1-18-2013 Kam's Kapsules: Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun

By Kam Williams    

For movies opening January 18, 2013

Broken City (R for sexuality, violence and pervasive profanity) Revenge thriller about a streetwise ex-cop (Mark Wahlberg) hell-bent on evening the score after being framed by the Mayor of New York (Russell Crowe). Supporting cast includes Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jeffrey Wright and Barry Pepper.

The Last Stand (R for profanity and pervasive graphic violence) Arnold Schwarzenegger stars in this present-day Western about a disgraced, LAPD narcotics detective who gets a shot at redemption when a drug kingpin (Eduardo Noriega) on the 10 Most Wanted List makes a break for Mexico through the sleepy border town where he's now serving as sheriff. Featuring Forest Whitaker, Harry Dean Stanton and Johnny Knoxville.

Mama (PG-13 for violence, terror, disturbing images and mature themes) Haunted house horror flick about a young couple (Jessica Chastain and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) that encounters nothing but supernatural trouble after taking custody of a two orphaned nieces (Megan Carpenter and Isabelle Nelisse) found alive after fending for themselves in the forest for five years. With Jane Moffat, Daniel Kash and Hannah Cheesman.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

Brief Reunion (Unrated) Stalker thriller about an Ivy League grad (Joel de la Fuente) whose perfect life comes apart at the seams when a jealous ex-classmate (Scott Shepherd) crashes his 40th birthday party and starts stalking his wife (Alexie Gilmore). With Francie Swift, Quentin Mare and Kristy Hasen.

Hors Satan (Unrated) Minimalist tale revolving around a mysterious drifter (David Dewaele) who manages to perform miracles on behalf of an equally-inscrutable damsel-in-distress (Alexandra Lematre). With Christophe Bon, Juliette Bacquet and Aurore Broutin. (In French with subtitles)

Luv (Unrated) Fact-based drama, set in Baltimore, about a day-in-the-life of an abandoned 11 year-old (Michael Rainey, Jr.) who becomes embroiled in an escalating series of events leading to a triple-homicide while hanging with his recently-paroled uncle (Common) haunted by a criminal past. Cast includes Meagan Good, Dennis Haysbert, Danny Glover, Lonette Mckee and Charles S.Dutton.

Kam Williams is a syndicated film and book critic who writes for 100+ publications. He is a member of the New York Film Critics Online, the African-American Film Critics Association, and the NAACP Image Awards Nominating Committee. Contact him through NewsBlaze. Read more reviews by Kam Williams.

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