October Movie Preview
Well, this is one late October preview, innit? Not that there's been much to crow about, but here's the month's releases, including all the films already released. All of them are still in theatres, so you can still use this handy-dandy guide for the rest of the month. Remember, Cineplex is offering half-price Tuesdays now, where you get a ticket, small popcorn and small pop for half price. It's like getting the combo for free, and you can upsize for a buck. First good deal they've offered in a while.
1.WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE- Oct 16, IMAX. Spike Jonze brings the beloved children's book to life, and it's not just a kid's film. It looks like an honest-to-god work of art, a real classic look at a boy on the cusp of leaving childhood, with some great performances and special effects. It's also an IMAX DMR presentation, for some added impact, but I don't think it's absolutely necessary to enjoy it.
2.ZOMBIELAND - Oct 2. Nothing like a good zombie comedy. It's short, but doesn't let up. It's not about the zombies, just zombie killin', and keeping your humanity when there's not many people left. It's doing very well, and the filmmakers already have an idea for a sequel, so expect a followup two years from now.
3.A SERIOUS MAN - Oct 16. Ahh, the Coen brothers. Even their failures make for compelling viewing, but this looks like a strong contribution to their oeuvre. No chance of commercial success because of its extreme focus on Jewish cultrue, but it's getting solid reviews for its compelling tale of a man on the edge. Even the trailer is a work of art.
4.ASTRO BOY - Oct 23, 3D. I'm looking forward to this, it looks like a great update to the orignal story with great visuals that still respect Otomo's original designs. Expect some great 3D bits as Astro flies through cool futuristic cities, whuppin' giant robot butt.
5.PARANORMAL ACTIVITY - Oct 16. This one's already a phenomenon. Micro budget, great thrills, minimal shaky cam! Just a really freaky ghost story shot doc style. Best seen with either a large group of people or by yourself in a dark room.
6.THE INVENTION OF LYING - Oct 2. Ricky Gervais is one funny guy, and this is custom made for his sensibility, It's a society where lying was never developed until one man stumbles upon the concept and becomes a king. Really clever idea, but some complain that the whole thing looks really cheap. Will probably play better at home, honestly. Still looks funny.
7.WHIP IT - Oct 2. Drew Barrymore's directorial debut is about Ellen Page finding a new world when she joins a roller derby league. It's supposed to be a really solid grrl power story but it just can't find an audience.
8.GENTLEMEN BRONCOS - Oct 30. The director of Napoleon Dynamite serves up another odd story about a kid who's sci-fi story is stolen by a failing author, played by Flight Of The Concord's Jermaine Clement. What's really cool is that the story plays out in the film from both author's perspective, and it makes Zardoz look like Blade Runner. Totally crazy world, very original perspective, but if you hated Napoleon, I doubt you'll get this one. Still, yay originality!
9.LAW ABIDING CITIZEN - Oct 16. I might have put this higher if this was on time, but the reviews have been pretty brutal. Gerard Butler's family was murdered, but the killers got light jail time thanks to a lazy prosecutor (Jamie Foxx), so he takes revenge not only on the killers but on the system itself. It's another coulda been that comes off mediocre with a reportedly lame ending. Too bad.
10.TOY STORY 1 & 2 in 3D - Oct 2. You'd think this would be higher, but I think three hours of 3D will probably make my head explode, which bodes well for Avatar. Still, the two films are so good I've practically burned them into my brain, so I skipped this. It's still playing for one more week, if you haven't seen them in a while, it's a good value, since it's a double feature for one ticket.
11.AMELIA - Oct 23. Hilary Swank plays the legendary Amelia Earhart. This has almost no buzz whatsoever, which just can't be good. Mira Nair made Monsoon Wedding and The Namesake, she's a solid director, and it's also starring Richard Gere and Ewan McGregor, but the whole thing smacks of Oscar Syndrome. Hopefully the reviews will be good, but I think it will be met with massive indifference.
12.CIRQUE DU FREAK: THE VAMPIRE'S ASSISTANT - Oct 23. Hoo boy. I love me some John C Reilly, but I can't see this being a good film to anyone over 18. Kids might think it's the best thing ever, but it doesn't look like anyone's really trying here. Just another attempt at a new franchise with no heart. I hope I'm wrong.
13.SAW VI - Oct 23. I honestly should put this higher, but I think this one will really hit the wall. I've actually enjoyed the franchise, but I thought there was an end in sight, and with the announcement that VII and VIII will be shot in 3D, I can't imagine this will be anything but more of the same. Which is, of course, just fine.
14.THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS 3D - oct 23. Another re-release. Interesting that they've made this an annual release, and I don't think there's anything new.
15.COUPLES RETREAT - Oct 9. I hate it when talented people get together and make something half-assed. It's pretty obvious these guys wanted to get together and have a working vacation in paradise. If you want something pretty and stupid, it should fit the bill. I expected more from them.
16.MICHAEL JACKSON'S THIS IS IT - Oct 26 (Wednesday). Michael Jackson's farewell performance! They shot the rehersals for his monster London gig with the intention of shooting THAT for a 3D concert film, but hey, I'm sure this footage will be just as good as the real thing, right? Some marketing firm thinks it'll make $250 million, but I think $20 mil for the total run is more realistic. Maybe the rest of the world will care more.
17.THE STEPFATHER - Oct 16. Hooray, another remake of a mediocre horror film. At least the original starred Lost's Terry O'Quinn, this stars a bunch of unremarkable, cheap actors in a demographically dictated bit of corporate filmmaking. Meh, meh, a thousand times meh.
18.BOONDOCK SAINTS 2: ALL SAINTS DAY - Oct 30, limited. Didn't really like the original. I can see how it's got a cult following, but I don't think there's that many people clamoring for a sequel, but wham, there it is. What's a million times more interesting is Overnight, the story of the writer/director Troy Duffy, whose massive ego cost him a career in film. I'm not convinced this will actually get released wide, so expect to see it on DVD very quickly. But hey, it was shot in Hamilton!
October is a little better than September, but some big guns get rolled out next month, including 2012 and A Christmas Carol. Expect that preview on time.
1.WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE- Oct 16, IMAX. Spike Jonze brings the beloved children's book to life, and it's not just a kid's film. It looks like an honest-to-god work of art, a real classic look at a boy on the cusp of leaving childhood, with some great performances and special effects. It's also an IMAX DMR presentation, for some added impact, but I don't think it's absolutely necessary to enjoy it.
2.ZOMBIELAND - Oct 2. Nothing like a good zombie comedy. It's short, but doesn't let up. It's not about the zombies, just zombie killin', and keeping your humanity when there's not many people left. It's doing very well, and the filmmakers already have an idea for a sequel, so expect a followup two years from now.
3.A SERIOUS MAN - Oct 16. Ahh, the Coen brothers. Even their failures make for compelling viewing, but this looks like a strong contribution to their oeuvre. No chance of commercial success because of its extreme focus on Jewish cultrue, but it's getting solid reviews for its compelling tale of a man on the edge. Even the trailer is a work of art.
4.ASTRO BOY - Oct 23, 3D. I'm looking forward to this, it looks like a great update to the orignal story with great visuals that still respect Otomo's original designs. Expect some great 3D bits as Astro flies through cool futuristic cities, whuppin' giant robot butt.
5.PARANORMAL ACTIVITY - Oct 16. This one's already a phenomenon. Micro budget, great thrills, minimal shaky cam! Just a really freaky ghost story shot doc style. Best seen with either a large group of people or by yourself in a dark room.
6.THE INVENTION OF LYING - Oct 2. Ricky Gervais is one funny guy, and this is custom made for his sensibility, It's a society where lying was never developed until one man stumbles upon the concept and becomes a king. Really clever idea, but some complain that the whole thing looks really cheap. Will probably play better at home, honestly. Still looks funny.
7.WHIP IT - Oct 2. Drew Barrymore's directorial debut is about Ellen Page finding a new world when she joins a roller derby league. It's supposed to be a really solid grrl power story but it just can't find an audience.
8.GENTLEMEN BRONCOS - Oct 30. The director of Napoleon Dynamite serves up another odd story about a kid who's sci-fi story is stolen by a failing author, played by Flight Of The Concord's Jermaine Clement. What's really cool is that the story plays out in the film from both author's perspective, and it makes Zardoz look like Blade Runner. Totally crazy world, very original perspective, but if you hated Napoleon, I doubt you'll get this one. Still, yay originality!
9.LAW ABIDING CITIZEN - Oct 16. I might have put this higher if this was on time, but the reviews have been pretty brutal. Gerard Butler's family was murdered, but the killers got light jail time thanks to a lazy prosecutor (Jamie Foxx), so he takes revenge not only on the killers but on the system itself. It's another coulda been that comes off mediocre with a reportedly lame ending. Too bad.
10.TOY STORY 1 & 2 in 3D - Oct 2. You'd think this would be higher, but I think three hours of 3D will probably make my head explode, which bodes well for Avatar. Still, the two films are so good I've practically burned them into my brain, so I skipped this. It's still playing for one more week, if you haven't seen them in a while, it's a good value, since it's a double feature for one ticket.
11.AMELIA - Oct 23. Hilary Swank plays the legendary Amelia Earhart. This has almost no buzz whatsoever, which just can't be good. Mira Nair made Monsoon Wedding and The Namesake, she's a solid director, and it's also starring Richard Gere and Ewan McGregor, but the whole thing smacks of Oscar Syndrome. Hopefully the reviews will be good, but I think it will be met with massive indifference.
12.CIRQUE DU FREAK: THE VAMPIRE'S ASSISTANT - Oct 23. Hoo boy. I love me some John C Reilly, but I can't see this being a good film to anyone over 18. Kids might think it's the best thing ever, but it doesn't look like anyone's really trying here. Just another attempt at a new franchise with no heart. I hope I'm wrong.
13.SAW VI - Oct 23. I honestly should put this higher, but I think this one will really hit the wall. I've actually enjoyed the franchise, but I thought there was an end in sight, and with the announcement that VII and VIII will be shot in 3D, I can't imagine this will be anything but more of the same. Which is, of course, just fine.
14.THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS 3D - oct 23. Another re-release. Interesting that they've made this an annual release, and I don't think there's anything new.
15.COUPLES RETREAT - Oct 9. I hate it when talented people get together and make something half-assed. It's pretty obvious these guys wanted to get together and have a working vacation in paradise. If you want something pretty and stupid, it should fit the bill. I expected more from them.
16.MICHAEL JACKSON'S THIS IS IT - Oct 26 (Wednesday). Michael Jackson's farewell performance! They shot the rehersals for his monster London gig with the intention of shooting THAT for a 3D concert film, but hey, I'm sure this footage will be just as good as the real thing, right? Some marketing firm thinks it'll make $250 million, but I think $20 mil for the total run is more realistic. Maybe the rest of the world will care more.
17.THE STEPFATHER - Oct 16. Hooray, another remake of a mediocre horror film. At least the original starred Lost's Terry O'Quinn, this stars a bunch of unremarkable, cheap actors in a demographically dictated bit of corporate filmmaking. Meh, meh, a thousand times meh.
18.BOONDOCK SAINTS 2: ALL SAINTS DAY - Oct 30, limited. Didn't really like the original. I can see how it's got a cult following, but I don't think there's that many people clamoring for a sequel, but wham, there it is. What's a million times more interesting is Overnight, the story of the writer/director Troy Duffy, whose massive ego cost him a career in film. I'm not convinced this will actually get released wide, so expect to see it on DVD very quickly. But hey, it was shot in Hamilton!
October is a little better than September, but some big guns get rolled out next month, including 2012 and A Christmas Carol. Expect that preview on time.