Kam's Kapsules: Movies Opening Friday, Dec. 9

BIG BUDGET FILMS

The Bounce Back (PG-13 for profanity, sexuality and brief drug use) Romantic comedy about a charismatic relationship guru (Shemar Moore) who falls in love with a skeptical fellow therapist (Nadine Velazquez) he meets while on a book tour promoting his new best seller. Supporting cast includes Bill Bellamy, Kali Hawk and Vanessa Bell Calloway.

La La Land (PG-13 for profanity) Damien Chazelle (Whiplash) directed this enchanting homage to Hollywood musicals set in present-day LA and revolving around an aspiring actress (Emma Stone) and jaded jazz musician's (Ryan Gosling) whirlwind romance. With J.K. Simmons, John Legend and Rosemarie DeWitt.

Office Christmas Party (R for crude sexuality, graphic nudity, drug use and pervasive profanity) Raunchy holiday comedy about a couple of corporate execs' (Jason Bateman and T.J. Miller) attempt to save their jobs by throwing a wild party to impress a potential client. Ensemble cast includes Jennifer Aniston, Kate McKinnon, Vanessa Bayer, Olivia Munn, Courtney B. Vance and Rob Corddry.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

All We Had (Unrated) Dysfunctional family drama about a cash-strapped single mom (Katie Holmes) living hand-to-mouth with her 13 year-old daughter (Stefania Owen) until they move to a tiny town where she finds a steady job as a waitress only to be victimized by a fast-talking mortgage broker (Mark Consuelos). Featuring Eve Lindley, Richard Kind and Judy Greer.

Befikre (Unrated) Romantic comedy about a guy (Ranveer Singh) who ventures from Delhi to Paris in search of employment only to fall in love with a free-spirited Indian girl (Vaani Kapoor) born in France. With Elisa Bachir Bey, Julie Ordon and Hugo Diego Garcia. (In Hindi with subtitles)

The Brand New Testament (Unrated) Irreverent comedy about a sadistic God (Benoit Poelvoorde) living in a high-rise apartment in Brussels where he abuses both his wife (Yolande Moreau) and 10 year-old daughter (Pili Groyne). Support cast includes Francois Damiens, Catherine Deneuve and Marco Lorenzini. (In French and German with subtitles)

Burn Country (Unrated) Crime thriller about an Afghani refugee (Dominic Rains) who finds his life threatened after he takes a job as an investigative reporter with a newspaper in the quiet California town where he settles down. With James Franco, Melissa Leo and Rachel Brosnahan.

Friend Request (R for profanity, violence and disturbing images) High attrition-rate horror flick about a popular college coed (Alycia Debnam-Carey) who comes to regret unfriending a stalker (Liesl Ahlers) when her closest classmates start disappearing one-by-one. With William Moseley, Connor Paolo and Brit Morgan.

Harry Benson: Shoot First (Unrated) Reverential biopic chronicling the enduring career of 86 year-old Harry Benson, legendary photographer of the stars, with subjects ranging from the Beatles to Muhammad Ali.

Kill Ratio (Unrated) Espionage thriller about an American spy (Tom Hopper) working undercover to protect a fledgling, Eastern European democracy during a coup d'etat being orchestrated by a ruthless, renegade general (Nick Dunning). With Amy Huberman, Lacy Moore and Michelle Lehane.

On the Map (Unrated) Inspirational documentary recounting the Cinderella story of the Israeli basketball team's unlikely win of the European Cup in 1977.

Slash (Unrated) Coming-of-age comedy about an introverted, high school freshman (Michael Johnston) who turns a new leaf when a cute upperclassman (Hannah Marks) takes an interest in his erotic fiction. With Tishuan Scott, Jessie Ennis and Michael Ian Black.

Solitary (Unrated) Prodigal Daughter drama about an unemployed, substance-abusing party girl (Katharine Lee McEwan) who moves back home to live with her aging father after getting dumped by her boyfriend. Cast includes Sam Hoare, Jana Dowling and Jack Lowe.