Town Topics — Princeton's Weekly Community Newspaper Since 1946.
Vol. LXV, No. 19
Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Kam’s Kapsules by Kam Williams

African Cats (G). Disney nature documentary, narrated by Samuel L. Jackson, chronicling events in the lives of a trio of felines running free on the savannah: a little lion cub learning to imitate its mother, a cheetah mother patiently teaching her five mischievous newborns how to survive, and a fearless lion protecting his pride from a rival.

The Beaver (PG-13 for profanity, sexuality, drug use, mature themes, and disturbing content). Jodie Foster directs and co-stars opposite Mel Gibson in this ventriloquist’s dummy film about a depressed CEO who only talks to his wife and sons (Anton Yelchin and Riley Thompson Stewart) through his hand puppet. With Jennifer Lawrence, Cherry Jones, Zachary Booth, and featuring cameos by Terry Gross, Jon Stewart, and Matt Lauer.

Bridesmaids (R for pervasive profanity and graphic sexuality). Comedy about the ruthless competition between a bride-to-be’s (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.

Cave of Forgotten Dreams (Unrated). Stone age documentary, shot in 3-D by Oscar nominee Werner Herzog examining cave paintings from the paleolithic era discovered in 1994 by spelunkers exploring in southern France. With appearances by archaeologists Dominique Baffier, Jean Clottes, and Carole Fritz. In English and German with subtitles.

The Conspirator (PG-13 for violence). Robert Redford directs this courtroom drama about a slave owner and Confederate sympathizer Mary Surratt (Robin Wright), the only female arrested as an accessory to John Wilkes Booth’s (Toby Kebbell) plot to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln. Cast includes Academy Award-winner Kevin Kline, Oscar-nominee Tom Wilkinson, plus James McAvoy, Evan Rachel Wood, Stephen Root, and Justin Long.

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.

Go for It (PG-13 for profanity, sexuality, drug use, and brief violence). Drama about a teenager (Aimee Garcia) with good grades but a bad attitude who dreams of dancing her way out of the ’hood in the underground clubs of Chicago. With Al Bandiero, Gina Rodriguez, and Louie Alegria.

The Greatest Movie Ever Sold (PG-13 for profanity and sexuality). Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me) wrote, produced, directed, and stars in this documentary exposing the widespread corporate financing of movies via prominent product placements and other forms of advertising.

Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil (PG for action, rude humor, and mild swear words). 3-D animated sequel has Red Riding Hood (Hayden Panettiere) teaming with the Wolf (Patrick Warburton) to solve the sudden disappearance of Hansel (Bill Hader) and Gretel (Amy Poehler). Voice cast includes Brad Garrett, Glenn Close, Joan Cusack, and Cheech and Chong.

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.

Jumping the Broom (PG-13 for sexuality and profanity). Comedy about the sparks which fly when the families of a bride (Paula Patton) and groom (Laz Alonso) from opposite sides of the tracks converge on Martha’s Vineyard for an eventful weekend wedding. Cast includes Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine, Meagan Good, DeRay Davis, Mike Epps, Romeo, Gary Dourdan, and Bishop T. D. Jakes.

Madea’s Big Happy Family (PG-13 for profanity, mature themes, and drug use). Tyler Perry’s back in drag for the sixth time as the trash talking pistol packing granny. This installment of the series is about a niece (Loretta Devine), who is in failing health, who has just received a distressing diagnosis. Cast includes Bow Wow, David and Tamela Mann, Cassi Davis, Lauren London, Cheryl Pepsii Riley, and Isaiah Mustafa.

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.

The Princess of Montpensier (Unrated). 16th century costume drama about a teenage heir to the French throne (Melanie Thierry) who would rather wed her handsome young cousin (Gaspard Ulliel) than the aging nobleman (Lambert Wilson) she’s been promised to. In French with subtitles.

Prom (PG for fighting and coarse language). Comedy chronicling the angst of a number of high school students preparing for the senior prom. Cast includes Aimee Teegarden, Yin Chang, Thomas McDonell, DeVaughn Nixon, Danielle Campbell, Raini Rodriguez, and Joe Adler.

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 to make 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.

Something Borrowed (PG-13 for sexuality and drug use). Romantic comedy based on Emily Giffin’s novel of the same name about the complications which ensue after a successful attorney without much of a love life (Ginnifer Goodwin) sleeps with her best friend’s (Kate Hudson) fiancé (Colin Egglesfield) on her 30th birthday. With John Krasinski, Jill Eikenberry, and Ashley Williams.

Soul Surfer (PG for mature themes and a graphic accident). Biopic recounting the real life ordeal of Bethany Hamilton (AnnaSophia Robb), the 13-year-old surfer who found the courage to swim in the ocean again after losing an arm in a shark attack off the coast of Hawaii. Supporting cast includes Helen Hunt, Dennis Quaid, Chris Brochu, Carrie Underwood, and Irie Driscoll.

There Be Dragons (PG-13 for profanity, violence, and mature themes). Factual epic adventure, set during the Spanish Civil War, retracing the fate of a couple of childhood friends (Charlie Cox and Wes Bentley) whose lives collide after they ended up on opposite sides of the conflict. With Dougray Scott, Unax Ugalde, and Olga Kurylenko.

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.

Water for Elephants (Unrated). Robert Pattinson stars in the screen adaptation of Sara Gruen’s depression-era novel of the same name about a veterinary student who drops out of school to join the circus after his parents perish in a car accident. With Reese Witherspoon, Christoph Waltz, and Hal Holbrook.

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.

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