So we’re more than seven months into the year, and I’ve seen 21 films. That’s a little less than three per month — not a bad average, but off the pace of one-per-week that I like as a yearly average. But it is the fall and winter that generally deliver the must-see films, and lots of them, so I should be able to hit my target by Oscar time.
Before looking at the films to come, I’ll mention some films from earlier this year that I have in my NetFlix queue and hope to see soon on DVD (in order of preference): Once, Away From Her, Talk to Me, Grindhouse, Black Book, Waitress, La Vie en Rose, The Ten, The Hoax, Diggers, 2 Days in Paris, Disturbia, Curse of the Golden Flower, Bug, Smokin’ Aces. So many movies, so little time.
Now, on to the fall. I’m basing this write-up on the films profiled in the Entertainment Weekly Fall Preview issue (#949/950). It’s possible some of these titles might move to next year or titles not listed here might emerge.
Movie I most want to see: The Kingdom. I’ve been hearing great things about this for awhile now. I love the cast (Chris Cooper, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman) and I was really impressed with Peter Berg’s work on Friday Night Lights.
Most intriguing: Eastern Promises. David Cronenberg back in A History of Violence territory with Viggo Mortensen and Naomi Watts starring. Yeah, I think I’m interested.
Also of interest: 3:10 to Yuma (Russell Crowe and Christian Bale in a brooding hunk-off); The Brave One (didn’t realize Neil Jordan helmed this Jodie Foster revenge flick); Lust, Caution (hard to go wrong with Ang Lee); Shoot ‘Em Up (Clive Owen and Paul Giamatti slumming in a stylish, well, shoot ’em up).
Movies I’m wary of: Across the Universe (Julie Taymor certainly has a talent for visuals, but I get the feeling her Beatles-cover-album-on-film will be a big mess. On the other hand, it could be brilliant.); In the Valley of Elah (Looks like Oscar bait, but I ain’t taking it… once bitten by Paul Haggis, twice shy).
Movie I most want to see: The Darjeeling Limited. The latest from Wes Anderson… need I say more? OK, I’ll say a little more. I’m thrilled to see Jason Schwartzman back in a Wes movie — he was so good in Rushmore. Bill Murray deserved his Oscar buzz for that film but Schwartzman should have been right there with him. I was very annoyed by the critical reaction to The Life Aquatic, a beautiful, bizarre, touching film that was roundly trashed for being too “quirky” for its own good. I love Owen Wilson’s quote about Darjeeling: “Sometimes people focus on the eccentric stuff in Wes’ films and the other stuff gets lost, that there’s real emotion in his work. It’s definitely there in this one.” Well, I’m definitely there, too.
Most intriguing: Elizabeth: The Golden Age. Talk about the most unlikely sequel. But it makes a lot of sense, considering how rich a character this is. Love the trailer, and I’m happy to watch Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush and Clive Owen chew up the scenery.
Also of interest: The Heartbreak Kid (two words… Michelle Monaghan); Gone Baby Gone (two words… Michelle Monaghan; plus, I like Ben Affleck and it would be nice to see his directorial debut work); Michael Clayton (I love me some George Clooney, and I like the description of this as a throwback to the adult dramas of the 70s); Grace is Gone (I’d like to see John Cusack get some credit for his underrated acting); Things We Lost in the Fire (Halle Berry back in Oscar form with Benicio del Toro in tow).
Movies I’m wary of: Dan in Real Life (I love Carrell, but this looks like a bit of a Little Miss Sunshine wannabe); Lars and the Real Girl (Ryan Gosling in a comedy? About a man in love with a mannequin? Could be a disaster, or a classic); Reservation Road (looks a lot like a rewrite of 21 Grams, but I do love Mark Ruffalo and Joaquin Phoenix).
Movie I most want to see: No Country For Old Men. Another film by one (two) of my “hotties,” as Dana calls them. The Coen Brothers got rave reviews at Cannes for this dark adaptation of the Cormac McCarthy novel. Along with Darjeeling, the movie I’m most looking forward to this year.
Most intriguing: American Gangster. I’m so there. Denzel Washington playing another charismatic bad guy, with Russell Crowe in pursuit. This looks really, really good.
Also of interest: Bee Movie (Seinfeld humor from the mouth of an insect… should be lots of fun); Fred Claus (Vince Vaughn doing his Vince Vaughn thing… talk about hotties!); Love in the Time of Cholera (wonderful book finally being adapted for the screen); Lions For Lambs (Cruise and Streep going toe-to-toe); Margot at the Wedding (Noah Baumbach’s follow-up to the great Squid and the Whale, which seems to mine similar territory); The Kite Runner (everyone loves the book… maybe another Namesake?); Enchanted (looks like a ton of fun, and I think I’m on the verge of a major crush on Amy Adams).
Movies I’m wary of: Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (I like the cast, but is it anything more than a Willy Wonka ripoff?); I’m Not There (bunch of different people — including Cate Blanchett — playing Bob Dylan at various points in his life and career… just weird enough to work?).
Movie I most want to see: There Will Be Blood. Another hottie, Paul Thomas Anderson, delivering his first film in 5 years, and teaming up with Daniel Day Lewis, who is always so frighteningly good. I don’t know much at all about this, but Anderson is a marvelous talent.
Most intriguing: The Golden Compass. I absolutely adore these books, and the cast they’ve assembled is dead-on. I’m a little worried by Nicole Kidman’s comment that the film isn’t at all anti-Catholic, because the blasting of organized religion is one of the series’ strongest themes. But I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt.
Also of interest: Atonement (Joe Wright and Keira Knightley hit one out of the park with Pride and Prejudice — can they do it again with this great Ian McEwan book?); Leatherheads (George Clooney and Jim Krazinski — say no more); I Am Legend (Will Smith is always worth watching, and I’m intrigued by his comments about the dramatic elements of this movie); National Treasure: Book of Secrets (fun); Walk Hard (I laughed my ass off at the trailer… but probably a rental); Charlie Wilson’s War (tempted to put this in the ‘wary’ category because Sorkin and politics can be an icky mix, but I trust Mike Nichols — not to mention Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Philip Seymour Hoffman — to keep it real); The Great Debaters (could be the next Akeelah and the Bee); The Savages (trailer looked promising way back when) .
Movies I’m wary of: Sweeney Todd (Tim Burton might make a better art director than film director, but I’m curious to see Johnny Depp in a musical); The Bucket List (if Rob Reiner can return to the form of his first 7-8 films, this could be wonderful; if he stays in the rut he’s been in since, it could be horrible).
Meet Me In Montauk 
In addition to a dozen or so you named (in order of my desire to see them — Leatherheads, Michael Clayton, The Savages, Bee Movie, American Gangster, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Grace is Gone, Reservation Road, Love in the Time of Cholera, Charlie Wilson’s War, The Bucket List, and The Kingdom), I am most excited about the long-awaited adaptation of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. While I was initially disappointed that Johnny Depp, who was attached to it for years, was not starring an Jean-Dominique Bauby, I was appeased the moment I heard what accolades the film is earning. I am also intrigued by Persepolis, an adaptation and directorial debut by Marjane Satrapi, the author of the wonderful graphic memoir and also Margot at the Wedding, which might finally break the cycle of bad Nicole Kidman movies.
I bet Dana will have a field day with that comment! How should someone who doesn’t recognize Liev Schreiber react to phrases like “Jean-Dominique Bauby,” “Persepolis” and “Marjane Satrapi, the author of the wonderful graphic memoir?” 😉
Which reminds me, we saw OJ Simpson in Miami yesterday. It was very freaky.
I take it your wariness of violent subject matter keeps the Coen Brothers’ latest off your list? And the Cronenberg?
And I know you’re not as big on Wes Anderson as I am, but his last two films made your top ten lists (we weren’t ranking when Rushmore came out, but I believe you enjoyed that one as well). No desire?
Yeah, violence has me wary of the Viggo/Watts film, though it does look like it will be amazing. same for coen brothers. I’m sure I’ll ultimately see both of them, but after you tell me when to hide my eyes 🙂
As for the Wes Anderson… the concept seems a bit precious and the three of them as brothers a bit much and the trailer didn’t send me. that said I loved The Royal Tenenbaums and found The Life Aquatic to be a compelling film as well, so I’m hoping I’ll enjoy this one as much, but I’m not looking forward to it as much as the others.
As for my blog 🙂 I don’t think dana will roll his eyes, as he’s heard me talk about Diving Bell for years. It’s a fascinating year to be an English teacher at the movies. I am teaching Diving Bell again this year (a decision I made last spring before realizing the film would be out this December) and am doing The Kite Runner with the kids right now. I picked up Persepolis a month or so ago, as it looked like just the sort of alternative text we should be doing at school. Lo and behold, there it was sitting in EW’s fall film preview. And that’s not even mentioning Love in the Time of Cholera, No Country for Old Men, The Golden Compass or Atonement (none of which I teach), The film industry will either be applauded or reviled for what it does to these books… I’m hoping the former, though I have major trepidations about the adaptation of The Kite Runner. Between the seven year old boys they got to play the leads (based on the photo in EW) and the director (who tends to lean toward the maudlin), I’m guessing it’s not going to be on the highlight reel of great films adapted from great books. But what do I know? 🙂
I don’t know anything about The Kite Runner (film or movie) other than that Mom, Dad and Alex really loved it. I’m surprised you’re down on Forster, though, having ranked Stranger Than Fiction the highest of our group and put Finding Neverland and Monster’s Ball in your upper tier as well. I think he’s a pretty solid director who doesn’t tend toward any one subject matter or style.
Diving Bell is intriguing, and probably sure Oscar bait for whomever is playing the lead. My Left Foot? Ha! My Left Eyelid!
I’m excited about all those adaptations as well. I’m most nervous about The Golden Compass, which could very easily be watered down and family-ed up in the quest for bigger box office. I’m very excited to see Atonement, which was a fine book, because Keira Knightley never fails to impress me, whether as a Pirate King or Elizabeth Bennet. And Cholera, of course, has a ton of potential.