Matty G's 20 Favorite Movies of 2008, Part I (20-11)

Yeah, I know it's a bit late to finally be posting this (2009's almost halfway over already), but I wanted to wait until I'd seen as many of the films I wanted to before making this list.  And, even though there are still a few I haven't yet seen ("Wendy and Lucy" and the french film "A Secret" are two excellent examples), I've decided that enough time has passed that I might as well get around to posting this now... and I was bored.

So, without further ado, I present to you the first ten of my twenty favorite films from 2008, along with links to their respective trailers, so click on the titles if you want to see some of what I'm talking about.  I'll post the top ten sometime tomorrow (or on Sunday, if I don't have time).

20. "Snow Angels" - This challenging film from director David Gordon Green ("Undertow," "Pineapple Express") explores the lives of people in a small town that's rocked by tragedy.  The characters feel so realistic that at times it's difficult to watch, particularly as one of them gets swallowed up by anger and alcoholism.  But the darkness of the story is buoyed by the tender first love developing between two high school kids (one of whom is played by Olivia Thurlby, the best friend in "Juno") that brings an overall feeling of hope to the movie rather than despair.

19. "Twilight" - Yeah, I liked this movie (and the book series it's based on) and I'm not ashamed to admit it.  While it's not perfect, I thought director Catherine Hardwicke ("Thirteen," "Lords of Dogtown") did an excellent job of bringing the darkly romantic tone of the story to life.  And the cinematography is beautiful; the film and it's setting look exactly the way I imagined it when reading.

18. "The Wrestler" - Mickey Rourke deserves the accolades he received for his performance in this heartbreaking film.  He plays Randy "The Ram" Robinson, a former superstar wrestler from the '80s who now lives alone in a shabby trailer park while trying to balance his time between wrestling for pitifully small audiences and working at a local supermarket.  He also regularly visits a strip club, and gets to know one of the strippers (played by Marisa Tomei, whose character is another wounded soul, and the thus a kindred spirit to his).  The heart(break) of the film comes from his attempts to reconcile with his daughter, who has almost nothing but contempt for him for very good reasons.  Randy is one of those guys who wants to do good by everyone but seems to be a perpetual screwup; every time he takes a step forward he takes four or five steps back.  But the film steps right at every moment, with an ending that feels at first like a tragedy and then, with time and thought, more like a personal success.

17. "Rachel Getting Married" - This feels less like a film and more like director Jonathan Demme ("The Silence of the Lambs") walked into someone's wedding with a camera and just started rolling.  Anne Hathaway plays Kym, a former model and recovering drug addict who is given a temporary pass out of rehab to attend her sister Rachel's wedding.  Kym's presence opens up all kinds of long buried wounds within her family.  The film is full of humor and sadness and anger and love, just like most families are.  At times it feels so real it's hard to watch, but I strongly recommend you give this film a try.  It'll probably make you feel better about your own family, in any case.

16. "RocknRolla" - If you've never seen one of director Guy Ritchie's blood-soaked comedic gangster films, this is an excellent place to start (he's often referred to as the British Quentin Tarantino).  "RocknRolla" ranks alongside "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" and "Snatch" as one of his best.  I won't even try to explain the plot, which involves crooked land development deals, a stolen painting, people being eaten by crayfish and an insane heroin addicted rock star named Johnny Quid.  But the film does have an excellent cast, headed up by Gerard Butler (King Leonidas in "300") and a pitch-black sense of humor.

15. "Bolt" - Ever since the Disney studios decided to switch over from old school 2-D animation to all 3-D animation in reaction to the popularity of Pixar's films, they've struggled to reach the same level of quality of films like "Finding Nemo" and "The Incredibles."  Their first 3-D film was "Chicken Little," which was very disappointing; their second feature, "Meet the Robinsons," was a lot better but still far from Pixar-level quality.  But not anymore; with "Bolt" Disney has finally gotten their groove back.  Or maybe I just like it for all the Hollywood in-jokes... and the pigeons.  In any case, the story of a dog who doesn't know he's not an actual superhero and rather the star of a popular TV show is infectiously entertaining; a cross between "The Truman Show" and "Toy Story" (Bolt and Buzz Lightyear are almost the same character), with a story that is funny and touching.  I'm glad Disney has decided to return to 2-D animation in the future after all, but I'm all for more 3-D movies as good as this one.

14. "City of Ember" - Though it isn't quite as successful a screen adaptation as "Harry Potter" or even "The Golden Compass," this film was unfairly overlooked when it was released last year (do even remember this film coming out in theaters?  Yeah, I didn't think so.).  Based on the first book in the popular Books of Ember series, "City of Ember" takes place in a post-apocalyptic future where the world has become inhabitable (it's never explained why).  In the prologue a group of engineers and architects known as the Builders have built a massive city called Ember deep underground where a certain amount of people will grow up and live with no knowledge of the outside world.  The Builders leave instructions for the future residents, explaining how they will leave the city after 200 years have passed, when the world above has hopefully become hospitable again.  But over time the instructions are lost and all knowledge about the plan has been forgotten, and as the story proper begins the current residents of Ember are trying to go on living while the city falls apart around them.  Two young children, Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow, find the instructions and try to find the way out.  The film is exciting and action-packed, and the city of Ember is one of the most beautifully realized worlds put on the screen in a long time... it really feels like a world underground.

13. "Frost/Nixon" - Most stories create suspense by slowly revealing things until we've finally learned something we didn't previously know.  But there are other stories that attempt something more difficult; they tell us about something we already know, but build up to the event or truth little by little so that the suspense grows as we wait for it to finally happen.  Everybody knows what happened when British television host David Frost interviewed Richard Nixon just after leaving office because of the Watergate scandal: he did something no one thought possible and got the ex-president to not only admit wrongdoing, but to apologize to the American people for letting them down... on national TV.  It was an unbelievable moment that could never happen in the times we live in, and maybe that's what makes seeing it happen again in this film so riveting.  Or maybe it's because director Ron Howard just knows how to make a good film.  He and his actors do such a job of slowly building up to what we know happens, and making it seem like an impossible event for so long, that eventually I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the moment to happen.  And I'm pretty sure you will be too.

12. "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time" - This is a sweet and intriguing animated film from Japan about a young girl named Makoto who suddenly discovers that she can jump back in time and change the events of her past, thereby changing the future as well.  At first she's overjoyed to discover this ability and uses it to fix any problem or embarrassing moment she has.  But, like Ashton Kutcher learned in "The Butterfly Effect," messing with time can have drastic consequences, and Makoto's interferences begin to lead to results she didn't anticipate.  If you've ever seen one of Hayao Miyazaki's films, like "Spirited Away" or "Kiki's Delivery Service," then you'll know what to expect from this one.  I'd also rank it as a great starting point for anyone who's never seen a Japanese animated film (more commonly known as anime) before.

11. "Iron Man" - Robert Downey Jr. is awesome, and it's great the rest of the world finally took notice with this film.  He helps take what could have been another lame second or third-tier superhero character (the Fantastic Four?  Please!), and turns him into a funny, haunted, fully believable human being.  We believe Tony Stark's transformation from billionaire playboy to enlightened crusader for justice.  And, as much as I love Christopher Nolan's uber-serious Batman films, it's nice to see a superhero movie with a (non-campy) sense of humor.

Films 10-1 next time!

What's new in theaters today - Christmas edition!

Happy holidays everybody!  Here's the films opening today; it looks like there should be something for everyone in your family.

Opening in Wide release:

• Bedtime Stories - Adam Sandler's life is turned upside down when the imaginative bedtime tales he tells his niece and nephew become reality.  Adam Sandler comedy + Disney kids flick = no thanks for me.  Rated PG.
• The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Brad Pitt stars in the peculiar story of a man who is born in his eighties and ages backwards, becoming younger through time.  Directed by David Fincher, of "Se7en," "Fight Club" and "Zodiac" fame.  I can't wait to see this movie; I love movies of this nature (i.e. adult fairy tales, like "Pan's Labyrinth" and "Big Fish").  I really think this'll be one of the best movies of the year.  Rated PG-13.
• Marley & Me - Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson are a couple who adopt a puppy tha becomes a rollicking force of nature in their lives.  Not my kind of movie, but I'm sure a lot of people will like it.  Rated PG.
• The Spirit - After coming back from the dead, a man fights crime from the shadows of Central City as the masked crusader known as The Spirit.  This looks just like "Sin City," which I loved, but I'm starting to think that it might be a 2nd or 3rd rate knock-off of that film (despite that this was directed by Frank Miller, who created the original "Sin City" comics).  I'll see it eventually, but I'd rather just see "Sin City 2" instead.  Rated PG-13.
• Valkyrie - Tom Cruise stars in the true story of Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg and the daring plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler.  The movie looks like it could be pretty good, but I'm confused why Tom Cruise was cast in this film as a German... he doesn't even try to fake an accent!  Rated PG-13.

Opening in Selected release:

• Revolutionary Road - Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet are a young couple in the 1950s trying to find fulfillment in an age of conformity.  Watching two yuppies bitch and moan at each other for two hours?  No thanks, especially when I've already got the far-more-interesting "Mad Men" to spend my time with.  Rated R.
• Last Chance Harvey - Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson star as down-on-their-luck strangers who meet by chance and transform one another's lives.  This kind of film probably has an audience, but it's not me.  Rated PG-13.
• Waltz with Bashir - A filmmaker journeys to discover the truth about an Israeli Army mission that left him with a loss of memory about the events.  This film is animated, but tells a powerful and engrossing story about the effects of war.  Definitely a film to watch for.  Rated R.

What's new in theaters this week - 12/19/08

Here are this week's new movie releases.

Opening in Wide release:

• Seven Pounds - Will Smith is an IRS agent with a secret who embarks on a journey of redemption by changing the lives of seven strangers.  This is an intriguing looking movie, but the early reviews have not been good at all.  And even after all the trailers I've seen, I'm still a little confused about what exactly Smith's character is doing, and why.  Rated PG-13.
• The Tale of Despereaux - A tiny mouse with the courage of a knight in shining armor is the only one in the kingdom who can rescue a kidnapped princess.  This movie looks beautifully animated, but the story probably won't exactly entertain older audiences like "WALL-E" and "Kung-Fu Panda" did.  Still, it should be a solid movie for young kids.  Rated G.
• Yes Man - Jim Carrey's life is radically transformed when he decides to live by one simple principle: say yes to everything and anything.  Just like "Bruce Almighty," the more I've seen of this movie the funnier it looks.  Add in supporting performances by Zooey Deschanel and Rhys Darby (aka Murray from "Flight of the Conchords"), and "Yes Man" is a movie I'll definitely see... though I'll probably wait for DVD.  Rated PG-13.

Opening in Limited release:

• Nothing But the Truth - Kate Beckinsale is a political reporter under fire for uncovering a government scandal and revealing a covert CIA agent's identity.  This is based on the true story of Valerie Plame, and the film definitely feels like one of those ripped-from-the-headlines movies in both the good sense (interesting story, topical issues) and the bad (self-righteousness, clunky-sounding "important" dialogue).  Then again, last year there was a similar film released about the Robert Hanssen story called "Breach" that was excellent, so maybe this one will be good too.  Rated R.
• Scott Walker: 30 Century Man - Documentary exploring the music and career of Scott Walker, one of the most influential and enigmatic figures in rock history.  Considering that the film is filled with interviews with David Bowie, Brian Eno, Sting, Radiohead and a ton of other musicians, one would think that everybody would know about this guy who was apparently such a big influence on so many.  So why don't know about him?  Well, that's what this very interesting documentary is about.  Not rated, and is probably okay for anyone who wants to see it.
• The Wrestler - Mickey Rourke is a washed-up former professional wrestler who gets a chance at getting back in the ring against an old nemesis.  The newest film from Darren Aronofsky, the director of "Pi," "Requiem for a Dream" and "The Fountain."  This has been one of the most celebrated movies of the year, and Rourke is the current favorite to win the Best Actor Oscar this year.  Add to that the fact that Aronofsky is one of the best directors working today ("The Fountain" was one of the best movies I saw in '06), and I just can't wait to see this film.  Rated R.

What's new in theaters this week - 12/05/08

Here are the new movies for this week.

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.

What's new in theaters this week -11/26/08

Hey everybody, I just realized that this week's movies are being released today.  Makes sense, considering it's a holiday weekend.  So anyway, be sure to have a great Thanksgiving and watch some good movies!

Opening in Wide Release:

• Australia -  Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman (aka People's Sexiest Man of the Year) star as cattle ranchers in a World War II-era epic set in the outback.  Directed by Baz Luhrman, of "Moulin Rouge!" and the punk-rock "William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet" fame, this is sure to be a big, crazy, over-the-top romantic drama in the vein of films like "Titanic" and "Gone With the Wind."  Since I enjoyed all the other films I just mentioned, I'm definitely planning on seeing "Australia" at some point.  Rated PG-13.
• Four Christmases - Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn are a couple forced to spend Christmas with their four different dysfunctional families.  Looks like it has the potential to be pretty funny.  This film was directed by Seth Gordon, who previously directed an excellent documentary called "The King of Kong;" that movie is absolutely worth seeing.  Rated PG-13.
• Transporter 3 - Jason Statham is back in action as Frank Martin, the ex-Special Forces operative who is hired to deliver a very special 'package.'  With all the problems Frank has faced in the two previous films, you'd think this guy would have found a different occupation by now.  That being said, I'm pretty sure that if you liked the last two films you'll like this one too.  And Statham makes for a pretty decent action hero.  Rated PG-13.

Opening in Limited release:

• Milk - Sean Penn stars in the story of slain San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in America.  This type of movie definitely lets you know that we've officially entered Oscar season.  I'm pretty sure this is going to be an excellent film, and with all the controversy over gay rights and Proposition 8, the story-line has some real relevance to the way things are today.  Rated R.

What's new in theaters this week - 11/21/08

We've got two pretty big releases this week, along with a cadre of smaller films as well.  Looks like everyone should be able to find something they like.  Oh, and from now on I'll be linking to the trailers for every movie each week... so just click on the movie title on you'll see the trailer.

Opening in Wide release:

• Bolt - The canine star of a hit TV show is accidentally shipped from his Hollywood soundstage to the very real world of New York City.  This is the newest non-Pixar Disney film, and it actually looks pretty good.  Looks perfect to take the kids to.  Rated PG.
• Twilight - Bella, the new girl in town, is swept up in a passionate and dangerous romance with Edward, a mysterious teen vampire.  Based on the first book in the mega-popular series, of which I am an admitted fan.  While the film should please the large (mostly female) audience of already existing Twilight fans, it looks like the filmmakers have toned down the romantic aspects a bit and cranked up the action in an attempt to get more guys to see it.  Will it be successful?  I'll let you know after I see it this weekend.  Rated PG-13.

Opening in Select release:

• The Betrayal - A filmmaker portrays his family's struggle to survive the impact of U.S. foreign policy in Laos and his father's involvement in the war.  Appears to be a combination of documentary and filmed footage.  This looks like an amazing and powerful film.  See it!  Not rated; doesn't appear to contain anything objectionable.
• I Can't Think Straight - A traditional Middle Eastern woman's encounter with a young British Indian woman begins a journey of self-awareness for her.  Is it just me or does there seem to suddenly be an influx of young-lesbian-girls-discovering-and-coming-to-terms-with-their-sexuality movies?  It feels like they've been releasing at least one every week these days... which is fine by me as long as they're good.  But this does not appear to be one of the better ones.  Rated PG-13.
• Lake City - When a man gets into trouble with a local drug dealer, he heads to the last place on earth he wants to go--his childhood home.  Stars Sissy Spacek, Rebecca Romijn and Dave Matthews.  Looks like kind of a standard thriller... but how many other chances are you going to get to see the lead singer of the Dave Matthews Band as a violent drug dealer?  Rated R.
• Special - A man participating in a drug study becomes convinced he is developing special powers and finds his calling as a superhero.  This is a truly strange looking movie.  It seems to focus on the question of whether this guy actually has super powers or if he's just going crazy.  At times it resembles an episode of "Heroes" that's intentionally trying to be funny.  I'd suggest giving it a shot.  Rated R.

What's new in theaters this week - 11/14/08

There aren't a lot of movies out this week, but there are definitely some good ones.

Opening in Wide release:

• Quantum of Solace - Daniel Craig is back in action as Agent 007, out for revenge and determined to thwart a mysterious organization's sinister plan.  Of course I'm going to see this movie; it looks awesome and Craig makes a great James Bond.  The movie hasn't been getting the greatest reviews though, so I'm a little worried at this point.  Rated PG-13.

Opening in Limited release:

• Slumdog Millionaire - A Mumbai street kid attempts to become a contestant on India's "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" to find the girl he loved and lost.  This is the latest film directed by Danny Boyle, who's also responsible for "28 Days Later," "Sunshine" and "Trainspotting."  This movie is getting some of the best reviews of the year, as well as strong word of mouth from those who have already seen it.  In short, it's looking like this film may follow in the footsteps of "Little Miss Sunshine" and "Juno" and find a large audience.  Personally, I can't wait to see it.  Rated R.
• A Christmas Tale - Three siblings' attempt to reunite their estranged family for a long holiday weekend quickly devolves into feuding and drunkenness.  This has gotten good early ratings, and looks like it could be enjoyable.  Might see it on DVD someday.  Not rated; doesn't look to have anything too objectionable.
• Fuel - Documentary examining biofuels, how America's addiction to oil is destroying the economy and how green energy can save us.  This was a huge hit at the Sundance Film Festival.  At first I didn't really think this looked like a need-to-see film; I mean, we already know all this stuff is true, right?  Then I watched the trailer and discovered that it actually revolves around one man's personal tragedy and how it set him on a path that led to what the film is about.  So now I am very interested in seeing this movie.  Not rated; looks to be free of objectionable material.

My 10 Favorite Films of 2007

Earlier in the week I posted my favorite albums of last year, and now I'm posting my favorite films from 2007.  So what I'm basically saying is: if there are any movies on this list that you haven't seen, well, now you have something to do this weekend.  Enjoy!

My 10 Favorite Films of 2007:

1. Juno - This isn't just my favorite film of 2007; I loved it so much that it's become my favorite movie of all time.  It's one of those rare movies that just seems to get everything right.  I'm not saying it's perfect... some of the hipster dialogue in the beginning feels a little overdone.  But first-time screenwriter Diablo Cody gets all the elements right: she creates believable (read: emotionally complex) characters and realistic situations without making it boring (I think we've all seen plenty of "realistic" indie movies that only manage to be boring as hell).  Cody also does something even harder: she makes every character relatable in some way, and doesn't let anyone simply be good or bad.  In any other film Juno's parents or Jason Bateman's character would have become a villain of some kind, but Cody treats them all with respect and love.  For those who didn't think "Juno" deserved the Best Screenplay Oscar, ignore the dialogue and look at the set-up; the details are what make this film work so well.  And, above all, it's a movie that somehow manages to keep growing on me every time I watch it.

2. Persepolis - Based on the graphic novel of the same name inspired by the writer's true life, "Persepolis" actually feels a lot like an Iranian version of "Juno" at times.  Both films revolve around a smart, witty young woman who is forced to deal with a number of personal setbacks.  But "Persepolis" has a lot more on its mind than teen pregnancy; actually that's about the only thing writer/protagonist Marjane Satrapi (referred to as "Marji" in the movie) didn't have to deal with growing up.  The film begins with Satrapi as a child in 1970's Iran as the Islamic revolution is beginning, and follows her as she leaves Iran and spends a number of years in France before eventually returning to Iran as a young adult.  I actually learned a lot of things about Iran, often named as part of the "Axis of Evil," from watching this film.  It's heartbreaking to see how the Islamic revolution, which at first Marji and her family believe will bring a positive change to their country, eventually evolves into an even more oppressive dictatorship.  But don't let this trick you into thinking the film is a downer; there is a lot of warmth and humor on display as a young Marji falls in love with punk rock and grows into a smart and cynical writer.  I could go on talking about this film forever, but instead I'll just tell you to see it for yourself (but a warning: make sure to watch it in the original French language; the English re-dubbing with famous actors like Sean Penn just doesn't work for a film like this).

3. Zodiac - This film tells the terrifying true story of the Zodiac Killer who terrorized the state of California in the 1970s, and the exhaustive manhunt that eventually became an obsession for three men.  Director David Fincher (he also made "Seven," "Fight Club" and "Panic Room"), who was a kid growing up in California when the Zodiac Killer became famous, attempted to keep the film as close to the real events as possible, and he's so successful that at times it feels like you're watching a documentary.  Although we see scenes of the Zodiac committing his murders (which are horrifying without being exploitive), the film is really about the search for the killer and how it eventually destroyed the lives of three men, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo and pre-"Iron Man" Robert Downey Jr.  It's a long movie, and some people may be disappointed that it's not a more traditional "horror film" like they might expect.  But give it a chance and take it for what it is, and I think you'll enjoy it.

4. Atonement - Based on the celebrated novel by Ian McEwan, this is an epic film centered around intimate actions that destroy the lives of three people.  The story begins shortly before World War II, as servant Robbie Turner (James McAvoy) and his highborn childhood friend Cecilia Tallis (Keira Knightley) suddenly discover that they have mutual feelings for each other.  But Cecilia's young, immature sister Briony (deserved Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan), who also has a crush on Robbie, sees something she doesn't understand and it leads her to tell a lie that gets Robbie sent to prison.  Then the film shifts to a number of years later, when Robbie is now serving in the war effort as a means of getting out of prison, Cecilia is a nurse and Briony, now a young adult, has come to realize the seriousness of what she did and is trying to atone for her actions (hence the title).  This is one of the most beautiful films I've ever seen, and any student of film needs to see the amazing Dunkirk beach sequence shot in one continuous take on a Steady-cam.  But the story is what really drives the picture, with an ending that comes out of nowhere and punches you in the gut emotionally.  "Atonement" is pure, powerful filmmaking.

5. There Will Be Blood - A truly bizarre film, "There Will Be Blood" isn't easy to explain to anyone.  Most of you probably already know about Daniel Day-Lewis's amazing performance (and mustache), and of course there was the whole "I-drink-your-milkshake" thing (which I was definitely not expecting to become a national catchphrase).  But, like "Atonement," the real power of this film stems from it being an intimate story told on an epic scale.  Watching Day-Lewis's oil tycoon Daniel Plainview wage a war of wills against the insane teenage preacher Eli Sunday (Paul Dano) is like watching two great armies engaging in an epic battle.  I was completely mesmerized for every moment of this film, from the opening title cards to the unbelievable final shots.  "There Will Be Blood" definitely may not be for everyone's tastes, but I guarantee you've never seen anything like it before.

6. No Country for Old Men - Also known as the Best Picture Oscar winner of last year.  Although it was compared to "There Will Be Blood" for it's desert setting and dark themes, the movies are actually polar opposites of one another.  While "There Will Be Blood" is big, epic and completely over the top, "No Country for Old Men" is slower-paced and tells a much more low key story.  Sure, serial killer Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) is a walking embodiment of pure evil, but the core of the film is best expressed through the words of Tommy Lee Jones' Sheriff Bell.  As he tracks Chigurh's path of destruction and tries to help Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin), who Chigurh is chasing to get back the money from a drug deal gone bad that Moss stumbled upon and took, Bell reflects on the deteriorating state of the world.  Witnessing the brutal, unmotivated carnage that Chigurh leaves in his wake forces him to reflect on how the world is changing from the earlier days of himself and of his ancestors.  He simply isn't able to understand the kind of violence that he is presented with, and comes to the conclusion that the times of his generation are coming to an end.  So yeah, it's very much a thinking man's movie... but it's also got great performances (Chigurh really does rank alongside Hannibal Lecter as a truly terrifying vision of evil), a great story and excellent direction.  It's more or less a perfect film.  But it can be a little slow at times, which is why it doesn't score higher on the list.

7. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street - Forget "The Phantom of the Opera;" this is the way a horror-based musical should be done!  Director Tim Burton brings his signature darkly Gothic style to this squirm-inducing tale.  Without the typical good-at-heart social misfits that usually occupy Burton's films, "Sweeney Todd" is easily the darkest film he's ever made.  Johnny Depp delivers yet another stand-out performance as the title character, but the other cast members do top notch work as well (including Helena Bonham Carter and Alan Rickman).  "Sweeney Todd" is bold, brilliant and, as the New York Times declared, "a work of extreme genius" in every way.

8. The Orphanage - Described by many as the 2007 equivalent of "Pan's Labyrinth," and that's not exactly a bad description; the creative fingerprints of producer and "Pan's Labyrinth" director Guillermo del Toro are all over "The Orphanage."  A woman moves her family into the now-empty orphanage that she grew up in as a child with plans to reopen it.  You can probably guess that things don't go quite so well.  But, like the rest of Toro's work, this is a lot more than a simple horror film.  I don't want to go into too much detail (the more you don't know about the film going in, the better your experience with it will be), but like "Pan's Labyrinth" this is a film that focuses just as much on compelling emotion and old-school storytelling as it does on providing scares (and this movie is genuinely terrifying).  If you like ghost stories, then "The Orphanage" is definitely a movie you should not miss.

9. Bridge to Terabithia - Based on the classic coming of age book by Katherine Paterson.  If you've never read the book and have only seen the trailers for the film, which make it look like a third-rate "Narnia" rip-off, then you'll be very shocked by the actual film itself.  This is a very moving (and heartbreaking) story about the power of friendship and imagination.  Fifth grade outcasts Jesse (Josh Hutcherson) and new girl Leslie (AnnaSophia Robb) become friends over a mutual love of art, and soon they have created their own imaginary kingdom of Terabithia in the woods behind their houses.  Despite the way the advertising made the film look, roughly 80-90% of it takes place in the real world and revolves around how the kids deal with real life problems like bullies, poverty and nagging family members.  The time they spend in Terabithia serves as a place they can escape to and where they can feel powerful.  This is a great film for families to watch together... although I've got to warn you that, if you're not already familiar with the story, there's a twist about halfway through that is absolutely devastating.  Simply put, if you don't get choked up while watching "Bridge to Terabithia" then I doubt you have a heart at all.

10. The Bourne Ultimatum - Matt Damon returns as amnesiac action hero Jason Bourne in the third and best installment in the series.  This time Jason attempts to discover the truth about who he really is and how be became an assassin.  Like the previous films, "The Bourne Ultimatum" doesn't skimp on incredibly executed action sequences (including a three-person chase/fight scene that is surprisingly suspenseful), but it also brings back the emotion that was somewhat lacking in the second movie.  And it has a perfect ending that leave things just open-ended enough for the possibility of another addition to the series (which has recently been confirmed).  As long as the filmmakers continue to keep up the same level of quality, I'm totally up for more trips into the mixed-up mind of Jason Bourne.

So there you have it; my top ten favorite movies of 2007.  Until next year...

What's new in theaters this week - 11/7/08

Here this week's new releases:

Opening in Wide Release:

• Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa - After hatching a crazy plan to return to New York aboard a penguin-piloted plane, the zoo crew crash lands in Africa.  I wasn't a fan of the original film, and this one doesn't look any better to me.  Rated PG.
• Role Models - Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott are forced to sign up to be Big Brothers as part of their court-mandated community service.  This looks like a very funny, unapologetically un-PC movie.  I probably won't see it in theaters, but I will definitely look for it on DVD.  Rated R.
• Soul Men - Bernie Mac and Samuel L. Jackson are former members of a '70s soul band who reunite for a musical tribute at the Apollo Theater.  When Mac passed away this year it was a sad loss, as he was one of the funniest people alive.  It's disappointing that this was his last film, as it just doesn't look particularly funny.  Rated R.

Opening in Selected Theaters:

• The Boy in the Striped Pajamas - During World War II, the son of a German official befriends a young Jewish boy being held at the Krakow concentration camp.  Looks like a very interesting movie.  I've admittedly heard mixed things about this film, but I'd see it based on the trailer.  Rated PG-13.
• Gardens of the Night - Two teens find themselves living alone on the streets after being abducted as young children and held captive for nine years.  This appears to be based on the kinds of stories you hear about on the news every now and then.  Looks very intriguing.  Rated R.
• House - Two couples find themselves trapped in a strange house fighting for their sanity and survival against the terrifying, evil Tin Man.  Although this looks to be a hard-R-rated horror film, it is based on a book co-written by two Christian authors.  Interestingly, many of the reviews for the book complained that it was way too dark for Christian writers.  Personally, I think it looks and sounds pretty interesting.  But, on the other hand, it could end up being just another crappy horror film.  Rated R.
• JCVD - Movie hero Jean-Claude Van Damme finds himself out of money, out of luck, and losing every action role to Steven Seagal.  Then he finds himself in the middle of a bank robbery.  This is one of those movies where a famous star tries to reinvent himself as a real "actor"... and by all accounts Van Damme succeeds in this one.  I'll see it.  Rated R.
• Pray the Devil Back to Hell - How a group of women rose up to force peace in war-torn Liberia and propel to victory the first female head of Africa.  This is an astonshing documentary about a group of good people who stood up against the evil they saw happening around them and won.  A truly inspiring story not to be missed.  Not rated; may be a little hard to watch at times but shouldn't contain anything objectionable.
• Repo! The Genetic Opera - A sci-fi rock opera about a dark future where villainous Repo Men hurt those who fall behind on their organ transplant payments.  Sound strange enough?  It also stars Paris Hilton and is directed by the director of Saw II, III, and IV.  So yeah... definitely not sure about this one.  See it at your own risk.  Rated R.
• The World Unseen - A rebellious cafe owner becomes dangerously entangled in a forbidden (read: lesbian) relationship during South Africa's apartheid era.  Actually, this looks like a tamer, female version of "Brokeback Mountain."  It could be good, but it also looks like it could be kind of slow and boring.  Rated PG.

What's new in theaters this week - 10/24/08

You know the deal; here are this week's new movie releases:

Opening in Wide release:

• High School Musical 3: Senior Year - Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens and the rest of the Wildcat gang leap to the big screen to produce one last musical before graduation.  Look, you already know whether or not you're going to see this movie; you don't need my info on this one... although I'm guessing that those who want to see it won't be disappointed.  Rated G.
• Pride and Glory - Edward Norton and Colin Farrell are cops whose moral codes are tested when a corruption investigation implicates their own family.  Looks like a solid if unspectacular police-drama movie.  But haven't we seen, like, a ton of these kind of movies already?  Rated R.
• Saw V - With everyone else now dead and rotting, it's up to Hoffman to carry on with serial killer Jigsaw's murderous twisted traditions.  In a way, this film is exactly like "High School Music 3": you already know whether or not you're going to see this movie (and, like HSM3, it will certainly be torture to sit through for anyone who doesn't want to see it).  I'll be seeing this movie eventually, but I can't say I'm super-excited; the last two Saws were pretty disappointing.  Rated R.

Opening in Limited release:

• Changeling - Angelina Jolie prays for the return of her kidnapped son, only to suspect that the boy who does come back is not her son.  Directed by Clint Eastwood and based on a true story, which is what makes it look fascinating.  But the early reviews haven't been very kind so far, so it's questionable.  Rated R.
• Fear(s) of the Dark - Six of the world's most renowned comic and graphic artists present a wildly inventive animated collection of fearful tales.  This looks very strange and creepy, although not in the give-you-nightmares kind of way.  Probably a better film to wait for on DVD, but looks to be worth watching if you like animation for older audiences.  Not rated, but probably a little too scary for very young kids.
• I've Loved You So Long - Estranged from her family for years, a woman with a dark past reconnects with her younger sister, who takes her into her home.  Looks interesting; seems kind of similar to "Rachel Getting Married."  I might look for it on DVD if I remember it.  Rated PG-13.
• Let the Right One In - A lonely boy, regularly bullied by his classmates, is befriended by the strange new girl next door... who turns out to be a vampire.  That may make it sound like this is a film for kids, but no; this looks like an adult fairy tale.  Think "Pan's Labyrinth" with vampires.  Which means, in other words, that I am hell-bent on seeing it!  Rated R.
• Passengers - Anne Hathaway is determined to uncover the truth when the survivors of a plane crash mysteriously begin to disappear.  Looks like "Final Destination" crossed with a very mediocre ghost story.  I'm not really sure why Anne Hathaway would want to star in a movie like this.  Might be decent, but I'm guessing not so much (I feel like it probably would have gotten a wider release if it was better).  Rated PG-13.
• Synecdoche, New York - Philip Seymour Hoffman is a theater director who creates a life-size replica of New York inside a warehouse for his new play.  Looks incredibly strange and confusing, which isn't too surprising; this is the directorial debut from Charlie Kaufman, the writer of "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," "Adaptation" and "Being John Malkovich."  Those movies were strange but still kind of made sense; this one... I'm just not sure about.  I'll see it eventually, but I'm really not sure if I'll probably like it.  Rated R.

What's new in theaters this week - 10/17/08

Hey guys; before I get started with this post I want to comment about the scattershot posting I've been engaging in for the last couple of weeks.  I don't know if any of you really care that much or have even noticed it, but just in case you did I'll explain myself.  Lately I've been really busy with both finding a job and working on my fiction writing, and this blog, while still something I enjoy doing, is not a higher priority for me.  So, while I'll keep posting every week, it probably won't be as regular as it was before.  I will, however, continue to post the newest DVD/CD and movie releases every week... including this week, so let's get to it.

Here are the new movie releases for this week.

Opening in Wide release:

• Max Payne - Mark Wahlberg stars in this video game adaptation as an undercover DEA agent framed for murder and out for revenge.  The story also revolves around a new drug people are taking that gives them crazy delusions (like the freaky angels and demons you've seen in the trailer).  I was kind of excited about this movie when I first heard about it, but the more I've seen the less interested I've become.  And the fact that it's not rated R is really lame.  But it does boast an appearance by Brea Grant, aka my favorite new "Heroes" cast member (she plays Daphne, the speedy chick), so maybe I'll rent it.  But unless that interests any of you, you'll probably want to stay away from what looks to be another bad video game-to-movie adaptation.  Rated PG-13.
• Sex Drive - A teen embarks on a crazy road trip in his brother's 1969 GTO to lose his virginity with a woman he knows only through the internet.  I'm always up for a good teen-sex comedy, but it needs to be funny (see "Superbad").  This movie does not look funny to me; it looks gross and stupid.  Sorry, but even Seth Green playing an Amish guy isn't enough to get me to see this movie.  Skip it.  Rated R.
• The Secret Life of Bees - Dakota Fanning flees her hometown and is taken in by an eccentric trio of beekeeping sisters in 1960s South Carolina.  There's not much I can really say; it doesn't really interest me, but I'm pretty sure that if you liked the book and/or the trailer makes you want to see this movie, then you probably won't end up being disappointed.  Rated PG-13.
• W. - Josh Brolin ("No Country For Old Men") stars as George W. Bush in Oliver Stone's biopic about the eventful life of the 43rd President of the United States.  Otherwise known as the most controversial movie of the year.  Most people (me included) assumed that the openly leftist Stone would do a hatchet job on Bush, but that doesn't seem to be the case; rather, he seems to have made a film than is both critical and sympathetic to the President.  That being said, it doesn't look interesting enough to make me see it in the theater... but I'll definitely rent it on DVD.  Rated PG-13.

Opening in Limited release:

• Filth and Wisdom - Three very different London flat-mates - A.K., Juliette and Holly - dream big and live desperately in Madonna's directorial debut.  Yes, it's that Madonna.  This is a very strange-looking movie; I'm not sure exactly what to make of it.  On the plus side, it stars Eugene Hutz, who is the frontman for the crazy Gypsy-punk troupe Gogol Bordello, and who also starred in a great film called "Everything is Illuminated" (if you've never seen it, go out and buy/rent it immediately).  But, on the other hand, it's directed by Madonna, and sometimes her love of weird and off-the-wall stuff doesn't really work very well.  Intriguing enough for a DVD rental.  Rated R.
• Morning Light - Fifteen inexperienced young sailors train to compete in the Transpac, the most revered of open-ocean sailing competitions.  This looks to be an excellent and really enjoyable documentary.  What's crazy is that the trailer makes it look more like a scripted Hollywood film than a regular documentary (which is a compliment in regards to the amazing story).  Definitely worth seeing; my top pick of the week.  Rated PG.
• What Just Happened - Robert De Niro is a desperate movie producer trying to survive the treachery of Hollywood and the hell of getting his movie made.  This looks to be a very funny movie about the inner workings of Hollywood; it also kind of reminds me of movies like "Best in Show" and "This Is Spinal Tap" if you took away their documentary-esque nature.  I'll see pretty much anything Robert De Niro is in, and Bruce Willis and Sean Penn, both playing ego-heavy versions of themselves, look to be hilarious.  Worth checking out.  Rated R.

What's new in theaters this week - 10/10/08

Here are this week's new movie releases.

Opening in Wide Release:

Body of Lies - Leonardo DiCaprio stars as a CIA operative who enters uneasy alliances to uncover a major terrorist leader operating in Jordan.  Russell Crowe also stars.  The reviews for this film have been mixed so far, but watching DiCaprio and Crowe interact with each other looks to be very enjoyable.  The fact that the film is directed by Ridley Scott, who is my favorite director, also definitely makes me interested in seeing it.  Rated R.

City of Ember - Two teens race against time, searching for clues to unlock the ancient mystery that could save the people of the City of Ember, an underground city where humanity has lived for the past 200 years.  Stars Tim Robbins ("Mystic River"), Bill Murray ("Ghostbusters," "Lost in Translation") and Saoirse Ronan ("Atonement").  I tend to like movies like this; looks to be a solid, family-friendly fantasy in the vein of "Narnia" and "Bridge to Terabithia."  And it's directed by Gil Keenan, who made the excellent animated movie "Monster House," so if he brings the same subversive humor to "Ember" that he brought in "House" this should be a very good film.  Rated PG.

The Express - The true story of Ernie Davis, two-time All-American running back for Syracuse University who led his team to the national championship in 1960.  In 1961, he became the first black man to win the Heisman Trophy.  Later that year, he was the first pick in the NFL draft.  But Davis never got the chance to play professional football, he was diagnosed with leukemia during the summer of 1962 and died nearly a year later.  Looks like a solid sports film in the vein of "Remember the Titans."  But the story it's telling is pretty unforgettable.  Rated PG.

Quarantine - A television news crew is trapped in a quarantined apartment building where something mysterious has infected residents.  Stars Jennifer Carpenter ("Dexter," "The Exorcism of Emily Rose").  Seems to be a mix of fly-on-wall horror films like "Cloverfield" and "The Blair Witch Project" and modern-day zombie movies like "28 Days Later" and "The Signal."  I'm not sure about this one; the trailer makes it looks like it could go either way.  But I do love horror movies, so I'll probably see it eventually.  Rated R.

Opening in Selected Release:

Ashes of Time Redux - Director Wong Kar-Wai ("In The Mood For Love," "Chungking Express,") revisits his swordplay epic about a broken-hearted hitman who hires swordsmen to carry out contract killings.  When the original version of this film was released in 1994 it was met with mixed reviews and middling success.  But it went on to influence modern-day Asian epics like "Hero" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," so this new, fixed up release should help the film finally get the attention and respect it deserves.  Rated R.

Happy Go Lucky - A cheery, colorful north London schoolteacher confronts the harsh realities of life, exasperating and enchanting everyone around her.  Like the recent release "Rachel Getting Married," the first time I saw the trailer I didn't really think this film looked that interesting (actually I thought it looked kind of annoying), but since then it's been getting a lot of good reviews and Oscar buzz for relatively unknown star Sally Hawkins.  So, like RGM, I'll give this film the benefit of the doubt and check it out.  It's not like I haven't been wrong before.  Rated R.

What's new in theaters this week - 10/3/08

There are a lot of new releases in theaters this week.  But how many of them are actually worth seeing?  That's where I come in!

Opening in Wide Release:

• An American Carol - A filmmaker who's out to abolish the 4th of July holiday is visited by three ghosts who try to show him the good sides of the U.S.A.  This is essentially a "Disaster/Epic/Scary/Superhero/Date/etc. Movie"-type movie that attempts to make fun of Michael Moore (the main character's name is Michael Malone).  It was made by and stars many politically conservative actors... hell, even Bill O'Reilly pops up in the film! Look, I'm all for taking the piss out of Moore and annoying people like him (and I am a liberal, by the way), but I have no interest in seeing yet another crap-tastic parody movie.  If you really want to see someone make fun of Moore in a way that's actually funny, see "Team America: World Police."  Avoid this no matter where you politically stand.  Rated PG-13.
• Beverly Hills Chihuahua - A pampered Beverly Hills Chihuahua finds herself lost in the mean streets of Mexico without a boutique or day-spa anywhere in sight.  Looks to be the most annoying, mind-numbingly stupid film that's come out in a long time (and, regarding the state of modern day movies, that's saying something).  I actually suffered a slight mental breakdown just watching the trailer.  So, unless you want to end up like Winona Ryder in "Girl, Interrupted," do not see this movie.  Rated PG.
• Blindness - When a plague of blindness devastates a city, the afflicted band together to overcome the horrific conditions of their quarantine.  Julianne Moore ("Magnolia," and no relation to Michael) stars as the one person in the city who can still see.  This has been very controversial and gotten a lot of mixed reviews ever since it started playing in film festivals earlier this year.  Personally, I think it looks very intriguing, and I want to see it.  But it does look to be a very dark and unhappy film.  Rated R.
• Flash of Genius - Greg Kinnear ("Little Miss Sunshine") stars in the true story of an inventor's long battle with the automobile industry after they stole the design for his creation: the intermittent windshield wiper.  Yeah, it's kind of a strange story to make into a film, but honestly it looks like it could be pretty good, especially if you like movies about underdogs going against the big evil corporations.  And it is a pretty interesting story too.  Rated PG-13.
• How to Lose Friends and Alienate People - A small-time British celebrity journalist is hired by an upscale New York magazine and enters high society with disastrous results.  This definitely makes my must-see list because it stars the great Simon Pegg ("Hot Fuzz"), and it looks to be a very funny movie (you know, in that kind of uncomfortable, squirm-inducing way).  And the fact that it's based on a true story makes me want to see it even more.  Rated R.
• Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist - Two teens, with nothing in common but their taste in music, go on an all-night quest to find their favorite band's secret show.  Sure, it looks like it's trying to mine off the success of "Juno", but you can cut it some slack - the movie is actually based on a book that's been out for quite a while.  Plus, "Juno" writer Diablo Cody has even given the movie her enthusiastic support, and if she says it's worth seeing then that's good enough for me (I kind of worship her, just a little bit).  Rated PG-13.

Opening in Selected Release:

• Rachel Getting Married - Anne Hathaway ("Brokeback Mountain") plays a fresh-out-of-rehab woman who returns home for her sister's wedding, bringing a long history of personal crisis and family conflict along with her.  When I first saw the trailer for this film, it looked like just a bunch people, mostly women, yelling at each other.  Yeah, that sounds like fun.  But since then the buzz for this film from people who have actually seen it has been universally strong, with many people saying it's a surefire Oscar nomination for Hathaway.  So I'll give it another chance.  Rated R.
• Religulous - Comedian/TV host Bill Maher examines the state of world religion, from Muslim riots over cartoons to The 10 Commandments in front of courthouses.  As a Christian who has a lot of issues with modern-day organized religion, I am always up for someone openly questioning and exploring those issues (see last year's "Jesus Camp").  But, based on what I've seen, Maher doesn't seem like he's really interested in exploring anything... he seems more interested in just criticizing and making fun of religion, which doesn't sit well with me.  Still, I might see this on DVD someday just to see what he has to say.  Rated R.
• RocknRolla - In director Guy Ritchie's ("Snatch") latest, a Russian mobster orchestrates a crooked land deal that attracts all of London's criminal underworld.  Stars Gerard Butler ("300") and a bunch of other cool actors.  This is my top pick of the week; just watch the trailer and tell me it doesn't look awesome!  You can't do it!  Definitely see this movie.  Rated R.

What's in theaters this week - 9/26/08

Hey guys.  Sorry this is a little late today, but here are this week's new movies.

Opening in Wide Release:

• "Choke" - A sex-addicted con man regularly fakes choking in upscale restaurants, gets "saved," and collects checks from generous restaurant patrons.  Sounds kind of strange right?  Well, the film is based on a novel by Chuck Palahniuk, the author of "Fight Club," which guarantees that it will be even stranger than you expect.  But the trailer makes it look really funny, and it stars Sam Rockwell ("Matchstick Men," "Snow Angels"), a very underrated actor.  Oh, and other reason to see it: Rockwell's character spends his days working in character at a colonial theme park.  Rated R.
• "Eagle Eye" - Shia LeBouf ("Transformers," "Disturbia") and Michelle Monaghan ("Mission Impossible III," "Gone Baby Gone") play two strangers pushed into a series of increasingly dangerous situations by a mysterious unseen organization.  But is it just a cover for a much bigger and more elaborate plan?  Well of course it is!  Haven't you ever seen these type of movies before?  That being said, this film looks to have some pretty awesome action sequences and an intriguing (if plausibly questionable) story.  Director DJ Caruso had a hit with LeBouf in last year's "Disturbia," and it looks as if they might have another one here.  Also, this plot of this film is based on an idea Steven Spielberg has had for many years; he just had to wait for the technology to catch up.  Rated PG-13.
• "Miracle at St. Anna" - Four soldiers from the army's Negro 92nd Division find themselves separated from their unit and behind enemy lines during WWII.  Risking their lives for a country in which they are treated with less respect that the enemy they are fighting, they discover humanity in the small Tuscan village of St. Anna di Stazzema.  The latest joint from director Spike Lee, the film jumps between WWII and the present day, where one of the still-living soldiers tells the story to a police detective.  I've heard that the film tends to drag on a bit too long, but the central mystery behind the film makes me definitely want to check it out.  Rated R.
• "Nights in Rodanthe" - Richard Gere and Diane Lane star as unhappy strangers who share a life-changing romance at a sea-side North Carolina inn.  Based on a novel by Nicolas Sparks, author of "The Notebook."  I have a feeling a lot of husbands and boyfriends are going to get dragged to the theater to see this film.  As for me, I'd rather watch Gere and Lane together in "Unfaithful."  Rated PG-13.

Opening in Selected Release:

• "Fireproof" - A firefighter reluctantly commits to a 40-day experiment he calls "The Love Dare" in an attempt to rescue his crumbling marriage.  Starring Kurt Cameron (the "Left Behind" movies), this is a film with very strong Christian imagery and messages.  It's not something I want to see, but it will definitely appeal to the audience it's aiming for.  Rated PG.
• "Humboldt County" - A disillusioned medical student finds himself stranded for a summer in a remote community of counterculture pot farmers.  I'm not really sure if this movie has a pro-marijuana message or not, but the movie looks fairly enjoyable.  It reminds me a lot of "Garden State."  Rated R.
• "The Lucky Ones" - A trio of soldiers returning home from Iraq share an unexpected road trip and discover that home is not quite what they remembered.  Iraq-based movies generally haven't done very well at the box office, but I hope this one does.  It looks to focus more on the aftermath of war and be more pro-soldier than anti-war.  Plus, the soldiers are played by the excellent Tim Robbins ("Mystic River"), Michael Pena ("Crash") and Rachel McAdams ("Red Eye").  That's a cast I'm all for taking a road trip with.  Rated R.
• "Smother" - Diane Keaton stars as an overbearing, crazy-making mother who becomes an unwelcome houseguest on her son's couch.  Also stars Dax Shepard (Ashton Kutcher's "PUNKD") and Liv Tyler ("Lord of the Rings" trilogy).  This looks to be one of the worst movies of this year.  I honestly considered gouging my eyes out while watching the trailer.  Keaton and Shepard star in crappy movies like this all the time, but why did Tyler sign on for this piece of garbage?  For her sake, at least not many people are going to see this dreck.  Rated PG-13.

What’s new in theaters this week: 9/19/08

Here's what's new in theaters today:

Opening in Wide release:

• "Ghost Town" - After being dead for seven minutes, a man is miraculously revived to discover that he has the annoying ability to see ghosts.  Think kind of a romantic comedy version of "The Sixth Sense."  Looks kinda so-so, but the casting of Ricky Gervais in the lead role (he played the equivalent of Michael Scott on the original British version of "The Office") definitely adds some potential for laughs.  Rated PG-13.
• "Igor" - A hunchback lab assistant has big dreams of becoming a mad scientist and winning first place at the annual Evil Science Fair.  This animated film looks like it could be fun for younger kids, but I don't understand why the studio didn't wait until Halloween to release this.  Rated PG.
• "Lakeview Terrace" - Samuel L. Jackson is a tightly-wound LAPD officer who terrorizes the young interracial couple that moves into the house next door.  Movies like this usually start off strong before degenerating into violent action.  Whether that happens with this film is unknown to me, but Jackson almost always makes the films he's in worth watching.  I also love that they apparently filmed this movie while the wildfires were blazing out of control: watching the world burn behind the characters definitely adds to the incendiary elements of the film.
• "My Best Friend's Girl" - Kate Hudson stars as a dream girl who poses a dilemma for a lovestruck ex (Jason Biggs) and his best buddy (Dane Cook), the master "rebound specialist."  None of the characters seem likable at all, and seems to feed into the douche-bag persona that Cook likes to portray himself as being.  I liked him in "Dan In Real Life," but I'm staying far away from this one.  Rated R.

Opening in Selected release:

• "Appaloosa" - Ed Harris (who also directs) and Viggo Mortensen are gunmen hired to police a small, lawless town suffering at the hands of a renegade rancher.  Renee Zellweger and Jeremy Irons also star.  I'm normally not a huge fan of westerns, but this one looks pretty awesome.  And I'm definitely up for seeing Harris and Mortensen re-team; their scenes together in 2005's "A History of Violence" were the best parts of that film.  "Appaloosa" looks like a sure-fire winner.  Rated R.
• "Battle in Seattle" - The true story of what happened at the World Trade Organization meeting in Seattle in 1999, when what was planned to be a peaceful protest turned into a full-scale riot.  Not a lot of people understand what really happened at these protests, and this looks to be a very well-made recreation of these events.  The film stars Charlize Theron, Woody Harrelson and Andre Benjamin of Outkast, among others.  Rated R.
• "The Duchess" - Keira Knightley stars as the Duchess of Devonshire, and 18th century aristocrat who becomes involved in a passionate affair that threatens to erupt into scandal.  It wouldn't be another year with Knightley appearing a film wearing some kind of corset and/or crazy wig.  That being said, there aren't many other actors out there who can do it as well as she can.  Looks worth seeing if you like this kind of thing.  Also stars Ralph Fiennes and Hayley Atwell.  Rated PG-13.
• "Hounddog" - Dakota Fanning stars as a young girl who survives her tough life in 1950s rural Alabama by listening to the music of Elvis Presley.  This movie sparked major controversy when it was shown in film festivals because it features Fanning in a very disturbing rape scene.  From what I saw in the trailer, the movie looks to be kind of strange and disjointed.  Fanning has a similar-looking (but far less dark) film coming out next month called "The Secret Life of Bees;" I'd avoid "Hounddog" and wait for "Bees."  Rated R.
• "A Thousand Years of Good Prayers" - A retired widower from Beijing decides to visit his recently divorced daughter, who is less-than-pleased about his prying into her life.  This looks to be a very good film about the relationships between people, whether they're family members or complete strangers.  If you don't mind slower-paced movies, I strongly recommend looking out for this one.  Not rated, and looks to contain nothing particularly objectionable.

What’s new in theaters this week: 9/12/08

Good morning; here's what's new in theaters this week:

Opening in Wide release:

• "Burn After Reading" - Brad Pitt, George Clooney and John Malkovich star in the Coen Brothers' comedy about a C.I.A. disc that falls into the wrong hands.  This is a about as far away as you can get from the Coens' last film, multiple Oscar winner "No Country For Old Men."  Don't look for this one to be picking up any awards, but it looks like it could a fun little diversion.  Rated R.
• "Righteous Kill" - Robert De Niro and Al Pacino team up as a pair of veteran New York City police detectives on the trail of a vigilante serial killer.  Ever since the two worked together in Michael Mann's classic crime thriller "Heat," people have been waiting anxiously for these two heavyweight actors to share the screen again.  That being said, neither De Niro or Pacino are as popular as they once were, and this film doesn't appear to be on the level of their best work.  Oh, and 50 Cent's in the film too.  Yeah...  Rated R.
• "Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys" - Two families, one upper-crust and the other working-class, are linked by scandal that threatens to unravel the lives of all involved.  This film looks a lot different than Tyler Perry's other work; more like a straight-ahead thriller than the life-lesson movies he's known for.  I just hope the movie is better than the clunky title.  Rated PG-13.
• "The Women" - Meg Ryan is a career woman who seems to be living the perfect life, until she discovers that her husband is cheating on her.  This is a remake of George Cukor's classic film of the same name; both are notable for not featuring any men in the entire picture (the rest of the cast includes Annette Bening, Debra Messing, Eva Mendes, and Jada Pinkett-Smith).  The audiences who went to see "Sex & The City" and "Mamma Mia!" should flock to this film, and if it does well, perhaps Hollywood will finally pick up on the fact that women will go see movies if you provide something they actually want to see.  Rated PG-13.

Opening in Selected release:

• "Towelhead" - A 13-year-old Arab-American girl navigates an overbearing father, the confusing path of adolescence and her own sexual awakening.  This looks to be very similar in tone to "American Beauty," which isn't a huge surprise considering the film is by AB writer Alan Ball (he also created the HBO television series "Six Feet Under" and "True Blood").  Worth seeing if you're comfortable dealing with some very dark content.  Rated R.
• "Flow" - A documentary that ruminates on the World Water Crisis: the possibility that the Earth's supply of fresh water is dwindling.  It also is very critical of the bottled water industry, which the movie seems to argue is stealing water from people who need it but can't afford to buy it.  This looks like a very important movie for people to see.  I hope "Flow" gets as much attention as "An Inconvenient Truth" did... and I hope people don't dismiss this film as "liberal propaganda" either.  Not rated, and doesn't appear to contain anything objectionable.

What’s new in theaters this week: 9/5/08

Here are the films released in theaters today:

Opening in Wide Release:

• Bangkok Dangerous - Nic Cage is a cold-blooded hit man who heads to Bangkok to pull off a series of jobs and winds up falling in love with a local girl.  This is a remake of the Asian film of the same name and directed by the same guys (the Pang brothers, who have also directed “The Messengers” and the original Asian versions of “The Eye”  series).  I like their work and I like Nic Cage, but this film doesn’t get me very excited; might be worth waiting to see on DVD.  Rated R.
  

Opening in Selected Release:

• Everybody Wants To Be Italian - A lovelorn fishmonger, after years of trying to win back his ex-girlfriend, gets involved in a romantic case of mistaken ethnicity.  Looks like a fun little rom-com with an Italian twist.  Rated R.
• Mister Foe - A twisted Freudian tale about a teenager who fancies his step-mother until he becomes convinced that she murdered his mother.  I know that makes it sound like a really dark film, but the trailer makes it look like a really interesting and cool little dark-comedy.  And it stars Jamie Bell (“King Kong,” “Jumper”), one of my favorite modern actors.  I’d recommend looking out for this one.  Rated R.
• Ping Pong Playa - A trash-talkin' suburban slacker discovers his true gift as a ping pong player to defend his family's honor at a local tournament.  This film looks like it succeeds where “Balls of Fury” failed... making a very funny movie about ping pong.  Rated PG-13.
• A Secret - Francois, a solitary, imaginative child, invents for himself a brother as well as the story of his parents’ past. But on his fifteenth birthday, he discovers a dark family secret that ties his family’s history to the Holocaust and shatters his illusions forever.  I saw the trailer for this movie a while ago and it looks really good.  It also helps that French actress Cecile De France (“High Tension,” “L’auberge Espagnole,” “Around the World in 80 Days” [the version w/ Jackie Chan]) co-stars in the film.  She’s one of the best actresses working today; I try to see everything she does.  Not rated, but may contain some adult content.

Movie releases for the week of 8/15/08

There are a lot of films being released this week, so everyone should be able to find something they like:

Opening in Wide Release:

• "Tropic Thunder" - Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr. star in this film, also directed by Stiller, about a group of self-obsessed actors who set out to film an "Apocalypse Now"-styled war epic and are unknowningly dropped into a real war zone. I am definitely going to see this movie; it looks really good as both a comedy and an action film. Most people think this'll be the film that finally knocks "The Dark Knight" out of the number one spot, and I think it will too. Rated R.
• "Fly Me to the Moon 3-D" - A 3-D animated adventure about three young house flies who stow away aboard the historic Apollo 11 mission to the moon. Honestly, this movie looks so bad it makes "Space Chimps" look like "Wall-E." Skip this at all costs. Rated G.
• "Mirrors" - "24" star Kiefer Sutherland stars as a mall security guard who finds himself having to deal with what appear to be ghosts hiding in the mirrors. Even though it's tempting to imagine Jack Bauer facing down ghosts instead of terrorists, I can't help but admit that the film just doesn't look very scary. The director, Alexandre Aja, made a really good/twisted French horror flick a few years back called "High Tension;" check that film out instead. Rated R.
• "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" - This animated film tells the events that took place in the titular war that occured offscreen between "Attack of the Clones" and "Revenge of the Sith." Despite what the trailers may seem to indicate, I've heard that Anakin and Obi-Wan don't actually feature much in the film; instead it focuses more on new character Ahsoka, Anakin's spunky young padawan learner. There is also an apparently gay Hutt character in the film too. Honestly I'm torn about this one: at first I just wrote the film off, but the more I've heard about it the more I've started to get interested. I'll have to hear what the critics have to say (so far the reviews are mixed leading toward negative). Also, this film is going to serve as a prequel to an upcoming television series. Rated PG.
• "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" - The latest film from Woody Allen stars Javier Bardem, Scarlett Johansson and Penelope Cruz as beautiful people who meet in Spain and become tangled up in romantic/comedic situations. This looks to be one of Allen's better films in recent years, so whether you're a fan or have never seen any of his films this looks to be worth seeing. Rated PG-13.

Opening in Selected Release:

• "A Girl Cut In Two" - This French import stars the lovely Ludivine Sagnier as an ambitious young woman who is in love with an immoral writer, but instead marries an unstable young millionaire. Looks to be a sexy, intriguing thriller. Not rated, but looks to contain some adult content.
• "Henry Poole Is Here" - The discovery of a neighborhood "miracle" disrupts a dying man's plan to live out his days in seclusion and quiet desperation. Stars Luke Wilson and Radha Mitchell. Looks to be a very whimsical film that actually addresses spiritual ideals without delving into sentimental tripe. Has a bit of a Wes Anderson-feel to it as well. Worth looking for. Rated PG.
• "Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer" - Jack Brooks is an angry, young plumber who has repressed the memory of witnessing his family's brutal murder. Only when he unknowingly awakens an ancient evil, is Jack forced to confront his past, deal with the monstrous reality of the present and discover the true purpose of his inner rage. Features a cameo by Robert Englund (aka Freddy Krueger himself). If you're the kind of person who likes gruesome, low-budget (but well-made) horror/comedies like "Shaun of the Dead" and the "Evil Dead" series, you may like this. Then again, I like those films but I'm not so sure at this one. A definite maybe. Rated R.

Sixth trip to Hogwarts postponed 'til summer '09

Did the recent release of the teaser trailer for "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" get you all super-excited for the November release? Well sorry guys, but you're gonna have to wait a lot longer. Today Warner Brothers announced that they have decided to push the release of the sixth film in the most successful movie series of all time back until July 17, 2009.
Although movies are often pushed back due to problems with the production or bad word-of-mouth, the makers of "Half-Blood Prince" have assured everyone that's not the case. So why the delay? Two reasons: First, the most recent film in the series, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," was also released in July of last year and went on to become the second highest-grossing film in the series (only behind the original film). Second, Hollywood is still feeling the effects of the Writer's Strike, and releasing the film in the summer of 2009 helps Warner Brothers by giving them something big that they can release in summer where there will be a decided lack of major releases.
Good reasoning, but it won't stop me from grumbling until July...

Friday, August 1: New Movie Releases

Hey guys. Here are this week's new movies:

Opening in Wide Release:

• "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" - Here we go again. The third official film in the popular series brings back Brendan Fraser and friends (excluding Rachel Weisz, as she's now an Oscar-winning actress) to battle yet another mummy. This time it's a Chinese mummy and his army who are re-animated and attempt to take over the world. The original film was fun, but this one looks to be more like "The Mummy Returns": a mindless film with crappy dialogue and way-too-much CGI. And no offense, but why is Brendan Fraser still a star? Rated PG-13.
• "Swing Vote" - Kevin Costner stars as an apathetic redneck who ends up being the person whose vote will decide who wins the presidency. This looks a lot like the kind of big budget comedies they used to make in the 80s and 90s. Depending on the amount of cahjones (aka Balls) the filmmakers possess, this could either be a sly political satire or a tepid can't-we-all-just-get-along cheese-fest. But either way I probably won't see it. Rated PG-13.

Opening in Selected Release:

• "Frozen River" - Winner of the Grand Jury prize at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, this thriller is about a poor woman living on New York's Mohawk Native American reservation who starts smuggling illegal immigrants into the country. Looks like an interesting storyline that you don't normally see onscreen. Also, Quentin Tarantino loves this movie, and his opinion is usually good enough for me. Rated R.
• "Midnight Meat Train" - Leon is an aspiring photographer who, searching for the grittier side of New York City, finds himself on a midnight subway train...along with a brutal serial killer. This is a horror film based on a short story by Clive Barker ("Hellraiser"). If you like extreme horror films like "Saw" and "Hostel" then this might be up your alley. But you'd think the filmmakers could have come up with a better title, right? It sounds like a...well, a different kind of film about meat. Rated R.
• "Sixty Six" - It's Britain in 1966, and 12-year-old Bernie is about to have his Bar Mitzvah. Unfortunately, as it turns out the date of the celebration is also on the day of the World Cup finals. If you're one of the few people in America who follow soccer (aka the most popular sport everywhere but here), then you can understand why this would pose a problem for Bernie. Looks to be a funny and engaging (and very British) comedy about growing up. Rated PG-13.