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Fall Movie Preview:
Pass the popcorn…
Now that the summer blockbusters have officially retired (and that thankfully includes Little Man), we can usher in a new slew of fall films that, while lacking the razzle and dazzle of their more expensive summer counterparts, still offer a good selection to keep us warm during the cold months ahead. And here, for your perusal enjoyment, are the upcoming wide releases of the autumn and early winter season. (Please note: Release dates are subject to change, as I sadly found out the hard way after writing the Summer Movie Preview.)
The Black Dahlia
The Black Dahlia: All the conflicted faces make for a perfect film noir.
Release Date: September 15
Director: Brian De Palma (Mission: Impossible, Snake Eyes, Mission to Mars)
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Scarlett Johansson, Aaron Eckhart, Hilary Swank, Mia Kirshner
The Lowdown: Based on James Ellroy's 1987 best-selling novel, Black Dahlia, this is the fictionalized account of the real-life 1947 murder of Elizabeth Short, also known in her circles as the “Black Dahlia,” a struggling actress who fled to Los Angeles to become a star. Although the gruesome murder still goes unsolved to this day, Ellroy’s noir novel attempts to bring the investigation to life with two hot-tempered detectives on the case, Lee Blanchard (Eckhart) and Bucky Bleichert (Hartnett). Things are further complicated when Bleichert falls for the wrong woman (Swank), and Blanchard’s marriage to Kay (Johansson) threatens to crumble under the weight of his own obsessions.
Outtakes: Josh Hartnett and Scarlett Johanssen met and were smitten by each other on the set of this film.
Should You See It? If you love film noirs and crime stories framed by a strong cast, then this one’s for you.
Official Website: www.theblackdahliamovie.netGridiron Gang
Release Date: September 15
Director: Phil Joanou (U2: Rattle and Hum, "3rd Rock from the Sun")
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Xzibit, Kevin Dunn, Leon Rippy, Danny Martinez, Mo, Trever O'Brien
The Lowdown: Another based-on-a-true-story feel-good extravaganza hits the big screen as The Rock tries to teach a bunch of juvenile delinquents about life, commitment, and football in Gridiron Gang. Xzibit, who also believes that children are our future, is along for the ride as The Rock’s right-hand man.
Outtakes: You may know Xzibit as the lovable car connoisseur in “Pimp My Ride,” but he has already earned his SAG card with turns in “CSI: Miami,” xXx: State of the Union, and Derailed.
Should You See It? If you secretly loved Invincible, then this one’s for you.
Official Website: www.sonypictures.com/movies/gridirongang/The Last Kiss
Release Date: September 15
Director: Tony Goldwyn ("The L Word," "Law & Order,” "Grey's Anatomy")
Starring: Zach Braff, Jacinda Barrett, Casey Affleck, Rachel Bilson, Blythe Danner, Tom Wilkinson
The Lowdown: Four twenty-something friends start to realize that, at the onset of thirty and life beyond, their lives are about to get much more complicated. Adapted from the critically acclaimed 2001 Italian film, L’Ultimo bacio, by screenwriter Paul Haggis (Crash, Million Dollar Baby).
Outtakes: Rachel McAdams was originally set to play Jenna, but was replaced by “The Real World”’s Jacinda Barrett when other commitments prevented her from signing onto the film.
Should You See It? If you didn’t mind Garden State and Zach Braff’s general angst-ridden overacting, and can appreciate the subtlety of Haggis’ work, then this one’s for you.
Official Website: www.lastkissmovie.comAll the King's Men
Release Date: September 22
Director: Steven Zaillian (Searching for Bobby Fischer, A Civil Action)
Starring: Sean Penn, Jude Law, Kate Winslet, James Gandolfini, Mark Ruffalo, Patricia Clarkson, Anthony Hopkins
The Lowdown: The film will follow the rise of an idealist Louisiana politician, Willie Stark (Penn) – as well as his plummet, when he becomes corrupt by the very system that embraced him.
Outtakes: Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Robert Penn Warren, All the King's Men (1946). The film has already seen its way to the big screen in 1947 and won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actress. Nevertheless, director and screenwriter Zaillian has never seen the film and based his adaptation solely on Warren’s novel. The film was unexpectedly poorly received at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Should You See It? If you like moody period pieces and Sean Penn’s intense squinty-eyed acting, then this one’s for you.
Official Website: www.sonypictures.com/movies/allthekingsmen/Flyboys
Release Date: September 22
Director: Tony Bill ("Felicity," "Monk")
Starring: James Franco, Martin Henderson, Jean Reno, Jennifer Decker, David Ellison, Tchéky Karyo
The Lowdown: Flyboys recounts the rise of the Lafayette Escadrille, a squadron of 38 young American men who first joined the efforts in World War I despite the U.S.’s reluctance to fight. In this heartwarming ensemble story, Blaine Rawlings (Franco), William Jensen (Philip Winchester), Briggs Lowry (Tyler Labine), cantankerous French Captain Thenault (Reno), and others will learn about perseverance, courage, and brotherhood as they band together to fight for freedom.
Outtakes: Although it may not reflect in his film roles, James Franco is an accomplished painter who attended an art school in his teens.
Should You See It? If you need an uplifting pick-me-up and still have faith after watching Pearl Harbor, then this one’s for you.
Official Website: www.mgm.com/flyboys/
Jackass Number Two
Jackass Number Two: You'd think that they'd want to protect their heads...not that it matters at this point.
Release Date: September 22
Director: Jeff Tremaine (Jackass: The Movie, "Wildboyz")
Starring: Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Ryan Dunn, Steve-O, Jason "Wee Man" Acuña, Chris Pontius
The Lowdown: The guys from MTV’s “Jackass” are back in this sequel to their first big-screen adaptation, and this time they’re ruder, cruder, and stupider than ever.
Outtakes: The only non-returning member of this crass prank-wielding entourage is Raab Himself, who is rumoured to have a drinking problem, and also rumoured to have dated Ashlee Simpson. These reports are seemingly unrelated, but the first would explain the latter.
Should You See It? If you can’t get enough of nudity, pain, blood, bodily functions, and the occasional sight of Johnny Knoxville being rammed by an ox, then this one’s for you.
Official Website: www.jackassmovie.comJet Li's Fearless
Release Date: September 22
Director: Ronny Yu (The Bride With White Hair, Bride of Chucky, Freddy vs. Jason)
Starring: Jet Li, Betty Sun, Dong Yong, Nakamura Shidou
The Lowdown: Since the film was pushed back from a summer release, I’ll paraphrase what I originally wrote: “Jet Li is legendary fighter Huo Yuanjia. He loses his family and is shamed. Then he kicks some ass.”
Outtakes: In one fight scene, Anthony De Longis and Jet Li broke at least six swords on the first take.
Should You See It? If you believe the official website’s touting that this is Jet Li’s “final martial arts masterpiece” and you want to see some cool choreographed fighting, then this one’s for you.
Official Website: www.jetlisfearless.comThe Guardian
Release Date: September 29
Director: Andrew Davis (Collateral Damage, Holes)
Starring: Kevin Costner, Ashton Kutcher, Neal McDonough, Melissa Sagemiller, Clancy Brown, Sela Ward The Lowdown: It’s a battle of wits as Kevin Costner goes head-to-head with Ashton Kutcher in this uplifting film about a veteran rescue swimmer (Costner) who teaches a young, cocky swim champ (Kutcher) how to be a real boy.
Outtakes: Elizabeth City was used as a stand-in for Kodiak, Alaska, and 60,000 pounds of ice were used to recreate the effect.
Should You See It? If you loved Kevin Costner’s look in The Bodyguard and can mildly tolerate Ashton Kutcher, then this one’s for you.
Official Website: theguardian.movies.go.comOpen Season
Release Date: September 29, 2006
Director: Roger Allers (The Lion King), Jill Culton (debut)
Starring: Martin Lawrence, Ashton Kutcher, Gary Sinise, Debra Messing, Billy Connolly, Jon Favreau
The Lowdown: Boog (Lawrence) is a grizzly bear, but a nicer and cuddlier version than the ones featured in Grizzly Man. Boog is a domesticated bear, so it’s no surprise that when Elliot (Kutcher – again), a fast-talking wild mule deer, convinces Boog to get in touch with his wild side, hilarity ensues.
Outtakes: This is Sony Pictures Animation’s first feature-length film.
Should You See It? If you were one of the five people who saw Over the Hedge and don’t mind predictable fish-out-of-water (pun intended) humour, then this one’s for you.
Official Website: www.sonypictures.com/movies/openseason/School for Scoundrels
Release Date: September 29
Director: Todd Phillips (Old School, Starsky & Hutch)
Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Jon Heder, Jacinda Barrett, Michael Clarke Duncan, Sarah Silverman
The Lowdown: Jon Heder plays Roger, a (what else) down-on-his-luck meter maid who needs a boost of confidence. Enter shady Dr. P. (Thornton), who runs an unorthodox top-secret confidence-building course. Roger’s joined by other likable losers like Walsh (Matt Walsh), Diego (Horatio Sanz), and Eli (Todd Louiso). Soon Roger finds the confidence he needs to succeed in life and love, but doesn’t count on Dr. P. having nefarious plans. Now Roger and his gang of rag-tag friends must band together to prevent Dr. P. from taking over Roger’s life.
Outtakes: This film saw its first life as the 1960 British comedy, School for Scoundrels or How to Win Without Actually Cheating!.
Should You See It? If you like Bad Santa mixed with a twist of Rushmore, then this one’s for you.
Official Website: www.schoolforscoundrels-movie.com
Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker
Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker: Maybe they're looking for Alicia Silverstone's career?
Release Date: October 6
Director: Geoffrey Sax (White Noise)
Starring: Alex Pettyfer, Stephen Fry, Ewan McGregor, Bill Nighy, Sophie Okonedo, Andy Serkis, Alicia Silverstone, Mickey Rourke
The Lowdown: Alex Rider (Pettyfer) is a 14-year-old orphan who has been unwittingly training as a secret agent. When his caretaker and uncle (McGregor) is killed, Rider learns about his calling in life and must use his training and newfound gadgets to take down the evil Darrius Sayle (Rourke).
Outtakes: Based on the series of Alex Rider young adult books by Anthony Horowitz.
Should You See It? If you’ve always longed for more Spy Kids-type flicks in the world, then this one’s for you.
Official Website: www.stormbreaker.comThe Departed
Release Date: October 6
Director: Martin Scorsese (Gangs of New York, The Aviator)
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Vera Farmiga, Alec Baldwin, Anthony Anderson
The Lowdown: It’s a case of double identities as Billy Costigan (DiCaprio) infiltrates the mob and cozies up with gangland chief Costello (Nicholson), while mob lackey Colin Sullivan (Damon) penetrates the police department as an informer to the Special Investigation Unit. Things go along swimmingly, until both the mob and the police figure out that they have a mole in their midst. Now each man must race against time to uncover the other before his cover is blown.
Outtakes: This is a remake of the 2002 Hong Kong crime thriller, Infernal Affairs. This is the third film that will feature Martin Scorsese directing Leonardo Dicaprio.
Should You See It? If you love stylish crime thrillers with a hint of Casino, then this one’s for you.
Official Website: thedeparted.warnerbros.comEmployee of the Month
Release Date: October 6
Director: Greg Coolidge (Queen For A Day)
Starring: Dane Cook, Jessica Simpson, Dax Shephard, Efren Ramirez, Tim Bagley, Andy Dick
The Lowdown: At Super Club, a fictional bulk-discount chain, being named “Employee of the Month” is the highest achievement any employee can receive. Enter quintessential slacker Zach Bradley (Cook), who has been working as a stock boy at the store for ten years with nary a title in sight. But when beautiful Amy (Simpson) starts working the cash, Zach will do anything to win her affections. Unfortunately, Amy is shallow and has a reputation for only dating “Employee of the Month,” which puts Zach’s snooty rival and ass-kisser extraordinaire, Vince Downey (Shepard), at a great advantage. Will Zach be able to outsmart Vince and win the affections of vapid Amy?
Outtakes: The highest grossing hit between the three credited screenwriters (Don Calame, Chris Conroy, and Greg Coolidge) has been Sorority Boys.
Should You See It? If you like predictable comedies with juvenile humour and obnoxious leading men, and thought The Dukes of Hazzard was highly underrated, then this one’s for you.
Official Website: www.employeeofthemonthfilm.comThe Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
Release Date: October 6
Director: Jonathan Liebesman (Darkness Falls, Rings)
Starring: Jordana Brewster, Andrew Bryniarski, R. Lee Ermey, Taylor Handley, Matthew Bomer
The Lowdown: In this prequel to the 2003 remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, a fresh group of teens await their grisly fates as they predictably take a back road in the middle of nowhere, experience car problems, and have a gruesome meeting with Leatherface. But maybe this time, Leatherface will just have them over for dinner? At least, this happens in my version.
Outtakes: According to producer Brad Fuller, a total of 17 scenes had to be cut in order for the film to receive an R rating.
Should You See It? If you don’t mind a lot of gore and have been wondering how Leatherface’s been doing, then this one’s for you.
Official Website: www.texaschainsawmovie.comThe Grudge 2
Release Date: October 13
Director: Takashi Shimizu (Ju-on: The Grudge, The Grudge)
Starring: Amber Tamblyn, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Arielle Kebbel, Jennifer Beals, Teresa Palmer, Takako Fuji
The Lowdown: The Grudge is back, and this time it’s madder than ever and after Aubrey (Tamblyn), Karen’s (Gellar) younger sister. Can she and a group of seemingly unrelated strangers unlock the secret to this curse before they become its next victim?
Outtakes: Director Takashi Shimizu is working on the third Japanese version of Ju-on: The Grudge, which will be his final installment in the series.
Should You See It? If you don’t mind watered-down American remakes of classic Japanese horror films, where Japanese ghosts set their sights on unwitting Americans, then this one’s for you.
Official Website: www.sonypictures.com/movies/thegrudge2/Man of the Year
Release Date: October 13
Director: Barry Levinson (Liberty Heights, Envy)
Starring: Robin Williams, Christopher Walken, Laura Linney, Jeff Goldblum, Lewis Black
The Lowdown: Funnyman Tom Dobbs (Williams) has made a career out of skewering politicians, so when he makes a rash decision to run for president, he’s surprised to learn that he has won. Upon finding out that a computer glitch led to his win, Tom grapples with the decision of whether to back down from the presidency or take the reins as the country’s new leader.
Outtakes: Director Barry Levinson is not new to political satire – he previously directed Good Morning Vietnam (which also starred Williams), and Wag The Dog.
Should You See It? If you’ve always secretly wanted Jon Stewart to run for president, then this one’s for you.
Official Website: www.manoftheyearmovie.net
The Marine
The Marine: When there are explosions every ten minutes, you know you're in for a rockin' good time.
Release Date: October 13
Director: John Bonito (debut)
Starring: John Cena, Kelly Carlson, Robert Patrick, Jeff Chase, Jon Bennett, Abigail Bianca
The Lowdown: John Triton (Cena) is a discharged Marine who returns home to find that his wife has been kidnapped by the immoral Rome (Patrick). Talk about a bad day.
Outtakes: This is wrestler John Cena’s big screen debut.
Should You See It? If you feel kinda bad for Robert Patrick and wish he would appear in real movies once in a while but realize that he needs to feed his kids and want to support him in any way you can, then this one’s for you.
Official Website: www.themarinemovie.comShortbus
Release Date: October 13
Director: John Cameron Mitchell (Hedwig and the Angry Inch)
Starring: Sook-Yin Lee, Paul Dawson, Lindsay Beamish, PJ DeBoy, Raphael Barker, Jay Brannan, Peter Stickles, Justin Bond
The Lowdown: A diverse group of young adults find that their lives mingle, intertwine, and are affected by each other as they converge at a weekly underground venue called “Shortbus.”
Outtakes: After an open casting call, director John Cameron Mitchell selected seven leading actors and enlisted in their help to develop the story.
Should You See It? If you’re tired of big budget films with little substance, then this one’s for you.
Official Website: www.shortbusthemovie.comDOA: Dead or Alive
Release Date: October 20
Director: Corey Yuen (Hero, The Transporter)
Starring: Devon Aoki, Sarah Carter, Natassia Malthe, Jamie Pressly, Holly Valance, Eric Roberts
The Lowdown: Since this is another film that was slated for a summer release but pushed back, I will sum it up thusly: “Based on the famous video game, DOA follows a fighting tournament set on a remote island where scantily-clad women battle one another, sometimes in the rain, for variously contrived reasons that all point to the shady Donovan (Roberts).”
Outtakes: Actor Milo Ventimiglia was originally cast in the film, but dropped out because he didn't like the way his character, Weatherby, was developed. Not one to mess with his career, he made the sage decision to appear in the much-lauded Stay Alive instead.
Should You See It? If you like video game adaptations or are a young teenage boy, then this one’s for you.
Official Website: www.uip.co.uk/deadoraliveFlags of Our Fathers
Release Date: October 20
Director: Clint Eastwood (Unforgiven, Million Dollar Baby)
Starring: Ryan Phillippe, Jesse Bradford, Adam Beach, Paul Walker, Jamie Bell, Barry Pepper
The Lowdown: Set near the end of World War II and based on the battle of Iwo Jima, the film will follow the events leading up to the fateful day when five Marines and a Navy corpsman raised the American flag on Mount Suribachi, which many regard as a symbol of victory for the Allied nations.
Outtakes: Based on the best-selling novel by James Bradley and Ron Powers. Bradley’s father, John "Doc" Bradley, was one of the soldiers pictured raising the flag.
Should You See It? If you like good drama and swoon for Barry Pepper like I do and can overlook Paul Walker’s casting, then this one’s for you.
Official Website: www.flagsofourfathers.com
[ From Marie Antoinette to Stranger Than Fiction. Part II of the preview. ]