Best Bet(s): Billed as three comedies… audiences are likely to enjoy these three movies in varying levels of satisfaction.  So far, I can tell you that “My Life in Ruins” (read my review) is not as good as you might hope in a romantic comedy.  The buzz on the other two movies is that some audiences will enjoy and others will be disappointed by either Will Ferrell’s “Land of the Lost” or “The Hangover” from the director of “Old School”.

New on DVD (Tuesday): “Defiance”, “He’s Just Not That Into You”, “Revolutionary Road”, “Spring Breakdown”

Best Bet(s): Three strong offerings on DVD came out on Tuesday: Oscar nominated drama “Revolutionary Road” (read my review) (Kate and Leo)…  Oscar nominated World War II drama “Defiance” (read my review) (Daniel Craig and Liev Schrieber)… and the very successful and enjoyable ensemble romantic comedy “He’s Just Not That Into You” (read my review).  I have no information about the Amy Poehler/Parkey Posey/Rachel Dracht comedy “Spring Breakdown”… you’re on your ownon that one… but here’s a red flag: straight to DVD!!!

 CLICK HERE TO FIND A MOVIE SHOWTIME

Next Week at Theaters: “Imagine That”, “The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3″, “The Brothers Bloom” (limited release at Celebration! North and Celebration! Cinema Crossroads in Grand Rapids and Cinema Carousel in Muskegon)

Next Week on DVD: “Crossing Over”, “Fired Up”, “Gran Torino”, “The International”, “Spinning Into Butter”

MY REVIEWS OF OTHER MOVIES CURRENTLY PLAYING IN THEATERS OR AVAILABLE TO RENT/BUY: 

Playing at West Michigan movie theaters:
“Star Trek” (8.5 / 10)
“Angels & Demons” (8.5 / 10)
“I Love You, Man” (8.0/ 10)
“State of Play” (8.0)
“X-Men Origins: Wolverine” (7.5 / 10)
“Four Christmases”  (7.5 / 10)
“Knowing” (7.0 / 10)
“Watchmen” (7.0 / 10)
“The Day the Earth Stood Still” (6.5 / 10)
“Monsters Vs. Aliens” (6.0 / 10)
“Confessions of A Shopaholic” (5.5 / 10)
“Dance Flick” (2.0 / 10)

- – -

Available to rent or buy:
“Slumdog Millionaire” (9.5/ 10)
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (9.5 / 10)
“The Dark Knight” (9.5 / 10)
“Changeling”  (9.5 / 10)
“WALL-E” (9.0)
“Pride and Glory” (9.0 / 10)
“The Wrestler” (8.9 / 10)
“Righteous Kill” (8.9 / 10)
“Eagle Eye” (8.5 / 10)
“Burn After Reading” (8.5 / 10)
“Wanted” (8.0 / 10)
“Defiance” (8.0 / 10)
“The Visitor” (8.0 / 10)
“Australia”  (7.9 / 10)
“Frozen River” (7.9 / 10)
“Revolutionary Road” (7.9 / 10)
“New in Town” (7.9 / 10)
“Quantum of Solace”  (7.5 / 10)
“Taken” (7.5 / 10)
“Fanboys” (8.5 for me, adjusted to 7.5 for most)
“He’s Just Not That Into You” (7.5 / 10)
“Traitor” (7.5 / 10)
“The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian”
“Marley & Me” (7.5 / 10)
“Bride Wars” (7.5 / 10)
“Rachel Getting Married” (7.0)
“Paul Blart: Mall Cop” (7.0 / 10)
“Get Smart” (7.0 / 10)
“Bedtime Stories” (7.0 / 10)
“Twilight”  (7.0 / 10)
“Hotel for Dogs” (7.0 / 10)
“Appaloosa” (6.9 / 10)
“Lakeview Terrace” (6.5 / 10)
“Hellboy II: Golden Army” (6.5 / 10)
“Body of Lies” (6.0)
“Noise” (6.0 / 10) 

– 

Follow my updates on twitter: http://twitter.com/aaronlafferty

Add to your RSS feed: http://feeds2.feedburner.com/woodtv8-blogs-laff-at-the-movies?format=html

YouTube Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=WOODTV8&view=videos&query=laff+at+the+movies

TOP MOVIES AT WEEKEND BOX OFFICE (estimated results):
1. “Taken” – $24.63 million (1st week)

2. “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” - $14.00 million
(3rd week, was #2 last week, lost 35% from last week)

3. “The Uninvited” - $10.51 million (1st week)

4. “Hotel for Dogs” – $8.71 million
(3rd week, was #4 last week, lost 32% from last week)

5. “Gran Torino” – $8.60 million
(4th week of wide release, was #3 last week, lost 47% from last week)

6. “Slumdog Millionaire” - $7.68 million
(12th week, was #5 last week, lost 28% from last week)

7. “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans” – $7.20 million
(2nd week, was #2 last week, lost 65% from last week)

8. “New in Town” - $6.75 million (1st week)

9. “My Bloody Valentine” – $4.26 million
(3rd week, was #6 last week, lost 58% from last week)

10. “Inkheart” – $3.70 million
(2nd week, was #7 last week, lost 51% from last week)

- – -

11. “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” – $3.61 million
(6th week, was #9 last week, lost 41% from last week)

12. “Bride Wars” - $3.57 million
(4th week, was #8 last week, lost 48% from last week)

14. “Defiance” - $2.53 million
(3rd week of wide release, was #11 last week, lost 55% from last week)

16. ”The Wrestler” – $2.35 million
(2nd week of wide release, was #14 last week, lost 37% from last week)

22. “Marley & Me” – $0.95 million
(6th week, was #15 last week, lost 69% of audience from last week)

Box Office numbers courtesy Box Office Mojo

I’ve been telling people to see “Slumdog Millionaire” ever since it was released in West Michigan, now it seems that the Golden Globes wins, the Oscar nominations, and national advertising is working.  The movie saw an 83% increase in ticket sales from last weekend, which was already up 55%  than the weekend previous.

Also seeing a Golden Globes/Oscar bounce, the audience for “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” grew 9% from last week.

 TOP MOVIES AT WEEKEND BOX OFFICE (actual results):
1. “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” - $21.62 million
(2nd week at #1, lost 32% from last week)

2. “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans” – $20.82 million (1st week)

3. “Gran Torino” – $16.24 million
(3rd week of wide release, was #2 last week, lost 26% from last week)

4. “Hotel for Dogs” – $12.86 million
(2nd week, was #5 last week, lost 24% from last week)

5. “Slumdog Millionaire” - $10.70 million
(11th week, was #10 last week, gained 83% more audience from last week)

6. “My Bloody Valentine” – $10.01 million
(2nd week, was #3 last week, lost 53% from last week)

7. “Inkheart” – $7.60 million (1st week)

8. “Bride Wars” - $6.87 million
(3rd week, was #6 last week, lost 41% from last week)

9. “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” – $6.09 million
(5th week, was #11 last week, gained 9% more audience from last week)

10. “Notorious” – $5.78 million
(2nd week, was #4 last week, lost 72% from last week)

–

11. “Defiance” - $5.67 million
(2nd week of wide release, was #8 last week, lost 36% from last week)

12. “Revolutionary Road” – $5.19 million (1st week of wide release)

13. “The Unborn” – $4.36 million
(3rd week, was #7 last week, lost 53% from last week)

14. ”The Wrestler” – $3.75 (1st week of wide release)

15. “Marley & Me” – $3.03 million
(5th week, was #9 last week, lost 50% of audience from last week)

18. “Bedtime Stories” – $1.95 million
(5th week, was #12 last week, lost 59% of audience from last week)

26. “The Dark Knight” – $0.67 million
(IMAX re-issue, total gross now $531.71 million, still $69 million behind “Titanic”, the #1 domestic movie of all time)

Box Office numbers courtesy Box Office Mojo

“Paul Blart: Mall Cop” was number one… by more than $10 million dollars over second place “Gran Torino”.

 TOP MOVIES AT WEEKEND BOX OFFICE (actual results):
1. “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” - $31.83 million (1st week)

2. “Gran Torino” – $21.98 million
(2nd week of wide release, was #1 last week, lost 26% from last week)

3. “My Bloody Valentine” – $21.24 million (1st week)

4. “Notorious” – $20.50 million (1st week)

5. “Hotel for Dogs” – $17.01 million (1st week)

6. “Bride Wars” - $11.65 million
(2nd week, was #2 last week, lost 45% from last week)

7. “The Unborn” – $9.34 million
(2nd week, was #3 last week, lost 53% from last week)

8. “Defiance” - $8.91 million (1st week of wide release)

9. “Marley & Me” – $6.14 million
(4th week, was #4 last week, lost 46% of audience from last week)

10. “Slumdog Millionaire” - $5.85 million
(10th week, was #11 last week, gained 55% more audience from last week)

- – -

11. “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” – $5.78 million
(4th week, was #5 last week, lost 39% of audience from last week)

12. “Bedtime Stories” – $4.73 million
(4th week, was #6 last week, lost 46% of audience from last week)

Box Office numbers courtesy Box Office Mojo

Movies set during World War II and the Holocaust are depressing by nature… because of the inhumanity of the Nazis in their persecution of Jews.  While “Defiance” is sad, it sets the mood and then keeps it there without constantly attacking you with reminders of movie’s time in history.

Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber, and Jamie Bell are great as the three brothers who band together to escape the Nazis and ultimately form their own community of survivors.
 While this may not be the best Holocaust-era movie ever, it is certainly the most uplifting as the brothers battle the Nazis both literally in battle and figuratively as they try to keep their sanity and humanity by living out their lives, even if they are in hiding.

The movie weaves in a sense of history while exploring a part of the survivor story many of us had never heard of before now… the settings, the clothing, the weapons, the vehicles, the characters, everything helps remind you that you watching people in the late 1930s/early 1940s.

The action is spread out throughout the movie… followed by moments of dialougue and character building.  Daniel Craig puts in one of his best non-Bond performances yet as the oldest of the brothers, leading the group through the forest and through the very difficult circumstances.  Liev Schreiber does and excellent job as the second oldest brother, a character layered with problems and regrets and disagreements with his older brother.  Jamie Bell is solid as the third brother and the other supporting cast are also good, including a solid turn by Ravil Isyanov as the Russian commander who comes into conflict with their little community.

THE BOTTOM LINE: The acting is good, the story is well told, while the story is memorable, there are a few weaker moments in the storyline and Hollywood-ized moments, and it never jumps to the “great” level overall… like Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List” (1993)… so I give it a respectable 8.0 out of 10. 

“Defiance”

(2009) (rated: ) (2 hr, 17 min)

Starring: Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber, Jamie Bell, Alexa Davalos, Allan Corduner, Mark Feuerstein, Tomas Arana, Iben Hjejle, Ravil Isyanov, George MacKay

Director: Edward Zwick

Genre: Drama/War/Holocaust

The Plot: Three Jewish brothers 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.

So what did you think?  Please post a comment!

.
“Defiance” poster courtesy Paramount Vantage

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

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 **