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Fall Movie Preview:

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Box office head-to-head…


October 28
THE LEGEND OF ZORRO vs. SAW II vs. THE WEATHER MAN
The Case for The Legend of Zorro: Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta Jones reunite for this sequel to The Mask of Zorro. When California's pending statehood is threatened, Zorro finds it increasingly difficult to not don his mask one more time.
The Case for Saw II: In yet another sequel (this time to the sleeper horror flick Saw), Detective Eric Mason (Donnie Wahlberg) suspects that The Jigsaw Killer is back to his old antics when a group of people get stuck in a room and must determine just how far they'll go to stay alive.
The Case for The Weather Man: In typical Nicholas Cage idiosyncrasy, we meet weatherman David Spritz, a television anchor on the brink of professional success but whose personal life is falling apart.
Also Opening: Prime, starring Uma Thurman and Meryl Streep, about an older woman who unwittingly begins dating her therapist's much younger son; Three…Extremes, a compilation of horror stories from Fruit Chan, Park Chan-Wook, and the omni-violent Miike Takashi.
Box Office Winner: The Legend of Zorro. Banderas…Zeta Jones…what's not to love or drool over?
Who Should Win: The Weather Man, if Cage's acting chops are up to par.

November 4
THE FAMILY STONE vs. JARHEAD vs. CHICKEN LITTLE
The Case for The Family Stone: The Stones are an odd sort of family, so when eldest son Everett (Dermot Mulroney) brings home his girlfriend (Sarah Jessica Parker) with the intention of marrying her, the family tries to stop him. Also stars Claire Danes, Diane Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Craig T. Nelson, and Luke Wilson.
The Case for Jarhead: In this bleak war movie, "Swoff" (Jake Gyllenhaal) is a third generation enlistee in the Marines who finds himself in the Middle East with Jamie Foxx and Peter Sarsgaard.
The Case for Chicken Little: The sky is falling! Or…is it? Yes, yes it is!
Also Opening: The musical Killer Diller; the dark comedy The Matador, starring Pierce Brosnan and Greg Kinnear. The Matador will expand in theatres on November 11.
Box Office Winner: The Family Stone. With a solid cast and no comedies in sight, this one should be a crowd pleaser. Jarhead's subject matter might not be for everyone, and Disney's Chicken Little seriously lacks wit.
Who Should Win: The Family Stone. Even Jarhead. But never Chicken Little.

November 9 and 11
GET RICH OR DIE TRYIN' vs. DERAILED vs. ZATHURA
The Case for Get Rich or Die Tryin': Based in part on his life, 50 Cent plays Marcus, an orphaned street kid who grows up to be a drug dealer. But when he realizes that he was always meant to rap, will he be able to escape this life to pursue his dreams? Oh, the suspense.
The Case for Derailed: In this thriller, Charles (Clive Owen) is a family man and successful ad executive who meets a mysterious woman (Jennifer Aniston) and proceeds to start an affair. But things take a nasty turn when both become involved with a bad man who threatens Charles' family. Also stars Vincent Cassel, Melissa George, and…RZA?
The Case for Zathura: Based on the sequel novel to Jumanji, Zathura is the name of an intergalactic board game that magically comes to life when two bickering brothers find it.
Also Opening: The family drama Bee Season, with Richard Gere and Juliette Binoche; the Broadway hit Rent, based on Puccini's La Boheme, with Rosario Dawson, Taye Diggs, and Jesse L. Martin, directed by Christopher Columbus (Home Alone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets). Rent will open wide on November 23.
Box Office Winner: I don't care if Terrence Howard (Ray, Hustle & Flow) is in Get Rich or Die Tryin', or that the director of In America is on board - it's still not enough to take this movie seriously. And a thriller starring Jennifer Aniston does not sound appetizing. The kids might like Zathura, and for the adults we've got Jon Favreau (Elf, Made) as director, and Tim Robbins in the cast.
Who Should Win: Rent, or The 40-Year-Old Virgin. I don't care if The 40-Year-Old Virgin is no longer out and you need to rent it on DVD; it's still better than going to the theatre on this particular weekend.

November 18
HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE vs. WALK THE LINE
The Case for Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire: It's Harry's (Daniel Radcliffe) fourth year at Hogwarts, and he's getting ready to complete in the Triwizard Tournament. He's also going through puberty.
The Case for Walk the Line: This biopic focuses on Johnny Cash (Joaquin Phoenix) and the woman who loved him (Reese Witherspoon).
Also Opening: Another Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice remake, starring Kiera Knightley and Matthew McFayden, which opens wide on November 23; the Australian horror Wolf Creek, based on the real-life case of Peter Falconio.
Box Office Winner: Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire. For many, many weeks to come.
Who Should Win: Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire. There is just no stopping this kid. Well, outside of puberty.

November 23
THE ICE HARVEST vs. IN THE MIX vs. YOURS, MINE AND OURS
The Case for The Ice Harvest: John Cusack and Billy Bob Thornton are reunited in this film about Charlie (Cusack), a crooked but idealistic attorney who finds himself stranded in his town of Wichita during Christmas Eve.
The Case for In The Mix: In this extended version of the music video, "Caught Up," Usher (yes, that one) stars as Darrell, a club DJ who saves a mob boss' life (Chazz Palminteri). As his reward, Darrell gets to hang out with the don's daughter, the sadly named Dolly (Emmanuelle Chriqui), but things quickly spiral out of control when the two fall in love. (Update: This film will most likely open under its new title, Dying for Dolly.)
The Case for Yours, Mine and Ours: Frank (Dennis Quaid) and Helen (Renee Russo) have 18 children between them, but it still doesn't stop them from falling for one another and planning an expensive wedding. Unfortunately, their children are brats, and will do anything to stop their parents from being happy.
Also Opening: Just Friends, a "romantic" "comedy" starring Ryan Reynolds, Amy Smart, Chris Klein, and Anna Faris; in limited release is Syriana, starring George Clooney as a CIA operative in the war.
Box Office Winner: Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire. Those who have already seen it ten times might want to move on to Yours, Mine and Ours.
Who Should Win: Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire.

December 2
AEON FLUX vs. GOOSE!
The Case for Aeon Flux: It's 400 years into the future, and as per usual, a mysterious disease has killed off most of the world. The survivors live in a gated community, Bregna, which is run by a bunch of scientists. Aeon Flux (Charlize Theron) has really funky hair, and is an operative in the underground Monican rebellion. She's dispatched to kill a government leader, but instead uncovers mounds and mounds of conspiracies. Based on the cult MTV animated series.
The Case for Goose!: A young boy befriends a talking goose but must save it when he finds out that his evil principal (Chevy Chase) is planning to cook it for a Christmas cook-off.
Also Opening: The documentary First Descent, just in time for snowboarding season.
Box Office Winner: Man, this is too easy.
Who Should Win: Aeon Flux. Normally, I might evaluate the other films, but since the other film in question stars Chevy Chase, I can put away my critical thinking skills.

December 9
THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE vs. MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
The Case for The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe: Based on C. S. Lewis' classic novel, this big-screen adaptation follows Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter Pevensie as they enter a magical wardrobe during a game of hide-and-seek and transport to Narnia, a land cursed by eternal winter.
The Case for Memoirs of a Geisha: Arthur Golden's best-selling novel also gets the big screen treatment, as young peasant girl Sayuri (Ziyi Zhang) grows into one of the most beloved geishas in Japan.
Also Opening: In limited release is Brokeback Mountain, starring Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, about two men who form a lifelong bond - and a path to self-discovery - after meeting one fateful summer. And where I say "bond," I really mean "mutual attraction."
Box Office Winner: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.
Who Should Win: Memoirs of a Geisha. Because everyone should love Ken Watanabe as I do.

December 14 and 16
KING KONG vs. BIG MOMMA'S HOUSE 2 vs. ALL THE KING'S MEN
The Case for King Kong: So. There's this giant ape (Andy Serkis, as motion capture reference), and he lives in a jungle. When a filmmaker (Jack Black) discovers him, Kong is shipped off to New York to do some screen tests. But Kong soon realizes that the glitz and glamour aren't all they're cracked up to be as he becomes addicted to cocaine and turns to prostitution to subsidize his growing addiction. Or so the version goes in my head.
The Case for Big Momma's House 2: Malcolm Turner (Martin Lawrence) finds another contrived way to don his Big Momma disguise - this time, as he investigates his partner's murder. Sadly, Paul Giamatti will not be returning. (Update: It is most probable that the release date has been pushed to 2006.)
The Case for All The King's Men: Based on the classic by Robert Penn Warren and adapted by Steven Zaillian (Schindler's List), All the King's Men documents the rise and fall of charismatic Southern politician "Boss" Willie Stark (Sean Penn).
Box Office Winner: King Kong. Although most remakes falter, Adrien Brody is still a lot of fun to watch. Plus, All The King's Men is only opening in limited release.
Who Should Win: Probably All The King's Men, but King Kong is too big of a film to be dismissed.

December 21
FUN WITH DICK AND JANE vs. THE PRODUCERS vs. CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN 2
The Case for Fun With Dick and Jane: Dick (Jim Carrey) and Jane (Téa Leoni) are your typical married couple, but when Dick's company is involved in a scandal and the cash runs dry, they turn to larceny to keep up appearances.
The Case for The Producers: Adapted from the hit musical (which was in turn adapted from the Mel Brooks film), The Producers is a tale of treachery gone wrong. When Max Bialystock (Nathan Lane) and Leo Bloom (Matthew Broderick) set out to make the worst musical ever (pocketing the investors' money in the process), they never imagined that "Springtime for Hitler" would become a hit.
The Case for Cheaper By the Dozen 2: The Baker clan is back (and yes, this includes Tom Welling and Hilary Duff), and this time they go head-to-head with another family of eight in a competition while on vacation.
Also Opening: The disturbing revenge thriller Hard Candy; Ringer, with Johnny Knoxville and Katherine Heigl, about a man who tries to con the Special Olympics; Steven Spielberg's Munich, based on the real-life events of the 1972 massacre at the Munich Olympics. All three open wide on December 23.
Box Office Winner: Fun With Dick and Jane. No one can resist a Jim Carrey comedy. The Producers should do well with those who couldn't get tickets to the oft-sold out musical.
Who Should Win: Fun With Dick and Jane.

December 25
CASANOVA vs. HOODWINKED! vs. RUMOR HAS IT
The Case for Casanova: Heath Ledger is the titular Casanova, who, after being rejected for once in his life, sets out to find the true meaning of love.
The Case for Hoodwinked!: This animated comedy picks up where the original Red Riding Hood tale ends - at grandma's house, where the big bad wolf has been slain by Red Riding Hood. Unfortunately, she's going to need a good lawyer after the police find that mess.
The Case for Rumor Has It: Sarah Huttinger (Jennifer Aniston) is on the brink of a mid-life crisis, and to top it all off, she's got her sister's wedding to attend. Also, rumour has it that her family was the inspiration for the book and subsequent film, The Graduate, and that she might be the offspring of the infamous affair.
Also Opening: Woody Allen's Match Point, a thriller set in London with Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers; The New World, the non-animated, non-Disney version of Pocahontas (Q'Orianka Kilcher) and John Smith (Colin Farrell). Both are in limited release.
Box Office Winner: Rumor Has It. Rob Reiner (When Harry Met Sally, A Few Good Men) can be a capable director with the right cast.
Who Should Win: Let's give it to Rumor Has It. It's Christmas, and Aniston has had a rough year.

Happy movie watching! ¤ C.Ho.

[ A model turned bounty hunter, and The Rock. Part I of the preview.]