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Director: Darnell Martin Stars: Adrien Brody, Beyoncé Knowles, Mos Def (Full Cast) Studio: TriStar Pictures The Plot: A chronicle of the rise and fall of Chess Records, the Chicago-based record label founded by Leonard Chess (Brody), whose musical ear and business savvy helped foster the careers of Etta James (Knowles), Chuck Berry (Def), and other rhythm-and-blues pioneers.
THE BUZZ: All my single ladies: Let the idea of Beyoncé Knowles starring as Etta James attract or repel you to this rhythm & biopic, but I have to say that Bey's revealing statements about her pop-star side (let's just pretend they're actual-real quotes) and the arrival of her bi-polar solo album makes me interested in her now more than at any other time in her career. She'd probably be the first person to proclaim that her voice and look doesn't exactly match up with Ms. James's, though I'm hoping Etta's wild side will have a lasting effect on Ms. Knowles. (Hmm, perhaps Sasha Fierce should have been cast instead?) Sony's been rather quiet on this one, and I'm wondering if the thought here is to give it an awards-qualifying release this month, then blow it out come January. And I'm dying to see what Mos Def (who should reunite Black Star) brings to the screen as Chuck Berry. Mr. Brody is going to have to fight to not be upstaged. Message Boards: *the official 'i hate that beyonce is in this' thread* | Am I the only one... Showtimes | Trailers | Photos | Message Boards | User Comments | Reviews | |||||
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Director: Ron Howard Stars: Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Kevin Bacon (Full Cast) Studio: Universal Pictures The Plot: BBC host David Frost interviews Richard Nixon in 1977, where the scandal-plagued President opens up about his role in the Watergate scandal.
THE BUZZ: Opie does alright racking up the Oscar noms when he takes on American tales of a certain era (Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind). Add to the mix Frank Langella (who was seriously overlooked last year for Starting Out in the Evening) as tricky Dick, a Tony-nominated play by The Queen's Peter Morgan and sprinkle a little Bacon (Kevin, that is) and you can expect similar results this awards season. Message Boards: where is this opening this week? | Oscar Noms? Showtimes | Trailers | Photos | Message Boards | User Comments | Reviews | |||||
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Director: Lexi Alexander Stars: Ray Stevenson, Dominic West, Julie Benz (Full Cast) Studio: Lionsgate The Plot: Continuing his crusade to punish violent criminals, former FBI agent Frank Castle (Stevenson) arrives in New York to take on the city's underworld bosses.
THE BUZZ: Seems like we'll never know the details of what happened behind the camera here, so we'll treat the rumors of director Lexi Alexander (Green Street Hooligans) being booted from the project as uncorroborated reports that, while never denied by Lionsgate, aren't exactly trustworthy. We can say that Alexander won the battle to keep her R-rated vision, though we're not sure if she wanted the score to be comprised solely of heavy-metal thunder worthy of a WWE champion's entrance music. Looking at what's going on in front of the camera, we wish the new Frank Castle, Ray Stevenson (aka Titus from HBO's "Rome") all the best in his effort not to go the way of Thomas Jane once War Zone's theatrical run is up (Jane said he didn't work for a year after the original movie was released in 2004). Ditto co-star Dominic West, another HBO vet whose post-"Wire" career isn't looking all that prosperous; perhaps Marvel can find a home for him in one of their myriad projects in development. Message Boards: I just saw this last night. | Now some things can be said Showtimes | Trailers | Photos | Message Boards | User Comments | Reviews | |||||
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Director: Randall Miller Stars: Alan Rickman, Bryan Greenberg, Shawn Hatosy (Full Cast) Studio: Freestyle Releasing The Plot: A young chemistry student (Hatosy) throws a wrench into the existence of Nobel Prize-winning scientist Eli Michaelson (Rickman) by first kidnapping his son (Greenberg), then exposing Michaelson to his family friends, and colleagues as the pompous, unscrupulous egomaniac he has become since his triumph. THE BUZZ: Perhaps writer-director Randall Miller and his co-writer/producer Jody Savin deserve some sort of award for first delivering Bottle Shock as one of the true indie success stories of the year, then cranking up more buzz for Nobel Son, their 2007 project that has been lauded already as a fast, loose, and original caper flick. We all know that Alan Rickman, who stars in both films, is one of the most versatile contemporary actors, but what no one would have predicted in a year where the future of indie-movie distribution has been called into question is to have a filmmaking pair chart two hits in a crowded market without the benefit of A-list wattage. We're stoked for the behind-the-scenes duo, and their wonderfully diverse cast -- many of whom are in both Bottle and Nobel). Message Boards: Promotion? | Eliza Dushku Showtimes | Trailers | Photos | Message Boards | User Comments | Reviews | |||||
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Director: Nacho Vigalondo Stars: Karra Elejalde, Candela Fernández (Full Cast) Studio: Magnolia Pictures The Plot: After being subjected to a bizarre attack, a man (Elejalde) is transported one hour back in time, where he meets himself, then introduced to events that will lead up to an unthinkable -- but preventable? -- crime. THE BUZZ: It seems as though this year, more so than in any past year, any non-U.S. film that generates Stateside buzz is snatched up and put on the development track to Remakeville. That's the case with short filmmaker Nacho Vigalondo's feature debut, which is being handled by Children of Men screenwriter Tim Sexton as a potential project for David Cronenberg. While Timecrimes hasn't received the same favorable-across-the-board reception as, say, Let the Right One In (which will be directed by Cloverfield's Matt Reeves for a January 2010 release, FYI) it just might fare better with a slightly re-tinkered premise, if you believe one of the smarter online reviewers out there. Message Boards: WHERE CAN I FIND THIS MOVIE | Primer Showtimes | Trailers | Photos | Message Boards | User Comments | Reviews | |||||
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Director: Elissa Down Stars: Rhys Wakefield, Luke Ford, Toni Collette (Full Cast) Studio: NeoClassics Films The Plot: Installed at a new home and school, all Thomas (Wakefield) hopes for is a normal adolescence, but being made responsible for his autistic brother, Charlie (Thomson), proves difficult. Will he, with the help of his new girlfriend (Ward), ultimately be able to accept his brother, and his unique life? THE BUZZ: While Australia drives itself over the box-office cliff, Toni Collette, a former model, and a pair of Aussie TV charmers look to earn a smaller-scale, big-screen success. One of the differences between the two films? Elissa Down's feature debut has earned good-to-great reviews. Another? It feels like a story to which people can actually relate! Message Boards: black balloon significance? | aussie films help? Showtimes | Trailers | Photos | Message Boards | User Comments | Reviews | |||||
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Director: John Patrick Shanley Stars: Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams (Full Cast) Studio: Miramax Films The Plot: The principal (Streep) of a Catholic school in the Bronx grows suspicious of a priest (Hoffman) who might have crossed the line with one of their students; her subsequent accusation leads to a tense confrontation that also involves a young nun (Adams) who might have proof of the priest's wrongdoing.
THE BUZZ: John Patrick Shanley adapts and directs the film version of his Broadway play, which can boast of the fifth-longest run in history. Meanwhile, producer Scott Rudin, who divorced himself from The Reader after a bust-up with Harvey Weinstein, is still in good shape to vie for some best-picture awards, since the buzz temperature here is climbing as December draws near. Look for Streep to extend her lead in the number of total Best Actress nominations, for Hoffman to rack up another nod (one of possibly two if Synecdoche, New York lives up to its avant-garde promise), and for Adams to probably walk away with her first Oscar. Then there's the presence of Viola Davis, who has turned more than one critic's head with her performance as the mother of the student who may or may not have fallen under the influence of Hoffman's Father Brendan Flynn. Message Boards: Viola WILL SURPRISE. Yes or No? | Bright Move Showtimes | Trailers | Photos | Message Boards | User Comments | Reviews | |||||
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Director: Alfredo De Villa Stars: John Leguizamo, Freddy Rodríguez, Debra Messing (Full Cast) Studio: Overture Films The Plot: The scattered members of the Rodriguez family return to their parents' home in Chicago to celebrate the holiday season, as well as their youngest's safe return from combat overseas. But when old tensions surface, the pressure is on the individuals to truly come together as a family.
THE BUZZ: Formerly known as Humbolt Park (a Puerto Rican neighborhood in Chicago), NLtH represents director Alfredo De Villa's (Washington Heights) first dabbling in mass-appeal filmmaking. With a Chi-town setting, such a likable cast, and a built-in audience, all it should take is an appealing trailer and savvy marketing to get this comedy to stand out during the holiday rush -- though I imagine the mainstream press will be focusing on Four Christmases. Message Boards: The Family Stone Anyone? | UK Release Date Showtimes | Trailers | Photos | Message Boards | User Comments | Reviews | |||||
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Director: Stephen Daldry Stars: Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, Bruno Ganz (Full Cast) Studio: Weinstein Company, The The Plot: Post-WWII Germany: Nearly a decade after his affair with an older woman came to a mysterious end, law student Michael Burk is reunited with his former lover (Winslet) as she defends herself in a war-crime trial.
THE BUZZ: Call it the battle of the slimmed-down movie moguls: Superproducer Scott Rudin tussled with studio chief Harvey Weinstein over the release date of director Stephen Daldry's follow up to The Hours. Rudin and his filmmaker wanted a 2009 berth, but Harvey wasn't having it, an indication that the former Oscar-winning champ is -- dare we say it? -- getting back into shape for next February. Right after the drama had subsided (at least in the press), Rudin walked away from the film, and then the reports of HW hassling Reader producer Sydney Pollack on his deathbed surfaced, painting one of the ugliest portraits in recent movie history. I will be happy when the people who actually made and star in this troubled saga begin stumping for the film -- especially Kate Winslet, who has a curious bond to this project, and might be competing against herself for her elusive Best-Actress statue next year (her Revolutionary Road arrives on Christmas). Meanwhile, I wonder if Scott Rudin will option his own Reader-era story and turn it into a future Oscar-winning, postwar drama. Message Boards: Anyone read the book? | Best Supporting Actor suddenly stuffed ...... Showtimes | Trailers | Photos | Message Boards | User Comments | Reviews | |||||
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Director: Scott Derrickson Stars: Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connelly, Kathy Bates (Full Cast) Studio: Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation The Plot: Aliens land on Earth with an important message for its citizens. A remake of the classic 1951 sci-fi film directed by Robert Wise.
THE BUZZ: The original '51 flick is pretty much close to perfect, so we were just as surprised as you were to learn that what it really needed was Keanu?! But, here he is, returning to the genre that made him the One, hooked up to wires, interrogated by some creepy goon in a black tie and warning us against the threat of complete global annihilation. Worked before, so there's no reason to think this remake/reboot/re-whatever won't draw us in this time around. Even if it leaves us feeling a bit nostalgic for the old Gort. For the director's take on the trailer, check this out. Message Boards: I dont want to be mean | I am soo.... Showtimes | Trailers | Photos | Message Boards | User Comments | Reviews | |||||
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Director: Clint Eastwood Stars: Clint Eastwood, Bee Vang (Full Cast) Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures The Plot: When his prized 1972 Gran Torino nearly is stolen, disgruntled Korean War vet Walt Kowalski (Eastwood) looks to clean up his neighborhood, which has been taken over by gangs. Reluctantly, Kowalski also forms a bond with one of his neighbors, a Hmong teenager, whose family is embroiled in a gang-related conflict.
THE BUZZ: Clint Eastwood's under-wraps project is getting a reveal at year's end, in hopes that his Detroit-set story of racism, revenge, and urban decline will result in an Eastwood-heavy Oscar field. Apple has the trailer online, and it's confirmed that Christian Bale officially has some competition in the Best Grumble category. I like that Mr. Eastwood is updating his own Dirty Harry persona (make it more age-appropriate); he also seems to be providing a societal critique that is reminiscent of 70s-era urban-panic movies. Does the trailer, however, feel a bit rushed to you -- an indication that yet another film from a notable director (think: Oliver Stone here) has been given the hurry-up treatment for potential Oscar glory? GT could be up for Best Director by default, but Best Picture? Message Boards: yo man, that asian girl is HOT!!! | Eastwood pulling out his 'gun' Showtimes | Trailers | Photos | Message Boards | User Comments | Reviews | |||||
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Director: Kelly Reichardt Stars: Michelle Williams (Full Cast) Studio: Oscilloscope Pictures The Plot: Troubles besiege Wendy (Williams) during her trip from Indiana to Alaska, where she hopes to find gainful employment at a fish cannery. While stopped in Oregon, she's caught shoplifting food for her beloved dog, Lucy, which causes the duo to become separated, and presents to Wendy an increasingly dire set of circumstances as she searches for her companion. THE BUZZ: In her last film, Old Joy, Kelly Reichardt explored the fragility of interpersonal relationships; her latest seems to hone in on the individual, and how just about anyone these days could easily be pulled under by a simple misstep, economic or otherwise. (I am so dying to see this.) It's been reported that Reichardt initially thought Michelle Williams was too pretty for this role and she didn't allow her to wear makeup or wash her tomboy haircut for several-weeks-long shoot. (She probably got lo-fi beauty tips from co-star Will Oldham, who will hopefully be in every future Reichardt project.) My eye is on Willaims to see if she lands a Best Actress nomination alongside two other well-received indie performances: Anne Hathaway in Rachel Got Married and Kristin Scott Thomas in I've Loved You So Long. Could Williams also be nominated for Synecdoche, New York? Message Boards: Masterpiece | what happens to the dog? Showtimes | Trailers | Photos | Message Boards | User Comments | Reviews | |||||
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Director: Brian Goodman Stars: Ethan Hawke, Mark Ruffalo, Brian Goodman (Full Cast) Studio: Yari Film Group Releasing The Plot: Two lifelong friends who have survived the mean streets of South Boston find it increasingly hard to maintain a balance between their personal lives and the "jobs" they take for a local crime boss (Goodman). THE BUZZ: WDKY marks the arrival of actor-turned-director Brian Goodman, who mined his personal experiences in order to generate this story of two friends quickly moving in opposite directions in their lives, with both of them facing potential dead ends. Since the drama's debut at the Toronto Film Festival back in September, critics have indicated that Goodman's ultra-convincing story, as well as the interplay between Ruffalo and Hawke ("career bests," we hear), take the familiar-sounding tale to new heights. Let's see how well Yari Film Group does in getting the word out on this one; the studio has kept most of their films under wraps this year (The Accidental Husband, Assassination of a High School President), though they are making an awards-season push with this film and Nothing But the Truth. Message Boards: Thoughts on tiff world premiere | Just glad they changed the title Showtimes | Trailers | Photos | Message Boards | User Comments | Reviews | |||||
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Director: Marc F. Adler Jason Maurer Stars: Freddie Prinze Jr., Val Kilmer, Anne Bancroft (Full Cast) Studio: Freestyle Releasing The Plot: When Delgo (voice of Prinze, Jr.), a troubled teenager, is framed for a crime he didn't commit, his subsequent prison escape leads him and a group of unlikely friends on adventure to save two sparring races from a common enemy. THE BUZZ: For a moment there, we thought this animated offering had already come and gone, but then we remembered: It's been around since 2003, back when co-star Val Kilmer missed out on a role in Collateral. With a murky premise and a look that might remind you of the old Dungeons & Dragons arcade game, Delgo should perform as well as Fly Me to the Moon, at best ... Message Boards: All Celebrity Voice Cast does not a good movie make. | FLOP!! or Not!! Showtimes | Trailers | Photos | Message Boards | User Comments | Reviews | |||||
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Director: Gabriele Muccino Stars: Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson (Full Cast) Studio: Columbia Pictures The Plot: A professional man (Smith) who is close to suicide for his role in an auto accident that claimed the lives of seven people finds a reason to live, and to atone, when he falls for a woman (Dawson) who wants to help him deal with his grief.
THE BUZZ: Get way down and then be lifted back up a second time by Will Smith and his Pursuit of Happyness director Gabriele Muccino. I don't think we know the full scope of the story just yet -- there are whispers about Smith's character assuming the identity of his brother (possibly played by Michael Ealy?) -- but you and I both can imagine the weighty drama is being positioned for a third Best-Actor nomination for Smith. There must have been tremendous pressure on greenish screenwriter Grant Nieporte to deliver, and I've seen plenty of postings championing his script. I thought Happyness' screenplay was wispy, but that didn't prevent it from international success, so I have to surmise that Smith's bulletproof career is in no danger of taking a dent this holiday season ... even if he made a few enemies in LA this time around. Message Boards: Most boring movie poster ever? | saw the trailer in a cinema Showtimes | Trailers | Photos | Message Boards | User Comments | Reviews | |||||
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Director: Sam Fell Robert Stevenhagen Stars: Matthew Broderick, Emma Watson, Dustin Hoffman (Full Cast) Studio: Universal Pictures The Plot: Banished from his home for being more man than mouse, Despereaux (Broderick) is befriended by Princess Pea (Watson) who teaches him the value of reading books (instead of eating them) as well as a fellow outcast, Roscuro the Rat (Hoffman), who is interested in hearing the stories Despereaux has learned. When Roscuro is shunned by the princess, however, he plots her kidnapping, putting Desperaux's human-sized bravery to the test.
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