411 Movies Roundtable: March 2007
Posted by Matthew Craggs on 03.06.2007
The 411 Movies staff chimes in with their thoughts on the coming month.
The Month That Was
Chad Webb
Biggest Winner of the Month: I'm gonna go ahead and say Martin Scorsese and the crew of The Departed. That's probably a lame answer, but it's the best one I could think of. After so many years of getting unjustly snubbed, he finally gets to hold up the gold statue that has eluded him. I don't think this win will affect him at all. I am positive he will continue to make great films in the future like he always has. This is one year where I can safely say that the Academy got it right.
Biggest Loser of the Month: Unfortunately, I have to say the Aardman Animation Production Company. After the stellar films Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit and Flushed Away did poorly at the box office, Dreamworks decided to split with them. I was sorry to hear about this. Now the company is forced to go back to the drawing board (so to speak), and create films with the stop-motion techniques they first utilized. I wish them the best, and hope they return with some more great projects. Of course, now that I think about it, Britney Spears and Basic Instinct 2 are huge losers as well.
Biggest Movie News of the Month: As if I haven't talked about The Departed enough right? Well, the news from Mark Wahlberg that a trilogy could be on the way with Robert Deniro joining and possibly Scorsese returning as director is fabulous news to me. I have grown to not favor sequels much, but I would love to see a sequel and a prequel here, as long as the cast and crew stay basically the same. Another big piece of news is that J.J. Abrams has finally been confirmed as the helmer for the next Star Trek film.
Your Most Anticipated Movie of the Month: This is a tough one. I am definitely looking forward to David Fincher's Zodiac, but I also think Danny Boyle's sci-fi thriller Sunshine looks excellent. I'll have to go with 300 since I have heard amazing things from early reviews.
Recommended DVD Release of the Month: This is a great month for DVD releases. Early on Casino Royale comes out, but then later in the month Blood Diamond, Rocky Balboa, and Children of Men all get released. I will be picking all of those up. Out of all of them, I will choose i>Blood Diamond as my recommended release.
Classic Movie of the Month: This month I choose Rosemary's Baby from Roman Polanski. This classic from 1968 is probably the best horror film ever made. I loved this movie from beginning to end, and was riveted the entire way through. With fantastic performances from Mia Farrow, Ruth Gordon, and John Cassavetes, Mr. Polanski creeps viewers out in the correct way. We are not overwhelmed with blood and gore. We are frightened from being unsure as to what will happen next. We want to help Rosemary, but we cannot. This is a horror masterpiece that takes its time, and that is the best way to approach this genre. If only more horror offerings were crafted like this.
Movie Quote of the Month: From Rosemary's Baby:
Rosemary Woodhouse: "I dreamed someone was raping me. I think it was someone inhuman."
Guy Woodhouse: "Thanks a lot."
Bryan Kristopowitz
Biggest Winner of the Month: Martin Scorsese. He finally won a Best Director Oscar, and so the "curse" is over. And his movie won Best Picture, so he's got that going for him, too.
Biggest Loser of the Month: A tie between Eddie Murphy and Guillermo del Toro. Murphy lost Best Supporting Actor, something he should have won, and del Toro lost out on Best Foreign Film, something he should have won. It may be an honor to be nominated, but when you're that close it's gotta suck.
Biggest Movie News of the Month: J. J. Abrams has the rights to Stephen King's The Dark Tower. I don't know where it's going to go, whether or not Abrams will be able to figure out how to do it, either as a mini series or a series of movies, but it sure is exciting.
Your Most Anticipated Movie of the Month: "Wild Hogs" looks funny. "Black Snake Moan" looks good, too. "Hills Have Eyes II" is a must see, just to see where the next one goes.
Recommended DVD Release of the Month: "Borat" comes out on the 6th, so that's a must buy. John Carpenter's "Masters of Horror" Season 2 episode "Pro-Life" also hits the DVD shelves. "Pro-Life" is probably the worst thing Carpenter has ever done, so it'll be interesting to see and hear what it is he thinks this movie is about. Plus, it's coming from Anchor Bay, and they never do a bad DVD.
Classic Movie of the Month: "The Big Lebowski" (1998). Dude, I can't get enough of The Dude. I love this movie, love putting it on in the background and just listening to it. The Dude, Walter, and Donnie at the bowling alley, the Dude and Walter trying to figure out if the "other" Jeff Lebowski's young wife was actually kidnapped, Walter saying that he can't leave the house on Saturday because it's Shabas, getting into the semis against Jesus, figuring out what Jackie Treehorn has to do with the whole thing, and then the Nihlists and the rug peeing. The rug really did tie the room together. Watch it and become one with the Dude.
Movie Quote of the Month: "Irony can be pretty ironic sometimes"- Commander Buck Murdock, William Shatner, "Airplane II: The Sequel" (1982)
Scotty Flamingo
Biggest Winner of the Month: Jennifer Hudson. She went from losing a gameshow to winning an Oscar in one year. On top of that, she totally upstaged Beyonce, who the media is in love with. I find it very satisfying that once in awhile talent will overshine hype. Think Taylor Hicks would trade careers with her about now?
Biggest Loser of the Month: Britney Spears by a mile. She is quickly on a path to what I call "Anna Nicoling" it. Her behavior this month has even overshadowed the trainwreck known as Lindsey Lohan.
Biggest Movie News of the Month: For me, it was Aaron Eckhart cast as Harvey Dent in the Batman Begins sequel. This is much better casting than Heath Ledger as the Joker (although I still have faith that I could be surprised by that one).
Your Most Anticipated Movie of the Month: 300. Frank Miller may have lost his mind when it comes to Batman (has anyone tried reading All Star Batman and Robin??), but when it is his own projects, the man can work miracles. Sin City was awesome and this just looks incredible.
Classic Movie of the Month: Of Unknown Origin. Peter Weller (Robocop) stars as a father trying to reclaim his home from a giant species of rat. Wonderfully over the top and a forgotten gem.
Movie Quote of the Month: "I gotta bomb! I'll blow this whole place up!" "Go ahead, I don't shop here." Sylvester Stallone in Cobra.
MARCH 2nd
Wild Hogs
Comedy
Director: Walt Becker
Stars: Tim Allen, Martin Lawrence, John Travolta
The Plot: A trio of middle-aged wannabe bikers (Allen, Lawrence, Travolta) look for adventure out on the open road, where they soon encounter a chapter of the Hell's Angels.
Webb: I realize I shouldn't expect anything spectacular from Walt Becker, director of Van Wilder, but I know I'll have a good time seeing all of these actors together. It's impossible not to laugh at William H. Macy in his underwear. I'm going to try not to judge this too harshly and just have a fun time watching it. It won't be a masterpiece, but hopefully it isn't a total disaster either.
Kristopowitz: Tim Allen, John Travolta, William H. Macy, and Martin Lawrence as bikers? How is that idea not going to work? A few years ago this movie would have been a sort of movie event because of the talent involved, but the four leads don't have the best reputation at the moment, which is a shame, as I think this movie is going to surprise a whole bunch of people. It's not going to be the big steaming pile of hooha all of the hip and edgy critics are hoping it is. Can't wait.
Flamingo: This looks horrible, but it is one of those safe movies that will make money because it appeals to average joe's and probably cost nothing to make. This is just City Slickers with motorcycles, except it doesn't have a baby calf to melt my heart.
Zodiac
Director: David Fincher
Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo
The Plot: Two San Francisco Chronicle employees (Gyllenhaal, Ruffalo) work alongside a homicide inspector (Downey Jr.) to learn the identity of the serial killer terrorizing the Bay Area.
Webb: Well, I love David Fincher. I think he is a great filmmaker, and this mystery thriller looks like another splendid addition to his resume. I have seen this trailer now several times, and it still looks like a winner to me. Jake Gyllenhaal has proved himself as a star, Robert Downey Jr. is a marvelous and highly underrated talent, and the rest of the cast just looks magnificent. I am crossing my finger that this delivers. The plot is intriguing, and the characters look interesting. I can't wait.
Kristopowitz: I'm interested to see how this movie handles the actual Zodiac murders, since the Zodiac killer, as far as I know, was never caught. Gyllenhaal and Ruffalo don't exactly inspire confidence in me, but in the hands of Fincher this may turn out better than expected. Even when the movie is bad Fincher is always interesting.
Flamingo: It's about time. For those of you unfamiliar with the Zodiac case, it is the case of a real life serial killer that was never caught and taunted the press with coded messages and letters. It is fascinating because it is like a movie, but it is real. Plus Fincher is perfect for this sort of thing.
Black Snake Moan
Director: Craig Brewer
Stars: Christina Ricci, Samuel L. Jackson, Justin Timberlake
The Plot: A God-fearing bluesman (Jackson) takes to a wild young woman (Ricci) who, as a victim of childhood sexual abuse, looks everywhere for love, never quite finding it.
Webb: I have heard both good and bad things about this. I definitely want to see it. It is one of the many films being released this month that look to have potential. The only thing that worries me is the cast. We know each one of these people can act, but they also have notable failures. Timberlake is still new and needs to continue supplying decent roles, but Ricci and Jackson have a list of highs and lows in their film careers. The trailer looks great, and I'll most certainly be at the theater to see it.
Kristopowitz: This is yet another must see this month. The first preview I saw for it made it seem like a dark comedy, a later one made it seem like a heavy drama, so I'm wondering what exactly it really is. Samuel L. Jackson hasn't had a huge, gigantic dramatic role in a while, a role that may get him "noticed," like he needs to get noticed. Again, a big must see.
Flamingo: I've heard great things about this and it looks good. I love Sam Jackson's beer and his movies even more. The plot is something new and original and Christina Ricci looks smoking hot.
MARCH 9th
300
Director: Zack Snyder
Stars: Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, David Wenham
The Plot: In 480 B.C., Spartan king Leonidas (Butler) leads 300 of his warriors into battle with the Persian army, who are bent on conquering Greece.
Kristopowitz: This movie has all kinds of hip and edgy internets geek hooha going for it, but for whatever reason this movie doesn't jazz me up at all. I didn't like "Sky Captain," didn't like "Sin City," so I don't know what I should make of the way this movie is made. I don't get it. Who knows, though, it may be good.
Webb: You know, at first this appeared to be an overwhelming amount of CGI, and I thought the trailer looked ok, but now it has started to grown on me. This really could be a brilliant film. I have not read Frank Miller's graphic novel, but I know of the story. The early reviews are pretty damn good. Director Zack Snyder has the remake of Dawn of the Dead on his resume. This looks to be an improvement. Graphic novel adaptations have become some of my favorite films. Hopefully this is no different.
Flamingo: This will rule. I've looked forward to this since I saw the first trailor for it last year.
The Namesake
Director: Mira Nair
Stars: Kal Penn, Irfan Khan, Tabu
The Plot: As Gogol (Penn) struggles to find a balance between his life in New York and his Indian heritage, his father (Khan) decides to tell him how his name is tied to his family's journey from Calcutta to America.
Webb: I'm not sure what to make of this yet. Kal Penn is not exactly known for his serious roles. It's based on a book, and directed by Mira Nair. I know very little about her as a filmmaker besides Vanity Fair, which I didn't care for. It is most likely worth seeing, but I am not expecting to be moved. This will be in and out of theaters quickly I suspect.
Kristopowitz: Not sure what to make of this movie. Kal Penn as a "serious actor" is a little off putting, since he's been in a string of big comedies lately. But maybe this will show everyone what Penn can really do when he has to.
MARCH 16th
Sunshine
Director: Danny Boyle
Stars: Cillian Murphy, Rose Byrne, Chris Evans
The Plot: A team of eight astronauts is sent to re-ignite the dying sun.
Webb: Ok, I will admit that I am not the biggest Danny Boyle fan. I did not like Trainspotting. I thought Millions was cute, but overrated, and I could go on about his films. However, I am all for new science fiction, and this trailer impressed me more than any other so far this year. I think Cillian Murphy is terrific, and the plot strikes me as absorbing and suspenseful. I am still waiting to really love a film by Danny Boyle. I hope this is it. Not enough sci-fi films are released these days. We'll have to pray that this is good.
Kristopowitz: I don't like Cillian Murphy. I think his performance in "28 Days Later," much like the movie, is overrated, and I sure as heck didn't like him in the abomination "Batman Begins." The preview for this doesn't look promising, either, but the idea sounds interesting, so I'm sure I'll give it a look.
Shooter
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Stars: Mark Wahlberg, Michael Peña, Rhona Mitra
The Plot: A marksman (Wahlberg) living in exile is coaxed back into action after learning of a plot to kill the president. Ultimately double-crossed and framed for the attempt, he goes on the run to track the real killer and find out who exactly set him up, and why.
Webb: Oh man Rhona Mitra is sexy. You might remember her from Hollow Man. I know I do. Anyway, this is Wahlberg's follow up from his Oscar nominated role in The Departed. Wahlberg can carry an action thriller, so this should be somewhat satisfying. I enjoy Wahlberg more with each film. As for the director, Antoine Fuqua can execute an awesome flick like Training Day or an easily forgotten one like The Replacement Killers. This time he has Danny Glover and Wahlberg helping him. Anything could happen.
Kristopowitz: Didn't Keenan Ivory Wayans make this movie once before, "Most Wanted"? I know this plot isn't exactly like that movie, but with the plot similarities and the preview I just saw for it, I can't get Wayans out of my head. I'm sure that it will be an above average action movie, and there's certainly nothing wrong with that. And is Danny Glover once again playing the villain here?
Premonition
Director: Mennan Yapo
Stars: Sandra Bullock, Julian McMahon, Amber Valletta
The Plot: When her husband reappears the day after he died in a car accident, a woman (Bullock) looks to rearrange events and prevent the tragedy from occurring.
Webb: I am really starting to hate every film Sandra Bullock does nowadays. I used to like her, but this film looks like a pile of crap. I have no doubts we will be forced to sit through some ridiculous storyline, only to wait for some big twist ending. The director is relatively new, so I can't comment there, but I don't care to see this at all.
Kristopowitz: This looks boring. I don't know if I buy Sandra Bullock in a role like this.
Flamingo: This could either be a confusing mess, or one of those chick suspense movies that you can actually take a date to and both come out happy.
Dead Silence
Director: James Wan
Stars: Ryan Kwanten, Amber Valletta, Donnie Wahlberg
The Plot: A young widower (Kwanten) returns home in order to investigate his wife's murder, where he encounters the legend that has turned Raven's Fair into a ghost town.
Webb: I always loved the Night of the Living Dummy series from the Goosebumps books as a kid, so maybe this won't be as bad as some of the other horror offerings as of late. I still don't think this will be anything special though. I am inclined to prefer the other Wahlberg brother. Donnie was in Annapolis don't forget. Director James Wan gave the world the first Saw, so this will do well at the box office I'm sure. I am in the middle with this one so far.
Kristopowitz: The dolls in the preview are creepier than all hooha, and I'm somewhat intrigued to see what this movie is really all about. I didn't so much like "Saw" in the end, but I am curious to see what else James Wan has up his director's sleeve. And it's cool to see both Wahlbergs working in March.
I Think I Love My Wife
Director: Chris Rock
Stars: Chris Rock, Kerry Washington, Gina Torres
The Plot: A man (Rock) who's married to the ultimate career woman (Torres) finds his will and morals tested when he meets a free-spirited younger lady (Washington).
Webb: Chris Rock writes, directs, and stars in this comedy. I have seen the preview, and it seems like an odd role for him. He'll still supply the normal Chris Rock comedy, and I sure this will make the males laugh more so than the women, but I don't think this will be anything more than average at best. I feel like I know how the story will end, and that's not a good sign.
Kristopowitz: Chris Rock is a funny comedian, and he's a decent comedic actor. But his movies are usually hit or miss. I don't know if he's a full on "leading man" just yet. I think this movie is either going to be the funniest movie of the year or a mediocre bomb. There isn't much middle ground here, or at least I don't see any.
Flamingo: It is a Chris Rock movie, therefore it is destined to bomb. The guy's stand-up is great, but he has possibly the worst eye for picking film projects that I've ever seen.
MARCH 23rd
Reign Over Me
Director: Mike Binder
Stars: Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle, Jada Pinkett Smith
The Plot: Emotionally shut off after losing his wife and daughters on 9/11, Charlie Fineman (Sandler) runs into his old college buddy, Alan Johnson (Cheadle). Rekindling the friendship is the one thing that appears able to help Charlie begin to wrestle with his grief.
Webb: We know Adam Sandler can act in a serious role. He has displayed his range in Spanglish and Punch Drunk Love. This looks outstanding in my opinion. This is one of a few other films this March that seem to have performances that are hoping for Oscar consideration next year. I don't wanna speak too soon, but I have high hopes for this. The cast looks wonderful, the plot is fascinating, and the director isn't terrible.
Kristopowitz: Ah, yes, Adam Sandler once again venturing out into the arena of the serious thespian. With Don Cheadle, no less. The preview for this isn't what I'd call inspiring, and for some reason I get the feeling that this movie is going to be tedious. Don Cheadle, in all his greatness, will try mightily to hold the thing together. The questions remains will he succeed?
Flamingo: This looks interesting. I think that Sandler is VERY underrated in his dramatic roles.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Director: Kevin Munroe
Stars: Patrick Stewart, Mako, Chris Evans
The Plot: Humankind's only hope against a disgruntled tech-industrialist's plan for world domination rests with a team of ninja-trained turtles who live in the sewers of Manhattan: Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael. But first they have to get over the humiliation they suffered at the hands of their arch nemesis -- a defeat which caused the Turtles to grow apart.
Webb: They aren't live-action, and they won't be shown in hand drawn animation. This time around it's turtles in CGI. This could be either surprisingly great, or excruciatingly bad. The live-action films have not grown well on me through the years. I will always have a soft spot for the turtles seeing as how I had the toys, movies, etc, but I don't know how I feel about this yet. It might be ok I guess.
Kristopowitz: I don't know what to make of this movie, either. I'm a Turtles fan from way back, and I want a good Turtles movie to succeed. I don't think it's necessary to go "all dark" like the original comic and be super violent, nor do I think it should be a kiddie movie. There is a middle ground here somewhere. It looks it may be doing that. Interesting to see where it goes.
Flamingo: I like the idea of using CGI animation for this. The downside is that it has none of the Turtles trademark villains.
The Hills Have Eyes II
Director: Martin Weisz
Stars: Daniella Alonso, Jacob Vargas, Michael Bailey Smith
The Plot: A group of National Guard trainees are attacked by mutants during a training mission in the New Mexico desert.
Webb: I thought the remake was halfway decent, but I'd be willing to bet the sequel will be more of the same type of stuff we have already seen. I am sure this will suck. I have nothing more to say.
Kristopowitz: I liked the first movie, and am eagerly awaiting the sequel, just to see if it's good or a total turd. A must see most definitely. How long will Jeff Kobar survive in this movie? Because you know he's going to die. He's freaking Jeff Kobar.
Flamingo: I enjoyed the original, and I liked the remake although I thought it had its flaws. This looks like a cheap cash grab that should've gone straight to DVD, but I'd love to be proven wrong.
Pride
Director: Sunu Gonera
Stars: Terrence Howard, Bernie Mac, Kimberly Elise
The Plot: At the Philadelphia Department of Recreation, coach Jim Ellis (Howard) turns a group of troubled teens into one of the best swim teams in the country.
Webb: Bleh. Terrence Howard is a fine actor, but this movie looks boring. Another coach who turns a group of troubled kids into winners. We have seen the premise before, and we'll see it again. Normally, these are handed 3 star reviews, and then everyone forgets about them. Plus, Bernie Mac is involved here, so it can't be that special. Howard is capable of much more.
Kristopowitz: Yes, we've seen this kind of movie a million times before. An inspiring hero teacher shows up in a "bad" area, be it a school or neighborhood, and takes charge and gets the kids to think and into college or they win or whatever. Bernie Mac should do fine here, after his TV show was dumped. And Terrence Howard should do himself a bit of good here.
Flamingo: I get an Incredibles vibe from this, which either means it'll be good or just a lame ripoff. I'll have to read some reviews first.
MARCH 30th
Meet the Robinsons
Director: Stephen J. Anderson
Stars: Daniel Hansen, Wesley Singerman
The Plot: A boy genius named Lewis (Fry) has his latest invention, a "memory scanner," stolen by the nefarious Bowler Hat Guy. Just when he's given up hope he'll ever retrieve his creation, he meets Wilbur Robinson (Fox), a curious young fellow from the future, who invites him to travel forward in time to meet his eccentric extended family (who really need Lewis's help), hunt down the thief, and perhaps learn a secret or two about his own past.
Webb: This seems like your standard CGI family film. That is all. Instead of commenting on this film, which will probably be bad, I will say that Rescue Dawn, a war drama directed by Werner Herzog and starring Christian Bale is also supposed to be released on this day. I'll go see that before Meet the Robinsons.
Kristopowitz: This movie looks "zany." Whether or not it's actually "funny" remains to be seen. The Disney animated movies, the ones not affiliated with Pixar, don't have the greatest track record. We'll have to wait and see.
Blades of Glory
Director: Josh Gordon Will Speck
Stars: Will Ferrell, Jon Heder, Amy Poehler
The Plot: In 2002, two rival Olympic ice skaters (Ferrell and Heder) were stripped of their gold medals and permanently banned from men's single competition. Presently, however, they've found a loophole that will allow them to qualify as a pairs team.
Webb: The premise looks funny as hell, but I don't like Jon Heder. Will Ferrell was hilarious at the Oscars, but this appears to be the regular Ferrell comedy we have received a number of times now, only with slightly different plots each time. I usually enjoy his movies, and I'm sure this will be respectable also, unless Heder ruins it. On a side note, I always look forward to new Craig T. Nelson roles.
Kristopowitz: Ron Burgandy and Napoleon Dynamite together in a movie as ice skaters? How could that idea not work? The previews, though, make it look like a misfire for both Ferrell and Heder. I don't know, though. I didn't like the looks of "Anchorman," and then I saw it and it was hysterical. One of my favorite comedies. I'm hoping that it turns out like that and we don't have another "Bewitched" on our hands.
Flamingo: One one hand, you have box office gold in Will Ferrel; on the other, you have box office poison in Heder. Toss up.
Summaries and images courtesy of IMDB.com.
