BEST BETs: Best Picture winner “Slumdog Millionaire” should be your first choice to rent if you haven’t yet seen it… “Marley & Me” is a good drama, but I’ll warn pet lovers again: YOU WILL CRY… the Will Smith drama “Seven Pounds” got snubbed by critics and the Oscars – but its first on my list here… “Tell No One” is a foreign thriller that got great reviews, but I haven’t had the chance to see myself… “Bedtime Stories” is a fun family movie if you have BluRay, otherwise it comes out on DVD next Tuesday.

—

New at Theaters (Friday):  ”Adventureland”, “Fast and Furious”, “Sunshine Cleaning” (new to Grand Rapids market)

BEST BETs: “Sunshine Cleaning” is new to the Grand Rapids market, but has been gaining momentum in the first 3 weeks of release and this drama may be our first Oscar worthy movie of the year.  “Adventureland” is an R-rated romantic comedy.  “Fast and Furious” is a sequel with the return of original actors Paul Walker and Vin Diesel.

 CLICK HERE TO FIND A MOVIE SHOWTIME

Next Week at Theaters: “Dragonball Evolution”, “Hannah Montana The Movie”, “Observe and Report”

Next Week on DVD: “Bedtime Stories”, “The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)”, “Donkey Punch”, “Doubt”, “Not Easily Broken”, “The Tale of Despereaux”, “Yes Man”

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

Playing at West Michigan movie theaters:
“Slumdog Millionaire” (9.5/ 10)
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (9.5 / 10)
“The Wrestler” (8.9 / 10)
“Defiance” (8.0 / 10)
“I Love You, Man” (8.0/ 10)
“Revolutionary Road” (7.9 / 10)
“New in Town” (7.9 / 10)
“Taken” (7.5 / 10)
“Fanboys” (8.5 for me, adjusted to 7.5 for most)
“Quantum of Solace”  (7.5 / 10)
“He’s Just Not That Into You” (7.5 / 10)
“Bride Wars” (7.5 / 10)
“Four Christmases”  (7.5 / 10)
“Paul Blart: Mall Cop” (7.0 / 10)
“Knowing” (7.0 / 10)
“Watchmen” (7.0 / 10)
“Hotel for Dogs” (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)

- – -

Available to rent or buy:
“Slumdog Millionaire” (9.5/ 10)
“The Dark Knight” (9.5 / 10)
“Changeling”  (9.5 / 10)
“WALL-E” (9.0)
“Pride and Glory” (9.0 / 10)
“Righteous Kill” (8.9 / 10)
“Eagle Eye” (8.5 / 10)
“Burn After Reading” (8.5 / 10)
“Wanted” (8.0 / 10)
“The Visitor” (8.0 / 10)
“Australia”  (7.9 / 10)
“Frozen River” (7.9 / 10)
“Traitor” (7.5 / 10)
“The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian”
“Marley & Me” (7.5 / 10)
“Get Smart” (7.0 / 10)
“Bedtime Stories” (7.0 / 10)
“Twilight”  (7.0 / 10)
“Appaloosa” (6.9 / 10)
“Lakeview Terrace” (6.5 / 10)
“Hellboy II: Golden Army” (6.5 / 10)
“Noise” (6.0 / 10)

—

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“Bride Wars” and “The Unborn” also pushed “Marley & Me” out of its two weeks at number one.

 TOP MOVIES AT WEEKEND BOX OFFICE (actual results):
1. “Gran Torino” – $29.48 million (1st week of wide release)

2. “Bride Wars” - $21.06 million (1st week)

3. “The Unborn” – $19.81 million (1st week)

4. “Marley & Me” – $11.39 million
(3rd week, was #1 last week, lost 53% of audience from last week)

5. “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” – $9.21 million
(3rd week, was #3 last week, lost 49% of audience from last week)

6. “Bedtime Stories” – $8.80 million
(3rd week, was #2 last week, lost 58% of audience from last week)

7. “Valkyrie” – $6.62 million
(3rd week, was #4 last week, lost 53% of audience from last week)

8. “Yes Man” – $6.03 million
(4th week, was #5 last week, lost 56% of audience from last week)

9. “Not Easily Broken” – $5.31 million (1st week)

10. “Seven Pounds” – $3.82 million
(4th week, was #6 last week, lost 61% of audience from last week)

—-

11. “Slumdog Millionaire” - $3.78 million (limited release: just 601 theaters)
(9th week, was #10 last week, lost 21% of audience from last week)

Box Office numbers courtesy Box Office Mojo

“The Spirit” followed up its poor opening weekend by dropping to 13th (losing 49% of its audience) during a weekend with no wide releases (that’s a red flag movie go-ers !!!).

There were 27% fewer people ($130 million) at the movies over the New Year’s weekend compared to the big Christmas weekend ($179 million).

TOP MOVIES AT WEEKEND BOX OFFICE (estimated): 
1. “Marley & Me” – $24.05 million
(2nd week at #1, lost 34% of audience from last week)

2. “Bedtime Stories” – $20.32 million
(2nd week, was #2 last week, lost 26% of audience from last week)

3. “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” - $18.40 million
(2nd week, was #3 last week, lost 32% of audience from last week)

4. “Valkyrie” – $14.04 million
(2nd week, was #4 last week, lost 33% of audience from last week)

5. “Yes Man” – $13.85 million  
(3rd week, was #5 last week, lost 17% of audience from last week)

6. “Seven Pounds” – $10.00 million 
(3rd week, was #6 last week, lost 24% of audience from last week)

7. “The Tale of Desperaux” – $7.02 million 
(3rd week, was #7 last week, lost 21% of audience from last week)

8. ”Doubt″ – $5.03 million
(4th week, was #10 last week, lost 6% from last week)

9. “The Day the Earth Stood Still” – $4.85 million
(4th week, was #8 last week, lost 37% of audience from last week)

10. “Slumdog Millionaire” - $4.77 million (limited release: just 612 theaters)
(8th week, was #13 last week, 11% more audience than last week)

- – -

11. “Twilight”  – $4.53 million
(7th week, was #12 last week, lost 5% from last week)

13. “The Spirit” – $3.27 million
(2nd week, was #9 last week, lost 49% from last week)

15. ”Gran Torino″ – $2.82 million (limited release: just 84 theaters)
(4th week, was #15 last week, 21% more audience than last week)

Box Office numbers courtesy Box Office Mojo

The life story of a dog “Marley & Me” and the life story of a man who ages backwards “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” take first and third place, while Adam Sandler’s family movie was second and Tom Cruise’s nazi-era drama was fourth.

TOP MOVIES AT WEEKEND BOX OFFICE: 
1. “Marley & Me” – $37.00 million  (1st week)

2. “Bedtime Stories” – $28.07 million  (1st week)

3. “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” - $27.00 million  (1st week)

4. “Valkyrie” – $21.53 million  (1st week)

5. “Yes Man” – $16.45 million  
(2nd week, was #1 last week, lost 10% of audience from last week)

6. “Seven Pounds” – $13.40 million 
(2nd week, was #2 last week, lost 10% of audience from last week)

7. “The Tale of Desperaux” – $9.37 million 
(2nd week, was #3 last week, lost 7% of audience from last week)

8. “The Day the Earth Stood Still” – $7.90 million
(3rd week, was #4 last week, lost 20% of audience from last week)

9. “The Spirit” – $6.51 million (1st week)

10. ”Doubt″ – $5.68 million
(3rd week, was #15 last week, gained 733% more audience than last week, added 1,228 theaters)

- – -

11.  “Four Christmases”  – $5.05 million
(5th week, was #5 last week, lost 35% from last week)

12. “Twilight”  – $4.52 million
(6th week, was #6 last week, lost 13% from last week)

13. “Slumdog Millionaire” - $4.45 million (limited release: added 25 theaters)
(7th week, was #8 last week, 45% more audience than last week)

15. ”Gran Torino″ – $2.44 million (limited release: added 65 theaters)
(3rd week, was #18 last week, 421% more audience than last week)

Box Office numbers courtesy Box Office Mojo

Either way, the weekend’s three new releases came out on top, with Jim Carrey’s comedy Yes Man edging out Will Smith’s latest drama Seven Pounds for first place while the family movie The Tale of Desperaux barely beat last weekend’s number one The Day the Earth Stood Still for third place.

TOP MOVIES AT WEEKEND BOX OFFICE: 
1. “Yes Man” – $18.16 million  (1st week)

2. “Seven Pounds” – $16.00 million  (1st week)

3. “The Tale of Desperaux” – $10.51 million  (1st week)

4. “The Day the Earth Stood Still” – $10.15 million
(2nd week, was #1 last week, lost 66% of audience from last week)

5. “Four Christmases”  – $7.75 million
(4th week, was #2 last week, lost 40% from last week)

6. “Twilight”  – $5.22 million
(5th week, was #3 last week, lost 34% from last week)

7. ”Bolt”  – $4.26 million
(5th week, was #4 last week, lost 43% from last week)

8. “Slumdog Millionaire” - $3.15 million (limited release: added 420 theaters – now playing in Grand Rapids)
(6th week, was #11 last week, 44% more audience than last week)

9. “Australia”  – $2.33 million
(4th week, was #5 last week, lost 44% from last week)

10. “Quantum of Solace” - $2.15 million
(6th week, was #6 last week, lost 42% from last week)

- – -

11. ”Milk” – $1.64 million   (limited release: added 28 theaters)
(4th week, was #9 last week, lost 36% from last week)

14. ”Doubt″ – $0.73 million (limited release: added 24 theaters)
(2nd week, was #19 last week, 43% more than last week)

18. ”Gran Torino″ – $0.47 million (limited release: added 13 theaters)
(2nd week, was #20 last week, 72% more than last week)

Box Office numbers courtesy Box Office Mojo

“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”

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“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.

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“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.

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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

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So what did you think?  Please post a comment!

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