If you like Westerns, you’ll like this movie more than the average audience… and while its central theme of the friendship between the characters played by Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen will keep you interested, its lingering moments and lengthy shots may have you checking the time until this nearly two-hour long movie wraps up.

 “Appaloosa”

(2008) (rated: R for some violence and language) (1 hr, 54 min)

Starring: Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen, Jeremy Irons, Renee Zellweger, Timothy V. Murphy, James Gammon, Timothy Spall, Tom Bower, Rex Linn, Lance Henriksen, Luce Rains, James Tarwater

Genre: Western/Drama

The Plot: Two friends hired to police a small town that is suffering under the rule of a rancher find their job complicated by the arrival of a young widow.

MY TAKE (spoiler free):

Please don’t get me wrong… I appreciate great landscapes and cinematography… they are a great device for putting the audience in the setting and reminding them they are still there… but where so many great movies use the device to perfection, it may be “Appaloosa”’s achilles heel.

Of course, I did go into this movie with the knowledge that the movie would have some lingering shots – since Ed Harris told us that when I talked to him  about “Appaloosa”, but I didn’t think all those long shots would add up so much!

While this movie fights to conform to the typical modern western (with the lengthy shots and limited action sequences), its is well made with great lines, some humor, really good cinematography, and good costumes and set design.

There’s more dialogue and focus on relationships (Ed and Viggo), than ”shoot ‘em up” action sequences – although I really didn’t mind that – it felt like we were following the characters along in a sort of “day in the life” of a lawman story.

Harris and Mortensen were perfect for these roles… the relationship they cultivate in this movie gives you the feeling these two guys have been enforcing the law for years together…. their relationship has a lot of depth and layers… but is woven well into the plot.

The villian glove fits Jeremy Irons (despite the british accent), … the supporting cast was solid… but Reneè didn’t fit this movie… the other women in the movie fit well, but I just wasn’t buying all of Reneè’s performance… it seemed forced or unnatural like she wasn’t comfortable with the character…. she wanted to be in the movie… but her acting just didn’t work here.

THE BOTTOM LINE: 

The version we see in the theaters could have been the Director’s cut that is re-released months after the movie is seen in theaters, but because of lingering shots, slow plot moments, and limited action… I give it 6.9 out of 10…. just short of recommending you to see it at the theater.    I wouldn’t be surprised to see an Academy Award nomination from this movie – although it may be more in the line of screenplay, costumes, set design, or cinematography.

So what did you think?  Please post a comment!

“Appaloosa” poster courtesy New Line Cinema

Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/aaronlafferty

New movies last Friday: “Body of Lies”, “City of Ember”, “Quarantine”, “The Duchess” (wider release)

“Quarantine” was 2nd – more than making up its entire $12 million budget in one weekend… which is good because it was disappointing to a lot of viewers, so its numbers ARE GOING TO DROP NEXT WEEKEND… 
“Body of Lies” (15 to see this Fall/Holiday Season) should have opened stronger given the cast of Crowe and DiCaprio, but the subject matter may have kept some away…
“The Express” was 6th – perhaps because the general public didn’t realize it was about more than just college football… 
“City of Ember” made about what I thought it would when I first saw the trailer, but I thought last week’s success of another family movie (”Chihuahua”) would have helped it to higher than 11th place…. 
“The Duchess” move into wide release moved it up from #20 to #9.

TOP 10 WEEKEND BOX OFFICE (actual results):

1. “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” - $17.50 million
(2nd week, 2nd week at #1, lost 40% of its audience from last week)

2. “Quarantine” - $14.21 million (1st week)

3. “Body of Lies” - $12.88 million (1st week)

4. “Eagle Eye” - $10.91 million
(2nd week, was #2 last week, lost 38% of its audience from last week)

5. “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist” - $6.42 million
(2nd week, was #3 last week, lost 43% of its audience from last week)

6. “The Express” - $4.56 million (1st week)

7. “Nights in Rodanthe” - $4.54 million
(3rd week, was #4 last week, lost 38% of its audience from last week)

5. “Appaloosa” - $3.32 million
(4th week, was #5 last week, lost 34% of its audience from last week)

9. “The Duchess” - $3.30 million (1st week in wide release)

10. “Fireproof” - $3.14 million
(3rd week, was #8 last week, lost 21% of its audience from last week)

– — –

11. “City of Ember” - $3.13 million (1st week)

CHECK OUT LAST WEEK’S BOX OFFICE REPORT – 10/6/08

19. “The Dark Knight” – $0.53 million (total gross: $526.69 million)
(13th week, was #21 last week, lost 36% of its audience from last week)

CHASING HISTORY:

“The Dark Knight” has a long way to go to close the gap between itself ($526.69 million) and “Titanic” ($600.78 million) for the highest grossing movie ever in the U.S. !!

Although, there are plans to re-release it in January (for Academy Award push and of course.. more $$$$ !!!

.

Box Office numbers courtesy Box Office Mojo

“Beverly Hills Chihuahua” poster courtesy Walt Disney

“The Dark Knight” poster courtesy Warner Bros.

Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/aaronlafferty

  CLICK ON THIS TO WATCH

Ed Harris talks to Laff at the Movies about his roles as Producer/Director/Writer/Star of the movie “Appaloosa”, getting the cast of Viggo Mortensen, Renee Zelwegger, and Jeremy Irons to join the project, the risks/rewards of doing a Western, and the new tax incentives bringing movies to Michigan… that he hadn’t heard of… until our interview on October 1st.

(clips from ”Appaloosa” courtesy Warner Bros., clip from “A History of Violence” courtesy New Line Cinema)

enjoy

CHECK OUT my interview with Joe Pantoliano (”Risky Business”, “The Sopranos”, “The Matrix”, “Bad Boys”)

Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/aaronlafferty

New movies last Friday: “Beverly Hills Chihuahua”, “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist”, “Appaloosa” (limited), “An American Carol” (limited), ”Flash of Genius” (limited), “Blindness” (limited)

I didn’t make a prediction going into last weekend, but if I did, I can honestly say that I didn’t think “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” would be your number one movie this week… c’mon people… I know its a fun family movie from the folks over at Disney… and the other good looking movies were in limited release…. but it was #1 by more than $11 million dollars… yikes… at least I know it will get bumped by “Body of Lies” or “City of Ember” this coming weekend.

So make that back to back weeks with a surprise, last week’s surprise #4 – the Christian themed “Fireproof” starring Kirk Cameron was #8 this week… I was hoping for better numbers for 2 of my 15 to see this Fall/Holiday Season:“Appaloosa” and “Blindness” BUT THEY are not in wide release *yet*.

TOP 10 WEEKEND BOX OFFICE (actual results):

1. “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” - $29.30 million (1st week)

2. “Eagle Eye” - $29.20 million

(2nd week, was #1 last week, lost 39% of its audience from last week)

3. “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist” - $11.31 million (1st week)

4. “Nights in Rodanthe” - $7.37 million

(2nd week, was #2 last week, lost 45% of its audience from last week)

5. “Appaloosa” - $5.05 million (1st week - wider, but limited release)

6. “Lakeview Terrace” - $4.56 million

(3rd week, was #3 last week, lost 35% of its audience from last week)

7. “Burn After Reading” - $4.12 million

(4th week, was #5 last week, lost 34% of its audience from last week)

8. “Fireproof” - $3.99 million

(2nd week, was #4 last week, lost 41% of its audience from last week)

9. “An American Carol” - $3.66 million (1st week) (limited release)

10. “Religulous” - $3.41 million (1st week) (limited release)

——–

11. “Flash of Genius” - $2.25 million (1st week) (limited release)

12. “Blindness” - $1.95 million (1st week) (limited release)

19. “How to Lose Friends and Alienate People” - $1.43 million (1st week) (limited release)

21. “The Dark Knight” – $0.83 million (total gross: $525.83 million)
(12th week, was #13 last week, lost 50% of its audience from last week)

CHASING HISTORY:

“The Dark Knight” has a long way to go to close the gap between itself ($525.83 million) and “Titanic” ($600.78 million) for the highest grossing movie ever in the U.S. !!

Although, there are plans to re-release it in January (for Academy Award push and of course.. more $$$$ !!!

.

Box Office numbers courtesy Box Office Mojo

“Beverly Hills Chihuahua” poster courtesy Walt Disney

“The Dark Knight” poster courtesy Warner Bros.

Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/aaronlafferty

“Release Dates Are Subject to Change” … glad I added that to this list… because one date change pushed a movie completely out of the Fall/Winter season… “Taken” moves from September 19th to January 23rd !!!  Also moving: “Crossing Over” moves from October 24th to December 3rd and “Blindness” moves from September 26th to October 3rd.

That means “Blindness” moves into to my “15 to See”:

“Blindness” (October 3rd) – everyone is going blind.. except for Julianne Moore… sounds crazy!

.

And that means “The Lucky Ones” (September 26-limited release) moves on to my “Honorable Mentions” list…

Rachel McAdams, Tim Robbins, and Michael Peña star as three soldiers that meet one another as they have all returned from Iraq, and circumstance unites them for a road trip across the country.

—–

Originally Published: September 5, 2008 at 10:48am:

The first week of September… its a signal of back to school and the end of the summer movie season… and I’ve got 15 movies for you to look forward to during the Fall/Holiday Movie Season…

Laff’s Fall/Holiday Movie Preview – 15 to see

15 is a bonus… some people give you a Top 10… but I’m giving you 15…  15 movies over the next 4 months that are likely to be big at the box office and/or fill out the ballots for Academy Award consideration !!!!

(release dates are subject to change)

“Burn After Reading” (September 12th)

New comedy-drama from Ethan and Joel Cohen… with a great cast and cool trailer!!!

Watch the “Burn After Reading” trailer at trailerspy.com

Starring: Brad Pitt, Frances McDormand, George Clooney, John Malkovich, Tilda Swinton, J.K. Simmons

Plot: A disk containing the memoirs of a CIA agent ends up in the hands of two unscrupulous gym employees who attempt to sell it.

Early look at “Burn After Reading”

—-

“Righteous Kill” (September 12th)

I was ready for this one as soon as they announced Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino would be in the movie together … and they are both police officers.. and the trailer solidified it for me!

“Righteous Kill” trailer at trailerpsy.com

Starring: Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, 50 Cent, Carla Gugino, John Leguizamo, Donnie Wahlberg, Brian Dennehy

Plot: Two veteran New York City detectives (De Niro and Pacino) work to identify the possible connection between a recent murder and a case they believe they solved years ago; is there a serial killer on the loose, and did they perhaps put the wrong person behind bars?

—-

“Taken” (now January 23rd )

I can’t wait to see Liam Neeson back in a leading role kicking some butt !!

Watch the ”Taken” trailer at trailerspy.com

Starring: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, Xander Berkeley, Katie Cassidy, Olivier Rabourdin, Leland Orser, Jon Gries

Plot: A former spy (Neeson) relies on his old skills to save his estranged daughter (Grace), who has been forced into the slave trade.

Early look: “Taken”

—-

“Appaloosa” (Sept 19th – limited release) (October 3rd)

I really like Westerns… but there are only a few modern westerns I like.. we’ll see if this can make that exclusive list!

“Appaloosa” trailer at trailerspy.com

Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Renee Zellweger, Jeremy Irons, Ed Harris, Lance Henricksen

Plot: Two friends hired to police a small town that is suffering under the rule of a rancher find their job complicated by the arrival of a young widow.

—-

“What Just Happened?” (limited release) (October 3rd)

More Al Pacino… gotta love it .. and Bruce Willis back in a funny guy role… I’m in!!

“What Just Happened?” trailer at trailerspy.com

Starring: Robert De Niro, Bruce Willis, Stanley Tucci, John Turturro, Kristen Stewart, Lilly Rabe

Plot: Two weeks in the life of a fading Hollywood producer (De Niro) who’s having a rough time trying to get his new picture made.

—-

“Blindness” (October 3rd)

 - everyone is going blind.. except for Julianne Moore

—-

“Body of Lies” (October 10th)

Buzz around this movie about possible Academy Award nominations.. oh by the way, did I mention Leonardo DiCaprio and Russel Crowe are the stars and its Directed by Ridley Scott !!!

“Body of Lies” trailer at trailerspy.com

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe, Mark Strong

Plot: A former journalist injured in the Iraq war is hired by the CIA to track down an Al Qaeda leader in Jordan. Based on the novel “Body of Lies” by David Ignatius.

—- 

“Pride & Glory” (October 24th)

Has the look of a “Departed”, lets just hope it lives up to that Academy Award possibility… with Colin Farrell and Edward Norton… it has a good chance !

“Pride & Glory” trailer at trailerspy.com

Starring: Colin Farrell, Edward Norton, Jon Voight, Noah Emmerich

Plot: A saga centered on a multi-generational family of New York City Police officers. The family’s moral codes are tested when Ray Tierney (Edward Norton), investigates a case that reveals an incendiary police corruption scandal involving his own brother-in-law (Colin Farrell). For Ray, the truth is revelatory, a Pandora’s Box that threatens to upend not only the Tierney legacy but the entire NYPD.

—-

“Changeling” (October 31st)

Angelina Jolie acting, Clint Eastwood Directing, with John Malkovich also starring… sounds like the recipe similiar to Academy Award winning “Million Dollar Baby”. hmm..

” Changeling” trailer not yet released, but there is a clip to watch here

Starring: Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich, Jeffrey Donovan

Plot: A mother’s prayer for her kidnapped son to return home is answered, though it doesn’t take long for her to suspect the boy who comes back is not hers.

—-

“RockNRolla” (October 31st)

The buzz is Guy Ritchie is back… (although I liked “Revolver” )… with critics saying this movie is back at the level of “Snatch” and ”Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels”.

“RockNRolla” trailer at trailerspy.com

Starring: Gerard Butler, Jeremy Piven, Thandie Newton, Tom Wilkinson, Nonso Anozie, Charlotte Armer, Gemma Arterton

Plot: In London, a real-estate scam puts millions of pounds up for grabs, naturally attraction the attention of some of the city’s scrappiest tough guys (Butler, Elba) its more established underworld players (Wilkinson), and others — all of whom are looking to get rich quick.

—-

“Quantum of Solace” (November 14th)

This is the 22nd movie in the James Bond franchise, the 2nd for Daniel Craig as Bond.

Watch the “Quantum of Solace” trailer

Starring: Daniel Craig, Mathieu Amalric, Judi Dench, Olga Kurylenko, Gemma Arterton, Jeffrey Wright, Jesper Christensen

Plot: Seeking revenge for the death of his love, secret agent James Bond sets out to stop an environmentalist from taking control of a country’s water supply.

Early reports on new Bond movie

—-

“Australia” (November 26th)

Baz Luhrman’s epic about Australia in the 1930’s/40’s, his first movie since 2001’s “Moulin Rouge”

“Australia” trailer at trailerspy.com

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, David Wenham

Plot: Set in northern Australia before World War II, an English aristocrat who inherits a sprawling ranch reluctantly pacts with a stock-man in order to protect her new property from a takeover plot. As the pair drive 2,000 head of cattle over unforgiving landscape, they experience the bombing of Darwin, Australia, by Japanese forces firsthand.

—-

“Defiance” (December 12th)

Another Daniel Craig movie… and this one could lead to an Academy Award nomination…

“Defiance” trailer at trailerspy.com

Starring: Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber, Jamie Bell

Plot: Three Jewish brothers (Craig, Schreiber and Bell) escape from Nazi-occupied Poland into the Belarussian forest, where they join Russian resistance fighters and endeavor to build a village in order to protect themselves and others in danger.

—-

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (December 19th)

The minute I saw this trailer I was hooked… there’s a theme here, another movie from an actor already on this list… and this could see some Academy Award consideration !!

watch “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” trailer at trailerspy.com 

Starring: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton, Julia Ormond, Elle Fanning, Elias Koteas

Plot: Tells the story of Benjamin Button, a man who starts aging backwards with bizarre consequences.

Directed by: David Fincher - “Panic Room” (2002), “Fight Club” (1999), “Se7en” (1995)

Early look at “Benjamin Button”

—-

“Seven Pounds” (December 19th)

( trailer not yet available )

Starring: Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson, Barry Pepper

Plot: The emotional story of a man who will change the lives of seven strangers.

—-

“Revolutionary Road” (limited release)(December 26th)

Another Leonardo DiCaprio movie on this list, this time he’s back with his “Titanic” co-star Kate Winslet… and there’s already buzz about possible Academy Awards.

( trailer not yet available )

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Kathy Bates

Plot: A young couple living in a Connecticut suburb during the mid-1950s struggle to come to terms with their personal problems while trying to raise their two children. Based on a novel by Richard Yates.

—-

Honorable Mentions for the Fall/Holiday Movie Season:

“Lakeview Terrace” (September 19th) – Samuel L. Jackson plays a troublesome neighbor, who is also a police officer… so the neighbors have problems getting anyone to respond to their problems.

“Eagle Eye” (September 26th) – Shia LaBeouf in a thriller, set in the terrorist-anxiety world of today

“Blindness” (now October 3rd) – everyone is going blind.. except for Julianne Moore… sounds crazy!

“Crossing Over” (now December 3rd) – Harrison Ford, Ashley Judd, Sean Penn, Ray Liotta in a drama that takes a at the issue of illegal immigration in America, touching on subjects ranging from border crossing, document fraud, enforcement, culture clash, and homeland security.

“Twilight” (November 21st) - popular teen book turned movie with a Grand Rapids native in the cast

“The Soloist” (November 21st) – Robert Downey, Jr and Jamie Foxx – In a drama about a schizophrenic, homeless musician from Skid Row, Los Angeles dreams of playing at Walt Disney Concert Hall.

“The Road” (November 26th) – a father and son try to survive in a post-apocalyptic thriller

“The Day the Earth Stood Still” (December 12th) Keannu Reeves in the remake of the 1951 classic

“Valkyrie” (December 26th) Tom Cruise as a good Nazi?  the 8/14/08 release date moved up

—-

So what did you think?  Please post a comment!

.

** CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT MY MOVIE REVIEWS **

Laff’s Fall/Holiday Movie Preview – 15 to see

15 is a bonus… some people give you a Top 10… but I’m giving you 15…  15 movies over the next 4 months that are likely to be big at the box office and/or fill out the ballots for Academy Award consideration !!!!

(release dates are subject to change)

“Burn After Reading” (September 12th)

New comedy-drama from Ethan and Joel Cohen… with a great cast and cool trailer!!!

Watch the “Burn After Reading” trailer at trailerspy.com

Starring: Brad Pitt, Frances McDormand, George Clooney, John Malkovich, Tilda Swinton, J.K. Simmons

Plot: A disk containing the memoirs of a CIA agent ends up in the hands of two unscrupulous gym employees who attempt to sell it.

Early look at “Burn After Reading”

—-

“Righteous Kill” (September 12th)

I was ready for this one as soon as they announced Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino would be in the movie together … and they are both police officers.. and the trailer solidified it for me!

“Righteous Kill” trailer at trailerpsy.com

Starring: Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, 50 Cent, Carla Gugino, John Leguizamo, Donnie Wahlberg, Brian Dennehy

Plot: Two veteran New York City detectives (De Niro and Pacino) work to identify the possible connection between a recent murder and a case they believe they solved years ago; is there a serial killer on the loose, and did they perhaps put the wrong person behind bars?

—-

“Taken” (September 19th)

I can’t wait to see Liam Neeson back in a leading role kicking some butt !!

Watch the ”Taken” trailer at trailerspy.com

Starring: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, Xander Berkeley, Katie Cassidy, Olivier Rabourdin, Leland Orser, Jon Gries

Plot: A former spy (Neeson) relies on his old skills to save his estranged daughter (Grace), who has been forced into the slave trade.

Early look: “Taken”

—-

“Appaloosa” (Sept 19th – limited release) (October 3rd)

I really like Westerns… but there are only a few modern westerns I like.. we’ll see if this can make that exclusive list!

“Appaloosa” trailer at trailerspy.com

Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Renee Zellweger, Jeremy Irons, Ed Harris, Lance Henricksen

Plot: Two friends hired to police a small town that is suffering under the rule of a rancher find their job complicated by the arrival of a young widow.

—-

“What Just Happened?” (limited release) (October 3rd)

More Al Pacino… gotta love it .. and Bruce Willis back in a funny guy role… I’m in!!

“What Just Happened?” trailer at trailerspy.com

Starring: Robert De Niro, Bruce Willis, Stanley Tucci, John Turturro, Kristen Stewart, Lilly Rabe

Plot: Two weeks in the life of a fading Hollywood producer (De Niro) who’s having a rough time trying to get his new picture made.

—-

“Body of Lies” (October 10th)

Buzz around this movie about possible Academy Award nominations.. oh by the way, did I mention Leonardo DiCaprio and Russel Crowe are the stars and its Directed by Ridley Scott !!!

“Body of Lies” trailer at trailerspy.com

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe, Mark Strong

Plot: A former journalist injured in the Iraq war is hired by the CIA to track down an Al Qaeda leader in Jordan. Based on the novel “Body of Lies” by David Ignatius.

—- 

“Pride & Glory” (October 24th)

Has the look of a “Departed”, lets just hope it lives up to that Academy Award possibility… with Colin Farrell and Edward Norton… it has a good chance !

“Pride & Glory” trailer at trailerspy.com

Starring: Colin Farrell, Edward Norton, Jon Voight, Noah Emmerich

Plot: A saga centered on a multi-generational family of New York City Police officers. The family’s moral codes are tested when Ray Tierney (Edward Norton), investigates a case that reveals an incendiary police corruption scandal involving his own brother-in-law (Colin Farrell). For Ray, the truth is revelatory, a Pandora’s Box that threatens to upend not only the Tierney legacy but the entire NYPD.

—-

“Changeling” (October 31st)

Angelina Jolie acting, Clint Eastwood Directing, with John Malkovich also starring… sounds like the recipe similiar to Academy Award winning “Million Dollar Baby”. hmm..

” Changeling” trailer not yet released, but there is a clip to watch here

Starring: Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich, Jeffrey Donovan

Plot: A mother’s prayer for her kidnapped son to return home is answered, though it doesn’t take long for her to suspect the boy who comes back is not hers.

—-

“RockNRolla” (October 31st)

The buzz is Guy Ritchie is back… (although I liked “Revolver” )… with critics saying this movie is back at the level of “Snatch” and ”Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels”.

“RockNRolla” trailer at trailerspy.com

Starring: Gerard Butler, Jeremy Piven, Thandie Newton, Tom Wilkinson, Nonso Anozie, Charlotte Armer, Gemma Arterton

Plot: In London, a real-estate scam puts millions of pounds up for grabs, naturally attraction the attention of some of the city’s scrappiest tough guys (Butler, Elba) its more established underworld players (Wilkinson), and others — all of whom are looking to get rich quick.

—-

“Quantum of Solace” (November 14th)

This is the 22nd movie in the James Bond franchise, the 2nd for Daniel Craig as Bond.

Watch the “Quantum of Solace” trailer

Starring: Daniel Craig, Mathieu Amalric, Judi Dench, Olga Kurylenko, Gemma Arterton, Jeffrey Wright, Jesper Christensen

Plot: Seeking revenge for the death of his love, secret agent James Bond sets out to stop an environmentalist from taking control of a country’s water supply.

Early reports on new Bond movie

—-

“Australia” (November 26th)

Baz Luhrman’s epic about Australia in the 1930’s/40’s, his first movie since 2001’s “Moulin Rouge”

“Australia” trailer at trailerspy.com

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, David Wenham

Plot: Set in northern Australia before World War II, an English aristocrat who inherits a sprawling ranch reluctantly pacts with a stock-man in order to protect her new property from a takeover plot. As the pair drive 2,000 head of cattle over unforgiving landscape, they experience the bombing of Darwin, Australia, by Japanese forces firsthand.

—-

“Defiance” (December 12th)

Another Daniel Craig movie… and this one could lead to an Academy Award nomination…

“Defiance” trailer at trailerspy.com

Starring: Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber, Jamie Bell

Plot: Three Jewish brothers (Craig, Schreiber and Bell) escape from Nazi-occupied Poland into the Belarussian forest, where they join Russian resistance fighters and endeavor to build a village in order to protect themselves and others in danger.

—-

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (December 19th)

The minute I saw this trailer I was hooked… there’s a theme here, another movie from an actor already on this list… and this could see some Academy Award consideration !!

watch “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” trailer at trailerspy.com 

Starring: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton, Julia Ormond, Elle Fanning, Elias Koteas

Plot: Tells the story of Benjamin Button, a man who starts aging backwards with bizarre consequences.

Directed by: David Fincher - “Panic Room” (2002), “Fight Club” (1999), “Se7en” (1995)

Early look at “Benjamin Button”

—-

“Seven Pounds” (December 19th)

( trailer not yet available )

Starring: Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson, Barry Pepper

Plot: The emotional story of a man who will change the lives of seven strangers.

—-

“Revolutionary Road” (limited release)(December 26th)

Another Leonardo DiCaprio movie on this list, this time he’s back with his “Titanic” co-star Kate Winslet… and there’s already buzz about possible Academy Awards.

( trailer not yet available )

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Kathy Bates

Plot: A young couple living in a Connecticut suburb during the mid-1950s struggle to come to terms with their personal problems while trying to raise their two children. Based on a novel by Richard Yates.

—-

Honorable Mentions for the Fall/Holiday Movie Season:

“Lakeview Terrace” (September 19th) – Samuel L. Jackson plays a troublesome neighbor, who is also a police officer… so the neighbors have problems getting anyone to respond to their problems.

“Eagle Eye” (September 26th) – Shia LaBeouf in a thriller, set in the terrorist-anxiety world of today

“Blindness” (September 26th) – everyone is going blind.. except for Julianne Moore… sounds crazy!

“Crossing Over” (October 24th) – Harrison Ford, Ashley Judd, Sean Penn, Ray Liotta in a drama that takes a at the issue of illegal immigration in America, touching on subjects ranging from border crossing, document fraud, enforcement, culture clash, and homeland security.

“Twilight” (November 21st) - popular teen book turned movie with a Grand Rapids native in the cast

“The Soloist” (November 21st) – Robert Downey, Jr and Jamie Foxx – In a drama about a schizophrenic, homeless musician from Skid Row, Los Angeles dreams of playing at Walt Disney Concert Hall.

“The Road” (November 26th) – a father and son try to survive in a post-apocalyptic thriller

“The Day the Earth Stood Still” (December 12th) Keannu Reeves in the remake of the 1951 classic

“Valkyrie” (December 26th) Tom Cruise as a good Nazi?  the 8/14/08 release date moved up

—-

So what did you think?  Please post a comment!

.

** CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT MY MOVIE REVIEWS **