OPENING THIS WEEK
Kam’s Kapsules: Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun
Kam’s film previews this week for movies opening September 19, 2014 include Hector and the Search for Happiness, The Maze Runner, This Is Where I Leave You, and A Walk Among the Tombstones. Three are rated R and one is PG-13.
There are also 13 honorable mentions, so there is plenty to see.
BIG BUDGET FILMS
Hector and the Search for Happiness
This is the screen version of the Francois Lelord best seller about an eccentric psychiatrist, played by Simon Pegg. He embarks on a solo trip around the world in search of the secret to true happiness in order to help himself as well as his miserable patients. With Rosamund Pike, Stellan Skarsgard, Toni Collette, Christopher Plummer, Jean Reno and Ming Zhao.
Hector and the Search for Happiness is rated R for profanity and brief nudity.
The Maze Runner
The Maze Runner is an adaptation of James Dashner’s post-apocalyptic novel of the same name about a teenager, played by Dylan O’Brien, who wakes up with amnesia and finds himself trapped in a giant maze with 60 other boys suffering from memory loss and a girl with telepathic powers, played by Kaya Scodelario. Cast includes Aml Ameen, Will Poulter, Ki Hong Lee, Dexter Darden and Blake Cooper.
The Maze Runner is rated PG-13 for mature themes, intense violence and disturbing images.
This Is Where I Leave You
Dysfunctional family dramedy based on the Jonathan Tropper best-seller about a grieving, Jewish widow, played by Jane Fonda, who prevails upon her children, played by Jason Bateman, Corey Stoll, Adam Driver and Tina Fey, to remain in town to sit shiva for a week in accordance with the last wish of their dearly-departed father. With Kathryn Hahn, Dax Shepard, Abigail Spencer and Rose Byrne.
This Is Where I Leave You is rated R for profanity, sexuality and drug use.
A Walk Among the Tombstones
Liam Neeson stars in this adaptation of Lawrence Block’s action-driven page-turner as an NYPD cop-turned-rogue private eye hired by a drug dealer, played by Dan Stevens, to track down the mobsters responsible for his wife’s murder. Razane Jammal plays the wife. With Maurice Compte, Patrick McDade and Laura Birn.
A Walk among the Tombstones is rated R for profanity, brief nudity, disturbing images and graphic violence.
INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS
20,000 Days on Earth
A day in the life documentary chronicling Aussie musician Nick Cave’s celebration of his 20,000th day alive with family and friends. 20,000 Days on Earth is Unrated.
Art and Craft
“To catch a fake” biopic chronicling the 30-year career of notorious con man Mark Landis, one of the most prolific art forgers in American history. Art and Craft is Unrated.
Autumn Blood
Survival thriller about 10 (Maximilian Harnisch) and 16 year-old (Sophie Lowe) orphaned siblings living alone on a secluded farm in the mountains whose solitude is suddenly disrupted by the arrival of some savage hunters. With Peter Stormare, Annica McCrudden and Gustaf Skarsgard. Autumn Blood is rated R for nudity, violence and rape.
The Guest
Dan Stevens stars in the title role of this crime thriller about the grieving parents (Sheila Kelly and Leland Orser) of a fallen Afghan War soldier who, against their better judgment, welcome one of his recently-discharged comrades into their home with open arms. Cast includes Maika Monroe, Brendan Meyer, Candice Patton, Ethan Embry and Lance Reddick. The Guest is rated R for profanity, drug use, sexuality and graphic violence.
Keep on Keepin’ On
Reverential biopic about 93 year-old jazz legend Clark Terry, trumpeter and flugelhorn pioneer who played with everyone from Duke Ellington to Count Basie to Dizzy Gillespie to Quincy Jones. Keep on Keepin’ On is Unrated.
A Life in Dirty Movies
Blue-tinged biopic about the late porn director Joe Sarno (1921-2010) who released 75 of his X-rated films in theaters, including several starring his own wife, Peggy Steffans. A Life in Dirty Movies is Unrated.
Life’s a Breeze
Madcap road comedy, set in Ireland, about a family’s frantic search around the streets of Dublin for a missing fortune. Cast includes Fionnula Flanagan, Kelly Thornton, Pat Shortt and Eva Birthistle. Life’s a Breeze is rated R for profanity.
Pump
Eye-opening expose’ exploring America’s addiction to oil. Pump is rated PG for mature themes.
Reclaim
International thriller about an American couple (Ryan Phillippe and Rachelle Lefevre) who put their lives at risk by traveling abroad to rescue their kidnapped adopted daughter (Brianna Roy). With Luiz Guzman, Jacki Weaver and John Cusack. Reclaim is rated R for profanity and violence.
The Scribbler
Psychological thriller about a woman (Katie Cassidy) fighting mental illness who tries an experimental machine designed to eliminate multiple personalities. Support cast includes Sasha Grey, Michelle Trachtenberg, Gina Gershon and Eliza Dushku. The Scribbler is rated R for profanity, nudity, graphic sexuality and violent images.
Stop the Pounding Heart
Coming-of-age drama, set in rural Texas, about a home-schooled forteen year-old (Sara Carlson) with eleven siblings whose Christian values are challenged when she develops a crush on a bull rider (Colby Trichell) she meets during a family outing to the local rodeo. Featuring Tim, Grace, Emma and the rest of the real-life Carlson clan. Stop the Pounding Heart is Unrated
Tracks
Screen adaptation of the Robyn Davidson (Mia Wasikowska) travelogue about her 1,700-mile trek across the Australian desert from Alice Springs to the Indian Ocean, accompanied only by her dog and four camels. With Adam Driver, Emma Booth and Jessica Tovey. Tracks is rated PG-13 for mature themes, partial nudity, disturbing images and brief profanity.
Tusk
Kevin Smith wrote and directed this horror dramedy revolving around the search party organized for a podcaster (Justin Long) who goes missing in the wilds of Manitoba. Ensemble cast includes Haley Joel Osment, Johnny Depp, Michael Parks and Genesis Rodriguez. Tusk is rated R for gore, profanity, sexuality and disturbing violence.
The Zero Theorem
Sci-fi fantasy about a computer programmer (Christoph Waltz) close to discovering the meaning of life who becomes distracted from his research by both his boss’ teenage son (Lucas Hedges) and a femme fatale (Melanie Thierry) with a hidden agenda. Co-starring Matt Damon, Tilda Swinton, David Thewlis and Peter Stormare. The Zero Theorem is rated R for profanity, sexuality and nudity.