Each month, I will discuss the major movie releases, and maybe a few smaller ones, if I find them noteworthy, to give you guys an idea about what to expect at your local Cineplex. I’ll also tell you which movies I’ll check out and which ones I’ll be avoiding at all costs.
September 2, 2011
Shark Night 3D
The plot: A group of very attractive young people from Abercrombie and Fitch go on holiday to a lake house for fun and games. Sharks are there. In 3D. You know if you want to see this one based solely on the title. It’s meant for the same crowd that enjoyed Piranha. See it if you want to see beautiful people terrorized by giant sharks while they try to figure out how the sharks got there and how they’re supposed to stay alive for the 91 minute runtime.
Who’s in it: Nobody important enough to name on the one-sheet. The sharks are the stars here. It’s directed by the same guy who did Final Destination, so it should be a sloppy good time.
Ultimate fate: This could be a fun night out with the gang. Probably best seen after splitting a case of Natural Light, although the 3D might get you.
Apollo 18
The plot: This is a found-footage film documenting the top-secret Apollo 18 mission, a mission that never officially happened. It follows two American astronauts as they uncover the mystery of a Russian moon mission and show us why the U.S. never went back to the moon.
Who’s in it: A couple of NASA-looking dudes.
Ultimate fate: The found-footage trend hasn’t quite played itself out yet with fresh ideas coming out all along. The premise of this movie seems intriguing with the political backdrop of the space race and (maybe) an alien encounter or two. The moon is a pretty bad place to run into trouble and lends itself to lots of promising horror setups. This could wind up being a solid horror movie.
The Debt
The plot: A spy thriller set in 1997 about the long-term consequences faced by three Mossad agents who tracked down a notorious Nazi war criminal in 1966. Did they accomplish their mission or not?
Who’s in it: Helen Mirren, Tom Wilkinson, Sam Worthington.
Ultimate fate: It’s been a while since there has been a good spy thriller on the big screen, and this might just be the one to quench that thirst. This is a solid cast who from early reviews all put forth great performances. Good acting, an interesting script and solid direction should make this a winner.
Where I’ll be: The Debt for sure and maybe Apollo 18.
September 9, 2011
Contagion
The plot: A virus outbreak threatens humanity. The medical community sets out to get ahead of the virus and find a cure before it becomes a global catastrophe.
Who’s in it: Matt Damon, Marion Collitard, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet. Directed by Steven Soderbergh
Ultimate fate: An action-thriller that combines an amazing cast (4 Oscar winners and 3 Oscar nominees!) and Soderbergh with a script that screams tension and drama. Yeah, this will probably be good.
Warrior
The plot: Two estranged brothers face off in a MMA battle royale drawn in for very different reasons. One is a former marine, the other is trying to support his family, both are dealing with a fractured home life.
Who’s in it: Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton, Nick Nolte
Ultimate fate: We’ve had The Wrestler, we’ve had The Fighter, now it’s time for Warrior. It’s hard to imagine that these fighters-with-motives movies can continue to turn out good films, but all indications that this one is a solid family drama set in the world of Mixed Martial Arts. Apparently, all three leads put in solid performances, and the direction is solid. Might be worth a look.
Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star
The plot: When oddball Bucky learns his parents were porn stars in the 1970s, he leaves home to follow in their footsteps. He’s given a shot based on his parent’s reputation, but can he make it?
Who’s in it: Nick Swardson, Don Johnson, and, hey look, Christina Ricci
Ultimate fate: This movie reads like a reject from Rob Schneider’s filmography, directed by the braintrust behind many of Rob’s atrocious films. There’s no way this can be funny.
Where I’ll be: Contagion all the way. Maybe Warrior. I’d rather set my testicles on fire than watch Bucky Larson.
September 16, 2011
Drive (limited)
The plot: A Hollywood stunt driver moonlights as a getaway driver for the criminal underworld. He’ll give you five minutes of his time to get you away from trouble. Unfortunately, he finds himself on the wrong side of some bad people when a job goes off the rails.
Who’s in it: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston
Ultimate fate: Epic car chases and tense action. Actually, this film forgoes total chaos and aims for a more realistic approach to the car chases and action. Think more along the lines of Bourne trilogy than Fast and Furious. The director, Nicolas Winding Refn, made a name for himself directing the solid action Pusher trilogy.
Straw Dogs
The plot: When a new couple moves into the neighborhood, the locals take a shine to the wife and stage a home invasion. The low-key man of the house has to step up to meet the threat to his family. This is a remake of the provocative 1971 film that was an examination of man’s role in the family.
Who’s in it: James Marsden, Kate Bosworth, Alexander Skarsgard
Ultimate fate: Remaking Straw Dogs seems risky. The original was a harsh introspective on the male identity, and was very well executed. It seems almost impossible to capture that electric atmosphere twice. Hopefully, it can come close to the original.
I Don’t Know How She Does It
The plot: A finance executive must juggle a complicated life packed with a busy job, two kids, managing the homefront, and resist the temptations of a suave business associate.
Who’s in it: Sarah Jessica Parker, Pierce Brosnan, Kelsey Grammer
Ultimate fate: It will have been a few weeks since a romantic comedy has been in theaters, so this might appeal to the date crowd. Sarah Jessica Parker is trying to distance herself from her Sex and the City days, but this doesn’t sound like a huge departure from that.
Where I’ll be: Drive if it’s playing anywhere near me. Otherwise, catching up on last week’s offerings.
September 23, 2011
Moneyball
The plot: The story of Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane who threw out decades of old-school baseball management practices to build his team. He was one of the first to rely heavily on computers and statistics to guide his player selections, and faced quite a bit of backlash from the owners, players and media for his style.
Who’s in it: An earnest looking Brad Pitt, Robin Wright, Jonah Hill as the plucky sidekick, Phillip Seymour Hoffman
Ultimate fate: Sports movie fans everywhere will flock to this one. The book was a critical and commercial success, and, given the people involved, there’s no reason this movie won’t be as well.
Abduction
The plot: Some guy finds out he was kidnapped as a child and sets off to find out what happened. There’s some conspiracy stuff, gunfights, and, I’m just guessing, a totally awesome car chase.
Who’s in it: Taylor Lautner
Ultimate fate: Twilight fans might be interested to see how one of their leading men fares in an action film. The rest of us won’t care. John Singleton is the director, and he can sometimes pull some great performances out of unexpected actors. Plus the script landed on the 2010 Black List, the list of the best unproduced scripts. I have serious reservations about Lautner as a big-time action movie star.
Killer Elite
The plot: An ex-special forces tough guy has to take down three assassins to save his mentor.
Who’s in it: Jason Statham, Clive Owen, Robert DiNero
Ultimate fate: Jason Statham has been making the same type of action film for the past decade. Clive Owen feels awkward as an action movie guy. Give Children of Men reluctant hero Clive over the Shoot ‘Em Up total badass Clive any day. DeNero still pretends he’s an action star. Plus, there’s a first time director and screenwriter. All signs point to this one being a mediocre action film that you’ll forget the instant you leave the theater. That said, there could be some fun moments here and there.
Dolphin Tale
The plot: An injured dolphin is taken to a marine center where an innovative doctor helps her recover. This is based on the true story of a dolphin named Winter who’s damaged tail was replaced with a prosthetic.
Who’s in it: Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, Harry Connick Jr., Winter
Ultimate fate: This will be a heartwarming story of dedicated, caring people who come together to help a friend in need. The real story that inspired this film was pretty impressive. Plus, much of the film was shot at the Clearwater Marine Hospital, and the real Winter gets to play in the movie as herself. Sounds like a great family film to me.
Where I’ll be: Killer Elite. I just can’t resist a Statham film, no matter how mediocre I fear it might be.
September 30, 2011
50/50
The plot: A young man is diagnosed with cancer, and his best friend tries to keep his spirits up.
Who’s in it: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen
Ultimate fate: JGL is a fantastic actor who shines in everything he does. Seth Rogen is perfect for the sidekick role. This should bring both quality comedy and drama. Should be good.
Dream House
The plot: A publisher and his family relocates to a new house in New England only to find that their perfect home was the scene of a grisly murder of the previous occupants. As the husband and wife try to unravel the mystery surrounding the murders, they uncover some disturbing truths about the house and those who live in it.
Who’s in it: Daniel Craig, Naomi Watts, Rachel Weisz
Ultimate fate: This seems like a pretty decent thriller. The trailer shows some creepy images and indicates a twisting and turning story. Plus, I like Daniel Craig and adore Naomi Watts. We’re getting close to October, so it’s about time for some spookiness and some scares.
Where I’ll be: Dream House. The two leads will draw me in like a moth to flame. I’ll probably catch 50/50 too.
Pick of the month: Contagion. Too much pedigree for this movie to fail.
There you go! Those are the major releases for September 2011. I hope you can find something in there that strikes your fancy.
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