Kam’s Kapsules by Kam Williams

Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Squeakquel (PG for mild rude humor). Animated sequel reunites the singing siblings Alvin (Justin Long), Simon (Matthew Gray Gubler), and Theodore (Jesse McCartney) for another round of hijinks during which they find themselves facing the pressures of school, celebrity, and competition from a female group called The Chipettes. With voiceover work by Amy Poehler, Anna Faris, and Christina Applegate.

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 which 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 Blind Side (PG-13 for sexual references, drug use, and brief violence). Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw co-star in this true story about a wealthy white couple who adopt a homeless black teenager (Quinton Aaron) and help him pursue his dream of playing football in college and professionally.

Broken Embraces (R for profanity, sexuality, and drug use). Magical drama dealing with themes of love and betrayal, and revolving around a grieving writer (Lluis Homar) left blind by the car accident which claimed the life of his lover (Penelope Cruz). With Blanca Portillo, Jose Luis Gomez and Tamar Novas. In Spanish and English with subtitles.

Brothers (R for profanity and disturbing violence). Jim Sheridan directs this dysfunctional family drama about an ex-con (Jake Gyllenhaal) who gets involved with his big brother’s (Tobey Maguire) wife (Natalie Portman) after his sibling goes missing in Afghanistan, only to have a lot of explaining to do upon the decorated veteran’s rescue and return to the States. Cast includes Sam Shepard and Mare Winningham.

A Christmas Carol (PG for scary images). Animated Disney version of the Charles Dickens classic about a miserly cold hearted curmudgeon (Jim Carrey) who has to experience an epiphany in order to be able to appreciate the holiday season. With voice work by Bob Hoskins, Colin Firth, Robin Wright Penn, Gary Oldman, and Fionnula Flanagan.

Did You Hear about the Morgans? (PG-13 for sexual references and momentary violence). Romantic comedy starring Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker as an estranged couple who get a sorely needed change of scenery and an opportunity to work on their marriage when they’re relocated by the FBI from Manhattan to Wyoming for their own protection after witnessing a murder. With Sam Elliott, Mary Steenburgen, Mandy Moore, and Wilfred Brimley.

An Education (PG-13 for sexuality, smoking, and mature themes). Coming-of-age drama, set in London in the sixties, adapted by Nick Horn-by from Lynn Barber’s memoir about a bright 17-year-old (Carey Mulligan) who abandons her plans to attend Oxford in order to entertain the advances of a suave gentleman (Peter Sarsgaard) more than twice her age. With Alfred Molina, Olivia Williams, and Cara Seymour.

Invictus (PG-13 for brief profanity). Clint Eastwood directs this uplifting saga based on John Carlin’s best seller recounting recently elected South African President Nelson Mandela’s (Morgan Freeman) attempt to unite his apartheid divided nation during the national rugby team’s run to the 1995 World Cup Championship. Co-starring Matt Damon and Scott Eastwood.

It’s Complicated (R for drug use and sexuality). Midlife crisis sitcom about a divorced restaurateur (Meryl Streep) who embarks on an ill-advised affair with her remarried ex-husband (Alec Baldwin) after sparks start to fly again at their son’s (Hunter Parrish) college graduation. With Steve Martin, Lake Bell, Mary Kay Place, Rita Wilson, and Zoe Kazan.

Me and Orson Welles (PG-13 for smoking and sexual references). Zac Efron stars in this screen adaptation of Robert Kaplow’s historical novel, set in 1937, about the ill-fated love affair between a young actor cast in a New York City production of Julius Caesar and an ambitious stage assistant (Claire Danes) who’d just as soon sleep with the play’s womanizing director, Orson Welles (Christian McKay). With Eddie Marsan as John Houseman and James Tupper as Joseph Cotten.

Nine (PG-13 for sexuality and smoking). Rob Marshall directs this adaptation of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical about a famous film director’s (Daniel Day Lewis) attempt to manage his mid-life crisis while juggling the competing demands of his wife (Marion Cotillard), his mistress (Penelope Cruz), his confidant (Judi Dench), his muse (Nicole Kidman), a prostitute (Fergie), a journalist (Kate Hudson), and even his late mother (Sophia Loren).

Old Dogs (PG for crude humor). Disney family comedy about a couple of freewheeling bachelors and business partners (John Travolta and Robin Williams) who get a big lesson in what’s really important in life when they’re suddenly left in charge of the 7-year-old twins (Ella Bleu Travolta and Conner Rayburn) that one of them never knew he’d fathered with his ex (Kelly Preston). Cast includes Seth Green, Matt Dillon, Ann-Margaret, Amy Sedaris, Rita Wilson, and features the final screen performance of the late Bernie Mac.

Precious (R for rape, child abuse, pervasive profanity, and ethnic slurs). Lee Daniels directs this screen adaptation of the Sapphire best seller, set in Harlem in 1987, about a teenage mother’s (Gabby Sidibe) attempt to finish school and to find love in the face of a monstrous mother (Mo’Nique) who insists she’ll never amount to anything. With Mariah Carey, Paula Patton, Lenny Kravitz, and Sherri Shepherd.

The Princess and the Frog (G). Animated musical tale, set in the French Quarter of New Orleans, where a jazz loving frog (Bruno Campos) is turned back into a prince with the help of a kiss from a beautiful waitress (Anika Noni Rose). With voiceover work by Oprah Winfrey, Terrence Howard, John Goodman, Keith David, Jenifer Lewis, and Randy Newman.

Sherlock Holmes (PG-13 for intense violence, startling images, and one suggestive scene). Latest incarnation of the legendary sleuth created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle features Robert Downey, Jr. in the title role, accompanied by Jude Law as the loyal Dr. Watson. Crime thriller pits the pair in a battle of wits with a diabolical Satanist (Mark Strong) who has risen from the dead to resume a gruesome killing spree.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon (PG-13 for violence and action). Second installment in Stephenie Meyer’s fantasy series finds 18-year-old Bella (Kristen Stewart) brokenhearted but in a budding relationship with her mysterious childhood friend, Jacob (Taylor Lautner), after her vampire lover Edward (Robert Pattinson) and the rest of the Cullen clan leave town to protect her from their craven bloodlust. Cast includes Dakota Fanning, Nikki Reed, Ashley Greene, and Billy Burke.

Up in the Air (R for profanity and sexuality). Jason Reitman directs this screen adaptation of Walter Kirn’s best seller about a hatchet man (George Clooney) who works for a downsizing corporation who suddenly finds himself grounded just when he’s on the brink of accumulating ten million frequent flyer miles and right after he’s fallen in love with a like-minded traveler (Vera Farmiga). With Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman, J.K. Simmons, Sam Elliott, Danny McBride, and Zach Galifianakis.

The Young Victoria (PG for mild sensuality, smoking, brief violence and mild epithets). Historical costume drama chronicling the early years in the reign of Queen Victoria (Emily Blunt) and her enduring love for Prince Albert (Rupert Friend). Cast includes Miranda Richardson, Paul Bettany and Jim Broadbent. In English and German with subtitles.

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