5-22 Kam’s Kapsules

The month of May will not be complete without watching these exhilarating movies for the week.

For movies opening May 22, 2015

BIG BUDGET FILMS

Chocolate City (Rated R for profanity, brief violence, partial nudity and pervasive sexuality)

Vivica A. Fox, Tyson Beckford and Robert Ri’chard all co-star in Chocolate City, a black-centric remake of Magic Mike. Director Jean-Claude La Marre wanted an African-American variation on the male stripper theme, given the absence of black faces in the original. Vivica A. Fox watched Magic Mike and she wondered where there were no black faces.

Chocolate City centers on a cash-strapped college kid, played by Robert Ri’chard who hides from his mother, played by Vivica Fox, that he is moonlighting as an exotic dancer at a neighborhood nightclub on ladies’ night.

I chatted to the three co-stars about the film, and also about the rumors circulating in the tabloids.. See The ‘Chocolate City’ Interview

The ensemble cast includes DeRay Davis, Carmen Electra, Ginuwine and Michael Jai White.

Watch the Chocolate City Trailer:

Poltergeist (PG-13 for intense horror fare, mild profanity and suggestive material) This Poltergeist is a remake of the haunted house horror classic from 1982. It is about the abduction of a little girl, played by Kennedi Clements, whose family is being terrorized by malevolent spirits. Stars Sam Rockwell, Rosemarie DeWitt and Jarred Harris.

Watch the Poltergeist trailer:

Tomorrowland (PG for brief profanity, mature themes, action, violence and scenes of peril) Tomorrowland is a Sci-fi adventure about a precocious teen, played by Britt Robertson and a jaded genius, played by George Clooney, who embark on a dangerous mission to a faraway place in another dimension. The cast includes Hugh Laurie, Kathryn Hahn, Keegan-Michael Key and Tim McGraw.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

Aloft (R for profanity and sexuality) Tale of redemption about a journalist (Melanie Laurent) who orchestrates the reunion of a renowned artist/healer (Jennifer Connelly) with the son (Cillian Murphy) she’d abandoned 20 years earlier. Support cast includes Oona Chaplin, Ian Tracey and Peter McRobbie.

(Dis)Honesty (Unrated) Truth-telling is the subject of this documentary exploring the toll that lying takes on us, both individually and collectively, as a society.

The Farewell Party (Unrated) Dark comedy, set in Jerusalem, revolving around the compassionate friends of a terminally-ill retiree (Shmuel Wolf) who build a self-euthanasia machine for him and other residents of their old folks home. With Ze’ev Revach, Levan Finkelshtein and Ruth Geller. (In Hebrew with subtitles)

Gueros (Unrated) Social satire about a troubled teen (Sebastian Aguirre) sent by his overwhelmed mother to live with his big brother (Tenoch Huerta) attending college in Mexico City. Featuring Ilse Salas, Leonardo Ortiz Gris and Raul Briones. (In Spanish with subtitles)

Love at First Fight (Unrated) Romantic romp revolving around a conventional carpenter (Kevin Azais) who falls head-over-heels for a paranoid survivalist (Adele Haenel) preparing for Armageddon. With Antoine Laurent, Brigitte Rouan and William Lebghil. (In French with subtitles)

The Rumperbutts (Unrated) Marital crisis comedy about a miserable couple (Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel) whose relationship is on the rocks despite sharing phenomenal success performing as a musical duo on a children’s TV show. Support cast includes Josh Brener, Vanessa Ray and Arian Moayed.

Seeds of Time (Unrated) Eco-documentary chronicling conservationist Cary Fowler’s campaign to protect the eroding foundation of humanity’s food supply in the face of rapid climate change.

Sunshine Superman (PG for mature themes, smoking, brief profanity and a nude image) Breathtaking biopic chronicling the exploits of thrill-seeker Carl Boenish (1941-1984), the late freefall cinematographer generally recognized as the father of the B.A.S.E. (Building/Antenna/Span/Earth) jumping movement.

When Marnie Was There (PG for smoking and mature themes) Animated adaptation of Joan G. Robinson’s children’s novel of the same name about a sickly foster child (Sara Takasuki) sent to the seacoast to recuperate who finds herself befriended by a mysterious girl (Kasumi Arimura) she meets while wading in the marshes. Voice cast includes Nanako Matsushima, Susumu Terajima and Toshie Negishi. (In Japanese with subtitles)

Winning (Unrated) High-octane documentary revisiting Paul Newman’s 35-year career as a racecar driver. Featuring commentary by Jay Leno, Robert Redford, Mario Andretti and Willy T. Ribbs.

Kam Williams is a popular and top NewsBlaze reviewer, our chief critic. Kam gives his unvarnished opinion on movies, DVDs and books, plus many in-depth and revealing celebrity interviews.

Sadly, Lloyd Kam Williams passed away in 2019, leaving behind a huge body of work focused on America’s black entertainment community. We were as sad to hear of his passing as we were overjoyed to have him as part of our team.