Kam's Kapsules: Movies Opening July 25, 2014

PHOTO: Still from My Man is a Loser

BIG BUDGET FILMS   

And So It Goes (PG-13 for sexual references and drug use) Romantic comedy revolving around a narcissistic realtor (Michael Douglas) who enlists the help of his carefree next-door neighbor (Diane Keaton) when the 9 year-old granddaughter (Sterling Jerins) he never knew existed is suddenly dropped at his doorstep. With Frankie Valli, Yaya DaCosta,  Annie Parisse and Austin Lysy.

Hercules (PG-13 for sensuality, pervasive violence, partial nudity and brief profanity) Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson follows in the footsteps of Ferrigno, Schwarzenegger and Reeves as the latest incarnation of the Greek legend. This episode, set in 1400 B.C., finds the muscle-bound demigod and five faithful companions hired by the King of Thrace (John Hurt) and his daughter (Irina Shayk) to subdue a tyrannical warlord. With Rebecca Ferguson, Ian McShane and Joseph Fiennes.

Lucy (R for sexuality, disturbing images and graphic violence) Scarlett Johansson stars in the title role of this sci-fi adventure, set in Taipei, as an unwilling drug mule who morphs into a merciless, revenge-minded warrior after inadvertently developing superhuman powers. Cast includes Morgan Freeman, Analeigh Tipton and Min-sik Choi.

 Magic in the Moonlight (PG-13 for smoking and a suggestive comment) Woody Allen wrote and directed this comedy, set on the French Riviera in the Roaring Twenties, revolving around a British illusionist (Colin Firth) hired to expose a conniving clairvoyant (Emma Stone) staying at the estate of a wealthy family. Ensemble cast includes Hamish Linklater, Marcia Gay Harden, Jacki Weaver and Eileen Atkins.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS  

Cannibal (Unrated) Romantic thriller about a serial killer (Antonio de la Torre) who feels no remorse about devouring his victims until he falls in love with the sister (Olimpia Melinte) of his last meal. With Maria Alfonsa Rosso, Florin Fildan and Manolo Solo. (In Romanian and Spanish with subtitles)

The Fluffy Movie (PG-13 for suggestive material and sexual references) Concert flick, shot onstage in San Jose earlier this year, featuring the standup act of Chicano comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias.

Happy Christmas (R for profanity, drug use and sexuality) Mumblecore maven Joe Swanberg wrote, directed and co-stars in this Windy City dramedy about a slacker (Anna Kendrick) who moves in with her filmmaker big brother (Swanberg), his novelist wife (Melanie Lynskey) and their 2 year-old son. With Lena Dunham and Mark Webber.

The Kill Team (Unrated) Whistleblower documentary examining the fallout visited upon U.S. Army Private Adam Winfield after he snitched on fellow soldiers who were slaying innocent Afghan civilians and saving some of their body parts as trophies.

A Master Builder (Unrated) Oscar-winner Jonathan Demme (for Silence of the Lambs) directed this screen version of the Henrik Ibsen play about an architect (Wallace Shawn) with a very jealous wife (Julie Hagerty) who finds himself seduced by a flirtatious houseguest (Lisa Joyce) he’d propositioned a decade earlier when she was only 14. Supporting cast includes Larry Pine, Andre Gregory and Jeff Biehl.

A Most Wanted Man (R for profanity) Screen adaptation of the John le Carre’ espionage thriller of the same name, set in Hamburg, Germany, about a Chechen Muslim (Grigoriy Dobrygin) seeking political asylum who might actually be a radical Islamist in sheep’s clothing. Featuring Rachel McAdams, Willem Dafoe, Robin Wright, Nina Hoss and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

My Man Is a Loser (R for sexuality, graphic nudity and pervasive profanity) Makeover comedy about two married guys (Michael Rapaport and Bryan Callen) who come to regret asking a bachelor buddy (John Stamos) for advice about how to spice up their love lives. With Sean Young, Tika Sumpter and Diane Guerrero.  

Very Good Girls (R for profanity and sexuality) Bawdy bildungsroman, set in NYC, about BFFs (Dakota Fanning and Elizabeth Olsen) who enter a pact to lose their virginity before heading off to college, only to fall for the same, hunky street artist (Boyd Holbrook). Cast includes Demi Moore, Richard Dreyfuss, Ellen Barkin and Peter Sarsgaard.