The Big Screen Bulletin 12.01.08: From December Onward

Posted by Chad Webb on 12.01.2008

An evening with straight to video nightmares and Kevin Smith, the box office results, Blu-Ray 3D in your own home?, trouble for Narnia's next installment, Jackman's sequel idea, Dolph and Stallone together again, new DVD releases, new trailer ratings, and much more!

Straight to Video Nightmares

A Threevening with Kevin Smith







Featuring: Kevin Smith, Jennifer Schwalbach Smith, and Harley Quinn Smith
Directed By: Joey Figueroa and Zak Knutson
Release Date: October 22, 2008
Running Time: 222 minutes
Unrated

The original An Evening with Kevin Smith was released in 2002, and the success did wonders for Kevin Smith's career. Carrying the tagline "Silent Bob Speaks" opened up many doors for the filmmaker, including numerous acting gigs. It also kept his name relevant in Hollywood, and showed the world that he was a down to Earth person, who was not afraid to spills his guts on making movies, the business side of the film industry, and the quirks of his daily life. Fans were not accustomed to directors doing such things, but it was welcomed. Smith was certainly not the reclusive Wachowski brothers. Standing on stage caused a connection with his fanbase at a level other filmmakers could only dream to achieve.

It was absorbing, funny, and very intriguing to watch. 2006 was met with the arrival of An Evening with Kevin Smith 2: Evening Harder. This really caused all those who watched to feel like they had a genuine friendship with Smith, even if they had never actually met him. That is what these stand-up acts do. You feel like Smith is one of the guys, or someone you could hang out with on a regular basis. However, like any sequel, it revealed some flaws, specifically Smith's tendency to ramble, and surprising to some, his effortless spewing on his personal life, some details of which, might have been better left unsaid. Nonetheless, it was still hilarious.

It is now 2008, and Kevin Smith keeps chugging along as a comedy director, who lives in California, but does not forget his Jersey roots. He also does not limit himself to making movies. He contributes to shows, comics, and so on as well. The third installment, Sold Out: A Threevening with Kevin Smith is gradually making its rounds in stores and through rentals, much like the previous DVDs did. This particular night took place on his 37th birthday, and was held mere blocks away from the hospital he was born at in Red Bank, New Jersey at the Count Basie Theater. This DVD set is an improvement over Evening Harder with regard to interesting information and hilarious stories, but it is not free of problems.

The event was 7 ½ hours in length with no stopping, and Smith is sweating profusely 5 minutes after it begins. I would feel sorry for the guy, but he refuses to wear anything but layers because of wanting to shadow his weight. I would love to understand the strategy of editing a stand-up comedy Q&A session because co-director/editor Zak Knutson has sliced and diced the event like a Hibachi chef. I say that because the extras are filled with questions, recollections, and updates that would have been just fine on the main feature. Knutson seems to prefer the longer tales instead of the shorter ones. I fully appreciate weeding out the stupid questions, but the supplements did not fall into that category. For instance, one of the most fascinating questions was about Clerks: The Sitcom, yet it was removed and used as an extra. The main part of disc 1 commences with questions about Doogal, his best moment as a filmmaker, Hayden Christensen, and Entourage.

I won't spoil too much for those who haven't seen it yet, but this contains a lot of terrific material, from debates on Superman Returns and X-Men III to the meaning of Olyphantastic, and all the dirt on shooting Live Free or Die Hard. Smith is still not shy about his personal life as we are privy to explicit tales on the sex life of his pets, and his hysterical Jury Duty story. Smith's affinity for rambling is both a positive and a negative. On one hand, it is a compliment to anyone that can tell an hour long+ story about dogs screwing, and have viewers paying strict attention, but at the same time, you do start waiting for it to end and think back as to what the initial question was.

For those who do not frequent the View Askew website, you might get the impression that a hefty portion of what Smith says or answers was already discussed on the forums and through his blogs. That makes no difference to me, but it was an observation worth noting. I found myself laughing out loud constantly while enjoying this. It would be impossible for all the film geeks out there not crack up during his speeches.

Threevening is without any guests, aside from his wife and daughter that introduce him. This is also a credit to Smith because he paces back and forth across the stage alone, and keeps the audience laughing by expressing…of all things, his fondness for dumping. He is a wealthy man, who lives on the West coast, but he never talks down to his followers, and rarely gets outsmarted. He can always keep the arrogant questioners on their toes. If you, like me, never hesitate to watch the extras on his DVDs, in addition to watching these, there is no doubt why Smith has such a loyal fanbase. He is a genuinely cool individual, and even though I wish he would have progressed a bit further as a filmmaker by now, as long as he continues to speak in front of crowds, I'll keep buying the DVDs. The next "Evening" takes place in Australia.

Final Rating = 8.5/10.0

The News Bulletin

Christmas Comes Early for Warners
Holiday theater traffic stayed strong over the long Thanksgiving sesh as moviegoers tasted dishes up and down the crowded buffet of titles. The biggest victory went to Warner Bros/New Line's Vince Vaughn-Reese Witherspoon comedy "Four Christmases." "Four Xmases"--opening Wednesday and far surpassing expectations--grossed an estimated $46.7 million from 3,310 runs for the five-day frame, and $31.7 million for the three-day weekend, according to Rentrak. The most anticipated film of the holiday was 20th Century Fox's epic "Australia," from director Baz Luhrmann. Pic picked up the pace dramatically as adults were sprung from holiday duties. Toplining Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman, "Australia" grossed an estimated $20 million from 2,642 runs for the five days, and $14.8 million for the three-day weekend. "Australia," exceeding Fox's expectations, placed No. 5 overall.

Adults also turned out in droves for specialty pic "Milk," from Gus Van Sant and toplining Sean Penn. "Milk" cracked the top 10 box office chart in its first outing, grossing an estimated $1.9 million for the five days--a stunning per location average of $52,627--and $1.4 million for the weekend. Lionsgate's male-actioner "Transporter 3," the third new wide release of the holiday, grossed an estimated $18.5 million from 2,626 for the five days, and $12.3 million for the weekend, putting it at No. 7. There was plenty of room left on the plate for holdovers, driving the domestic box office up 2% to 3% over last Thanskgiving.

"Twilight" and 3-D toon "Bolt" came in No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, in their second frames. "Twilight" grossed an estimated $39.5 million from 3,425 for the five-day sesh, and $26.4 million for the weekend, bringing the film's cume to $119.7 million in its 10th day in release. Pic declined 62% weekend over weekend. Disney's "Bolt," playing in 3,654 runs, pulled off a stunning coup in showing a 1.4% increase over last weekend. Family film grossed an estimated $36 million for five days, and $26.6 million for the weekend, for a cume of $66.9 million in its 10th day. Sony/MGM's "Quantum" came in an impressive No. 4 over the holiday frame, grossing an estimated $28.1 for the five days, and $19.5 million for the weekend, for a cume of $142 million. Pic dipped a mere 27% weekend over weekend.

I predicted correctly, but only by $7 mill or so. Twilight performed amazingly well in its second week, which cements that the series will be around for awhile. Elsewhere, Australia did better than expected for a near 3 hour epic. This IS the adults' time for movies though. Transporter 3 debuted at #7, and I have to believe that is a slight disappointment. The studio behind Milk would be fools not to open that wider soon as it already entered the top 10. The holdovers seem to be staying strong with Quantum, Role Models, and Madagascar 2 remaining afloat. A handful of intriguing releases come out next week, but not one really poses a threat to Four Christmases or Twlight. Cadillac Records, Frost/Nixon, and Punisher: War Zone have very specific audiences, so my bet is a bit of a cheat. I'll say either Four Christmases or Twlight.






Blu-Ray 3D For Your House?
Despite Jeffrey Katzenberg's wild ambitions, the fact is until 3D movies can be projected without inducing eye strain, headaches, or the need for special glasses then it won't take over as the 'next big thing'. Nevertheless the technology is on the way and Tech-On reports that Japan's Panasonic Corporation (formerly known as as Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.) has submitted a proposal to the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) to create a "Blu-ray Disc standard to store three-dimensional imagery formed of left-/right-eye two-channel full-High Definition images (1920x1080 pixels)."

The move would also include a "HDMI standard capable of transmitting 3D imagery" though thankfully not another hardware standard (no HDMI 1.4, whew). The main idea behind the move is a good one - to avoid a futile standards war (ala Blu-ray vs. HD-DVD) and to prevent a patent conflict related to 3D imagery standards (ie. stop a monopoly dominating the market). The very good news is the proposal makes clear that the technologies proposed all utilize existing standard technology - so no need for a swanky new TV set or player. The BDA hopes to begin formal discussion on the standard proposal before the end of 2008, with commercial adoption probably in 2010.

Wow, this would be uber cool. However, note the drawback not mentioned: All buyers will likely need an eye exam after viewing this new Blu-Ray component. Everyone will watch DVDs in 3D and subsequently walk around like wide-eyed zombies with mental disabilities similar to the effects of Edward Nigma's box in Batman Forever. Seriously though, some films might be neat to see in three dimensions whenever you wish, but is this all that necessary? No, it's not. I mean, if all we need is an update or new piece of firmware, then I'll gladly take advantage, but I am quite comfortable enjoying my movies in standard or 1080p. I think testing is needed first. Think of it though: Vincent Price's The Tingler re-released on Blu-Ray in 3D. I am game!






Bumpy Seas for Dawn Treader
The "Prince Caspian" DVD doesn't hit the US til next week, but has already been released in the UK. FilmChat got its hands on a copy and found several pieces of artwork from the next sequel "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" to put online. The big question is if this will be the only thing of the sequel we'll see. Last week Jim HIll Media published an interesting article that the box-office disappointment of 'Caspian' has led to some retooling of the studio's "Dawn Treader" project. With a $200 million budget, 'Caspian' took in a little under half domestically and a little over half internationally the revenue of the first film 'The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe'.

Though studio execs thought the film was stronger, reviews were generally weaker than for 'Wardrobe' and the move of the franchise out of Wardrobe's long-run profitable slot of late Fall to the more crowded early Summer period also seemed to backfire in the studio's face. DVD profitability of the title though should prove high. As a result of all this, and the global financial crisis, strict cost-cutting measures have been put into place on 'Treader'. Original location shooting in Malta, Iceland and Praguehas been ditched in favor of filming two-thirds of the film in the huge water tank in Mexico used for such films as "Titanic" and "Master and Commander".

The original budget of $140 million may also potentially be slashed to $100 million as Walden Media reportedly wants Disney to put up half the budget of the film along with all the P&A costs. In fact much of the budgetary decision making will depend upon the first week of "Prince Caspian" DVD sales. 'Treader' will also move back to the 'Wardrobe' December release slot - meaning the film will kick off filming sometime next yeat for a Christmas 2010 release. Development of further sequels such as 'The Silver Chair' and 'The Last Battle' will end up depending upon the success of 'Treader'.

Let's face facts for a second. This franchise is performing below expectations around the board. Disney wants their own personal Potter/Rings equivalent series, and this is not it, and it never will be. Why? Because the films are not that special. They have not been enthusiastically praised by critics, even those who afford 3 star reviews seem bland. At least at Hogwarts and Middle Earth, SOME passion was noticeable. Narnia seems to be made mainly for the money intake. I was unimpressed by both movies, and to be honest, I am pleased that the budgets are being cut in half. Maybe this disappointment will motivate Disney to pay attention next time with regard to crew hiring choices, story faithfulness, and filling the gaping plot holes. And, I can bet that in the long run, Prince Caspian's DVD sales are crippled by The Dark Knight the following week.






Jackman is Japanese Jumpy
Hugh Jackman has been talking about a possible sequel to X-Men Origins: Wolverine to MTV. Of the sequel storyline he said: The most intriguing thing to me was the Japan story. I love the Japan story. I wanted to do the Japan story from around X-Men 2." He went on: "Can you just picture Wolverine in Japan with the triads and the samurai? It's just genius. Comedically and dramatically, I thought, 'This is awesome'!" David Benioff, who wrote the script for Wolverine, reportedly read Chris Claremont and Frank Miller's 1982 series on the character - much of it set in Japan. The filmmakers apparently considered that location for the first Wolverine film, before shelving the idea for a sequel. "But how can you do that before you explain his origins?" Jackman elaborated. "If we tried to mix the origin and Japan together, it wouldn't do justice to either. So you can tell by the answer where I'd like it to go."

I must say, Hugh Jackman's wacky enthusiasm for the projects has me slightly more interested in seeing it. I'm looking forward to watching the official trailer when it debuts attached to The Day the Earth Stood Still, but I still have doubts about how good the flick will turn out. Jackman is evidently extremely excited, but it remains to be seen how well his spin-off actually does. It seems that the focus is on other X-Men spin-offs right now as well, so Hugh might have a while to wait for his trip to Japan. And how would Wolverine meet the Samurai? Doesn't Jackman know that Tom Cruise was The Last Samurai. I keed I keed. If he's been pulling for this storyline for that long, I'd bet the studio keeps his hopes up, yet will probably not deliver in hopes that he forgets. I would be up for that sequel, but if he does go Japan, it would have to be under the proper circumstances....you know to help destroy Godzilla.






Avengers = Good or Bad?
Concerned that Marvel's proposed superhero team-up movie "The Avengers" is going to suck? "Iron Man" star Robert Downey Jr. feels the same way and tells MTV News that the filmmakers are working hard to make sure it soars rather than sinks. "If we don't get it right it's really, really going to suck. It has to be the crowning blow of Marvel's best and brightest because it's the hardest thing to get right. It's tough to spin all the plates for one of these characters" said the actor recently. The big concern though will be blending the real-world setting of "Iron Man" with the more fantasy-tinged "Thor," "Incredible Hulk" and "Captain America".

Can they make it work? Well, after looking at individual offerings of Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk, your instinct would say yes. But this type of movie is really hard to get right. I remember that Captain America, Iron Man 2, and The Avengers are all being filmed in the same area around the same time so that the flow and attitude is consistent. Personally, I'm not looking forward to this, and I do appreciate that they are trying to lay the ground work at the end of the aforementioned flicks, but unless they hire a competent director who focuses on story development instead of just action, this will likely be mediocre. And we know Downey is on board, but what about Norton as the Hulk? It's hard to predict because their are so many unanswered questions to determine how this will go, but live-action team films are difficult. And as far as I've researched, no director has been announced or confirmed. Favreau is talking a lot, but all I've heard is that he's helming Iron Man 2. I say this will be average at best, but no more than that.






A Drago/Rocky Reunion?
Dolph Lundgren's career may get a resurgence thanks to one of his old co-stars - Sylvester Stallone. Talking with Review Nation, Stallone revealed at the Las Vegas premiere of "Transporter 3" that he was close to signing Lundgren for his new action feature "The Expendables". Jason Statham and Jet Li have already signed on the project about three mercenaries tasked with infiltrating a South American country and liberating the population from a ruthless dictator. Shooting kicks off in February in Costa Rica and Louisiana.

Mr. Leonard Hayhurst said he popped a boner for Gran Torino, a film where Clint Eastwood takes on Korean gangs, but this has me fully aroused and gitty like a school girl. I've said before that Dolph deserves better than the B-movieland he's stuck in, and hopefully Sly catapults him out of that. This is shaping up to blow all other mindless action flicks away. Seriously, you have a bit of old with Stallone and Lundgren, and a bit of new with Jet Li and Jason Statham. How can you go wrong? All we need now is for Sly to call his Rocky III buddy Hulk Hogan for a role. Don't get too excited. I figure Hogan should die in the first 5-10 minutes. Surely, Stallone could motivate the best of Hogan's acting ability for that small a part. The movie would near perfect then, and would only need Chuck Norris in some capacity.

The 20 Second Sermon

Josh Brolin confirmed he was offered the role of the killer terminator in Terminator Salvation, but declined. He also said when talking to Christian Bale, Bale said "it's alright" of the movie's quality, which is code for "it sucks and you made the right choice of saying no." However, the new poster for the film kicks major a$$. You can check out "The Complete and Official Map of the Verse", the first comprehensive guide to the worlds of Joss Whedon's Firefly and Serenity, and it can be purchased from the link. If I were in college, I'd so buy this. Criterion has now revamped their site so you can watch many of the films for the modest price of $5, which would also go towards the purchase of the DVD if you so choose. David Fincher is attached to direct Keanu reeves in a film about a kitchen chef. Ummm...what? To no one's amazement, the Twilight sequels New Moon and Eclipse are moving forward, and might be shot back-to-back. Ehh, whatever. Lionsgate has secured the rights to More than a Game, which follows LeBron James' high school days, along with the other starters of his team. Apparently it received a standing ovation in Toronto, so I'm intrigued. Steve "The Gutte" Guttenberg has confirmed that a Police Academy sequel and Three Men and a Bride are on the way with as much of the original casts as possible. How could he possibly have convinced anyone this was smart?

What's Coming to DVD….Buy or Avoid?

DVD Headline of the Week



The Day the Earth Stood Still (2-Disc Special Edition) - This is undoubtedly a sci-fi classic in every sense of the word. I was riveted from the beginning. Finally, this will get the treatment it deserves. Before seeing the remake, buy this. Preorderable

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian - I'm just not digging the world of Narnia. This sequel was a bit better than the first film, but still not all that spectacular despite a couple cool action scenes. This contains some massive plot holes that are just impossible to ignore. Look for a 1-disc and a 3-disc. Borrow

Wanted - This was just a pulse-pounding, inventive, and all around fun action flick. It's far from perfect, and requires the stretching of one's imagination, but the cast is top-notch and bullets can curve...nuff said. Rentable

Step Brothers - Will Ferrell and his pals, like Sandler and Myers this past summer, make a comedy and go crazy. This was funny, but not coherent, or all that memorable. Ferrell needs to make more movies like Stranger than Fiction. Rentable

The X-Files: I Want to Believe - Sadly, I am a Mulder and Scully virgin. I have not watched anything X-Files, and yes, I know I need to soon.

Fly Me to the Moon - I know approximately nothing about this movie, except that it was in 3-D and is CGI. Otherwise, no one talks about it.

White Dog - Criterion Collection - The Samuel Fuller film on American racism that was initially withheld from release in the 80's. I really want to see this, and am planning on doing so a.s.a.p.

Casablanca (Ultimate Collector's Edition) - This is brand-new edition of the classic with a bonus disc about Jack Warner, 46 page booklet, and all sorts of added goodies. It's also on Blu-Ray, which will rock the house. You already know whether or not to buy this.

The Man Called Flinstone - This was the original 1966 theatrical release. I'm not a huge Flinstone fanatic, but maybe this appeals to you.

Hey There, It's Yogi Bear - This was the feature debut of this character as well. Personally, I prefer a picnic basket and a dose of Yogi over Fred, but that's me.

The Rape of Europa - This is a documentary about the Nazi pillaging of art, and the Allied effort to return it. Seems fascinating, and worth a look.

My Father My Lord - This debut feature from David Volach won the best film award at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival. It takes place in an Israeli community. I was at this festival, but missed this one because tickets are impossible to get. I'll have to rent this.

Wisegal - This has Alyssa Milano, Jason Gedrick, and James Caan in it, but the title says it all right? How ridiculous.

The Longshots - This is directed by Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit, and stars his former Family Values tour pal Ice Cube, so I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious, but the title and plot are the definition of cliché.

The Critic's Quickee

Twilight - After enduring the terrible trailers, and hearing the summaries from Steph, I fully expected to hate this. Truth be told, I didn't hate it, but this vampire romance does have some problems. What you see here is a perfect example of a really bad story with a really good cast. Many have complained that the acting is dull, but I thought Robert Pattison (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) and Kristen Stewart (Into the Wild) downplayed the performances well. If they had been more expressive, people would have called them cheesy. In my opinion, an understated performance was the only way to pull it off without inducing eye rolls. The first issue is the lack of detail about the universe, specifically the vampires, and their characteristics. They left a lot out. I just watched Martin by George A. Romero, which was another unique spin on a vampire tale, but Romero stayed ambiguous, yet managed to cover enough bases. I wish this had gone into more detail. Instead, Director Catherine Hardwicke avoids going too deep. She was a fine choice as filmmaker for one reason: She knows how to craft a film from a female perspective. However, in every other area, she struggles, and in many scenes she adds unnecessary flair which is a headache. Still, for the most part, she stays focused on the romance, which is intriguing. The vampire family is engrossing, especially Carlisle, who is played by Peter Facinelli, and for those who don't recognize him, he was Mike Dexter from Can't Hardly Wait. He is far and away the most interesting character in Twilight.

I had no huge problems throughout most of the film, until the special effects were employed. These are some of the worst effects and demonstrations of vampire powers to date. Every time Edward flies, the scene is ruined. The best moment is when Bella meets Edward's family and goes to his house. The awkwardness and tension can be felt. Now, I haven't read the books, and maybe the flaws I mentioned are not as substantial when Stephenie Meyer writes them, but I hope the sequel explores the world more than just scratching the surface. I appreciated the relationship between Bella and her father, I enjoyed how Edward and Bella ease into their love for each other, and I liked the Jacob character (although I wish he was fleshed out more here). This is a movie that is very easy to make fun of. Tell me part of you doesn't chuckle every time Pattinson enters a room, or during the baseball game (which needs to be seen to fully understand the humor). What holds it together is the chemistry between Stewart and Pattinson. If not for that, this would be a wasted opportunity. I think a different director could improve the series definitely, someone who knows how to handle a camera, and is not afraid to show some blood. Final Rating = 6.5/10.0

Synecdoche, New York - Writer and debut Director Charlie Kaufman unleashes his first film on the world. To read about my thoughts, click on my full review right here.

What Have I Done?

Monday - This was the dating anniversary of Steph and I. Since we are saving for the wedding, we exchanged small gifts and went out to eat. Along the way, we stopped at Target, where I finally picked up The Lost Christmas by Trans-Siberian Orchestra. This completes my collection of their albums, which is Christmas music that never gets repetitive or boring.






Tuesday - Unfortunately, the day started out crappy with issues at work, traffic, and bad weather. Luckily, I had the Marx Brothers to cheer me up as I finished watching At the Circus. I'm a huge fan of them, and even though this is a weaker effort, it is still hilarious.








Wednesday - All this controversy over the Dr. Pepper/Guns ‘n Roses giveaway had me longing for the days when the company sold "Red Fusion", a mix of Dr. Pepper and cherry. This was an outstanding drink, and no, the Cherry-Vanilla concoction, or any variation thereof, is not the same. This was yanked in 2004. Too bad.




Thursday - So it is Turkey day, and lots of food, laughter, and family fun was had by all. I was at the fiancee's house this year. At one point, Steph's adorable little cousin took out a toy I have not seen in years. On the left, you can see it was pop-ups, a favorite price from 25 cent machines. Though I still got bored after playing with it for 2 minutes.





The Weekend - It was time for a bachelor party this weekend, and so I drove a little bit to have some fun with buddies. While waiting to meet them, I noticed a West Coast Video going out of business. To pass the time, I picked up In the Valley of Elah, Before the Devil Knows You're Dead, The Princess and the Warrrior, and An Evening with Kevin Smith 2, all for really cheap, and thankfully not in the crappy keep cases Blockbuster uses.

Based on the Trailer…

Newest Trailers

Adventureland - The new film from Superbad director Greg Motolla looks ok. I'm more intrigued by the cast of young actors than the plot itself. I'm sure it will deliver enough laughs though. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

Up - Pixar's next flick looks like another funny, endearing, and funfilled adventure. At least we can rely on them for originality. I'll definitely be seeing this. Trailer Rating = 9.0/10.0

Dance Flick - This Wayan parody trailer does what most parody trailers do: make you chuckle. But we all know the film will be a disaster. Well, some of us do. The others still see this sludge. Trailer Rating = 4.0/10.0

December Releases

Cadillac Records - I like movies about the music industry, so this is a must see, but it appears that everyone desperately wants an Oscar nom. Hopefully this is isn't one big cliché. Trailer Rating = 7.0/10.0

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

Delgo - I've seen this one twice now, and it amazes me how studios think. If we stack as many stars that are willing to join, it will be a hit right? No. The animation looks sloppy, and the story sounds forgettable. Trailer Rating = 5.0/10.0

The Reader - Another glorious looking film starring Kate Winslet, who has Ralph Fiennes helping her. It involves Nazi's, so heads up Academy, but it looks outstanding. Trailer Rating = 9.0/10.0

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

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

Gran Torino - Clint's second release looks good primarily because he is in it. Otherwise, the plot would seem average at best. But since he is the star and the director, my interest goes up considerably. Trailer Rating = 8.0/10.0

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

Bedtime Stories - This looks like harmless and cute Disney fun. I have no doubt it will be an eye-rolling experience, but Sandler should provide some laughs. Trailer Rating = 7.0/10.0

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

The Wrestler - This looks amazing, and I can't wait to see it. I'm a huge Mickey Rourke fan and I love Darren Aronofsky, so I will be purchasing a ticket soon. Trailer Rating = 10.0/10.0

Two Lovers - James Gray recruits Phoenix one last time. Here he juggles two women. Gray is a strange filmmaker, so for him to tackle a romance thriller should be intriguing for sure. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

January Releases

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

Bride Wars - Kate Hudson has gone downhill as much as possible after her great role in Almost Famous. This looks dreadful, and not because it is targeted at women. I'm sure it will be #1. Trailer Rating = 2.5/10.0

Notorious - You can access both trailers from here. The newest offers a larger glimpse. This movie looks ok with inspired casting decisions, but my question is how sugarcoated will it be? Even those a little familiar with Biggie will see through the phony scenes. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

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

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans - I have never been a big fan of this franchise. The first film was ok, but the second was weak. I like Rhona Mitra, she's hot, and has talent, but needs to pick some dramas. Trailer Rating = 5.0/10.0

February Releases

Fanboys - This has to be one of the funniest trailers I have EVER seen. I will be seeing this for sure. Just look at the title, and watch it. I will spoil nothing. Trailer Rating = 10.0/10.0

Friday the 13th - This looks about as bad as any Michael Bay produced remake, but the mother voice over was eerie. Trailer Rating = 4.5/10.0

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

March, TBD, and Beyond Releases

Crossing Over - At long last, Harrison Ford returns to expressing his acting talents, not his popularity in the action genre. This has a great cast, a good director, and a fascinating premise. I'm definitely in. Trailer Rating = 8.5/10.0

Monsters vs. Aliens - Wow, another terrific trailer, and this is a CGI flick from Dreamworks, who is stepping up their game past Shrek thankfully. This looks hysterical. Trailer Rating =9.5/10.0

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

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

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 see 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

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

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

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

Race to Witch Mountain - I like the Rock, and I'll see the original before this comes out, but this strikes me as a typical Disney adventure flick that has little offer. We'll see though. Trailer Rating = 5.0/10.0

The Pink Panther 2 - This has a great cast, but I did not like the first remake, so I probably won't be rushing to the theater for this either. Not my cup of tea. Trailer Rating = 5.0/10.0

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

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2) - Yes, I am a bit skeptical of the director, but this looks very good. This teaser gave me hope that Yates knows what he's doing. The comedy part at the end was terrific. Trailer Rating = 9.0/10.0

Angels & Demons - The Da Vinci Code was a superb thriller, and this looks to be outstanding as well. This teaser has me amped for Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon again! 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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