Kam Williams Previews Movies Opening Feb. 13, 2015

BIG BUDGET FILMS

Fifty Shades of Grey (R for profanity, graphic sexuality, frontal nudity and perverse behavior) Screen adaptation of E.L. James’ steamy romance novel revolving around the sadomasochistic adventures of a literature student (Dakotta Johnson) under the spell of a wealthy businessman (Jamie Dornan). Supporting cast includes Jennifer Ehle, Luke Grimes and Rita Ora.

Kingsman: The Secret Service (R for profanity, sexuality and graphic violence) Espionage thriller based on The Secret Service, a comic book series about a suave veteran spy (Colin Firth) who recruits a promising young protégé (Taron Egerton) to help thwart a twisted tech billionaire’s (Samuel L. Jackson) diabolical plot. With Michael Caine, Mark Hamill, Sophie Cookson and Mark Strong. (In English, Arabic and Swedish with subtitles).


INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

Crazy Bitches (Unrated) Horror comedy about seven sorority sisters whose weekend getaway with a gay pal (Andy Gala) to a remote cabin in the woods is ruined by the arrival of a bloodthirsty psychopath who proceeds to pick them off one-by-one. Co-starring Samantha Colburn, Cathy DeBuono, Liz McGeever, Victoria Profeta, Guinevere Turner, Nayo Wallace and Mary Jane Wells.

Da Sweet Blood of Jesus (Unrated) Spike Lee directed this horror flick ostensibly inspired by Ganja & Hess, the 1973 horror flick revolving around a doctor (Stephen Tyrone Williams) who becomes consumed by a thirst for blood after handling an ancient African artifact. Ensemble includes Zaraah Abrahams, Rami Malek, Joie Lee, Felicia “Snoop” Pearson and Elvis Nolasco.

Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem (Unrated) Ronit Elkabetz portrays the title character in this Israeli drama as a miserably-married woman dependent upon a rabbi’s approval for a divorce from her reluctant spouse (Simon Abkarian). With Menashe Noy, Sasson Gabai and Rami Danon. (In Hebrew, Arabic and French with subtitles)

Girl House (Unrated) Slasher flick featuring a college coed (Ali Cobrin) who starts stripping online for an X-rated website to pay her tuition only to find herself being stalked by a deranged fan. Cast includes Adam DiMarco, Alyson Bath and Alice Hunter.

The Last Five Years (PG-13 for sexuality, brief profanity and a drug image) Screen adaptation of Jason Robert Brown’s Off-Broadway musical of the same name deconstructing the failed marriage of a promising novelist (Jeremy Jordan) and a struggling actress (Anna Kendrick). With Meg Hudson, Natalie Knepp, Cat Lynch and Ashley Spencer.

Old Fashioned (PG-13 for mature themes) Faith-based romance drama revolving around a reformed party animal (Rik Swartwelder) willing to remain celibate while dating his impatient new neighbor (Elizabeth Roberts) who might be Ms. Right. Cast includes LeJon Woods, Tyler Hollinger, Dorothy Silver and Nini Hadjis.

The Rewrite (Unrated) Romantic comedy revolving around an Oscar-winning scriptwriter (Hugh Grant) who, after a divorce and a series of flops, abandons Hollywood to teach college in upstate New York where he falls in love with one of his students (Marisa Tomei), a single-mom trying to make her own fresh start. Ensemble includes J.K. Simmons, Allison Janney and Chris Elliott.

What We Do in the Shadows (Unrated) Horror comedy, set in New Zealand, revolving around the trials and tribulations of four vampires (Taika Waititi, Jemaine Clement, Jonathan Brugh and Ben Fransham) sharing a flat in a city inhospitable to the undead. With Cori Gonzalez-Macuer, Jackie van Beek and Stuart Rutherford. (In English and German with subtitles)

The Worst Year of My Life (Unrated) Romantic dramedy about a down-on-his-luck, just-dumped, depressed dude (Trevor St. John David) whose road to recovery involves online dating and living in his car. Cast includes Brandi Posey, Nicholas Tucci and Amy Vorpahl.