by rick grant rickgrant01@comcast.net
Ah, fall–when the triple digit heat index finally loosens its stifling grip and the air cools down to a bearable temperature.
Surprisingly, the summer movie box office was up from last year, despite the allure of an increasing number of high-quality television shows. People still go to the movies to enjoy the big screen experience, and many films have satisfied populace tastes this summer. In addition, there will be some quality “Oscar bait” films that will vie for the attention of the 5,000 member Academy throughout the fall. They are usually released in November and December with shameless lobbying by the film companies, but when combined with the summer releases, they provide something for everyone.
It seems the trend of releasing countless sequels continues this fall with franchises like Alien vs. Predator: Requiem and National Treasure: The Book of Secrets. Also, movie moguls love remakes, using the rationale that a whole new generation hasn’t viewed these films. Besides, the scripts are already written– just plug in the young actors and make minor changes to update the time frame. Unfortunately, remakes only increase the shortage of modern original scripts available because producers don’t want to pay writers.
You will have to forgive any minor date changes that occur after the publication of this feature, since movie companies often adjust release days at the last minute. In any case, the movie beat goes on for fall.
A romantic musical told through numerous Beatles songs performed by the characters. A young man from Liverpool comes to America during the Vietnam War to find his father. He winds up in Greenwich Village, where he falls in love with an American girl who has grown up sheltered in the suburbs. Together they experience the sweeping changes of America in the late 60s. Rated PG-13
From Walt-Disney Pictures comes this family film about an NFL quarterback (The Rock) living the bachelor lifestyle. He discovers that he has a 7-year old daughter from a previous relationship and her arrival causes him many problems as he goes from bachelor to family man. Rated PG
The man who brought us Rushmore, The Life Aquatic, and The Royal Tenenbaums, Wes Anderson, is back. Adrien Brody, Owen Wilson and Jason Schwartzman (with a terrific mustache) play three estranged brothers that meet up to take a train trek through India and get to know each other again. Bill Murray plays the businessman. Pain killers and Indian cough syrup turn the complicated adventure into a spiritual journey of sorts. The film opens in September but does not extend to wide release until October. Rated R
A boy’s life is turned upside-down when he learns that he is the last of a group of immortal warriors who have dedicated their lives to fighting the forces of the dark back and forth through time. The boy uncovers a series of clues, some dating back to biblical times, that lead him to a showdown with forces of unimaginable power. Rated R
Gwyneth Paltrow’s brother, Jake Paltrow, makes his directorial debut in a film about an ex-pop star who prefers sleep to the real world. In waking life, Gwyneth Paltrow is the pop star’s girlfriend, but in his dream world it is Penelope Cruz. Danny DeVito also appears in this film.
The Farrelly Brothers are bringing Ben Stiller back to their outrageous comedies with The Heartbreak Kid. It’s a re-make, but the Farrelly Brothers are certain to give it that something that they gave Something about Mary. Namely plenty of slapstick sex scenes as the honeymooning groom pursues the object of his desires, and not his new bride. Rated R
For Bobby, every night is a party, as he greets friends and customers or dances with his beautiful Puerto Rican girlfriend, Amada, in a haze of cigarette smoke and disco music. The New York City nightclub manager tries to save his brother and father from Russian mob hitmen. Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Eva Mendes and Robert Duvall. Rated R
Steve Carell and Dane Cook team up in this romantic comedy about a man that falls in love with his brother’s girlfriend (Juliette Binoche). Dan (Carell) is an advice columnist and a widower that is put to the test in life actual. PG-13
After an Alaskan town is plunged into darkness for a month, it is attacked by a bloodthirsty gang of vampires. Starring Josh Hartnett. Rated R
This is a comedy that spoofs the story of an out-of-luck coach, Lambeau Fields, who takes a ragtag bunch of college misfits and drives them toward the football championships. In the process, the life-long loser discovers that he is a winner after all– redeeming himself, saving his relationship with his family and friends, and finding that there is indeed no “I” in “Team.” Rated PG13
Ben Affleck gets behind the camera to direct this crime-drama about a pair of Boston detectives searching for a missing 4-year old girl. Ben’s little brother, Casey Affleck, stars along with John Ashton, Ed Harris and Morgan Freeman. Rated R
Halle Berry plays a recently widowed young mother who takes in her dead husband’s heroin-addicted best friend. The first English-language film by the Oscar-nominated Danish director Susanne Bier, this drama also stars David Duchovny and Benicio Del Toro.
Based on a true story, a drug lord smuggles heroin into Harlem during the 70s by hiding the drugs inside the coffins of American soldiers returning from Vietnam. Starring Russell Crowe, Denzel Washington, Josh Brolin, Common and Ted Levine. Rated R
An unlikely friendship develops between the son of a wealthy Afghan businessman and a servant to the boy and his father. During a kite tournament, an unspeakable event changes their relationship forever. Rated PG-13
Jerry Seinfeld voices Barry B. Benson, a bee who has just graduated from college. He is disillusioned at his lone career choice– making honey. On a trip outside the hive, Barry’s life is saved by Vanessa, a florist in New York City. As their relationship blossoms, he discovers humans actually eat honey, and he subsequently decides to sue them. Also starring Matthew Broderick, Annette Bening, Chris Rock and Kathy Bates. Rated PG
Injuries sustained by two Army Rangers behind enemy lines in Afghanistan set off a sequence of events involving a congressman (Tom Cruise), a journalist (Meryl Streep) and a professor (Robert Redford). This leads to a prolonged investigation. Rated R
Santa’s bitter older brother Fred (Vince Vaughan) is forced to move to the North Pole and be involved with everything he hates. Rated PG
Master filmmaker Robert Zemeckis adapted the classic literary tale of the warrior Beowulf to film, with Neil Gaiman writing the screenplay. Beowulf must fight and defeat the monster Grendel, who is terrorizing towns. Later, Grendel’s mother begins killing out of revenge. Rated R
Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman) is the awkward and insecure manager of Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, the strangest, most fantastic and wonderful toy store in the world. But when the eccentric Mr. Magorium (Dustin Hoffman) bequeaths the store to her, a dark and ominous change begins to take over the once remarkable Emporium. Rated PG
Florentino (Javier Barden) is rejected by the beautiful Ferina at a young age. Thus, he devotes much of his adult life to carnal affairs in a desperate attempt to heal his broken heart. Rated R
This drama with fairytale elements involves an orphaned musical prodigy who uses his gift as a clue to finding his birth parents. Starring Robin Williams and Liv Tyler. Rated PG
This classic Disney fairytale collides with modern-day New York City. A fairytale princess (Amy Adams) from the past is thrust into the present-day by an evil queen (Susan Sarandon). Soon after her arrival, Princess Giselle begins to change her views on life and love after meeting a handsome lawyer (Patrick Dempsey). Can a fairytale view of romance survive in the real world? Rated PG
Based on a video game, a gun-for-hire known as Agent 47 is ensnared in a political conspiracy, which finds him pursued by both the Interpol and the Russian military as he treks across Eastern Europe. There, he is hired by a group known as The Agency to kill targets for cash. Rated R
Whether it will open in Jacksonville is dubious, but this is the first feature about Bob Dylan to be approved by the music legend. Starring Cate Blanchett, Richard Gere, Heath Ledger and Christian Bale. In this interpretation of Dylan’s life, each of these actors portray one of Dylan’s personas. Rated R
In a parallel universe, young Lyra Belacqua journeys to the far North to save her best friend and other kidnapped children from terrible experiments by a mysterious organization. Starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig. Not yet rated.
Robert Neville (Will Smith) is a brilliant scientist, but even he cannot contain the terrible virus that is gradually wiping out the human race. Rated R
This is a romantic comedy set in the world of 1920s football. The owner of a professional team (George Clooney) drafts a straight-laced college sensation, only to watch his new coach fall for his fiancée (Renee Zellweger). Rated R
Tom Bailey is in love with his best friend Claire. But Tom has a fear of commitment and refuses to admit the obvious--he should propose to Claire before she finds a less procrastinating suitor. When Colin, a rich Scotsman, sweeps Claire off her feet and asks for her hand in marriage, Tom must witness her unquestioned happiness up close and personal–because she’s chosen him to be her Maid of Honor. Starring Patrick Dempsey, Beau Garrett, Michelle Monaghan and Sydney Pollack.
Based on the long running cartoon series about three chipmunk brothers, Alvin, Simon, and Theodore, the trio has been adopted by and are living with Dave the human in this CGI recreation of an American classic. Featuring voices of Jason Lee, Cameron Richardson, Jane Lynch, David Cross and Ross Bagdasarian Jr. Rated PG
Treasure hunter Benjamin Franklin Gates (Nicolas Cage) is researching the assassination of President Lincoln. He uncovers a mystery within the 18 pages missing from assassin John Wilkes Booth’s diary and sets out to find the truth. Rated R
This is Tim Burton’s adapted film version of the Broadway musical, which tells the story of Benjamin Barker, a.k.a. Sweeney Todd, who sets up a barbershop in London. It becomes the basis of a sinister partnership with his fellow tenant, Mrs. Lovett. Starring Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen. Rated PG
America loves larger-than-life musician and songwriter Dewey Cox! But behind the music is the up-and-down-and-up-again story of a musician whose songs would change a nation. On his rock ‘n roll spiral, Cox sleeps with 411 women, marries three times, has 22 kids and 14 step-kids, stars in his own 70s TV show, collects friends ranging from Elvis to the Beatles to a chimp, and gets addicted to - and then kicks - every drug known to man. Starring John C. Riley. Rated R
A young widow discovers that her late husband has left her 10 messages intended to help ease her pain and start a new life. Starring Hilary Swank. Rated PG-13
This is a drama based on Texas congressman Charlie Wilson’s covert dealings in Afghanistan, where his efforts to assist rebels in their war with the Soviets have some unforeseen and long reaching effects. Oscar winners Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Philip Seymour Hoffman team with Oscar-winning director Mike Nichols. Oh yes, and it’s a true story. Not yet rated.
Rob Reiner directs Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson as terminal cancer patients that make a list of things to do before they kick the bucket. Rated PG-13persepolis This film won the Jury Prize at Cannes. Written from a best selling graphic novel about a young girl growing up during the Islamic revolution in Iran, this film is animated in black and white. The author of the graphic novel, Marjane Satrapi, wrote and directed the film, which is voiced by Sean Penn, Gena Rowlands and others. Rated PG-13
After several years of absence, director Paul Thomas Anderson has opted to make Upton Sinclair’s 1927 novel Oil! and turn it into a feature film starring the legendary Daniel Day-Lewis. Rated R
Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman play in this dramedy about a family struggling to care for their dimentia-stricken father. Oscar rumors abound regarding Laura Linney’s performance. Rated R
Two children discover an egg on a beach in Scotland which eventually hatches into a “waterhorse.” Later, that waterhorse grows up to be the Loch Ness monster. Starring Emily Watson and Ben Chaplin. Rated PG
Warring alien and predator races descend on a small town, where unsuspecting residents must band together for any chance of survival. Where is Sigourney Weaver when we need her? Rated R
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