Sorting out the fall film harvest
August 21st, 2008 at 03:33pm Will Pfeifer
Last week, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY released its “Fall Movie Preview” issue. (You know, the one with the big picture of Harry Potter — whose movie isn’t coming out until summer — on the cover.) Though it’s tough to get out to the theater with a three-year-old at home, I still like to plan some autumn cinema going. Here’s what looks good to me:
MIRACLE AT ST. ANNA — Spike Lee’s World War II epic holds promise, his self-indulgent sniping at Clint Eastwood aside. With THE 25TH HOUR, THE INSIDE MAN and WHEN THE LEVEES BREAK on his recent resume, Spike’s on a bit of a roll. Let’s hope it continues.
BURN AFTER READING — Naturally, the Coen brothers follow their dark, Oscar-winning drama NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN with a wacky comedy. The cast is great — Frances McDormand, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Tilda Swinton and John Malkovich. If it’s less INTOLERABLE CRUELTY and more RAISING ARIZONA, it’ll be great.
RIGHTEOUS KILL — DeNiro and Pacino, together again for the almost first time (they had that one diner scene in HEAT years ago). It looks like a fairly standard cop drama, but just watching these two powerhouses chew the scenery should be an entertaining way to pass two hours.
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3 — Just kidding.
BODY OF LIES — Here’s the rule: Fat Russell Crowe (THE INSIDER, MASTER AND COMMANDER, L.A. CONFIDENTIAL) equals good. Fit Russell Crowe (GLADIATOR, A BEAUTIFUL MIND ) equals less than good. He looks pretty chunky in this one. Plus, Leonardo DiCaprio is costaring.
W. — I’m as curious about Oliver Stone’s Bush biopic as anyone. And Brolin is coming off a hell of a year (NO COUNTRY, GRINDHOUSE and AMERICAN GANGSTER). Plus, Richard Dreyfuss as Cheney? Brilliant!
SYNEDOCHE, NEW YORK — Charlie Kaufman, screenwriter of ADAPATION, BEING JOHN MALKOVICH and a personal favorite, ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND, directs his first film. Philip Seymour Hoffman plays a theater director who builds a life-sized (well, almost) replica of New York City in a warehouse. Advance word is it’s difficult, confusing and no crowd please, but I think it sounds brilliant, and I’d watch anything Kaufman wrote.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED — Barry Levinson directed this adaptation of producer Art Linson’s hilarious Hollywood tell-all. The names have been changed, but the stories should still be funny. (Bruce Willis, incidentally, is playing a guy based on Alec Baldwin. Read the book — it’s worth it.)
AUSTRALIA — I liked Baz Luhmann’s lush, over-the-top MOULIN ROUGE. This could be a similar cinema feast.
THE ROAD — Viggo Mortensen stars as the dad in this beyond-bleak tale of a post-apocalyptic journey of a father and son. My wife read the book and loved it — even if it was an Oprah selection. I’m curious enough to wait for the movie.
QUANTUM OF SOLACE — After the greatness that was CASINO ROYALE, I’m dying to see where the new Bond goes next.
REVOLUTIONARY ROAD — Sure Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet starred in the biggest movie of all time. But you know what else? They’re also arguably the two best actors of their generation. This period drama set in the 1950s doesn’t have a big sinking ship, but it’s guaranteed to have at least two great performances.
THE SPIRIT — Um, I still can’t decide how I feel about Frank Miller’s take on this classic comic book. Check back with me sometime in November.
THE CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON — This might be the movie I’m looking forward to most of all. David Fincher, coming off the completely brilliant ZODIAC, reunites with his SEVEN and FIGHT CLUB star Brad Pitt for a story about a guy who ages backward. The scope looks epic, and the effects look nothing less than amazing.
OK, that’s my take. What are you looking forward to?
Entry Filed under: Fall movies
1 Comment Add your own
1. Brian M | August 22nd, 2008 at 3:13 am
Every season of the year I await the newest EW preview issue (as well as Premiere, until it was discontinued a year or two ago), and immediately scour through it when it arrives. Sure, in the internet age, I usually know most of what’s coming out already, but to have it all collected with more info and a nice calendar to plan by is always fun to read.
While I’ll be seeing most of them, among my most anticipated, I’m with you on:
Burn After Reading - I much prefer the Coen’s comedies (Lebowski, Arizona, Hudsucker…) to their dramas. Looks good so far.
Curious Case of Benjamin Button - The trailer looks beautiful, but I’m not sold on the story. Still, with Fincher and Pitt, there’s no doubt I’m there opening night.
Australia - Again, the story isn’t the main appeal for me here. But anything Luhrmann directs automatically gets a chance from me, and it’ll be interesting to see a more straight-forward style from him as opposed to that seen in Moulin Rouge and Romeo & Juliet.
Revolutionary Road - You also forgot to note it’s directed by American Beauty’s Sam Mendes.
…and I have to add:
Eagle Eye - As much flack as he gets for being pushed as the new current “it” actor, I think Shia Labeouf is the real deal. Reteamed here with the director of the surprisingly decent Disturbia, produced by Spielberg, and with a cast that includes Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson, Michael Chiklis, and Billy Bob Thornton. …not to mention the trailer looked pretty intense.
Zack and Miri Make a Porno - Kevin Smith has yet to disappoint me (though I consider the critical fave Chasing Amy his weakest). You know what you’re getting going into one of his films, and I find most of his stuff hilarious. (As a dad, I even enjoyed Jersey Girl)
Role Models - Paul Rudd is one of the most underrated comic actors working today, and here he teams up once again with most of the members of hilarious comedy troupe The State, including director David Wain.
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