The Big Screen Bulletin 07.07.08: From January to June - The Best So Far

Posted by Chad Webb on 07.07.2008

This week the Bulletin uncovers the best films of 2008 so far, the birthday bash featuring Sophia Bush, the box office results, unearthed "Metropolis" footage, "Superman" reboot thoughts, new DVD releases, new trailer ratings, and much more!

From January to June: The Best So Far

I don't compile this type of list every year, but I thought it would be fun this time, seeing as how the first half of 2008 has not given the world many universally acclaimed efforts. Without further ado, here is my top 10 list of the best films of 2008...up until the end of June.

10. RAMBO - The critics hated it, women probably avoided it, but damnit, this is one of the most kick-ass action films of the year. Every time I think about it, the more I appreciate the way it was made, and how the iconic character was revived for today's viewers.

9. ROMULUS, MY FATHER - Here is a drama many of you have not heard of, but it follows true events of a father and son in Australia. It is poignant, enthralling, and contains powerful performances from Eric Bana, Franka Potente, and child rookie Kodi Smit-McPhee.

8. THE VISITOR - Writer and Director Thomas McCarthy follows his stunning movie The Station Agent with an equally as moving drama about a professor who finds unexpected guests in his apartment. The story is unique, the characters are authentic, and the ending leaves an impact. This was fantastic. Look for it on DVD soon.

7. CITY OF MEN - No, this is not on par with City of God, but it is just as gritty, heartbreaking, and compelling as that movie was. This excellent continuation of the TV series is accessible and needs to be seen by more people. Look for my DVD review soon!

6. FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL - Director Nicholas Stoller helms this comedy from the Judd Apatow clan. Jason Segel is hilarious, Kristin Bell was outstanding, and the rest of the cast was terrific as well. This was understandably another hit for this group. It deserves to be recognized at the end of 2008.

5. PARANOID PARK - Filmmaker Gus Van Sant has a style and technique that will not win over everyone, but this adaptation from a book on a skateboarder from NYC who finds himself in a touchy situation is mesmerizing, poetic, and brilliant. Do yourself a favor and remember this when it arrives in stores.

4. PRICELESS - This is easily the best pure comedy I have seen this year. Director Pierre Salvadori takes Audrey Tatou (Amelie) and the masterful Gad Elmaleh and molds a wonderful spin on the Breakfast at Tiffany's story. This is a foreign film, but don't let that dissuade you from seeking it out.

3. IRON MAN - I admit I was a bit harsh on this at first. I had my critical hat on at the beginning of May, but as this has sunk in my system, I cannot deny how entertaining it was. With all the superhero flicks out this summer, Iron Man remains the one to beat.

2. IN BRUGES - Oscar winning Writer and Director Martin McDonagh's debut film has it all: violence, comedy, profound storytelling, and more. Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson are a superb duo, and their chemistry with Ralph Fiennes is magnificent. This is already out on DVD. I highly recommend giving it a chance. You won't be disappointed.

1. WALL-E - Hands down no other film comes close to the #1 spot. Pixar has given the world another masterpiece to revere for decades. It is sweet, relevant, comical, and gripping.

The Birthday Bash

Sylvester Stallone turns 62 - Sly is pretty good about not sporting any goofy poses, so here is a funny caricature. Rocky has only one acting project on his slate, which is a film about Biggie and Tupac for television. Otherwise, he is writing and directing Poe and presumably Rambo V.






Tia and Tamara Mowry - Watch that hand there! Ok, there is something wrong with me. Anyway, the twins are not acting frequently, but Tia can be seen in some show called The Game, while Tamara has been in some B-movies and an occasional voice contributor to Family Guy.






Geoffrey Rush turns 57 - Mr. Rush is handing his Oscar over to the Bulletin for displaying his picture. How nice. Captain Barbossa has a stop-motion animation movie called $9.99 on the way, in addition to The Laundry Warrior with Kate Bosworth. Not the projects I would have expected from him, but whatever floats his boat.






Sophia Bush turns 26 - She is a cute little brunette for sure. Her pictures usually seem tasteful. This young actress is still in One Tree Hill, unless this was the last season, but you can also see her in the movies The Narrows and Table for Three, both on the horizon.






Kevin Bacon turns 50 - I think I used this photo last year, but the mustache is still creepy. He has Ron Howard's Frost/Nixon set to be released soon, with New York, I Love You to follow, and My One and Only after that.

The News Bulletin

Ain't No Stoppin' The Fresh Prince
Cashing in on Will Smith's star status, Sony's "Hancock" debuted to an estimated $107.3 million from 2,965 runs over the extended July 4th frame to become the third-best holiday opener of all time after "Transformers" and "Spider-Man 2." Pic--unspooling over a total of 5½ days--grossed an estimated $66 million for the weekend itself to easily come in No. 1, according to Rentrak.

Last year, "Transformers" opened to $155.4 million over 6½ days, including a weekend haul of $70.5 million. "Spider-Man 2," also from Sony, made $152.3 million over 5½ days and $88.1 million over the weekend itself in 2004. "Hancock" marks the eighth Will Smith film in a row to open at No. 1, as well as his fifth--and most successful--July 4th outing. Film's performance further solidifies Smith's standing as the world's biggest star, considering that "Hancock" received generally poor reviews.

The weekend was down by as much as 6% over last year, reflecting "Kitt Kittredge's" failure to ignite and the fact that "Hancock"--about a derelict superhero--didn't have quite the same broad appeal as July 4th tentpoles like "Transformers." Among holdovers, Disney-Pixar's "Wall-E" came in No. 2 for the weekend, declining 47% to an estimated $33.4 million from 3,992 runs for a cume of $128.1 in only the toon's first 10 days. "Hancock," skewing slightly male, took a bite out of Universal's actioner "Wanted," which fell off 60% in its second weekend to an estimated $20.6 million from 3,185 theaters for a cume of $90.8 million in its first t10 days. The Angelina Jolie-James McAvoy-Morgan Freeman still did well enough to come in No. 3 for the weekend. Warner Bros.' "Get Smart" played well, coming in No. 4 in its third sesh. Steve Carell-Anne Hathaway laffer declined just 45% to an estimated $11.1 million from 3,574 runs for a cume of $98.1 million.

On the specialty side, Sony Pictures Classics' "The Wackness" scored the highest per location average of the weekend. Indie pic grossed an estimated $145,064 from six runs for a per screen average of $24,177. Cume of the film, which opened Thursday, is $178,843. Magnolia's docu "Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson" grossed an estimated $190,000 in its debut in 25 theaters over the weekend for a per location average of $7,600.

Will Smith remains "the man" in the month of July. We shall see how mediocre reviews and audience reception treats his new pic in upcoming weeks. WALL-E is doing extremely well for its second week, and has its sights set on topping the Panda. People are still seeing Zohan, Indy 4, and Sex and the City. Indy 4 is well over $300 mill, Zohan won't go away at #10, and Sex is almost at $150 mill. Besides a bad showing for Kitt Kittredge, the rest are holdovers. The Incredible Hulk is just about to reach the 2003 Hulk's earnings. As much as I would love to see Hellboy II or even Journey to the Center of the Earth get #1 next week, the huge Eddie Murphy head available for tourist photos in Times Square of NYC tells me to bet on him. Meet Dave should be at the top.






Super…Man of Reboots
Comic writer Mark Millar, currently making a few bob off the back of the movie adaptation of Wanted, has reportedly said some rather intersting stuff about a future Superman movie. "Since I was a kid I've always wanted to reinvent Superman for the 21st century," Millar told Scottish paper The Daily Record. "I've been planning this my entire life. I've got my director and producer set up, and it'll be 2011. This is how far ahead you have to think." He continued, "The Superman brand is toxic after that last movie lost [a good chunk of change], but in 2011 we're hoping to restart it. Sadly I can't say who the director is, but we may make it official by Christmas." Hmmm... We're not sure how this fits in with previous announcements that Bryan Singer is already onboard as director, or if it will be called Man of Steel, but it's interesting stuff nonetheless. If what Millar says is true, which way would you like to see him take the franchise?

Ok, I am sick to death of franchise reboots. They need to stop. Just because previous comic book adaptations were not as succesful as the studio would have preferred, does not mean they need to be attempted again and again until it is correct. Explore a different character darnit. I will say this though. despite the fact that many critics praised Superman Returns, if the sequel, Man of Steel is not made, the legacy of Returns will get gradualy worse with age because Singer's vision was never revealed to the fullest. That was a movie begging for a follow up to answer numerous questions. The LAST thing the world needs is to have the entire saga start over. Please tell me this guy is just gossiping.






Bruce Lee Museum Proposition
A mansion that once belonged to Kung Fu legend Bruce Lee in Hong Kong might be preserved as a museum, giving belated recognition to one of the city's most famous sons, local media reported Thursday. Billionaire philanthropist tycoon Yu Panglin had put Lee's two-story, 5,699-square-foot town house in an upscale leafy Kowloon suburb up for sale but later changed his mind, according to Hong Kong's South China Morning Post.

"I will consider the views of the community and different parties. I may consider donating the property if the majority thinks we should preserve it," Yu said in the report, adding that he had turned down an offer of HK$105 million ($13.5 million). Lee, who died of mysterious circumstances in 1973 at age 32, starred in such Kung Fu classics as "Fist of Fury," "Game of Death" and "Enter the Dragon." He is revered both by martial arts adherents and movie buffs the world over for popularizing the Kung Fu cinematic genre, and helping usher in a golden age of Hong Kong film in the late '60s.

Despite intense lobbying by fans, Hong Kong has done little to preserve the U.S.-born star's legacy in his adopted city beyond erecting a statue along the city's famous waterfront. "That would be fantastic news because fans and the community wouldn't have the money to buy out this property," Michael Tien, a member of Hong Kong's Bruce Lee fan club, was quoted as saying. The government said it will consider the possibility of converting Lee's spacious home into a museum, taking as a model other memorial sites to global stars, including the Beatles Story in Liverpool and Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion in Tennessee. "We think the community would like to see a creative solution that would involve the private sector," a Hong Kong tourism official was quoted in the paper as saying.

For as much influence that Bruce Lee has had on so many different cultures and generations, I would say the man deserves his own museum. He certainly deserves better than a statue for goodness sakes. The end of his life, and his son's life for that matter, was so tragic and mysterious that who knows what would have happened had he survived. His legacy is already preserved through DVD, but for fans to have a place to visit in order to pay tribute would be terrific. If this guy is skeptical, just imagine how much money it would make on admission prices and souveniers. It might not reach the status of Graceland, but it could be a popular tourist attraction for sure.






The Full Version of Metropolis!
Lost scenes from the sci-fi classic "Metropolis," recently discovered in the archives of a Buenos Aires museum, were shown to journalists for the first time in decades on Thursday. A long-lost original cut of the 1927 silent film sat for 80 years in a private collection and then in the Museum of Cinema in Buenos Aires, where it was discovered in April with scratched images that hadn't been seen before. Museum director Paula Felix-Didier said theirs is the only copy of German director Fritz Lang's complete film. "This is the version Fritz Lang intended," said Martin Koerber, a curator at the Deutsche Kinemathek film museum in Berlin, Germany.

"Metropolis," written by Lang and his actress wife Thea von Harbou, depicts a 21st century world divided between a class of underworld workers and the "thinkers" above who control them. Soon after its initial release at the height of Germany's Weimar Republic, distributors cut Lang's three-and-a-half-hour masterpiece into the shorter version since viewed by millions worldwide. But a private collector carried an original version to Argentina in 1928, where it has stayed, Felix-Didier said.

In the 1980s, Argentine film fanatic Fernando Pena heard about a man who had propped up a broken projector for "hours" to screen "Metropolis" in the 1960s. But the version of the film he knew was only one-and-a-half hours long. For years, he begged Buenos Aires' museum to check their archives for the man's longer version. This year, museum researchers finally agreed and in April uncovered the reels in the museum's archive.

In June, Felix-Didier flew with a DVD to the Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau Foundation in Wiesbaden, Germany, which owns the rights to "Metropolis." Researchers there confirmed that the scenes were original. News of the find excited film enthusiasts worldwide. "This is a movie that millions and millions of people have seen since its release and yet, in many ways, we've never seen the true film," said Mike Mashon, head of the Moving Image section of the U.S. Library of Congress in Washington.

"Metropolis" was reissued in the U.S. in 2002 by Kino International Corp., which owns the rights to distribute the film domestically, Kino's general manager Gary Palmucci said. Kino may rerelease the new, complete version of the film, although Palmucci said it is too soon for details. Meanwhile, Buenos Aires' Museum of Cinema is holding its treasure tight. "The film hasn't left the museum and it won't leave until the city government and the Murnau Foundation decide what to do," Felix-Didier said.

Oh boy this gets me more excited than when I was alone with my first porno. If Kino has any sense, they will release this as soon as possible. They could polish the transfer and tack on a bunch of new extras. Casual viewers have no idea how rare this discovery is. To own the full version of this masterpiece, when many scenes were thought forever lost, would be fantastic. For many of these old movies, like The Passion of Joan of Arc for example, we will never have the full cut due to damaged footage. To think of how these new scenes would alter the perception of this classic is intriguing. FYI, the current cut is approximately 2 hours long, and with the new footage, it would be 3 and a half hours long. This is my favorite silent film, and is arguably the best science fiction effort of all-time. Fritz Lang was a crazy mastermind, hard to deal with, but you know what, he is responsible for so many great films, and to have the opportunity of owning his true vision for Metropolis is something Kino and the Murnau Foundation should not pass up.

The 20 Second Sermon

Aaron Eckhart is open for another superhero film, providing it is a hero and not a villain. His inclusion for The Green Lantern is being tossed around. Eckhart would do well if the right role was offered. I can't say if this is it. Porn starlet Tera Patrick is supposedly in talks with Quentin Tarantino to be in his remake of Faster, Pussycat, Kill! Kill!. Ahh, following in the footsteps of Jenna Jameson with a transition from porn to legitimate film. Hostel producer Scott Spiegel has been tipped to direct the Direct-to-DVD third installment of the franchise. Oh please God no. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is set to commence shooting in Mexico. The others were shot in New Zealand. Yippee. Christian Bale has no interest of adding Robin to the Batman franchise. Good, he doesn't need to be included. Spike Lee will film the Broadway show Passing Strange to air on cable net. Well, you never know what Lee will do next. Sigourney Weaver has changed her tune for the billionth time on whether or not she'd bring back Ripley for Alien 5. She says she would resurrect the character if Ridley Scott was the director. Apparently he is enthusiastic about it. Yeah right. I'll believe that will occur when Dolph Lundgren signs on for Masters of the Universe 2. A script for a sequel for Repo Man entitled Repo Chick is finished. Ummm, this will not happen either.

What's Coming to DVD….Buy or Avoid?

DVD Headline of the Week



WWE: Nature Boy Ric Flair: The Definitive Collection - If you're a wrestling fan, this purchase is a no brainer. The first set was impressive, and hopefully this can match it.

Batman: Gotham Knight - The animated Direct-to-DVD efforts have been some of the best thus far. Therefore I am excited to see and review this one. Batman Begins gets released on Blu-Ray as well.

X-Files Revelations - This is a separate DVD comprised of episodes that will help you watch the film. The movie better not be totally confusing to those who haven't seen the episodes. That will hurt it in the long run.

Stop-Loss - Just another in the lengthy line of misguided stories that focuses on the filmmakers opinion of the Iraq War rather than realism. This is an insult to the soldiers. Here they are all depicted as pyschos. Forgettable

The Ruins (Unrated) - Because this based on a book, people were generous with the rating. Regardless, it was a poorly cast, horribly acted, and essentially ludicrous horror thriller. The dumb twists and plot holes seriously tarnish this. Forgettable

Superhero Movie - Yet another putrid parody I do not plan on seeing. They come off the conveyor belt like it's nothing.

Left Behind: DVD Collection - I am curious to see these at some point. I always walk by them in stores.

The Mummy (Universal Legacy Series) - This is a restrained and ultimately gripping piece of horror with a superb performance from Boris Karloff. It is definitely worth owning. However, while the previous release contains less extras, it does have the entire franchise of films for only $10 or so more. I say that is the better deal, unless of course you hate the sequels and want extras. Either way, this is worth the money. Buyable

Mon Oncle Antoine - Criterion Collection - A coming of age film that is called one of the greatest Canadian offerings of all-time.

The Tracey Fragments - I expected this latest Ellen Page indy to receive some buzz and/or critical praise, but I heard no peeps. I still thought the trailer was mesmerizing, so I'll give this a rent.

Jet Li's Fearless - Unrated Director's Cut = Remember when this was his final martial arts epic? This was incredibly mediocre. Overall the aftertaste was satisfying with passable fight scenes, but it is not memorable. Maybe this version changes that.

The Mummy (Two-Disc Deluxe Edition) - These are just clumsy double dips for release prior to the third installment. I liked the first film, not the sequel. Both will be in stores.

Van Helsing (Two-Disc Collector's Edition) - This is one I missed. Not sure why it needed to be double dipped though.

Movie Dictionary: Word of the Week

Cyberpunk - Cyberpunk is a science fiction genre noted for its focus on "high tech and low life." The name is derived from cybernetics and punk and was originally coined by Bruce Bethke as the title of his short story "Cyberpunk," published in 1983,[1] although the style was popularized well before its publication by editor Gardner Dozois. It features advanced science, such as information technology and cybernetics, coupled with a degree of breakdown or radical change in the social order.

The film "Blade Runner" (1982), adapted from Philip K. Dick's "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?", is set in 2019 in a dystopian future in which manufactured beings called replicants are slaves used on space colonies and are legal prey on Earth to various bounty hunters who "retire" (kill) them. Although "Blade Runner" was largely unsuccessful in its first theatrical release, it found a viewership in the home video market and became a cult film. Since the movie omits the religious and mythical elements of Dick's original novel (e.g., empathy boxes and Wilbur Mercer), it falls more strictly within the cyberpunk genre than the novel does. William Gibson would later reveal that upon first viewing the film, he was surprised at how the look of this film matched his vision when he was working on "Neuromancer." The film has since been the staple of many cyberpunk movies, such as "The Matrix."

The police station of Blade Runner is the perfect copy (angle of sight included) of one of the gothic skyscrapers of Fritz Lang's "Metropolis", the earliest cyberpunk reference. The short-lived television series "Max Headroom" also spread cyberpunk tropes, perhaps with more popular success than the genre's first written works. During the 1989/1990 television season, the setting of the science-fiction show "War Of The Worlds" was retooled into a post-apocalyptic, dystopian, cyberpunk setting. It is believed this change was made in order to accurately depict the aftermath of the 1953 invasion of Earth.

Director Darren Aronofsky set his debut feature "π" (1998) in a present-day New York City, but built its script with influences from cyberpunk aesthetic. According to the DVD commentary, he and his production team deliberately used antiquated machines (like 5-1/4 inch floppy disks), echoing the technological style of "Brazil" (1985), to create a cyberpunk "feel". Aronofsky describes Chinatown, where the film is set, as "New York's last cyberpunk neighborhood".

The "RoboCop" series has a more near-futuristic setting where at least one corporation, Omni Consumer Products, is an all-powerful presence in the city of Detroit. "Until the End of the World" (1991) shows another example where cyberpunk provides an assumed background, and a plot device, to an otherwise mood and character-driven story. Gattaca (1997) directed by Andrew Niccol is a futuristic film noir whose mood-drenched dystopia provides a good example of biopunk. The Japanese anime cyberpunk film "Akira" (1988) has a futuristic setting in a crime-ridden Tokyo.

The "Matrix" series, which began with 1999's "The Matrix" (and now also contains "The Matrix Reloaded", "The Matrix Revolutions", and "The Animatrix") uses a wide variety of cyberpunk elements. 1999 also saw the release of "The 13th Floor" and Chris Carter's short lived series "Harsh Realm" - both of which utilitzed the notion of cyber-realities. Also worth mentioning is 1995's "Strange Days." Set on New Year's Eve 1999, it features many key elements of the cyberpunk genre, both technological and social.

--From Wikipedia.org

The Critic's Quickee

Wanted - When you watch the trailer for "Wanted", all you think about is "The Matrix" because let's face it, the two films have a lot of similarities. After you actually watch this movie, you'll still notice the similarities. And why not? Matrix was a groundbreaking movie for the time, so of course people are going to emulate it in some fashion, just like others will with 300 and Sin City. I had a blast with this actioner. It is based on a graphic novel by the way. James McAvoy, like Keanu Reeves, makes the perfect dork who transforms into a hero. His narration is what really causes the audience to connect with the character as he is employed in an Office Space type position. Things roll along smoothly, but when Angelina Jolie steps on screen, the plot spices up fast. She is electrifying in the role of Fox, and has excellent chemistry with McAvoy. Morgan Freeman is also on hand as his regular knowledgeable wise leader shtick. Director Timur Bekmambetov has molded a very satisfactory experience here. The action sequences are occasionally brilliant, and the reason they are is due to the timing of McAvoy and his reactions to the situation. You have your hard rock soundtrack, the montages, and the twists, but this is not a blockbuster to analyze endlessly. This was made so we just sit back and enjoy the ride. I enjoyed the premise, the idea of "The Fraternity", and how the cast approached the material. We have reached a point where if you are not a superhero, it has become increasingly difficult to make a competent action film. Very few filmmakers have the patience to polish off truly dynamic sequences, so they have to employ an eye catchingly creative idea. In this case, it is the curving bullets. Preposterous? Yes, but intriguing and inventive. The weapons are significant props in this movie. They have unique designs, and the way the characters shoot them contains a lot of flamboyance, which is neat. I did have issues with a moment in the final act, which was kind of ludicrous, but I won't give away spoilers. Overall, it was refreshing to see an action movie that was handled with some form of intelligence and balls, with a cast that was simultaneously having fun, yet keeping the substance serious enough. It is not flawless, but I thought it was effective for what it was. On a side note, for the guys, worth the price of admission alone is the shot of Jolie's booty. Final Rating = 7.5/10.0

WALL-E - I loved this new Pixar film so much I just had to write a full review. Check out my thoughts by clicking here.

The Love Guru - I am going to echo exactly what our own Bryan Kristopowitz said in the tagline for his review when I say this is one of the saddest comedies in years. It is sad because this is Mike Myers, and he is embarrassing himself. I would rate this as equally as horrible as Sandler's Zohan. My first thought for both was, what were these two thinking? I found this movie to be annoying, stupid, and a disaster. Most of the jokes were just so overused, and I would have thought beneath Myers. You have endless jokes about penises, sex, farts, and all sorts of stuff American Pie even grew out of. However, there are a lot of minor bits that could have been really funny, but were watered down and stuffed down our throats to the point of irritation. For instance, Myers' character of Guru Pitka has several acronyms he uses, and for most he adds a "tm" on the end. This made me chuckle, until I heard it 50 times. He also greets folks by saying "Mariska Hargitay." That's funny because she is from Law & Order right? It was funny, except she shows up ten minutes into the film, and they keep using it afterwards. They should have spread that out, and had her cameo at the end. One of the first aspects of a film that you need to make successful is a connection with the audience, and that occurs when they accept the plot to some extent. No one should have bought into this premise, and it all starts with the hockey players. You do not buy Romany Malco as a star hockey player, and it has nothing to do with the color of his skin because I know of a lot of black hockey stars. I will say the same thing about Justin Timberlake. They don't look like they are athletes, and they certainly don't act like them off the ice. You'll notice real hockey player Rob Blake in a few scenes. Compare him to the actors, and you'll see what I mean. I'll even say that Jean Claude Van Damme was more convincing as a hockey player during those few minutes in the movie Sudden Death than these guys were the whole 90 minutes. The three songs Myers sings with the sitar were very odd. You sit and expect something funny to occur, but it is just Mysers singing. "More Than Words" by Extreme is sung word for word, and it is lame. Oh and Jessica Alba still can't act no matter how hot she is. Of course many of Myers' friends are involved from Verne Troyer with all his midget jokes to Kanye West and even Deepak Chopra. Much like Sandler in Zohan, he has gathered all his buddies, but did not stop to think about the consequences of including them. Most of the gags and/or puns didn't have anything to do with the main story. It could have been about anything. I did smile at some minor parts like the Guru's shower cap for his beard, the motorized pillow, and his tattoo of Daffy Duck mowing into his pubic hair. However these bits don't last long, and when the film concludes, you will run out of the theater thanking the Lord it has ended. And this was a debut director with Marco Schnabel so that doesn't help either. Final Rating = 2.0/10.0

Based on the Trailer…

Newest Trailers

Swing Vote - The new Kevin Costner political comedy. The plot of this is absolutely ridiculous, and will only gain money based on middle age to older couples who love Costner from way back. Trailer Rating = 5.5/10.0

American Teen - This is a documentary constructed around 5 kids to resemble "The Breakfast Club." The concept is interesting, but we'll see how genuine it is when it comes out. Trailer Rating = 7.0/10.0

The Day the Earth Stood Still - This teaser illustrates how a classic sci-fi film will probably not update well for this era. I am curious because Keanu Reeves is a suitable choice, but I noticed too much CGI just from this, so that's not a good sign. Trailer Rating = 6.0/10.0

July Releases

Meet Dave - Just when you think Eddie Murphy will only dove lower for his comedies, this to me, actually looks kind of funny. I'm having trouble admitting that after Norbit, but this seems original. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

Midnight Meat Train - You watch this preview, and it strikes you as a riveting thriller, then the title comes up, and you can't help but chuckle. It seems to take itself way too seriously for a bizarre title like that. Trailer Rating = 6.0/10.0

Space Chimps - A new CGI film about chimps going to space. Ehhh…don't care. The voice cast looks fair, but the jokes in the trailer are weak. Trailer Rating = 5.0/10.0

Mamma Mia! - I have never seen this musical on Broadway, but I suppose I'll have to see this film, featuring music from Abba…ugh. It doesn't look terrible, but it's not my type of thing. Trailer Rating = 6.5/10.0

Hellboy II: The Golden Army - I loved the first film, and am greatly anticipating the sequel. It looks to have kept the same sense of visual excitement and adventure. Trailer Rating = 8.0/10.0

The Dark Knight (2) - I have to admit, despite the endless news bits about this film, the trailer is marvelous and could not have been handled better. This will rock. Trailer Rating = 10.0/10.0

The Dark Knight (3) - I'll be honest. I was getting sick of everyone talking about this movie, that is until I saw this trailer. It is amazing, and Heath Ledger's performance looks to go down as one of the best in term so of comic book adaptations. Trailer Rating = 10.0/10.0

Encounters at the End of the World - Werner Herzog is a magician, and I cherish each and every offering he bestows to the world. This documentary is about Antarctica, and I can't wait to see it. Trailer Rating = 10.0/10.0

Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D - This will most likely be cheesy and preposterous, but hey, it's in 3D, and it has Brendan Fraser, so it should be semi-enjoyable. This should be fun in the theater, but not much else. Trailer Rating = 7.0/10.0

The X-Files: I Want to Believe - I really need to revisit this series. From what I read, a list of episodes are related to this film. Either way, the trailer looks average to me. I like what Duchovny has been doing lately, so I'll see this no matter what. Trailer Rating = 7.0/10.0

Step Brothers - Now this is a Will Ferrell comedy I can't wait to see. The premise is unusual, and the jokes in this preview are hilarious. Plus, it's directed by Adam McKay, who knows his stuff. Trailer Rating = 8.0/10.0

August Releases

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor - Months ago when this premise was announced, I laughed at it. Now that the trailer is finally out, it still looks bad. I like Brendan Fraser, but not this new approach with following the son character. I'll see this only out of curiosity. Trailer Rating = 5.0/10.0

The Accidental Husband - How many ways can we package a typical romantic comedy? This doesn't fool me. It is the same old song and dance we get every year, only this time with Uma Thurman and Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Trailer Rating = 5.0/10.0

The Rocker - Rainn Wilson from The Office finally gets to star in a comedy of his own…with some Jonah Hill wannabe guy. This actually looks really funny, mainly because I enjoy Rock ‘n Roll and Rainn Wilson. Trailer Rating = 8.0/10.0

Star Wars: The Clone Wars - It might be Star Wars, but this movie looks goofy to me. It starts out with an excessive amount of Yodaness which made me chuckle. The animation looks nice, but isn't this a bit of overkill? Ehhh. Trailer Rating = 6.5/10.0

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 - I generally hate the term "chick flick", but really what else applies here. Never saw the first one, won't see this one, and this trailer is not up my alley. That is all. Trailer Rating = 4.5/10.0

Hamlet 2 - I heard a lot of positive things about this comedy, plus I'm a huge fan of Steve Coogan, who is the star. Catherine Keener and Amy Poehler also star. It is about a high school drama teacher who writes a musical called "Hamlet 2." Trailer Rating = 9.0/10.0

Death Race - Anyone who remembers the Top 10 B-Movie feature a couple years back, knows that the original is a favorite of many staffers here. I must admit, this doesn't look near as bad as anticipated, as long as the Statham routine is toned down. It looks to have nothing in common with the original. I'll see it out of curiosity. Trailer Rating = 6.0/10.0

Tropic Thunder - I am liking the plot to this film, and the trailer is pretty funny. Hopefully this is a Ben Still flick I don't hate. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

The Pineapple Express - This is the red band trailer by the way. I Haven't laughed this hard at a trailer in awhile. This is going to be great. The cast is fantastic, and James Franco is being put to good use. Trailer Rating = 10.0/10.0

Disaster Movie - I realize all the bitching about these putrid films has been done, but what really bothers me is that some of the flicks it is parodying are not even out yet. These people have no souls. Trailer Rating = 1.0/10.0

September Releases

Bangkok Dangerous - Nicolas Cage continues his "Next" phase with this assassin story. Ehh, Cage is starting to piss me off. He's such a talented actor, and he does this junk. Trailer Rating = 6.0/10.0

Nights in Rodanthe - An adaptation of a novel from Nicholas Sparks, so this might not be too bad for a romance. It has Richard Gere and Diane Lane reuniting from Unfaithful, so I'm in. Trailer Rating = 8.0/10.0

Burn After Reading - The new comedy from the Coen Brothers looks funny as hell. I am not totally sure where the plot goes, but then again, that is why I am so fascinated by it. The cast looks great, and I am definitely seeing this one. Trailer Rating = 9.0/10.0

Choke - A new adaptation from author Chuck Palahniuk, and that gets me excited. I love his books, though I haven't read this particular one. I will before the movie comes out though. This has Sam Rockwell in the lead, so it should be funny. Trailer Rating = 8.5/10.0

Righteous Kill - The new crime thriller with Pacino and De Niro! This looks average at the moment, but it should be fantastic with the two of them as a duo on screen for most of the film. The supporting cast looks excellent as well. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

Lakeview Terrace - Patrick Wilson and Samuel L. Jackson star in this thriller about an insane neighbor who is also a cop. This seems sort of like Cape Fearto me, but not nearly as good. Ehhh. Trailer Rating = 6.5/10.0

Eagle Eye - Mr. LaBeouf surprises me with every passing role. I'll start giving him more credit. This thriller teaser has me intrigued for sure. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

Igor - The concept has potential, but I can't see this being anything more than a couple laughs. John Cusack does not sink into the character well. I'll see this for Steve Buscemi‘s contribution, but I'm not all that impressed. Trailer Rating = 6.0/10.0

The Duchess - This is a goofy trailer. You wonder who could be introduced, and then the title "The Duchess" comes up, and you wonder why all the hassle of building it up. Knightley is to period pieces as Seagal is to B-movie action. Trailer Rating = 6.0/10.0

Miracle at St. Anna - I get annoyed by some of Spike Lee's comments, but he is a fabulous filmmaker, and this new war epic looks marvelous with Derek Luke and Joseph Gordon Levitt. Trailer Rating = 10.0/10.0

Blindness - This is a movie that proves how I have changed. It stars Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo. It involves an infection. That sounds rather bland right? Well, it's directed by Fernando Meirelles, a brilliant filmmaker, so I'm in, even though it doesn't sound outstanding. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

October, TBD, and Beyond Releases

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa - This is some sort of weird DVD trailer, but we see the basic layout of the plot, and it is not very funny or interesting. I could care less about this one. Trailer Rating = 4.5/10.0

Lost Boys: The Tribe - I stumbled upon this trailer for the Direct-to-DVD sequel starring Corey Felmdman. For a B-movie, it doesn't look half bad, though Feldman is not the actor he once was. Trailer Rating = 7.0/10.0

Quarantine - I suppose this wants to be the Cloverfield of "infected" movies. I say this will suck big time. Trailer Rating = 4.0/10.0

Zack and Miri Make a Porno - Kevin Smith's new comedy looks hilarious. I'm anxious to see this because I know he is a great filmmaker that can flourish outside of Jay and Silent Bob. Note: This may not be online anymore. Trailer Rating = 8.5/10.0

Regilulous - Well, Bill Maher is always one to stir up controversy, and I'm sure this documentary will do the trick. I think it looks funny personally, so I'll give it a shot. Trailer Rating = 8.0/10.0

City of Ember - Here is a film that could end up being pretty neat. The cast alone is worth the price of admission. You have Bill Murray, Saoirse Ronan, and Tim Robbins, among others. Gil Kenan is a decent director and the plot is creative, so I'm in. Trailer Rating = 8.5/10.0

The Escapist - A British prison break film starring Brian Cox. This is my favorite genre, so I can't wait for this, but in order for this to make a splash, it will have to be something special. The critic quotes being from random guys worries me. Trailer Rating = 8.0/10.0

Star Trek XI - The teaser was superbly placed before Cloverfield, and this causes me to be amped for the next installment despite my doubts about the cast. I hope it's as good as we deserve. Trailer Rating = 9.0/10.0

Australia - The new epic from filmmaker Baz Luhrman seems to have left out his usual exaggerated flair. Kidman and Jackman will make a fine team. I think this looks rather good, and the trailer has a splendid piece of music accompanying it. Trailer Rating = 8.0/10.0

Defiance - This new Edward Zwick film looks outstanding with Daniel Craig leading the cast in World War II story. This gave me chills. I can't wait. Trailer Rating = 9.0/10.0

Punisher: War Zone - This is only a teaser, but I get the impression I have seen all I need to. This sequel (or whatever is in relation to the previous film) looks like an comic action nightmare with cliches up the wazoo. I'm not a fan of the Punishers movies thus far, and this does not look to change that. Trailer Rating = 5.0/10.0

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - This film looks amazing. David Fincher is the man, I will be waiting to purchase my ticket. A plot about someone who ages backwards has all sorts of possibilities. Trailer Rating = 10.0/10.0

The Spirit - This is the new adaptation from Frank Miller. I'm anxious to see this, but from this teaser, it looks a bit too similar to Sin City. Oh well. I loved that film, so maybe this will be just as entertaining. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

The Tale of Despereaux - This new Universal CGI film has some cute lines and some exquisite animation, but the plot strikes me as dull. You never know, at least it isn't filled with poop jokes. Trailer Rating = 6.5/10.0

Bolt - It takes exactly two seconds to decipher the Disney CGI to the Pixar Disney CGI. This has John Travolta as the lead voice. The hamster seems funny, but the rest doesn't impress me. Trailer Rating = 5.5/10.0

Repo! The Genetic Opera - They keep the music clips to a minimum in the trailer, which was wise. While this certainly intrigues me, the praising quotes from random websites worries me. It could be really bad, but check out the cast. That alone is worth the price of admission. Trailer Rating = 7.0/10.0

Other Stuff to Read

The Best Movies of the Alphabet
411 July Roundtable - This month Owain J. Brimfield takes the reigns and compiled the thoughts of the movie zone staff on the summer releases for July!

The MeeThinks Friday FreeThinks - Thanks again to John Meehan for providing my banner here, and for the Alphabet feature.



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