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fall movie previews for november
By vrtualme | September 28, 2007
These are some of my recommendations for November. Take them, or leave them. But you know I’ll be there.
American Gangster (2007) - This movie started off as just an article called “the return of superfly” in a New York magazine. When Universal picked it up in 2000, it changed the name to “Tru Blu” and signed Brian De Palma to direct. Since then, this true story of drug running in the 70’s has gone through many alterations eventually becoming what is now considered a strong Oscar contender. Directed by Ridley Scott (Alien 1979), written by Steven Zaillian (Awakenings 1990 & Schindler’s List 1993) and starring three former Oscar winners Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe and Cuba Gooding Jr. There is no doubt here that this film is going to be taking home some little gold men. Here’s the official website.
Lions for Lambs (2007) - Robert Redford is taking on some very sensitive political issues in what is only his second go at directing himself (previously with The Horse Whisperer 1998); and he’s not holding back his punches with a tag line like “If you don’t STAND for something, you might FALL for anything.” This is the first film to come out of the new Tom Cruise run United Artist; and to get things rolling he cast himself here as a presidential hopeful. Something that just might hurt the film, more than help it. Also along for the ride is Meryl Streep who’s last teaming with Redford earned her an Oscar nomination (Out of Africa 1985); but who are we kidding she’s been nominated 14 times. Here’s the official website.
Southland Tales (2006) - Richard Kelly (Donnie Darko 2001) finally got an all-star cast to play out one of his strange nightmares, and a great big budget to match. To generate interest in the film he released three graphic novels that tell the story leading up to the movie, and established the most elaborate and expensive official website ever produced for a film. But all this didn’t stop it from tanking at Cannes. Fitting for the tag line “This is the way the world ends.” And those present for the apocalypse are The Rock (Be Cool 2005), Seann William Scott (American Pie 1999), Sarah Michelle Gellar (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” 1997-2003), Mandy Moore (Saved! 2004), Miranda Richardson (The Crying Game 1992), Jon Lovitz (“The Critic” 2000), John Larroquette (“Night Court” 1984), Nora Dunn (“Saturday Night Live” 1985-1990), Justin Timberlake (Black Snake Moan 2006), Ling Bai (The Breed 2001) and even fellow director Kevin Smith (Dogma 1999). Bad reviews or not, I’ll be seeing this one for sure.
Margot at the Wedding (2007) - Up against Beowulf (2007) and Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (2007), I imagine this limited released character study is going to get crushed at the box office. Which is so sad to me. starring are Nicole Kidman (Oscar winner for The Hours 2002), Jack Black (Golden Globe nominee for The School of Rock 2003) and Jennifer Jason Leigh (four time Independent Spirit Award nominee); who all moved in together during filming to create an authentic feel for a dysfunctional family. In supporting roles are Ciarán Hinds (The Sum of All Fears 2002) and John Turturro (Cannes award winner for best actor - Barton Fink 1991). When handing over your hard earned cash at theaters this fall, please don’t forget about the little guys. Here’s the official website.
I’m Not There (2007) - First it was David Bowie and the Glam era with Velvet Goldmine (1998); now writer/director Todd Haynes takes on Bob Dylan. At a loss as to who to cast as the legend himself, Haynes jumped totally outta the box by casting six actors (including a little black boy and a woman) to cover six different eras in Dylan’s life. Those being Marcus Carl Franklin (Lackawanna Blues 2005), Ben Whishaw (Perfume: The Story of a Murderer 2006), Heath Ledger (Brokeback Mountain 2005), Christian Bale (Batman Begins 2005), Richard Gere (Chicago 2002) and Cate Blanchett (The Aviator 2004). Personally, I can’t wait to see how this plays. Oddly enough the official website is only in Spanish.
October 1st, 2007 at 4:24 am
The Southland Tales trailer just made my day!