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kam’s kapsules: weekly Previews that Make Choosing a Film Fun
OPENING THIS WEEK: Movies Opening Dec. 9
By Kam williams
Special to The Skanner News
BIG BuDGEt FIlMS
“New Year’s Eve” (PG-13 for profanity
and sexual references) Serendipitous
romantic comedy, ala “Love Actually” and
“Valentine’s Day,” examining the relation-
ships issues of a number of New Yorkers
whose lives intersect as midnight approach-
es. Ensemble cast includes Robert de Niro,
Ashton Kutcher, Sarah Jessica Parker, Halle
Berry, Hilary Swank, Katherine Heigl, Zac
Efron, Abigail Breslin, Jessica Biel, Seth
Meyers, Ludacris and Josh Duhamel.
“The Sitter” (R for crude humor, coarse
sexuality, violence, drug use and pervasive
profanity) Jonah Hill stars in the title role of
this raunchy road comedy about a suspend-
ed college student-turned-babysitter who
takes the three kids left in his care (Max
Records, Landry Bender and Kevin
Hernandez) out for a wild night of debauch-
ery all around the island of Manhattan. With
Sam Rockwell, Ari Graynor and Method
Man.
“Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” (R for vio-
lence, profanity, sexuality and nudity)
Screen adaptation of John le Carre’s classic,
espionage thriller, set at the height of the
Cold War, about a disgraced, former head of
British intelligence (Gary Oldman) who
comes out of retirement to catch the Soviet
mole who has infiltrated the agency’s high-
est echelons. With Colin Firth, Tom Hardy,
Toby Jones and John Hurt.
INDEpENDENt & FoREIGN
FIlMS
“Fanny, Annie & Danny” (Unrated)
Dysfunctional family drama about the ten-
c
o
m
sion which builds when three siblings (Jill
Pixley, Carlye Pollack and Jonathan
Leveck) return home for the holidays to
their overbearing mother (Colette Keen)
and
emasculated
father
(George
Killingsworth). With Nancy Carlin, Don
Schwartz and Anne Darragh.
“I Melt with You” (R for profanity, vio-
lence, sexuality and pervasive drug use)
Midlife crisis drama about the annual retreat
taken by four former college buddies (Rob
Lowe, Jeremy Piven, Christian McKay and
Thomas Jane) who agree to follow through
with a macabre pact they entered into as
classmates a quarter-century earlier. With
Carla Gugino, Sasha Grey and Arielle
Kebbel.
“Knuckle” (R for profanity and violence)
Fight club documentary, shot over a 12-year
period and narrated by Ian Palmer, chroni-
cling the clandestine, Irish tradition of bru-
tal, bare-knuckle boxing.
“London River” (Unrated) WMD drama
about a white Christian woman (Brenda
Blethyn) and a black Muslim man (Sotigui
Kouyate) who discover that her missing
daughter and his missing son had been liv-
ing together at the time of the terrorist
attacks on London’s subways and buses in
the summer of 2005. Support cast includes
Francis Magee, Roschdy Zem and Marc
Baylis. (In English, French and Arabic with
subtitles)
“Red Hook Black” (Unrated) Slice-of-life
drama set against the backdrop of the
Brooklyn waterfront where we find resi-
dents dealing with issues ranging from
incest to sibling rivalry to the economy.
Cast includes Kyle Fields, Danielle Lozeau,
James Jackson and Victoria Negri.
m
u
n
i
t
y
“london River” wMD drama about a white Christian woman and a black Muslim
man who discover that her missing daughter and his missing son had been living
together at the time of the terrorist attacks.
“Seducing Charlie Barker” (R for sexual-
ity and pervasive profanity) Social satire of
NYC’s entertainment industry revolving
around a married actor (Stephen Barker
Turner) who suffers a fall from grace fol-
lowing a fling with a shallow social climber
(Heather Gordon). With Daphne Zuniga,
Steve Cell and Liam Vincent.
“W.E.” (Unrated) Madonna wrote and
directed this flashback flick revisiting the
forbidden romance of divorcee Wallis
Simpson (Andrea Riseborough) and King
Edward VIII (James D’Arcy) as reflected
upon six decades later through the eyes of
an American Southerner (Abbie Cornish)
stuck in an abusive marriage. With Katie
McGrath, Oscar Isaac and Richard Coyle.
“We Need to Talk about Kevin” (R for
violence, disturbing behavior, sexuality and
c
a
l
e
n
profanity) Ezra Miller plays the troubled
title character in the screen adaptation of
Lionel Shriver’s sobering best seller about a
Columbine-style, high school massacre.
With Tilda Swinton, John C. Reilly and
Siobhan Fallon.
“Young Adult” (R for profanity and sexu-
ality) Bittersweet romance drama about a
recently-divorced writer of children’s litera-
ture (Charlize Theron) who moves back to
her tiny Minnesota hometown to win back
her happily-married, high school sweetheart
(Patrick Wilson) only to instead form an
unusual bond with another classmate
(Patton Oswalt) left emotionally and physi-
cally scarred since senior year by an unfor-
tunate tragedy. Movie marks the reunion of
Juno’s creative team of director Jason
Reitman, scriptwriter Diablo Cody and cin-
ematographer Eric Steelberg.
d
a
r
S eattle D ecember 2011
B ulletin B oard
if you have an event you want to share
with the community, email it two weeks
in advance to The Skanner at
info@theskanner.com
thursday December 8
NORtheRN light hOliDaY BaZaaR! Come and
join us in a day and evening of holiday shopping
and fun with family and friends. 2– 8 p.m.
Swedish Cultural Center, 1920 Dexter ave. N. Free
for all to enjoy.
Saturday December 10
auBuRN – SaNta BReakFaSt! a chance for your
little one to tell Santa exactly what’s on his/her
list. a yummy breakfast and great entertainment.
page 2 The Seattle Skanner December 7, 2011
two separate seating available 8:30 a.m. and 11
a.m. Children $5/$7 and adults are $6/$8
Register by calling 253-931-3043. auburn Senior
activity Center, 808 9th St. Se auburn, wa
gReeN lake PathwaY OF lightS RetuRNS! local
musicians will perform at four sites around the
lake. warm drinks and treats will be available.
the lighting of the path around green lake will
take place rain or shine. admission is free. 5 – 8
p.m.
Sunday December 11
PORt gaMBle COuNtRY ChRiStMaS! a weekend
of traditional country Christmas. activities,
handmade crafts, tractor wagon rides and much
more. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Port gamble North
Rainier ave, Port gamble, wa
Friday December 16
SilVeRDale – hOliDaY walkaBOut & lighteD
BOat PaRaDe! get wrapped up in the holiday
spirit in Old town Silverdale. 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. the
evening will culminate with the arrival of the
lighted boat parade at Silverdale waterfront Park
at 8:30 p.m.
Saturday December 17
the NOiSe guY! hear realistic noises you won’t
believe. See funny faces, enjoy watching adults
giggle at jokes for kids. $3 per person advance,
$5 day of show. 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. high Point
Community Center, 6920 34th ave. Sw For more
info or tickets call 206-684-7422.
Sunday December 18
Monday December 12
wiNteR tRaiN aND Village at wiNteRFeSt! a
winterfest crowd favorite, a turn-of-the-century
village train. Members of the public can take a
turn at driving the miniature locomotive between
10:30 a.m. – Noon, 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m.
– 5:30 p.m. daily Seattle Center, 305 harrison St.
elegaNt hOliDaY CRaFt ShOw! Join us in
celebrating the holidays with free coffee, and
hot chocolate, unique gift ideas. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
washington National guard armory, 2730 Oakes
ave. everett, wa.