Kam’s Kapsules by Kam Williams

Another Year (PG-13 for profanity). Six-time Oscar-nominee Mike Leigh wrote and directed this British drama revolving around 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 crisis. With Lesley Manville, Oliver Maltman, and Peter Wight.

Biutiful (R for profanity, nudity, disturbing images, drug use, and some sexuality). Bittersweet drama, set in Barcelona, about the effort of a tormented terminally ill career criminal (Javier Bardem) with a couple of months to live to reconcile with his philandering, bipolar ex-wife (Maricel Alvarez) and to provide for his children’s care after his demise. With Hanaa Bouchaib, Guillermo Estrella, and Eduard Fernandez. In English and Spanish with subtitles.

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 Company Men (R for profanity and brief nudity). Drama about the fallout visited upon three fired corporate executives (Academy Award-winners Ben Affleck, Chris Cooper, and Tommy Lee Jones) and their families following a restructuring by a conglomerate as a cost-cutting measure. With Maria Bello, Craig T. Nelson, and Oscar-winner Kevin Costner.

Country Strong (PG-13 for sexuality, mature themes, and alcohol abuse). Road film about a fading country music star (Gwyneth Paltrow) whose marriage ends after she and her husband (Tim McGraw) go on tour with an up-and-coming singer/songwriter (Garrett Hedlund) and a beauty queen (Leighton Meester) who is just breaking into the business.

The Dilemma (PG-13 for sexuality and mature themes). Comedy about a confirmed bachelor (Vince Vaughn) agonizing over whether to tell his best friend (Kevin James) that the friend’s wife (Winona Ryder) was cheating on him with a younger man (Channing Tatum). Cast includes Queen Latifah, Jennifer Connelly, and Amy Morton.

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.

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.

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.

Little Fockers (PG-13 for profanity, drug use, and pervasive sexual humor). Third installment of the series finds overprotective father (Robert De Niro) questioning whether his underachieving son-in-law (Ben Stiller) will be a good enough provider for his daughter (Teri Polo) and twin grandchildren (Daisy Tahan and Colin Baiocchi). The cast includes Blythe Danner and Oscar winners Barbra Streisand and Dustin Hoffman, as well as nominees Owen Wilson, Harvey Keitel, and Laura Dern.

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.

Rabbit Hole (PG-13 for profanity, drug use, and mature themes). Drama about a grieving couple (Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart) whose world comes apart at the seams in the wake of the car accident which claimed the life of their son (Phoenix List). With Sandra Oh, Giancarlo Esposito, and two-time Oscar-winner Dianne Wiest.

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.

Season of the Witch (PG-13 for violence, mature themes, and disturbing content). Supernatural medieval fantasy set in the 14th century and revolving around the exploits of a couple of knights (Nicolas Cage and Ron Perlman) commanded by the Church to escort the witch (Claire Foy), suspected of casting a spell causing the outbreak of the black plague, to a monastery.

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 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.

Tron: Legacy (PG for action violence and mild epithets). Science fiction sequel finds the tech savvy son (Garrett Hedlund) of a missing video game developer (Jeff Bridges) pulled into a parallel cyber universe where he searches for his father with the help of a fearless warrior (Olivia Wilde). Support cast includes Yaya DaCosta, Bruce Boxleitner, and Michael Sheen.

True Grit (PG-13 for intense violence and disturbing images). Coen Brothers remake of the Western 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.

Yogi Bear (PG for mild rude humor). Combination live action/CGI adventure finds “Smarter than the average bear!” Yogi (Dan Ackroyd) and sidekick Boo-Boo (Justin Timberlake) joining forces with Ranger Smith (Tom Cavanagh) to save Jellystone Park from greedy developers. With Anna Faris, Christine Taylor, and T.J. Miller.

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