27 Fall Movies to See

I wrote before that I had given up on the rest of 2011 and was looking forward more so to the next year. To an extent, that’s still true, but I have to admit that there’s plenty of movies coming out in the fall that look interesting to check out. This summer was just one brutally depressing experience. So here’s a list of over two dozen films that I’m interested in possibly checking out.*

27. Melancholia
Release Date: November 11
Dir: Lars von Trier
Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsburg, Keifer Sutherland

I must be a little crazy to be excited for a movie by one of the masters of shock value, Lars von Trier. I’m not a huge fan of his work and don’t really anticipate watching anything from him. At the same time, the film has a very talented cast, including Kirsten Dunst who won the Best Actress prize at the Cannes Film Festival. I’m hesitant to embrace it, but I never dismiss a movie until I see it.


26. Martha Marcy May Marlene
Release Date: October 21
Dir: Sean Durkin
Cast: Elizabeth Olsen, John Hawkes, Hugh Dancy

To be honest, I don’t know a whole lot about this Sundance hit, other than it’s about a cult’s hold on a young girl adjusting back to her home life. However, what I have heard about it makes it sound like a really interesting film with a cool premise and great actors. In particular, you’ve got newly minted Oscar-nominee John Hawkes who seems to pull of the menacing cult leader. It sounds like it’s a daring little indie, and I’m interested in it.



25. Moneyball
Release Date: September 23
Dir: Bennett Miller
Cast: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman

I used to be a great deal more excited for this film, particularly at the beginning of the year. But the latest trailer made the film seem a little more conventional than I initially thought it would be. Even though my anticipation has deflated a bit, I’m still interested in the film, mainly because it’s the first film from Bennett Miller since his awesome debut Capote. That, plus a nice cast and a screenplay fixed up by Aaron Sorkin keeps me interested.


24. The Rum Diary
Release Date: October 28
Dir: Bruce Robinson
Cast: Johnny Depp, Aaron Eckhart, Giovanni Ribisi

Anything Johnny Depp is in is worth checking out (except The Tourist), and since this one has been delayed for a bit, the excitement has been amped a bit. Hunter S. Thompson’s source material notwithstanding, really it’s just Depp and an impressive cast surrounding him that makes me want to see this project finally get to the screen.


23. We Bought a Zoo
Release Date: December 23
Dir: Cameron Crowe
Cast: Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Thomas Haden Church

Even though I may not be a Cameron Crowe fanatic, I still enjoy almost all of his films, with Almost Famous being one of particular greatness. Along with Bennett Miller, this is Crowe’s first film since 2005, and putting a tremendous actor like Damon front and center makes this project seem quite good. In truth, the only reason it isn’t higher on my list is because I don’t know that much about the film outside its basic premise, and I’m judging it only by the talent I know is involved.


22. Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol
Release Date: December 21
Dir: Brad Bird
Cast: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton

A fourth Mission Impossible movie may not be high on my list, but it does make it for two major reasons. One, it’s the live action debut of Brad Bird, the artistic genius behind The Incredibles and Ratatouille, and to see him take on the live action realm is a debut I desperately want to see. And two, I’m interested to see the capacity Renner will be used and how he’ll presumably progress the series further. Plus I still remain a Cruise loyalist, and it looks like the film promises good action sequences.



21. Albert Nobbs
Release Date: TBA
Dir: Rodrigo García
Cast: Glenn Close, Mia Wasikowska, Grendan Gleeson

Realistically, I don’t even know how much I’m truly interested in this project outside of the buzz from outside sources that I’ve been hearing. What does end up pulling me in is what people have been saying about Glenn Close, and with five previous Oscar nominations, this could end up being the one she finally takes home. If that ends up happening for an actress as talented as her, then I’d want to witness the film that made it happen.


20. The Iron Lady
Release Date: December 16
Dir: Phyllida Lloyd
Cast: Meryl Strep, Jim Broadbent

If anyone is going to make Close wait once more for the golden stature, it’s going to be Meryl Streep. Even though Streep has won two Oscars already, it’s been almost thirty years since she’s last been up to collect one. For some reason this translates to her being due. For me, any opportunity to watch the infallible Streep shine with her amazing talent is enough for me to see a film.


19. The Descendants
Release Date: November 23
Dir: Alexander Payne
Cast: George Clooney, Judy Greer, Matthew Lilard

Alexander Payne hasn’t made a movie in seven years, but his last film was the absolutely excellent Sideways. All of Payne’s films manage to pull off that delicate balancing act of tragedy and comedy along with a deep personal exploration into some very interesting characters. And when you have an actor as good as Clooney headlining, that just happens to sweeten the deal. Sounds like a nice mature film for Thanksgiving.


18. The Thing
Release Date: October 14
Dir: Matthijs van Heijningen Jr.
Cast: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Joel Edgerton, Eric Christian Olsen

I count myself as a fan of John Carptenter’s eerie re-imagining of The Thing, as well as the 1951 original film. It still baffles me a bit that this story requires retelling every thirty years but here we are anyway. With it’s roots planted in Carpenter’s direction, this might be one horror film that actually can deliver on some interesting ideas and story points. That truly remains to be seen, but of the numerous ‘80s properties that are being revisited, this one at least seems like a worthy endeavor.



17. A Dangerous Method
Release Date: November 23
Dir: David Cronenberg
Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Michael Fassbender, Keira Knightly, Vincent Cassel

I have nothing but total admiration for David Cronenberg. Every time he announces a new film, I’m right there ready for it. And with the many psychological elements that plague all of his films, doing a film about the relationship between Carl Jung and Sigmond Freud seems like the absolute perfect fit. And having those roles being played by Michael Fassbender and Viggo Mortensen, respectively, makes this one locked and loaded for me to seek out.


16. Margin Call
Release Date: October 21
Dir: J.C. Chandor
Cast: Zachary Quinto, Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Irons, Stanley Tucci

It now seems we’re bombarded with stories in films that attempt to explain our first financial disaster that occurred in 2008, with Too Big to Fail and Inside Job being recent examples. In all honesty, I don’t really know what more can be shed with this film, but what I do know is that a cast that is as packed with talent as this one is too good of an opportunity to pass up. And I do still find interest in this topic, one I hope can remain interesting throughout.



15. Carnage
Release Date: December 16
Dir: Roman Polanski
Cast: Jodie Foster, Christoph Waltz, Kate Winslet, John C. Reilly

I’ve not had the opportunity to see the play, which I hear is phenomenal. So the film will have to do. I’m all right with that with such a stellar and talented cast like this one and a director like Polanski at the helm. Regardless of the controversy that surrounds the director, I still remain a fan of his artistry and have never let that influence the way I take in his films. Hopefully this one lands similarly on the scale of what Polanski is capable of, behind the camera that is.


14. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Release Date: December 25
Dir: Stephen Daldry
Cast: Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Thomas Horn, James Gandolfini

This is one of those projects that can either be cathartic and genuinely emotional or feel really cheap, manipulative and downright exploitative. One can only hope that steps are taken to ensure the former. While the choice in director doesn’t thrill me (I’m just not a Daldry fan), the cast sounds like they could deliver. On the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, we can only wait and see if this is the touching and respectful tribute it wants to be.

13. We Need to Talk About Kevin
Release Date: December 2
Dir: Lynn Ramsey
Cast: Tilda Swinton, John C. Reilly, Ezra Miller

I have a vague idea as to what this film is about. I know that it isn’t a documentary about Kevin Smith and his Sundance incident. What I do know is that there’s an exploration between parents and a child after the child commits a great crime. The buzz has been incredibly positive, particularly for Tilda Swinton, flawless in almost anything that she does.


12. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Release Date: December 21
Dir: David Fincher
Cast: Rooney Mara, Daniel Craig, Christopher Plummer

All eyes are on this project, one of the most anticipated for a lot of people for a lot of different reasons. Most are because people have read the original books by Stieg Larsson and have watched the original Sweedish films starring Noomi Rapace in the title role. For me, it’s more about seeing David Fincher return to his dark, grungy roots is a welcomed return indeed. The cast’s impressive and the return of Trent Reznor for a Fincher film makes a good case as well.



11. The Artist
Release Date: November 23
Dir: Michael Hazanavicius
Cast: Jean Dujardin, Derenice Bejo, John Goodman, Malcolm McDowell

This was a bona-fide hit at the Cannes Film Festival, kind of an improbable one because from my understanding it’s a black-and-white silent film with little dialogue and only a musical score. Still, I’ve heard it’s a real crowd pleaser that movie lovers will have affection for. That sounds like it’s enough to get me interested in this unique film that I’m also told has a good cast to support it.


10. 50/50
Release Date: September 30
Dir: Jonathan Levine
Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Angelica Huston

Anything with Joseph Gordon-Levitt immediately makes me eager to see it. Seth Rogen a little less, but he’s still able to provide some nice moments in film. With this one attempting to balance the line between tragedy and comedy, it might fail. But with someone like JGL at the helm to steer this mighty ship, I think it could be pulled off. This might be one to watch.



9. The Adventures of Tintin
Release Date: December 23
Dir: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Jamie Bell, Daniel Craig, Andy Serkis

After what seems like an eternity of hearing about this film, Tintin is finally released. The years of murmurs about this project makes me curious to see it, as does what Spielberg has in store here with his first attempt at motion capture animation and his first film since the overwhelmingly disappointing Indiana Jones film. This one may suffer the same fate, but I’m hoping for the best based on what I’ve already seen.



8. Hugo
Release Date: November 23
Dir: Martin Scorsese
Cast: Ben Kingsley, Chloe Moretz, Sacha Baron Cohen, Asa Butterfield

This looks decidedly like more kid friendly flare, but there are a couple of elements that have me hooked, the most important being Scorsese. Even though I didn’t care for his last film, I still enjoy watching whatever he has to offer. Add to it his first attempt at the 3D medium and a stellar cast, and you don’t have to ask me twice to show up.



7. Drive
Release Date: September 16
Dir: Nicolas Winding Refn
Cast: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Albert Brooks

Ever since Half Nelson, I’ve been a little obsessed with with Ryan Gosling as an actor, and the great performance he turned in last year’s Blue Valentine only cemented that feeling. This one doesn’t feel like it’s trying for such emotional territory, but it does seem like it’s got a good cast, a great director, a pulpy good premise and nothing but positive things being said about it. I’m there.


6. My Week with Marilyn
Release Date: November 4
Dir: Simon Curtis
Cast: Michelle Williams, Kenneth Branagh

Much like her Blue Valentine co-star, I’ve been fascinated with Michelle Williams career for a while now (I even think she should have won an Oscar for the aforementioned film). And like Gosling, she’s also got a new film out, this one in which she plays the iconic Marilyn Monroe. What gets me a tad more excited is seeing Kenneth Branagh playing a man who he has clearly tried to emulate in his own career, Laurence Olivier. I love Branagh in whatever field he takes, and a double douse of him in 2011 is alright with me.


5. War Horse
Release Date: December 28
Dir: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Jeremy Irvine, Emily Watson, Tom Hiddelson

After waiting anxiously for another Spielberg film since 2008, we not only get two in the same year but they’re also released a mere five days apart. This one’s going for the gold, literally, as it’s being positioned for a Best Picture prize. That remains to be seen, but Spielberg is a good enough director to turn this material into something spectacular. Let’s hope so.



4. The Ides of March
Release Date: October 7
Dir: George Clooney
Cast: Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Paul Giamatti, Philip Seymour Hoffman

Ever since Good Night and Good Luck, I’ve been very interested in the directorial career of George Clooney. While his last film was a tad disappointing, this one returns him to the political roots of his last masterpiece. Ryan Gosling pops up again, but here he’s just one part of a terrific ensemble. I’m anticipating this one very much, and I can only hope it doesn’t disappoint too terribly.



3. Red State
Release Date: September 2 (on demand)
Dir: Kevin Smith
Cast: Michael Parks, John Goodman, Melissa Leo

I never thought I’d see the day when not only would I be looking forward to a Kevin Smith movie, but I’d be anticipating it as much as this one. I guess that’s what listening to SModcast for the better part of four years. Many have already seen it, but I’m waiting for the On Demand option so I can finally see if his radically different direction and style and much talked about performances, particularly from Michael Parks. Who knew I’d be this excited about his penultimate film.



2. J. Edgar
Release Date: November 11
Dir: Clint Eastwood
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Armie Hammer, Naomi Watts

I’ve gone on record with being a huge fan of Clint Eastwood, although his last couple haven’t been quite on the level I believe he’s capable of. Whether or not a biopic on the FBI’s most notorious director will reach previous levels remains to be seen, but I remain extremely optimistic. With DiCaprio taking center stage, and possibly taking the Oscar next year, and a script from the writer of Milk, I simply can’t wait for this film.


1. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Release Date: November 18
Dir: Tomas Alfredeson
Cast: Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy, Colin Firth, John Hurt

The Best Actor Oscar in contention seems to be down to DiCaprio and Gary Oldman in this film, but this is the one that I’m looking forward to slightly more. The premise sounds interesting, but the place and time look incredibly detailed and is drawing me in completely. Director Tomas Alfredson, of Let the Right One In, showed a very unique eye in his last film and I anticipate more here. Plus that absolutely outstanding cast seems pretty close to feeling impenetrable. There’s plenty to look forward to in the next couple of months, but this one is at the top for me.


*Release dates are subject to change and may be limited releases.

New Reviews: Attack the Block & The Devil's Double

Sneak Attack

I don’t think I’m in the majority opinion here, but I was not a fan of Super 8. I know that film has a lot of supporters, but I personally thought that film was riffed with very weak storytelling and, outside of Elle Fanning, acting that was serviceable at best. But among the many injustices that film offered, the most egregious I thought was the exclusion of any minority characters in roles of significance. This isn’t to say people of color should be shoehorned into films, but every once in a while it’s nice to see a different face up on the screen. All those problems are avoided with this film: an alien invasion film with kids that I really enjoyed.

You know how these types of films operate: a group of alienated kids encounter a true alien menace that starts to wreck havoc on their community. In this case, it’s kinda interesting to see the setting take place in a poor ghetto in South London, and the group of kids a crop of social misfits, most of them black. At the lead is Moses (John Boyega), the hoodlum with a heart of gold who charges the revolt against the invaders that resemble big gorillas lacking eyes but equipped with rows of glow-in-the-dark chompers.

I’ve seen plenty alien invasion films starring a group of kids, already one from this year. And this is the film that I wish Super 8 had been. Not necessarily in tone, because both are strikingly different, but more so in how the plight of these characters and story actually revolves around something substantial. Writer-director Joe Cornish (an Edgar Wright collaborator) nicely sets up tension and believable suspense, making sure the audience understands the dangers going on and the prize at the end. The beginning does feel a bit rushed, and the film’s localized setting does feel a bit like economical filmmaking, but on the whole he brings a stylish flare that gets bonus points for having complex characters whose faces don’t blend into a sea of unrecognizable stars.

Even though you may not seek this film out for the acting, I actually give it nice props. Boyega doesn’t really blow anyone away as the lead, but he provides grounded believability in this character and a nice soul at the center of the film. The rest of the supporting players serve their roles as one note bit players, but whenever one needs to have a snappy comedic line or provide some hollow sense of toughness masking insecurity, you buy it. Even though the film isn’t being shown for it’s acting, you won’t be offended by it.

The movie may have some issues in the beginning, and the script does follow some pretty predictable conventions within the genre and general storytelling, but that doesn’t stop it from being a hell of a ride at the show. It’s exciting and genuine, providing the pulpy entertainment as well as clinging onto believable characters that offer a different type of setting that isn’t seen in mainstream American films. If you’ve been put off the summer action films as much as I have, try this one; it’s a medicine film in the most ironic sense.

B+


Desert Flower

It’s inescapable. Time and time again, I’m confronted with the same scenario for a particular film. The scenario that provides one exceptional performance in a film that otherwise is lacking in many other areas. Whether or not I say “yay” or “nay” on the film as a whole depends on if the other aspects of the film, and if those elements pass mustard, then the film is worth the investment. I’ve seen enough movies to know that the notion that one good performance can save the rest of the film is a false notion. Fortunately, there are enough surrounding elements to this film that make it a worthy, if flawed, film to seek out.

Inspired by true events, whatever that may mean to you, the story centers on the relationship between Uday Hussein, son of Sadaam, and Latif Yahia, the Iraqi soldier Uday kidnapped and made him his double for public appearances. Both roles are played by Dominic Cooper. It becomes pretty obvious that Uday’s a psychopath who still manages to lead an extravagant life, and it doesn’t take long for the evil from Uday to bleed into the good soul of Latif that’s on the verge of corruption.

The good performance in question here is from Cooper. At the core of the film, he absolutely excels in creating two separate entities on screen. Between the two, Uday is the more showy role, but it’s also the one that’s capable of more dramatic potential. Uday is never shown as anything less than a monster, but Cooper give the glimpses of a man who is more complicated than what might be first shown. It’s a stellar character to watch. Latif has the “straight man” role, and his complexities pale a bit in comparison, but it’s still an interesting performance nonetheless. The rest of the supporting players do their own as spectators to the Dominc Cooper show, holding their own without stealing the spotlight.

Director Lee Tamahori is probably the most implausibly successful filmmaker working today, never really making anything that good and earning a reputation as like the poor man’s Joel Schumacher. There’s plenty of stylish flares that I feel he presents here that distracts from the real central characters and pushes it towards De Palms’s Scarface territory (a film I really don’t like), but most of the time Tamahori actually manages to keep the story he’s presented on track and keeps it moving forward and quite engaging. At the same time, Michael Thomas’s screenplay is probably what is most lacking in the film, with the main problem being that it makes Uday such a fascinating person that Latif is more pedestrian, indulging in predictable story and character arches. Had this film focused a more straightforward pic on Uday, everything would have been stronger.

The film has some serious story problems that keeps it from being the better film it could be, that’s for sure. At the same time, many elements of the film manage to keep the audience engaged throughout, and add to it a commanding performance from Dominic Cooper, and you’ve got a pretty interesting film on your hands. It’s not all perfect, and I’ve heard others almost universally dismiss the film. I guess I’m breaking with the heard here, because I think it’s worth seeing.

B