Kam’s Kapsules by Kam Williams

Bridesmaids (R for pervasive profanity and graphic sexuality). Comedy about the ruthless competition between a bride’s to-be (Maya Rudolph) best friends (Kristen Wiig and Rose Byrne) desperate to serve as her maid of honor. Cast includes Terry Crews, Wendy McLendon-Covey, Ellie Kemper, Melissa McCarthy, Kali Hawk, and the late Jill Clayburgh.

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.

The First Grader (PG-13 for disturbing violence and brief nudity) A true tale, set in Kenya, about a former Mau Mau freedom fighter (Oliver Litondo) who at 84 decides to go to school for the first time in his life to learn how to read and write. With Naomie Harris, Sam Feuer, Tony Kgorge and Nick Reding.

The Hangover Part II (R for brief violence, nudity, pervasive profanity, drug use, and graphic sexuality). The members of the Wolf Pack (Zach Galifianakis, Bradley Cooper, and Justin Bartha) reunite at a bachelor party in Bangkok for another groom-to-be (Ed Helms). Cast includes Dr. Ken Jeong, Sasha Barrese, Jamie Chung, Jeffrey Tambor, and Mike Tyson.

Incendies (R for profanity and graphic violence). Oscar nominated drama about a twin brother (Maxim Gaudette) and his sister (Melissa Desormeaux-Poulin) born in the Middle East who travel from Canada back to their homeland to fulfill their late mother’s (Lubna Azabal) last request that they find the presumed dead father they’ve never met and a sibling they never even knew existed. With Remy Girard, Allen Altman, and Mohamed Majd. In French, Arabic, and English with subtitles.

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.

Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer (PG for mild epithets and rude humor). Jordana Beatty stars in the title role of this madcap adaptation of the children’s bestseller about a feisty third-grader who finds herself dreading the prospect of spending a boring summer vacation with her annoying little brother (Parris Mosteller) and an awful aunt (Heather Graham) whom she’s never met. With Kristoffer Ryan Winters, Janet Varney, and Jaleel “Urkel” White.

Kung Fu Panda 2 (PG for mild violence and martial arts sequences). Animated 3-D sequel finds Master Po (Jack Black) teaming with the Furious Five (Angelina Jolie, Lucy Liu, Seth Rogen, Jackie Chan, and David Cross) kung fu legends to defend the Valley of Peace from a diabolical albino peacock (Gary Oldman) armed with a secret weapon. Voice cast includes Dustin Hoffman, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dennis Haysbert, Michelle Yeoh, and James Hong.

Midnight in Paris (PG-13 for sexual references and smoking). Romantic comedy, directed by Woody Allen, about the troubles of a couple (Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams) who find themselves reevaluating their elusive dreams while in France on business. With Kathy Bates, Michael Sheen, Marion Cotillard, Adrien Brody, Alison Pill, Tom Hiddleston, and Carla Bruni.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (Unrated). Fourth installment of the seafaring series finds Captain Jack (Johnny Depp) forced to search for the Fountain of Youth aboard the ship of the legendary Blackbeard (Ian McShane) after falling for the notorious outlaw’s daughter (Penelope Cruz). With Geoffrey Rush, Judi Dench, and Keith Richards.

Priest (PG-13 for disturbing images and intense violence). Thriller about a rogue Catholic cleric (Paul Bettany) who breaks his vows when he embarks on a crusade against the undead after his niece (Lily Collins) is kidnapped by a bloodthirsty pack of vampires. Cast includes Christopher Plummer, Maggie Q, Cam Gigandet, Karl Urban, and Brad Dourif.

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 and makes 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.

Super 8 (PG-13 for profanity, drug use, and intense violence). Fantasy thriller, set in Ohio in 1979, about a group of friends who suspect that the train wreck they witnessed wasn’t an accident when the disaster is followed by a series of inexplicable disappearances. Cast includes Elle Fanning, Ryan Lee, and Joel Courtney.

Thor (PG-13 for intense action and violence). Chris Hemsworth stars as the Marvel Comics superhero from another planet exiled to Earth where he puts his mighty hammer to good use as an intrepid defender of the planet. Cast includes Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Renee Russo, Idris Elba, Kat Dennings, Stellan Skarsgard, Samuel L. Jackson, and Jeremy Renner.

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.

X-Men: First Class (PG-13 for violence, sexuality, and brief profanity). Prequel to the popular Marvel Comics series, set in the early sixties before mutants Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Erik Lehnsherr (Michael Fassbender) became archenemies and adopted their respective alter egos, Professor X and Magneto. Cast includes Kevin Bacon, Rose Byrne, January Jones, Oliver Platt, Zoe Karvitz, and Hugh Jackman.

Return to Top | Return to Cinema Review | Go to Music and Theater Reviews