To A Theater Near You!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
To A Theater Near You!
So, I wanted to call this entry "Coming Soon!", since it is going to be about upcoming movies which I am anticipating. But that title has already been used by some other entry I typed a long time ago, and "Upcoming Movies!" just doesn't cut it. Which is why I decided to use the above title instead, a second choice which isn't too bad after all. It's strange how I place so much emphasize in a title, when people usually just read it and forget about it as soon as they begin on the very first line. Anyway, I actually wanted to do a Top 10 list thing, but that'd seem a little pretentious of me, and perhaps a little self-absorbed. I don't know, perhaps the task itself is too great for me to follow all the way through. As a film geek, I look backwards and forwards at the very same time, like the eyeballs of a chameleon. On one hand, we have the classics and the recently released films, and then there are the anticipated ones coming our way. It is always nice to look forward to a film, at least for me. It gives me something to look forward to, and that is always a nice thing to have. I know, I know, it's just a movie. But to me it's more than just a two-hour long entertainment. So here we go, movies that I am looking forward to from now till the end of the year.
In Search Of A Midnight Kiss
Release Date: 1st August 2008 [Limited] (USA)
It's great that people still bother to make indie movies that are most probably going to be seen by sixteen people. OK, maybe not sixteen, but most of these movies are not going to reach a wide audience, certainly not as wide as The Dark Knight. However, when you take money out of the equation, you sometimes get the real kind of film that is all about heart. In Search of a Midnight Kiss looks to be this year's Before Sunrise, the way it is about two people spending a night together in Los Angeles on New Years' Eve. Now, before you go on calling it a rip-off, I'd like to argue by saying that even Before Sunrise is probably a rip-off of something else. It is merely a longer version of a great conversation in a movie, and it all depends on how successful you are at ripping something else off and to make it your own. Filmed in black and white, I adore the way everything has a rather antique and timeless feel to it, and the only complaints I have read online are the ones about how much longer the movie could have been. Take two unknown actors, put them in a well-written script, drench them in an unique love story in a big city, and you get the winning formula that is not going to fail. Of course, I don't see this film reaching Singapore anytime soon, but no harm in hoping out for it, right? Besides, it is about two loners finding each other on the internet. Sounds like it is right up my alley already.
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Burn After Reading
So, I wanted to call this entry "Coming Soon!", since it is going to be about upcoming movies which I am anticipating. But that title has already been used by some other entry I typed a long time ago, and "Upcoming Movies!" just doesn't cut it. Which is why I decided to use the above title instead, a second choice which isn't too bad after all. It's strange how I place so much emphasize in a title, when people usually just read it and forget about it as soon as they begin on the very first line. Anyway, I actually wanted to do a Top 10 list thing, but that'd seem a little pretentious of me, and perhaps a little self-absorbed. I don't know, perhaps the task itself is too great for me to follow all the way through. As a film geek, I look backwards and forwards at the very same time, like the eyeballs of a chameleon. On one hand, we have the classics and the recently released films, and then there are the anticipated ones coming our way. It is always nice to look forward to a film, at least for me. It gives me something to look forward to, and that is always a nice thing to have. I know, I know, it's just a movie. But to me it's more than just a two-hour long entertainment. So here we go, movies that I am looking forward to from now till the end of the year.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Release Date: 19th December 2008 (USA)
So, you have a movie that is based on a short story by my favorite author of all-time, that is good enough in my books. Then you have a story about a man given birth to as an old man and then aging backwards, that's even better than before. Lastly, you put Cate Blanchett, with red hair, into the midst of this great big confusion of a plot to add sex appeal, and you top it off with one of my all-time favorite directors: David Fincher. All of the above amounts to a film that you simply cannot miss no matter what happens. Forget about the possible natural disasters or the economical downturns, this is the one you have to fork out your wallet for. It seems like David Fincher has moved on from his signature pieces, and adopted a rather Tim Burton like tone to this film. Everything from the music in the trailer to the cinematography screamed of Tim Burton in all his other movies. Of course, that is not to say that it is a bad thing, but just curious as to how he is going to take on this project. Despite what people might say about Brad Pitt, I think he is a fine actor. So what if he spends more time going around the world and adopting third-world children than to make good movies. I think he is one of those over-rated celebrities and under-rated actors, if you know what I mean. I personally cannot wait for the release of this film, and it looks like it is going to be a contender for major awards out there indeed. Release Date: 1st August 2008 [Limited] (USA)
It's great that people still bother to make indie movies that are most probably going to be seen by sixteen people. OK, maybe not sixteen, but most of these movies are not going to reach a wide audience, certainly not as wide as The Dark Knight. However, when you take money out of the equation, you sometimes get the real kind of film that is all about heart. In Search of a Midnight Kiss looks to be this year's Before Sunrise, the way it is about two people spending a night together in Los Angeles on New Years' Eve. Now, before you go on calling it a rip-off, I'd like to argue by saying that even Before Sunrise is probably a rip-off of something else. It is merely a longer version of a great conversation in a movie, and it all depends on how successful you are at ripping something else off and to make it your own. Filmed in black and white, I adore the way everything has a rather antique and timeless feel to it, and the only complaints I have read online are the ones about how much longer the movie could have been. Take two unknown actors, put them in a well-written script, drench them in an unique love story in a big city, and you get the winning formula that is not going to fail. Of course, I don't see this film reaching Singapore anytime soon, but no harm in hoping out for it, right? Besides, it is about two loners finding each other on the internet. Sounds like it is right up my alley already. Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Release Date: 25th September 2008 (Singapore)
With Woody Allen, it is a hit or miss most of the time. On one hand you have films like Manhattan, Annie Hall and Match Point. Then on the other hand, you have films like Scoop - enough said. You really don't know what Woody Allen is dishing out next most of the time, and you have to take the leap of faith when you buy tickets to his movies. However, I don't suppose this film can really go wrong based on a few points that are other than the raving reviews it is already getting. Number one, it has Scarlett Johansson and Penelope Cruz. Number two, it has Scarlett Johansson and Penelope Cruz making out. Three, it has Rebecca Hall and Patricia Clarkson, whom I think are better looking than the other two ladies. Four, it looks like a movie with a bunch of twists and turns in a love relationship that is more than just a triangle, but more like a pentagon. This looks to be a lighter take on the topic of love than one of my favorite films, Closer. That is not to say that this film is a romantic comedy or anything, although it does feel that way in the trailer. I suppose this is an adult love story for the adults, a film that is rid of all the typical Nicholas Sparks cliche like the ones in The Notebook and A Walk to Remember - don't get me started on this horrendous movies. Anyway, I am glad that this film is going to reach Singapore sooner or later, although I doubt if a lot of people are going to want to watch it. Perhaps I can convince some of my male friends to come along just by telling them about the girl-on-girl make out scene. I will get back to you on that one.
With Woody Allen, it is a hit or miss most of the time. On one hand you have films like Manhattan, Annie Hall and Match Point. Then on the other hand, you have films like Scoop - enough said. You really don't know what Woody Allen is dishing out next most of the time, and you have to take the leap of faith when you buy tickets to his movies. However, I don't suppose this film can really go wrong based on a few points that are other than the raving reviews it is already getting. Number one, it has Scarlett Johansson and Penelope Cruz. Number two, it has Scarlett Johansson and Penelope Cruz making out. Three, it has Rebecca Hall and Patricia Clarkson, whom I think are better looking than the other two ladies. Four, it looks like a movie with a bunch of twists and turns in a love relationship that is more than just a triangle, but more like a pentagon. This looks to be a lighter take on the topic of love than one of my favorite films, Closer. That is not to say that this film is a romantic comedy or anything, although it does feel that way in the trailer. I suppose this is an adult love story for the adults, a film that is rid of all the typical Nicholas Sparks cliche like the ones in The Notebook and A Walk to Remember - don't get me started on this horrendous movies. Anyway, I am glad that this film is going to reach Singapore sooner or later, although I doubt if a lot of people are going to want to watch it. Perhaps I can convince some of my male friends to come along just by telling them about the girl-on-girl make out scene. I will get back to you on that one. Burn After Reading
Release Date: 25th September 2008 (Singapore)
Just look at the names: Clooney, McDormand, Malkovich, Swinton, and Pitt (again). This film screams of awards and awesomeness by the cast itself, and J.K. Simmons isn't even on the poster. I am a lover of a giant orgy of actors and actresses involved in a single project, which is probably why I enjoyed the Ocean's movies so much. It is just fun to see a bunch of actors and actresses playing in one single movie, since you don't get that very often. Besides, other than her horrendous outfit during this year's Oscars, Tilda Swinton is freakin' hot most of the time, and especially in this movie with the red hair (again). A point to note, Brad Pitt plays deranged characters so very well, and he seems to be a little deranged in this movie as well. He was nominated for an Oscar for his role as the crazy dude in 12 Monkeys, then his status as an actor rose again when he played a crazy dude in Fight Club. So you can see, it only takes a script that involves a crazy dude to make him shine as an actor, and he is certainly going to do the same here. Admittedly, I am not a fan of the Coen Brothers, or at least not as big a fan as most of the others. No Country for Old Men was brilliant, and I did enjoy that movie very much. This film seems to be going in the same direction as this year's Best Picture winner, and people are going to see if they score two years in a row. Let's wait and see! (I just noticed that it is going to be released on the same day as Vicky Cristina Barcelona in Singapore, and that's not a good thing).
Just look at the names: Clooney, McDormand, Malkovich, Swinton, and Pitt (again). This film screams of awards and awesomeness by the cast itself, and J.K. Simmons isn't even on the poster. I am a lover of a giant orgy of actors and actresses involved in a single project, which is probably why I enjoyed the Ocean's movies so much. It is just fun to see a bunch of actors and actresses playing in one single movie, since you don't get that very often. Besides, other than her horrendous outfit during this year's Oscars, Tilda Swinton is freakin' hot most of the time, and especially in this movie with the red hair (again). A point to note, Brad Pitt plays deranged characters so very well, and he seems to be a little deranged in this movie as well. He was nominated for an Oscar for his role as the crazy dude in 12 Monkeys, then his status as an actor rose again when he played a crazy dude in Fight Club. So you can see, it only takes a script that involves a crazy dude to make him shine as an actor, and he is certainly going to do the same here. Admittedly, I am not a fan of the Coen Brothers, or at least not as big a fan as most of the others. No Country for Old Men was brilliant, and I did enjoy that movie very much. This film seems to be going in the same direction as this year's Best Picture winner, and people are going to see if they score two years in a row. Let's wait and see! (I just noticed that it is going to be released on the same day as Vicky Cristina Barcelona in Singapore, and that's not a good thing). The Spirit
Release Date: 25th December 2008 (USA)
First of all, this isn't a sequel to Sin City, but a movie all by itself. Sure, the style is pretty much the same, and it has been popularized by Sin City and 300 over the past couple of years. You know, to make a frame by frame adaptation kind of thing? You can't really say this film is a rip-off though, since it is by none other than Frank Miller himself. I have my doubts about the author of a graphic novel directing a film though, I am not sure if his "genius" is going to translate very well. However, from what I can see in the trailer, things seem to be shaping up pretty well for the most part. Yes, Scarlett Johansson is in this one again, and yes Eva Mendes drops her towel in the trailer as well. But I am definitely more excited about Samuel L. Jackson playing that, well, I don't know who that is, I haven't read the graphic novel. But his character does seem to be very interesting, and who doesn't like the whole Sin City treatment anyway? I am a sucker for films that look good, even if it is the only thing going for it for the most part. The Fall didn't receive a lot of critical praise when it was released, but I am still interested in seeing it, nonetheless. I am just a sucker for the visuals, I don't suppose anything else matters a lot after that as far as I am concerned. This film looks like it is going to be on par with Sin City and 300, and I cannot wait to see how Frank Miller pulls it off as a first-time director.
First of all, this isn't a sequel to Sin City, but a movie all by itself. Sure, the style is pretty much the same, and it has been popularized by Sin City and 300 over the past couple of years. You know, to make a frame by frame adaptation kind of thing? You can't really say this film is a rip-off though, since it is by none other than Frank Miller himself. I have my doubts about the author of a graphic novel directing a film though, I am not sure if his "genius" is going to translate very well. However, from what I can see in the trailer, things seem to be shaping up pretty well for the most part. Yes, Scarlett Johansson is in this one again, and yes Eva Mendes drops her towel in the trailer as well. But I am definitely more excited about Samuel L. Jackson playing that, well, I don't know who that is, I haven't read the graphic novel. But his character does seem to be very interesting, and who doesn't like the whole Sin City treatment anyway? I am a sucker for films that look good, even if it is the only thing going for it for the most part. The Fall didn't receive a lot of critical praise when it was released, but I am still interested in seeing it, nonetheless. I am just a sucker for the visuals, I don't suppose anything else matters a lot after that as far as I am concerned. This film looks like it is going to be on par with Sin City and 300, and I cannot wait to see how Frank Miller pulls it off as a first-time director. Honorary Mentions:
So, The Time Traveler's Wife is going to be adapted into a film, and Charlie Kaufman's new piece called Synecdoche, New York is going to be released by the end of the year too. I have my doubts about these movies, however, and serious ones too. First of all, the director for The Time Traveler's Wife directed Flightplan, and we all know what a horrible film that was. It is going to be depressing, for me, to see one of my favorite book being adapted into a typical Hollywood lukewarm trash. Sure, it has Rachel McAdams, but I still have a bad feeling about this one.
People say that you cannot go wrong with Charlie Kaufman, but that statement usually applies for him as a screenwriter. Like Frank Miller, he decided to take over the role as a director this time, but I am not too sure about that as well. It was recently screened during Cannes, and the review was a little less than spectacular. Charlie Kaufman tends to be a little self-absorbed I suppose, going over the top while trying too hard most of the time. The beauty about Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind was that his genius, and Michel Gondry's genius, were able to complement each other very well. Given full authority of a project, and they veer off the road badly - think Be Kind Rewind. So, I don't know about Synecdoche, New York. We shall wait for more reviews.
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