411 Movies Roundtable: April 2008
Posted by Owain J. Brimfield on 04.01.2008
The 411 staff takes a look back at the month that was, and discusses the upcoming big releases in April!
Welcome to the monthly 411 Movies Roundtable. I'm Owain J. Brimfield, and I'll be your new host for these monthly gatherings of the greatest movie minds on the interwebs. A big thanks to Chad Webb, who has taken on a bunch more duties here in the Movies zone that require him to pass the buck delegate this feature to someone more gulliblewith more spare time equally enthusiastic about gathering the opinions of the 411 collective. This month, Clooney takes one for the team, the Stones keep on a' rolling, and two martial arts legends team for the first time. For this month's picture theme, we're celebrating the return of stoners Harold and Kumar with some other famous stoners from movie history.
Let's get down to business...
Introducing this month's participants:
TV reviewer and recapper Jerome Cusson!
From "Furious on Film", Arnold Furious!
411 newbie and film reviewer Jeremy Thomas!
Our resident B-movie expert, Bryan Kristopowitz!
The other new guy, film reviewer Derek LaShomb!
From "Casting Call" and "The Watcher Diaries", Jason Chamberlain!
...and I'm your host, Owain J. Brimfield!
The Month That Was
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Jerome Cusson
Biggest Winner of the Month: The people behind Horton Hears a Who. It appears they finally got a Dr. Seuss book right as this film is a bonafide box office and critical success. March is traditionally a slow month, but this film has done exceedingly well in a tough market place.
Biggest Loser of the Month: Judd Apatow. Just because your name is on a film doesn't mean it's immune from the same criticisms of other producers, directors, and actors. I've enjoyed just about everything he's been involved with, but this film was not only mean spirited, but also unfunny. Hopefully, Apatow uses his name more wisely from now on.
Biggest Movie News of the Month: I know it seems obvious, but this month in particular seemed to have almost daily news of some sequel or rehash coming out. The A-Team, Friday the 13th, Rambo, and even Dirty Harry seemed to be poised for comebacks. Has Hollywood completely run out of original ideas?
Your Most Anticipated Movie of the Month: I know I ripped on it earlier, but Forgetting Sarah Marshall looks pretty good, and I'm excited to see what Jason Segel can do in a leading role. And combine that with Kristen Bell in a bikini? I am so there.
Recommended DVD Release of the Month:Juno. It wasn't my favorite movie of 2008, but of the five "Best Picture" nominees, this was my favorite. I loved the heart of this film and the dialogue. I don't think this film is an allegory about why people shouldn't have an abortion nor do I think teenagers should be inspired to get pregnant from this film. Just enjoy the movie, the language, and enjoy the one film from last year that seemed to tread on new territory.
Classic Movie of the Month:Manhattan Melodrama, a great little movie with Clark Gable, William Powell, and Myrna Loy
Movie Quote of the Month: "Thanks for having me and my irresponsible child over to your house." -Mac MacGiff from Juno
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Arnold Furious
Biggest Winner of the Month: Jimmy Hayward & Steve Martino. They've worked on several animated films in the past but finally got a joint directing credit for Horton Hears a Who. The result is box office in big numbers. Now Mike Myers looks like an R-Tard for doing The Cat in the Hat the way he did. Dr Seuss lends himself to animation ideally but the box office being so huge is a surprise. Well done, gents.
Biggest Loser of the Month: Pamela Anderson. She seems to be on that slippery slope. Now age 40 her third marriage has lasted only two months before being annulled. You'd think she'd know better after two poor choices beforehand with Tommy Lee and Kid Rock. She's also parading around as a magician's assistant. Which she seems to enjoy but isn't really making much use of her. Back 10 years ago there was genuine hope that Pam could be a big star in Hollywood based on her popularity in Baywatch. Now she's reduced to her looks and they won't hang around forever. Sad to see someone with potential fail to live up to it.
Biggest Movie News of the Month: I second Jerome's sentiments. It seems like every day I hear about another re-make or re-hash of something that worked before. Although Charlize Theron in the re-make of Sympathy for Lady Vengeance works for me. I know they wanted to remake Oldboy but the original is just too damn good. Lady Vengeance is a decent film but has potential to be successful among a Western audience.
Your Most Anticipated Movie of the Month:The Forbidden Kingdom. Hey, it'll probably suck but Jackie Chan and Jet Li in the same movie? Sign me up.
Recommended DVD Release of the Month: Not so much a new release but if you have an HD-DVD player have a look at the bargains you can get for that format right now. Since Toshiba gave up on the format and pretty much condemned it retailers have been starting to make room for more Blu-Ray titles. Hence sales ahoy! The only downside being that when your HD player dies in a few years the DVD's won't be compatible with anything else. Them's the risks you take.
Classic Movie of the Month:Only Angels Have Wings. The Howard Hawks movie set in a small office/bar where they run a flying mail company on a shoestring. Cary Grant stars and there's some pretty nifty flying shots for the time (1939). The intensity of it combined with some of the more ridiculous plot points made critics call bullshit. But Hawks knew plenty of former flyboys and said that sometimes "the truth is stranger than fiction". The bit with the condor is either brilliant or hilarious. I've yet to decide.
Movie Quote of the Month: "Sure it was your fault. You were gonna have dinner with him, the Dutchman hired him, I sent him up on schedule, the fog came in, a tree got in the way. All your fault. Forget it, unless you want the honor." – Cary Grant does an interesting job of consoling Jean Arthur in Only Angels Have Wings.
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Jeremy Thomas
Biggest Winner of the Month: Dr. Seuss, in memoriam. Horton Hears a Who has done a remarkably good job of redeeming Seuss stories in celluloid after the utter crap that was The Cat In The Hat and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. What could have been a pretty damn bad film is, by all accounts, enjoyable, and a box office success. We'll do you right yet, Doc.
Biggest Loser of the Month:Doomsday. While I have yet to see it, and am hopeful on it's quality, it got a crap marketing campaign around it, and the box office numbers support that. Neil Marshall is a great director, and hopefully he can bounce back.
Biggest Movie News of the Month: For me, it's the Incredible Hulk trailer. While I'm a little worried about Ed Norton (despite being a fine actor) as he's seen in the trailer, and Liv Tyler is film quality-poison, I've been hoping on this one. The trailer wasn't fantastic, but we'll see as more comes out.
Your Most Anticipated Movie of the Month: I'm a heavy Pacino mark, and 88 Minutes looks like it has enough potential to tide me over until Righteous Kill. I can't say that anything else is capturing my interest as strongly.
Recommended DVD Release of the Month: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, Sacha Baron Cohen, singing, blood, and Tim Burton. Yep, that's right. Sweeney Todd hits DVD this month, and it's on top of my buy list.
Classic Movie of the Month:The Prophecy. The sequels were all crap, and ignore them. But the original, featuring Christopher Walken as one of his most charismatic yet malevolent villains ever, is a great little supernatural film. Check out the underrated Eric Stoltz as Simon, and Viggo Mortensen in one of his early roles as Lucifer toward the end.
Movie Quote of the Month: "Did you ever notice how in the Bible, when ever God needed to punish someone, or make an example, or whenever God needed a killing, he sent an angel? Did you ever wonder what a creature like that must be like? A whole existence spent praising your God, but always with one wing dipped in blood. Would you ever really want to see an angel?" Thomas Daggett (Elias Koteas), The Prophecy
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Bryan Kristopowitz
Biggest Winner of the Month: The people behind Horton Hears a Who, a flick that's just raking in the cash, beating back the Tyler Perry hit machine for number one at the box office its second week out.
Biggest Loser of the Month: The devoted fans of the CBS show Jericho, as the show has been cancelled once again. And Will Ferrell and New Line Cinema are probably sitting around wondering what the heck happened.
Biggest Movie News of the Month: The apparent flaking out of Ed Norton over the editing of The Incredible Hulk. Rumors continue to persist that if Norton fails to get his way he won't promote the movie. If that happens, instead of people talking about the story or the special effects or the epic fight briefly shown in the trailer, everyone will be talking about how Norton is hard to work with.
Your Most Anticipated Movie of the Month:The Ruins looks nasty, Street Kings looks like a cool "guy" movie, and 88 Minutes looks like both a mess and a blast. I can't wait.
Recommended DVD Release of the Month:Alvin and the Chipmunks (yes, I liked the movie. Sue me), Matlock: Season 1, and the Day of the Dead remake finally sees release in the United States. I'm always pulling for Steve Miner because he's a decent director, but the early word for this flick is not good at all. If it is bad, I still want to see how bad.
Classic Movie of the Month:The Insider (1999): This is my favorite Michael Mann movie. It's become one of the few movies I can watch over and over again and never get bored with it. It's just too good not to watch. Based on true events concerning a Big Tobacco whistleblower and the CBS newsmagazine "60 Minutes" and how CBS got scared of getting sued, the flick stars Al Pacino as segment producer Lowell Bergman and Russell Crowe as former Brown and Williamson tobacco scientist and said whistleblower Jeffrey Wigand. Great performances throughout. And this is probably the best movie ever made featuring endless scenes of people talking to one another on cell phones.
Movie Quote of the Month: "Hey Stu, your rent's due, motherfucker! Now don't be pulling that falling down the stairs shit on me again, you hear! Now you conscious!"- Landlord Frankie Faison- "Coming to America" (1988)
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Derek LaShomb
Biggest Winner of the Month:Funny Games. Naomi Watts, Tim Roth, and the devilishly underrated Michael Pitt star in this incredibly nihilistic film that just so happens to be a remake of a very good 1997 German film. Don't worry, Michael Haneke is behind this one, just as he was behind the mean spirited original, so he knows the material. Hopefully this one finds a great audience on DVD, because it was easily the best movie to come out all month long.
Biggest Loser of the Month:10,000 B.C.. The Day After Tomorrow was bad enough. Roland Emmerich managed to craft an empty, and surprisingly dull special effects "event" (can you really call it that?) film. 10,000 B.C. was none the different. Sure the effects have come along way since Day... in 2004 (anyone recall those shitty looking wolves?), but B.C. still has nothing going for it other than a bit of visual flair that really did nothing to impress me, personally. It's devoid of any weight whatsoever, and the film making just isn't there. Yet, I suppose as long as special effects films are a draw (they always will be), then Emmerich will keep on working, which means more and more forgettable attempts at cinema, like this clunker.
Biggest Movie News of the Month: Robert Downey Jr. in black minstrel makeup. Ok, so maybe that's not entirely right, but it's just as hilarious. When the trailer for the new Ben Stiller directed comedy romp Tropic Thunder hit, I was left shaking my head in amazement at the absolute brilliance that is Robert Downey Jr. The man has not only cemented himself in Hollywood as one of the most versatile and talented actors in the business today, but he proves that he's not afraid of making a fool of himself, something that not many actors working today are comfortable in doing. Downey Jr. undergoes a procedure in Thunder to take on the look of an African American man, considering that's the way his character is written in the screenplay within the picture. Kirk Lazarus, Downey's character in the movie, is a classic method (and award winning) actor who takes his craft seriously, even as he sets out to star in the biggest war epic to ever be made. Tropic Thunder is going to be absolutely awesome.
Your Most Anticipated Movie of the Month:Forgetting Sarah Marshall. I'm a hardcore Apatow and company fan, so this one is numero uno on my "must see" list for the month. Uber-talented Jason Segel gets to flaunt his stuff finally in a starring role (he also penned the screenplay), and there's a cast chock full of Apatow regulars that we've all come to love. With Bill Hader, Jonah Hill, and the awesome Paul Rudd all involved, laughs are bound to be plentiful. I do have to give an honorable mention to George Clooney's Leatherheads as well, just because, well, it's GEORGE F'N CLOONEY.
Recommended DVD Release of the Month: In my opinion, there's only ONE DVD coming out this month that really matters, and that's There Will Be Blood. Not only does it feature one of the absolute finest performances in recent cinematic memory, but it's also an instant classic, and much better then No Country for Old Men in my opinion. Sure, they're both classics, but this one... it's got to be seen to be believed. Absolute cinematic gold.
Classic Movie of the Month:Paris, Texas. This 1984 classic, starring Harry Dean Stanton, is a film that should resonate with nearly every audience. It's a movie that you watch at least once a year just because you find more and more details in it to truly appreciate as you age and gain more life experience. Paris, Texas is a film that nearly everyone should find something to relate with. Not only that, but good lord, the cinematography is out of this world. "Paris, Texas" is simplicity at its finest, which is EXACTLY why it works so well.
Movie Quote of the Month:"I used to believe in many things, all of it! Now, I believe only in dynamite." - James Coburn's "John H. Mallory" from Sergio Leone's Duck, You Sucker! (1971)
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Jason Chamberlain
Biggest Winner of the Month: Dr. Seuss! Horton Hears a Who is a hit and maybe we'll see a resurgence in popularity for the late great kids writer.
Biggest Loser of the Month: Those poor Jericho fans. I know your pain. They cancelled Angel. They cancelled Firefly. Kitchen Confidential. Father of the Pride. Reaper (not yet, but my hopes aren't high). Stay strong my brothers!
Biggest Movie News of the Month:The Incredible Hulk looks like it's going to kick ass. And I hope it does, because Ang Lee's version is the only comic book film of the modern era that I really didn't like.
Your Most Anticipated Movie of the Month:Harold and Kumar! I've been waiting for it since the moment the first one ended!
Recommended DVD Release of the Month:Cloverfield. If you didn't catch the thinking man's monster movie when it was in the theaters, grab the first copy you see and beef up your home theater system!
Classic Movie of the Month:That Thing You Do! (1996) – Any fan of music will love this movie about a small town USA band making it big during the golden age of rock and roll. Written and directed by Tom Hanks (who also stars as a record exec) it's a thoughtful and funny look at how musical stardom effects four friends and their beautiful ‘band aid' Faye.
Movie Quote of the Month: "Ed Sullivan asks us back for a chat!" – Guitar player Leo rebuffs singer Jimmy's suggestion that the band needs to write an encore in That Thing You Do!.
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Owain J. Brimfield
Biggest Winner of the Month: It's probably a bit early to tell, but by all reports Britney Spears has undone a lot of her recent career damage with a decent performance in How I Met Your Mother. Still, she has a long way to go before she can overcome all her recent craziness.
Biggest Loser of the Month: Lindsay Lohan; what with reports of her possessing cocaine and being addicted to diet pills, as well as the alleged sex tape that recently surfaced on the internet, it's hardly been a good month for L-Lo. *shudder* Did I just use that name? I'm so sorry. Anyway, Lohan had better find herself a decent film role before too long, else she might have just as much work as Britney to reinvigorate her career.
Biggest Movie News of the Month: The deaths of Anthony Mingella and Arthur C. Clarke, both of whom made huge contributions to the world of movies and, you'd think, have ensured themselves a damn fine legacy by being a part of some wonderful, wonderful films.
Your Most Anticipated Movie of the Month: It has to be The Forbidden Kingdom, purely to see two true screen legends go head to head for the very first time. If there was any way to shoehorn in a digital re-creation of Bruce Lee, this film would be martial arts nirvana.
Recommended DVD Release of the Month: I believe the first volume of Masters of the Universe has just been released, which is surely an indispensable purchase.
Classic Movie of the Month: The original Planet of the Apes, the 35th anniversary edition of which I managed to pick up for £3 the other day. It remains the one and only decent movie the franchise had to offer, and Jerry Goldsmith's soundtrack is still one of the finest ever composed.
Movie Quote of the Month: "Take your stinking paws off me, you damn dirty ape!" - how could it be any other? Chuck Heston tells the evil monkeys where to stick it in Planet of the Apes.
Coming Attractions
APRIL 4TH
Leatherheads
Studio: Universal
Directed by: George Clooney
Starring: George Clooney, Renee Zellweger, John Krasinski
The plot: An aging football legend (Clooney) and the hot college star he's drafted for his pro team (Krasinski) fight for the heart of an intrepid up-and-coming journalist (Zellweger). Oh, it all takes place in 1925.
Cusson: I like the idea of this film a lot. Kind of a classic looking film taking place in a bygone era. I think this is a great chance for John Krasinski to work with a good director and Academy Award winning actress. This isn't going to be confused with an Oscar winner, but it should have its moments.
Furious: "One for the studio, one for me, one for the studio, one for me…ah, football movie. One for the studio". Expect George Clooney to turn up with charm but not necessarily the same passion he lends to certain other roles. Michael Clayton, Syriana and Goodnight and Good Luck for example.
Thomas: This is the kind of film that's going to be a crowd pleaser, but will likely be clichéd comedy. I'm reminded of the scene between Ben Affleck & Matt Damon in Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back, where Affleck tells Damon "What've I been telling you? You gotta do the safe picture. Then you can do the art picture." This is Clooney's safe picture. It could be good...but then, Renee Zellweger hasn't done anything good since Cold Mountain, so that makes me nervous.
Kristopowitz: Wait a second, didn't George Clooney say after Goodnight and Good Luck that he only wanted to make "serious" and "important" movies about "issues" and whatnot? How exactly is a movie about 1920's pro football serious, important, and issue oriented? I mean, the flick does look funny, but why hasn't anyone brought up this apparent discrepancy? Is it because George is Hollywood's "last" real movie star?
LaShomb: I absolutely love George Clooney. He's one of the few actors living that have an absolute "star" appeal to them. Plus, he's got the talent to back it up. We've seen with Confessions of A Dangerous Mind and Goodnight and Good Luck that he's a masterful director, and we all know the guy has impeccable acting talent. I'm psyched to see him take a crack at an old style comedy, which I know for a fact Clooney cherishes. I remember hearing him talking about the research lengths he went to for this movie back when he was on Charlie Rose a year or so ago. He's a student of the game, studying the greats like Howard Hawks, so I'm certain he can make this one work. Plus, the film just looks like a breath of fresh air.
Chamberlain: Renee Zellweger.... romantic lead.... no thanks.
Brimfield: Clooney has pretty much proven by now that he's always good value, and his directorial efforts thus far have been decent. I can imagine him having some decent chemistry with Krasinski, too.
Shine a Light
Studio: Paramount Vintage
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Starring: The Rolling Stones
The plot: A look at the legendary rock band The Rolling Stones through the ages, as they blast through their 2006 "Big Bang Tour".
Cusson: I'm not expecting a whole lot from this film. I know Scorsese is directing it, but I could really care less about The Rolling Stones. I'm sure there will be an audience for this film, but I don't really feel one way or the other about it.
Furious: As much as I like both Scorsese's work and the Rolling Stones I really don't care much for either concert films or documentaries on bands. I'd rather just listen to the music. I'm sure Marty enjoys the Stones because of how heavily he's featured them in his movies over the years so it'll be heartfelt and it'll be good for the fans. It depends of Scorsese manages to get any really good interviews. I'll wait for the reviews.
Thomas: I saw the trailer for this on a recent DVD I saw, and I just want to say, the image of Mick Jagger grinding against Christina Aguilera on-stage made me physically ill. That said, I'm a sucker for rock documentaries, and Scorsese could make this one good. I'm not a huge Stones fan, but it doesn't mean that they're not a fascinating subject for a documentary.
Kristopowitz: Looks and sounds interesting. That's all I can really say about it.
LaShomb: I haven't heard much about this one, but hey, it's Scorsese AND The Rolling Stones, so it's GOTTA be good. I'm actually interested in this one and will give it a go when it hits release.
Chamberlain: Scorsese and the Stones? I'm in.
Brimfield: I was never a big fan of the Stones, truth be told, so this film isn't of too much interest to me. There's no denying there's an intriguing subject, though and plus, it's Scorsese, so it's got a guaranteed audience.
Nim's Island
Studio: Fox
Directed by: Jennifer Flackett; Mark Levin
Starring: Jodie Foster, Gerard Butler, Abigail Breslin
The plot: A popular author (Foster) teams up the adventure-loving Alex Rover (Butler) in order to help her number-one fan (Breslin), a young girl who lives on a secret island where her father has gone missing. Two problems the author faces: her crippling fear of leaving her house, and the fact that Alex is merely the main character in her best-selling novels.
Cusson: Last month, it felt like I hated everything that was coming out. Now it feels like I'm feeling ambivalent. Guess that's a step up. We could see something decent here with Foster involved, but since the studio is FOX, I think that neutralizes any positive feelings I have about this film.
Furious: This sounds strangely not awful. Jodie Foster has a lot of personality and generally finds herself in movies where she has to carry them (Panic Room, Flightplan, The Brave One, Contact). She always does at least a decent job. I like the idea of Gerard Butler running around in her imagination too but that's probably because I'm imagining him dressed as a Spartan while doing so.
Thomas: Um...okay. Sure. I like Foster some of the time, I like Butler most of the time, and Abigail Breslin just annoys the shit out of me. The plot sounds interesting, but I'm not particularly enthused.
Kristopowitz: This looks like a blast. Jodie Foster looks like she's in ham heaven here, and it looks like Walden Media has yet another fine family hit on their hands.
LaShomb: Jodie Foster doesn't do it for me. Abigail Breslin is adorable and all, but I haven't really cared about anything she's done since Little Miss Sunshine, which I thought she was the best part of. Maybe someday I'll give this one a look, but there's way too many other films I'd much rather see. Nim's Island should be a decent family romp though, even if it does have Jodie "Lesbo" Foster fronting it. Man, does she seem like she's totally miscast or what? Let's see if she can pull off a family flick on this go around.
Chamberlain: This sounds kind of interesting, and 300 gave me a full fledged man crush on Gerard Butler. In that I respect his talent and admire his work. That's as far as it goes!
Brimfield: Oooer, this is one of those premises that could well be either a lot worse or a lot better than it sounds. This should make for a diverting family movie and nothing more.
The Ruins
Studio: Dreamworks
Directed by: Carter Smith
Starring: Shawn Ashmore, Jena Malone, Jonathan Tucker
The plot: A Mexican vacation takes a turn for the worse for a group of Americans when they head into the jungle to look for the missing brother of a fellow traveler. A foreboding encounter with a couple locals is only a hint of the evil that awaits them on a patch of secluded hillside.
Cusson: Why oh why? This looks like just another bad horror film. Move on.
Furious: Yes, I've seen this one before. A bunch of retarded teenagers go somewhere stupid and get killed one at a time. Just because they use more exotic locations nowadays doesn't make the content of the films anymore surprising or entertaining. Doesn't appeal to me. You'll know if you'll like it from the trailer though.
Thomas: The trailer looks interesting, if a bit clichéd. The cast is a bunch of young people who've never carried a film before, but hey, horror films don't need stars. I'm carefully optimistic about this one.
Kristopowitz: Man, the previews for this flick has been nasty, the premise sounds nasty, and I'm just hoping that the creepy, gross hype lives up to itself. I just hope people don't start comparing it to Cabin Fever.
LaShomb: This one has great potential, actually. I think it could very well be this year's Descent if there's enough attention paid towards suspense and build. If not, I totally expect it to be more like The Cave. Yeah, remember that one? Neither do I. At least I wish I didn't. It's hard to judge a movie like this based solely on the trailer.
Chamberlain: These Ruins will remain undiscovered by me. I'm witty.
Brimfield: Sounds awful, but at least there'll be a pretty face or two.
My Blueberry Nights
Studio: MGM
Directed by: Wong Kar-Wai
Starring: Norah Jones, Jude Law, Natalie Portman
The plot: Elizabeth (Jones) takes a soul-searching journey across America to resolve her questions about love while encountering a series of offbeat characters on her route.
Cusson: Not quite sure what to expect here, but this looks interesting. This could definitely be a DVD rental down the road.
Furious: Kar-Wai Wong finally makes his American debut. I'm still somewhat pissed off that Jude Law is in it because I want to see the movie but I hate Jude Law. Hopefully it'll be a success and I can get some Kar-Wai goodness from a follow up. If you've not seen it Chungking Express is a great movie.
Thomas: Natalie Portman & Rachel Weisz are in this...and they cast Ms. Starbucks herself, Norah Jones, in the lead? Kar-Wai Wong is a great director, so I'll give him some faith. All in all, this one screams "Rental" to me though. More specifically, "Rental I'll Fall Asleep To." Next.
Kristopowitz: Eh. It looks like it has a great cast, but it just sounds boring. Let's all hope that it isn't pretentious, too.
LaShomb: Wong Kar-Wai is a great filmmaker, there's no denying, but the rumblings I've heard about this one aren't so good. In fact, a couple of film nerds who I know that never seem to walk out of any film, happened to get up in the middle of this one and exit the theater. I heard it's just totally off point and rather, well, dull. I'll give it a look, but my expectations aren't too high.
Chamberlain: I just have one question here; how many people were lining up outside the movie studios demanding for Norah Jones to be put in a movie? That said, I'd buy a ticket to see Natalie Portman and Rachel Weisz read the phone book provided they took turns doing it.
Brimfield: Wong is a director to be reckoned with, and despite the presence of the always irritating Law this should be a nice intimate picture - reports are that Jones turns in a decent performance for a musician, too.
APRIL 11TH
Street Kings
Studio: Fox Searchlight
Directed by: David Ayer
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Forest Whitaker, Hugh Laurie
The plot: Tom Ludlow (Reeves) is a veteran LAPD cop who finds life difficult to navigate after the death of his wife. When evidence implicates him in the execution of a fellow officer, he is forced to go up against the cop culture he's been a part of his entire career, ultimately leading him to question the loyalties of everyone around him.
Cusson: I get a very Crash feel from this film, and it also feels like the producer put a bunch of actor's names in a hat and randomly picked them out. Very unusual casting. With all the crime drama that have been made these last twenty years, I question what stories there are left to tell. This could be decent though.
Furious: Good cast. Providing Canoe can keep his ham to a minimum. Forest looks like he's channeling the fires of hell for his performance so that should be good fun. Director David Ayer wrote Training Day but I doubt this will have the same gritty edge as that film. Should be fun enough though.
Thomas: "Dude. I'm a cop." Sorry, couldn't help it. Anyway, this sounds sort of re-hashed to me. But with James Ellroy and Kurt Wimmer behind the screenplay, and I loved David Ayer's last film, Harsh Times. The trailer is decent, and I'll likely check it out.
Kristopowitz: Like I said up above, this has "ultimate guy movie" written all over it. Tough scumbag cops beating people up, shooting people, Cedric the Entertainer and Dr. House are in it, and Forest Whitaker looks like he's having the time of his life as, I assume, Keanu's captain or lieutenant or commissioner or whatever. I can't wait. I liked Harsh Times, I just hope this flick is a little more exciting.
LaShomb: Common has an acting career ahead of him, that I am sure of. Wooden Keanu Reeves anchors this one which I think might have a shot at being somewhat entertaining. I just hope they keep it hardboiled and gritty, but you can never be too sure with Hollywood. If they handle the material correctly, this one has potential of being something memorable. Sadly, I'm not too sure that's how it's going to turn. Only time will tell.
Chamberlain: Kudos to Keanu for sinking his teeth into a role that sure sounds like a challenge. Wonder if all those snooty critics will give him a chance?
Brimfield: An eclectic lead cast should make this entertaining, even if it does bear the hallmarks of "serious drama". Laurie and Whitaker are invariably fantastic, and I'm actually quite a fan of Reeves.
Smart People
Studio: Miramax
Directed by: Noam Murro
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Thomas Haden Church, Sarah Jessica Parker, Ellen Page
The plot: When Dr. Janet Hartigan (Parker) agrees to look after her injured former professor (Quaid), little does she know she will soon have to contend with his clumsy affections, the attitude of his Young Republican daughter (Page), and the sudden arrival of Lawrence's good-for-nothing adopted brother (Church).
Cusson: This is another movie that has some interesting prospects. It's a big one for Ellen Page coming off Juno. The positive is it's completely different from what she just did, and it's more of a supporting role.
Furious: Sadly it looks as if the movie revolves around Sarah Jessica Parker who I don't much care for. Noam Murro is a commercials director, which always worries me but sometimes the director in question pays off (Fincher for example). I like Church and Page as support but unless they play quite large roles this could end up being a bit sappy. I'm torn.
Thomas: Quirky cast, quirky movie. Quirky, quirky, quirky. Really, Thomas Haden Church and Ellen Page are the only appeal this movie has for me.
Kristopowitz: Now this movie looks pretentious. Until Ellen Page makes a wacky romantic comedy like Good Luck Chuck any movie she appears in will automatically be pretentious. Can we also say that this flick is straining for "indie" cred or is that just mean?
LaShomb: Thomas Hayden Church and THE DENNIS are the only ones capable of keeping this one afloat. With Sarah Jessica Parker involved, I tend to flashback to the totally forgettable Failure To Launch. Let's hope it doesn't go that way. Maybe they'll actually use her correctly. If they tone down the tired formula and actually try a few things out with this and let the actors do what they do best, then I think this one has a good shot at being SOMETHING. Sarah Jessica Parker tends to be like the plague though and when she latches on to a film you can expect it to wither and die into obscurity. Maybe, no, HOPEFULLY Smart People bucks the trend, because the film is full of enough talent to make it work.
Chamberlain: Pass.
Brimfield: I'll be avoiding this due to the presence of the unbearable SJP. Not that it sounds especially good otherwise though.
APRIL 18TH
88 Minutes
Studio: Columbia
Directed by: Jon Avnet
Starring: Al Pacino, Alicia Witt, Benjamin McKenzie
The plot: A college professor (Pacino) who moonlights as a forensic psychiatrist for the FBI receives a death threat telling him that he has only 88 minutes to live, causing him to scramble to stay alive while he tries to learn his potential assailant's identity.
Cusson: Pacino has done a lot of crap these last few years, but if nothing else this at least looks decent. Combine Pacino playing something a little different (college professor), playing an actual good guy, and the 24 like theme surrounding this film, it makes me think this at least has some potential.
Furious: I like the idea. If it's shot in real time, ala 24, then it might well have a very solid degree of tension. Battling against the clock will do that. Pacino is also a good guy to have at the middle of it all. There's something about the trailer that bugs me though and I think a lack of support might hurt the film overall. Worth a look.
Thomas: I'm a sucker for Pacino. While he's made his movie mistakes *Cough*Gigli*Cough*, it's good to see him back in form, as he appears to be here. The trailer looks good, and it's being directed by the guy who's also doing the forthcoming Pacino/DeNiro film Righteous Kill. I'm jazzed for this.
Kristopowitz: I've heard that this movie is a mess, but it has a pretty decent cast (Pacino, William Forsythe, Neal McDonough, Leelee Sobieski, among others) and the premise is kind of interesting. It will also be interesting to see how many times Pacino freaks out in the movie. Five times or more you think?
LaShomb: I had the chance to see this one not too long ago and to say the least, I was quite unimpressed. Pacino tries his damnedest, but the picture is much too focused in its annoying style for his turn to mean anything. Pacino is doing predictable thrillers now. Yup, he's officially old. 88 Minutes is convoluted, clunky, and just overall forgettable. Wait. What movie was I talking about? See what I mean?
Chamberlain: Doesn't sound like my cup of tea, but I have no doubt that Pacino will rock the house in it.
Brimfield: Holy gimmick alert, Batman! Frankly, I think we all know this was going to be ridiculous from the moment we heard "college professor who moonlights as a forensic psychiatrist", not that the rest of the synopsis improves on that. I severely doubt I'll take this one in. Anyway, if it's crap Pacino at least has Righteous Kill to divert us.
The Forbidden Kingdom
Studio: Lionsgate
Directed by: Rob Minkoff
Starring: Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Michael Angarano
The plot: A discovery made by a kung-fu obsessed American teen (Angarano) transports him back to ancient China, where he joins up with a band of martial-arts warriors in order to free an imprisoned king.
Cusson: Putting Jet Li and Jackie Chan in the same film together immediately makes this see must-see for anyone who considers themselves a movie fan. I'm not the biggest fan of Chan's recent work, but putting two legendary figures together in a good-looking film is intriguing.
Furious: Now we're talking. If Angarano isn't irritating then this has WIN written all over it. There's only one line of dialogue in the trailer so I can't tell what he'll be like. Jackie talking in English is always a little painful on the ears but the promise of a ton of kung-fu should compensate. The only concern is director Rob Minkoff is basically an animator who's never done anything kung-fu before. Here's hoping.
Thomas: Wow. Take two of the greatest martial artists to hit modern American cinema, put them with someone as friggin' annoying as Angarano looks to be, and throw in way too much comedy, from what the trailer seems. And I'm supposed to be excited over this? The fight scenes may be well worth it, but for it to captivate me like it should, it had better step it up from the scenes in the trailer.
Kristopowitz: Wait a second, didn't Jet Li say he was retired from these kinds of movies after
Fearless? It'll be fun to see both Li and Chan together on screen, and the special effects and kung fu fights in the trailer look like fun. My only hope, or really my only request, is that the movie make some kind of sense.
LaShomb: I've never been a Jet Li fan. His entire style seems to be the exact opposite of Jackie Chan. All of Jackie's fight sequences are unique, he's a tremendous physical comedian, and he's just an all around entertaining mofo. Jet Li? Not so much. With that being said, I think The Forbidden Kingdom can work because of this very reason. The contrast will hopefully add an element to the picture. Even for those that aren't fans of Jet or Jackie, there should be a surreal feeling when the two pop up on screen together. I'll pay just to see that moment. Then again, Jackie is like a Jesus to me.
Chamberlain: This actually sounds pretty cool, and I'm a big Jackie fan.
Brimfield: Chan and Li in the same movie? Count me in, although I thought both had retired from movie-making for some reason. Chan's never as good as when he's directing himself, but I think the majority of the appeal here is the simple pleasure of seeing two martial arts legends on screen together.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Studio: Universal
Directed by: Nicholas Stoller
Starring: Kristen Bell, Jason Segel, Paul Rudd, Mila Kunis
The plot: Peter (Segel) jets off to Hawaii for a vacation that is supposed to help him deal with his recent break-up with his TV star girlfriend, Sarah (Bell). Little does he know Sarah's traveling to the same resort as her ex ... and she's bringing along her new boyfriend.
Cusson: Apatow's goal appears to be getting every actor from Freaks and Geeks their own leading role. Hey, I'm all for getting Linda Cardellini away from ER next. Anyway, even Mila Kunis can't drive me away from seeing Apatow's latest effort. This film looks to have some funny moments and I'm actually curious to see how this whole wacky situation ends up.
Furious: This looks really very funny and all the usual Judd Apatow guys turn up like Paul Rudd, Bill Hader and Jonah Hill. One question though producers…Russell Brand? Why? I realize he's basically playing the bad guy, which is good because he's a knob, but he's more likely to drive people away than draw them in. At least no one knows who he is in America. Lucky you.
Thomas: I'll confess a secret...I don't like Judd Apatow that much. Start the hate mail now, folks. 40 Year Old Virgin is overrated. Superbad was all right, Knocked Up was funny enough, but people talk about this guy like he's the second coming of comedy, and he's just not. That said, this one looks better then the past ones. Hell, it can't be much worse then Drillbit Taylor.
Kristopowitz: I don't know, this flick looks funny, but for some reason it also looks pretty stupid. I just have a feeling that this is going to be a huge letdown in every possible way. I hope it's a big hit, though, because Jason "Marshmallow" Segel is a funny guy.
LaShomb: I love Apatow and company, so I'm REALLY looking forward to this one. Mila Kunis is a great choice for the romantic lead in the film, and it'll be awesome seeing Jason Segal get the opportunity to both anchor a film and display his writing talents. At this point, if Jonah Hill is in, I'm there. Sarah Marshall should be good.
Chamberlain: Paul Rudd is always money, and Kristen Bell is always hot!
Brimfield: Another entry from the Apatow/Rogen comedy juggernaut, which is quite honestly boring me by now. Still, Rudd can always wring a few laughs out of any material.
Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?
Studio: The Weinstein Company
Directed by: Morgan Spurlock
Starring: Morgan Spurlock
The plot: Morgan Spurlock tours the Middle East to discuss the war on terror with Arabic people.
Cusson: There is a lot of controversy surrounding this film, particularly when Spurlock claimed to have actually found the terrorist. I think him even suggesting he found him is quite offensive. If he did, he has an obligation to tell the United States Army. And if he didn't, then why the deceptive release and title? Look, I'm not the biggest fan of the Bush administration, but I'm also not in favor of filmmakers grandstanding like this. Sadly, the description of this film looks interesting and provocative, but the message is going to get lost by the media and title.
Furious: After the rampant success of Super Size Me it was really only a matter of time before Morgan Spurlock came up with something else to challenge the documentary dominance of Michael Moore. His aim here is to make the War on Terror understandable to the common man. The trailer is funny and I have big hopes for this film.
Thomas: This one looks interesting. Spurlock is certainly putting Moore on notice that his role as king of the docu is threatened. The trailer made me laugh, and trailers don't do that often. Could be good.
Kristopowitz: I'm sure this will be worth watching because Spurlock is a gifted documentary director, but I doubt it will be anything groundbreaking in terms of information about Bin Laden.
LaShomb: I'm really not that interested in Spurlock's latest endeavor, if I'm to be perfectly honest. I loved Super Size Me for it's absurd concept, and his series 30 Days also seemed out there and attention grabbing. There's no doubting that Spurlock is like the Tarantino of documentary filmmaking, but Where in the World... seems more like he's throwing another rock onto an already sturdy pile. I'm not saying this film won't be good, but I'm really just not interested in the source material at this point because I've been bombarded with it in every shape and form for the better part of the last seven years. Question my political savvy or what have you, but the truth is the truth, and the truth is, I could really care less at this point in time about this topic. :waits for verbal and physical beatdown:
Chamberlain: This Morgan Spurlock has more balls than I do. I'm a journalist by trade, but you couldn't pay me enough to get me over there to ask people about that guy.
Brimfield: I've been quietly looking forward to this one, mainly because Spurlock is an invigorating documentarian. Hopefully he won't succumb to Michael-Moore-itis.
APRIL 25TH
Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay
Studio: Warner Bros.
Directed by: Jon Hurwitz
Starring: John Cho, Kal Penn, Neil Patrick Harris
The plot: Aboard their flight to Amsterdam, Harold (Cho) and Kumar (Penn) are caught trying to sneak a bong onboard, the first step in a misadventure that finds them mistaken for terrorists and sent to Guantanamo Bay.
Cusson: I would love to call this just another rehash/sequel, but the title makes this sound more interesting then it likely has any right to be. I enjoyed the first movie. This could be funny. I'll wait for the DVD though.
Furious: In a way this is a satire on how ethnics are treated in America and how the Patriot Act made every Middle Eastern gentleman fear for their lives. In another way this is just a sequel to that movie about two stoners who buy cheeseburgers. It seems like a bit of a leap to go from one to the other. Shouldn't there have been some middle ground? Anyway, like any dumb comedy if you like the trailer you'll go see it. I have to see it because of my rule about watching sequels to movies I enjoyed. Yes, I am an idiot.
Thomas: "Fasten your seatbelt...it's gonna be a bumpy ride!" From the moment Neil Patrick Harris says that line in the teaser, I was sold. I didn't see the first one for a long, long time, but once I did, I found it enjoyable, and I don't normally like stoner comedies. That says something. Through in a few political overtones, and this one should be good, too.
Kristopowitz: The previews for this flick have been hilarious. I'm not a big fan of "stoner" movies, and I still haven't seen Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, but this looks like a good time at the movies.
LaShomb: Yeah, I could care less about Spurlock's Osama Bin Laden film, but THIS; this I am excited for. Yeah, I need to check my priorities. Maybe I'd rather just be entertained? I'm not quite sure, I'll have to question my therapist on that front. Regardless, the first Harold and Kumar is a stoner's dream of a movie, and by the looks of it, this one will NOT disappoint. I'll be there opening night with bloodshot eyes, and I have no doubts that I'll be leaving with very sore abdominal muscles. Get your mind out of the gutter sickos, they'll be SORE from LAUGHING. Never the less, Harold and Kumar are money.
Chamberlain: I LOVED the first Harold and Kumar and was very happy to hear they were finally making a sequel. I can't say I've found the previews laugh out loud funny (aside from NPH of course), though there were some great moments, and I'll definitely be checking this out in the hopes that it lives up to the first one.
Brimfield: Yaaaaaaawwwwwwwwn. This kind of tedious plot isn't going to invigorate a tired (even by the second installment) franchise. Anyone? Just me, then.
That's all for this month. Stay tuned next month as the summer season gets under way with Indiana Jones, Speed Racer, Iron Man and a whole lot more!
