411 Movies Roundtable: November 2008 Part 2

Posted by Owain J. Brimfield on 11.06.2008

The 411 staff continues their discussion of the upcoming big releases in November!

Click here to read part 1!

Coming Attractions

NOVEMBER 7TH

Role Models
Studio: Universal
Directed by: David Wain
Starring: Paul Rudd, Seann William Scott, Elizabeth Banks
The plot: Unsavory behavior forces a pair of energy-drink reps (Rudd and Scott) to enroll in a Big Brother program, where the duo learn, however reluctantly, to bond with their assigned kids.

Furious: The trailer made me laugh so I'm totally sold. I don't particularly like Seann William Scott, because he always seems to play the same annoying character, but I can tolerate him if his co-star is entertaining. Like say, The Rock or, erm, The Rock. Maybe I just object to the fact that's he's exactly one day younger than me. The fuck. Anyway, I like Paul Rudd and I'm glad he's getting some starring roles now. This is a much better project for him than Over Her Dead Body, which was too lightweight and didn't capitalise on his abilities. I'm looking forward to this one.

Tym: This actually looks funny. I don't hate Seann William Scott as much as some people - in fact, I have a warm spot for the Stiff-meister in my heart. The kid means well, he's just a moronic jock. Paul Rudd and Elizabeth Banks also lend some acting chops to the film, which looks like more than enough fun to justify its existence. As long as they don't get too sappy with the assigned kids gimmick, it should be an enjoyable comedic romp.

Lealos: A lot of people seem to have a problem with Seann William Scott, but I actually like the guy. He is funny more often than not and even when the movies he is in flop, he still makes it somewhat worth watching. Mr. Woodcock was a pile of rubbish, but Scott carried his role well. When he is in a great movie (The Rundown), he is even better. I also really like Paul Rudd. I think he was the best comedic actor in Knocked Up, even more so than Seth Rogen. I kind of wish he would take more chances at leading roles than he does, and this might be the start of that. The trailers look pretty funny and I like both leads, so I think this is right up my alley.

Kristopowitz: I think it's great that Sean William Scott is sort of returning to his "Stifler" persona here with this movie, alongside Brian Fantana and McLovin. However, am I the only who thinks this is going to be yet another comedy with a running time that's about twenty minutes too long and that things are going to start trailing off towards the end and it isn't going to be as good as it perhaps should be?

Chamberlain: This looks hilarious. There are so many laughs packed into the trailer that I nearly pissed myself the first time I saw it. There are the obvious laughs, like "Your mom let me keep it after I fucked her" and the counselor's cocaine speech, but I also got big laughs from some of the subtler moments, like "Thank you Minotaur Man" and "It's true I am white." Both Paul Rudd lines, and he rules. I like Sean Scott too, and if that's not enough, it also has the return of McLovin! I am sold.

Thomas: The first time I saw this trailer, I thought it was absolutely retarded. It's been growing on me a bit since - Seann William Scott has a way of doing that, and Elizabeth Banks is very easy on the eyes. I doubt I'll be seeing this until DVD though, because it just doesn't look funny enough to make me need to see it. Not to mention that it'll get crushed by the animated zoo-folk.

Brimfield: Is Banks turning into the female Seth Rogen or something? She's ubiquitous these days. Anyway, I love the cast but the concept sounds dire. I may rent this one in a moment of boredom, but won't be making the trip to the cinema.

Soul Men
Studio: MGM
Directed by: Malcolm D. Lee
Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Bernie Mac, Isaac Hayes
The plot: Though it's been some twenty years since they have spoken with one another, two estranged soul-singing legends (Jackson and Mac) agree to participate in a reunion performance at the Apollo Theater to honor their recently deceased band leader.

Furious: I'm sure there's already someone out there saying this film has been cursed courtesy of two of the three lead actors being deceased. And death being a major part of the storyline. Will it, as a result, attract the same morbid curiosity as Heath Ledger did in The Dark Knight? No. Mainly because director Malcolm D. Lee has a terrible track record including the abysmal Undercover Brother. I also hate Bernie Mac with a fiery passion and don't understand the popularity of him or his movies. I think that makes this an automatic pass.

Tym: The casting credits on Soul Men read more like an all-star list. It's a little depressing to watch the trailers currently airing when the realization kicks in that two of these greats will never grace our screens again. I think this movie will bring the goods, and serve as a fitting homage to both Bernie Mac's and Issac Hayes' acting abilities. The two often brought the funny along with some seriousness, and many viewers often forget just how hard funny can be. While I'm sure it will be a fine movie, it will also be a bit bittersweet to watch Soul Men and realize just how great the talents lost this past year truly were.

Lealos: I do find it strange that two of the main actors in this film are dead. Sam Jackson, you better watch yourself because it seems someone put a curse on this movie. This looks like a low rent version of Dreamgirls and no one in this can possibly match the level of Eddie Murphy in that movie. Of course, that is the only movie in the last twenty years you can say that about Murphy too. It's not my cup of tea.

Kristopowitz: This looks both hilarious and depressing. Hilarious because it's got the late, great Bernie Mac working with Samuel L. Jackson, who is in desperate need of a good comedy. And it looks depressing because it's going to be the last time we see Bernie Mac (not to mention Isaac Hayes) on the big screen in a new movie. Hopefully it's a great movie and it'll be remembered as that, not as the last big screen performance from Mac and Hayes.

Chamberlain: I can't even imagine Sam Jackson singing soul. He just doesn't have a singing voice, you know? He's got a yelling voice. Not the same thing.

Thomas: Like Rick, I get kind of depressed watching the promotional stuff for this. You have to think that will affect this film; while Heath Ledger's death didn't detract from Dark Knight, that wasn't a comedy. Either way, this does look like a pretty quality sort of comedy and I'm sure it will do well - Mac and Jackson seem to have a great chemistry between them. I think this will fare better against Madagascar 2 then Role Models and will do pretty well for itself when it's all said and done.

Brimfield: Shame on you, Arnold, for ignoring Mac's contributions to Transformers and Ocean's Twelve, which were the only things that made those two movies bearable (well, excluding the cameos from John Turturro and Bruce Willis respectively, but I digress). This really isn't my cup of tea but of course, given the circumstances, I hope it's good.

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
Studio: Dreamworks
Directed by: Eric Darnell, Tom McGraw
Starring: Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer
The plot: Alex the lion (voiced by Stiller) and his friends board an NYC-bound plane (that's been "repaired" by their penguin pals), only to find themselves touching down in the African plains. It's an opportunity for the animals to encounter their own kind for the very first time, and to discover, while various plots play out, what "home" truly means to each of them.

Furious: The first one was ok. I don't see the point in a sequel. The penguins are the only funny part and they'll end up on YouTube eventually and save me the 90 minutes of wasted time.

Tym: Sorry, not interested. I haven't seen the original - hell, I haven't even seen Kung Fu Panda yet, and I'm sure it's light-years ahead of Madagascar's animated efforts. Somehow this just reeks of something that was originally slated for direct-to-video release, and the success of the first got the original stars roped in for the second. I hope the kids enjoy it, though.

Lealos: I liked the original movie and still think the penguins sound too eerily like Phil Hartman. It's scary. Another scary thing is that Bernie Mac voices someone in this movie as well. The guy was working his ass off up to his death, and that is a very sad thing. At least his fans get these two going away looks at the funny man. It should be funny, but I don't think it will match up to the first one.

Kristopowitz: I didn't see the first one, so I don't know if this sequel will be any better than the first. I did see a snippet of Ben Stiller on Oprah hyping it, though. That was interesting.

Chamberlain: Never saw the first one, so I'll be giving this a miss.

Thomas: I'll take "movies that will win the weekend" for $100, Alex. I thought the first was moderately funny though certainly not uproarious, and didn't see why a sequel was necessary other then the search for more money. This should be a big winner of the weekend and then perform relatively solidly the rest of the way, as it's good counter-programming for Bond action and vampire teen romance. In the end, it will be a successful yet forgettable film for Dreamworks.

Brimfield: Rick is right, this reeks of a direct-to-DVD release. It'll do well at the box office but remain entirely mediocre. And am I only the only one who thinks the animation is just horrendous?

Repo! The Genetic Opera
Studio: Lionsgate
Directed by: Darren Lynn Bousman
Starring: Paul Sorvino, Anthony Head, Alexa Vega, Paris Hilton
The plot: A worldwide epidemic encourages a biotech company to launch an organ-financing program similar in nature to a standard car loan. The repossession clause is a killer, however.

Furious: Sold! A great original idea. It also features a song called 'Can't Get it up if the Girl's Breathing'. If you overlook Paris Hilton's involvement I fail to see how this can go wrong. I like weird quirky stuff if it's done right. This has a Rocky Horror Picture Show meets Sin City feel to it. Darren Lynn Bousman was the guy behind Saw II (arguably the most entertaining of the franchise) and has been on autopilot since then. Looks like this got his creative juices flowing again. It won't take much money, unless internet buzz counts for more than I think, but it's destined to become a cult favourite.

Tym: I don't know much about Repo! other than the general premise, but I dig the originality of the concept. The participation of Paul Sorvino and Anthony Head lends legitimacy to the proceedings, but Paris Hilton's continued ability to get work leaves me scratching my head. I'll remain optimistic and hope that the movie delivers as promised, though.

Lealos: When you think of an instant cult classic, this is the kind of movie you should be thinking of. First we get Giles himself in a rock opera and anyone who is a fan of Buffy knows that Anthony Stewart Head can sing! Plus you got Bill Mosley (Devil's Rejects), Paul Sorvino (Romeo + Juliet), Alexa Vega (Spy Kids) and an almost unrecognizable Paris Hilton. It's a rock opera about a distant future where organ failure is dominant and a corporation is put into place to replace your organs. However, if you miss a payment they send the repo man (Head) to repossess. This movie is going to rule all!

Kristopowitz: This flick looks weird and cool all at the same time. I don't know, though, if it'll actually be any good. It's also very cool to see the great Paul Sorvino in a genre type movie like this. Why the heck would Paul Sorvino even do a movie like this?

Chamberlain: Anthony Stewart Head is the man. Paris Hilton sucks.

Thomas: This is the one I'll be seeing. My love of musicals is absolute and unabashed, and I have friends who absolutely love the stage version of this one. Admittedly, Paris Hilton is a huge turn-off, but Anthony Head counter-balances that nicely. This should be incredibly schlocky fun in a Rocky Horror style and will be an absolute "love-it-or-hate-it" movie. Bousman being behind the lens will only enhance that dichotomy, though for me it makes it more enticing.

Brimfield: Although there's no chance any cinemas where I live will show this, it'll go straight onto my DVD rental queue. It sounds hugely inventive and I hope it lives up to the promise of its premise.

NOVEMBER 14TH

Quantum of Solace
Studio: Columbia
Directed by: Marc Forster
Starring: Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko, Mathieu Amalric, Gemma Arterton
The plot: James Bond (Craig) sets his sights on the organization behind Vesper Lynd's betrayal. The mission puts him on a collision course with Dominic Greene (Amalric), a ruthless businessman who, Bond soon learns, is brokering a deal to take total control of one of the world's most precious resources.

Furious: When Daniel Craig was named as James Bond the backlash was alarming. Were people really that bothered that he had blonde hair? I sat back and thought it was an interesting choice and we'll see how he plays it. Well, he hit the ball out of the park. His opening film as Bond, Casino Royale went straight into my top 5 favourite Bond films. And if I didn't love Goldfinger and Goldeneye quite so much it'd be on its own as the best Bond film, ever. It was so far above my expectations it was untrue. An absolute masterpiece in action cinema and one of the best films of 2006. If Quantum of Solace is anywhere near that good we're in for a treat and they're intent on having one of the greatest car chases of all time in it. Sold. I'm there. The only movie I know of that's opening the same day is Robert Davi's The Dukes. Early reviews and festival appearances have been incredibly positive. Could be an alternative for anyone not into the whole Bond thing.

Tym: Sign me up. I am looking forward to this movie and the continued rebooting of Bond into the character closer to Fleming's original creation. I'm sure the story and action will be more than serviceable. And even though I am enjoying the hard-nosed, more serious Bond, I hope that S.P.E.C.T.R.E. gets its comeuppance and he can take a bit of a vacation and get just a few cool gadgets in the next go around. Hopefully avenging Vesper Lynd will allow him to relax a tad and become more of the suave super spy he's capable of being. But with the added ability to be cold, calculated and kick-ass when needed, of course.

Lealos: I mentioned above why this movie was going to be great. Now, just realize it is the only thing in November that can be considered a must see. If you don't like Daniel Craig's James Bond, you have no pulse.

Kristopowitz: As I said above, while I'm certainly interested in this movie, I really need to see Casino Royale first. I'm still kind of annoyed that the producers didn't give Pierce Brosnan a final chance to play 007 (while Casino Royale is the most profitable Bond flick of all time, I don't think that it necessarily has anything to do with Daniel Craig and the "new" direction. Wasn't Die Another Day the most profitable before Casino Royale? People like James Bond, not necessarily whether or not Bond is "relevant" anymore).

Chamberlain: Made my feelings for this one clear up top. Can't wait!

Thomas: Daniel Craig is my favorite Bond ever. Connery is great, but I thought Craig's take in Casino Royale just blew everyone away, and the story was great. For this one, they switched from Martin Campbell to Marc Forster, a solid director in his own right. The trailers look amazing, the action looks intense, and this promises to deliver in every way Royale did. Color me there.

Brimfield: Sorry folks, but your free drinks are now going straight into my mouth. This looks to be a cracker, and even though it's one of the shortest Bonds to be released in years, there's good reason I'm making the effort to marshall a dozen friends to the cinema to see this one as soon as possible. Which should be quite easy, given that it's out already here in the UK. Win!

NOVEMBER 21ST

Bolt
Studio: Walt Disney
Directed by: Byron Howard, Chris Williams
Starring: John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Malcolm McDowell
The plot: Bolt (voice of Travolta) is a celebrity dog and the star of a hit TV show where his amazing feats and powers draw big ratings. But when a mail-room mix-up finds him roaming free on the streets of New York City, the wonder dog will have to learn to rely on his actual strengths -- as well as his new friends, an abandoned housecat and a starry-eyed hamster -- in order to find his way back home.

Furious: Is it me, or does this sound terrible? Holiday movie for kids only. The name Miley Cyrus will probably add $10M to the box office btw.

Tym: This trailer looks cute, and provides more family fare during the Thanksgiving month for those not down with Madagascar 2. But once again this just screams of generic to me. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but I'm starting to expect more from my animated fare than simple cookie-cutter stories such as the one described here. Once again, though, I hope the families that go out to the theater to see this will enjoy it.

Lealos: I had no intention of caring about this movie when I first heard about it. That was due to Miley Cyrus and not even John Travolta could sway me. Then I saw the trailer for the first time last weekend and might have been won over a little. The animation looks pretty good and the idea of the dog believing he has superpowers, and therefore owning a little man's complex, is somewhat endearing. It should be a fun one for the kids and might be better than Madagascar 2. Actually, as an original story, it should be better.

Kristopowitz: This looks like a cute, neat little animated movie from Disney. I wonder, though, if this flick will have to endure the hooha that Chicken Little went through since that flick, like Bolt, is a non-Pixar Disney cartoon.

Chamberlain: This looks cute. I love the idea of a dog who thinks he's a super dog, voiced by John Travolta. The bit I loved from the trailer was when the gerbil tells him he eats danger for breakfast or something, and Bolt replies, in the most dire tone imaginable.... "Are you hungry?" This is one of those movies for the kid inside.

Thomas: I love Malcolm McDowell. I really do. Unfortunately, I utterly hate Miley Cyrus, and John Travolta misses far more then he hits. Now, let's add in that the plot is retarded, the trailer looks stupid, and I didn't even smile, much less laugh, throughout it. Yeah, I'll pass.

Brimfield: The trailer actually looks surprisingly decent, or at least "un-shit", which took me off guard. I doubt I'll see it but this should trump Madagascar 2 to the title of November's best animated release.

Twilight

Studio: Summit Entertainment
Directed by: Catherine Hardwicke
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Billy Burke
The plot: In her new town of Forks, Washington, misfit teenager Bella Swan (Stewart) falls for her alluring and mysterious classmate, Edward Cullen (Pattinson). As it turns out, Edward belongs to a lineage of vampires, although he doesn't fit the typical vampire mold. As their passion reaches dizzying heights, can Edward resist his natural urges, and will he be able to defend Bella from his family members who have come for her?

Furious: Generally speaking I don't like vampire movies. I've recorded details on this for this week's Fact or Fiction so head over there to read more. Twilight doesn't impress me as much as Let the Right One In; the Swedish vampire movie that has a far better trailer. But it does have the existing fanbase. The Stephenie Meyer book "Twilight" was very popular and has become a popular series, up to book four now, and if it captures the same sort of crossover market as Harry Potter this could be very successful. But at the end of the day, I don't care for vampire movies and I don't think this will be very good.

Tym: I'm quite sure that this movie will be tremendously popular. The question is, will you brave the crowds of screaming teenage girls waiting in line to see this opening weekend? I'm not being flip here; it's the simple truth - fans of the books are mostly teenage, and female, in nature, therefore guaranteeing box office success due to this often unfairly snubbed market demographic. Don't believe me? This movie could be the worst adaptation ever and still rake in the dough. Look, Stephanie Meyer's 'Breaking Dawn' flew off the shelves even though almost every 'Twilight' series fan hated it and stated their disdain publicly very early on. I hope fans get the adaptation they deserve. Meanwhile, I'll be waiting for rental.

Lealos: I really like Catherine Hardwick and am glad to see her get this MAJOR tent pole movie. For those unfamiliar with her work, she is the woman who directed Lords of Dogtown and the very poignant Thirteen. Following those two critical minor masterpieces, it is nice to see her get thrown a bone. That bone is one of the biggest phenomenons since the story about the boy with the lightning bolt scar. Twilight is a vampire story for pre-teens, although I understand it is a little more far reaching than just that age group. I guess chicks like it too.

Kristopowitz: I only have a vague understanding of what this "Twilight" stuff is all about, so I have no real opinion on whether or not this will be any good.

Chamberlain: I know this is based on books that are hugely popular, and I know the dude who played Cedric Diggory has little girls chasing after him thanks to this movie. I dig vampire stories, when they're done well, but I won't be making time for this one in the theatre.

Thomas: My significant other would probably skin me if I said anything bad about this film. She's a huge fan of the books, and so are several other of my friends. Yes, most of my friends are female, why do you ask? Kristen Stewart is a solid actress, and Catherine Hardwicke is a very skilled director, particularly when handling teen issues. This looks a little cheesy, yes, and it's not going to be one of the most amazing vampire films ever. I may well be bored in the theater, even if I am a sucker for a good fang flick. But I know I'm going to be there regardless.

Brimfield: Having worked in a bookshop before I know all too well about the Twilight phenomenon. If this movie's any good, cinema may well have a franchise that could topple the almighty Potter. Incidentally, Rupert Grint is filming in my hometown at the moment. He's reeeeeeally short.

NOVEMBER 26TH

Transporter 3
Studio: Lionsgate
Directed by: Olivier Megaton
Starring: Jason Statham, Robert Knepper, Katia Tchenko
The plot: The third chapter of the action trilogy centered on Frank Martin (Statham), a former mercenary who reinvented himself as a specialist in moving goods of all kinds.

Furious: Hated the first one. Didn't see the point in a second. Hate Jason Statham as a leading man. I have zero intention of ever seeing Transporter 2 let alone 3. Far too many other movies out there to waste time on this.

Tym: Rule #343: if it's successful, continue the franchise. I really like Jason Statham, and think he's the closest we as a red-blooded American audience have to an action star right now. He takes on any and all roles and sooner or later something big will end up sticking to the wall he throws his characters at. But I don't think the Transporter will be that character. These movies are fun and have a built-in audience and I'm sure Lionsgate will enjoy some modicum of success with this newest installment. However, in spite of my Statham enthusiasm I don't typically rush out to see these movies, and usually catch them on some type of cable medium when they arrive. Same rule applies here.

Lealos: I really, really like Jason Statham. Between Transporter and Crank, I think he has established himself as the new face of action movie stars. The Transporter was really fun and I think Transporter 2 took the idea of the first movie and cranked it up to a 13. I can't get the memory of Statham sitting in the waiting room at the pediatrician and then seeing the Bad Girl throw off her coat, wearing only lingerie and two BIG GUNS. That is what I call a good time at the movies. Next up: Crank 2.

Kristopowitz: Jason Statham is back as Frank Martin, driving around transporting stuff and beating the crap out of a whole bunch of people along the way (well, I'm going to assume that's what happens. That's what happened in the previous two Transporter flicks). I wish more major studios made action movies like this.

Chamberlain: I feel like I'm violating the guy code by admitting this, but I've never actually seen one of the Transporter movies. Come to think of it, I've never seen one of Statham's starring roles. I hear they're good, and I hear he kicks ass, but I've just never got around to them. Maybe I'll rent all three when this hits DVD.

Thomas: Hell no. I hated Transporter 2. Hated it, hated it, HATED IT. I love Statham, and he's a talented action star who continually takes stupid roles like this that pigeon-hole him. He needs to find a better agent, because making a sequel to a sequel that sucked is not the brightest move I've seen him make, career-wise, and he's made a lot of stupid moves.

Brimfield: The first one was a highly inventive and enjoyable actioner, the sequel dumped everything that made the first one work in favour of big-budget bombast. It's probably not likely that the franchise will return to its roots, but I'll be off to see this one with the missus, who worships at the altar of Jason Statham.

Four Christmases
Studio: New Line
Directed by: Seth Gordon
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Vince Vaughn, Mary Steenburgen, Jon Favreau
The plot: A comedy about a married couple (Witherspoon and Vaughn) from two divorced families who are tasked with attending four Christmas Day celebrations.

Furious: Oh, how delightfully dysfunctional. Isn't modern society all confusing and messy. Yadda, yadda, yadda. I don't get divorce. I don't get comedies about divorce. I hope I don't get divorced just so I can understand comedies about it. I'd rather just skip over any comedy that bases most of its humour on ‘awkward' moments.

Tym: Man, Favreau's got some guns in this trailer, doesn't he? I think that Four Christmases looks like a pretty fun movie if only for the involvement of Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn. And I'm sure that this movie will do okay at the box office if only for the timing involved - holiday movies @ holiday time = $$$. I don't think it will be good enough for more than (maybe) a matinee trip, though. Let's face it, Favreau and Vaughn found lightning in a bottle with Swingers, and this ain't Swingers.

Lealos: Ah, Vince Vaughn and Christmas. This is two years in a row we get the funny guy in a Christmas movie. Hell, he hasn't been in a movie where he can do what he does best since Wedding Crashers in 2005. It is also hard to believe it has been 12 years since Swingers made us all realize how great this man could be. Come on Vince, you're money man, just show us that again.

Kristopowitz: This looks kind of funny. Witherspoon and Vaughn look like they have fairly decent chemistry, but I have a feeling that this will end up lame.

Chamberlain: Looks like Vince is going 0 for 2 on the Christmas movies. It gives me no joy to hate on a movie that reunites the Swingers, but this doesn't look like much fun to me. And I love Christmas movies. Weak concept though, and Witherspoon isn't one of my favourites.

Thomas: It's crap like this that makes me think all Hollywood execs are insane. As in, the definition of insanity, where they do the same thing again and again expecting different results. Christmas films fail these days. Ask Matthew Broderick, Danny DeVito, James Gandolfini, Ben Affleck, Tim Allen, Jamie Lee Curtis… the list goes on. Witherspoon and Vaughn might be quite funny here, especially with a talented cast to back them up, but I have a lot of doubts, and I see this crashing and burning badly.

Brimfield: Blaaaaaaaaaah.

Australia
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Directed by: Baz Luhrmann
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, David Wenham
The plot: Set in northern Australia before World War II, an English aristocrat (Kidman) who inherits a sprawling ranch reluctantly pacts with a stock-man (Jackman) in order to protect her new property from a takeover plot. As the pair drive 2,000 head of cattle over unforgiving landscape, they experience the bombing of Darwin, Australia, by Japanese forces firsthand.

Furious: While normally I try to ignore Baz Luhrmann he has at least got an interesting plot going for him here. I checked the trailer out and it's made me a touch sceptical. There's nothing in there that jumps out at me and Kidman's accent is weird. If the reviews are positive I might check this out but I have a sneaking suspicion they won't be.

Tym: I find most period pieces extremely bland. Not all of them, though - I love me some Legends of the Fall. I suppose I just have to be in the right mood for them. I also don't think that Nicole Kidman is as great an actress as many claim her to be, but that's just my opinion. In a month that's filling up with good-enough-for-rental movies, I can throw another on the pile. I get a little tired this time of year with movies like this that scream "Look at me, Academy!" Most of these films end up being really good, but for some reason I tend to find them after the awards season, not because of what Oscars or Globes they may have won, but simply because I'm already a little burnt out by my preferred summer movie fare, along with the mass viewings of horror films that come with the Halloween season. After the gold statues are handed out, I come out of my slumber a bit and say to myself "yeah, that did look good" and eventually see all of them. I'm positive Australia will fall into that category.

Lealos: I would have no reason to ever want to see this if not for one person. No, it's not Nicole Kidman who is really nowhere near as good an actress as I once thought. It's also not Hugh Jackman, who just needs to be Wolverine again. It's Baz Luhrmann, the man who created the FANTASTIC Moulin Rouge, the movie that should have won the Oscar in 2002. He also made Shakespeare interesting again with Romeo + Juliet. This guy cannot make an uninteresting picture and this take on Australia's Pearl Harbor should look amazing. It's nice to see Baz back in the spotlight and this might be his next chance for that Oscar.

Kristopowitz: I really need to see a trailer for this before I form an opinion. The only thing I know about it is that the movie was in danger of not being ready for release because Luhrmann was taking a long time editing it, but now it looks like it'll be ready to go. We'll see how many Oscar nominations this thing gets. I'm going to assume it will nab a few.

Chamberlain: My sister lives in Australia now, which is the first thing that pops into my head. I wasn't a big fan of Moulin Rouge, but I dug Baz's take on 'Romeo and Juliet'. I don't think there's much that will interest me here though.

Thomas: I haven't been interested in this since I first heard about it. I love Baz Luhrmann, and think his films are great, visionary pieces of work. However, not a single thing I've seen or heard regarding this has me excited. Sorry Nicole, sorry Hugh. Try again.

Brimfield: The director of the second-best film adaptation of 'Romeo and Juliet' returns, with a period piece that leaves me highly apathetic. The last good film to be set in the Aussie outback was The Proposition, and that was rather definitely at the other end of the genre scale.

Milk
Studio: Focus Features
Directed by: Gus Van Sant
Starring: Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, Emile Hirsch, James Franco
The plot: A chronicle of Harvey Milk's (Penn) ascent to become San Francisco's first openly gay city supervisor in 1977, and the political fallout that led to his assassination, as well as Mayor George Moscone's, the following year.

Furious: Somebody wants an Oscar! The cast is solid here but the obvious winner is Sean Penn. Playing a homosexual in an uplifting story of personal courage. And the Oscar goes too… alright maybe he wanted to make the movie as well and wasn't just thinking awards. It has the hampering Gus Van Sant anchor attached to it but usually Van Sant is great at working his magic on other people's stuff. His own projects, more often than not, are unspeakably boring. Milk isn't one of his screenplays though so I think it has a shot at being good. The cast helps, obviously, with three supporting actors who will all pull their weight. Penn looks terrific in the trailer alone.

Tym: Gus Van Sant. A cast that includes Penn and Brolin. Looks pretty damned good to me. But what is up with Franco? I hope the previews are somewhat misleading because he seems just a bit miscast here. I saw the trailer for Milk before Burn After Reading and thought it looked superb, a great interpretation of a story that should be told. Both myself and my girlfriend nodded to each other, saying "yeah, I would go see that movie." My feelings are the same now as they were a few months ago. I think Van Sant has the directing chops to make sure the message is clear but not too heavy-handed, and I smell one of those awards I mentioned above for Sean Penn.

Lealos: Oscar bait anyone? Based on the true story of the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California. He was assassinated almost a year after his election and became a martyr for gay rights in California. Sounds like Oscar material to me, and who better to step up for a possible Oscar role than Jeff Spicoli himself, Sean Penn. He's been a man on death row (Dead Man Walking) and a mentally challenged man (I Am Sam), so what better direction to take next for the man who seems obsessed with prestige roles. This is also Gus Van Sant's return to mainstream filmmaking after years of challenging, art pictures. I don't know. I'm not big for these types of movies, but it should deliver based on those two men alone.

Kristopowitz: This looks like a fairly decent biopic type movie, although I don't know if I'm ready for the likely "Why are we celebrating deviant homosexuals like this?" crapola from the religious lunatics who will no doubt protest this thing.

Chamberlain: With a bit of quick research, I see Harvey Milk had something of a tragic story, but he was also an inspiration to the gay community. I'm not really into these dour, historical pieces though.

Thomas: Van Sant is a hometown favorite for me, being from Portland, and I think he's quite good. He's lined up a hell of a cast here for this piece of Oscar bait that actually has me quite intrigued. What I've seen is impressive, and Penn could finally be getting that Oscar if the cards play out right.

Brimfield: A certain departure from Van Sant's usual arthouse ouevre, but if it strays more towards the qualities of Elephant and away from those of Last Days, this could be decent.

Fanboys
Studio: The Weinstein Company
Directed by: Kyle Newman
Starring: Dan Fogler, Jay Baruchel, Kristen Bell
The plot: Four guys and their galpal plan a cross-country trip in order to steal a print of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace from Skywalker Ranch so their dying friend can see it before its world premiere.

Furious: I don't like Dan Fogler. I don't think he's particularly funny. See Fury, Balls Of. However this trailer is pretty funny. When they start throwing in actual scenes from Star Wars during the quest to steal the print is when I started laughing. The whole thing has been a little overdone of late what with Family Guy doing the excellent Blue Harvest and various other Star Wars tributes but if it's funny I'll watch it. I'm in.

Tym: I would be remiss if I did not inform our male demographic that this film features Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars, Heroes - yeah, like you don't know who she is) in a Princess Leia outfit. Seriously though, this movie has been in development hell for a long time. Early screenings taking place back in the day had viewers bubbling with joy about how funny and warm Fanboys was. Then the evil studio heads stepped in and said that more vulgar humor was needed to replace the cancer plot they saw as a downer, although it actually gave the movie the warmth I just mentioned. Director Kyle Newman and fans around the world (read: internet) protested the removal of these aspects of the story, and it seems their voices were heard as the movie is now said to be intact and in line with Newman's original intentions of making a "love letter to the greatest movie franchise of all time." I include myself amongst the fans that sincerely hope so, as we have been looking forward to this film for a long time.

Lealos: I have no idea. I like the idea of Ethan Suplee as Harry Knowles. The Bill Shatner cameo looks funny and the fact that Carrie Fisher and Ray Park are in it is inspired. I am confused about Billy Dee Williams as Judge Reinhold. It looks funny, it looks generic, it looks inspired, and obviously I sound confused. I hope it is funny, since it has been the point of controversy between the Star Wars fans and the Weinsteins. I would rather see a funny movie then one that gets by on the controversy.

Kristopowitz: The story here sounds funny and goofy and stupid (in a good way), but I have a feeling that it's just going to end up just plain old stupid. Does the world really need another "Star Wars fans are nerds" anything? Can't we all just wait for the second Family Guy Star Wars parody and just leave it at that for the next few years?

Chamberlain: Holy shit, this is FINALLY coming out? I first learned of this when I saw the preview for it on the Clerks 2 DVD way back in 2006, and I've been impatiently waiting for it ever since. I'm a Star Wars nerd of the highest calibre, so this movie is right up my alley and I'm sure I'll relate to one or two, or three or four of the characters. And seeing Kristen Bell in the Princess Leia get up is certainly not a problem for me. Bring it on!

Thomas: It's nice to finally see this get a release after languishing in hell forever. I've seen this trailer more times than I can count on various DVD's, and I could probably recite it by memory by now. I'm expecting good things, even with Dan "Black Hole of Comedy" Fogler involved, though I could well be disappointed.

Brimfield: Don't get me wrong, I love Star Wars, but I think this movie is going to require a certain amount of inebriation to reap its rewards. On the other hand, it does feature The Shat, so we're in there. I'll probably make the trip for this one, but I'm just glad it's finally getting a release.



The votes are in... Quantum of Solace is the 411 staff's hit of the month, while Four Christmases is our shit of the month!

Looks like the safety of my wallet is assured despite the threat Kristopowitz almost posed to my generous offer. That's all for now, folks. Stay tuned next month for a look at Benjamin Button, The Day the Earth Stood Still and a whole lot more!

All poster images courtesy of IMDB.