It's a one step forward/two steps back week in movies, as the releases this week aren't exactly August-level bad, but there's certainly nothing coming out that has a ton of buzz or is being anticipated by anyone in particular. It does mark the second week in a row that a Joaquin Phoenix movie is being released, for whatever that's worth...
30 Days of NightAlaska. Zombie-vampire things. Josh Hartnett. Meh.
Fletch's Chance of Viewing (in the theater): 1%
Things We Lost in the FireBenicio lives! Seriously, the guy really ought to take an extra project a year or month. With his last appearance being in a bit part in 2005's Sin City, Del Toro returns to the cineplex as a guy helping Halle Berry and her kids out after they lose their father/husband (David Duchovny). In all honesty, the trailer makes the film look pretty awful, but I think that has more to do with it being a hard-to-market film more than anything else. It's getting decent buzz, and has a solid cast (Alison Lohman and veteran That Guy John Carroll Lynch co-star).
Fletch's Chance of Viewing: 39%
RenditionOr, A Mighty Syriana. Reese Witherspoon, Jake Gyllenhaal, Peter Saarsgard, Alan Arkin, Meryl Streep and many more star in this story of a husband falsely (or is he?) imprisoned and the wife out to find out what happened, where he is, who's in charge and who's on first. "Give me back my son!!" Or something like that.
Fletch's Chance of Viewing: 43%
Gone Baby GoneAll hail Benaflek! That's what Hollywood seems to be doing, praising the fact that Ben has decided not to step in front of the camera anymore (or at least for the time being). Affleck directs his brother, Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris in a crime drama (surrounding a missing child) that takes place in Boston. Sound familiar? Yup, it's based on a Dennis Lehane novel, just like Mystic River was. Hey Dennis - branch out a little bit, huh?
Fletch's Chance of Viewing: 26%
The ComebacksAs this has been a weak stretch for comedies, if not a weak year altogether (let's see - we had Knocked Up, Superbad, and...uh...The Heartbreak Kid?), if there's a chance that The Comebacks is halfway decent, it could make for some nice counter programming to all the uber-serious fare that's out there currently. David Koechner finally gets to expand on his performance as Champ Kind in this tale of a bunch of rag-tag losers at football. The supporting cast is mostly filled with no-names and who-dats, but any film with Carl Weathers is alright in my book. Joey ("Whoa! Look at my shaved head, whoa!") Lawrence's little brother Matthew appear as well.
Fletch's Chance of Viewing: 18%
Reservation RoadFinally, the breakout role we've all been waiting for! Elle Fanning, Dakota's little sister gets her big break here, playing one of Joaquin Phoenix's and Jennifer Connelly's kids. Ok, maybe that's not big news. Anyway, Road is more or less about a hit-and-run, and the impact on all of the people affected. Looks like it's good, but heartbreaking. See it with In the Valley of Elah for a "suicide-inducing double-feature."
Fletch's Chance of Viewing: 30%
7 people have chosen wisely: on "TGITDNMAR (10/19/07)"
I'm going to offer you a hard and fast rule, and you are welcome to use it, sell it or print it on T-shirts... consider it a birthday present:
All spoof movies should be rated R or above. There are no exceptions to that rule.
A good spoof needs tasteless nudity... considering they are all aimed at guys from ages 12 and up, there are no excuses for not getting the R and having a boob (or three).
How much better Not was Another Teen Movie made by random, pointless nudity? (the answer: alot).
Free the Springfield 2.
Rant /off
I can't see myself seeing any of these. Even on DVD. Yawn.
Movie about a hit and run with good actors? It was called 21 Grams. I love Mark Ruffalo, but don't think I'll be making the trip for this one.
Justin
hmm, the only movie ive heard of is The Comebacks...and that looks weak.
You were right about 30 Days of Night.
...But Halle "make me feel guud" Berry is repelling me from things We Lost in the Fire.
Got to say you're dead wrong on Lehane, his books are absolutely brilliant and I don't think they tread into repetition like some authors that tackle similar subjects (Hi, Dan Brown). Also, he's a co-writer of The Wire, which at least ventures down the coast to Baltimore.
@farmacy: great rant, and one that I agree with 10000%. So many potentially great movies have been ruined by the slap-int-the-face promise of nudity only to fail to deliver.
@bd: I'm somewhat speaking out of my ass here. I'm not all that familiar with Lehane, but just connected the dots between Mystic River and Gone Baby Gone. You have to admit, the high-level plot outlines sound mighty familiar.
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