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Wednesday, August 27, 2008
November movie preview: Bond, Twilight n’ more
Our fall preview rolls on. After a relatively lackluster September and October, November heats things for at least one week.
NOVEMBER 7
Madagascar: Back 2 Africa
The lowdown: The escaped zoo animals try to head back home to NYC, only to crash land in Africa.
The forecast: I thought the original Madagascar was perhaps the weakest animated film by DreamWorks. It was less a story then a string of lame and obvious pop culture references, redeemed only by the hilarious penguins. If this movie had to have a sequel, I would have much preferred it to be about them alone. Alas, no.
The prospect: D
NOVEMBER 14
Quantum of Solace
The lowdown: James Bond returns, setting his sights on the men who betrayed his lost love.
The forecast: Casino Royale was the first truly great Bond film in years, with Daniel Craig instantly owning the character. The dynamite trailer indicates he’s as sharp as ever, and it’s full steam ahead for the franchise. Never mind all that Oscar stuff - this is the film I’m most looking forward to seeing in the fall. PS: Will people STOP grousing about the title? It’s not that hard to figure out, folks!
The prospect: A
Role Models
The lowdown: Wild behavior forces a pair of energy drink reps (Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott) to enroll in a Big Brother program.
The forecast: This comedy has gotten some good buzz, no pun intended. The premise is nothing if not unique.
The prospect: B
Soul Men
The lowdown: Two estranged soul-singing legends (Samuel L. Jackson and Bernie Mac) agree to participate in a reunion performance at the Apollo Theater to honor their recently deceased band leader.
The forecast: Fate cast a sad shadow over this film, with Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes passing away so close together. Regardless, this sounds like a fun movie.
The prospect: B
NOVEMBER 21
Bolt
The lowdown: A “super dog” on a TV show doesn’t realize he’s not really a super dog, when he escapes from the set to find his beloved master. Will be released in 3D.
The forecast: Too much has been made of the fact that the original director of this movie, Chris Sanders, who created Lilo and Stitch, was removed from the project. I don’t imagine this will be top-flight Disney, but I think they’re making steps toward a return to form. We’ll see just how big those steps are.
The prospect: B
The Soloist
The lowdown: Reporter Steve Lopez (Robert Downey Jr.) befriends Nathaniel Ayers (Foxx), a brilliant but troubled musician who lives on Skid Row.
The buzz: The IMDB put it best: This will be either a movie of multiple-Oscar glory or brilliantly miscalculated melodrama. Given that the director is the creative Joe Wright, who made Atonement and Pride and Prejudice, I’m confident.
The prospect: B
Twilight
The lowdown: The immensely popular book series by Stephanie Meyer comes to the big screen - moving into Harry Potter’s old date.
The forecast: I’m usually not into Meyer’s sort of literature, but I didn’t expect to be as enthralled by Potter as I was either. Major point in its favor: director Catherine Hardwicke, who understands the teen milieu very well, having directed thirteen
The prospect: B
NOVEMBER 26
Australia
The lowdown: In northern Australia before World War II, an English aristocrat (Nicole Kidman) who inherits a sprawling ranch pacts with a stock-man (Jackman) to protect her new property from a takeover.
The forecast: Director Baz Luhrmann returns from a long hiatus after Moulin Rouge and returns in epic mode. My anticipation is sky-high on this one.
The prospect: A
Four Christmases
The lowdown: A married couple (Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn) from two divorced families are tasked with attending four Christmas Day celebrations.
The forecast: The pairing of these leads is promising, I just hope it’s a lot better than Fred Claus.
The prospect: B
Nothing Like the Holidays
The lowdown: The members of the Rodriguez family return to their parents’ home in Chicago to celebrate the holiday season, but when old tensions surface, the pressure is on the individuals to truly come together. John Leguizamo, Freddy Rodriguez and Debra Messing star.
The forecast: Neither here nor there on this one.
The prospect:C
Transporter 3
The lowdown: Vroooom! Bang! Crash!
The forecast: I can’t muster up a spark of enthusiasm for this.
The prospect: D
What can you muster enthusiasm for?
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