Town Topics — Princeton's Weekly Community Newspaper Since 1946.
Vol. LXV, No. 17
Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Kam’s Kapsules by Kam Williams

African Cats (G) Disney nature documentary, narrated by Samuel L. Jackson, chronicling events in the lives of a trio of felines running free on the savannah: a little lion cub learning to imitate its mother, a cheetah mother patiently teaching her five mischievous newborns how to survive, and a fearless lion protecting his pride from a rival.

Arthur (PG-13 for sexuality, profanity, and substance abuse). Russell Brand stars in this bawdy remake of the Dudley Moore classic about an alcoholic playboy in danger of being disinherited for falling in love with a woman (Greta Gerwig) whom his snobbish mom (Geraldine James) disapproves of. With Helen Mirren, Jennifer Garner, Nick Nolte, and Luiz Guzman.

Certified Copy (Unrated). Bittersweet drama about a British art historian (William Shimell) who has a rendezvous with a French antique dealer (Juliette Binoche) from his past while in Tuscany to promote his new book. With Filippo Trojano, Adrian Moore, and Agathe Natanson. In French, Italian, and English with subtitles.

The Conspirator (PG-13 for violence). Robert Redford directs this courtroom drama about a slave owner and Confederate sympathizer Mary Surratt (Robin Wright), the only female arrested as an accessory to John Wilkes Booth’s (Toby Kebbell) plot to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln. Cast includes Academy Award-winner Kevin Kline, Oscar-nominee Tom Wilkinson, plus James McAvoy, Evan Rachel Wood, Stephen Root, and Justin Long.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (PG for mischief and rude humor). Sequel finds the former nerd (Zachary Gordon) resisting pressure from his well meaning parents (Rachael Harris and Steve Zahn) to bond with his big brother/chief tormenter (Devon Bostick). With Robert Capron, Peyton List, and Grayson Russell.

Dylan Dog: Dead of Night (PG-13 for violence, profanity, sexual references, and drug use). Horror film based on the comic book series of the same name about a supernatural sleuth (Brandon Routh) who, with the help of his faithful zombie assistant (Sam Huntington), tracks down the mysterious monsters of the bayou. With Taye Diggs, Peter Stormare, and Anita Briem.

Fast Five (PG-13 for profanity, sexuality, and intense violence). Fifth installment in The Fast and the Furious series finds ringleaders ex-cop (Paul Walker) and ex-con (Vin Diesel) reuniting their gang in Rio to plot the proverbial “last big heist” while on the run from the authorities. Cast includes Tyrese Gibson, Jordana Brewster, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and Chris “Ludacris” Bridges.

Hanna (PG-13 for profanity, sexuality, and intense violence). Action thriller about a 16-year-old (Saoirse Ronan), raised like a soldier by her CIA agent father (Eric Bana), whose survival skills get tested when she’s abducted and has to brave the elements and outwit assassins during a daring, cross-continent escape. With Cate Blanchett, Tom Hodgkins, and Vicky Krieps.

Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil (PG for action, rude humor, and mild swear words). 3-D animated sequel has Red Riding Hood (Hayden Panettiere) teaming with the Wolf (Patrick Warburton) to solve the sudden disappearance of Hansel (Bill Hader) and Gretel (Amy Poehler). Voice cast includes Brad Garrett, Glenn Close, Joan Cusack, and Cheech and Chong.

Hop (PG for mild rude humor). Mixed live-action/animated adventure about a teenager (Russell Brand) who runs away to Hollywood to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a drummer rather than replace his retiring father (Hugh Laurie) as the Easter Bunny. However, the rebellious rabbit comes to reassess his options while being nursed back to health by the slacker (James Marsden) who accidentally hit him with an automobile. Voice cast includes Chelsea Handler, Elizabeth Perkins, and David Hasselhoff.

In a Better World (R for violence, profanity, and disturbing content involving preteens). Danish drama about a 10-year-old boy (Markus Rygaard) being bullied at school who exacts revenge on his tormentors after being befriended by a troubled transfer student (William Johnk Nielsen) from Britain. In Danish, Swedish, and English with subtitles.

Insidious (PG-13 for violence, terror, mature themes, frightening images, and brief profanity). Horror film about a couple (Rose Byrne and Patrick Wilson) desperate to prevent evil spirits from inhabiting the body of their son (Ty Simpkins) who can’t be roused from a coma after hitting his head. With Barbara Hershey, Angus Sampson, and Andrew Astor.

Jane Eyre (PG-13 for mature themes, a nude image, and brief violence). Adaptation number 22 of Charlotte Bronte’s Victorian classic about a headstrong young governess (Mia Wasikowska) who, against her better judgment, finds herself falling for her abusive employer (Michael Fassbender). With Dame Judi Dench, Jamie Bell, and Sally Hawkins.

Limitless (PG-13 for profanity, mature themes, violence, sexuality, and disturbing images). Bradley Cooper stars in this thriller about a frustrated writer whose life is transformed after he is introduced to a top secret drug which enables him to use 100 percent of his brain. With Robert De Niro, Abbie Cornish, and Anna Friel.

Madea’s Big Happy Family (PG-13 for profanity, mature themes, and drug use). Tyler Perry’s back in drag for the sixth time as the trash talking pistol packing granny. This installment of the series is about a niece (Loretta Devine), who is in failing health, who has just received a distressing diagnosis. Cast includes Bow Wow, David and Tamela Mann, Cassi Davis, Lauren London, Cheryl Pepsii Riley, and Isaiah Mustafa.

Of Gods and Men (PG-13 for brief profanity, disturbing images, and a scene of wartime violence). A movie recounting the real life slaughter of seven Trappist monks stationed in a monastery in Algeria who were found beheaded after ignoring the warnings of fundamentalist Muslims to vacate the premises. Starring Lambert Wilson, Michael Lonsdale, and Olivier Rabourdin. In Arabic and French with subtitles.

Potiche (Unrated). French farce, set in 1977, about a wife (Catherine Deneuve) who steps in to run her husband’s (Fabrice Luchini) umbrella factory after he’s been taken hostage by striking employees led by her ex-lover (Gerard Depardieu). With Sergi Lopez, Karin Viard, and Judith Godreche. In French with subtitles.

Prom (PG for fighting and coarse language). Comedy chronicling the angst of a number of high school students preparing for the senior prom. Cast includes Aimee Teegarden, Yin Chang, Thomas McDonell, DeVaughn Nixon, Danielle Campbell, Raini Rodriguez, and Joe Adler.

Rio (PG for mild, off-color humor). Animated family comedy about a domesticated macaw from Minnesota (Jesse Eisenberg) who embarks on an exciting adventure after conquering his fear of flying to make a daring escape from captivity with the bird of his dreams (Anne Hathaway). Voice cast includes Jane Lynch, Wanda Sykes, will.i.am, Jamie Foxx, Leslie Mann, George Lopez, Sergio Mendes, and Tracy Morgan.

Scream 4 (R for profanity, underage drinking, and graphic violence). Revival of Wes Craven slasher series finds protagonist Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) returning to her hometown for the first time in ten years only to find herself again stalked by the serial killer Ghostface (Roger L. Jackson). Cast includes Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Anthony Anderson, Rory Culkin, Hayden Panettiere, Emma Roberts, Kristen Bell, and Anna Paquin.

Soul Surfer (PG for mature themes and a graphic accident). Biopic recounting the real life ordeal of Bethany Hamilton (AnnaSophia Robb), the 13-year-old surfer who found the courage to swim in the ocean again after losing an arm in a shark attack off the coast of Hawaii. Supporting cast includes Helen Hunt, Dennis Quaid, Chris Brochu, Carrie Underwood, and Irie Driscoll.

Source Code (PG-13 for violence, disturbing images, and profanity). Science fiction thriller about a highly decorated pilot (Jake Gyllenhaal) who discovers that he’s on a mission to find the terrorist bomber of a Chicago commuter train when he suddenly wakes up in someone else’s body. Cast includes Vera Farmiga, Jeffrey Wright, and Michelle Monaghan.

Water for Elephants (Unrated). Robert Pattinson stars in the screen adaptation of Sara Gruen’s Depression-era novel of the same name about a veterinary student who drops out of school to join the circus after his parents perish in a car accident. With Reese Witherspoon, Christoph Waltz, and Hal Holbrook.

Win Win (Unrated). Comedy about a down on his luck attorney (Paul Giamatti) moonlighting as a high school wrestling coach who gets a new lease on life when he stumbles across a star athlete (Alex Shaffer). With Amy Ryan, Burt Young, Jeffrey Tambor, and Melanie Lynskey.

Your Highness (R for nudity, violence, drug use, sexuality, crude humor, and profanity). Medieval farce about a couple of knights (James Franco and Danny McBride) who embark on an epic adventure with an elusive warrior (Natalie Portman) in order to rescue a damsel in distress (Zooey Deschanel) kidnapped by an evil wizard (Justin Theroux).

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