Weekend Forecast: 10/23/08
By Craig Kennedy - October 23rd, 2008; 12:01 am
It’s all about the limited releases this week, but let’s get the wide releases out of the way first.
- High School Musical 3: Senior Year. Being a Disney film, I’m guessing no one ends up passed out in the back of a rented limo on prom night with her dress pulled up over her head and puke in her hair. I’m just saying.
- Pride and Glory. A multi-generational police family is torn apart when one of them investigates a crime that may be linked to the sister’s husband. Jon Voight plays the cop father to Ed Norton and Colin Farrell’s cop siblings. Intriguing cast, but I’m sick to vomiting over stories of macho cops struggling with their macho cop codes of honor.
- Saw V. If you enjoyed the first four, then good luck to you. If you didn’t, there’s no need to start now. Either way, my job here is done. Fasten your seatbelts for the limited releases…
Opening in limited release:
- Synecdoche, New York. Here it is. One of the big ones. Screenwriter Charlie Kaufman (Adaptation, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) makes his directorial debut with this film I’ve managed to avoid knowing very much about but couldn’t wait to see. Now that I’ve seen it, I’m still not quite sure how to describe it. That’s not a bad thing at all. It’s going to make writing a review a bitch though. Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Samantha Morton, Emily Watson, Dianne Wiest, Hope Davis, Tom Noonan and Michelle Williams star. Recommended.
- Changeling (opens wide 10/31). Clint Eastwood directs Angelina Jolie as a woman in 1920’s Los Angeles whose son is kidnapped. When the boy is returned to her, she doesn’t believe it’s her son. I’m running hot and cold on this one and the lukewarm reviews don’t help. Still, I like the milieu and I think Jolie is underrated as an actress. We’ll see. I’m more interested in Gran Torino, the trailer for which is supposed to be playing prior to Changeling.
- I’ve Loved You So Long. Kristin Scott Thomas stars in this French film about a woman who comes to live with her younger sister after being in prison for 15 years. It premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival in February and has been getting especially good reviews ever since.
- Let the Right One In. I hesitate to categorize this fascinating Swedish coming of age tale as a vampire movie, but when one of the characters drinks blood and lives forever, what choice do you have? 12-year-old Oskar is bullied at school and neglected at home, but things start to look up for him when a strange girl moves in next door. At the same time, a series of strange murders begin to plague their quiet Stockholm suburb. Strange, tender and sometimes horrifying, Let the Right One In dials down the supernatural and the special effects in favor of a human story about a little boy eager to make friends. Recommended.
- Passengers. Anne Hathaway stars in this under-the-radar thriller as a therapist counseling the survivors of a plane crash. Things take a turn for the weird and thrillery when one of them (Patrick Wilson) begins displaying newly found supernatural powers and the others start disappearing. I don’t think it screened for critics and that’s normally not a good sign.
- Roadside Romeo. Hollywood meets Bollywood in this first ever animated co-production between the US and India. The result of all this cross-cultural goodness? Another friggin’ talking dog movie. Aside from New York, it’s only opening in a strange collection of cities including Falls Church VA, Fremont CA, Austin TX and Cary NC. Perhaps these cities have large Indian communities?
Opening in New York:
- Fear(s) of the Dark (Wed. 10/22) A decent little collection of short animated horror stories from a group of well-regarded graphic artists. Check out the 3.5-star LiC review here. Recommended.
- Stranded: I Have Come From a Plane That Crashed on the Mountain (Wed. 10/22) As told by those who lived through it, this is the true story of the 1972 plane crash in the Andes Mountains remembered mainly because the survivors were forced to cannibalize the dead in order to save their own lives. Previously fictionalized in the Frank Marshall film Alive starring Ethan Hawke.
- Dalton Trumbo’s Johnny Got His Gun. A play-on-film version of Dalton Trumbo’s 1930 novel and 1971 movie which takes place in the mind of a World War I soldier recuperating in a hospital bed after losing his arms, legs and face. I can’t wait until they turn this into a musical.
- The Universe of Keith Haring. Documentary on the famous 20th century artist featuring interviews with Andy Warhol, Tony Shafrazi, Madonna, Yoko Ono, Grace Jones and others.
- Saving Marriage. This documentary about the gay marriage fight in Massachussets has been making its way around the country and this weekend it hits New York. Regardless of your specific stand on the issue, it’s a moving documentary that makes a compelling case for acceptance and equality. Recommended.
This week’s forecast was brought to you by the number Zero which just happens to be the percentage chance I’ll see Saw V…
Filed under: Weekend Forecast
Tags: Andy Warhol, Angelina Jolie, Anne Hathaway, Catherine Keener, Changeling, Charlie Kaufman, Clint Eastwood, Colin Farrell, Dalton Trumbo, Dalton Trumbo's Johnny Got His Gun, Dianne Wiest, Ed Norton, Emily Watson, Fear(s) of the Dark, Grace Jones, High School Musical 3: Senior Year, Hope Davis, I've Loved You So Long, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jon Voight, Keith Haring, Kristin Scott Thomas, Let the Right One In, Madonna, Michelle Williams, Passengers, Patrick Wilson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Pride and Glory, Roadside Romeo, Samantha Morton, Saw V, Stranded: I have Come From a Plane That Crashed on the Mountain, Synecdoche New York, The Universe of Keith Haring, Tom Noonan, Tony Shafrazi, Yoko Ono
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I am so jealous that you already saw Synechdoche. Know when it’s coming out here?
February 5th.
Also, I’m getting more and more pissed at myself for missing Let The Right One In at the Rotterdam film fest. Reports of its awesomeness keep streaming in.
I think I might just understand everything I saw by February 5th…maybe…
Right One I think is supposed to open in Sweden soon. I wonder if it will hit The Netherlands as well. I’m not as mad crazy about it as some of the Internet types, but I liked it a lot.
I think this is the best overall weekend for movies in the US of the year so far. Just my opinion. Awesome. Glad you dug ‘Synecdoche’ Craig, as you know, I get it soonish but I might have to miss some chances to see it earlier – I already missed the press screening of it yesterday. I don’t mind waiting though, it looks amazing. Same goes for “I’ve Love You So Long,” I cant tell you how badly I want to see that. “Changeling” I want to see more out of curiosity than actual desire, same for “Let The Right One In.”
“Stranded” comes highly recommended by me, and it apparently opens on the 7th of November in LA and elsewhere after that, hope some of you guys and girls get to see it soon.
I’ll be the only one seeing HSM3. I’m cool with that ;)
HSM3! HSM3! HSM3!!!!
Just kidding. I’m really only vaguely aware of this High School Musical phenomenon, never seen one of them, maybe they’re great. It’s on my Fantasy Moguls slate, though, so, ya know. I’m banking on it doing just fine without my promoting it too much here on LiC.
Can’t wait to hear your thoughts about Synecdoche, Craig, once you figure out what they are.
I’m hopping up and down on my seat to see Synecdoche, I’ve Loved You So Long (though I hate hate hate that name) and Let the Right One In. Despite a strong cast and a what looks like a solid director, Passengers looks to be a misfire. I’m saving my Passengers dance ticket for the John Spaights sci-fi Passengers script in development.
Pride and Glory: bleh. Like you said. I feel like I’ve seen this movie a dozen times, plus the trailer removed most of the plot twists, so why bother? I’m starting to feel like Edward Norton’s career hit it fast out of the starting gate, but hasn’t added up to as much as I want to think.
Yeah, more promising options this week in limited release than we’ve had in months. Synecdoche, Loved You So Long, Let the Right One In, and Fear(s) are all my list of films I want to see.
Looks like I get Rachel Getting Married this weekend and Happy-go-lucky, if I can work up the enthusiasm to see it.
Mamma’s Man is also here for a week. Anyone have an opinion on this one? I’ve heard nothing. Trailer didn’t grab me either.
I have nothing this week, certainly not anything as exciting as what is coming out in LA and NY. Next week, however, I will be seeing Quantum of Solace and Rachel Getting Married, so there is that.
The first two High School Musicals were made-for-Disney-TV-movies. A 3rd one in as a feature in theaters? Well, there will definitely be a a large crowd (which I won’t be a part of) but I wouldn’t have high hopes on this one.
If I can have a day off I’m going to try to get out and see Rachel Getting Married. And Synecdoche, New York.
Nice video, but as far as the numbers go, my favorite is Naughty Number 9. :-)
The grammar ones are all awesome.
Let the right one in was my favorite film at the vancouver international film festival this year. Much more a touching drama, than a tradtional Vamp film.
Looking forward to seeing Paschedaele this weekend. Finaly a Canadian war film that doesn’t look like an PBS special…Woot
Colleeny, I envy you for getting to see Let the Right One In already! I’m glad to hear it lives up to the buzz. Hadn’t heard of Passchendale, but it looks interesting.
Good to see you again Colleen. Looks like we’ll have to wait awhile before we get the Canadian WWI film. I think it got decent reviews at Toronto though.
Joel, I liked Mamma’s Man a lot. It’s very slow and indie and almost too precious, but it really resonated with me (to use the most pretentious word I can think of at the moment). Yet another movie I should’ve reviewed.
No shout outs for School House Rock?? I don’t even know you people anymore…! Oh wait, I see Alison is on board :) Between your two choices A, I pick SNY, but it depends on your mood. RGM is more of a raw emotional thing and SNY is more of an intellectual thing….if that makes sense. Great acting in both.
JB, I kind of hate that title too. Maybe it comes across better in French: Il y a longtemps que je t’aime ok, maybe not. I bet it sounds good out loud though.
Nick, great review of Stranded. Thanks for putting this one on my radar.
Evan, what’s your interest level in Quantum and where do you stand on the whole Bond thing? Casino Royale reenergized my interest in the franchise (huge fan as a kid, lost interest as an adult), but I hope it’s just a springboard to bigger and better things.
Craig, that is terrific news hearing that you loved SYNECDOCHE; the reviews are with you as well.
I plan to see that, as well as the excellently reviewed LET THE RIGHT ONE IN (which I believe you saw and loved too) and the documentary STRANDED, which Nick Plowman over at Fataculture is issuing strong praise for. I believe Nick is saying it’s one of the best documentaries of the year. Those three are definite for me, and I would even see one tonite, except that I hold tickets for a controversial off-Broadway play by Terrence McNally about the homosexual boy Matthew Shepherd, who was killed 12 years ago by homophobes, called CORPUS CHRISTIE, which presents Shepherd as a Christ figure. This is a revival–when the play orginally staged 10 years ago, the producers received death threats from enraged right wingers and Bible toters.
There are other openings here as well, including the film that Craig gave a most respectable review for the French animine FEARS OF THE DARK and SAVING MARRIAGE, JOHNNY GOT HIS GUN and I’VE LOVED YOU SO LONG seem all worthwhile, but hey there are only so many time slots.
Nick Plowman hit it dead on, methinks, when he suggested that this might be the richest New York-Los Angeles weekend of the year to this point.
Sorry, Craig. I thought it went without saying that zero is my hero. I’d be nothing without zero. Thanks for the drag down memory lane. : )
LOL. As I was writing my above post, praising Nick Plowman for his STRANDED review, and stating that as a result of it I would be seeing it over the planned hectic movie weekend, Craig was doing the same.
*great minds think alike?* LOL!!!!
Indeed Sam. And thanks for reminding me Saving Marriage hits NY this weekend. I’ve amended the forecast. I really hope people see it. It wasn’t really a political rant, it was very moving and for someone like me who didn’t follow the story closely when it happened, it was kind of suspenseful.
lol JB, I guess School House Rock causes me to regress a little bit….sittin’ in my PJs eating Cap’n Crunch watching Saturday morning cartoons…
Even though I disliked SYNECDOCHE, I’m in speculative agreement with Nick that this is a terrific weekend for limited releases. Can’t wait to see CHANGELING, LET THE RIGHT ONE IN, I’VE LOVED YOU SO LONG, and PASSENGERS on M, T, W, and Th.
Not in LA for the weekend, meaning it’s HSM3 and SAW V for me. Could be worse. At least I’ll catch the others in moderation over the course of the week rather than stacking them all into Friday (which I’d almost certainly do if I were up here.)
I haven’t peeked at the reviews yet, but I suspect you’re not going to be alone on SNY Danny. It took a while for it to connect emotionally for me and it wasn’t the kind of movie that feels like a masterpiece as soon as the credits roll, but I’m liking it more and more as I think about it.
Haha, Craig. Unfortunately, it’s not so much regression for me. I’m sitting here in my pj’s and just finished a bowl of Cap’n Crunch. : ) The life of a freelancer.
One day when I own the Internets, that will be me.
Can’t disagree that this is looking like the first formidable weekend, at least for limited releases, in a long time…
I plan on finally catching up to Ballast tomorrow, too, in San Rafael! Yeah!
I have no clue when Synecdoche (ugh, I hate having to check the spelling every time I write that) will stumble it’s way into Oklahoma, but it’s becoming somewhat irresistible to me. I imagine I will either 1) absolutely love it or 2) absolutely hate it. Polarizing films are always exciting to go to, I think. BTW, anyone check out Rex Reed’s toxic dump of a review that he gave Synecdoche? Is it just that he has tenure or something? How do people with such unmitigated venom in their blood keep working? (don’t answer that… I know the answer, just venting)
And Craig, I am a Quantum of Solace virgin going into this one - I haven’t seen a lick of footage and only glanced at the poster a few times and maybe a random production still. So, I am seriously pumped. Apart from Benjamin Button and The Road (CURSES!!!!), this is my most anticipated film of the fall. I enjoyed Casino Royale in the theaters, but it wasn’t until I revisited it recently that I realized how incredible it is. Apart from some lazy screenwriting transitions, it fires on all cylinders. So, yes, I am very very very excited.
Rex Reed is one funny guy.
I’m scrambling to write up SNY as we speak and only glanced passingly at reviews when it played Cannes. Rex cracks me up though even though I almost never agree with him.
SNY is definitely going to divide people and I can’t wait to see how the lines are drawn. I think anyone who appreciates an artist swinging for the fences (I do) will find something to like in it even if they conclude Kaufman strikes out.
It definitely felt like a head movie more than a heart movie if that makes any sense. I still haven’t resolved how I feel about that.
I think it definitely demands to be seen more than once, though not everyone will have the patience for a 2nd viewing I expect.
I’ve only read the script, of course, but that’s kind of what I got from it, too. Overly cerebral without many emotional touchpoints, but I am hoping that the performances and atmospherics provide those emotional connections and grounding. That said, people don’t study Ionesco for the cozy Disney moments in his plays, but for the structure and absurdism that make them so innovative. I’m still trying to decide if SNY is brilliant or just purposefully impenetrable, whether there’s genius or precociousness in making a movie no one can understand…or all of the above.
Except to the extent Kaufman seems to wonder whether we can ever truly know anything, I don’t think SNY is impenetrable by design. Difficult, yes (for me anyway), but it always feels grounded in reality. It’s a complex knot, but untying it is part of the fun.
The cerebral aspect may remain a deal-breaker for a lot of people, though the emotions eventually came to me. This is where I’ll have to see it again to decide how I really feel about it. Sometimes knowing how a movie turns out colors your impression of how it started, but you actually have to go back and see it to get the full effect of the magic.
Thanks for sharing that Alexander. I usually read most of Reed’s reviews to laugh, but what a buffoon this man is. The comments under the review are priceless!!!!
The only reason I’m interested in PRIDE AND GLORY is because Jeff Wells has been talking it up so much. Otherwise I’m really looking forward to SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK, LET THE RIGHT ONE IN, and I’VE LOVED YOU SO LONG. I see CHANGELING at a press screening on Monday.
Writer-turned-director is always an iffy proposition only because it’s hard to let go of a scene, idea, or character you slaved over and love when said element isn’t working for the benefit of the greater whole.
I’m hoping that SNY is cerebral in the way that all of Kaufman’s scripts are cerebral (to me). I’ve been inspired to revisit his films in short order (probably start this weekend) to compare, but I’ve always felt like his scripts are more head movies rather than heart movies, if I’m reading your comment correctly Craig.
I found Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind quite moving, and I suspect at least some of that is because Gondry seems to facilitate and accentuate the subtextual points in Kaufman’s screenplays Jonze tended to mitigate. (Though I found Being John Malkovich and especially Adaptation to be rather touching as well.)
It will be most interesting to see where everyone lands on Synecdoche, New York, as Craig says, and if what we already think about Kaufman proves to remain consistent for us or alter with this, his directorial debut.
The main appeal of Kaufman for me is cerebrial, but as Alexander notes Eternal Sunshine has a very strong emotional pull to it.
Adaptation did too in a different way. It wasn’t melodramatic, but an aspect of me so identified with Nic Cage’s character it really grabbed me.
With SNY I didnt feel the immediate connection with Philip Seymour Hoffman in the same way.
Though I’m going to anyway, I’m hesitant to pass judgement on the film after just one viewing. There are depths to it I haven’t yet plumbed.
Matthew, a Wells stamp of approval is hit or miss for me. Some stuff like Zodiac and Children of Men I’m totally on the same page as him, but other stuff I (Babel) I find bewildering. Interestingly though, I find his negative opinions to be less accurate (to my taste) than his positive ones…if that makes any sense.
They move me too, Alexander, but they are also movies more focused on characters who deeply internalize all their own emotions or who are at points in their lives of deep despair, hence they’re much harder to dig into than most movies. Add to that Kaufman’s willingness to dissect the entire medium with his style of scriptwriting and I’m left with an experience that is often more mentally engaging than emotional. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
“…hey are also movies more focused on characters who deeply internalize all their own emotions or who are at points in their lives of deep despair…”
SNY’s screenplay definitely fits that mold, perhaps more so than any of his others (which I adore). It’s like taking all that neurotic internalization and sending it through a Kaufman-structured Hall of Mirrors, ad infinitum. Dizzying and disorienting, but not necessarily un-insightful.
I heard a snippet of a PSH interview on NPR for SNY, jb, and his comments indicated as such. Admittedly, now I’m more excited for it.
PSH and CK were on Charlie Rose last night as well. It was pretty good so head on over to Charlie’s site to bookmark it to watch when you’ve seen the movie.