FALL MOVIE PREVIEW
‘Changeling’ ‘W.’ among Mr. Smithee’s must-see picks
Friday, August 29, 2008
Summer’s almost over, which means I’m sated with Batman and Iron Man, the Joker and poker. (Like Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz, I, too, went to Vegas … but lost.)
Coming this fall are the unusual (the late Bernie Mac and the late Isaac Hayes in “Soul Men”), the ubiquitous (“Tyler Perry’s The Family That Preys” and “High School Musical 3: Senior Year”) and the “Juno”-esque (“Nick and Nora’s Ultimate Playlist”).
Karen Ballard/Paramount Vantage
Daniel Craig stars with Liev Schreiber and Jamie Bell in ‘Defiance.’ Craig also reprises his role as James Bond in ‘Quantum of Solace.’
Francois Duhamel/DreamWorks
Kate Winslet and ‘Titanic co-star Leonardo DiCaprio are reunited in ‘Revolutionary Road,’ a film directed by her husband, Oscar winner Sam Mendes.
Tony Rivetti Jr.
Angelina Jolie stars in ‘Changeling,’ a 1920s drama involving a woman and corrupt police.
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Here in no particular order are what I have particularly set my studious eyes on. In several cases, I just can’t wait.
I liked hearing the verbal tug of war initiated by director Spike Lee, who in selling his World War II drama about African-American soldiers, took a swipe at Clint Eastwood’s recent war dramas. Eastwood slapped back (something about a certain someone needing to shut his face). The battle is over, but am hoping Lee is back in dramatic form as he was with the worthy “Inside Man.” Sept. 26
The last James Bond film (the first one with Daniel Craig) woke me up. The action-packed trailer makes “Quantum” look very promising. I’m a longtime fan of director Marc Forster (“Monster’s Ball,” “Finding Neverland”), who’s confided he’s never had this much freedom to fashion a film just like he wants. The film also stars Mathieu Amalric (so good in “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” and “Kings and Queen”). Nov. 14
I’ve liked director Edward Zwick since “Glory.” His latest features three solid actors — Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber and Jamie Bell — in the true story of Jewish brothers who escape the Nazis in Poland and join resistance fighters in Russia. Tentatively Dec. 12
‘REVOLUTIONARY ROAD’
When will Kate Winslet finally win an Oscar? Maybe it will be for this drama that reunites her with “Titanic” co-star Leonardo DiCaprio. It’s directed by Oscar winner Sam Mendes (“American Beauty”). Tentatively Dec. 26
Doesn’t matter what you think about Angelina Jolie off screen. On screen she’s beautiful and extremely talented. I expect her to fare well as Clint Eastwood’s protagonist in a 1920s drama involving a woman and corrupt police. Likely Oct. 31
Doesn’t matter what you think about President Bush, director Oliver Stone’s particular take on his youth and family is bound to be controversial and over the top. Just know that star Josh Brolin (“No Country for Old Men”) and others from the film were arrested in a post-filming bar skirmish. Oct. 17
OK, I’ll bite. The Harry Potter movie’s been pushed to 2009 and in its place will be this thriller based on the ultra-popular book series about a teen girl who falls for a bona-fide, blood-sucking vampire. Nov. 21
‘THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON’
The talented Eric Roth (“The Insider”) is the writer. The talented David Fincher (“Zodiac,” “Fight Club”) is the director. Brad Pitt plays the title character, who begins to age backwards. The ultra-talented co-stars: Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton, Taraji P. Henson and Dakota Fanning’s memorable little sis, Elle. Dec. 25
‘SEVEN POUNDS’
Looks like I’ll never stop saying this: Will Smith means big box office. Here Smith re-teams with director Gabrielle Muccino (“The Pursuit of Happyness”) in a drama about an IRS agent who sets out to change the lives of seven strangers. Dec. 19
‘THE ROAD’
In the last few years, Viggo Mortensen has become one of the most watchable actors in Hollywood (“A History of Violence,” “Eastern Promises”). Aussie John Hillcoat, who directs, also helmed “The Proposition,” one of the most interesting indie dramas I’ve seen in a while. Together with Guy Pearce and Robert Duvall, they’ve made a post-apocalyptic film based on the novel by Carmac McCarthy (“No Country for Old Men”). Nov. 14
