September is upon us and that signals the Fall movie season is about to begin. This past summer season isn't anything to write home about, but it did have its moments. On paper, the same mediocre feeling I had in April when writing the summer season column, has once again crept inside my mind for the 2010 Fall releases. (Click on title for the trailer)
September 3rd
Machete is the season's curtain-jerker and hopes to find similar success as all the other throwback action flicks from this past Summer season did. Having an all-star cast led by Danny Trejo, Michelle Rodriguez, and Robert De Niro; Along with co-director Robert Rodriguez (Sin City & Grindhouse), this flick should provide mindless fun for the niche market this genre has. Do not expect award worthy anything in this and let's hope everyone involved didn't over think this too much. This should be nothing more than a more bloody version of Desperado, since the plot is just about the same.
The Tillman Story is a documentary piece about the controversial death of Pat Tillman. After leaving the NFL, Tillman and his brother enlist in the army to go fight in the Gulf war after 9/11. Pat was killed in action but who actually killed him was always a mystery. Until now. As this preview is being written, I will say this will win best documentary at the majority of award shows this season. Go see it and prepare to be shocked!
Going the Distance stars Drew Barrymore and Justin Long as a couple who try to make a long distance relationship work. And that's what we know. Justin Long has the ability to be comical when playing off the right co-stars. Barrymore can flat out act but her entertainment value is hit-or-miss these days. Unless one can relate to the plot, this should be your typical romantic-comedy one has seen the last couple years. Uninspired.
September 10th
Resident Evil: Afterlife marks the fourth installment in the franchise. The newest chapter will be in 3-D and the only good news here is that footage was filmed using this technology and not added after the fact. Milla Jovovich reprises her role as "Alice" who is still on the hunt for those responsible at the evil Umbrella Corporation. Ali Larter returns as "Claire" to assist our heroine. The last Resident Evil was rushed and lifeless, so hopefully this sequel is a way of cleaning up the bad taste left in audience's mouths. Besides a few good CGI dead people, expect the same old story, same old song and dance here.
I'm Still Here is one of the few previews that yours truly can give an eye witness account of. This is a documentary shot by Case Affleck who followed his friend Joaquin Phoenix as he went from being an actor to a rapper. Many saw Joaquin announce he is retiring from the acting world. It didn't make any sense at all. Next thing you know, he looks like God on crack. Although this has the chance to be funny, this may have been staged. On a sinful night in Las Vegas, I was sitting at a table next to Affleck and Phoenix at a club when Joaquin became a Youtube sensation. He took the stage, attempted to rap and fell off the stage. From there, he got snippy with security. From my drunken eyes, this all looked to be a set-up. It may be an entertaining trainwreck, but the validity of the story remains in question.
The Virginity Hit is one of the many spoof-documentaries to come along in recent years. Our story revolves around a group of high school friends following around the only virgin in the group. The goal is to document the efforts of the young lad trying to get laid. Will Ferrell is producing along with his partner Adam McKay. Just another teen sex comedy that will have its moments. Look at this as a documentary version of American Pie, minus the talent.
September 17th
Easy A is loose take on The Scarlet Letter which stars Emma Stone as a girl who embraces the famed literature to improve her life. And others like her. She helps all the loser guys in school, who can't get a girl, by allowing them to say she slept with them. She'll even go through the theatrics to sell the story. Even if the acting is solid, the story will stall out eventually. Can't anyone come up with a different take without mixing Shakespeare and high school drama together please?
The Town is my sleeper pick for the first flick of the Fall season that will actually deliver something worth the high admission prices at theaters. Ben Affleck stars and directs this crime-drama about a thief (Affleck) who pulls off another heist but in the process, shakes up one of the bank tellers (Rebecca Hall). For whatever reason, he begins to have feelings for her and despite risking his life, decides to pursue her. Toss in an investigator (Jon Hamm), who also has a crush on Hall's character, and the love triangle/investigation comes to a head. Affleck did well behind the camera with Gone Baby Gone so let's hope this trend continues.
Devil is the brain-spawn of M. Night Shyamalan. I know, not a good start these days. However, he is not directing and this flick is completely stripped down. Devil tells the tale of a bunch of strangers trapped in an elevator. One of these people just happens to be the devil himself. The entire flick is shot in the elevator. Good news is the flick is just 80 minutes in length. The writing needs to be creative and things need to be seen on the screen. Shaky camera or constant lights out sequences will not do the trick. Watch for reviews from critics before spending a dime.
Alpha and Omega is an animated tale about two wolves trying to find their way back home after being relocated. Voice work is handled by Hayden Panettiere, Christina Ricci, and Justin Long. My advice, rent a Fievel movie and enjoy in the comfort of your own home.
September 24th
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps is the obvious sequel to 1987's Wall Street. Gordon Gekko (Douglas) is released from prison and is ready to get back to making money. To do this, he decides to mentor his ex-partner's (Charlie Sheen) protégé in Shia LaBeouf. Who just happens to be dating his daughter (Carey Mulligan) that wants absolutely nothing to do with him. There is only a couple red flags that go up with this one. First is why the release date was pushed back a handful of times. Second, is if director Oliver Stone will make the same mistake Steven Spielberg made the latest Indiana Jones installment by having too much Shia. People want Gekko in all his glory. As long as the character can match the aura from the first installment, everything will be all good here.
You Again. Exactly. The words that make up the title is what I thought of when I read the plot. As in not another flick like this. Kristen Bell learns that her brother is going to marry her arch-nemesis from high school played by Odette Yustman. Since the material will be contained (PG-13 rating), all the fun one could have with Betty White and Sigourney Weaver in co-star mode goes out the window. That said, these two veterans will probably be the only scenes worth watching. This premise isn't as overplayed as I'm making it sound. However, it is rapidly growing stale.
Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole is a mouthful to say. That said, the Zack Snyder directed flick (300, Watchmen) should give audiences an eye-full on screen. The animated tale based off the popular series of books, tells about a society of owls who must hone their skills to vanquish a great evil in their land. When the owl kingdoms are threatened once again, three unlikely heroes embark on a quest to find the legendary guardians in order to save the kingdoms. Only concern that one should have with this title is the first installment encompasses the first three novels in the series. This formula has not worked in recent years (Eragon, The Golden Compass) but I'm going to go out on a limb and say The Owls will be worth your time.
A few limited releases close out the month of September:
Buried. Ryan Reynolds stars as a kidnapped contract worker in Iraq who is placed in a coffin below the ground. He has a lighter and a cell phone with him and the majority of the film is shot underground. The trailer shows the creativity of the script so this is worth a look for its refreshing material and delivery. The flick is 95 minutes long so I would go in expecting a few dry spells but the pay off at the end could make this a must see.
You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger is the latest all-star ensemble from Woody Allen. Of course this is only opening in NY and LA. However, the cast is stellar and I'm hoping this will get rolled out in other markets. No one can tell a story and attain elite performers like Woody Allen.
Read OCTOBER & NOVEMBER previews
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