Add the fact that Harry Potter has now been delayed all the way to next year, and this fall seems less poised in bringing in the big bucks more than ever. Still, I do have a list of movies I just can't wait for this Fall, and while most of them can't ever compete financially, these are the kinds that make Oscar history. Well, except maybe my number one choice, which I'm sure maybe just as biased and uneven as my choice in my Summer Movie list. But then again, Dark Knight is now the second highest grossing movie of all time.
P.S. I INCLUDED TRAILER LINKS FOR THOSE THAT HAVE EM!
10.) THE ROAD
Based on the post-apocalyptic themed novel by Cormac McCarthy (not to mention Pulitzer-prize winning), this movie still pretty much keeps to itself. There's no big bang of hype, no slew of intriguing posters, no red-hot trailers being leaked. Still, I guess it comes to show that with great material comes great confidence. Confidence meaning I'm pretty confident that this film will be oh-so-good. Starring the always magnificent Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn from LOTR), the story follows a father trying to guide his son through, well, a road in a world filled with anarchy, hate and bloodlust. This story features cannibalism for goodness sake, and that's actually one of the cleaner parts. This is a blood-soaked, cynical and depressing take on the world, and anyone with a weak stomach or disgust for all things dark and depressing should keep away. This movie promises to be scary, heart-breaking and will make you leave the theater feeling like someone just bashed you brains in. If you feel, however, that you can take it, then by all means give it a shot.
9.) DEFIANCE
To be honest, this list was poised to feature four World War II films, but The Miracle of St. Anna gets bumped off for Lee's atrocious attitude (I'm sure the movie's great, but I just can't bring myself to eagerly anticipate a movie from such a hypocritical bastard). That said, Defiance seems like a good, solid choice for another World War II epic. The story is based on real events about a Jewish man who gathers all his fellow Jews and wages war against the Germans in test of survival and unity. The fact alone that it's all about the Jews should get this movie up there in some pretty powerful hands. Add the fact that we have here Daniel Craig in a role that if done correctly, could get him into the "brilliant actor" category. He was amazingly brutal and vulnerable as this age's new James Bond. I can't wait to see how he handles himself in a dramatic and heavy role such as this one. Who knows, maybe an Oscar could be just around the corner?
TRAILER CLICK HERE
8.) THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
David Fincher is one of the modern day greats. No, really, with a resume boasting of Seven, Fight Club, Zodiac and Panic Room, this man is one of the most consistenly brilliant diretors out there. Still, I can't help but scratch my head over this choice. I mean, to be honest this seems more like the kind of film Tim Burton would make. Still, the mere fact alone that he is finally reuniting with Brad Pitt makes me all giddy inside me. Add in the fact that the plot is all kinds of weird and interesting. The movie follows the strange case of a man named Benjamin Button who was born as an old man. And as he grew up, he grew younger, and younger and younger even as everyone else grew older. While not necessarily the kind that would please the Award guys, this movie just screams, "Come watch me!!!" Which I will, of course. Besides, Brad Pitt seems to have been doing increasingly brilliant work ever since getting hitched with Angelina. That girl is a miracle worker, and I'm not just talking about those adopted kids.
TRAILER CLICK HERE
7.) AUSTRALIA
I've always wondered what in the world happened to Baz Luhrman. The man gave us a twisted and modern take on Romeo and Juliet, which was both very entertaining and very... unusual. But the man's biggest feat was single-handedley reviving the Musical genre with Moulin Rouge (Sorry, Chicago. Baz did it first). And while the movie was void of original songs or Oscar Awards, it did nontheless feature a lot of the fun, quirky weirdness that Baz seemed to inject into his movies. But after that brilliant hit, the man just disappeared. Fast forward about a decade and now we have him back with Kidman in Australia, and joining him is the always charming Hugh Jackman. I'm still skeptical of whether Luhrman's still got it after all these years if inactivity. Still, I'm very curious how this plays out since the trailer actually shows nothing of Baz's usual pastel style. Has he gone soft? Or has he simple embraced a more dramatic and poignant side of himself? Only time will tell. Oh, this is also my second WWII film on this list.
TRAILER CLICK HERE
6.) THE DUCHESS
Keira Knightley stars in this film, which is yet again ANOTHER period piece from her. I mean, she did the Pirates of The Caribbean trilogy, King Arthur, Pride and Prejudice, Silk and Atonement. And her next film is another take on the Shakespearan classic King Lear! Well I'm not complaining, mostly because she just does it so well. But if she isn't careful she may be stuck doing this kinds of films all her life, not that I doubt she'd mind. This movie is based on the true story of a Duchess who defied the calls of soicety on her time demanding that she be nothing more than a baby-making machine for her cheating husband all her life. She then goes off and does dramatic things which calls for another Hollywood period piece. The trailer looks classy, actually, and I have to say I'm actually more interested in this than I was of Atonement, which was amazing but also underwhelming at the same time (how it managed to do those two is beyond me). By the way, kudos to Keira Knightley for absolutely refusing the suggestion of the movie's head honchos that they enlarge her breasts in the poster. A.) Her breasts look fine. They are small, but not ugly, and as she says, women should be proud of their bodies. And B.) This is a friggin Oscar movie, who the heck thinks that breast enlargement calls for good marketing for these kinds of movie. You go, girl!
TRAILER CLICK HERE
5.) THE SOLOIST
I'm actually very surprised that this movie placed so high on my list. I'm surprised because save for a few photo stills, there's virtually nothing coming out about this film aside from the plot. It follows a journalists efforts to understand the life of a schizophrenic and homeless musician. And yet again, this is our third film in the list that is based on a true story. Add the fact that we have here Joe Wright (Atonement) as director and Oscar winner Jamie Foxx as the musician. But there's only one man that really makes me want to see this film and that's Hollywood's hottest star right now, Robert Downey Jr. After a megahit comeback with Iron Man, the man is virtually everywhere and finally getting the attention he deserves. And with a piece like this, I'm estatic to see if the man can finally pull off a box office hit with Iron Man AND an oscar nod for this one, the director is certainly fitting enough. Yes, Robert Downey has that much star power right now.
4.) APPALOOSA
Now this one came out of nowhere. Not until recently, I had not even heard of this movie. Yet here we are with Viggo Mortensen's second movie in this list. With names like Ed Harris, Jeremy Irons and Renne Zelwegger, this blood-thirsty and drama heavy Western comes as this year's 3:10 to Yuma, only with much much heavier themes. The trailer alone looks amazing and I can't wait to see this, mostly because while Westerns have followed the way of the Musicals and have recently made a much desired comeback, they have yet to garner the same kind of power. I mean, there have been a few excellent Westerns to come out now, but the fact is that they are still pretty few, and hopefully this movie will finally kick the gear into overdrive. The talent is certainly there, and the script just screams Western Classic. Let's see if star/director Ed Harris can pull this one off eh?
TRAILER CLICK HERE
3.) VALKYRIE
This movie must have some kind of curse. Plagued with a slew of delays, reshoots and controversy, not to mention the publiscized splitting of company United Artist, this movie seemed to be on the edge of being made into scrap metal at every turn. Indeed, there was even a time when they had moved it into the danegerously bland February screening before thankfully bringing it back to December. And I really don't know why. Here we have Tom Cruise in a race to revive his falling career and based on the trailer alone he just might. But we also have here Bryan Singer, the man behind X-Men 1 and 2, Superman Returns and the classic Usual Supects (plus he also gave us the wonderful show House). Now he finally reunites with his Usual Suspect writer in what is not only the 3rd WWII film on this list but also the 3rd movie based on true events. This time it's about a high-ranking German officer who orchestrated the legendary failed assasination attempt on Adolf Hitler. The trailer looks loads good and the few who have seen the film are heaping praises on it. How it could land into so much trouble is beyond me.
TRAILER CLICK HERE
2.) BURN AFTER READING
After their highly successful No Country for Old Men finally won these guys their first Oscar, the Coen Brothers follow up their scary drama with a no-nonsense comedy. Say what? Well, I'm just as surprised about it as you are. But wait, despite the fact that this movie in no way boasts the same award-generating power of NCfOM, it will no doubt be much more enjoyable (not to mention understandable) to watch. The trailer alone makes me want to scream and holler out with joy and anticipation. The cast itself is remarkable, with Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Tilda Swinton and John Malkovich in the mix. The story follows your everyman getting his hands on a secret CIA cd, and I can't beleive how brilliantly refreshing this movie seems to be. Sure it may not have a psycopathic Angon, but it's doing loads to pique my interest.
TRAILER CLICK HERE
1.) QUANTUM OF SOLACE
I'll admit righ here and now that it's the inner fanboy in me that put James Bond above all those heavy dramas. But, I just can't beleive how incredibly psyched I am about the new direction the franchise is taking. No offense to Pierce Brosnan but his last few Bond films were quickly detriorating in quality. Que Daniel Craig in a role that changed his status forever. Casino Royale was remake via the style of Batman Begins which take our hero back to his roots. And what we get is a new, refreshing take with a no-nonesens type Bond who doesn't care whether his martinit is shaken or stirred. There's no fancy gadgets, just pure old hard core action. And Bond is brought out as a vulnerable man, broken by tragedy that turns him to cold-blooded killing machine. While it's only a matter of time before fans demand for the gadgets back, I am loving this new take. Now with the strange but exciting choice of Marc Forster (Finding Neverland) as the director, and the Second Unit Director of Bourne Ultimatum (which features Bond rival Jason Bourne), this movie is shaping up to be the movie event of the fall. Plus the new trailer is all sorts of cool. Let's hope that this British superspy rise above expectations.
TRAILER CLICK HERE
THE BEST OF THE REST
Let's face it, most of you got bored with many of my picks in the Top 10. Heck I was bored myself, so I decided to add in some extra effort by showing you some other movies to watch out for, what's good about them and what's bad. And yes, High School Musical 3 and Twilight is on this list.
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3: SENIOR YEAR
THE GOOD:
To be honest, High School Muscial wasn't nearly as bad as I claimed it to be. Burning up a musical passion in the hearts of all tweens everywhere, this might actually be pretty fun. Who knows, it might translate better in the big screen.
THE BAD:
While the first was charming, the second was highly overrated. Plus the actors are getting less endearing with every installment (a topless Hudgens and Tisdale goes for a nose job).
TRAILER CLICK HERE
EAGLE EYE
THE GOOD:
Shia is Hollywood's new golden boy. Even Stevens guy? Really? Yah I'm surprised myself, but this movie does give off a cool thriller feel to it.
THE BAD:
The movie is a bit too Matrix-wannabe for my liking.
TRAILER CLICK HERE
IGOR
THE GOOD:
It actually looks very interesting. The animation seems very charming and Igor is very adorable. I'm as enthusiastic about this as I am with Disney's bolt.
THE BAD:
Pixar's raised the bar on every aspect when it comes to 3-D animation. Every other film seems to pale in comparisson, even the lovable Kung Fu Panda.
TRAILER CLICK HERE
BOLT
THE GOOD:
While hardly original, the movie does seem much cuter and fun than any of Disney's recent outings without Pixar.
THE BAD:
I'm still waiting for Disney to up their notch. The once king of animation is now second fiddle to Pixar and I doubt this movie does anything to change that.
TRAILER CLICK HERE
THE SPIRIT
THE GOOD:
Sin City was a blast, and who better to do a Sin City style comic movie than Sin City creator Frank Miller (he also created the 300 comics).
THE BAD:
As good a writer that guy is, he makes a lousy director. Even the trailer seems a far cry from Rodriguez's amazing Sin City adaptation. Plus, isn't The Spirit supposed to be lighthearted? It looks like a porno for God's sake!
TRAILER CLICK HERE
NICK AND NOAH'S INFINITE PLAYLIST
THE GOOD:
It's a great movie for all fans of romance and music. With crap like My Best Friend's Girl coming out, this seems like the only Romance flick that has potential
THE BAD:
Will it, however, work?
TRAILER CLICK HERE
W.
THE GOOD:
Set to release right before the November Elections, it seems to promise a very interesting look into the life of George W. Bush.
THE BAD:
Two words. Oliver Stone. The guys a genius when great but awful when bad (Alexander anyone?)
TRAILER CLICK HERE
ROCKNROLLA
THE GOOD:
Guy Ritchie makes another bloody British romp with King Lenoidas himself! Where do I sign up?
THE BAD:
British bloodbaths and humor are not exactly up to everyone's taste.
TRAILER CLICK HERE
BODY OF LIES
THE GOOD:
Ridley Scott upps the ante with a now brilliant Di Caprio and his go to man, Russel Crowe.
THE BAD:
To be honest, I'm still not getting this political thriller, at least that or it's just not upto par.
TRAILER CLICK HERE
YES MAN
THE GOOD:
I am really hoping Jim Carrey can be amazing again. And the trailer for this shows that he just might be truly back for good. Liar, Liar 2 anyone?
THE BAD:
This falls flat, so does Jimmy's career.
TRAILER CLICK HERE
THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL
THE GOOD:
The remake of the 1951 classic seems at least intruiging. You might even say it seems a tad bit cool.
THE BAD:
Keanu Reeves still can't act.
TRAILER CLICK HERE
MAX PAYNE
THE GOOD:
The track record of Game to Movie adaptations have been lousy lately. But this movie might just change that. Both the style and the action seems up to par and even unique, and at the very least it gives me the feeling that actualy thought was put into making this.
THE BAD:
There has yet to be made a good video-game movie. Max Payne may be no different.
TRAILER CLICK HERE
PUNISHER WARZONE
THE GOOD:
Marvel heroes are hot right now. Could this movie benefeit from that?
THE BAD:
With a change of director and actor, this movie just screams lousy money-making garbage. But who knows?
TRAILER CLICK HERE
MADAGASCAR: ESCAPE 2 AFRICA
THE GOOD:
I like to move it move. I like to move it move it.
THE BAD:
Meh, funny, but where's that Kung Fu Panda sequel? Now that I wanna see.
TRAILER CLICK HERE
RIGHTEOUS KILL
THE GOOD:
Robert De Niro and Al Pacino in the same movie. Do you need any other reason?
THE BAD:
The two are way past their prime. And even the plot doesn't seem anything special.
TRAILER CLICK HERE
HOW TO LOSE FRIENDS AND ALIENATE PEOPLE
THE GOOD:
Gotta love me some Simon Pegg. This may be one of the funnier films of the next couple of months. Plus Megan Fox is hot. Yes I'm that immature.
THE BAD:
Still a very viable hit-and-miss film. I'd rather put trust into a movie Pegg wrote himself.
TRAILER CLICK HERE
BLINDNESS
THE GOOD:
The plot that everyone in the world suddenly went blind could come up with very scary situations and global panic. This film could surprise everyone.
THE BAD:
Still, who really wants to watch a movie about a couple of blind guys walking about?
TRAILER CLICK HERE
CITY OF EMBER
THE GOOD:
It has the potential to be this year's Spiderwick Chronicles!
THE BAD:
Then again it could also be another god awful Eragon.
TRAILER CLICK HERE
TWILIGHT
THE GOOD:
Based on a novel too popular for its own good, this is the movie all teenage girls will demand their boyfriend take them to. And for those single like me, well boo-hoo.
THE BAD:
The book was good. The movie, however, can be a totally different case. It even seems that way.
TRAILER CLICK HERE
