Kam Williams Reviews Movies Opening September 19 2014

PHOTO: Still from Keep On Keepin' On

BIG BUDGET FILMS   

Hector and the Search for Happiness (R for profanity and brief nudity) Screen version of the Francois Lelord best seller about an eccentric psychiatrist (Simon Pegg) who 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.

The Maze Runner (PG-13 for mature themes, intense violence and disturbing images) Adaptation of James Dashner’s post-apocalyptic novel of the same name about a teenager (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 (Kaya Scodelario) with telepathic powers. Cast includes Aml Ameen, Will Poulter, Ki Hong Lee, Dexter Darden and Blake Cooper.  

This Is Where I Leave You (R for profanity, sexuality and drug use) Dysfunctional family dramedy based on the Jonathan Tropper best-seller about a grieving, Jewish  widow (Jane Fonda) who prevails upon her children (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.

A Walk among the Tombstones (R for profanity, brief nudity, disturbing images and graphic violence) 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 (Dan Stevens) to track down the mobsters responsible for his wife’s (Razane Jammal) murder. With Maurice Compte, Patrick McDade and Laura Birn.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS 

20,000 Days on Earth (Unrated) A day in the life documentary chronicling Aussie musician Nick Cave’s celebration of his 20,000th day alive with family and friends. 

Art and Craft (Unrated) “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.

Autumn Blood (R for nudity, violence and rape) 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.

The Guest (R for profanity, drug use, sexuality and graphic violence) 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.

Keep on Keepin’ On (Unrated) 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.

A Life in Dirty Movies (Unrated) 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. 

Life’s a Breeze (R for profanity) 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.

Pump (PG for mature themes) Eye-opening expose’ exploring America’s addiction to oil.

Reclaim (R for profanity and violence) 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. 

The Scribbler (R for profanity, nudity, graphic sexuality and violent images) 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. 

Stop the Pounding Heart (Unrated) Coming-of-age drama, set in rural Texas, about a homeschooled 14 year-old (Sara Carlson) with 11 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. 

Tracks (PG-13 for mature themes, partial nudity, disturbing images and brief profanity) 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. 

Tusk (R for gore, profanity, sexuality and disturbing violence) 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.

The Zero Theorem (R for profanity, sexuality and nudity) 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.