Opening in Wide Release:
- Cadillac Records - The rise and fall of blues label Chess Records, which launched the careers of Muddy Waters, Etta James and Chuck Berry. Stars Adrien Brody and Beyonce Knowles, among others. This looks like a much darker, grittier, and infinitely more interesting "Dreamgirls"-style movie. I'll definitely see this at some point. Rated R.
- Punisher: War Zone - Marvel Comics' ruthless vigliante-hero Frank Castle returns to wage his one-man war on the world of organized crime. More of a series restart than an actual sequel to 2004's "The Punisher," which starred Thomas Jane; this one stars Ray Stevenson from the HBO series "Rome." I liked the original movie, but this one looks terrible. I have absolutely no desire to see this movie at all. Rated R.
Opening in Limited Release:
- Frost/Nixon - Director Ron Howard dramatizes the historic 1977 television interview between David Frost and President Richard Nixon. This will probably end up being a major Oscar contender. I think it looks pretty intriguing. Rated R.
- Nobel Son - A Nobel Prize-winning chemist's son is kidnapped for his father's prize money, setting of a tale of familial dysfunction and revenge. This looks like a very dark and subversive action/comedy, and it stars two of my favorite actors, Alan Rickman and Eliza Dushku. Rated R.
- Local Color - A talented but troubled art school student befriends an elderly alcoholic genius painter who has turned his back on art and life. It's based on a true story, and the filmmakers were obviously aiming to make a heartwarming drama. But I watched the trailer and, in all honesty, the film looks more cheesy than heartwarming. Rated R.
- Let Them Chirp Awhile - A struggling screenwriter deals with several failed relationships while taking care of a puppy for a girl he hopes to sleep with. This looks like another one of those smug, self-obsessed hipster-wannabe indie flicks that just get on my nerves. So yeah, I won't be seeing this one. Not rated, but looks to contain a good deal of R-rated material.
- The Black Balloon - All the new kid in town wants to do is fit in, but when he is put in charge of his autistic brother, he faces his biggest challenge yet. This is an Australian dramedy that is now just opening in the U.S. I don't know enough about Autism to be able to tell if the movie is treating it realistically or a more of the typical Hollywood version of a disease, but on its own terms the film looks like it could be pretty good. Also, the girlfriend in this film is played by Gemma Ward, who also played one of the scary masked intruders in the very creepy horror film "The Strangers" earlier this year. Not rated, but doesn't look to contain anything beyond PG-13 level.
- Ciao - A man dies very unexpectedly and leaves behind two men: his best friend and an Italian he's been corresponding with online. This film looks very serious, and VERY slow-paced... I just about fell asleep watching the trailer. Rated R.
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