Town Topics — Princeton's Weekly Community Newspaper Since 1946.
Vol. LXV, No. 7
Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Kam’s Kapsules by Kam Williams

Another Year (PG-13 for profanity). Six-time Oscar nominee Mike Leigh wrote and directed this British drama describing four seasons in the life of a happily married, middle aged couple (Jim Broadbent and Ruth Sheen) who find themselves surrounded by morose friends, relatives, and colleagues in emotional crises. With Lesley Manville, Oliver Maltman, and Peter Wight.

Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son (PG-13 for sexual humor and brief violence). Martin Lawrence returns for third go-round as a cross dressing undercover FBI Agent at an all-girls school where his 17-year-old stepson (Brandon T. Jackson) witnessed a murder. Cast includes Dr. Ken Jeong, Sherri Shepherd, Faizon Love, Jessica Lucas, Michelle Ang, and Portia Doubleday.

Black Swan (R for graphic sexuality, disturbing violent images, profanity, and drug use). Darren Aronofsky (The Wrestler) directs this psychological thriller set in New York City about a couple of ballet dancers (Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis) competing to land the lead role in a production of Swan Lake. With Vincent Kassel and Oscar nominees Barbara Hershey and Winona Ryder.

Blue Valentine (R for profanity, a beating, and graphic sexuality). Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling co-star in this drama deconstructing the disintegration of the once blissful marriage of a contentious couple with a young child (Faith Wladyka). With Ben Shenkman, Jen Jones, and Mike Vogel.

The Chaperone (PG-13 for profanity, violence, and crude humor). Road comedy about a reformed bank robber (Paul Levesque) who agrees to serve as a chaperone on his 13 year-old daughter’s (Ariel Winter) school bus trip to New Orleans only to find himself on the run from members of his former gang. With Kevin Corrigan, Annabeth Gish, and Ashley Taylor.

The Eagle (PG-13 for battle sequences and disturbing sequences). Historical epoch, set in 140 A.D., revolving around the arrival of a young Roman centurion (Channing Tatum) sent to England with a slave (Jamie Bell) by Marcus Aurelius to recover the emblem of the Ninth Legion which had mysteriously disappeared 20 years earlier under the leadership of his late father (Aladar Lakloth). Cast includes Donald Sutherland, Paul Ritter, and Denis O’Hare.

The Fighter (R for violence, sexuality, drug use, and profanity). A biopic chronicling light welterweight boxer “Irish” Mickey Ward’s (Mark Wahlberg) real life journey on the road to redemption with the help of his half-brother trainer (Christian Bale) leading to a shot at the championship title. With Oscar-nominees Melissa Leo and Amy Adams.

Gnomeo and Juliet (G). Animated Disney update of the Shakespeare classic as a tale of forbidden love between a couple of star-crossed lawn ornaments (James McAvoy and Emily Blunt) from feuding families. Featuring voiceovers by Jason Statham, Michael Caine, Ozzy Ozbourne, Hulk Hogan and Dolly Parton, with songs by Lady Gaga and Sir Elton John.

The Green Hornet (PG-13 for violence, profanity, sexuality, and drug use). Seth Rogen stars in this action hero adaptation based on the thirties radio show about the heir of a media empire who secretly moonlights as a crime fighting vigilante with the assistance of a trusted employee (Jay Chou) trained in the martial arts. With Cameron Diaz, Christoph Waltz, Tom Wilkinson, and Edward James Olmos.

I Am Number Four (PG-13 for profanity, violence, and intense action sequences). Science fiction thriller about a teenage fugitive (Alex Pettyfer) from another planet who tries to hide from the ruthless alien assassins on his trail in an idyllic Ohio town where he falls in love with a local woman (Dianna Agron). With Timothy Olyphant, Teresa Palmer, and Jake Abel.

The Illusionist (Unrated). Oscar nominated animated adventure about an aging French magician (Jean-Claude Donda) who ventures to Scotland where he gets a new lease on life with the help of a troubled teenager (Eilidh Rankin) who has a sense of wonder. In English, Gaelic, and French with subtitles.

Just Go with It (PG-13 for profanity, sexuality, partial nudity, drug references, and pervasive crude humor). Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston co-star in this romantic comedy about a plastic surgeon who asks his assistant to pose as his estranged wife in order to convince his young girlfriend (Brooklyn Decker) that he’s really married. Ensemble cast includes Nicole Kidman, Dave Matthews, Kevin Nealon, Heidi Montag, Rachel Dratch, and Dan Patrick.

Justin Bieber: Never Say Never (G). Concert film featuring performances from the singing sensation’s 2010 “My World Tour” interspliced with footage from his childhood home movies.

The King’s Speech (R for profanity). Drama set in the twenties recounting the rise to power of shy and retiring King George VI (Colin Firth) with the help of the therapist (Geoffrey Rush) who helped his majesty suppress his stutter. With Claire Bloom as Queen Mary, Michael Gambon as King George V, and Oscar nominee Helena Bonham Carter as Queen Elizabeth.

The Mechanic (R for profanity, nudity, sexuality, and pervasive graphic violence). Jason Statham stars in the title role of this remake of the Charles Bronson thriller about an elite assassin who forges an ill-fated liaison with an apprentice (Ben Foster) bent on revenge. Cast includes Donald Sutherland, Jeff Chase, and Mini Anden.

No Strings Attached (R for sexuality, profanity, and drug use). Romantic comedy in reverse about a couple of ”friends with benefits” (Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher) who first agree to a strictly physical relationship only to find themselves subsequently developing deep feelings for each other. Cast includes Kevin Kline, Ludacris, Cary Elwes, Greta Gerwig, and Olivia Thirlby.

The Rite (PG-13 for profanity, sexual references, frightening images, and disturbing themes). Horror film about a demoralized seminary student (Colin O’Donoghue) who finds his faith restored by fighting demonic forces after he learns to perform exorcisms at the Vatican. With Anthony Hopkins, Rutger Hauer, Ciaran Hinds, Toby Jones, and Alice Braga.

The Roommate (PG-13 for profanity, sexuality, menacing violence, and teen partying). Psychological thriller about a naïve college freshman (Minka Kelly) who moves into her dorm having no idea that she’s been assigned a roommate (Leighton Meester) with a killer personality. With Billy Zane, Cam Gigandet, and Alyson Michalka.

Sanctum (R for profanity, violence, and disturbing images). 3-D action thriller set in the South Pacific where a team of divers exploring a series of underwater caves suddenly find themselves in a struggle for survival after becoming trapped by a flash flood. Cast includes Richard Roxburgh, Ioan Gruffudd, Rhys Wakefield, and Alice Parkinson.

True Grit (PG-13 for intense violence and disturbing images). Coen Brothers remake of the Western movie about a U.S. Marshal (Jeff Bridges) who helps a 14-year-old girl (Hailee Steinfeld) track down her father’s murderer (Josh Brolin). With Barry Pepper, Ed Corbin, and Oscar-winner Matt Damon.

Unknown (PG-13 for violence, brief sexuality, and intense action sequences). Psychological thriller about a doctor (Liam Neeson) who awakens from a coma after a car accident in Berlin to discover that a stranger (Aidan Quinn) has not only assumed his identity but has even managed to trick his wife (January Jones). With Frank Langella, Diane Kruger, and Bruno Ganz. In English, German, and Arabic with subtitles.

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