First impressions of upcoming movies, based on trailer (Click on the title to watch the high-resolution trailer: You may need QuickTime for most). Release dates are subject to change. --Ellen
Twilight (final trailer) (dir. Catherine Hardwicke): So a little over a month before its release, Summit has released the final trailer for this much-anticipated film, which blends both the romance aspect (finally, a kiss!) and the action seen in the previous trailer. For fans of the books, the smooch is probably worth the replay alone. I'm a little worried about Robert Pattinson's well-cast but little-emoting Edward. Yes, I get that he's a vampire, cold-skinned and very controlled, but there's a fine line between simmering and flat acting. (or maybe it's the dialogue sampled here). I'm hopeful it's not the latter. (Nov. 21)
Revolutionary Road (dir. Sam Mendes): The reunion of Leo & Kate (how cute is it that they're such buddies in real life?) turn it all on its head playing an embittered couple once passionately in love now living in suburbia, punching the clock, making birthday cakes and squabbling. Directed by Winslet's husband Sam Mendes (American Beauty), this looks about as comfortable as watching your own parents fight day in and day out. But two of the most interesting actors with proven screen chemistry in the roles? Argue away. (Dec. 26)
Yes Man (dir. Peyton Reed): Jim Carrey's back; didya miss him? Well, if you recall the glory days circa 1994-1999 when he was the most bankable comedy star, you'll also recall his monster hit Liar Liar in which he found himself unable to lie. This film feels very similar, except it's based on a true story of a man who decides to live a little and say "yes" to everything--that includes attending a Harry Potter party in costume and learning Korean--for an entire year. Releasing as Oscar counterprogramming (we assume), it'll be interesting to see if Carrey makes an impact on on the box office, or if fans are in no mood to walk down memory lane in theaters. (Dec. 19)
Notorious (dir. George Tillman Jr.): Dangit, that Duran Duran song (used over the title credits) is still catchy. Anyway,
the Notorious B.I.G., aka Christopher Wallace, aka Biggie Smalls, was a
hugely successful rapper best known for his role in the East Coast vs.
West Coast feud, including a well-known dispute with Tupac Shakur. His
life was cut short when he was gunned down in his car in 1997 at the
age of 24 (the case has not been solved). Newcomer Jamal Woolard plays Wallace in this biopic that traces his childhood in Brooklyn, his friendship with Sean "P. Diddy" Combs (Derek Luke), whose brief appearance in the trailer is striking), his feud with Shakur (Anthony Mackie), his marriage to Faith Evans (Antonique Smith) and affair with Lil' Kim (Naturi Naughton). Angela Basset plays his mom Voletta, and, as indicated in the trailer, his music will be front and center. (Jan. 16)
The International (dir. Tom Tykwer): Clive Owen
channels his coulda-been-James Bond (indeed he was once rumored the
front-runner for the role) in this conspiracy thriller about taking
down the world's largest... bank--albeit, a bank that kills people and
buys missiles from China. Naomi Watts' role here is unclear (other than running alongside our grizzled hero), but we're excited that Run Lola Run helmer Tykwer is in charge. Hopefully for Owen, this means something to make us forget Shoot 'Em Up. (Feb. 2009)
As a person really excited for the upcoming Twilight film, I'm highly disappointed in the new movie poster released today (right). This does nothing to evoke the themes of the film, plus Robert Pattinson looks like Jason Priestley if he were carved out of limestone somewhere far, far away from Beverly Hills and the beach.
Needless to say, it does not improve upon the first poster (left), which had a dreamier Edward (Pattinson) hovering/protecting over Bella (Kristen Stewart) instead of looking like they were Photoshop-ed together. What do you think, Twilight fans?
Stay tuned: the new trailer debuts on Friday. -- Ellen
It's our final preliminary round of voting. Please check out our Amazon Election page
to vote for your favorite movie president. In this bracket is our presidents in crisis. They fight aliens, they save the world, they clock out some terrorists. You contributed
to the final list of contenders, and now you can make your voice heard
for the winner! Pick from:
Harrison Ford as President James Marshall in Air Force One
Bill Pullman as President Thomas J. Whitmore in Independence Day
Morgan Freeman as President Tom Beck in Deep Impact
Peter Sellers as President Merkin Muffley in Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
Mary McDonnell as President Laura Roslin in Battlestar Galactica
Dennis Haysbert as President David Palmer in 24
Jack Nicholson as President James Dale in Mars Attacks! Tuesday begins our own primaries. The top vote getters in each bracket will face off until we're down to two candidates. -- Ellen
First impressions of upcoming movies, based on trailer (Click on the title to watch the high-resolution trailer: You may need QuickTime for most). Release dates are subject to change. --Ellen
Doubt (dir. John Patrick Shanley): Based on a Tony-winning play, Meryl Streep stars as a nun who suspects a priest (Philip Seymour Hoffman) of molesting a boy and sets out to ruin his name without evidence. Amy Adams co-stars as a young nun who follows, then questions, Streep's convictions. Streep, who was sunned and singing in the Greek isles this summer in Mamma Mia!, now sneers behind a bonnet like the Wicked Witch of the West. Seeing her and Hoffman yell at each other is a breath of fresh air after the past month of summer druthers. (Dec. 5)
Four Christmases (dir. Seth Gordon): Reese Withspoon's first comedy since 2005's Just Like Heaven teams her up with Vince Vaughn as a couple who normally avoid their divorced parents for Christmas but must visit all four when their vacation plans go sour. We love Robert Duvall as Vaughn's dad and Jon Favreau as his mohawked, UFC-fighting brother, and really hope this is not one of those cases where all the funny bits are in the trailer. (Nov. 26)
Changeling (dir. Clint Eastwood): Not a feel-good movie by any means, this latest from Clint Eastwood follows the true-life tale of a 1928 kidnapping of a 9-year-old boy and his mother (Angelina Jolie), who was sent to a psychiatric ward for claiming the boy the police returned was not her son. Is it police corruption? Conspiracy? Or Oscar gold? (Oct. 24)
The Soloist (dir. Joe Wright): Nathaniel Anthony Ayers (Jamie Foxx) was a Julliard-educated cellist who was found playing on the street (with missing strings) by a reporter (Robert Downey Jr.). Inspirational or cheese-tastic? This true story reads like perfect Oscar material for Foxx, who won the Oscar for Ray, but most of the emotional scenes belong to Downey. Wright (Atonement, Pride & Prejudice) directs his first film without Keira Knightley. (Nov. 21)
Milk (dir. Gus Van Sant): Sean Penn's last acting job, the critically hyped--then pounded--All the King's Men,
did not serve him well. But this next go-round as a politician looks
promising: Penn plays Harvey Milk, the first ever openly gay elected
official. This civil-rights drama, based on Milk's run for office in
San Francisco, includes James Franco as his lover and Josh Brolin as the city supervisor opposed to him. It's also Van Sant's first major studio film since 2000's Finding Forrester. (Nov. 26)
What it is: Iron Manon Blu-ray and DVD. For those of you who have been
living under a rock for the past
year Iron Man, a Marvel Comics adaption, is about Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), an extremely rich weapons developer, who after being captured by terrorists, finds that his weapons aren't exactly being used for just causes. Putting his weapon building experience to good use, he develops a metal suit, escapes, then devotes his life to righting the wrongs his weapons have caused. Also featuring Jeff Bridges, Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard and directed by Jon Favreau.
Why it's significant: If there is one movie release on DVD in September (more like all of 2008) which warrants an excuse to buy that Blu-ray player you’ve been putting off, it is Iron Man
. Girlfriends, Wives,and Fiancés will forgive you once they see Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark tearing up the skies, his garage, and terrorists. If you’ve already upgraded to Hi Def heaven, then
owning this movie is a no-brainer. What better way is there to show off your home entertainment system’s capabilities than the incredible action sequences of a driven and not-so-humble super hero? Of Course, for those of you who have a mortgage, are still waiting to win the state lottery, or aren’t trust fund babies, Iron Man is also available on Standard Def DVD. It just won’t impress your neighbors… as much. --Mike
Why It's Significant:Sex and the City: The Movie was one of the most anticipated movies of the year to SATC fans and females alike, rarely does a movie live up to such hype. Watching this movie was like curing up in your sweats, poppin some popcorn and watching a marathon of the hit HBO series in the comfort of your own home and with your best friends. The plot was engaging and rolled at a tempo similar to the show, slowly drawing you in and making you not want it to end. The movie was stylish, romantic, sentimental and fun.
When we return to the characters almost five years later we are introduced to Carrie and Big poised to make a big commitment, Charlotte and Harry have an addition to their family, Miranda and Steve facing a potential breakdown of their marriage and Samantha pondering if a long-term relationship is something she truly wants. The cast is dead on, each embracing all the elements that have made them who we know. Great New York scenes, one incredible New York apartment, fashion that walks on its own, 5 inch heels, and warm relationships keep this movie true to Sex and the City form. - Sara Lange
Vexing news for Harry Potter fans! Just arrived in my inbox is a press release that Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is going to hit theaters on July 17, 2009, not November 21, 2008 as originally scheduled. In the press release, Alan Horn, President and Chief Operating Officer, Warner Bros., says, "Our reasons for shifting Half-Blood Prince to summer are twofold: we know the summer season is an ideal window for a family tent pole release, as proven by the success of our last Harry Potter film, which is the second-highest grossing film in the franchise, behind only the first installment. Additionally, like every other studio, we are still feeling the repercussions of the writers’ strike, which impacted the readiness of scripts for other films—changing the competitive landscape for 2009 and offering new windows of opportunity that we wanted to take advantage of. We agreed the best strategy was to move Half-Blood Prince to July, where it perfectly fills the gap for a major tent pole release for mid-summer." There's no announcement yet on the Harry Potter site, but their trailer page does show "In Theaters July 17, 2009." --David
Continuing our series of Essentials*, here's our Essential Sequels. Here's what our writer said:
Hollywood loves sequels. They are easier films to market and have an
already built-in audience. The downside: One can go to the well once
too often (Leprechaun 5: Leprechaun in the Hood). But the upside
is when art and commerce are both gloriously served. These Essential
Sequels took great movies to the next level. Primal sagas were
expanded, and iconic characters more fully explored. In some cases,
thrill rides were upgraded to extreme entertainments. This genre often
gets a bad rap by critics who bemoan Hollywood's seeming lack of
original ideas. These classics give sequels a good name.
* "Essential" is not the same as "best," so these are not
top 10 lists, but more a library-building guide that samples the significant DVDs from a genre, a
decade, or a career.
Four Christmases
Vexing news for Harry Potter fans! Just arrived in my inbox is a press release that 