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Kam's Kapsules by Kam Williams

Are We There Yet? (PG for language and crude humor). Road comedy about the nightmarish ordeal of a playboy (Ice Cube) who agrees to drive his workaholic girlfriend's (Nia Long) disobedient kids from Portland, Oregon to Vancouver, British Columbia for a New Year's Eve reunion with their mom.

The Aviator (PG-13 for nudity, sexual content, mature themes, profanity, and a crash sequence). Martin Scorsese tapped Leonardo DiCaprio to play Howard Hughes in this biopic about the enterprising, eccentric playboy who parlayed a modest inheritance into a massive fortune. With Kate Beckinsale as Ava Gardner, Cate Blanchett as Katherine Hepburn, Jude Law as Errol Flynn, Gwen Stefani as Jean Harlow, Jane Lynch as Amelia Earhart, Stanley DeSantis as Louis B. Mayer, and Michael-John Wolf as Cary Grant.

Because of Winn-Dixie (PG for adult themes and epithets). Based on the children's novel of the same name, this family drama follows the adventures of a 10-year-old girl (AnnaSophia Robb), abandoned by her mother, who moves with her preacher father (Jeff Daniels) to Florida where she heals with the help of the stray dog she adopts.

Be Cool (PG-13 for sex, expletives, sensuality and violence). Adapted from the Elmore Leonard novel of the same name, John Travolta, Harvey Keitel, and Danny DeVito reprise their roles in this sequel to Get Shorty. The cast features Cedric the Entertainer, Uma Thurman, Vince Vaughn, Steven Tyler, Christina Milian, and The Rock in a crime comedy about the efforts of a strong-armed debt collector to romance a music industry heiress.

Being Julia (R for sexuality). Romance drama, set in London in the 1930s, features Annette Bening as an aging stage actress who, at the height of her career, takes refuge from a stale marriage in an illicit love affair with an ardent American admirer half her age.

Bride and Prejudice (PG-13 for sexual references). Bollywood meets Hollywood in this musical version of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Here, it's Mrs. Bakshi (Nadira Babbar) who's the meddling mother intent on finding appropriate suitors like the well-heeled Will Darcy (Martin Henderson) for her four beautiful daughters. In English, Hindi, and Punjabi with subtitles.

The Chorus (PG-13 for sex, expletives and violence). Uplifting melodrama, set at a French boarding school in 1948, chronicles the efforts of a devoted music teacher (Gerard Jugnot) to rehabilitate his juvenile delinquent students by inspiring them to appreciate the transformational power of song. In French with subtitles.

Constantine (R for violence and demonic images). Horror film, adapted from the comic book series, stars Keanu Reeves in the title role as John Constantine Hellblazer, a mysterious, misfit detective who teams up with a female cop (Rachel Weisz) to solve the murder of her twin sister. With Djimon Hounsou and Tilda Swinton.

Cursed (Rated PG-13 for horror violence, terror, sexual references, nudity, profanity, and a drug reference). Wes Craven (director) and Kevin Williamson (screenwriter) reunite to collaborate on another high body-count, teen screamer, this about a malevolent werewolf on the loose in Los Angeles. The cast includes Christina Ricci, Joshua Eisenberg, Omar Epps, Shannon Elizabeth, James Brolin, Lance Bass, Sheila E., Scott Baio, Craig Kilborn, Jillian Barberie, and Freddie Prinze, Jr.

Diary of a Mad Black Woman (PG-13 for drug content, mature themes, sexual references, and violence). Dysfunctional family comedy starring Kimberly Elise as a just-jilted housewife trying to land on her feet after being kicked out of the house by a husband (Steve Harris) who is dumping her for her best friend. With Shemar Moore and Cicely Tyson.

Finding Neverland (PG for adult themes and mild epithets). Johnny Depp stars as Scottish playwright J.M. Barrie in this family drama which speculates about what might have been the inspiration behind Peter Pan, his revered children's classic. With Kate Winslet, Vanessa Redgrave, Dustin Hoffman and Julie Christie.

Hitch (PG-13 for profanity and sexual references). Unlikely-buddy comedy with Will Smith as a date doctor doling out advice to a geek (Kevin James) going after the glamorus girl (Amber Valletta) of his dreams. Cast includes Eva Mendes, Michael Rapaport, and Adam Arkin.

Man of the House (PG-13 for violence, sexual content, crude humor, and a drug reference). Tommy Lee Jones takes the title role in this humor-driven action flick as a Texas Ranger assigned to go undercover to protect a team of cheerleaders who have witnessed a murder protection program. Cedric the Entertainer comes aboard for some comic relief.

The Merchant of Venice (R for nudity). Tenth big screen adaptation of the William Shakespeare classic about a man expected to pay off a loan he took for a friend with a pound of his own flesh. Starring Al Pacino as Shylock, Jeremy Irons as Antonio, Joseph Fiennes as Bassanio, and Lynn Collins as Portia.

Million Dollar Baby (PG-13 for violence, profanity, and adult themes). Clint Eastwood directs and stars in this fight film about an ex-boxer who, with the help of a wise, one-eyed janitor (Morgan Freeman), grudgingly trains a woman (Hilary Swank) who wants to be a contender. Landed Best Picture, Director, and a trio of acting Oscar nominations, one for each of the above thespians.

The Pacifier (PG for violence, crude humor, and mild epithets). Vin Diesel plays Mr. Step-Mom in this kiddie comedy about a Navy Seal assigned to protect the five uncontrollable children of a government scientist assassinated while working on a top secret project.

Pooh's Heffalump Movie (G). Disney kiddie cartoon adventure has Winnie the Pooh and pals in the forest where they learn some very valuable life lessons while searching for a mysterious creature.

Sideways (R for sex, expletives, and nudity). Mid-life crisis comedy with Paul Giamatti as an unpublished writer who embarks on an exploration of women and relationships in the California wine country with his old college roommate, a washed-up actor (Thomas Haden Church), who is going to be married in one week.

Son of the Mask (PG for action violence, crude and suggestive humor, and epithets). Sequel sans Jim Carrey has Jamie Kennedy as a cartoonist whose infant son has a magical mask. Cast includes Alan Cumming, Bob Hoskins and Ben Stein

The Wedding Date (PG-13 for sexual content). Debra Messing stars in this romantic comedy, set in London, as an old maid who hires a male escort (Dermot Mulroney) to dupe the fiancé, who dumped her, into believing she has a hot new beau.

 
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