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Aug 14, 2009

TGITDNMAR (8/14/09)

It's that time again for TGITDNMAR, which (obviously) stands for Thank God It's The Day New Movies Are Released.

I don't know who I should apologize to - you, Hollywood, the month of August? For years, I've railed against it (and February) as the perennial dumping ground, but then people saw G.I. Joe and said it wasn't terrible. They saw A Perfect Getaway and raved about it. Now this week, we've got the hotly-hyped and anticipated District 9, along with less anticipated (but still interesting to many, for varied reasons) films like The Time Traveler's Wife and The Goods. Throw Ponyo on there, too. And next week's Inglorious Basterds, and maybe even Taking Woodstock (hitting theaters 8/28). Could this be an actual, real slate of films for the eighth month?

Granted, this might have something to do with lowered expectations, but I'll take what I can get.

The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard
As of rightthissecond, The Goods is getting blasted on Rotten Tomatoes, with a mere 17% freshness rating, with reviewers unafraid to bust out Cash for Clunkers references to the film's quality.

Ugh. I'm getting a very Strange Wilderness feeling to this. In case you don't recall, that's a very, very bad feeling.

Yet despite all that, I'm not sure if I can resist. Former Chappelle's Show writer Neal Brennan directs an all-star lineup of comedic actors that make me laugh, almost the least of which is star Jeremy Piven, who mostly just gets on my nerves these days with his one-trick pony act. Supporting him, however, is Ed Helms, David Koechner, Tony Hale, Rob Riggle, Gina Gershon, 80s TV vets Alan Thicke and James Brolin (wtf?), and last but certainly not least, my Facebook buddies Ken Jeong and Matt Walsh (as well as Walsh's former UCB partner Ian Roberts). Pretty sure Will Ferrell even makes an obligatory cameo.

There's a good chance it's awful. But there's a better chance that I need to find out for myself.
Fletch's Chance of Viewing (in the theater): 54%

The Time Traveler's Wife
A large part of me looks at this and screams "Run away! Weepy chick flick!" But, to be honest, another part looks at it and says "This is actually an interesting concept...and besides, Ron Livingston and Stephen Tobolowsky are in it - how bad could it be?"

Take away the melodramatic aspects, and I do like what's going on here. Roles for women are so lame these days because they're always pushed to the side and not the central focus; here's a chance to take an interesting story and tell it from the woman's perspective. I don't see a theatrical viewing in my future, but I might like to catch this at some point in the future.
Fletch's Chance of Viewing: 8%

District 9
You probably haven't heard about this, but this weekend is a record-setting one even before any of the box office totals come in. That's right - it's the first weekend with two films directed by guys named "Neil" to come out. Ever! Of course, there's an asterisk next to the record since one spells his name "Neal" and the other spells his "Neill," but historians are willing to overlook that minor nuisance. Anyway...big, big news, huh? This is the kind of Insider Insight™ that only Blog Cabins is capable of bringing you.

And oh yeah, this has been at or near the top of my Most Anticipated list ever since the first trailer appeared. Seeing it tonight.
Fletch's Chance of Viewing: 100%

Ponyo
This might be fantastic, but I'm not about to kill my 13-year streak of not watching anime for some "goldfish princess" movie with a poster stolen from Finding Nemo.

Suck it, Ponyo. :D
Fletch's Chance of Viewing: 1%


10 people have chosen wisely: on "TGITDNMAR (8/14/09)"

Nic Cage said...

Oh man, the god's are going to be cruel this weekend I am sure...and by god's I mean my wife.

I know that i will be seeing The Time Traveler's Wife before District 9.

How sad.

RIPE Creative said...

LOVE your "Insider Insight™"

Rachel said...

"Suck it, Ponyo."

Classic! And I'm glad someone else sees the Nemoishness of the poster.

Nick said...

You and your anti-anime self! :P Though Ponyo isn't coming here anyway, so it doesn't matter one way or another for me.

The only reason I'd see The Goods would be for Ken Jeong, but I don't think even he could get me to go see it in theater.

This weekend will be for District 9 with me. I don't feel one way or the other about it, really. It looks cool. I like the concept. I'm not super psyched about it or have any high expectations, though. So I'll probably end up loving it.

Time Traveler's Wife... I've known of the book for ages, though I've never read it. I like the concept of the story, which might get me to go see it. Though probably not alone. There are some chick flicks that I'll go see on my lonesome (The Proposal, for instance). This isn't one of them.

Fletch said...

Nic - I'm sure I've told you this before, but...uh...Mrs. Cage has awful taste in movies. I don't know if I could bear it. Thank those gods for Mrs. Fletch. Road House and other good-bad films that I love notwithstanding (Teen Wolf, Top Gun, et al), she has terrific taste and hates cheesy, sappy rom-coms more than me, I think.

"LOVE your "Insider Insight™"

You think that's good, Mrs. Fletch? Just wait until I publish The Insider's Guide to Insider Insight™. Gold in paper form.

Rachel - thanks! I saw someone else point that out about the Ponyo/Nemo posters some time ago as well. I'd credit them a) if I could remember who it was and b) if I didn't think it was a pretty obvious comparison. It couldn't be a more blatant ripoff, could it?

Nick - I feel "one way" about District 9. The awesome way. :D

Come to Phoenix and we can all go see The TT's Wife together. I think Mrs. Fletch might even let you hit on her. ;p

J.D. said...

I feel like murdering you, Fletch.

Nick said...

Haha, sweet! I could hit on Mrs. Fletch. Right on. (As long as Mr. Fletch doesn't hit on me... fist wise, I mean).

I actually became a little more interested in The Time Traveler's Wife after seeing a great interview with Rachel McAdams on The Daily Show. Jon Stewart's reaction to the plot of the film and its details was hilarious.

JLG said...

Ponyo looks cute - but anime frightens me.

David Bishop said...

Miyazaki is the only anime I can tolerate.

Fletch said...

JD - I know. What can I say - that stlye of animation just does NOTHING for me, and all his movies appear to be a bit too "pixies and fairy dust" to me. One of these days, I'll see one, but until then, I will mock them freely.

Nick - I'll have to check out that interview; gracias!

JLG - you and me both. I'm scared of fish that turn into children or whatever.