The Big Screen Bulletin 10.13.08: Festivals & Foliage

Posted by Chad Webb on 10.13.2008

This week read my thoughts on the New York Film Festival, the box office results, the latest "Superman" rumor, the possibility of "1602", Eastwood's next pic, new DVD releases, new quickees, and much more!

Festivals and Foliage

Instead of the usual straight to video nightmares this week, I thought I would talk at you a bit about a recent experience I had in New York City. I don't live in the city, but had planned on visiting there with Steph. I always look at movie time of limited releases so I can catch a couple while I am out and about. I noticed one showtime for Changeling, Clint Eastwood's new film. I figured it was a sneak peek screening or something. I was determined to check it out so as to have a review all prepared for the 411mania readers. That's partially true, but I really just wanted to see it as soon as possible.

IMDB, who has bee wrong multiple times in the past with regard to movie times and theaters matching up, told it was at one theater, when in fact, it was at a completely different one. Upon my arrival to the correct theater, the Ziegfeld theater to be exact, I noticed the red carpet laid out. My heart sank as I expected to receive a big denied signal from the teller after requesting seats. Luckily, seats were still available, and they were not all that terrible of a location. Unfortunately the price was $80 for two. Oh well, I saw this as a challenge to persuade Steph that this purchase was a wise one. She agreed reluctantly. Turns out I forgot that the 46th annual New York Film Festival was being held, and Changeling was its centerpiece.







After getting together with UBS Evening News Reporter George Sirois and his wife Cheryl for a bite to eat, we headed back to the theater, and walked in front of the red carpet because we felt like it I suppose. The security on hand promptly urged us along as the stars were arriving any minute. Sadly the regular ticket holders lined up behind the red carpet tent, so we could not see who was exiting the limousines. After waiting until approximately 5 minutes before the show started, we were finally permitted to enter and found our seats. To our jubilant surprise, all the candy and drinks were free, along with the programs. The $40 ticket was sounding better every second.

While this was a premiere, I was not sure what stars would make an appearance since some of them simply don't attend. Prior to the main film, the 3 minute short Wait For Me played, and was introduced by its director. It displayed a mother who was describing her son who went missing. She is still waiting for him to return. It was sweet for what it was. Then the festival president came out and introduced Clint Eastwood. This was exciting since earlier that day I was not expecting to see him in person. He seemed in a positive mood and was amped for the show to begin. He signalled for Producers Brian Grazer and Robert Lorenz to join him on stage. He then brought Angelina Jolie out, who looked slamming post-pregnancy. Brad was there, but remained in the shadows apparently. Clint referred to her as "Tomb Raider", which was comical. Ms. Jolie gave some quick comments and that was it. Who can blame her for getting the point and moving along. The woman is hounded by press around every corner.







I already completed by review of the flick. I won't divulge any thoughts here. Sorry, you'll just have to be patient. After the show, many of the supporting cast members were walking around, including Amy Ryan. Steph was able to snag a picture with her and was ecstatic about it. I would have gone to more NYFF screenings, but family plans got in the way. I was hoping to see Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler early on, but could not. That movie seems ideal to review for this site. Visiting family, I went to the Flaming Foliage Festival held in a very small town in Pennsylvania. The name still needs work, but this town gets hyped for this every year. Not much occurs in this place other than this festival, and you can tell, but it is fun if you don't mind getting away from the hustle and bustle of the suburbs and urban areas. No cell phone towers have been erected in this town, so that might be a stretch for some.

The food is top notch and the parade is cheesy, though it always has some attractive ladies in cool looking cars to stare at. I am not much of a shopper, but I did find the DVD stands rather quickly. They're used, but cheap and not scratched. If I had been ready to spend more money, I certainly would have picked up more. They had Blu-Ray discs for $12, which was a bargain. I bought Francis Ford Copolla's The Conversation, Drugstore Cowboy, and a double feature including Elvira: Mistress of the Dark and Transylvania 6-5000. All in all it has been a busy week, and I thought you might want to hear about it. The straight to video nightmare will return next week. And on with the news!

The News Bulletin

Who Let the Dogs Out? Disney Did.
Warner Bros.' Leonardo DiCaprio-Russell Crowe starrer "Body of Lies" and Universal's "The Express" were sacked at the weekend box office as moviegoers once again resisted Middle Eastern terrorist pics and sports dramas. Instead, Disney holdover "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" stayed at No. 1 in its second sesh, declining a slim 40% to an estimated $17.5 million from 3,218, while Sony Screen Gems' horror title "Quarantine" came from behind to place No. 2 in its opening, grossing an estimated $14.2 million from 2,461 runs, according to Rentrak. Keira Knightley starrer "The Duchess" made a big move to No. 9 as it expanded in its fourth frame. Ridley Scott's big-budget "Body of Lies," about a conflicted CIA agent tracking terrorists in the Middle East, grossed an estimated $13.1 million from 2,710 to come in a disappointing No. 3.

Many thought the pic, sold as an actioner, would win the sesh based on its star power alone. U's "Express," about the first African-American college football player to win the Heisman Trophy, grossed an estimated $4.7 million from 2,808, putting it at No. 6. Fox Walden's family pic "City of Ember" went into the weekend with low expectations, opening just days after partners Fox and Walden Entertainment announced that Fox Walden would ends its run as a standalone marketing company and be brought into the Fox fold as a label. "Ember," fully financed by Walden and distributed by Fox, grossed an estimated $3.2 million from 2,002 locations to place No. 10.

While tracking was correct for "Ember," it was off for "Body of Lies" and "Express," leaving their respective studios dismayed even as overall B.O. revenues were up 18% compared to Columbus Day weekend last year (which fell one week earlier) and even with the same frame last year. Warners said the timing couldn't have been worse for "Body of Lies," given the worsening economic crisis and the national political debate over the war in Iraq. "I think the state of affairs in our country are such that it was a tough weekend for a movie about terrorism and geopolitics," said Dan Fellman, Warners prexy of distribution. Warner Bros. has an economic problem of its own with the weak start for "Body of Lies." Rival studios say the film cost north of $100 million, while Warner insiders counter that it was under $100 million. Studio does not have a co-financing partner on the film.

Pic, rated R for violence and intense scenes of torture, is based on the novel by journalist David Ignatius and adapted by "The Departed" scribe William Monahan. Storyline revolves around a CIA agent on the ground in the Middle East and his ruthless boss back home. Last year, a host of films about the Iraq war and terrorism failed to achieve any traction at the B.O. Of those, "Body of Lies" is closest in scope to "The Kingdom," which revolved around an FBI team that travels to Saudi Arabia. "Kingdom," which bowed in September 2007, opened to $17.1 million and cumed $47.5 million domestically. "Body of Lies" skewed toward an older crowd, with 64% of the audience over age 30. Males made up 55% of the aud. It was much the same story for "Express," with 61% of its audience over age 30 and 56% male. "Express" earned good reviews, while the notices were mixed for Scott's film.

Last week I upset some people who thought I was an "elitist" with my views toward what the public watches. They said I should "live and let live." Well here we are and Beverly Hills Chihuahua is #1 again. I wouldn't be very good at my job as a critic and columnist if I just said "live and let live." I am supposed to urge people to see art house films and ones that casual viewers might ignore. And while it is every person's right to see whatever they wish, I still question a parent's choice to spend money on a Chihuahua flick. That being said, if you don't like my opinions, read another article.

Moving along, I was sad to see Ridley Scott getting passed up this weekend. I thought that star power would be enough for the #1 spot, but I was wrong. I did anticipate a strong performance from Quarantine since every horror fan has been talking about it, but I never saw it topping Body of Lies. To praise the public's choices, the transition from blockbusters to Oscar contenders is basically finished. The Duchess and Appaloosa in the top 10 is proof of that. Elsewhere on the list, City of Ember and The Express did poorly, while Nick and Nora remained in the top 5. I am on a losing streak with box office predictions, but elections are on everyone's mind, so I'll go with W.






The Endless Superman Saga
At the special presentation this week in New York City for "Watchmen", DC Comics President Paul Levitz briefly spoke with Latino Review and revealed some crucial information about chances of a possible sequel to "Superman Returns." Most notable is that for now, everything is contingent on the studio's most profitable franchise - Batman - and the involvement of director Christopher Nolan for a third feature in the series. "Everyone is waiting for Nolan to sign on for another Batman, once that happens, the release date for Superman and all other future projects will follow" says Nolan. Another interesting point is that it looks as if Brandon Routh remains attached to play the Kryptonian in the Superman sequel with Levitz saying "Last week Brandon Routh has come around the offices in New York and Los Angeles as of late to talk about Superman and what we want to do." Finally, Levitz revealed that while both Green Lantern and Supermax (the Green Arrow movie) remain in development, Lantern is moving much faster than Supermax. No word on how the Flash movie is going unfortunately. The general idea now it seems is that Warners will churn out a Green Lantern film for Summer 2010, Nolan's third "Batman" film in July 2011, and a new Superman film in 2012.

Ok so I was thoroughly confused reading this article. Superman has become a thorn in my side as of late, and this heightens the pain. So, we are going to have a Superman reboot. This article refers to the next "Superman" project as sequel to Returns. I checked Latino Review, a highly unreliable news source to verify. They never mentioned Superman Returns, but the Brandon Routh info was mentioned. So let me get this straight now. Brandon Routh is attached for the next project as Superman, and Kevin Spacey is returning as Lex Luthor, but it will be a reboot? On every site it has been called a reboot of the franchise, but this sounds like a prequel from Returns, which will baffle the hell out of fans and casual viewers. Let me say this loud and clear. From here on out, I do not care about this Superman film. If any of these rumors possess a nugget of truth, then the studio and DC are making gigantic mistakes. If they want a reboot, start from scratch with new cast members. So the timeline will be Superman I, Superman II, Superman Returns, and now a reboot? Jesus, give me a break. I don't think anyone has any concrete idea of what the plan is. They are simply throwing reporters a line.






Eastwood Dishes on His Next Film
At first many thought it was another "Dirty Harry" movie, then came murmurs that it was a drama about an old guy who bonds with a young Korean kid next door. Months later, Clint Eastwood has finally opened up to USA Today about "Gran Torino" while doing press for "Changeling" this week. In the film, Eastwood plays Walt Kowalski, a racist Korean War veteran who reluctantly bonds with an immigrant Asian neighbor over a classic car - his 1972 Gran Torino. Eastwood says it's a film that "slams both prejudice and political correctness." "I'm a weirdo in it. I play a real racist. ... It's a great time in life (to do that) because, you know, what can they do to you once you're past 70? There's nothing they can do. But it also has redemption. This Hmong family moves in next door, and he has been in the Korean War, in the infantry, and looks down on Asian people and lumps everybody together. But finally they befriend him in his time of need because he has no relationship with his family" he says. The film will score a New York City release on Christmas Day, no further release has yet been scheduled.

Odd that Clint is filming a movie where he portrays a racist character after Spike Lee and many on the internet have insinuated that about the filmmaker in real life. I think this sounds like a superb idea. I enjoy Eastwood's approach to dramas, and if anyone can avoid racism clichés, and establish a steady and emotional pacing, it is the director of Million Dollar Baby. Did anyone really want another Dirty Harry sequel with the Inspector as old as Clint? Sequels to older popular franchises are juicy game in Hollywood, but that doesn't mean any series can be resurrected.






Gaiman Wants "1602"
Writer Neil Gaiman is apparently dead keen for Marvel studios to make a movie of his eight-part comic mini-series '1602', according to MTV Movies. The Stardust writer said "I would love it if somebody made a 1602 movie. I would love to go and see that. That is something I would just love to sit in the audience and eat my popcorn on the first night and feel proud." The series, set in - you guessed it - the year 1602, intriguingly takes many of Marvel's most iconic characters from the comic studio's '60s period, including Nick Fury, The X-Men, the Fantastic Four, Doctor Doom, Magneto and a pre-superpower Spider-man, and places them in late Elizabethan England. Despite the unconventional nature of the project, Gaiman believes the movie now has more of a chance of getting made: "I think it's getting more and more likely as Marvel reclaims its film properties from all over the world. They're sort of making their own movies and putting them out through Paramount. So they're now in there with a chance." "In the old days, it would have been impossible to make, because (the rights to) The Fantastic Four are over here, and Spider-man is over here, and X-Men are over here, and The Hulk is over here, and Captain America is over here, and that I think is probably the biggest problem for anyone making a 1602 movie." Hulk helmer Louis Leterrier has already declared his interest in the property.

Yes, I am sure Neil Gaiman WOULD love to see this made, and he could scarf down his popcorn gleefully. However, while it may not be impossible for this to become a reality, it is still a long shot. We will see a live-action Avengers flick years before 1602. If 1602 was ever going to be greenlit, I say it would be more fitting for an animated DTV release to test audiences first. The characters that participate in that adventure are just too popular in their respective live-action franchises, or will be in some cases, and to sign so many actors to the project would be difficult and risky. I actually have not read this, but I will sometime soon. The fact is many comic mini-series would make entertaining films. My wish, since fanboys so desperately cling to accuracy and faithfulness to roots is for HBO and Showtime to start making live-action comic mini-series like they would with John Adams. I think with as high as the demand is for various comic properties, why should the theater be the only place for them? Obviously studios want to bring in as much $ as possible, but to avoid steep celebrity paychecks, they could hire younger talent with cheaper price tags, and make a mini-series which remains true to the source. Thoughts? I welcome feedback.






The Academy Shakes Things Up
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences board of governors has withdrawn its more than five decade ban on movie advertisements running during the Oscar telecast. The result is, for the first time in its broadcast, films will be advertised during the ceremony. The idea it seems will be to add some mass appeal to the broadcast and turn it the ads into an event - much like the Superbowl has become for ads and movie commercials. This limited number of TV spots come with a number of heavy conditions:

- Only one spot per distributor, either 30 or 60 seconds in length
- The spot must be brand new and not run anywhere else beforehand.
- There will only be one movie spot per commercial break
- The film advertised must not open until the last week of April at the earliest.
- Commercials for sequels or prequels to films in contention in key award categories will not be allowed.

It's expected that slots would go to the studios various early Summer 2009 tentpoles like "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," "Star Trek," "Terminator Salvation," "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," "Wolverine," "Angels and Demons," "Fast and Furious," "Up," Bruno," "Night at the Museum 2" and so on.

I like the guidelines the Academy has lain down. This actually doesn't bother me at all. I think it is a wise decision to be honest because the Academy needs to find a way of boosting the ratings. This could be a big year for them if The Dark Knight gets some big nominations, plus all these commercials. The big question is will this anger anybody who feels that the Oscars should remain classier? Will Helm made a good point on the podcast as to what type of trailers they plan on airing. Will they have art house films instead of blockbusters? It would be foolish of them to do so. If they want this lifted ban to make a difference, they will select summer releases. I'm looking forward to some of the teasers.

The 20 Second Sermon

Seth Rogen is set to break one of films' last taboos by producing, writing, and acting in a comedy about cancer. I think this could work because Knocked Up showed Rogen's ability to tackle serious subjects in a funny way. Bill Murray is keen on the idea of a female Ghostbuster being added to the mix for the third installment. I like that too, providing the right gal is picked for the role. With Gore Verbinski directing a Bioshock movie, Tim Burton might helm the fourth Pirates and have Sacha Baron Cohen as Sparrow's brother. That would be weird. I think it would be unique as long as Burton doesn't change that universe to being entirely gothic. Producer Peter Jackson will not step behind the camera for The Hobbit prequels. Del Toro will shoot everything unless a scheduling conflict arises. Well, that could be good or bad. F/X supervisor Kurt Williams can not confirm or deny reports of Captain America being spotted in a deleted scene on the upcoming DVD for The Incredible Hulk. That will probably make some fans buy the DVD. Josh Brolin will be in the comic adaptation Jonah Hex. I have not heard of this character, so I'm not sure if this is good news or not.

What's Coming to DVD….Buy or Avoid?

DVD Headline of the Week



Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - Despite some throwing unnecessary harsh comments towards this, it was just as fun and entertaining as the previous sequels. I'll definitely be picking this one up on Blu-Ray. Buyable

Icons of Horror: Hammer Films - This is a two-disc set with four older horror films. None are really worth it, but this is cheap, so if you want 4 strange flicks together, here you go.

Alfred Hitchcock Premiere Collection - This contains 8 films in all, which will also be available individually. Movies like Rebecca and Notorious have superior editions on Criterion, even if they are out of print. Still, Hitch is the man. Buyable

Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A Veggie Tales Movie - Yes, I reviewed this, and I'm still not sure why. This is harmless children fun, but there is nothing really worthwhile to see here, plus they need arms. Forgettable

Mongol - "The Rise of Genghis Khan" part of the title is newly added. This was a brilliantly directed film, but poorly edited. It is certainly worth watching once though. Rentable

War, Inc. - This one just passed right by my radar. I need to catch up on my Cusack at some point. This satire looked average at best, so we'll see how soon I rent it.

4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days - I have rented this already, and haven't watched it in time for this news report.

Chaplin (15th Anniversary) - Now that Robert Downey Jr. is popular, it's ok to release this. I have yet to see it, but it lies on my Netflix queue. I need to get on the ball right?

Standard Operating Procedure - This is another documentary about military interrogation techniques, similar to Taxi to the Dark Side. Both seem interesting.

Dance of the Dead - From the makers of 30 Days of Night apparently. Didn't I say it should be a law that no one but Romero can use "of the Dead" in the title?

Edge of Heaven - From the director of Head On, not the Vincent Chase movie, is this hyperlink film about friendship and sexuality. Meh.

The New World (The Extended Cut) - Some thought this was boring, but I thought it was a glorious achievment. This cut adds 15 minutes. Terrence Malick is a genius, so I will be picking this up. Buyable

Silverhawks, Vol. 1 - I know I usually stay away from TV releases, but hey it's Silverhawks on DVD!

Other releases include a Rocky Horror Tribute Show, Survivorman (which Michael Scott recommends and is on my Netflix list), and I guess the WWE: Hell in a Cell set was pushed a week.

The Critic's Quickee

Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist - What we have is a romantic comedy for teens. I was on the fence with this film because I wanted to give a solid recommendation badly. The trailer looked promising, and I enjoy Michael Cera. While a lot of positive moments can be found within this NYC adventure, the thinness of the plot is impossible to ignore. The ending is not nearly as artificial, but the standard romance routine applies (1. boy and girl fall for each other, 2. boy and girl argue and separate, 3. and you get my drift). I will admit that Director Peter Sollett adjusted this layout so it did not immediately appear as a cliché, but basically it was a delay tactic. We are bound to see the same shtick sooner or later. I'd be lying if I said the movie wasn't fun though. Michael Cera and Kat Dennings have excellent chemistry, and make a cute couple. They carry the weak storyline on their shoulders because they are the only interesting thing to watch besides the drunken antics of Nora's friend Caroline. But let's call this what it is, even if the screenplays are not exact matches. This is obviously Cera's way of cashing in on the Juno popularity with another snappy brunette. Whatever floats your boat is my opinion, but Juno had more to offer if we are comparing the two. Nick's trio of gay friends and bandmates was a strange little twist, but they provided occasional laughs. The humor is sharp at times, yet very common and blasé at other times. They do strive for typically dull gross out gags with an everlasting piece of gum, but Nick's vehicle is a Yugo, which always supplied entertainment. The heart and charm emanates from Dennings and Cera, who brilliantly play down the characters, and capture the awkwardness of transitioning from one relationship to the other. This is based on a novel by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, but I could guess that the book was heavily cut down for this big screen treatment. They all want to go see the band Where's Fluffy, who has hidden shows around the city, and leaves clues for fans. Minor bits I thought were cool were putting Nora, Caroline, and Tris in a private all-female school, so she had never met Nick, and Nora has a secret, which I thought was convenient but clever. Alexis Dziena (the naked girl from Broken Flowers and Jay Baruchel (the skinny guy from the Apatow movies) are the exes, and both are exaggerated but tolerable. Nick and Nora is a sweet film, but a brittle one. I'd certainly understand why someone enjoyed this, but they have to acknowledge the flaws and the absence necessary originality. This is similar to Before Sunrise, but not nearly as intelligent. The soundtrack was terrific though. Check out Vampire Weekend if you have the chance. Overall though, I could not go more than **1/2. Final Rating = 6.5/10.0

Blindness - Fernando Meirelles is a great filmmaker. His City of God is one of the best films ever made, and The Constant Gardener made my top 10 for 2005. Here he tackles Blindness where a city is affected by "the white sickness", and the first to be afflicted are quarantined. The situation becomes increasingly grim from there. This is a "love it" or "hate film", and to be truthful, it is not perfect, but this does contain a lot of depth. It is also suspenseful, engaging, and awakened my emotions. Roger Ebert did not enjoy this one bit. He described it as unpleasant and ugly. Well duh. What do you expect when the plot deals with a group of blind people thrown together and left to fend for food and survive on their own? Of course it is ugly. That is the point. What we need to pay attention to is what is happening to the characters as the situation grows worse. I found the story mesmerizing. The pacing was superb, the locations were fabulously rundown, and the acting is brilliant. The cast actually endured blind camps to fit the characters, and I do not recall any slips (well maybe one). Mark Ruffalo is terrific as the doctor and representative of Ward 1, Gael Garcia Bernal one of the most consistent actors around is marvelous as the villain of Ward 3, and Julianne Moore is equally as outstanding as the doctor's wife. I can see why some would have problems with this, but a few complaints can be explained easily. One is the lack of explanation for certain aspects. This is again the point. You must accept what is going on. The reasoning is not important. This is an exercise in communication, primal urges, and isolation above all else. While this is being described and compared to "post-apocalyptic" thrillers, it does not fit that ilk entirely. The main flaw with Blindness is surprisingly attributed to Meirelles, whose style became distracting. For instance whenever Julianne Moore entered a room, it would go dark to set the mood of what the character see, and furthermore, the transitions to light would be displayed on screen. While this was meant to be adept, it was bothersome instead. I thought the conclusion was extremely clever and hopeful, and that was crucial because by that time the audience is completely immersed in this world and this disease, so the ending needed to work. By that time, viewers should see what Blindness is about at its core, and Meirelles, despite overwhelming the audience with visual effects, captured the spirit and message of the novel by José Saramago almost perfectly. I truly feel that people are missing the intentions here because American moviegoers must have everything explained and outlines for them. Sometimes that is not what movies are trying to do. You are looking one way, when you should be looking another. I thought this was exceptional and absorbing, regardless of a few mistakes. Final Rating = 8.0/10.0

What Have I Done?

Monday - I had a coupon so I rented some movies at Blockbuster. To my amazement, National Lampoon has stooped so low that a Jake's Booty Call movie actually exists. This is not a new release necessarily, but Jake's Booty Call was a fun game I played online in college where you were Jake and the object was to pick his decisions so he could score. It did not need adapted.





Tuesday - A bunch of classic films were double-dipped this week, 3 Hitchcock movies among them. How determined do you get when the first store stop doesn't have them? I only search harder. I had to drive to 3 different stores before finally locating Psycho and Rear Window. At this point, the price is trivial, and the fact that I purchased the DVDs at Barnes & Noble should tell you how much I spent.




Wednesday - I saw the new Weezer video online this week. I have not cared about music videos for literally years, but this one is not only creative, but fun as hell to watch. And the song is terrific, so that helps. Why is Rivers Cuomo wearing a hairnet though?






Thursday - Finally completed my Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets rifftrax. I bought Over the Top first and laughed hysterically even though Mike Nelson was by himself. The Harry Potter 2 one was even funnier. If you haven't heard of the site, you need to check it out soon (rifftrax.com).




The Weekend - As I'm traveling through Pennsylvania, I notice Jones soda being sold. This is not available where I live now, but my friends and I always picked up one of these when we had the chance. It brings back memories of fun times. Anyway, the drink is worth the $1.50 if you ever see it.

Based on the Trailer…

Newest Trailers

Paul Blart: Mall Cop - Kevin James stars in a Happy Madison production about a mall security guard. This looks like it will provide a few chuckles, but not much more. Trailer Rating = 7.0/10.0

Good Dick - This is the red-band trailer. I thought this was hilarious, and the story looks very intriguing. I'm definitely going to see this even if it means traveling out of my way. And Martin Starr from Freaks & Geeks is in it, so that's cool also. Trailer Rating = 9.0/10.0

Synecdoche, New York - I have been reading about this one for months now. It stars Philip Seymour Hoffman and is written/directed by Charlie Kaufman (Adaptation, Being John Malkovich). It might be weird, but that's ok. How can it be bad? Trailer Rating = 9.0/10.0

October Releases

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

Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2) - Kevin Smith's new comedy still looks funny, but this trailer sends a different message of tone than the teaser did. I'm anxious to see this due to the absence of Jay and Silent Bob, although Mewes is involved. Trailer Rating = 8.0/10.0

High School Musical 3: Senior Year - Oh boy the teaser has arrived. Why do I have the feeling that this will be exactly like the first two, both in plot and level of suckage. Ms. Tisdale is the only tolerable character. Trailer Rating = 6.0/10.0

Pride and Glory - A nifty looking cop thriller with Ed Norton and Colin Farrell. Should be ok. And if we're lucky, we will get some commendable work from Jon Voight. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

Max Payne - This trailer kicks major a** with the song in the background and Marky Mark as the main character, but then again, so did the Hitman teaser, and it ended up blowing. Remember, this is based on a video game. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

W. - You're lying if you say you're not curious. Josh Brolin looks the part with white hair, but as the younger Dubya, he looks like himself. I will definitely see this because it is Oliver Stone, but I have serious doubts since its being rushed for the election. Trailer Rating = 6.5/10.0

Changeling - Not to be confused with the superb horror film starring George C. Scott. This is a Clint Eastwood original that looks outstanding. Can Clint do no wrong? Angelina Jolie looks to be in contention for an Oscar. I will be seeing this. Trailer Rating = 9.5/10.0

Saw V - This is just a teaser, but it gets the same point across. I am a fan of the series, so I'll certainly be seeing this one. Trailer Rating = 7.0/10.0

November 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

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

Quantum of Solace - I saw this weeks ago, but forgot to rate it here. The new Bond movie looks to be just as awesome as Casino Royale. I can't wait. Trailer Rating = 10.0/10.0

Transporter 3 - I know George's buddy is looking forward to anything Statham, but this franchise has never been all that outstanding to me. Statham is hit or miss. I'll see this I guess, but only out of curiosity. Trailer Rating = 7.0/10.0

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

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

The Soloist - Atonement' Joe Wright changes his British period drama material for something new. This looks a bit like Resurrecting the Champ, only with better actors. Trailer Rating = 8.5/10.0

Milk - Sean Penn as a gay man. At least we know he wants an Oscar. I love Gus Van Sant, so this should be fabulous no matter how many Oscars they want. The cast has some outstanding young guys in it, so I'm there. Trailer Rating = 8.5/10.0

Four Christmases - Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon in a holiday comedy. Yippee. I generally dislike modern Christmas movie because they all go way overboard on the slapstick. This appears to be up that same alley with typical Vaughn shtick. Trailer Rating = 5.0/10.0

December Releases

Doubt - A great looking drama with great performers. This trailer was riveting. I'm looking forward to it. How can you go wrong with Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman going toe to toe? Trailer Rating = 10.0/10.0

Frost/Nixon - Wow. I was glued to my seat. This is an amazing trailer that shows right away how brilliant the performances are. Ron Howard is a superb director, and I really hope this is a hit for him. Trailer Rating = 10.0/10.0

Yes Man - A new Jim Carrey comedy where he must say yes to everything. Sounds a bit like Liar Liar, but this is the Carrey humor I have missed for years. It looks pretty funny to me. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

Che - Granted, this is in Spanish, which I do not speak fluently, but this trailer looks amazing nevertheless. Soderbergh's epic should be fantastic. Trailer Rating = 8.5/10.0

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

Seven Pounds - I'm not quite sure what to make of this yet, but it looks compelling, and it also looks like Mr. Smith is aiming for another Oscar nom. We'll see, but this is worth a ticket price. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

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 Spirit (2) - This revealed a lot more than the teaser, and while this film looks like a blast, I have some doubts, and they start with Samuel L. Jackson. Can Frank Miller hit a homerun for a third time? Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

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 choices, but I noticed too much CGI just from this, so that's not a good sign. Trailer Rating = 6.0/10.0

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

January, TBD, and Beyond Releases

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

The Uninvited - A crappy looking horror film with some sort of lame twist at the end. Yay. Trailer Rating = 5.0/10.0

Terminator Salvation - I love Christian Bale, and the Terminator franchise, but I have serious doubts about this. I believe it will be terrible, but I must admit, this teaser was well constructed. Trailer Rating = 8.0/10.0

Watchmen - This was the best trailer attached to my Dark Knight screening. Hopefully Zack Snyder can continue to improve his skills after 300. I must read this graphic novel soon. Trailer Rating = 8.5/10.0

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

Wolverine - Not the finest quality of trailers, but you can still seen and understand it. Gavin Hood is directing, so that is intriguing. The preview is ok, and I am still unsure. Can the character carry a whole film on his own? Trailer Rating = 7.0/10.0

The Perfect Game - Though I'm not a baseball fan, I always enjoy watching the Little League World Series. The problem with this film, despite a bad title, is that the preview reveals way too much, so hopefully it has more going for it besides the story, which I'm sure is inspirational. Trailer Rating = 6.5/10.0

Outlander - Hmm, I'm not sure about this, but the cast alone is enough for me to buy a ticket. James Caviezel is so talented, but his script choices continue to boggle me (not in a bad way mind you). The idea is shaky, but the effects and acting look good, so I'm in. Trailer Rating = 7.0/10.0

The International - Sadly, this will be released early in 2009, which is not a good time of the year. Still, I like both Owen and Watts, and since Tom Tykwer is helming, it should be at least halfway decent. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

Fast & Furious - Is that the best title they could come up with? Well, I hate this franchise, and everything it stands for, but I'd be lying if I said this wasn't a step up from the previous installment. Trailer Rating = 6.0/10.0

Knowing - This has Number 23 sort of approach, which is fine, but why is Nicolas Cage doing all these mediocre thrillers? He's a great actor, and should be showing that more. Anyway, this looks ok. Trailer Rating = 6.5/10.0

New York, I Love You - The first film, Paris, Je T'aime was one of the best films in recent memory that few knew about. So I am very excited about this second installment. The cast and directors look amazing. It should be a terrific experience. Trailer Rating = 9.0/10.0

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - This was a great book, the darkest of the set, and this trailer rocks. I'm anxious to see this. The franchise has not decreased in quality, and here's hoping this continues that trend. Trailer Rating = 9.0/10.0

Other Stuff to Read

The Best Movies of the Alphabet
411 October Roundtable - This month Owain J. Brimfield continues as roundtable host and compiles the thoughts of the movie zone staff on the releases for October!
The MeeThinks Friday FreeThinks - Thanks again to John Meehan for providing my banner here, and for the Alphabet feature.

Also, keep an eye out for more comic book character timelines in the future. Here are the first two:

The Ultimate Batman Timeline
The Ultimate Daredevil Timeline



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