Kam Williams Reviews Movies Opening July 24, 2015

BIG BUDGET FILMS     

Paper Towns (PG-13 for profanity, sexuality, underage drinking and partial nudity) Adaptation of John Green's young adult novel, set in Orlando, about a teenager (Nat Wolff) who enlists the help of his friends to solve the mysterious disappearance of the next-door neighbor (Cara Delevingne) he has a crush on. Cast includes Halston Sage, Austin Abrams, Jaz Sinclair and Justice Smith.

Pixels (PG-13 for profanity and suggestive content) Sci-fi comedy revolving around a trio of retro-gamers (Adam Sandler, Peter Dinklage and Josh Gad) recruited by the President of the United States (Kevin James) to save the day when the planet is attacked by aliens who fight like the monsters in classic arcade games like Space Invaders, Pac-Man and Donkey Kong. With Michelle Monaghan, Jane Krakowski, Dan Aykroyd and Affion Crockett.

Southpaw (R for violence and pervasive profanity) Jake Gyllenhaal plays the title character in this bittersweet tale of redemption about a disgraced boxer who attempts to win back his championship belt with the help of a crafty veteran trainer (Forest Whitaker). Support cast includes Rachel McAdams, 50 Cent, Naomie Harris and Oona Laurence.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

Capital C (Unrated) Crowdfunding documentary exploring the benefits and pitfalls of financing an entrepreneurial enterprise by pitching a plethora of potential investors via social networking.

Five Star (Unrated) Gangsta saga, set in Brooklyn, inspired by the real life story of a member of the Bloods (James Grant) who decided to adopt the son (John Diaz) of his murdered mentor. With Wanda Nobles Colon, Jasmine Burgos, Larry Bogad and Richard Bird.

A Gay Girl in Damascus (Unrated) LBGT-themed documentary exposing an Arab blogger who falsely claimed to be kidnapped and persecuted by Syrian authorities for being a lesbian. (In English, French and Arabic with subtitles)

Lucky Stiff (Unrated) Adaptation of the Off-Broadway musical comedy revolving around a bachelor (Dominic Marsh) who ventures to Monte Carlo to claim an $8 million inheritance from the recently-deceased, rich uncle (Don Amendolia) he never knew he had. With Jason Alexander, Dennis Farina and Pamela Shaw.

The Outrageous Sophie Tucker (unrated) Reverential biopic chronicling the life and times of the legendary vaudeville icon (1887-1966) who wowed audiences from the turn of the 20^th Century through the mid-Sixties. Featuring commentary by Barbara Walters, Tony Bennett and Carol Channing.

Phoenix (PG-13 for mature themes and suggestive material) Post World War II saga, set in Berlin, about a disfigured, concentration camp survivor's (Nina Hoss) search for the husband (Ronald Zehrfeld) who had turned her over to the Nazis. With Kirsten Block, Uwe Preuss, Imogen Kogge and Nina Kunzendorf. (In German and English with subtitles)

Runoff (R for drug use) Rural tale of survival about a desperate woman (Joanne Kelly) who will to stop at nothing to keep a failing, family farm threatened with foreclosure afloat after her husband (Neal Huff) falls ill. With Rashel Bestard, Tom Bower and Drew Cash.

Samba (R for profanity) Omar Sy stars as the title character in this romantic dramedy, set in Paris, as an undocumented immigrant who falls in love with the advocate (Charlotte Gainsbourg) fighting his impending deportation back to Senegal. With Tahar Rahim, Izia Higelin and Youngar Fall. (In French, English, Portuguese, Russian, Serbian and Arabic with subtitles)

Unexpected (R for profanity) Baby-mama dramedy, set in Chicago, about a pregant, public high school teacher (Cobi Smolders) who forges an unlikely friendship with a student (Gail Bean) also coping with an unplanned pregnancy. Cast includes Anders Holm, Elizabeth McGovern and Robyn Coffin.

The Vatican Tapes (PG-13 for disturbing violence and sexual references) Fact-based horror flick inspired by a real-life tale of demonic possession where a Catholic priest (Michael Pena) was summoned to exorcise a 27 year-old woman (Olivia Dudley) wrestling with a satanic force. Featuring Djimon Hounsou, Dougray Scott and Kathleen Robertson.