Kam Williams Reviews Movies Opening April 3, 2015

BIG BUDGET FILMS

Furious 7 (PG-13 for pervasive violence and mayhem, suggestive content and brief profanity) Latest installment in the adrenaline-fueled franchise, featuring recently-deceased Paul Walker’s final screen appearance, finds the motley crew of mercenaries coming out of retirement to match wits with a vengeful assassin (Jason Statham). Ensemble cast includes Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Dwayne Johnson, Jordana Brewster, Kurt Russell and Djimon Hounsou.

Woman in Gold (PG-13 for mature themes and brief profanity) Helen Mirren plays the title character in this fact-based, courtroom drama recounting an elderly Holocaust survivor’s attempt to recover a priceless family heirloom stolen by the Nazis during World War II. With Ryan Reynolds, Katie Holmes, Elizabeth McGovern and Frances Fisher.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

5 to 7 (R for sexuality) Romantic romp revolving around an aspiring young writer (Anton Yelchin) and a married, middle-aged socialite (Berenice Marlohe) who rendezvous at the same time every day for a passionate affair at a classy, Midtown Manhattan hotel. Featuring Glenn Close, Olivia Thirlby and Frank Langella.

Boychoir (Unrated) Musical drama about the battle of wills which ensues when a demanding choirmaster (Dustin Hoffman) pushes an orphaned, 11 year-old student (Garrett Wareing) to the limit in order to help the promising prodigy reach his potential. With Josh Lucas, Kathy Bates, Debra Winger and Eddie Izzard.

Cheatin’ (Unrated) Adult-oriented animated adventure about a love triangle involving a happily-married couple (Sophia Takal and Jeremy Baumann) and the shameless temptress (Sita Steele) who turns the husband’s head. Voice cast includes Alex Markowitz, Jacob Steele and Mike Dragovic and Kelly Kriegshauser.

Cut Bank (R for violence and profanity) Psychological crime thriller, set in Montana, about a young auto mechanic (Liam Hemsworth) whose plans for a better life for himself and his girlfriend (Teresa Palmer) unravel after filming a murder he witnesses in their tiny hometown. With Billy Bob Thornton, John Malkovich, Bruce Dern and Oliver Platt.

Death of a Tree (Unrated) Faith-based drama about an elderly Catholic widower (Ronnie Marmo) who finds himself tempted by an attractive young woman (Gracie Tyrrell) to break the vow of celibacy he gave to God. Cast includes Megan Barton, Paul Borghese and Alexi Foor.

Effie Gray (PG-13 for sexuality, mature themes and brief nudity) Dakota Fanning stars as the title character in this historical drama, set in Victorian England, about the scandalous, loveless marriage between a teen bride and a prominent art historian (Greg Wise). With Emma Thompson, Julie Walters, Robbie Coltrane, Claudia Cardinale and Derek Jacobi.

Electric Slide (R for profanity, sexuality, nudity and brief violence) Crime blotter biopic chronicling the life and times of furniture salesman-turned-infamous outlaw Eddie Dodson (Jim Sturgess) who robbed 72 banks over the course of his checkered career. Ensemble cast includes Patricia Arquette, Chloe Sevigny, Isabel Lucas, Constance Wu, Rhys Coiro, Vinessa Shaw and Oz Perkins.

The Girl Is in Trouble (Unrated) Urban crime thriller about a down-on-his-luck Manhattan DJ (Columbus Short) torn between blackmailing a murderer (Jesse Spencer) and helping a damsel in distress (Alicja Bachjleda). Co-starring Wilmer Valderrama, Paz de la Huerta and Miriam Colon.

The Hand That Feeds (Unrated) Employment discrimination expose’ about a mild-mannered short order cook-turned-real-life Norma Rae who rallied fellow undocumented immigrants to challenge exploitative working conditions at a New York City restaurant chain.

Lambert & Stamp (R for profanity, drug use and brief nudity) Sixties retrospective revisiting a couple of fledgling filmmakers (Chris Stamp and Kit Lambert) who abandoned their plans to make a movie in order to mentor and manage the promising rock & roll band that would eventually call itself The Who. Featuring Pete Townsend, Terence Stamp and Roger and Heather Daltrey. (In German, French and English with subtitles)

Last Knights (R for violence) Medieval action thriller about a disgraced warrior (Clive Owen) who leads a rebellion against a corrupt ruler (Aksel Hennie) in order to avenge the death of his noble master (Morgan Freeman). With Daniel Adegboyega, Shohreh Aghdashloo and Sung-kee Ahn.

Manos Sucias (Unrated) Drug trafficking drama chronicling the tension which mounts between a Colombian fisherman (Jarlin Javier Martinez) and his estranged brother (Cristian James Abvincula) after they agree to tow a cocaine-filled torpedo up the Pacific coast. Supporting cast includes Hadder Blandon, Andres Reina Ruiz and Maria Perlaza. (In Spanish with subtitles)