by Kam Williams

For movies opening June 29, 2012

BIG BUDGET FILMS

Madea’s Witness Protection Program (PG-13 for crude sexual remarks and brief drug references) Tyler Perry’s back in drag for another madcap adventure. This go-round, we find the pistol packin’ granny hiding the family of a Wall St. whistleblower (Eugene Levy) who’s on the run from mobsters after agreeing to testify in federal court about his company’s Ponzi scheme. With Romeo, John Amos, Tom Arnold, Denise Richards and Marla Gibbs.

Magic Mike (R for profanity, drug use, brief graphic nudity and pervasive sexuality) Channing Tatum stars in the title role of this gritty, character-driven drama as a jaded male stripper who takes a naive newcomer (Alex Pettyfer) under his wing while trying to find a legitimate line of work. Cast includes Matthew McConaughey, Cody Horn and Olivia Munn.

People Like Us (PG-13 for profanity, drug use and brief sexuality) Dysfunctional family drama about a grieving salesman (Chris Pine) who tracks down the illegitimate half-sister (Elizabeth Banks) he never knew he had in order to deliver a $150,000 inheritance to her in accordance with the recently-deceased father’s wishes. With Michelle Pfeiffer, Olivia Wilde, Philip Baker Hall and Jon Favreau.  

Take This Waltz (R for profanity, sexuality and graphic nudity) Romantic dramedy, set in Toronto, about a married freelance writer (Michelle Williams) who secretly cheats on her husband of four years (Seth Rogen) with a dashing rickshaw driver (Luke Kirby). Featuring Sarah Silverman, Jennifer Podemski and Diane D’Aquila. 

Ted (R for crude humor, coarse sexuality, pervasive profanity and drug use) Unlikely buddy comedy about a guy (Mark Wahlberg) whose best friend is a teddy bear (Seth MacFarlane) that came to life as the result of a childhood wish. Plot thickens when the anthropomorphic animal attempts to sabotage his pal’s love relationship. Cast includes Mila Kunis, Giovanni Ribisi, Patrick Stewart and Norah Jones.  

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

Beasts of the Southern Wild (PG-13 for mature themes, child imperilment, disturbing images, profanity and brief sensuality) Surreal Southern saga, set on a backwoods bayou outside New Orleans, revolving around a motherless 6 year-old (Quvenzhane’ Wallis) with a vivid imagination who does her best to protect her home and ailing father (Dwight Henry) in the face of a fierce storm. With Levy Easterly, Lowell Landes, Pamela Harper and Gina Montana.

Busong (Unrated) Filipino road flick following the peripatetic effort of a desperate native (Rodrigo Santikan) to find a healer capable of curing the oozing sores his sickly sister (Alessandra de Rossi) was born with. Cast includes Clifford Banagale, Bonivie Budao and DaxAlejandro. (In Filipino with subtitles)

Gypsy (Unrated) Slovakian variation on Shakespeare’s Hamlet, set in a 21^st Century gypsy village where a 15 year-old boy (Jan Mizigar) tries to come to grips with his widowed mother’s (Martina Kotlarova) marrying his uncle (Miroslav Gulyas) in the wake of the death of his father. (In Slovak and Romany with subtitles)  

I Heart Shakey (PG for rude humor, mild epithets and brief smoking) Heartwarming comedy about an enterprising 10 year-old (Rylie Behr) who hatches a plan to save the beloved family pooch after her widowed father (Steve Lemme) unwittingly rents a new home with a “no pets” clause in the fine print. With Beverly D’Angelo, Steve Guttenberg and Steve Lemme.

Neil Young Journeys (PG for drug references, mature themes and mild epithets) Reverential rockumentary chronicles Neil Young’s recent solo concert at Toronto’s Massey Hall as well as the 65 year-old legend’s triumphant return to nearby Omemee, the town where he was raised.

Unforgivable (Unrated) Romantic romp about a middle-aged writer (Andre Dussollier) looking around Venice for a retreat to work on his next novel who offers to rent an apartment from an attractive real estate agent (Carole Bouquet) he falls in love with at first sight on the condition that she moves into the flat with him. With Melanie Thierry, Adriana Asti and Mauro Conte. (In French and Italian with subtitles)