New Movie Previews: Borat, Flushed Away and Others
NOVEMBER 3rd
Borat
The actual title of this movie is Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan. Everything I’ve heard, and seen, about this movie makes me think that it will probably be the funniest movie of the fall, in fact I’m sure of it. Sacha Baron Cohen (AKA: HBO’s Ali G) plays his funniest character from his hit show in a full length directed by Larry Charles (Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm). This is in my top 3.
Flushed Away
A good one for the kids (and adults). This is another claymation comedy from the guys who made Wallace & Gromit. Nice, clean, intelligent fun.
NOVEMBER 10th
A Good Year
Russell Crow teams up with his Gladiator pal Ridley Scott to make a non-action movie. Hmmm, I can’t tell if I’m excited. Wait, no, I’m not. Sorry, I’m just gassy.
Stranger Than Fiction
Emma Thompson and Will Ferrell star in this movie by director Marc Foster (Monster’s Ball and Finding Neverland). Dustin Hoffman, Queen Latifah and Maggie Gyllenhaal are also in it. All I know about this one is that Will Ferrell plays an IRS auditor who hears voices, and that Will Ferrell is awesome (but unproven in dramas). I’m there though.
NOVEMBER 17th
Bobby
Ladies and Gentlemen, the return of Emilio Estevez. Where the hell has this guy been? And what a return it is; Estevez depicts Bobby Kennedy in a movie specifically about his assassination. It also stars Lindsay Lohan (strange) and An-ton-ie Hopkins (predictable). Welcome back Emilio.
Casino Royale
The 712th James Bond movie.
Candy
Candy is a heroin movie starring Heath Ledger. Well, I think Heath Ledger is a really good actor and I absolutely love heroin movies, so I’ll probably go see this one if I can find the time.
Fast Food Nation
One of my favorite directors, Richard Linklater (Waking Life, Dazed and Confused, A Scanner Darkly, etc.) returns with his second weird project in less than six months. A Scanner Darkly was awesome; probably the best movie I saw all summer (it’s right up there with Little Miss Sunshine). I have no idea how he’s making a fictional adaptation of Fast Food Nation since it’s a heavy on the stats non-fiction book, but I’m eager to find out. I just hope that it’s nothing like the horrendous Thank You for Smoking. Somehow, Bruce Willis is starring in this movie. I can’t wait.
Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny
I won’t say too much about this movie. You’re either a fan of Tenacious D or you’re not. I think they’re great and I’m definitely going to see this one. I also want to note that it was directed and co-written by one of my favorite “artists,” Sifl & Olly creator Liam Lynch.
For You Consideration
This is another one that you kind of have to “get.” This is Christopher Guest and co.’s follow-up to Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show and A Might Wind. It’s another mocumentary in the same vein as the previous efforts, only this one is a spoof on award season.
NOVEMBER 22nd
The Fountain
It’s been along time since Darren Aronofsky, the mastermind of the indie gems (Pi) and Requiem for a Dream, has made a movie picture, six years to be exact. Well he returns with an epic of sorts, a scientific meditation on death called The Fountain that stars Hugh Jackman (who is actually in every fall movie) and his fiancÃ?© Rachel Weisz. I was really psyched to see this one until I started reading early reviews from a film festival screening in Europe. So far, the movie has been getting absolutely panned. I really like his first two films, so I’m going to try and ignore all the bad press and see this one in the theatres. I advise you do the same.
D�©j� vu
Denzel Washington stars as an ATF agent with telepathic skills in a terrorism thriller. Wow, if this one doesn’t have “I’ll catch the last 45 minutes on HBO someday” written all over it, than I don’t know what does.
Let’s Go to Prison
On the surface, this one seems like a really, really dumb comedy. Again starring that guy from Punk’d (his real name is Dax Shepherd and I think, at this point, this is actually like his 17th movie) as well as Will Arnett, the guy who played Gob on “Arrested Development.” It was also directed by Bob Odenkirk, half of the duo behind the underrated Mr. Show. So I guess this has some potential. I guess.
Deck the Halls
I don’t really want to talk about this Matthew Broderick/Danny DeVito Christmas movie, so much as I want to rip the idea of Christmas movies before Thanksgiving. Maybe, and I stress maybe, I’ll go see a stupid Christmas movie on the week OF Christmas. But for God’s sake get these retarded, one-month before Christmas, Christmas movies out of my face. Thank you.
