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It's time to welcome you to my first annual fall and holiday Hollywood film preview. With the summer winding down but not the recession the studios are banking that you will want to get away from your cares and the weather by taking in a movie or two at you're neighborhood multiplex. Add to that the fact that for the last 30 years Hollywood has saved it's Oscar worthy films for this period of release. With the Academy returning to their original policy of nominating ten films for the Beat Picture award, one that they hope will boost the ratings of a program which has been loosing viewers over the last years with a collection of independent and mostly unknown actors and actresses as nominees and winners. You will see more Oscar worthy films in release this Fall than ever.
This article will follow the same format as the ones I have written for the Spring and Summer previews with a few important changes. First I have not listed all the major films scheduled for release in the fall because of the end of vacation season and the major movie viewers going back to school, the schedule usually winds down to a few small films, major films that didn't make the cut and a slate of independent and international releases. I really don't go see any of the endless parade of re-tread horror films that pop up between September and October (I leave them to my 26yr old Daughter instead) so I've omitted them entirely. I've also tried to limit this period to a few family films and the films that I feel will feature in the Winter award season and end of the year Best lists. I have however listed most of the major Thanksgiving and Christmas films because those are the ones that really get the adults and families back into the theaters. Second I felt that to better help you decide if a certain film is appropriate for your family or kids I have added the ratings of each film at the end of the brief listing.
A few other things you will note as you go down the list of films are several trends. First is the expansion of animated and 3D films firmly establishing that format I feel for good after 60 years of trying thanks to the popularity of films like UP and Ice Age 3. Next you will note that every Oscar winning director of the last 15 years except Danny Boyle who won last years, has a film in release between Labor Day and New Years Day. With the competition heating up for Oscar glory I think it will be very hard for every one of these films to make it at the Box Office. Next there are fewer sequels out this year with only one major series appearing. Finally you will find that two of most successful directors of this decade in Peter Jackson and James Cameron will go head to head just before Christmas and figure very prominently in the holiday box office derby. So please purchase your Jujubes and drink at the candy counter and join me on a trip down the aisles of Hollywood's Christmas gifts to it's fans.
First up on this list are three family/teen films for back to school weekends in September
Opening September 18
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Based on the children book by Judi and Ron Barrett this charming animated story of a frustrated inventor trying to impress his girl stars Neil Patrick Harris and Anna Faris. With eye popping 3D effects and animation as well as a clear field with the family crowd well until late October this film should make a healthy profit for Sony and establish Harris's TV director/producer Phil Lord in film. Rated G
Opening September 23
Astro Boy
The Japanese series that stared the whole anime genre finally gets a modern movie version. This tale of a young boy robot that fights world evil has been in development for 20 years and though the series has always remained popular in it's native country, the studio that owns the rights to the character felt that the time seemed perfect for a re-introduction to the US. Backed by a collection of familiar voices that include Nicholas Cage, Donald Sutherland, Nathan Lane and Eugene Levy and riding high on popularity of 3D animation films this year combined with Cartoon Network Fall viewings of the original 50's TV episodes fans hope for a rebirth of the series. Rated PG
Opening September 25
Fame
Thanks to the ongoing popularity of American Idol, the rebirth of the musical combined with several Idol alum's including Colleen Craig, Johanna Braddy and Paul Iacono this remake of the 80's film/TV show about the NYC Performing Arts school has the possibility to replace the High School Musical series. Co-starring Kelsey Grammer as the mentor teacher, Broadway star Bebe Neuwirth as the dancing teacher and Debbie Allen from the original film cast as the school Principal it remains to be seen if the story might bring in the teens though I wish Irene Cara was here too.Rated PG-13
Next a few Select October releases as the adults and Oscar gold take over the multiplexes:
Opening October 3
Shutter Island
Scorsese does Horror! The team that garnered the director his long overdue Oscar spark up theaters with this film set in 1954 about a Federal Marshal who is investigating a mysterious mental hospital that has some creepy patents and even creepier occurrences. Starring Leonard DiCapiro, Ben Kinsley and Emily Mortimer the trailer promises a return to the style that the director perfected with his 1991 Cape Fear remake. Based on the novel by the Wire's creator Dennis Lehane Rated PG-13
A Serious Man
The Coen Brothers return to their black comedy roots with this 1967 era story about a Midwestern Professor who's lazy brother won't leave his basement. Though early previews indicate that the plot might be suggested from the life of the Unabomber the brothers pointy refuse to comment further until the press previews in September. Adam Arkin leads a mostly unknown cast.
Opening in an October Limited Release
Capitalism: A Love Story
With an administration now hard for him to poke fun at in power, documentary maker Michael Moore turns his sights on the economic crisis and Wall Street. The preview trailer is a hoot based on all those “Please Donate” Will Rogers Foundation commercials that use to run in movie theaters during the 60's and 70's that Baby Boomers like myself remember. Unrated
Opening October 16
Where the Wild Things Are
One of the longest awaited films of the rest of the year, Spike Jonzes version of the classic Maurice Sendack tale of monsters and things that go bump in the night stars James Gandolfini, Catherine O'Hara and Mark Ruffalo. Produced by the author and Tom Hanks (who's two Toy Story films are being re-released by Disney this Fall in 3D) Sendack held off all offers of a movie version (that included ones by both Lucas and Spielberg who's kids are big fans of the book) until he was satisfied that both the story and drawings would be faithfully re-produced. A perfect antidote to the parade of tired horror sequels for families looking for a Halloween film.
Opening October 23
Amelia
Hillary Swank hopes to join Katherine Hepburn on the summit of Mt. Oscar by winning her third with this biopic of the long lost aviatrix. For those (like me) who enjoyed Amy Adams version of the flyer this Summer one only hopes that Swank with the help of Hollywood newcomer/director Mira Nair (best known for her 1991 Indian film Mississippi Masala) finds a new side of the character. Former Jedi Ewan McGregor co-stars as writer Gore Vidal's father and Richard Gere as her husband. Rated PG
Opening October 30
The Box
Donnie Darko's director Richard Kelly takes Cameron Diaz, James Marsden, Frank Langella and puts them in an updated version of the 50's TV show The Millionaire as a mysterious visitor drops a mysterious package on the door step of a troubled couple and gives them the choice of either death or riches. Based on the short story by Richard Matheson, Darko was both a cult and critical favorite so with this movie opening just before Halloween it should be the perfect date film for couples looking for a good scare. Rated R
Next two Actors enter the directors chair for the first time with a pair of comedies, both opening on October 9:
In:
Couples Retreat
Christmas Story's Ralphey, Peter Billingsley, tells the tale of four couples that travel to a retreat for therapy but find each other instead starring and written by Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn.
Then:
Whip It!
E.T.'s best friend and former Charlie Angel Drew Barrymore directs and stars in a roller derby/rock film set in Texas with Jimmy Fallon, Ellen Page and Marsha Gay Harden
Finally after the parade of horror films for Halloween that includes the usual sequels to Halloween, Saw and Final Destination the holiday season opens:
Opening November 6
A Christmas Carol
Continuing the animated film style he pioneered with The Polar Express Robert Zemeckis tries to scare the Dickens out film goers with the umpteenth movie version of the holiday ghost/morality tale. Taking a page out of the Jerry Lewis/Eddie Murphy/Tom Hanks play book star (and new grandfather to be) Jim Carrey plays not only Scrooge but all the Christmas spirits in the only holiday themed film scheduled to be released this season. Co starring Gary Oldman as Cratchet and Bob Hoskins as Fezziwig. Rated PG
The Wolf Man
Benicio Del Toro steps into Lon Chaney Jr's furry feet with this retelling of the familiar horror character's story. Promised by director Joe Johnston as a more Gothic and romantic version of the classic Universal monster than we've seen in years, fans who saw the first trailer at last year's Comic-Con gave the entire concept a positive thumbs up. Backed by a host of impressive co-stars like Anthony Hopkins, Geraldine Chaplin and Sunshine Cleaning's Emily Blunt might mean moonlit profits for the fourth rebirth of the genre.
Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
The holiday season always seems to have at least one unusual film in the mix so here we find Canadian Producer/Director Lee Daniels version of the popular novel by the writer listed in the title. Advance viewers are already touting an almost certain Oscar nomination for star/fashion designer Mo'Nique as a pregnant Harlem teen who tries to prevent a system, which has taken one child away from her, from taking away the other. Co-Starring Maria Carey (who co-wrote the score) and Lenny Kravitz. Rated R
The Fantastic Mr. Fox
Rushmore's director Wes Anderson joins the parade of 2009's animated features with this Nightmare Before Christmas style adaptation of the Roald Dahl take on Animal Farm. Complete with a cast of voices like Bill Murray, George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Angelica Huston and Owen Wilson parents might find this film to be too dark for kids but critics and the writer's fans could look instead at it to be the only movie of the year to give UP a run for the Animated Picture Oscar.
Opening On November 13
2012
This film apocalyptic/cum disaster film was originally listed in my 2009 Summer preview but Columbia and Director Roland Emmerich pulled it back from it's original date (wisely they think) which was scheduled for the same weekend that Transformers 2 opened, making a shambles of the Google/Discovery Channel buildup that started in February Both director and studio though hope that film goers are still interested seeing it. Having the post Veterans Day weekend all to itself might help though. Rated PG-13
Opening November 20
Old Dogs
Robin Williams puts all the animosity he's held against Disney over the years behind him and co-stars with John Travolta in this comedy about a pair of friends who find that they are forced to take care of twin 7yr olds. Co-starring Kelly Preston, Matt Dillon and containing the last performance of beloved comedian Bernie Mac both stars need a hit right now and are hoping that this film just might be the ticket. Rated PG
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Though critics were unimpressed with the first film in the teen vampire series you can't fault an almost $200 US gross. However author Stephenie Meyer, who holds total creative control over the films, turns the director chores over to Chris Weitz (The Golden Compass) for this edition. Positioned to take advantage of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday Kristen Stewart, Ashley Greene and Robert Pattinson all return. Opening weekend should top the originals $70M take with two more films in the series yet to come. Rated PG-13
The Blind Side
Sandra Bullock hopes to do better with her third film of the year than she did with the last two (though The Proposal did make a modest profit) in this true story playing the mother of disadvantaged football player Michael Oher played by Quinton Aaron. Directed by John Lee Hancock who's only other Hollywood film was the 2004 version of The Alamo, the subject was recently picked as the first round draft choice of the Baltimore Ravens so a winning season for the team would be a great boost for this Rudy like film.
Planet 51
Shrek screenplay co-writer Joe Stillman joins with video game creators/directors Jorge Blanco and Javier Abad to tell this animated story of a group of humans who land on a planet where they turn out to be the aliens instead. With a cast that looks like every SiFi character of the last 30 years (complete with a dog that looks like the Alien) and voice work by Dwayne Johnson and Jessica Biel this film should have the family crowd all to itself through at least the Thanksgiving weekend. Rated PG
Opening November 27 (Thanksgiving Eve)
Nine
Continuing the renaissance of the film musical that he started almost ten years ago with Chicago director Rob Marshall returns with the film version of Maury Yeston's 1982 Tony winning musical adaptation of Fellini's 8 1/2. In the process Daniel Day Lewis gets surrounded with the best collection of actresses in a single film since the 1939 film version of The Woman. Co-Starring Sophia Loren (who starred in the Fellini original), Marion Cotillard, Judy Dench, Penélope Cruz, Nichole Kidman ,Stacy (Fergie) Ferguson, and Kate Hudson, though the score isn't as well known as some other film musicals have been, with five Oscar winners in the cast only one of two things can occur: either a hit or a flop.
Ninja Assassin
YAWNNNNN! Yet another film version of an anime/video game. Starring Korean actor Rain director James McTeigue did make the highly regarded film adaptation of the graphic novel V For Vendetta so there might be some hope for this film. Don't look for me in the theaters though. Rated R
The Boat that Rocked (Limited Release)
This independent production is directed by Mr Bean/Bridget Jones writer Richard Curtis and tells the story of the 60's British pirate radio station that bucked the BBC and transformed the face of Rock and Roll. Starring Bill Nighy, Kenneth Branagh and Philip Seymour Hoffman the film was scheduled to be released in August but when early British reviews indicated how good it was Focus Features postponed the US release to give it a better chance for Oscar glory. Opens in LA, NYC & Chicago then wider after the first of the new year. Rated R
Opening December 4
Armored
Playing before showings of The Taking of Pellum 123, many in the audience (of which my daughter and I were one) felt that the preview of this thriller about a group of armored company employees planning a $40 million heist, was better than the film it opened for.. Matt Dillon and Lawrence Fishbune star in Hungarian (though he was born in LA) director Nimród Antal's Hollywood debut while Cadillac Records' Columbus Short co-stars. Rated R
Brothers
After a three year break Irish director Jim Sheridan returns with this Jake Gyllenhaal, Natalie Portman statement about the Afghanistan war and family. Based on the 2004 Swedish version, Sheridan has always been an Oscar fave and backed with one of the best casts of the winter including Sam Sheppard and Mare Winningham,it should turn up on a few best lists at the end of the year. See it early though because this film might get lost among all the more family friendly films of the Christmas season. I'd look for it to pop back up later in theaters during award season if you miss it. Rated R
Opening December 11
The Princess and the Frog
Aladdin directors Ron Clements and John Musker produce for Disney what might be the last gasp for traditional animated films with this familiar story (one of the last fairy tales the studio has not done yet) of a princess and her transformed prince. Reset in 1920's New Orleans with Oscar winner Alan Menken's Jazz based score (his first since Pocahontas) and backed by voice work by Oprah (do you really need her full name) the plot isn't without it's controversy as the directors monkey with the heroine's name and ethnic style. With very few family films left to come before the end of the year, good profits and reviews might mean a renaissance for the form. Rated G
Invictus
Together with Matt Damien and Morgan Freedman director Clint Eastwood tackles the life of Nelson Mandela just after he took office in those lost long days of the early 80's. Freedman has had this project in mind for a long time and with the full cooperation of both the subject and the South African government one looks for Oscar gold here for it's stars and director. Not Yet Rated
The Lovely Bones
Peter Jackson leaves hobbits and apes behind him to return to the multiplexes with the film version of Alice Sebold's highly regarded 2002 novel. Starring Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weisz as the parents of a murdered girl who is haunted by both her spirit and her memories. former Power Ranger Rose McIver plays the murdered girl and Susan Sarandon her grandmother. This film has the opportunity to be one of the biggest critical hits of the holiday season. If it's any good look for it to become anointed the Best Picture Oscar front runner very quickly.Rated R
Did You Hear About the Morgans?
Hugh Grant and his Music and Lyrics cohort Marc Lawrence join Sarah Jessica Parker and Sam Elliot for this comedy about a estranged couple relocated to a small Wyoming town after witnessing the murder of a Mexican drug lord. Though comedies are few and far between this holiday movie season, Parker and Grant's 1996 thriller Extreme Measures raised few sparks, so one wonders if this film will do any better. Rated PG-13
Opening December 18
Avatar
Finally!! After sitting on his mounds of cash for ten years and tinkering with both the plot and the production for almost as long Titanic's John Cameron steps back into the directors chair and onto dry land with his long awaited return to SiFi glory. Starring Sigourney Weaver and Sam Worthington this epic about a band of explorers who reach a mysterious planet promises 3D effects never before seen in theaters and a new IMAX format that Cameron says will change the face of movie going forever. Well 60 years ago Mike Todd made the same kind of promises with Cinerama and Smell-A-Vision and we all know where that led, so only time and gobs of profits will tell. However with the other studios staying well away from the weekend I'd look for this film to possibly break every record in sight. Not Yet Rated
Finally to close out both this article and 2009:
Opening Christmas Day
Sherlock Holmes
With The Soloist only a bump in the road of the redemption of Robert Downey Jr the actor moves on to give us a sexier look at the classic Arthur Conan Doyle deductive sleuth than we've ever seen before. With Jude Law as a less stuffy Dr Watson, Rachel McAdams as Holmes' love interest Irene Adler and authentic London locations (plus a promised first look trailer of Iron Man 2) Paramount hopes that this should be the big money maker of the Christmas weekend.Rated PG-13
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
The orgional film was the surprise hit of the 2007 holiday season so here's the enviable sequel. Jason Lee returns as David Seville as he helps the singing team cope with their unexpected fame. Because the above listed film is out of the reach of most families wanting to get away from the Christmasy home messes, this should be an acceptable alternative. If this film comes close to the original's $200+ gross look for more of the same in the future. Rated G
Finally in conclusion a few of the films I've had to omit from this list for space reasons include a bio film about French designer Coco Chanel, new films by Bruce Willis, Tyler Perry, Nancy Meyers and Steven Soderbergh. A new zombie film by Ruben Fleischer, films staring several of the co-stars of The Office and The Wire, and several important international films from Spain, France and Russia. For that I hearty apologize. As always these releases are subject to the whims of the studios and both their ratings and dates are subject to change. Of course you may not find all of these films coming to your town a good many of them should be found at least in the bargain theaters by the new year. As I always try to do with every article I write I hope I have helped and informed you. Thank you and Happy Movie watching!!!
Resources used in the creation of this article include the following:
Varidy, Entertainment Weekly and Premiere Magazines
The Internet Movie Database
Box Office Mojo. com