Friday, March 17, 2017

 
OPENING THIS WEEK
Kam's Kapsules
Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun
by Kam Williams
For movies opening March 24, 2017


BIG BUGET FILMS

Chips (R for crude humor, graphic sexuality, frontal nudity, violence, drug use and pervasive profanity) Dax Shepard wrote, directed, produced and co-stars in this comedic screen version of the Seventies TV series revolving around the exploits of a couple of California Highway Patrol officers (Shepard and Michael Pena). With Adam Brody, Kristen Bell, Vincent D'Onofrio, Maya Rudolph and Jane Kaczmarek.

Life (R for violence, terror and pervasive profanity) Sci-fi thriller chronicling the crew's ordeal aboard an international space station after a microscopic organism plucked from the surface of Mars starts reproducing rapidly while morphing into a malevolent force. Co-starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Ryan Reynolds, Ariyon Bakare, Rebecca Ferguson, Hiroyuki Sanada and Olga Dihovichnaya. (In English, Japanese and Chinese with subtitles)

Power Rangers (PG-13 for violence, action, destruction, profanity and crude humor) Reboot of the hyperactive kiddie franchise finds five teens imbued with unique superpowers (Naomi Scott, R.J. Cyler, Ludi Lin, Dacre Montgomery and Becky G.) joining forces to save the planet from an evil witch (Elizabeth Banks) with an army of militant minions. With Bill Hader, Bryan Cranston and Sarah Grey.

Slamma Jamma (PG for violence, mature themes and mild epithets) Tale of redemption about a wrongly-convicted basketball star (Chris Staples) who attempts to get back on his feet after parole by entering a slam dunk competition with a grand prize of $25,000. Cast includes Michael Irvin, Jose Canseco and Michael Hardy.


INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

American Anarchist (Unrated) Hippie Era documentary catching up with controversial cult figure William Powell, the now regretful author of the anti-establishment manifesto, "The Anarchist's Cookbook."
 
I Called Him Morgan (Unrated) Reverential retrospective revisiting the life of Lee Morgan (1938-1972), the legendary jazz great murdered by his wife between sets during a late-night gig at Slug's Saloon in Greenwich Village. Featuring commentary by contemporaries Albert "Tootie" Heath, Wayne Shorter, Benny Maupin and Billy Harper.

I, Olga Hepnarova (Unrated) Crime blotter docudrama, set in Prague, deconstructing the series of events triggering 22 year-old, mass murderer Olga Hepnarova's (Michalina Olszanska) 1973 killing spree. With Martin Pelchat, Klara Meliskova and Marika Soposka. (In Czech with subtitles)

In Search of Israeli Cuisine (Unrated) Foodie documentary examining the 70+ cultures contributing to Israeli eating habits at home and in restaurants.

The Levelling (Unrated) Haunting, modern parable of Biblical proportions chronicling a grief-stricken Prodigal Daughter's (Ellie Kendrick) attempt to reconcile with her long-estranged father (David Troughton) while performing a post mortem on her brother's (Joe Blakemore) untimely death. Featuring Jack Holden.

Prevenge (Unrated) Horror comedy, set in Wales, about a pregnant mom in mourning (Alice Lowe), who is prodded by her fetus to embark on a homicidal rampage against the people responsible for the baby-daddy's fatal, mountain climbing accident. With Kate Dickie, Gemma Whelan and Jo Hartley.

Wilson (R for sexuality and pervasive profanity) Woody Harrelson plays the character in this dysfunctional family comedy about a lonely misanthrope who decides to reconcile with his estranged ex-wife (Laura Dern) upon learning that he has a teenage daughter (Isabella Amara) he never knew existed. With Brett Gelman, Judy Greer and Toussaint Morrison.

No comments: