Kam's Kapsules: Weekly Previews for Movies Opening April 8

BIG BUDGET FILMS

Arthur (PG-13 for sexuality, profanity and pervasive substance abuse) Russell Brand stars in this bawdy remake of the Dudley Moore classic about an alcoholic playboy at risk of being disinherited for falling in love with a woman (Greta Gerwig) his snobby mom (Geraldine James) disapproves of. With Helen Mirren, Jennifer Garner, Nick Nolte and Luiz Guzman.

Hanna (PG-13 for profanity, sexuality and intense violence) Action thriller about a 16-year-old (Saoirse Ronan), raised like a soldier by her CIA Agent father (Eric Bana), whose survival skills get tested when she's abducted and has to brave the elements and assassins during a daring, cross-continental escape. With Cate Blanchett, Tom Hodgkins and Vicky Krieps.    

Soul Surfer (PG for mature themes and an a graphic accident) Overcoming-the-odds bio-pic 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.

Your Highness (R for nudity, violence, drug use, sexuality, crude humor and pervasive profanity) Medieval farce revolving around a couple of knights (James Franco and Danny McBride) who embark on an epic adventure with an elusive warrior (Natalie Portman) in order to rescue a damsel-in-distress (Zooey Deschanel) kidnapped by an evil wizard (Justin Theroux).

 

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

American: The Bill Hicks Story (Unrated) Still photo-animated bio-pic about Bill Hicks (1962-1994) narrated by 10 of the friends and family members who knew the late comedian the best.

Blank City (Unrated) History of cinema documentary recounting the renaissance of low-budget movies shot around lower Manhattan by guerilla filmmakers during the late Seventies. With appearances by Jim Jarmusch, John Waters, Debbie Harry and Ann Magnuson.

Born to Be Wild 3-D (Unrated) Endangered species documentary, narrated by Morgan Freeman, chronicling the extraordinary efforts of renowned scientist Daphne Sheldrick and prominent primatologist Birute Galdikas to save orphaned elephants and orangutans in Borneo and Kenya, respectively

Ceremony (R for profanity, sexual references and drug use) Romantic comedy about a jilted young man (Sam Angarano) who dupes his best friend (Reece Thompson) into crashing the weekend wedding reception of the older woman he still loves (Uma Thurman) in order to thwart her impending marriage to an undeserving documentary filmmaker (Lee Pace).  

Henry's Crime (R for profanity) Crime comedy about a parolee (Keanu Reeves) convicted of a crime he didn't commit who hatches a plan to knock off the same bank he'd been unfairly accused of robbing. With Vera Farmiga, James Caan and Bill Duke.  

Meek's Cutoff (PG for violence, smoking, and brief profanity) Bruce Greenwood handles the title role in this high plains Western, set in 1845, about a mountain man guiding a wagon train of settlers which becomes stranded in the desert along the Oregon Trail. Ensemble includes Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Shirley Henderson, Zoe Kazan, Will Patton,

Meet Monica Velour (R for nudity, profanity, drug use and graphic sexuality) Romantic comedy about the unlikely relationship which develops when a down-and-out, former porn star (Kim Catrall) finds herself pursued by an awkward, 18 year-old fan (Dustin Ingram) of her films. Cast includes Keith David, Brian Dennehy and Jamie Tisdale.

Meeting Spencer (R for profanity) Showbiz comedy about a Hollywood director (Jeffrey Tambor) who decides to move to New York after a series of flops to try to revitalize his career on Broadway. With Jesse Plemons, Melinda McGraw and John Prudhont.

Mysteries of the Jesus Prayer (Unrated) Faith-based documentary highlighting the ascetic religious practices of monks, nuns and desert hermits living in monasteries, caves, sanctuaries and cells scattered around the Middle East and Europe.   

To Die Like a Man (Unrated) Genderbending drama about an aging drag queen's (Fernando Santos) desperate effort to erase any evidence that he was once a man before he dies of silicone poisoning from his leaking breast implants. (In Portuguese, German and English with subtitles)