LiC 2008 Fall Forecast: October
Philip Seymour Hoffman and Samantha Morton in
Charlie Kaufman’s Synecdoche, New York
Moving right along with the Fall Forecast. Here’s what’s coming up in October. Once again, all dates are subject to change based on studio whim. LiC’s picks are starred.
October 3
An American Carol. I love Airplane! as much as anyone, but David Zucker’s name hasn’t been attached to a decent movie since the first Naked Gun 20 years ago and even that one was overrated. Here’s another twist on Dickens’ A Christmas Carol where a Michael Moore-like documentarian is instilled with love of his country by a series of patriotic ghosts. Politics aside, agendas are rarely funny and this sounds awful. Kelsey Grammer, Jon Voight, Leslie Nielson, James Woods and Dennis Hopper star. Smirking tool Bill O’Reilly has a cameo. Trailer
Beverly Hills Chihuahua. Another wretched talking animal comedy from Disney. This one’s about a spoiled Chihuahua who gets lost in Mexico and must find her way back to Beverly Hills. The trailer alone makes my teeth hurt.
*Blindness [originally scheduled for a 9/26 limited release] Fernando Meirelles’ psychological drama about an epidemic of blindness premiered to yawns at Cannes, but I’m holding out hope. Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo star.
Flash of Genius. Greg Kinnear stars in this true-life story of the man who invented the intermittent automobile wiper blade only to be betrayed by the auto industry. Can he fight Goliath in court without destroying his family at home? Lauren Graham (Bad Santa, TV’s Gilmore Girls) also stars. Sounds like Capra-esque Oscar bait.
How to Lose Friends and Alienate People. Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead) stars in this comedy based on the memoir by Toby Young about a British celebrity journalist hired to an upscale New York magazine. Pegg is good so hopefully this fish out of water comedy delivers. Gillian Anderson, Jeff Bridges, Kirsten Dunst, Megan Fox and Danny Huston also star. Trailer
Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Accidental couple Michael Cera and Kat Dennings spend a New York night trying to find a secret show by their favorite band in this romantic comedy. I like Cera in everything he’s done starting with Arrested Development, but I’m looking for him to play someone besides the awkward sensitive guy. Trailer
*Rachel Getting Married (NY, LA) In this comedy drama from Jonathan Demme, Anne Hathaway is the black sheep of the family who returns home for her sister’s wedding and turns everything upside down. There is no dysfunction quite as entertaining as family dysfunction and I find stories like this irresistible. After a great early career, Demme hasn’t hit a fiction feature out of the park since Silence of the Lambs so I’m rooting for this one. It also looks like Hathaway will finally be given a chance to shine and perhaps prove she’s more than just a pretty face. Trailer
*Religulous (Limited). Smug asshole Bill Maher describes Religulous as an unscripted comedy rather than a documentary. Whatever you want to call it, Larry Charles (Borat) directs as Bill travels the world exploring different aspects of spirituality, God and religion. In a world where people still kill in the name of their god, I hope Bill nails this one and that it’s more than just an ego driven exercise in snark preaching to the converted. Trailer
What Just Happened? Barry Levinson must have been asking himself the same question when his Hollywood satire got clobbered at Sundance. I hope the early cynics were wrong because Hollywood is ripe for mocking. Based on the memoir by Art Linson, What Just Happened? stars Robert De Niro as an aging, oft-divorced movie producer whose career is in a downward death spiral and the movie meant to save him is beset with problems. Also starring: Catherine Keener, Stanley Tucci, Robin Wright Penn, Sean Penn, Kristen Stewart, John Turturro, and Bruce Willis. Trailer
October 8
RocknRolla (NY, LA, Toronto. Wide 10/31). Another exercise in style and attitude set among London gangster society by Mr. Madonna, Guy Ritchie (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels). Millions of dollars are ripe for the taking and all manner of lowlifes come out of the woodwork to grab it. Call it A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad London Underworld. Trailer
October 10
*Ashes of Time Redux (NY, LA). Wong Kar Wai has reworked his martial arts picture Ashes of Time starring Leslie Cheung and Tony Leung. It played to good notices at Cannes and now it hits US shores. Having never seen the original, I’m looking forward to this one. Trailer
Body of Lies. Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe star in the Ridley Scott film written by William Monahan. DiCaprio plays a CIA agent who infiltrates a Jordanian terrorist cell. Crap hits the fan and much intense conversation via cell phone ensues. The 2nd trailer for this one was an improvement over the first, but it all feels achingly familiar. Trailers
*The Brothers Bloom. [Moved to December 19] Trailer
City of Ember. Directed by Gil Kenan (Monster House) and scripted by Caroline Thompson (The Nightmare Before Christmas) from a children’s book by Jeanne DuPrau, City of Ember is a fantasy adventure about two teens who must save their once gloriously lit city from going dark. It stars Toby Jones, Martin Landau, Tim Robbins, Saorise Ronan, Bill Murray and others. Trailer
The Express. Oh hey look. Another inspirational sports drama I can ignore. This one’s about the Ernie Davis, the first African-American recipient of the Heisman Trophy. Dennis Quaid stars, though I’m assuming he hasn’t pulled a Robert Downy Jr. in order to play the Heisman winner. Trailer
*Happy-Go-Lucky (Limited) Mike Leigh (Naked, Secrets and Lies) brings a lighter than usual approach to this story of an unfailingly optimistic schoolteacher named Poppy (Sally Hawkins). Her glowing worldview is challenged on all sides when her bicycle is stolen and she must take driving lessons from stern instructor Eddie Marsan. Trailer
Quarantine. American remake of the well regarded Spanish horror flick [REC] about the residents of a rundown apartment being sealed off from the outside world after a mysterious outbreak. I’ll check out the original some day, but I’ll be skipping this one. Trailer
October 17
Filth and Wisdom. I guess singing and acting isn’t enough for Madonna because now she’s writing and directing. Eugene Hutz (Everything is Illuminated) of the gypsy punk band Gogol Bordello stars in this comedy drama as a Ukrainian immigrant struggling to make it as a musician in London. Trailer
Max Payne. Stupid action videogame becomes stupid action movie starring Mark Wahlberg. Trailer
The Secret Life of Bees. Here we have your typical fall adaptation of a New York Times best selling novel all full of good intentions and literary aspirations. Dakota Fanning stars as a 14-year-old girl who runs off with Jennifer Hudson to South Carolina to learn of her deceased mother’s past. One day while out gathering flowers, she’s stung to death by a raging swarm of killer bees. OK, I just made that last part up. Queen Latifah, Sophie Okonedo, Alicia Keys and Paul Bettany also star. Trailer
W. I’m not sure why, but Oliver Stone has chosen to make a movie about the hell raising years of our 43rd president, George W. Bush. Josh Brolin stars as The Prez while Elizabeth Banks is Laura, James Cromwell is Bush I, Richard Dreyfuss is Cheney, Ellen Burstyn is Barbara, Jeffrey Wright is Colin Powell and Thandie Newton is Condoleezza Rice. It’s too late to stop the man and it’s too early for unbiased historical reflection, so what’s the point exactly? Trailer
October 24
*Changeling (Limited. Wide 10/31). Oscar love aside, Clint Eastwood’s recent output has left much to be desired. Nevertheless, he still gets the benefit of a doubt from LiC. Based on a true story, this ’20s period drama stars Angelina Jolie as a woman whose son is kidnapped. When the boy is returned to her, she begins to believe he isn’t really her son.
Crossing Over. When I first heard about this one, I thought it was the story of John Edwards, the asshole who milks grieving family members of their money by purporting to talk to dead people. Alas, no. Turns out it’s a drama from Wayne Kramer (The Cooler, Running Scared) about immigration enforcement vs. illegal immigrants along the US/Mexico border. Harrison Ford, Ray Liotta and Sean Penn star.
High School Musical 3: Senior Year. Thank God I’m childless. I had no idea this even existed until racy pictures of that little tartlet Vanessa Hudgens started popping up all over the Internet. Even then, I just thought it was a TV show. Do I have to see 1 and 2 to understand what’s going on with 3?
Pride and Glory. Greg Evigan is Ray Pride and Priscilla Barnes is Liz Glory. Together, they’re Pride and Glory. Two badges, one bed. NBC Tuesdays! Ok, this isn’t really a bad TV show from 1983. Instead it’s a multi-generational cop drama with Edward Norton, Colin Farrell and Jon Voight. One brother investigates another and cop-family sparks fly. Nary an Evigan nor a Barnes to be found.
Saw V. Ok, here’s what I wrote during last year’s fall forecast regarding Saw IV. “Seriously, even the people who liked the first one are tired of these, right?” Turns out I was wrong. Since it went on to make nearly $140 million worldwide, I admit I overestimated the intelligence of a large number of movie fans.
*Synecdoche, New York (NY, LA) Screenwriter Charlie Kaufman (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) sits down in the director’s chair for the first time for Synecdoche, New York. Here’s another movie in full LiC blackout mode so I can’t tell you anything about it except that Philip Seymour Hoffman is in it and that I’ll be there opening day.
October 31
*Zack and Miri Make a Porno. Kevin Smith directs Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks in a comedy about two best friends who decide that the best way to make ends meet is to film an adult movie. With all that sex in the air, will they be inspired to become more than just friends? Of course they will.
Up next: November
Filed under: Previews
Tags: Adrien Brody, Alicia Keys, An American Carol, Angelina Jolie, Anne Hathaway, Ashes of Time, Ashes of Time Redux, Barry Levinson, Bill Maher, Bill Murray, Body of Lies, Bruce Willis, Caroline Thompson, Catherine Keener, Changeling, Charlie Kaufman, City of Ember, Clint Eastwood, Colin Farrell, Crossing Over, Dakota Fanning, Danny Huston, David Zucker, Dennis Hopper, Dennis Quaid, Eddie Marsan, Edward Norton, Elizabeth Banks, Ellen Burstyn, Eugene Hutz, Filth and Wisdom, Gil Kenan, Gillian Anderson, Gogol Bordello, Guy Ritchie, Happy-Go-Lucky, Harrison Ford, High School Musical 3: Senior Year, How to Lose Friends and Alienate People, James Cromwell, James Woods, Jeanne DuPrau, Jeff Bridges, Jeffrey Wright, Jennifer Hudson, John Turturro, Jon Voight, Jonathan Demme, Josh Brolin, Kat Dennings, Kelsey Grammer, Kevin Smith, Kirsten Dunst, Kristen Stewart, Larry Charles, Leonardo DiCaprio, Leslie Cheung and Tony Leung, Leslie Nielson, Madonna, Mark Ruffalo, Martin Landau, Max Payne, Megan Fox, Michael Cera, Mike Leigh, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, Oliver Stone, Paul Bettany, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Pride and Glory, Quarantine, Queen Latifah, Rachel Getting Married, Rachel Weisz, Ray Liotta, Religulous, Rian Johnson, Richard Dreyfuss, Ridley Scott, Rinko Kikuchi, Robbie Coltrane, Robert De Niro, Robin Wright Penn, RocknRolla, Russell Crowe, Sally Hawkins, Samantha Morton, Saorise Ronan, Saw V, Sean Penn, Seth Rogen, Simon Pegg, Sophie Okonedo, Stanley Tucci, Synecdoche New York, Thandie Newton, The Brothers Bloom, The Express, The Secret Life of Bees, Tim Robbins, Toby Jones, Toby Young, Vanessa Hudgens, W., Wayne Kramer, What Just Happened?, Wong Kar Wai, Zack and Miri Make a Porno, [REC]
Related Posts: - Weekend Forecast: 2/22/08
- Weekend Forecast: 6/29/07
- Weekend Forecast: 10/16/08
- Weekend Forecast: 10/2/08
- Fall/Winter Part 2: October
I was with you on all your star selections until we got to October 31. I’m so tired of anything related to Kevin Smith that this movie will have to get rave reviews from the LIC crowd before I will bother showing up. I’m glad he pushed the MPAA over their NC-17 rating of the film but beyond that, I don’t care.
Most excited for Brothers Bloom and Synecdoche, New York, but I also am fully aware that both could be less than perfect.
As a horror fan, it’s depressing to see that, once again, the other studios are giving Lions Gate the gift of no competition against Saw V. Two horror movies all month = pent-up demand and money just left on the table for the schlockmeisters to collect.
On the plus side, it’ll be pleasant to see An American Carol bomb big-time.
Of this group I will still speculate that the Scott and Eastwood films remain the most anticipated. As is easy enough to see, the lion’s share is lackluster.
Do I have to see 1 and 2 to understand what’s going on with 3?
I wouldn’t bother with any of the three if I were you, Craig.
Well, I’m of course looking forward to the work of PSH again this year, Synecdoche, New York and Doubt (featuring La Streep as well). I’ll be checking out Changeling as well. If I remember correctly they loved that one at Cannes. We’ll see if it lives up to it.
Like you I’ll be glad to see Hathaway in something meatier where she can prove that she’s more than just a pretty face. And being a fan of Tony Leung I will be checking out that movie as well. :-)
Saw V? Really? Didn’t the concept get old by II?
What exactly about Eastwood’s recent output has left much to be desired?
“Clint Eastwood’s recent output has left much to be desired.”
Huh? Did I miss something? MDB and FoOF were a little too precious and nostalgic for their own good, but they were both solid, engaging films. Letters was one of my favorite films of ‘06. Solid performances and confident storytelling directed through translators. Pretty damned impressive.
I don’t think Changeling is the Oscar racehorse most people are expecting, but that doesn’t mean it will be a bad film, just like FoOF, Josey Wales or Play Misty for Me weren’t bad films.
I’m also looking forward to The Brothers Bloom and Pride and Glory, but it’s looking like a fairly weak October.
BTW… Ditto Body of Lies. Ridley Scott should slow down and give us something of grade A quality instead of slumming it in blatant Oscar bait.
I love The Outlaw Josey Wales.
Eastwood always seems to stir passionate responses one way or the other. For me, I couldn’t agree more that he’s left me wanting.
For me, Flags was a huge disappointment, a meandering narrative disaster weighed down by far too much preaching to the choir on race, patriotism, and war-is-hell cliches. Mystic River was a movie that I wanted to like, but it kept me at arm’s length, especially with that odd out-of-nowhere Macbeth-esque ending. MDB and Letters were both movies I liked at the time I saw them, but I have little interest in ever revisiting either one and the further I get from them, the less enthusiastic I am for either.
I love Unforgiven, but since that film Eastwood hasn’t directed much that’s left an impression on me. Other folks will have different takes on this, that’s mine.
mmm . . . Synechdoce New York
For me, FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS was topped in 2006 only by CHILDREN OF MEN. LETTERS was great as well. MDB is the only one that didn’t light me on fire, but it isn’t bad. Clint’s recent output is in a whole different world from his work in the late 90s/early 2000s, like SPACE COWBOYS and BLOOD WORK.
Eh. Quit your beefing, Mr. Kennedy. You’d be a great dad.
Unless I’m mistaken, August 26 is Mr. Sam Juliano’s birthday. Happy Birthday, Sam.
Yeah, I’m definitely with Craig. Mr. Eastwood can be a decent director. But he rarely comes up with anything astonishing, I thought that UNFORGIVEN, MYSTIC RIVER (EXCEPT for the superb acting of SEAN PENN and LAURA LINNEY), FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS and LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA were all consistently bland and boring.
I think the only pictures that he’s made that I have any enthusiasm for are PLAY MISTY FOR ME, MILLION DOLLAR BABY and MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD & EVIL. Well, at least he’s a better director than actor.
As for these selections…
I actually saw the trailer for BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA (on one of the screens in the lobby of the movie theatre) and it made me laugh out loud. Definitely makes you roll your eyes and think, “Now I’ve seen everything.’ I won’t be attending though.
HOW TO LOSE FRIENDS & ALIENATE PEOPLE, NICk & NORA’S INFINITE PLAYLIST and RACHEL GETTING MARRIED could be decent. But they don’t exactly make me hum like a tuning fork.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED has one hell of a cast and BARRY LEVINSON (where has he been?) is incredibly talented. I liked the trailer. But now everyone’s saying that it’s a real mess. Makes me wary.
After MY BLUEBERRY NIGHTS, I’ve been cheerfully converted to the cult of WONG KAR WAI. But ASHES OF TIME REDUX is not really ringing my bell.
I’m a BIG RUSSELL CROWE fan. However, BODY OF LIES looks like so much been there done that.
THE BROTHERS BLOOM certainly appears intriguing. (Yeah. FInally…) I didn’t like BRICK (AT ALL) so I’m hoping RIAN JOHNSON won’t louse this up. But it has a very interesting story, along with ADRIEN BRODY, RACHEL WEISZ and MARK RUFFALO. Could be fun
CITY OF EMBER (despite the presence of BILL MURRAY and the brilliant SAOIRSE RONAN) is actually a kids’ movie, right? Um…NO.
The buzz is beginning to build for SALLY HAWKINS in HAPPY GO LUCKY - and people are actually talking about this film. Maybe she’s the fresh surprise that we’ve all been waiting for?
Hmmm….I didn’t know RICHARD DREYFUSS was in W. Still not buying it, though.
As an admirer of ANGELINA JOLIE, let’s just say I’m skeptical about THE CHANGELING. Until the megawatt publicity around her cools down, I can’t see her getting another Oscar nomination. Somehow I doubt that that keeps her up nights.
Though I adored ETERNAL SUNSHINE, I’m not jazzed for SYNEDOCHE. I don’t think that CHARLIE KAUFMAN possesses the keys to the Holy Grail. We don’t have the same sensibilites. That’s for sure.
None of these are must sees for me. Oh, well…
*stifles huge yawn*
.
Matthew, I was secretly hoping you’d illuminate Flags for me in such a way that I’d see it differently. It just didn’t resonate for me at all and aggravated me for most of its running time.
On the other hand, I agree that Children of Men was the best film of that year.
AN AMERICAN CAROL looks like the comedy hit of the year.
FLAGS really resonated me because it was so much more than what it was expected to be. It’s first and foremost a study of heroism, and what makes a hero.
From my original review:
“It is a complex and evocative film, and Eastwood’s sure and steady hand explores the dichotomy between the public’s idea of heroism and the soldier’s view of war. By cutting back and forth between present day, the men’s journeys across America and the battle itself, Eastwood - at last given an epic canvas on which to paint - draws a searing and deeply moving portrait of war and the men who fight it.
“Flags” is a rare film. It neither glorifies nor sentimentalizes war. It paints a grim picture, reminiscent of classic war films like “All Quiet on the Western Front.” It is also not a simple case of black and white - good and evil. There are many ambiguities here. As one character says near the beginning, people want things to be that simple - good guys and bad guys - but it never is.”
http://www.the-dispatch.com/article/20061026/NEWS/610260306
It moved me more than any other films that year, save CHILDREN OF MEN. I think it is a far deeper, more complex film than it is given credit for. I think most people looked at it and saw just another WWII film, but failed to look beneath the surface, which is where its true brilliance lies.
I third the Children of Men sentiment. A film that distilled the true purpose of science fiction: to inform and be informed by the anxieties of the present. It had an impressive visual and technical style, but everything came down characters surviving in a soup of dysfunction that we’re on the precipice of falling into today.
Flags felt a little bloated. Eastwood normally has a great deal of focus and restraint, but he tried to convey too much in that film. And a lot of the themes are old hat at this point in war films — valid, but far too easy to dismiss as cliche.
It also lacked a character you could latch onto. Just as you started to follow one character, you’d be jerked into a different perspective or an entirely different era. These aren’t necessarily bad things, but I think that’s why there’s few die hard supporters of the film. In Letters he provided character arcs that were easier to follow (the grunt, the general, the baron).
October looks to be just awesome. Lucky you all.
Speaking only for myself and the monkeys, an Eastwood film hasn’t really grabbed me for a long time. Just a personal opinion.
You’re in for a long boring rest of the year Miranda. Me? I’m excited. Call me an optimist.
Well Matthew, you make eloquent points as always and although I want to see it that way, W.J.’s comments sum up all my frustrations with the film. I could see what Eastwood wanted to get at but I never had a character or setting I could sink my teeth into. It aggravated me to no end, especially since Eastwood had all the resources imaginable at his fingertips.
To me, Flags felt like the film he had to make in order to get the studio to pony up for Letters, which was the film he really wanted to make. It was frustrating that the film didn’t grab me because Eastwood was getting at some issues (as you’ve mentioned) that I think could have easily resonated more strongly.
But I’ll grant you that few films really try to delve into these issues and rarely do it well.
Discussing Flags of Our Fathers and the gulf between its ambitious intentions and the unfortunate execution thereof is appropriate since we have been sort of discussing an arguably similar situation with Woody Allen’s latest here in the last few days (mainly vis-a-vis the narration that I think was in part from the same cloth as the docu-drama form of Husbands and Wives).
Flags of Our Fathers had some fine moments dotting its running time, but it was also jarring and frustrating, with an excessively elusive core incongruently coupled with some distinctly brusque visual cues (like that strawberry syrup or whatever poured on the dessert “soldiers,” yeesh)… It just never came together. As W.J. says, for one thing Eastwood was never able to settle down with the characters, something that he usually does, and still excels at.
Alison, The Outlaw Josey Wales is indeed fabulous.
I’m expecting Changeling to be a solid work with some good performances.
Speaking of Eastwood, the buzz for Gran Torino has sure died down. Is that now definitely a 2009 release? I can’t keep up with all these things. That’s what the LiC monkeys are for–right, Craig?
October looks like a strange brew of films. Even if it’s horrible, W will stir interest and controversy. Probably not as much as Stone would like it to, but still. Changeling should usher in the almost yearly speculation of how many Oscars an Eastwood film will take hom. Synecdoche, New York… Well, I’m excited.
Craig, you’re talking to a dark hearted, emerald eyed Irish woman.
There is not an ounce of optimism to be found in this tempestuous nature.
But lest I come across as too cool for school or wickedly blase, let me assure you that neither is the case.
I think that the summer of 2008 (film wise) was absolutely remarkable.
True, I loathed two movies that everyone and their dog seemed to love (IRON MAN and THE DARK KNIGHT). But there was an untold amount of riches that I didn’t see coming: DECEPTION, THE VISITOR, GET SMART, PRICELESS and WANTED.
On top of that, I also viewed three motion pictures that I can honestly state will ALWAYS be all time favourites of mine: MY BLUEBERRY NIGHTS, BRIDESHEAD REVISITED and VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA.
When does THAT ever happen?
More to the point, when does that ever happen in the summer…?
So it’s not that I’m irrevocably jaded. Not quite yet.
I will see some of these fall offerings. Maybe more of them than I anticipate. I am a regular cinema patron after all.
It depends on things like reviews (though I attempt to keep that to a minimum now that I write my own), word of mouth and awards buzz.
It’s simply that this group (and September’s) just aren’t grabbing me at this juncture. The rest of the year may be horrificly mediocre. But I strongly suspect that there will be some gems in the mix. I just don’t know which ones they will turn out to be at this point.
No matter. There’s more to life than movies and the internet.
Or at least that’s what I hear…
I’m interested in seeing what Maher does with Religulous, although I typically don’t have much patience for the man or his very particular brand of snark.
Perhaps we need to get closer to these films and begin to hear what word of mouth might be buzzing around them, but I am just not that excited about any of them. Certain films like Changeling and Synedoche sound intriguing, but at this moment they feel more like future obligations.
I’m I the only one that feels this way?
Excited to hear your report on November, Craig. I thought about doing something like this at MZ but then figured why try to repeat what you’re already doing a fantastic job with.
Now just mention Taken and I’ll be a happy camper. :)
You know, compared to the last few years, I just don’t see that much to get excited about this fall, relatively. But I’m glad to see fall arrive anyway. I can’t wait for the heat to break.
I’ve actually seen one of these already. So I’m ahead of the ballgame.
Rachel Getting Married has pretty darn good buzz. But that has to be the worst name change in film history. From the intriguing, although admittedly obscure Dancing with Shiva to something so plain and descriptive. And what’s with the “Getting.” Why not Rachel’s Wedding?
Someone gave Jennifer Hudson a non-singing part? Ay yi yi.
I think you people are selling Hollywood short! I’m as excited about October as I was for September. Maybe I’ve just been jonesing for something more substantive than the summer action/superhero/comic book/man-children/stoner fare that we’ve had since Iron Man on May 2nd. Not that it wasn’t a decent summer, but ugh, let’s get this Oscar train rolling.
Besides, the number of sequels is significantly lower, and we have some big names making a splash (Kaufman, Eastwood, Coen, Stone) with intriguing projects.
Alexander, I think Gran Torino is still regarded an unslotted 2008 release, but that could just be until they decide on an official date. At this point, 2009 seems likely to me.
I’m pretty much with Daniel on the excitement level and I haven’t even mentioned Benjamin Button or Milk yet.
Last year, beyond my big three of Darjeeling, No Country and There Will Be Blood, all of which left me a very happy camper in retrospect, I’m trying to remember what I was really excited about. I’ll have to go back and read last year’s fall forecast.
So far though, fall looks solid to me with at least one movie a week I’m looking forward to. Things could all go horribly wrong and/or there could be some unexpected surprises. Either way I’m going to remain optimistic until I have reason not to.
Also, I’m barely even acknowledging some of the limited releases that are coming out. There are a handful or two of those probably worth mentioning in their own column.
I don’t know if I could blog if I looked down the road and saw nothing worth liking.
It’s strange because anyone who has known me more than a few years will tell you I used to be much more cynical. I’d think as a person gets older, they’d get more cynical. It still crops up in my particular slant on humor, but in reality I tend to hope for the best. Life is too short and full of too much gloom in the here and now to want to see it in the future as well.
Is that last bit a quote from Wells, Craig?
Kidding…your attitude is why we’re here.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s plenty of time for hate when the films finally land with a thud, but right now we’re talking about a ski slope of virgin snow. There may be rocks underneath, but it sure looks good from here at the summit.
Wells had a pretty funny take on “Emotional Facism” regarding Happy-Go-Lucky at H-E the other day. He was overreacting because he fancies himself some kind of 21st century Paddy Chayefsky, but it was still a funny read.
That’s the spirit Craig, optimism is the way indeed. Without it, I have no idea how I would survive.
I’m not complaining that much. Take October two years ago, when The Departed, The Last King of Scotland, and Marie Antoinette opened on the same day, IIRC. Flags of Our Fathers came out later that month. There were a couple of other things that month that I don’t recall off the top of my head. That was pretty loaded. This October … eh … there a couple things in there. Not a lot of big directors this fall with interesting projects. There’s Burn After Reading this month. Down the line there’s Button, HIllcoat’s The Road, and some other things. Maybe The Changeling.
I think in recent years late September and October has turned out to be a destination for interesting projects from gifted directors. December is nowadays saved for the known Oscar bait. This year, I just don’t sense the oomph.
Oh, and Bond obviously. But are people really excited about Frost/Nixon or Doubt? I’m not.
I honestly don’t care about Frost/Nixon. The trailer makes it look just about how I figured it would look, Opie trying to make a big statement. Bleah.
Doubt, on the other hand, I am excited about. The pedigree of that picture with the three leads and the source of the story…
October ‘06 also had The Prestige, The Queen, Babel and some others… The Prestige has slowly grown on me–I still think it’s Nolan’s weakest, and Babel I’ve still yet to bother to take another look at, and I wonder if I ever will, as much as I liked Inarittu’s first two films.
Actually, looking back at October ‘06, I can’t say I find too much to love, but I found ‘06 the weakest year in a while in general.
Bottom line, though, I agree, KB, this October, while vaguely interesting for the mish-mash of different kinds of films as I mentioned in the earlier post here, doesn’t seem to promise too much, except perhaps the Kaufman.
September-October 2007 was unreal.
3:10 to Yuma, Eastern Promises, Into the Wild, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, The Darjeeling Limited, Michael Clayton, Gone, Baby Gone, Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead… And then, I was able to see There Will Be Blood and No Country for Old Men in the first week or so of November. Yowzers.
I can see in comparisons to previous years how this year might not stack up, but this is only the 2nd year I’ve really been focused on the big picture. Pre-blog my radar was much shorter range.
(Reads the last few posts, scratches head, thinks a second…reads fine print on Alexander’s post with a magnifying glass)
“Your October will vary based on location and availability.”
Half those movies didn’t open in lowly Portland until well into November. TWBB opened in January here.
(shrugs)
That’s just facism. You’re in for a bit more of the same based on some of the good movies this year that are listed as limited releases.
Luckily it looks like everyone gets Benjamin Button for Christmas.
I wasn’t excited about FROST/NIXON until I saw the trailer, now I’m pretty geared up for it.
DOUBT has been near the top of my list for a while now. Can’t wait.
I too am looking forward to Doubt because of the triumvirate of excellent casting.
Alexander, thank you for documenting my point. I didn’t end up liking or loving all the films mentioned, but I remember being excited about the prospect of seeing them. At one point, Children of Men was slated for late September or early October 2006 as well, but then got bumped to December. Do I get the same buzz about seeing Meryl Streep directed by the guy who directed Joe Versus the Volcano? It may turn out wonderfully. But I can’t say I do.
That said, there will be unexpected things that turn out to surprise me and things I fall unexpectedly in love with. ANd I’m getting pumped to see what John Hillcoat does with The Road. Speaking of 2006, The Proposition was my one of my five favorite films of that year.
John Patrick Shanley may have directed JOE VS THE VOLCANO, but he wrote DOUBT, which is an amazing play. I hope he can transfer it to the screen with the same talent.
Thanks, Alexander and others, for providing a glimpse at what was coming out last year. As I recall, many of us were creaming in our pants over 3:10 to Yuma even before it was released.
An American Carol sounds deadly, but I can see where it might attract strong business, at least on DVD.
Frost/Nixon might turn out to be good, but it certainly seems to have an Oscar glow about it that may or may not reflect across-the-board quality.
I hope Anne Hathaway, who has talent but needs the right role to play off her personality, finds something with Demme, who to my way of thinking needs material with an undercurrent of irony to really shine.
I’ll see What Just Happened mainly for Keener and Penn but don’t except a lot. Hope I’m surprised.
Will see Happy-Go-Lucky because Leigh has been interesting in the past.
Changeling has my interest to see what Jolie can do under Eastwood’s touch-feely direction.
Synedoche has me mystified.
I agree, Pierre. I’m baffled at how to pronounce “Synecdoche”. Or maybe that’s not what you were referring to…
I’m pronouncing it suh-NECK-duh-kee and taking it as a play on Schenectady….though I have no reason to believe it has anything to do with that city. It just helps me sleep at night knowing I live in an ordered, sensible universe.
I have little enthusiasm for Frost/Nixon simply because I doubt Opie can deliver the goods. I am looking forward to seeing Langella’s performance however, so I’ll likely see it.
I’m with Pierre on Hathaway. She might not turn out to have the goods, but I’m looking forward to her chance to prove it.
The trailer for Frost/Nixon looked pretty ho-hum and, although I wasn’t alive to experience the real guy, I don’t see a strong resemblance between Nixon and Langella in terms of appearance, voice and mannerism.
Opie’s not a bad director necessarily (I have no problem with Apollo 13, Ransom and a few others). He’s just the vanilla to P.T. Anderson and the Coens’ (and others) chocolate and strawberry.
I’m not particularly excited for Frost/Nixon, but I’ll probably check it out at my school’s film series next spring. For what that’s worth.
Out of all of these, only BODY OF LIES and CHANGELING look all that good. W may be, but I’ll wait for official reviews.
I admit I’m having a hard time getting excited about the Scott film, though of course I’ll be seeing it.