filmland / By Charlie Myers

Meet the Fosters

Carell plus Fey plus madcappery equals pleasant-enough rom-com

(April 15, 2010) Previews

Opening Friday, April 16, is the much-hyped Kick-Ass, based on the comic of the same name. Giving hope to nerdy high school students everywhere, the film features Aaron Johnson as Dave Lizewski, a high school student of little note who decides he can become a superhero by donning an outfit, creating a MySpace page and calling himself Kick-Ass. Joined by Hit-Girl (Chloé Grace Moretz), the two slay baddies and curse up a storm. Nicolas Cage plays Hit-Girl’s father Big Daddy. Rated R for strong brutal violence throughout, pervasive language, sexual content, nudity and some drug use — some involving children. 117m. At the Broadway, Fortuna, Mill Creek and Minor.

The Misfits

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Death at a Funeral is a remake of the 2007 British black comedy about the secrets and hidden bodies that pop up during the funeral for a family’s father. The American version features a mostly African-American cast that includes Danny Glover and Regina Hall, but Peter Dinklage reprises his role from the British version as the gay dwarf who was the father’s lover. Ah, those Brits. Rated R for language, drug content and some sexual humor. 90m. At the Broadway

John Huston month at the Eureka Library continues with his 1961 film The Misfits, with a screenplay by Arthur Miller. Although a bit of a box office dud when released, the film was a critical hit. It was the final film appearance for both Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable who play, respectively, a divorcée and an aging cowboy. The film also features Montgomery Cliff, Thelma Ritter and Eli Wallach. Hosted by the Journal’s Bob Doran, the program begins at 6:30 p.m.

Catch a special first-time preview screening of the independent feature A River of Skulls on Saturday, April 17, at the Arkley Center. Writer/director/producer Suza Lambert Bowser, an Arcata resident, describes the film as a feminist Western.

“It’s the story of a young woman named Eula Jane Seeley [Kelly Nixon], who is growing up in the Gold Country.” The time in 1871; Eula Jane’s mother died in childbirth, leaving her father distraught. While working in a boarding house she is seduced by a rich young entrepreneur, which over time leads to her working in a brothel and to a struggle to improve her situation. “What I found fascinating was that the brothel experience did not mean that your life was over as a young women. A lot depended on attitude,” says Lambert Bowser.

“There are lots of twists and turns to the story and she eventually meets a man, Jack Rivers [Aleph Ayin], who is a half-breed: half Mexican, half Miwok Indian. He’s going through a similar struggle: He’s lost his parents and is going down the dark road,” said Lambert Bowser, explaining that she borrowed ideas from Bret Harte’s “The Luck of Roaring Camp.”

She’s hoping the story will resonate with a modern audience. “As a feminist, looking a younger women today, I see a lack of challenge and a certain level of acceptance of society as it is. I think it’s inspirational for women to see other women’s struggles and their successes — to see their survival. There’s a certain strength that comes out of dealing with things face on. I’m hoping my story shows women who have faced loss and figured out how to survive.”

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