Kam's Kapsules: A Look at Movies Opening Friday, April 22, 2016

BIG BUDGET FILMS

The Huntsman: Winter's War (PG-13 for action, violence and some sensuality) Chris Hemsworth reprises the title role in this Snow White sequel which finds the Huntsman and his warrior wife (Jessica Chastain) defending the Enchanted Forest from the Ice Queen (Emily Blunt) and her sorceress sister (Charlize Theron). With Nick Frost, Sam Claflin and Sophie Cookson.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

Compadres (Unrated) Unlikely-buddies action thriller about a disgraced ex-cop (Omar Chaparro) who joins forces with a young hacker (Joey Morgan) to exact revenge on the mobster (Erick Elias) who kidnapped his girlfriend (Aislinn Derbez) and framed him for a crime he didn't commit. With Kevin Pollak, Eric Roberts and Hector Jimenez.

Dispatches from the Gulf (Unrated) Matt Damon narrates this documentary taking stock of the environmental health of the Gulf of Mexico a half-dozen years after Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Elvis & Nixon (R for profanity) White House drama recounting the historic, 1970 meeting of Elvis Presley (Michael Shannon) and President Nixon (Kevin Spacey) in the Oval Office immortalized by the most requested photograph in the National Archives. Cast includes Colin Hanks, Johnny Knoxville and Alex Pettyfer.

Hockney (Unrated) Reverential retrospective chronicling the career of David Hockney, one of the most influential artists of the 20th Century.

A Hologram for the King (R for sexuality, nudity, profanity and brief drug use) Adaptation of Dave Eggers' novel about a broke American businessman (Tom Hanks) who tries to recover by making a sales pitch to Saudi Arabia's monarch. With Ben Whishaw, Sarita Choudhury and Tom Skerritt. (In English and Arabic with subtitles)

How to Let Go of the World (Unrated) Eco-documentary chronicling the efforts of environmental activists dedicated to reversing atmospheric warming trends.

Love Thy Nature (Unrated) Environmental documentary, narrated by Liam Neeson, celebrating humanity's connection to Mother Earth while warning of the ecological crisis threatening the survival of our species.

The Meddler (PG-13 for brief drug use) Romance drama about a grieving widow (Susan Sarandon) who moves from New Jersey to L.A. to be near her daughter (Rose Byrne), only to unexpectedly find romance with a retired cop (J.K. Simmons). With Cecily Strong, Jason Ritter, Lucy Punch, Casey Wilson and Jerrod Carmichael.

Nina (Unrated) Zoe Saldana plays the title character in this controversial biopic chronicling jazz singer Nina Simone's (1933-2003) rise to fame, her troubled private life and her dependency on her business manager (David Oyelowo). Featuring Mike Epps as Richard Pryor and Ella Thomas as Lorraine Hansberry. (In English and French with subtitles) View the trailer and Kam's review of Nina.

Precious Cargo (R for sexuality, violence and pervasive profanity) Crime thriller about a mob boss (Bruce Willis) who pressures a seductive thief (Claire Forlani) to recruit her ex (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) for a heist of rare gems. With John Brotherton, Daniel Bernhardt and Lydia Hull.

Streit's: Matzo and the American Dream (Unrated) New York City documentary about the family-owned company that has been continuously manufacturing kosher food on Manhattan's Lower East Side since 1925.