It was a down weekend for theaters and studios, with numbers down significanty from Thanksgiving weekend.  The weekend’s poorly reviewed new release of Punisher: War Zone and the limited distribution of the other new releases Cadillac Records and Nobel Son and the fact that this wasn’t the big movie watching Thanksgiving weekend all added up to a loss of 50% nationwide and the 3rd lowest total box office since kids went back to school in September.   Twilight and Australia both moved up one spot from last week as they lost less of their audience than Bolt and Quantum of Solace.

TOP MOVIES AT WEEKEND BOX OFFICE (studio estimates)
1. “Four Christmases” – $18.18 million
(2nd week at #1, lost 42% of its audience from last week)

2. “Twilight” – $13.20 million 
(3rd week, was #3 last week, lost 50% of its audience from last week)

3. “Bolt” – $9.70 million
(3rd week, was #2 last week, lost 64% of its audience from last week)

4. “Australia” – $7.00 million
(2nd week, was #5 last week, lost 53% of its audience from last week) 

5. “Quantum of Solace” - $6.60 million
(4th week, was #4 last week, lost 65% of its audience from last week)

6. “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” – $5.10 million 
(5th week, was #6 last week, lost 64% of its audience from last week)

7. “Transporter 3″ – $4.50 million
(2nd week, was #7 last week, lost 63% of its audience from last week)

8. “Punisher: War Zone” – $4.00 million (1st week)

9. “Cadillac Records” – $3.50 million (1st week) (limited release: 686 theaters)

10. “Role Models” – $2.62 million
(5th week, was #8 last week, lost 50% of its audience from last week)

- – -

11. “Milk” – $1.69 million  (limited release: 99 theaters)
(2nd week, was #10 last week, gained 16% more than its audience from last week, added 63 more theaters)

12. “Slumdog Millionaire” – $1.41 million  (limited release: 78 theaters)
(4th week, was #11 last week, gained 5% more than its audience from last week, added 29 more theaters)

13. “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” – $1.69 million  (limited release: 678 theaters)
(5th week, was #9 last week, lost 40% of its audience from last week)

14. “Changeling” - $0.50 million
(7th week, was #12 last week, lost 50% of its audience from last week)

15. ”Nobel Son” – $0.37 million (1st week) (limited release: 893 theaters)

Box Office numbers courtesy Box Office Mojo

“Four Christmases” poster courtesy New Line Cinema

TOP MOVIES AT WEEKEND BOX OFFICE (studio estimates)
1. “Four Christmases” – $31.68 million (1st week)

2. “Bolt” – $26.60 million
(2nd week, was #3 last week, gained 1% more than its audience from last week)

3. “Twilight” – $26.37 million 
(2nd week, was #1 last week, lost 62% of its audience from last week)

4. “Quantum of Solace” - $19.50 million
(3rd week, was #2 last week, lost 27% of its audience from last week)

5. “Australia” – $14.82 million (1st week)

6. “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” – $14.50 million 
(4th week, was #4 last week, lost 7% of its audience from last week)

7. “Transporter 3″ – $12.33 million (1st week)

8. “Role Models” – $5.28 million
(4th week, was #5 last week, lost 28% of its audience from last week)

9. “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” – $1.69 million
(4th week, was #8 last week, gained 3% more than its audience from last week, added 30% more theaters)

10. “Milk” – $1.38 million (1st week)

- - 

11. “Slumdog Millionaire” – $1.37 million
(3rd week, was #11 last week, gained 44% more than its audience from last week, added 35% more theaters)

12. “Changeling” - $1.21 million
(6th week, was #6 last week, lost 55% of its audience from last week)

Box Office numbers courtesy Box Office Mojo

“Four Christmases” poster courtesy New Line Cinema

The #1 movie – “Madagascar 2″ wasn’t just #1, it was a smash hit with $63 million – that’s a bigger opening than these other family movies: “High School Musical 3″ ($42 million)… more than “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” ($29 million)… “Horton Hears a Who!” ($45 million)… …only “WALL-E” ($63 million) and “Kung Fu Panda” ($60 million) had opening weekends as big !!!!   Its actually the 5th biggest opening of the year!

The weekend’s #2 movie “Role Models” cruised in with a solid showing of nearly $20 million… as the alternative choice to “Madagascar 2″.

TOP 10 WEEKEND BOX OFFICE (ACTUAL results):

1. “Madagascar 2: Ecsape to Africa” – $63.11 million (1st week)

2. “Role Models” – $19.17 million (1st week)

3. “High School Musical 3” - $9.16 million
(3rd week, was #1 last week, lost 40% of its audience from last week)

4. “Changeling” - $7.25 million
(3rd week, was #4 last week, lost 22% of its audience from last week)

5. “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” - $6.27 million
(2nd week, was #2 last week, lost 37% of its audience from last week)

6. “Soul Men” – $5.40 million (1st week)

7. “Saw V” - $4.07 million
(3rd week, was #3 last week, lost 58% of its audience from last week)

8. “The Haunting of Molly Hartley” - $3.32 million
(2nd week, was #5 last week, lost 39% of its audience from last week)

9. “The Secret Life of Bees” - $3.09 million
(4th week, was #7 last week, lost 23% of its audience from last week)

10. “Eagle Eye” - $2.54 million
(7th week, was #9 last week, lost 27% of its audience from last week)

11. “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” - $2.49 million
(6th week, was #6 last week, lost 49% of its audience from last week)

Box Office numbers courtesy Box Office Mojo

“Madagascar Escape 2 Africa” poster courtesy Paramount-DreamWorks

“Changeling” is a spectacular 9.5 that grabs hold of your heartstrings, as the actors tackle difficult subject matter like pros, Clint Eastwood gets another cast to step up their performances – this movie is Academy Award worthy on so many levels: acting, story, directing, costumes, sets, etc…

“Changeling”

(2008) (rated: R for some violent and disturbing content, and language) (2 hr, 21 min)

Starring: Angelina Jolie, Gattlin Griffith, John Malkovich, Jeffrey Donovan, Colm Feore, Michael Kelly, Frank Wood, Michelle Martin, Devon Conti, Amy Ryan, Jason Butler Harner, Eddie Alderson

Director: Clint Eastwood

Genre: Crime/Drama/Mystery/True Story

The 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.

MY TAKE:

…

THE BOTTOM LINE: 

… I give it 9.5 out of 10… .

So what did you think?  Please post a comment!

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

“Changeling” poster courtesy Universal Pictures

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

TOP 10 WEEKEND BOX OFFICE (actual results):

1. “High School Musical 3” - $15.31 million
(2nd week, was #1 last week, lost 64% of its audience from last week)

2. “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” - $10.07 million (1st week)

3. “Saw V” - $9.74 million
(2nd week, was #2 last week, lost 68% of its audience from last week)

4. “Changeling” - $9.35 million (1st week of wide release)
(2nd week, was #20 last week, gained 1800% of its audience from last week)

5. “The Haunting of Molly Hartley” - $5.42 million (1st week)

6. “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” - $4.86 million
(5th week, was #4 last week, lost 29% of its audience from last week)

7. “The Secret Life of Bees” - $4.01 million
(3rd week, was #6 last week, lost 34% of its audience from last week)

8. “Max Payne” - $3.69 million
(3rd week, was #3 last week, lost 53% of its audience from last week)

9. “Eagle Eye” - $3.48 million
(6th week, was #8 last week, lost 31% of its audience from last week)

10. “Pride and Glory” - $3.36 million
(2nd week, was #5 last week, lost 46% of its audience from last week

Box Office numbers courtesy Box Office Mojo

“High School Musical 3″ poster courtesy Disney

***************************************************

In Theaters (Friday): “Changeling” (wide release), “RockNRolla” (wide release), “The Haunting of Molly Hartley”, “Zack and Miri Make a Porno”

On DVD (Tuesday): “Hell Ride”, “Journey to the Center of the Earth” (2008), “Kit Kittredge: An American Girl”

***************************************************

MY TAKE ON WHAT’S NEW IN THEATERS:
For those looking for a scare (other than “Saw V”) there’s the thriller “The Haunting of Molly Hartley”….  if you’re looking for a raunchy romantic comedy – there’s “Zack and Miri Make a Porno”, which is more traditional work by director Kevin Smith than 2004’s “Jersey Girl”….
but  MY TOP CHOICES THIS WEEKEND are Academy Award favorite “Changeling” and a well-reviewed “RockNRolla” that critics say is director Guy Ritchie getting back to form.

—-

MY WEEKEND BOX OFFICE PREDICTION:
1. “The Haunting of Molly Hartley” – $25.0 million
2. “Saw V” – $23.0 million
3. “High School Musical 3” – $20.0 million
4. “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” – $18.0 million
5. “RockNRolla” – $5.5 million
6. “Changeling” – $5.0 million
7. “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” – $4.0 million
8. “Pride and Glory” – $3.5 million
9. “Max Payne” – $3.0 million
10. “Eagle Eye” – $2.5 million

—-

New on DVD (Tuesday): “Hell Ride”, “Journey to the Center of the Earth” (2008), “Kit Kittredge: An American Girl”

MY TAKE ON WHAT’S NEW ON DVD:
“Hell Ride” got mixed reviews…
so MY TOP CHOICES FOR WHAT’S NEW ON DVD are really good family-friendly “Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D” and well-reviewed “Kit Kittredge: An American Girl”.

—-

Next Week at Theaters: “Madagascar 2: Escape from Africa”, “Role Models”, ”Soul Men”, “House” (limited), “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas”

Next Week on DVD: “Get Smart”, “Kung Fu Panda”, “Shrek The Halls”, “Transsiberian”

“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 **