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Dec 11, 2009

TGITDNMAR (12/11/09)

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

Incivtus
After the disaster that was the Changeling poster, what does Clint Eastwood do for a recent follow-up? He turns the larger figure around so that, instead of it seeming like Morgan Freeman is about to eat Matt Damon, now it appears as though he has a giant Damon tattoo on his back. Or something like that.

Invictus looks good, and I think both actors will more than pull off playing South Africans (Damon's blond hair was a nice touch), but I can't say that I'm excited to see it all that much. Academy bait through and through, no?
Fletch's Chance of Viewing (in the theater): 81%

The Lovely Bones
Saw this trailer for the first time tonight. Were it not for all of the advance buzz, I might not be too excited for this, either, but the word on the streets is that it is indeed great, and Peter Jackson has earned our trust for at least a few more films. King Kong was a strike against him; it wasn't bad, but good god was it long, and more importantly, for being so long it didn't excite much beyond being a special effects bonanza.

Bones has a certain What Dreams May Come (tell me there's a porn version of that movie somewhere titled Wet Dreams May Come, please) feel to it, and I'm curious to see what side of the acting fence Mark Wahlberg falls on after his recent misfires. Throw in that Rachel Weisz and that Ronan kid from Atonement and you have yourself what ought to be at the least an interesting film.
Fletch's Chance of Viewing: 73%

The Princess and the Frog
This feels like regression for Disney, and not just because of the hand-drawn animation style.

Whereas their Pixar productions (outside of Cars, perhaps) have been fun for the whole family, this one has Kid Flick written all over it. Broad comedy, simple characters, non-adult humor - yeah, I hear you, it's supposed to be that way, right? But I can't help but wish that there was more to it. Not interested at all.
Fletch's Chance of Viewing: 6%

The Slammin' Salmon
This is a make or break movie for the Broken Lizard guys for me. Of course I love Super Troopers, but Club Dread was fairly bad and Beerfest was worse (most people likely switch those two around). And of course I'll see Super Troopers 2 when it comes out. But this...I can wait for TV. On the bright side, early reviews are pretty good; it'd be nice for these funny guys to have another movie that's actually, you know, funny.
Fletch's Chance of Viewing: 13%

A Single Man
I have nothing of interest to say about this movie.
Fletch's Chance of Viewing: ?%


4 people have chosen wisely: on "TGITDNMAR (12/11/09)"

Rachel said...

I think I'm one of 5 people who doesn't give a damn about The Lovely Bones. I love PJ (even KK), but I hated the novel it's based on, when everyone else I know loved it. The saddest part is the author had a brilliant concept and butchered it. If PJ could turn that around, I'd consider it. Maybe on dvd.

And I agree about Invictus screaming Oscar bait, but that's true for EVERY Clint film. It gets kinda old.

Nick said...

I'm with Rachel on "Lovely Bones." The book was very high concept, and the author wasted its potential. Instead of being a thriller with family drama elements, it was a family melo-drama with about 5 pages of thrills... and boy was it depressing. It took me forever to get through the book because every page made me want to slit my wrists. It wasn't terrible by any means... it's just not very exciting or enthralling.

However, that being said, I've heard that Jackson's version removes a lot of the book's downfalls and makes it more appealing. And unless the trailer is just wayyyy off from the actual feel of the movie, it looks like it'll be much better than the book.

As for Invictus... I'm with you. It's an Eastwood Oscar-bait film that I'm really not excited about.

However, while I wasn't excited whatsoever for Princess and the Frog, some early reviews I've read have pretty much said that what your fears stated couldn't be further from the truth. So I might check it out.

Anonymous said...

Okay, first off -

'The Lovely Bones' looks awesome and I am sure when it is nominated for the Oscars it will inevitably pick up, you'll have to watch it to judge the nominees fairly.

'A Single Man' though is, apparently, Colin Firth's best performance - to the point that people think he'll be nominated for best actor.

elgringo said...

The Lovely Bones and A Single Man are only on my radar because of award season. I'm weak. Thank God Amelia won't get nominated for anything.