermath (R for one scene containing graphic violence) Fact-based docudrama about a grief-stricken vigilante (Arnold Schwarzenegger) who seeks to take revenge on the air traffic controller (Scoot McNairy) whose mistake led to the crash which claimed the lives of his wife and daughter. Supporting cast includes Maggie Grace, Kevin Zegers and Hannah Ware.

Alive and Kicking (Unrated) Musical documentary taking an informative look at both the Depression Era roots as well as the present-day popularity of swing dancing.

The Assignment (R for profanity, sexuality, violence, drug use and graphic nudity) Crime thriller about a double-crossed assassin's (Michelle Rodriguez) quest for vengeance against the rogue surgeon (Sigourney Weaver) who performed her gender-reassignment surgery against her will. Featuring Tony Shalhoub, Anthony LaPaglia and Lia Lam.

Cezanne et Moi (R for profanity, nudity and sexual references) Bifurcated biopic chronicling the lifelong friendship of novelist/philosopher Emile Zola (Guillaume Canet) and Post-Impressionist painter Paul Cezanne (Guillaume Gallienne). With Alice Pol, Deborah Francois and Pierre Yvon. (In French with subtitles)

Colossal (R for profanity) Sci-fi comedy about a just-dumped and just-fired slacker (Anne Hathaway) who abandons New York City for her hometown where she suffers a nervous breakdown that leaves her convinced she's in control of a giant monster making mincemeat of Seoul, South Korea. Ensemble cast includes Jason Sudeikis, Tim Blake Nelson, Dan Stevens and Simon Pegg.

Gifted (PG-13 for profanity, mature themes and suggestive material) Coming-of-age adventure set in a Central Florida coastal town where a 7 year-old orphan (Mckenna Grace) raised by her uncle (Chris Evans) since her mother's suicide becomes the subject of a custody battle when her grandmother (Lindsay Duncan) learns she's a promising math prodigy. With Octavia Spencer, Jona Xiao and Jenny Slate.

Graduation (R for profanity) Crime drama, set in Transylvania, about a physician (Adrian Titieni) who loses his moral compass after his 18 year-old daughter (Maria-Victoria Dragus) is left traumatized by a sexual assault right before taking her college entrance exam. Support cast includes Rares Andrici, Lia Bugnar and Vlad Ivanov. (In Romanian with subtitles)

Salt and Fire (Unrated) Strange bedfellows drama about a couple of environmental activists (Gael Garcia Bernal and Veronica Ferres) who grudgingly join forces with the corrupt CEO (Michael Shannon) of a corporate polluter when an active volcano threatens to trigger an ecological disaster. Featuring Anita Briem, Lawrence Krauss and the film's director, Werner Herzog. (In English, Spanish, Quecha and German with subtitles)

Speech & Debate (PG-13 for teen sexuality, mature themes, profanity and substance abuse) Adaptation of the Off-Broadway play of the same name about a trio of teenage outcasts (Liam James, Sarah Steele and Austin McKenzie) who deal with their hypocritical parents and teachers by reviving their high school's dormant debate club. With Janeane Garofalo, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Kal Penn, Roger Bart, Lucy DeVito (Danny's daughter) and creator of the Broadway hit Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Their Finest (R for profanity and sexuality) Romantic dramedy, set in London during World War II, about a young woman (Gemma Arterton) enlisted to write scripts for British propaganda films who finds herself falling for the movies' handsome producer (Sam Claflin). With Bill Nighy, Jake Lacy and Eddie Marsan.

The Ticket (Unrated) Changed circumstances drama about a blind man (Dan Stevens) who turns into a jerk, dumping his plain wife (Malin Akerman) for an attractive young woman (Kerry Bishe), and deserting his blind BFF (Oliver Platt), after miraculously regaining his sight. Supporting cast includes Peter Mark Kendall, Liza J. Bennett and Skylar Gaertner.