ArnoldFall Preview (or what will I watch this fall?): part 1
This is a just a skimming of what is coming out this fall/winter. But here are some of the films that people seem to be excited about, films that are recieving a lot of buzz (though online that seems to require nothing more than a barf bag), and a few films that I'm kind of excited to see. I cut off the list at the end of the year, which excludes a few films I'm really excited to see, like Michel Gondry's 'Be Kind, Rewind,' which has been pushed back to late January.
This Week:
Halloween
Rob Zombie's "re-imagining" of Carpenter's horror masterpiece has gotten a lot of buzz online, and the footage and pictures released have looked edgy and intriguing. It's been the year of remakes (with no end in sight) but this is one that make break the trend of the new films being inferior to the originals.
Deep Water
A documentary that is causing a lot of buzz. Follows a 1968 one man yacht race around the world. A once wealthy British man, who is essentially a "weekend sailor," joins the race at the risk of financial ruin. This film looks like it's going to be a big winner. Intense and rare footage, and the distance of time to make the witness interviews slightly more intriguing, with the benefit of reflection.
Exiled
This Johnnie To film sounds like it may be in a similiar vein to many of his other gangster films (Election, Triad Election). But he is increasingly receiving praise for his films in America and is becoming more and more intriguing of a director. In a review of this film J. Hoberman points out that he is one of the few directors of Hong Kong films that has remained edgy and fought for his ability to continue to create the films he wants, they've changed for sure, but they retain that edge more than almost anyone else. (Kar-Wai has gone to American financed films, and the same for Ang Lee) the trailer makes it looks great.
Sept. 7
3:10 to Yuma
Everyone is always ready for the next great western. And it's been a while since American screens have seen anything close (maybe since Eastwood's 'Unforgiven,' but even that was a pretty atypical western). I don't know if this film will be the one, but the combination of Russell Crowe and Christian Bale interests me. Crowe hasn't really been anything but his stock character in a while, so maybe he can come up with something fresh. James Mangold is certainly a competent director but lacks any sort of stylization in his films, which a western can't survive without (see Tombstone). But it looks like there may be hope for this one.
Sept. 14
The Brave One
Neil Jordan's films are patchy at best. The successes of his career are marred by films like 'Interview with the Vampire.' This looks like one his most blatent ventures into Hollywood since the aforementioned film. But he is good, and this could be a suprise thriller success. Jodie Foster looks ok in the trailer, but Terrence Howard looks better...
Eastern Promises
Cronenberg has been only making gold lately, and this looks like no exception. already getting lots of oscar buzz. Viggo Mortensen is at his best under the direction of Cronenberg. There isn't much to say about this film, it's been doing well, playing in many of the major festivals, Toronto next... looks good.
In the Valley of Elah
Paul Haggis second attempt at direction. His first film 'Crash' earned him an Oscar for Best Picture (which may be one of the worst Best Picture's ever). This film looks interesting, but maybe not that exciting. But the Academy seems to love everything Haggis touches and Tommy Lee Jones is always a good addition to a cast. It's part of a new trend of filmmakers becoming willing to talk openly about Iraq in a narrative format, hopefully it's not as trite and 'black and white' as many of his other scripts...
Ira and Abby
Jennifer Westfeldt's second feature length screenplay seems to excite a lot of people who were fans of 'Kissing Jessica Stein' but either way this looks like it could be one of the falls 'indie' success stories. She's been called the female Woody Allen, which is oddly appropriate. The film looks good, especially for the crap that romantic comedies have turned into. John Cusak look out...
Sept. 21
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Another potentially great western this fall. Looks slightly more paced but has recieved a lot of praise from the festival circuit. Brad Pitt doing independent films is always a good prospect. A good topic as well, interesting to historical buffs and film geeks (Fuller).
Into the Wild
Sean Penn directs this biopic(ish) film of Christopher McCandless adventures from high school through his decision to leave for the Alaskan wilderness. Audiences had widely differing reactions to Werner Herzog's 'Grizzly Man,' the reaction to McCandless as any sort of hero was anything but agreeable. Penn's decision to do make a very Hollywood pic out of this topic seemed distasteful, but spent a lot of bidget on filming on location, actually following McCandless' road trip from SoCal to the Pacific Northwest.
Sept. 28
Lust, Caution
Much praise to Ang Lee and co. for accepting the NC-17 rating without bating an eye. They didn't appeal the rating and refuse to change anything in their pciture to recieve a more viewer friendly rating. Ang Lee's return to chinese films is exciting in that it looks like he really refused to make any comprimises. Should be another Oscar contending film for Lee.
The Darjeeling Limited
Wes Anderson has such a large core of dire-hard fans that this film can't help but be successful. A great cast with Adrien Brody, Jasoon Schwartzman, and Owen Wilson. film has been playing at myriad film festivals. Doing the Tornoto soon and is the opening night selection for the upcoming New York Film Fest. Comes out this week, in a very limited release, then widens the release in the coming weeks.
Oct. 5
My Kid Could Paint That
A documentary about the strange success of Marla Olmstead, a 4 year old painter who is compared readily to Picasso and whose paintings sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars. It's at least an interesting topic and should create an interesting discussion of art for the film.
Michael Clayton
I've seen very little buzz about this movie, adn the studios haven't released much in the ways of the story here, but the trailer and meager plot description available are intriguing. And when hasn't Clooney been good lately? (reply: 'Intolerable Cruelty')
Sleuth
Another remake of an old film. Directed by Kenneth Branagh starring Michael Caine and Jude Law (Caine was in the original). The film doesn't look like it's going to exacly follow the original plot, which is good, may be a bit more of another "re-imagining." Could be another decent remake for the fall.
Film & TV on DVD
Film & TV on DVD
I can't imagine any new western topping Jaramusch's Dead Man though.
Dead Birds was a fun horror/western hybrid too