Kam’s Kapsules by Kam Williams

127 Hours (R for profanity, violence, and disturbing images). James Franco stars in this bittersweet tale of survival recounting the real-life dilemma confronted by a mountain climber who had to amputate his own arm after it got pinned under a boulder while he was hiking alone in Utah. Cast includes Amber Tamblyn, Kate Mara, Treat Williams, and Kate Burton.

Burlesque (PG-13 for sexuality, profanity, mature themes, and partial nudity). Musical drama about an aspiring singer (Christina Aguilera) from the midwest who moves to Los Angeles where she’s given a big break to perform on stage by the stripper-turned-owner (Cher) of a failing burlesque theater. With Kristen Bell, Stanley Tucci, and Alan Cumming.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (PG for frightening images and action fantasy sequences). Third installment in the film series based on the C.S. Lewis series of fantasy novels finds Edmund (Skandar Keynes) and Lucy Pensie (Georgie Henley), along with their cousin Eustace (Will Poulter), returning to the magical land of Narnia to embark on a dangerous seafaring mission taking them to the edge of the world. Cast includes Simon Pegg and Oscar-winners Liam Neeson and Tilda Swinton.

Due Date (R for profanity, sexuality, and drug use). Robert Downey, Jr. and Zack Galifianakis co-star in this road comedy about an uptight father-to-be who hitches a ride across the country with a wacky slacker in order to make it on time to witness the birth of his baby. With Michelle Monaghan, Jamie Foxx, Juliette Lewis, Charlie Sheen, and RZA.

Fair Game (PG-13 for profanity). The Valerie Plame affair is revisited by this espionage thriller about a CIA Agent (Naomi Watts) whose cover was ostensibly blown because her diplomat husband (Sean Penn) had publicly questioned the veracity of the Bush administration’s “weapons of mass destruction” rationale for the invasion of Iraq. With Sam Shepard, Bruce McGill, and Ty Burrell.

Faster (R for profanity, drug use, and graphic violence). Crime story featuring Dwayne Johnson as a recently paroled ex-con determined to avenge the murder of his brother who died during the botched bank robbery that landed him behind bars. With Billy Bob Thornton, Mike Epps, Carla Gugino, and Maggie Grace.

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest (R for sexuality, brief profanity, and graphic violence). Final movie in the trilogy, based on the posthumously published novels by the late Stieg Larsson, finds the plucky protagonist (Noomi Rapace) recovering from her bullet wounds while awaiting trial for a triple murder and plotting to take revenge on those responsible for her predicament. Cast includes Michael Nyqvist, Lena Endre, and Annika Hallin. In Swedish with subtitles.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (PG-13 for intense violence, frightening images, and brief sensuality). First half of the final installment of J.K. Rowling’s series has Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) joining forces to wrest control of Hogwarts and the Ministry of Magic back from evil Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) and his minions. Cast includes Bill Nighy, Richard Griffiths, and Helena Bonham Carter.

Inside Job (Unrated). The worst recession since the Great Depression is the subject of this documentary chronicling the causes of the global financial meltdown of 2008 which led to over $20 trillion in losses on Wall Street while causing millions to lose their jobs and homes.

Love and Other Drugs (R for nudity, drug use, pervasive profanity, and graphic sexuality). Academy Award-winner Edward Zwick directs a couple of Oscar nominees (Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal) in this romantic comedy based on Jamie Reidy’s memoir Hard Sell: The Evolution of a Viagra Salesman about a free spirit who meets her match in a charming ladies man. Support cast includes Oliver Platt, Hank Azaria, and recently-deceased Jill Clayburgh, a two-time Oscar nominee.

Megamind (PG for action and mild epithets). Animated adventure in 3-D about a hapless evil villain (Will Ferrell) who decides to align himself with the forces of good after the demise of his longtime superhero adversary (Brad Pitt) when he unwittingly creates a diabolical scoundrel (Jonah Hill) bent on world domination. Voice cast includes Tina Fey, Ben Stiller, and J.K. Simmons.

Morning Glory (PG-13 for profanity, sexuality, and drug references). Romantic comedy about an aspiring TV producer (Rachel McAdams) whose hopes to save a struggling news program depend on her controlling the show’s feuding co-anchors (Diane Keaton and Harrison Ford). With Jeff Goldblum, Ty Burrell, Patrick Wilson, and cameos by 50 Cent, Chris Matthews, Lloyd Banks, and Morley Safer. In English and Ukrainian with subtitles.

The Next Three Days (PG-13 for violence, profanity, sexuality, drug use, and mature themes). Oscar winner Paul Haggis (Crash) directs this remake of Pour Elle, a French crime thriller revolving around a desperate college professor (Russell Crowe) who hatches an elaborate plan to spring his wife (Elizabeth Banks) from prison where she’s doing time for a murder he’s convinced she didn’t commit. Cast includes Liam Neeson, RZA, Brian Dennehy, and Olivia Wilde.

Tangled (PG for brief violence). Animated adventure, based on the classic Grimm Brothers’ fairy tale Rapunzel, about an extraordinarily long-haired Princess (Mandy Moore), imprisoned all of her life in a 70-foot-high tower by an evil witch (Donna Murphy), who finally escapes with the help of a handsome bandit (Zachary Levi). Voice cast includes Brad Garrett, Jeffrey Tambor, and Ron Perlman.

The Tourist (PG-13 for violence and brief profanity). English language remake of the French thriller Anthony Zimmer, about an American (Johnny Depp) vacationing in Italy who finds himself falling in love with a manipulative British temptress (Angelina Jolie) being tailed by the police because of her hidden criminal agenda. With Rufus Sewell, Timothy Dalton, and Paul Bettany.

Unstoppable (PG-13 for profanity and scenes of peril). Action thriller about a train conductor (Chris Pine) and an engineer (Denzel Washington) in a race against time to prevent a runaway locomotive with a cargo of toxic chemicals from running off the tracks. With Rosario Dawson, Kevin Dunn, and Elizabeth Mathis.

The Warrior’s Way (R for graphic violence). Western action fantasy, set in the Badlands, about a martial arts master (Jang Dong Ton) who emigrates from Asia to America to retire in peace, only to have to pick up his sword again to defend his adopted hometown and a beautiful local woman (Kate Bosworth) from the gang of marauders who had made her an orphan many moons ago. With Danny Huston, Tony Cox, Oscar winner Geoffrey Rush.

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