Brian Larson
The author, a Delavan native, is an art director at The Cimarron Group, a motion picture and television advertising company in Los Angeles.
(Published Oct. 29, 2007, 1:31 p.m.)
Beowulf-Director Robert Zemeckis brings us this classic swords 'n' sandals tale about the warrior of the title, via the same somewhat creepy motion capture technique he utilized a few years ago on The Polar Express. That's where the comparison to that kid-friendly flick ends, though, as this one (thanks to violence and nudity) is actually flirting with a harder rating. Beowulf also features the voices/likenesses of Brendan Gleeson, Anthony Hopkins, Ray Winstone, Robin Wright-Penn, John Malkovich and Angelina Jolie. Official Web site: www.beowulfmovie.com
Yes, the fun and brainless days of yet another summer blockbuster season are definitely behind us.
Heavy dramas and crime thrillers seem to be taking up the most space in the cornucopia that Hollywood is now presenting this fall, with only an occasional quirky comedy, action flick or family-friendly fantasy sprinkled in to lighten things now and then.
Yes, it is a season for the phrase "based on a true story" (drinking game anyone? I'd say apple cider is the most appropriate for the season) and we've all come to expect no less as the temperature starts to drop and the days get shorter.
That all said, Hollywood has already raked up a big pile of movies for us to jump in so let's get started with a quick preview of what'll be dropping down in the next couple of months.
30 Days of Night-In this horror flick, a gang of vampires find the equivalent of an all-you-can -eat Vegas buffet in an Alaskan town plunged into darkness for a whole month. 30 Days of Night stars Josh Hartnett, Melissa George, Danny Huston, Jon Bennett and Mark Boone Junior and was directed by David Slade. Official Web site: www.30daysofnight.com
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead-This thriller finds two brothers (Ethan Hawke and Philip Seymour Hoffman) plotting a robbery of their own parents' jewelry store, only to find the seemingly simple job going horribly wrong, setting into motion a series of tragic events. Before the Devil Knows You're Dead also stars Albert Finney, Marisa Tomei and Aleksa Palladino and was directed by Sidney Lumet (Night Falls on Manhattan). Official Web site: Coming Soon
Gone Baby Gone-Ben Affleck co-wrote the screenplay and directed this crime drama (based on a novel by Dennis Lehane) about two detectives hired to investigate the disappearance of a young girl. Gone Baby Gone also stars Casey Affleck, Ed Harris, Morgan Freeman, John Ashton and Robert Wahlberg and was directed by Ben Affleck. Official Web site: gonebabygonethemovie.com
Rendition-No doubt thanks to her recent Oscar win as June Carter in Walk the Line, the normally plucky Reese Witherspoon gets all serious to star in this political thriller based on the nightmarish true story (hey there's that magical phrase) of an American wife whose Egyptian-born husband mysteriously disappears on a flight from South Africa to Washington. Rendition also stars Omar Metwally, Jake Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard, Meryl Streep and Alan Arkin and was directed by Gavin Hood (Tsotsi). Official Web site: www.renditionmovie.com
Reservation Road-Joaquin Phoenix and Mark Ruffalo star in this heavy sounding drama (lift with the knees folks) about two fathers whose lives converge one fateful evening on the street of the title, where a tragic car accident leaves both men's families in ruin. Yup, those summer movie days are looooong gone ... where's a pirate when you need one!? Reservation Road also stars Jennifer Connelly, Mira Sorvino and Elle Fanning and was directed by Terry George (Hotel Rwanda). Official Web site: Coming soon
Wristcutters: A Love Story-In this unconventional (which you may have already surmised based on the title alone) love story set in the afterlife, the souls of several people who have committed suicide try to find what they were missing in their previous lives. Wristcutters: A Love Story stars Patrick Fugit, Shannyn Sossamon, Shea Wigham, Will Arnett and Leslie Bibb and was directed by Goran Dukic. Official Web site: www.wristcutters.com
The Martian Child-John Cusack stars in this drama about a sci-fi author who adopts an eccentric young boy who believes he's been sent from Mars to study humans. Think Big Daddy meets K-Pax ... or maybe don't. The Martian Child also stars Amanda Peet, Bobby Coleman, Joan Cusack and Oliver Platt and was directed by Menno Meyjes. Official Web site: www.martianchild.com
Music Within-In this drama based on a true story (ahem), a Vietnam vet (Ron Livingston, Office Space, Band of Brothers) with severely impaired hearing finds a new purpose in life by helping other Americans with disabilities. No, not helping them fill out TPS reports. Music Within also stars Melissa George, Michael Sheen, Yul Vazquez and Rebecca De Mornay and was directed by Steven Sawalich. Official Web site: musicwithinmovie.com
Rails & Ties-This drama begins with a suicidal mother who parks her car on the tracks of an oncoming train. Out of the resulting tragedy, an unexpected bond between the victim's families and the train's engineer form. Rails & Ties stars Kevin Bacon, Marcia Gay Harden, Miles Heizer, Jim Cody Williams and Jack Kaeding and was directed by Alison Eastwood. Official Web site: Coming soon
Run, Fatboy, Run-Friends star David Schwimmer makes his directorial debut with this comedy about an out-of-shape guy (Simon Pegg, Hot Fuzz) who tries to win back the girl of his dreams by training and running a marathon. Run, Fatboy, Run also stars Hank Azaria, Thandie Newton, Ameet Chana and Dylan Moran. Official Web site: www.runfatboyrunmovie.com
Sarah Landon and the Paranormal Hour-Just in time for Halloween, this family thriller tells the tale of a 17-year-old girl who witnesses paranormal activity in her small town. Sarah Landon and the Paranormal Hour stars Alessandra Daniele, Rissa Walters, Brian Comrie and Dakota Jade and was directed by Lisa Comrie. Official Web site: www.sarahlandon.com
Saw IV-For those of you still thirsty for more bloody dismemberments (you scare me), this third sequel sees the twisted Jigsaw and his apprentice Amanda continuing to torment not-so-innocent victims, seemingly from beyond the grave. Saw IV also stars Scott Patterson, Tobin Bell, Betsy Russell, Costas Mandylor and Lyriq Bent and was directed by Darren Lynn Bousman (Saw III). Official Web site: Coming Soon
Slipstream-Anthony Hopkins hops back and forth in front and behind the camera to direct this comedy fantasy about an aging screenwriter who finds himself suddenly visited by the characters of his latest murder mystery. Sounds a little like a less-than-successful John Candy flick from the early '90s, but it could have potential to lighten things up a bit this fall. Slipstream also stars Stella Arroyave, Lana Antonova, Kevin McCarthy and Gavin Grazer and was directed by Anthony Hopkins (August). Official Web site: Coming soon
Things We Lost in the Fire-Now there's a title that screams "feel good movie of the year." In this drama (naturally), Halle Berry returns to more serious territory to star as a woman whose husband's tragic death leaves her with two young children. When she decides to allow his down-and-out friend (Benicio Del Toro) live with her, they help each other cope with the events in their lives. Things We Lost in the Fire also stars David Duchovny, Alexis Llewellyn and Alison Lohman and was directed by Susanne Bier (Brothers). Official Web site: www.thingswelostinthefiremovie.com
The Darjeeling Limited-Jason Schwartzman, Owen Wilson and Adrien Brody star in this quirky comedy from director Wes Anderson (The Royal Tenenbaums) about three estranged brothers who take a train trip across India in an effort to reconnect with one another. The Darjeeling Limited also stars Camilla Rutherford and Amara Karan. Official Web site: www.foxsearchlight.com/thedarjeelinglimited
Moondance Alexander-In this family drama (which will fit the bill of the seemingly obligatory yearly horse movie made just for my wife), a spirited teenage girl discovers a lost pony that she is convinced could become a champion jumper and makes it her goal to train him to do just that. Moondance Alexander stars Sasha Cohen (not to be confused with the guy who plays Borat), Whitney Sloan, Joe Norman Shaw, James Best and Don Johnson and was directed by Michael Damian. Official Web site: www.moondancealexander.com
American Gangster-Heavy-hitters Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe go head to head in this crime thriller set in the '70s about a heroin drug lord who faces off against a relentless detective determined to bring him to justice. American Gangster also stars Josh Brolin and Ted Levine and was directed by Ridley Scott (Black Hawk Down). Official Web site: www.americangangster.net
Bee Movie-After a decade or so mostly out of the spotlight, comedian Jerry Seinfeld lends his voice and his comic timing to this computer-generated flick about, you guessed it, a bee that wishes to break free from his mundane life in the hive. Yes, a movie to take your honey to. Bee Movie also features the voices of Renée Zellwegger, Matthew Broderick, Annette Bening, Chris Rock, Kathy Bates and Barry Levinson and was directed by Stephen Hickner (The Prince of Egypt) and Simon J. Smith. Official Web site: www.beemovie.com
Day Zero-In this unsettling "what if" drama (well, it unsettled me anyway), the military draft is put back into action, forcing a group of friends to re-examine their lives before being shipped off to war. Day Zero also stars Zoe Lister-Jones, Elijah Wood, Chris Klein, Jon Bernthal and Charlene Biton and was directed by Bryan Gunner Cole. Official Web site: Coming soon
Starting Out in the Evening-This drama tells the story of an aging,down-and-out writer (Frank Langella) who finds an admirer in a young graduate student who is doing her thesis on him. Starting Out in the Evening also stars Lauren Ambrose, Lili Taylor and Adrian Lester and was directed by Andrew Wagner. Official Web site: Coming soon
Fred Claus-Every Christmas it seems Hollywood gives us at least one holiday-themed comedy. Most of the past years' offerings have sadly been nothing but a lump of coal at the box office (Surviving Christmas and Christmas with the Kranks to name just a couple, Elf being a delightful-yes, I said delightful - exception). This year, we get the story of Santa Claus's (Paul Giamatti) little-known deadbeat older brother (Vince Vaughn) who visits the North Pole and wreacks havoc before Santa's big night. Fred Claus also stars Kevin Spacey, John Michael Higgins and Elizabeth Banks and was directed by David Dobkin (Wedding Crashers). Official Web site: www.fredclaus.net
Lions for Lambs-Powerhouse performers Robert Redford, Meryl Streep and Tom Cruise all star in this political drama about the effects of the war in the Middle East. Lions for Lambs also stars Michael Pena and Derek Luke and was directed by Robert Redford (The Horse Whisperer). Official Web site: lionsforlambs.unitedartists.com
No Country for Old Men-Directors Joel and Ethan Coen (Fargo) bring us this thriller about the trouble that befalls a hunter who stumbles upon a suitcase filled with $2 million in cash near the Rio Grande and decides to take it. No Country for Old Men stars Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Beth Grant and Garret Dillahunt . Official Web site: www.nocountryforoldmen.com
Beowulf-Director Robert Zemeckis brings us this classic swords 'n' sandals tale about the warrior of the title, via the same somewhat creepy motion capture technique he utilized a few years ago on The Polar Express. That's where the comparison to that kid-friendly flick ends, though, as this one (thanks to violence and nudity) is actually flirting with a harder rating. Beowulf also features the voices/likenesses of Brendan Gleeson, Anthony Hopkins, Ray Winstone, Robin Wright-Penn, John Malkovich and Angelina Jolie. Official Web site: www.beowulfmovie.com
Margot at the Wedding-Nicole Kidman stars in this family drama about a woman who visits her sister's wedding where she plans to marry a man whom none of the family seems to approve of. Margot at the Wedding also stars Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jack Black, John Turturro and Flora Cross and was directed by Noah Baumbach (The Squid and the Whale). Official Web site: www.margotatthewedding.com
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium-In this potentially imaginative family fantasy flick, Dustin Hoffman is Mr. Magorium, a Willy Wonka-esque magical toy store owner who is searching for the perfect heir and finds one in a timid young woman (Natalie Portman). So one could say, in this movie, the meek will inherit the mirth. Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium also stars Jason Bateman, Zachary Mills and Ted Ludzik and was directed by Zach Helm. Official Web site: www.magorium.com
August Rush-Freddie Highmore (the Charlie of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) stars as August, an orphan and a musical prodigy who sets out to find his parents. August Rush also stars Robin Williams, Liv Tyler, Keri Russell and Jonathan Rhys Meyers and was directed by Kirsten Sheriden. Official Web site: www.augustrushmovie.com
Enchanted-Disney pokes a little fun at itself in this part live-action, part animated-fantasy comedy about a princess (Amy Adams) who is banished from her magical fairy tale land (the animated part) and thrown into the real world, specifically Manhattan (the, well, you know, other part). Enchanted also stars James Marsden, Idina Menzel, Susan Sarandon and Patrick Dempsey and was directed by Kevin Lima (102 Dalmatians). Official Web site: www.enchantedmovie.com
I'm Not There-Five, count 'em five actors (Christian Bale, Richard Gere, Heath Ledger, Ben Whishaw and Cate Blanchett) portray legendary singer Bob Dylan at various stages in his life in this biopic. I'm Not There was directed by Todd Haynes (Far From Heaven). Official Web site: Coming soon
The Mist-Those with phobias of light precipitation (you know who you are) will want to steer clear of this horror flick from the mind of Stephen King and the direction of King regular Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption). If The Fog wasn't scary enough for you then this tale of a military research project that goes wrong and produces a vapor hiding vicious, attack-prone creatures should be right up your alley. Personally I'm holding out for The Light Drizzle. The Mist stars Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden, Laurie Holden, Andre Braugher and Toby Jones. Official Web site: www.themist-movie.com
This Christmas-Arriving a bit too early for its title works double duty as a release date, this dramedy tells the tale of the Whitfield family who, for better and worse, all return home for the holidays, bringing all their differences and emotional baggage with them. This Christmas stars Laz Alonso, Delroy Lindo, Mekhi Phifer, Chris Brown, Loretta Devine, Idris Elba and Regina King and was directed by Preston A. Whitmore II (Crossover). Official Web site: Coming Soon
Cassandra's Dream-Director Wood Allen (Match Point) brings us this crime thriller (oh good, another crime thriller) about two brothers living in London (Colin Ferrell and Ewan McGregor) whose dire financial situations (and the arrival of a bewitching femme fatale) cause them to turn to a life of crime. Cassandra's Dream also stars Tom Wilkinson, Hayley Atwell and Sally Hawkins. Official Web site: Coming soon
Flawless-Michael Caine and Demi Moore co-star in this crime drama about two disillusioned middle class people who team up to steal diamonds from their employer. Flawless also stars Lambert Wilson, Joss Ackland and Constantine Gregory and was directed by Michael Radford (The Merchant of Venice). Official Web site: Coming soon
Pathology-In this thriller a group of fiendishly bored med students devise a contest to see who can plot the perfect murder. It makes the acts of the docs-in-training in Flatliners seem timid by comparison-heck they were just killing themselves. Pathology stars Milo Ventimiglia, Lauren Lee Smith, Johnny Whitworth, Alyssa Milano and Keir O'Donnell and was directed by Marc Schoelermann. Official Web site: Coming soon
Thomas Kinkade's The Christmas Cottage-Peter O'Toole heads up this picturesque (get it?) drama that tells the (more or less) true story behind the famous painting of the title, which was inspired by the artist's mother possibly losing their family home. Thomas Kinkade's The Christmas Cottage also stars Jared Padalecki, Marcia Gay Harden, Aaron Ashmore and Richard Burgi and was directed by Michael Campus. Official Web site: Coming soon
Crossing Over-I know, it sounds like a ghost story, but it's not. We're just talking a border here, not an ethereal plane. A pre-Indy 4 Harrison Ford stars along with Ashley Judd in this drama that focuses on immigrants living in Los Angeles who struggle with gaining legal U.S. citizenship. Crossing Over also stars Alice Braga, Ray Liotta and Summer Bishil and was directed by Wayne Kramer (The Cooler). Official Web site: Coming soon
Well that's it for now. Tune in again near the end of November for the Holiday Movie Preview to finish out the year. As always, dates are subject to change without notice. Happy movie going!
ooo
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