Kam's Kapsules for movies opening December 7, 2018

 

 Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun  

by Kam Williams

OPENING THIS WEEK

WIDE RELEASES

Mary Queen of Scots (R for violence and sexuality) Saoirse Ronan plays the title role in this costume drama based on John Guy's best-selling biography chronicling the charismatic monarch's turbulent reign. With Margot Robbie, Gemma Chan and David Tennant.



Schindler's List (R for profanity, sexuality and some violence) 25^th anniversary re-release of Steven Spielberg's Oscar-winning biopic about a German factory owner (Liam Neeson) whose altruistic heroics during World War II saved 1,200 Jews from the Holocaust. Cast includes Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes and Caroline Goodall. (In English, German, Hebrew and Polish with subtitles)

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

Ben Is Back (R for drug use and pervasive profanity) Lucas Hedges plays the title character in this coming-of-age drama about a troubled teen who arrives home unexpectedly on Christmas Eve after running away from a drug treatment center. With Julia Roberts, Courtney B. Vance and Kathryn Newton.

Central Park (Unrated) Genre-bending horror flick about a half-dozen, high school BFFs who end up on the run from a knife-wielding, hooded executioner when they decide to spend a night partying in the park. Ensemble cast includes Grace Van Patten, Ruby Modine, David Valcin and Nicole Balsam.

The Charmer (Unrated) Romance drama, set in Denmark, about an Iranian refugee (Ardalan Esmaili) desperate to seduce a woman who can solidify his immigration status. Featuring Susan Taslimi, Lars Brygmann and Soho Rezanejad. (In English, Persian and Danish with subtitles)

Clara's Ghost (Unrated) Paula Niedert Elliott plays the title character in this dysfunctional family dramedy as a woman who finds solace in a supernatural spirit when she gets fed up with her self-absorbed relatives. With Chris Elliott, Haley Joel Osment and Bella Bracken.

Divide and Conquer: The Story of Roger Ailes (Unrated) Warts-and-all biopic chronicling the rise and fall of the late, longtime chairman of Fox Television/adviser to Presidents Reagan, Bushes 41 and 43, and Donald Trump. Featuring commentary by Glenn Beck, Bill O'Reilly and Megyn Kelly.

Great Great Great (Unrated) Romance drama about a couple (Dan Beirne and Sarah Kolasky) whose blissful relationship starts to fall apart after they get engaged. Support cast includes Richard Clarkin, Lindsay Leese and Ian Fisher.

The Great Pretender (Unrated) Romantic romp, set in NYC, revolving around a French playwright (Maelle Poesy-Guichard) who falls for the star (Keith Poulson) playing her ex in her stage version of their failed relationship. With Linas Phillips, Esther Garrel and Julian Grady. (In English and French with subtitles)

Swimming with Men (Unrated) Mid-life crisis comedy about a miserably-married and jaded accountant (Rob Brydon) who gets a new lease on life when he joins an all-male, synchronized swimming team. Supporting cast includes Rupert Graves, Thomas Turgoose and Adeel Akhtar.

Tyrel (Unrated) Jason Mitchell portrays the title character in this fish-out-of-water drama about an African-American who feels uncomfortable being the only black person attending a lily-white, weekend birthday party in the Catskills. With Christopher Abbott, Trust Arancio and Max Born.

Vox Lux (R for profanity, drug use and graphic violence) Musical drama, set in 1999, chronicling the transformation of an aspiring singer (Raffey Cassidy) into a pop icon with the help of her manager (Jude Law) and songwriter sister (Stacy Martin). With Natalie Portman, Jennifer Ehle and Christopher Abbott.