Fall Preview '10, Pt. 1
Up to this point, 2010 hasn’t exactly been a banner year for film. In fact, we at the Ze Cat would even probably call this a lousy year for film. Of the 40ish movies we’ve seen at the theater this year, only 15 have been worthwhile. That’s like, what, a little more than two per month out of hundreds released? Yikes!
But hey, there are a whole lot of promising movies coming out before the end of the year - almost too many to count. See below for Part One of our list of 25 movies we’re kinda/sorta excited about.
The American - This new film from photographer-turned-director Anton Corbijn stars George Clooney as an assassin who hides out in the Italian countryside. Clooney’s character is supposedly very dark, and the film quite European. Kinda sounds like the first 12 minutes of the second Bourne flick. (September 3)
Machete - Robert Rodriguez’ campy retro action flick looks fun and dirty. Boasts a strange cast (Jessica Alba, Robert Deniro, Danny Trejo, Michelle Rodriguez) and surely some funny and cool touches from the master of funny and cool. (September 3)
The Town - Ben Affleck’s second film is a crime/romance hybrid set in Boston. The trailer is fucking awesome. (September 17)
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps - Oliver Stone’s second Wall Street flick boasts a solid trailer and a great cast (Carey Mulligan, Shia LaBeouf, Josh Brolin, Michael Douglas), but damn if we don’t feel like Stone lost his touch long ago. Who knows, maybe the familiar territory will result in something great. (September 24)
You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger - Little is yet known about this new drama from Woody Allen. We’re told that it was shot in London, stars Naomi Watts and Josh Brolin, and is one of Allen’s most labored over productions yet. We at the Ze Cat think Allen is having a damn good late career run. (September 24)
Let Me In - We’re kinda bummed about this movie. Based on the GREAT Swedish flick, Let the Right One In, this American adaptation is said to be watered down and, like most American horror flicks, too dumb for its own good. We’ll watch it, but only because it stars Hit Girl Chloe Moretz and Richard Jenkins. (October 1)
The Social Network - David Fincher’s latest film seemed to come along very quickly. In fact, if feels like we were just hearing about the script for the film yesterday, and now, here it is, the full film. Hmm. A whole lot of people already hate the idea of a “Facebook movie,” but we’re pretty sure people will go to it anyhow. We’ll go because we trust Fincher. Also, we’ve heard that it’s just as much about Ivy League college kids as it is about Facebook. Seems promising, despite the awful odds its facing. Stars Jesse Eisenberg, Justin Timberlake and Andrew Garfield. (October 1)
Conviction - This drama about a sister (Hilary Swank) who becomes a lawyer for the sole purpose of proving her brother’s (Sam Rockwell) innocence has a serious Hallmark vibe. Looks like a wannabe edgy movie that Ze Cat’s mom would probably enjoy. We’ll watch it at some point, but only because we really dig Rockwell. (October 15)
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest - The third in the Swedish trilogy of writer Stieg Larsson’s best-selling books takes place mostly in courtrooms and in front of a computer screen. Thus far, only the first Swedish Girl flick has been good. But damn, it wasn’t good, it was GREAT. (October 15)
Hereafter - Clint Eastwood’s second collaboration with Matt Damon can only be better than last year’s awful first teaming - that stupid movie about Morgan Freeman and rugby. I’ve read some buzz about the script, which is supposedly good, but also a very Eastwood-friendly script (think Million Dollar Baby and Gran Torino). We’ll probably check it out at the dollar theater. (October 22)
Due Date - Todd Phillips’ first movie since the mediocre-but-popular The Hangover stars Zach Galifianakis and Robert Downey, Jr. as a mismatched pair who end up on a cross-country road trip together. Wait, didn’t Phillips already do a road trip movie? Wasn’t it even called Road Trip? C’mon, dude! Quit hogging all the road trip screen time. Anyhow, Due Date looks like a hit movie that Ze Cat won’t much care for. (November 5)
Morning Glory - Director Roger Michell’s newsroom dramedy stars Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton and Rachel McAdams. Looks like a James L. Brooks movie to us. (November 12)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Pt. 1 - Directed by David Yates, who helmed the last great Potter film, and starring all the usual studs, the early trailer for this film makes it look like the most artsy work the franchise has offered yet. Hopefully they don’t get overzealous and overdo the action-y stuff; these movies are as much about the slow, character building moments as anything. We’re very excited. (November 19)
Stay tuned for Part Two, coming tomorrow.
Written by G. William Locke