New Moview Previews: The Good German, Children of Men and More
DECEMBER
I realize that it’s a little early for winter movie picks, but while I was at I thought, “what the hell?”
The Good German
This is the first “real” Steven Soderbergh since Traffic. Now, I realize hardcore Soderbergh fans will know that last statement is false, but let my try and explain myself. I don’t count Full Frontal and Bubble because A) I never saw them and B) I’ve heard they’re experimental, cheaply made poppycock. I also don’t count Solaris because, while not shoddy in terms of its production, it too was sort of poppycockish. I also won’t count the Ocean movies (11 and 12, and the soon to be released 13 if you can believe it) because while those movies are entertaining, they fall under the category of popcorn remakes, this not true Soderbergh films. So this is Soderbergh’s first movie since Traffic; it stars Clooney (of course), Cate Blanchett, Beau Bridges and Tobey Maguire, and I’ll probably see it. (Did that make any sense?)
The Holiday
Thanks to Jesus’ Son, whenever Jack Black is in a movie, no matter how stupid the premise might be, I have to see it. Even a melodrama about women who swap homes on the internet and end up falling in love.
Blood Diamond
This is an Ed Zwick film (The Last Samurai, Courage Under Fire) that stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Connelly. One tagline that I read for this movie reads, “a film about the dark side of bling.” More specifically, I think it’s about a farmer, a smuggler, and a syndicate of businessmen who match wits over the possession of a priceless diamond. Hmmm, Last Samurai was underrated.
The Pursuit of Happyness
I can’t even think of the last Will Smith drama, but luckily that’s what imbd.com is for. Depending on your definition of drama, it was either Ali or The Legend of Bagger Vance (however, both of these could fall under the category of sports I suppose). If you look at it that way, then this only the second pure drama of the Fresh Prince’s career (1993’s Six Degrees of Separation). Wow, I was shocked by that, thank you imbd.com. Anyway, this one is about a single dad who struggles to support his son. I have no interest.
Night at the Museum
Ben Stiller stars in a remake of Jumanji. Not really, but it might as well be. Shit looks stupid.
The Good Shepherd
Not to be confused with The Good German, The Good Shepherd is an intriguing film that’s getting a lot of buzz. It was directed by none other than Robert DeNiro and I believe it is only his second movie working in that capacity. His first 1993’s A Bronx Tale was okay, a little bloated for my tastes, but I am looking forward to his second go. This is being billed as a CIA thriller starring Matt Damon and Angelina Jolie. Interesting.
Children of Men
Ah, this brings us to the end of my BIG fall movie review and, as they say, I did indeed save the best for last. Here is one synopsis that I found in New York magazine: “Alfonso Cuaron films a dystopic sc-fi thriller in which Clive Owen and Julianne Moore attempt to protect Earth’s last pregnant women.” How awesome does that sound? If there’s a genre a love more than the dystopic sci-fi thriller, well, I can’t think of it right now. If Cuaron’s name sounds familiar it’s because he was responsible for Y tu mamÃ?¡ tambiÃ?©n and one of the Harry Potter movies too (strange as that was). Basically, this flick has the perfect recipe of weirdness that will get me to go see it in the theatres. Nice work, people.
