Kam’s Kapsules by Kam Williams

2012 (PG-13 for profanity and intense disaster sequences). Epic adventure about the heroic efforts of an academic researcher (John Cusack) to lead a group of survivors to safety in the wake of an apocalyptic global event which devastates the planet leaving humanity on the brink of extinction. Ensemble cast includes Amanda Peet, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Thandie Newton, Oliver Platt, Danny Glover, and Woody Harrelson.

Amelia (PG for mature themes, smoking, sensuality, and mild epithets). Mira Nair directed this biopic about the life of Amelia Earhart (Hilary Swank), the legendary aviation pioneer who disappeared over the Pacific Ocean in 1937 while circumnavigating the globe in a twin-engine propeller plane. Cast includes Richard Gere as her husband, Christopher Eccleston as her navigator, Cherry Jones as Eleanor Roosevelt, Ewan McGregor as her lover, Gene Vidal, and William Cuddy, as his son, Gore.

Astro Boy (PG for action, peril, and brief mild epithets). Animated science fiction adventure, narrated by Charlize Theron, about a grieving scientist (Nicolas Cage) who creates a superhuman replica (Freddie Highmore) of his recently deceased son. The boy robot strikes out on his own after being rejected by his inventor, and is eventually called upon to save the day when the planet is invaded by a race of menacing aliens. Voice cast includes Eugene Levy, Samuel L. Jackson, Nathan Lane, Bill Nighy, Kristen Bell, and Donald Sutherland.

The Blind Side (PG-13 for sexual references, drug use, and brief violence). Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw co-star in this true overcoming-the-odds tale about a wealthy white couple who adopt a homeless black teenager (Quinton Aaron) and help him pursue his dream of playing football in college and the pros.

The Box (PG-13 for mature themes, violence, and disturbing images). Cameron Diaz and James Marsden co-star in this remake of “Button, Button” the Twilight Zone episode about a cash-strapped couple agonizing over whether to keep an anonymous gift of a million dollars which, if accepted, will simultaneously cause the death of a perfect stranger. Cast includes Frank Langella, James Rebhorn, and Gillian Jacobs.

A Christmas Carol (PG for scary images). Animated Disney version of the Charles Dickens classic about a miserly, cold-hearted curmudgeon (Jim Carrey) who has to experience an epiphany in order to be able to appreciate the holiday season. With voice work by Bob Hoskins, Colin Firth, Robin Wright Penn, Gary Oldman, and Fionnula Flanagan.

Coco before Chanel (PG-13 for sexuality and smoking). Audrey Tautou handles the title role in this biopic about the rise of Coco Chanel from headstrong orphan to the legendary fashion designer. In French with subtitles.

Couples Retreat (PG-13 for profanity and sexuality). Battle-of-the-sexes comedy revolving around four couples vacationing on a tropical island who come to regret booking themselves at the therapy getaway when they learn that participation in the retreat’s relationship counseling sessions is not optional. Cast includes Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Kristin Davis, Faizon Love, Jon Favreau, Malin Akerman, Kali Hawk, Kristen Bell, Tasha Smith, and Jean Reno.

An Education (PG-13 for sexuality, smoking, and mature themes). Coming-of-age drama, set in London in the sixties, adapted by Nick Hornby from Lynn Barber’s memoir about a bright 17 year-old (Carey Mulligan) who abandons her plans to attend Oxford in order to entertain the advances of a suave gentleman (Peter Sarsgaard) more than twice her age. With Alfred Molina, Olivia Williams, and Cara Seymour.

The Fourth Kind (PG-13 for terror, disturbing images, mature themes, violence, and brief sexuality). Science fiction thriller revolving around a curious psychologist (Milla Jovovich) investigating the 40-year pattern of mysterious disappearances from a tiny Alaskan town suggesting abduction by UFOs. With Will Patton, Elias Koteas, and Corey Johnson.

Law Abiding Citizen (R for graphic violence, rape, torture, and pervasive profanity). Revenge thriller, set in Philadelphia, about a family man (Gerard Butler) who takes the law into his own hands after his wife’s (Brooke Mills) and daughter’s (Ksenia Hulayev) killers are set free by a plea bargain with the District Attorney (Jamie Foxx). With Viola Davis, Bruce McGill, Roger Bart, and Regina Hall.

The Men Who Stare at Goats (R for profanity, drug use, and brief nudity). Screen adaptation of the Jon Ronson best seller about a reporter (Ewan McGregor) covering the war in Iraq who stumbles upon the story of a lifetime when he meets a special forces agent (George Clooney) who claims to be a member of a top secret psychic unit. Supporting cast includes Kevin Spacey, Jeff Bridges, and Stephen Root.

Michael Jackson’s This Is It (PG for suggestive choreography and scary images). Posthumously produced biopic chronicles the Prince of Pop’s final days as cobbled from interviews with close friends and colleagues and from footage shot while he rehearsed for his sold-out series of London comeback concerts.

Paranormal Activity (R for profanity). Low-budget horror film about a carefree young couple (Micah Sloat and Katie Featherston) who spend their nights terrified by a demonic spirit after purchasing a haunted starter home in suburbia.

Pirate Radio (R for profanity, sexuality, and brief nudity). Raucous musical comedy, set in the sixties, revolving around a crew of eight rogue DJs illegally broadcasting rock and roll from a renegade radio station operating on a ship in the North Sea, much to the chagrin of the British government. Cast includes Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifans, Nick Frost, Emma Thompson, and Kenneth Branagh.

Planet 51 (PG for mild action and suggestive humor). Animated science fiction comedy about an astronaut (Dwayne Johnson) who lands on a planet inhabited by little green people living in a world eerily reminiscent of suburban America in the 1950s. Featuring voicework by Jessica Biel, John Cleese, Justin Long, Seann William Scott, and Gary Oldman.

Precious (R for rape, child abuse, pervasive profanity, and ethnic slurs). Lee Daniels directs this screen adaptation of the Sapphire best seller, set in Harlem in 1987, about a teenage mom’s (Gabby Sidibe) attempt to finish school and to find love in the face of a monstrous mother (Mo’Nique) who insists she’ll never amount to anything. With Mariah Carey, Paula Patton, Lenny Kravitz, and Sherri Shepherd.

Saw VI (R for profanity, graphic violence, and torture). Latest installment of the gruesome horror franchise finds the FBI closing in on Lieutenant Hoffman (Costas Mandy-lor), the detective-turned apprentice continuing the grisly legacy of the infamous Jigsaw Killer (Tobin Bell). With Betsy Russell, Mark Rolston, and Shawnee Smith.

A Serious Man (R for profanity, sexuality, nudity, and brief violence). Semi-autobiographical comedy set in Minnesota in 1967, written and directed by the Coen Brothers, about a college professor (Michael Stuhlbarg) whose life falls apart when he is left by his wife (Sari Lennick) for one of his colleagues (Fred Melamed).

The Stepfather (PG-13 for mature themes, disturbing images, intense violence, and brief sensuality). Remake of the 1987 horror film about a military school student (Penn Badgley) who returns home to find his mother (Sela Ward) engaged to a suspicious man (Dylan Walsh) hiding a checkered past. Cast includes Amber Heard, Skyler Samuels, and Braeden Lemasters.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon (PG-13 for violence and action). Second installment in Stephenie Meyer’s fantasy series finds 18-year-old Bella (Kristen Stewart) brokenhearted but in a budding relationship with her mysterious childhood friend, Jacob (Taylor Lautner), after her vampire lover Edward (Robert Pattinson) and the rest of the Cullen clan leave town to protect her from their craven bloodlust. Cast includes Dakota Fanning, Nikki Reed, Ashley Greene, and Billy Burke.

Where the Wild Things Are (PG for mature themes, brief epithets, and action sequences). Spike Jonze directs this screen adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s classic children’s tale about a misunderstood little boy (Max Records) crowned king by the strange creatures inhabiting a magical world created by his vivid imagination. With Catherine Keener, Forest Whitaker, Mark Ruffalo, James Gandolfini, Chris Cooper, and Catherine O’Hara.

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