Kam’s Kapsules by Kam Williams

Alice in Wonderland (PG for fantasy, action, violence, scary images, and smoking). Tim Burton directs this animated sequel to the Lewis Carroll children’s classic revolving around a 19-year-old Alice’s (Mia Wasikowska) return to the whimsical kingdom for a reunion with the White Rabbit (Michael Sheen) and other childhood friends, and to end the Red Queen’s (Helena Bonham Carter) reign of terror. Voice cast includes Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Alan Rickman, Christopher Lee, and Crispin Glover.

The Art of the Steal (Unrated). Courtroom documentary about the legal battle for control of the Barnes Foundation’s priceless collection of Modern and Post-Impressionistic paintings.

Avatar (PG-13 for sensuality, profanity, smoking, and intense epic battle sequences). James Cameron’s long-awaited science fiction thriller, revolving around a paraplegic ex-Marine (Sam Worthington) torn between loyalty to the corporate employer that sent him to extract rare minerals from a remote planet and his concern for the welfare of the locals, especially the attractive humanoid (Zoe Saldana) who turns his head. Cast includes Michelle Rodriguez, Sigourney Weaver, Laz Alonso, CCH Pounder, and Giovanni Ribisi.

The Bounty Hunter (PG-13 for profanity, violence, and sexuality). Romantic comedy about a down-on-his-luck bounty hunter (Gerard Butler) hired to bring his bail-jumping ex-wife (Jennifer Aniston) to justice for a minor legal infraction who ends up on the run with her when they both become embroiled in the murder case she’s been investigating. With Christine Baranski, Jeff Garlin, Jason Sudeikis, and Dorian Missick.

Chloe (R for profanity, nudity, and graphic sexuality). Atom Egoyan directs this psychological thriller about a jealous wife (Julianne Moore) who comes to regret her decision to hire a high-class call girl (Amanda Seyfried) to try to seduce the husband (Liam Neeson) she suspects of cheating on her.

Clash of the Titans (PG-13 for fantasy violence, frightening images, and brief sensuality). Sam Worthington stars in this action-oriented remake of the 1981 fantasy thriller about a mortal son of Zeus (Liam Neeson) who volunteers to lead a daring band of warriors on a dangerous mission to prevent Hades (Ralph Fiennes) from dethroning his father. With Gemma Arterton, Pete Postlethwaite, and Nicholas Hoult.

Crazy Heart (R for profanity and brief sexuality). Jeff Bridges stars in this adaptation of Thomas Cobb’s bittersweet best seller about a washed-up, womanizing, alcoholic, country crooner in search of salvation who gets a little help on the road to redemption from a supportive, investigative journalist (Maggie Gyllenhaal) who has a heart of gold.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid (PG for crude humor and mild epithets). Combination live action/animated comedy based on Jeff Kinney’s illustrated children’s novel of the same name chronicling the misadventures of a wisecracking, junior high school student (Zachary Gordon) and his best friend (Robert Capron) over the course of a very eventful academic year. Supporting cast includes Steve Zahn, Karan Brar and Grayson Russell.

Furry Vengeance (PG for crude humor, mild epithets, and smoking). Eco-friendly, revenge comedy, set in rural Oregon, about a greedy real estate developer (Brendan Fraser) who gets what’s coming when the creatures living in the forest learn about his heartless plans to pave over their peaceable kingdom in order to make way for a mammoth housing development. Cast includes Dr. Ken Jeong, Brooke Shields, and Angela Kinsey.

The Ghost Writer (PG-13 for profanity, sexuality, nudity, violence, and drug use). Roman Polanski directed this adaptation of Robert Harris’ best seller about a ghostwriter (Ewan McGregor) who uncovers secrets which put his life in jeopardy while doing research for the memoirs of a former British prime minister (Pierce Brosnan). With Olivia Williams, Kim Cattrall, Timothy Hutton, Jim Belushi, Tom Wilkinson, and Eli Wallach.

Greenberg (R for profanity, drug use, and graphic sexuality). Ben Stiller stars in the title role of this poignant romance drama about the attempt of two lost souls, adrift in L.A., to forge a meaningful connection. With Jennifer Jason Leigh, Greta Gerwig, Juno Temple, Rhys Ifans, and Chris Messina.

Green Zone (R for violence and profanity). Paul Greengrass directs this Iraq War thriller about a rogue Army Officer (Matt Damon) who relies on faulty intelligence while searching for Saddam Hussein’s weapons of mass destruction all across the desert. With Greg Kinnear, Amy Ryan, and Brendan Gleeson.

Hot Tub Time Machine (R for nudity, graphic sexuality, crude humor, drug use, and pervasive profanity). Hedonistic, sci-fi comedy about four, bored buddies (John Cusack, Craig Robinson, Rob Coddry and Clark Duke) who embark on a raunchy road trip with the help of a magical hot tub which teleports them back to 1986 where they over-imbibe while attempting to recapture their lost youth. With Chevy Chase, Kellee Stewart, and Sebastian Stan.

How to Train Your Dragon (PG for intense action, scary images, and mild epithets). Animated adaptation of Cressida Cowell’s best-selling children’s novel about an unassuming, young Viking warrior (Jay Baruchel) who ends up befriending a toothless dragon (Jonah Hill) he’s supposed to slay. Voice cast includes Gerard Butler, Kristen Wiig, America Ferrara, Craig Ferguson, and Christopher “McLovin” Mintz-Plasse.

The Last Song (PG for mature themes, violence, sensuality, and mild epithets). Coming-of-age drama revolving around a rebellious, 17 year-old prodigy (Miley Cyrus) sent by her divorced mother (Kelly Preston) to spend the summer with her estranged father (Greg Kinnear) in an island resort town where she proceeds to fall in love with a local yokel (Liam Hemsworth) while mending fences and making beautiful music with her dad.

The Last Station (R for a scene with sexuality and nudity). Literary biopic about Leo Tolstoy’s (Christopher Plummer) later years, highlighting the hedonistic Russian author’s ambivalence about having taken vows of poverty and chastity. With Helen Mirren, Paul Giamatti, and James McAvoy.

Our Family Wedding (PG-13 for brief profanity and sexuality). Cross-cultural comedy about a couple of feuding family patriarchs, one black (Forest Whitaker) and one Mexican-American (Carlos Mencia), pressured to put aside their differences after two of their kids (Lance Gross and America Ferrara) announce their engagement. Cast includes Charlie Murphy, Fred Armisen, Lupe Ontiveros, Taye Diggs, and Warren Sapp.

Remember Me (PG-13 for violence, sexuality, profanity, and smoking). Romance drama about a grieving young rebel’s (Robert Pattinson), struggling to recover from his brother’s suicide, who finds himself falling for the supportive beauty (Emilie de Ravin) whose shoulder he leans on. With Pierce Brosnan, Chris Cooper, Lena Olin and Martha Plimpton.

Repo Men (R for profanity, graphic violence, grisly images, sexuality, and nudity). Science fiction thriller, set in the near future, about an ex-collections enforcer (Jude Law) who fell behind on payments on an artificial heart who finds himself on the run from another repossession man (Forest Whitaker) ready to rip the life-saving device out of his chest. Cast includes Live Schreiber, Carice van Houten, Alice Braga, and rapper RZA.

The Runaways (R for profanity, sexuality, and drug use). Kristen Stewart stars as Joan Jett in this coming-of-age biopic about the meteoric rise to fame in 1975 and burnout by 1977 of her all-girl rock and roll quintet comprised of attractive 15-year-olds. Co-starring Dakota Fanning as Cherie Currie and Scout Taylor-Compton as Lita Ford, with Tatum O’Neal, and Michael Shannon.

She’s Out of My League (R for profanity and sexuality). Romantic comedy about an Average Joe (Jay Baruchel) working as an airport security guard whose own insecurities threaten to doom his new relationship with the gorgeous girl of his dreams (Alice Eve) even before it has a chance to blossom.

Shutter Island (R for profanity, nudity, and disturbing violence). Martin Scorcese directed this adaptation of Dennis Lehane’s thriller, set in 1954, about a U.S. Marshal (Leonardo DiCaprio) with a new partner (Mark Ruffalo) sent to investigate the escape of a murderer (Emily Mortimer) from a hospital for the criminally insane located on a remote island. Cast includes Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, Max von Sydow, Patricia Clarkson, and Jackie Earle Haley.

Vincere (Unrated). WWII saga about the love child spawned in 1922 by the illicit liaison of Benito Mussolini (Filippo Timi) and his secret mistress, Ida Dalser (Giovanna Mezzogiorno), consummated before the Fascist dictator’s rise to power. (In Italian and German with subtitles).

Why Did I Get Married Too (PG-13 for mature themes, sexuality, profanity, drug references, and domestic violence). Tyler Perry reassembles original cast for another round of madcap marital melodrama featuring four couples in crisis. Ensemble includes Janet Jackson, Jill Scott, Tasha Smith, Sharon Leal, Maliik Yoba, Richard T. Jones, Lamman Rucker, Michael Jai White, Cicely Tyson, and Lou Gossett, Jr.

Return to Top | Return to Cinema Review | Go to Music and Theater Reviews