Kam's Kapsules for movies opening March 17, 2017

 

Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun

by Kam Williams

OPENING THIS WEEK

BIG BUDGET FILMS

Beauty and the Beast (PG for action, peril, violence and frightening images) Emma Watson and Dan Stevens co-star as the title characters in this musical adaptation of the French fairy tale about a young woman taken prisoner by a monstrous, young prince.Supporting cast includes Luke Evans, Kevin Kline, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Stanley Tucci, Audra McDonald, Ian McKellen, Josh Gad and Emma Thompson.

The Belko Experiment (R for profanity, sexual references, drug use and pervasive gory violence) High-body count thriller set inside a locked corporate office in Bogota, Columbia where 60 American employees are directed via intercom by an anonymous voice to participate in a grisly game of kill or be killed. Ensemble cast includes Melonie Diaz, John C. McGinley, Tony Goldwyn and Adria Arjona.

T2: Trainspotting (R for violence, drug use, graphic sexuality, frontal nudity and pervasive profanity) Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle (for Slumdog Millionaire) reassembled his principal cast for this gritty sequel, set in Edinburgh 20 years later, which finds the gang resuming their shocking, anti-social antics. Co-starring Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Johnny Lee Miller, Robert Carlyle and Kelly Macdonald.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

All Nighter (R for sexuality, brief nudity, drug use and pervasive profanity) Unlikely-buddies comedy about a hard-boiled businessman (J.K. Simmons) who grudgingly joins forces with his missing daughter's (Analeigh Tipton) slacker ex-boyfriend (Emile Hirsch) after she mysteriously disappears. With Taran Killam, Shannon Woodward and Kristen Schaal.

Betting on Zero (Unrated) Incendiary Wall Street documentary chronicling billionaire, hedge fund manager Bill Ackman's crusade exposing Herbalife as the biggest pyramid scheme in history. Featuring appearances by corporate raider Carl Icahn, grass roots organizer Julie Contreras and Herbalife CEO Michael Johnson.

Burn Your Maps (PG-13 for sexual material, mature themes and brief profanity) Adaptation of the Robyn Joy Leff short story of the same name about an 8 year-old trans-ethnic (Jacob Tremblay), born white in America, who comes out to his parents (Vera Farmiga and Martin Csokas) as a Mongolian goat herder before embarking on a trip to Asia in search of his roots. With Suraj Sharma, Virginia Madsen and Ramon Rodriguez.

The Devil's Candy (Unrated) Haunted house horror flick about an artist (Ethan Embry) who becomes possessed by demonic forces soon after moving into his dream home with his wife (Shiri Appleby) and teen daughter (Kiara Glasco). Featuring Craig Nigh, Pruitt Taylor Vince and Oryan West.

Frantz (PG-13 for mature themes and brief violence) Bittersweet romance drama, set in the wake of World War I, about the grief-stricken fiancee (Paula Beer) of a late German soldier (Anton von Lucke) who forges a friendship with the mysterious Frenchman (Pierre Niney) she finds placing flowers on his grave. Cast includes Marie Gruber, Johann von Bulow and Ernst Stotzner. (In French and German with subtitles)

Mean Dreams (R for violence and profanity) Coming-of-age drama about a fed-up15 year-old girl (Sophie Nelisse) who runs away from home with her protective new boyfriend (Josh Wiggins) to escape being beaten by her corrupt cop father (the late Bill Paxton). With Colm Feore, Ryan Blakely and Joe Cobden.

Song to Song (R for profanity, sexuality, nudity and drug use) Tawdry tale of seduction and betrayal, set in Austin, revolving around the love triangles which develop when a couple of struggling songwriters (Ryan Gosling and Rooney Mara) enlist the assistance of a music mogul (Michael Fassbender) with a trophy waitress girlfriend (Natalie Portman). Cast includes Cate Blanchett, Benicio del Toro, Val Kilmer and Holly Hunter with cameos by Patti Smith, Iggy Pop and Flea.