I don’t know about any of you, but the summer movie fair has pretty much blown. Sure there have been a few great ones. The A-Team was fun, Inception was great, while Winter’s Bone was better than any of them, but other than those, nothing has really stood out for me. I’m sure after I write this I’ll regret missing a few other things, but this year has really been very unmemorable (is that a word?).
So I jumped on IMDB to see what is scheduled to come out this year and I’ve made a short list of movies still left for release that I really want to see, and that might actually be good.
I’m not going to mention Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and The Expendables because they both hit on Friday, so my list starts a little further in the future.
NEVER LET ME GO
September 17th
The preview for this film has blown me away. I have added the book to my list, yes I’m trying to read more. I like trying to figure out movies just by watching the previews. Not based on articles or other things. I think it’s more fun that way. Unfortunately, I’m often wrong, but it’s fun. This movie though has me stumped. It’s a bizarre world these characters live in. It’s as if they are born and bred simply to return the favor for those who can’t have children. I don’t know. I’m going to grab the book though and read it. So any of my assumptions are likely wrong. But you can’t beat the cast: Charlotte Rampling, Carrie Mulligan, and Keira Knightley. It had me at Charlotte Rampling. She doesn’t seem to make a movie unless it’s a risk. So if she’s in it, it has be to be a bold film.
THE AMERICAN
September 3rd
It’s a little frustrating to hear my fiancée talk about how hot she thinks George Clooney is. I mean I agree, but I still want to strangle the bastard. Although this is another my-last-assignment-changes-everything story, I still think The American will be great. George Clooney is cool as shit, and hit men have always been Hollywood’s coolest and sexiest characters. The mystery surrounding them lends itself to the romance of any story involving hit men. Clooney was born for roles like this. Although I feel like this movie will be a tough sell for Clooney fans, much like Syriana. I think a lot of people will go into this movie hoping for One Fine Day and be surprised to see a thinking man’s hit man film.
THE TOWN
September 17th
Ben Affleck really surprised me with Gone Baby Gone. I thought it was a great first outing as director for any actor turned director, much less Ben Affleck. I mean come on, it’s Ben Affleck. So when I saw the preview for The Town, I was shocked to discover he was directing it. It seems like a great follow-up effort. This time of course, he’s directing himself, which few actor/directors can do. Clint Eastwood and sometimes Kevin Costner being the exceptions. However, I’m looking forward to this film. Also just to see if Jon Hamm can really act. I love Mad Men, but I don’t think Hamm is a great actor. I think he lucked upon Don Draper and made it work, but his other work doesn’t give me much hope that he’ll live on past Mad Men. Maybe The Town will prove me wrong.
WALL STREET: MONEY NEVER TALKS
September 24th
Oliver Stone is a nutjob, but he’s a brilliant nutjob. Platoon is one of my favorite films. And I recently began reading the script for Midnight Express. All great stuff. Now, he’s failed to make a good movie in a long time, although W. was a worthwhile effort. But Gordon Gecko is one of those characters that must be on screen. He’s not a one time character. So a sequel to Wall Street is kind of a no brainer. I’m looking forward to Michael Douglas bringing back some of that icky charm that made Gecko so great. I am sad to see Shia LeBeouf in the film, but not as sad as I was to hear that Carrie Mulligan and him were dating in real life. What the fuck is that about?
BURIED
September 24th
Ryan Reynolds is my man crush. Ever since I saw him shirtless and chained up in Blade: Trinity, I’ve had this tingling ever time I see him. I’m gay for Ryan Reynolds. There’s nothing wrong with it. My fiancée knows about this and she’s okay with it. I want to see Buried because it’s actually a dream come true. Imagine having Ryan Reynolds buried in your back yard and you pull him up when you want to….hang out with him. How awesome would that be? I’m also impressed with the idea of a film taking place in one location: in a coffin under 6 feet of dirt.
THE SOCIAL NETWORK
October 1st
Facebook is kind of dumb. I know I have a Facebook page, so call me a hypocrite. I think Zuckerberg is dumb, but mostly because he’s four years younger than me and a billionaire. But most of all I thought the idea of this movie was dumb. Who cares about a punk ass kid stealing all of our personal info and becoming a billionaire? Then David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin were attached and I was like, “Hmmm….that’s weird.” Then I saw the trailers and I flipped. I am now on The Social Network train. I’m not going to lie, it looks pretty fucking good.
DUE DATE
November 5th
The Hangover was the best comedy I’d seen in years. So obviously I’m onboard for Todd Phillips first follow-up. Throw in Robert Downey, Jr. and Zack Galifianakis as a bonus and I think we’re in for another great comedy. Although Phillips premises aren’t new by any means, The Hangover is really Dude, Where’s My Car?, and Due Date looks a lot like Planes, Trains and Automobiles, he still adds a fresh twist that makes them fun.
BLACK SWAN
December 3rd
Two words will get me into a movie theatre no matter what. Even if it’s burning, simply say Darren Aronofsky and I’ll wonder in. I think I’m the only person on the planet to love The Fountain. Obviously, The Wrestler and Requiem for a Dream are brilliant, so what’s to make me think this film won’t be too? Well Mila Kunis is all I can come up with now, but I’ll give her a chance. The movie is a psychological thriller revolving around a production of Swan Lake. Sounds interesting. Check out this image of Natalie Portman.
TRON: LEGACY
December 17th
I was a later comer to the whole Tron love fest of the 80s. I didn’t see the first one until 2007, but I was impressed with its ability to stand up to time. The effects were still very impressive, although a lot of nerdy stuff didn’t hold up. I am a little embarrassed by how excited I was once this preview premiered. Mostly when Jeff Bridges popped up. I hate it when there are sequels and the actors from the first ones are too cool to return. Which lets face it, Bridges is too cool for it, but alas he’s back and I’m happy to see it.
SOMEWHERE
December 24th
Lost in Translation was excellent, but Marie Antoinette sucked. So will Sofia Coppola’s Somewhere fall into the excellent or shitty category? Stephen Dorff hasn’t had a good performance since, shit, when? The Power of One maybe. I think he’s someone with great talent hidden deep within, he’s just never had a director good enough to pull it out of him. I hope Coppola can do it for him. The story follows an actor who seems to be more about partying than working and he gets a little jolt of reality when his 11-year-old daughter comes to visit him at the Chateu Marmont. I wonder if any of this is based on real aspects of Coppola’s life?
THE DEBT
December 31st
The last day of the year will bring us The Debt. The story follows three Mossad agents tasked with bringing a Nazi war criminal to justice. They meet again 45 years later when it’s rumored that this war criminal has once again returned. The main reason I want to see the film is because Helen Mirren is hot. The second reason is it just looks amazing. I’ve always been intrigued by post WWII missions post WWII. It’s amazing the things they may or may not have done.
What movies are you looking forward to seeing for what’s left of 2010?
