News Bites: "Pirates 4" is full steam ahead with Director Rob Marshall and Penelope Cruz

- Posted by Rusty


Quick Note: Yikes, it's been over a week and a half since my last update. Sorry about that, everyone—it's been an intensely hectic time at work, and I couldn't find the time to squeeze in a few posts. Well, things have calmed down a bit lately, and while I still can’t update as much as I would like to, I should be able to write new stuff on a semi-regular basis again. Thanks for all your patience!

Source: Heat Vision
(Found via ComingSoon.net)

Talk about interesting developments. I love the idea of a fresh, standalone Pirates of the Caribbean sequel (thereby getting rid of the overcooked mythology from Dead Man’s Chest and At World’s End), which sounds like just the direction Disney is taking with its now-officially-greenlit Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (great title, by the way) for next summer. Johnny Depp will return as Captain Jack Sparrow in a search for the Fountain of Youth, and, although there’s still no official word, looks like Geoffrey Rush will as well.

On top of that, for some bizarre, out-of-left-field announcements, we now know the director and co-star for Captain Jack Sparrow as well. [Pirates news and thoughts after the jump]

Taking over the directing reins from Gore Verbinski (who I wish would have stayed to do this as well—in the first one, he showed the perfect approach to this material) is none other than Chicago and Nine helmer Rob Marshall. I’m intrigued by this choice, if not exactly confident; Marshall has a good eye for visuals (even the empty-headed Memoirs of a Geisha was gorgeous to look at) and gets mostly great performances out of his actors. However, it still remains that, after Chicago, he hasn’t made a worthwhile movie, with his latest, Nine, getting trashed by critics for being a glitzy, hollow spectacle. Here’s hoping Pirates 4 will rejuvenate his storytelling abilities; he certainly has the talent, and I’d love to see him stretch himself with a fantasy/adventure setting.

As for Depp’s co-star/potential love interest, Penelope Cruz (a recent Oscar nominee for Marshall's Nine) has just signed on! This I have no objections too. I mentioned in my original Pirates 4 post how awesome it would be for Jack Sparrow to finally get a love interest (and an age-appropriate, equally quirky one if possible). Cruz could do that effortlessly—she’s beautiful, always interesting to watch, and could go toe-to-toe with Depp, as she proved in their last movie together, Blow. Jack Sparrow needs a good sparring partner, someone who could match him in spunk and lovable craziness; the crackling chemistry these two showed before could be a good sign of things to come. I can’t wait to see what the writers have cooked up for them. Plus, it’d be fun to see Cruz ditch the Oscar-bait “serious” roles for a change and tackle something more lighthearted.

All in all, some promising movement on the Pirates of the Caribbean front. If the returning screenwriting duo of Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio (who penned all the Pirates movies so far…and Disney’s Aladdin!) can recapture some of the first movie’s magic, it could go a long way toward rekindling the near-universal love this franchise once had.

Looking forward to hearing more as the movie gets prepped for filming on its way to a Summer 2011 release date. In the meanwhile, what do you guys think of these developments? Do you like the hiring of Cruz and Rob Marshall as director?

Images courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures.
Read more!

Top 10: Favorite Hand-Drawn Disney Movies

- Posted by Rusty


Disney’s The Princess and the Frog, minus its flaws, was a charming return to the heyday of Disney animation—that of the wonderful hand-drawn style. Like I’m sure a lot of you, I grew up with these types of cartoons, and Disney churned out a whole army of classics in that format. The success of The Princess and the Frog, now a genuine hit for the studio (if not exactly a blockbuster—that would sadly be the Alvin and the Chipmunks “squeakuel”) might just mean more 2-D animated films down the line, and I couldn’t be happier. With that (and with a big thanks and tip of the hat to my friend/ brilliant-idea-man, Daniel), I thought it’d be a lot of fun to whip up a list of my favorite hand-drawn Disney features. I only had two rules for this:

1) This might seem obvious, but these had to be 2-D animated. Thus, as much as I love them (and most of these would have been good contenders for my #1), I couldn’t include Pixar’s stuff, The Nightmare Before Christmas, or even Enchanted, which was part 2-D animated and just as entertaining as some of my picks.

2) These had to hold up to repeat viewings, especially from a more “grown-up” perspective. This was a biggie for me—I grew up on Disney classics, and I could still watch films like Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, Sleeping Beauty, Pinocchio, and Cinderella with a big smile. However, story-wise (and even character-wise, like the more recent, still-entertaining The Little Mermaid), a good number of these leave a lot to be desired, and so I had to scrap those off my list of favorites.

And, so, with those guidelines, I set off on an enormously fun few weeks of catching up on some of my most beloved Disney memories. The result? These 10 reliable favorites, all great bits of entertainment to this day. The ones here might not all be qualified masterpieces, but, to me, they’re all excellent examples of the Disney brand at its peak, offering up films that spark the childhood imagination, while still providing clever writing that speaks to all ages.

With that, let’s get to the list. Here are my Top 10 all-time favorite Disney cartoons… [Top 10 List after the jump]

10. “The Great Mouse Detective” (1986) - Premiering just before Disney’s creative “renaissance” with The Little Mermaid, this is a somewhat overlooked effort. Well, now couldn’t be a more perfect time to re-discover it—amidst all the Sherlock Holmes fever around Robert Downey Jr.’s turn as the great detective, I really recommend checking out Disney’s excellent mouse-ified version. I’ll give that the animation is a bit dated, and the songs (what little there are) are instantly forgettable. Nonetheless, the characters here are great fun, and the entire mystery actually quite clever once it unravels. Interestingly enough, our main hero, the sprightly, quirky, gloriously odd Basil of Baker Street is more Holmesian than a good majority of Arthur Conan Doyle’s detective’s big screen incarnations. Minus the cocaine addiction, of course (which, frankly, I would love to see Disney try to squeeze in), Basil is a huge, intelligent bundle of energy, one that loves to slip on disguises, but still falls into sweeps of depression and melancholy violin-playing when his cases run out. Sound familiar? I love that it took a mouse on 221 ½ B, Baker Street to bring back some of Holmes’ wonderful weirdness. (Robert Downey Jr.’s take also reclaims all of Holmes’ more out-there characteristics that got lost in the public eye). Basil's sidekick, Dr. Dawson, is very enjoyable as well, as the noble, curious man that gets caught up in a big adventure…and ends up loving it (the scene where he’s undercover in a seedy bar as a scruffy sailor, but still can’t resist ordering a “nice sherry”, is one of the big highlights of this film for me). And, of course, the flamboyant, over-the-top Professor Ratigan, the esteemed foe of our brilliant detective (horror icon Vincent Price, doing a gleefully manic version of Professor Moriarty) makes for a memorable villain. He’s not as developed as some of the ones that will appear later in this list, but his dastardly plan actually makes sense, and his peeve about being called a “rat” gives way for a series of very good callbacks. He’s a good match for Basil, and their final confrontation on top of the Big Ben clock tower is one terrific, gorgeously animated sequence. Not Disney’s strongest film, but still a very entertaining one. It’s actually too bad this never became a franchise—here were two durable and very likable characters, ones that I would have gladly followed through a whole series of adventures and mousy-Victorian-London mysteries.

9. "The Brave Little Toaster" (1987) - I forgot how much I loved this one. It was on heavy TV rotation when I came to America, and it’s still one of my favorites to catch. Following one courageous, always-noble toaster and his talking-appliance buddies (the blanket, in particular, is easily one of the most adorable Disney characters) in a cross-country search for their old master, this one packs a lot of heartfelt moments and a great deal of charm. Moreover, it mines similar territory to the Toy Story movies—the bonds we form with inanimate objects when we’re younger. It might sound ridiculous, but there’s a truth here, and a bittersweet one at that—there is always some attachment to our favorite toys, old scraps of clothing, or even a silly thing like a spiffy little toaster (but one that makes the absolute perfect toast). This film explores that, including, with a surprising emotional punch, how those objects might feel when we outgrow and replace them. I love that story element, and, even better, I love how this film plays out those ideas, with a resolution that’s appropriately heartwarming. An absolute gem of a cartoon.

8. “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1996) - Probably the most challenging material Disney ever embraced—I couldn’t get through Victor Hugo’s original novel, and, from the glimpses I got, its ghastly elements never exactly screamed a “family-friendly animated adaptation”. But it works…and wonderfully so. The animation is striking, and the music lovely throughout. There’s also plenty of mature, dark themes, such as the power-hungry, racist villain Frollo’s obsession with the gypsy Esmeralda (the woman who saw the obvious goodness in our hunchback hero, Quasimodo). I think the source material was transformed for the better, adding a great deal more warmth, while never shying away from the cruelty and hatred that Quasimodo endured. Inspiring and powerful, often in ways that resonate long after the movie ends. And, finally, major props to the filmmakers for (SPOILER ALERT) having the hero not get the girl, and having that resolution make perfect sense in the context of this story.

7. "Mulan" (1998) - Disney’s official “girl power” movie, and a welcome one at that. The Chinese legend of a girl who impersonated a soldier is beautifully re-told (the invading Huns sequence is deservingly famous), and Mulan herself, who rejects society’s rules for a woman, is one of their most rounded, well-written characters. I love the songs, as well as the subtle romance between Mulan and her acting captain, Shang (who’s actually the more shy and awkward of the two). Points off for having a bland villain, though—Shun-Yu, for all his brooding, is just a one-dimensional baddie with a tiny shred of motivation. On the flip side, bonus points for Eddie Murphy’s wonderful vocal work as the feisty, fast-talking dragon, Mushu (an odd story element that works surprisingly well), and casting “Pat” Morita (Mr. Miyagi himself) as the Chinese emperor.

6. “A Goofy Movie” (1995) - A very pleasant surprise, and one of the most rewarding upon repeat viewings. It almost seems like a happy accident—there’s no villain, and barely a love interest that needs to be won by the end; instead, it’s a sweet story of a father and his son, bonding over the worst fishing trip imaginable. It also asks a question that I’ve always wondered when watching Goof Troop (from which this movie spun off) on weekday afternoons: what if Goofy was your dad? What if you parent was the well-meaning, ahh-yucking, clumsy, sweetheart of a goof? All of this is handled with a lot of heart and good laughs—I’m sure most (if not all) of us could relate to being embarrassed by our parents and wishing to look “cool” to someone we like…and failing miserably. Goofy, for all his earnest mistakes, is really just a dad trying to make his son happy, especially as his son develops other interests (hint: girls) and hits the age where he’s not quite comfortable with who he is. The movie nicely tackles such issues of growing up, especially that of a father and son finally learning to communicate again. I love Max’s big crush on Roxanne, his best buds PJ and Pauly Shore’s Jewish-surfer/whipped-cheese-lover, Bobby Zimmeruski, and, of course, Goofy and Max’s changing relationship, the delightful clincher to the whole film (“Hi, Dad” soup, anyone?). Plus, those Powerline songs are incredibly catchy! One of my favorites to re-watch.

Fun Fact: This was directed by Kevin Lima, who went on to helm the wonderful Enchanted, itself a great riff on the classic hand-drawn fairy tales of Disney’s past. He’s currently circling a remake of The Incredible Mr. Limpet, with none other than Johnny Depp potentially attached to star. At this point, with two great films under his belt, I think he’s a genuine talent, and I’m really interested to see what he’ll do next. And while I’ve never seen the original Mr. Limpet (not exactly a beloved classic), the offbeat combo of him and Depp sounds mighty interesting.

5. "The Lion King" (1994) - Lots of people I know consider this the best cartoon in Disney’s history. While my top pick is something else, it’s hard to argue with them—this is probably Disney’s strongest drama. Essentially Hamlet in the Savannah, young Simba’s journey from coward cub to heroic lion is lovely, the big set-pieces gorgeously animated, and the emotional elements hit just right the notes. There’s good laughs sprinkled throughout as well (Timon and Pumba, really one of the best talking-animal duos Disney has ever done, are an ever-clever spin on Hamlet’s Rosencrantz & Guildenstern). And, of course, who could forget that Elton John-Tim Rice soundtrack? This is in full contention with Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin for my favorite Disney score. And last (but certainly not least), in Scar, the film has the most deliciously evil villain (voiced with oily, Shakespearean brilliance by the great Jeremy Irons) outside of my #1 pick. A deserving phenomenon, and a fine example of the kind of top-notch storytelling Disney could accomplish.

4. "Hercules" (1997) - Zippily paced and very funny, this is another film that seems to be kind of underrated. It’s also (and I might be alone on this) one of the best stabs at Greek mythology on film. Sure, it’s a very sanitized version (you try making a G-Rated version of these stories, especially the Hercules one), but it captures the grandeur and massive scale of this world (beasts, gods, titans, et al), with a quirky animation style not too removed from Aladdin’s. It’s also a very well-written script, with lots of clever references (anyone catch the blink-and-you-miss-it Oedipus joke?), while still retaining both the epic tone of this legend as well as the right emotional kick to the rest of the story. And, of course, James Woods’ Hades steals pretty much the entire movie, comfortably taking his place among the best villains in Disney animation. With an improvised, mile-a-minute energy, it’s clear that Woods relishes this part, and, in turn, his Hades is equal parts vicious and utterly hilarious—as perfect a foil for a hero as one could wish for. The action sequences are fantastic, the moral (“a hero is measured by the strength of his heart”) sweet and unpretentious, and the central romance is a delightful one, with Hercules’ love, Megura, as a perfect, sardonic “standard D.I.D” ("Damsel in Distress"). Overall, it’s just smart, great entertainment, and I’m surprised it doesn’t get more attention.

3. "The Emperor's New Groove" (2000) - How is this one not more popular? It could be because the whole adventure is kind of slight, at least compared to the ultra-serious life-and-death stakes that Disney movies are known for. But, honestly, I couldn’t care less about that. This is easily the funniest film on this list, and one of the most sharp and witty things ever to come out of the House of Mouse. There’s no love story, and, in its place, we get a hip, sarcastic, lively-animated story of friendship—that between the spoiled, selfish, extra-quippy Emperor Kuzco (a brilliantly cast David Spade), and his roly-poly sidekick, Pacha (John Goodman, who could do this kind of good-hearted role in his sleep). The laughs are fast and furious, and, as weird as this sounds, Kuzco lets David Spade do some of the best acting of his career. It’s a perfect tweak of Spade’s own smartass persona, but one that allows him to show some of the begrudging sweetness and depth that marked his Emmy-nominated turn on Just Shoot Me. It’s inspired voice acting, on par with both James Woods’ Hades and Robin Williams’ Genie. As for the film itself, buried under all the well-done snark and loony set-pieces, there’s a charming lesson of the importance of actually caring about people, one that never feels overdone. Plus, in addition to Kuzco, all of the characters are memorable, with special mention going to the dim, though very well-meaning crony/talented cook, Kronk (Patrick Wharburton, the movie’s breakout vocal star) and Yzma (Eartha Kitt, clearly having a ball), the old and “scary beyond all reason” baddie, one of Disney’s all-time greats (the “great…great…great…great…aunt” scene is just priceless!).

2. "Beauty and the Beast" (1991) - What a coincidence that its main character’s name means “beauty”, huh? Of all the Disney fairy tales, this is simply the most gorgeous, best seen in the showstopper ballroom dance sequence in the middle (now so iconic and beautifully spoofed). Also, this might just be the strongest soundtrack on this list—almost every song is memorable, from the opening “Belle” to the classic “Beauty and the Beast”, sung by the amazing Angela Lansbury. Taking place in a quirky part of France where the candlesticks are rascally Frenchmen and the teapots are British, this is some of the best storytelling in Disney’s history—major props for having a smart, capable heroine (who loves to read—kudos, Disney!), a complex, interesting lead in Beast, and a killer supporting cast (particularly Lumiere—ah, how I love that charming candlestick…with a thing for French maids!). Oh, and Gaston, the conceited, moronic, but supposedly “beautiful” town hero, is a phenomenal villain—one of the few who’s just as funny as he is dangerous. There are some lovely themes in this as well, from being true to yourself to the value of kindness and tolerance, something that Belle, the ever-great role model for young girls, personifies. An all-around superb effort; this was the first cartoon ever nominated for a Best Picture Oscar, and the honor is very much deserved.


1. "Aladdin" (1992) - There might be more complex films on this list. Or more epic. Or more dramatic and deep. But, for me, nothing beats Aladdin. For a sheer movie experience, this is Disney magic at its best. I watched this for the first time when I was seven in Ukraine, and it blew me away. Years later, I think it watches even better. All of the elements are here: a great love story (with two likable, well-developed leads), an exotic, ancient setting, and a grand adventure that ably mixes thrills, laughs, and emotion. But Aladdin’s lightening-in-a-bottle energy and pizzazz wouldn’t be possible without two key essentials: Robin Williams’ Genie and my all-time favorite Disney villain, Jafar. Williams, in particular, was a man born to do animation. His rapid-fire thinking and amazing improvisation skills matched so perfectly with the quick-transforming Genie that the result was pure animated bliss. He revolutionized voice acting, and I think we are all the better for it. Plus, his Genie is a character for the ages—always shifting and spewing tons of pop-culture references, and yet you can’t overlook his great, big, proud, silly heart. His relationship with Aladdin, the first master to actually care about him, is really the soul of this movie, and it’s a partnership that only gets better the more you watch it. And, of course, Jafar is a masterpiece of a creation—angular, deeply acerbic (and actually pretty witty—his comeback of “ecstatic” to the first meeting with “Prince Abu Bu” kills me every time), armed with a killer Serpent staff, and, yeah, pretty much all-out evil, he is a villain that you just love to hate. He lights up the screen, and coupled with his scene-stealing partner-in-crime, Iago (another piece of brilliant voice casting—comedian Gilbert Godfried’s finest hour, in my opinion), I can’t think of a better match for the scrappy and cool Aladdin. He’s so memorable, in fact, that I don’t blame Disney for resurrecting him in the lackluster Direct-to-DVD sequel, The Return of Jafar. Terrible film, yes, but it was great to see Jafar wreaking havoc again.

Overall, just a brilliantly-conceived film—everything works, from the animal sidekicks (who could possibly beat Abu and the wordless, but utterly charming, pantomiming Carpet?) to the huge set-pieces (the final confrontation with Jafar is just plain awesome). And, finally, this contains one of the finest collections of songs in movie musicals, with “A Whole New World” ranking as possibly the most romantic sequence I've ever seen. I love this film to death, and can’t wait to watch it again sometime soon.

P.S. Disney has made some awful Direct-to-DVD sequels over the years (Return of Jafar included), but Aladdin and the King of Thieves is a welcome exception. It not only marks the return of Robin Williams and the rest of the voice cast, it also stands as just a good character-based sequel. Lots of threads are resolved, particularly Aladdin’s never-spoken-of parents and our mysterious narrator from the first film (who oddly disappeared by the end of the first film), and, for a restrained budget, the animation is simply beautiful at times. Also, for all my ribbing of Return of Jafar, the one good thing to come out of it was the switcheroo of sides by Iago. It was a believable turn of events, and he’s such a great character that I’m glad he joined Aladdin’s posse…and popped up for this quite good third film.


And that's it for my list. Now I turn the floor to you guys. What would you put in your Top 10 of Disney hand-drawn cartoons? Do you agree/disagree with my picks? Did I miss any of your own all-time faves? Sound off in the comments below!

Images courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures.
Read more!

News Bites: Full-length “Alice in Wonderland” trailer is…well…wonderful!

- Posted by Rusty

Trailer Rating: 5 bites [out of 5]

Check out the new trailer above. I was already excited about this film, but now that we get a greater sense of the direction Tim Burton and co. are taking, I’m all the more psyched to see it! [more thoughts after the jump]

The first teaser gave us a sense of the visuals and tone; now, we see the story this version will try to tell, and it look like a perfect approach. I think Tim Burton was born to bring Wonderland to the screen—his penchant for quirky darkness, but one that’s always imbued with some kooky humor and warmth, is a natural fit for the world of Lewis Carroll. He’s become an excellent storyteller over the years, and I think he could capture the whimsical tone of the original story and, at the same time, give it a fresh dose of heart. Also, in watching this trailer, it’s clear that the Burton and screenwriter Linda Woolverton (one of the hands behind The Lion King and Mulan) are attempting to give us a full-fledged narrative, a real first for this material. In my mind, that’s a very good thing—exactly what this material needs to give it a novel spin. And, thus, we’re getting a quasi-sequel—Alice comes back to Wonderland, not remembering a thing, and it’s up to her to end the Red Queen’s (a deliciously evil Helena Bonham-Carter) brand of "off with people's heads" tyranny. All of the Wonderland heavy-hitters are here: Stephen Fry’s The Cheshire Cat, The March Hare, The White Rabbit (voiced by Michael Sheen), Alan Rickman’s mushroom-smoking Caterpillar (who's not in the trailer, but you can see him on the movie-theater posters), and, of course, Johnny Depp, Tim Burton’s partner-in-quirky-crime, with an all-out-wonderfully-wacky take on the Mad Hatter.

On another note, I know it looks like they’re rejiggering the original story, potentially throwing out what made the original so special, but I don't think that's the case. Here’s the thing: for all the fond memories we have of Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, I think it’s the world we love. It’s the characters, each battier than the next, the lovingly nonsensical details, and that playful, well, weirdness that populates the whole work. Reading it, we’re a lot like Alice—we’re curious and adventurous, and we’re soaking up the details. It works on the page, thanks to Carroll’s imagination and clever wordplay, his great eye for the wonderful and odd. But it honestly has no arc for Alice—she goes on a tour, and comes out pretty much the same. Much like us, she enjoys the ride…but that’s not a film. And I think that’s where previous adaptations stumbled, even the enjoyable 60's Disney animated version. Here, it looks like Alice has a role to play, an actual purpose--just look at her bravely leading Anne Hathaway's White Queen's army! For once, going down that Rabbit Hole looks to be a wholly new experience, a substantial journey for both Alice and us, the audience. And I can’t wait to see what Tim Burton and his team of visual wizards cook up.

Alice in Wonderland hits theaters on March 5, 2010—it can’t come soon enough!

P.S. If you guys get the chance, try to catch the 3-D version of the trailer, now playing before prints of James Cameron's Avatar. If ever a movie needed an extra dimension, it's this one--just wait until you see the loopy Wonderland in full 3-D insanity!

What do you guys think? Like the trailer? Agree/disagree with my take?
Clip courtesy of Trailer Addict.
Read more!

What's on the Menu (December 11-13)

- Posted by Rusty

This is shaping up to be a great weekend for movies. I could personally recommend two of the films coming out (like I could ever say "no" to a hand-drawn Disney fairy tale...), and most of the other new releases look like solid, interesting choices as well. Let’s see what we have… [breakdown of new releases after the jump]

1. “The Princess and the Frog” - I caught this one last week—check out my review here. All in all, minus its flaws, Disney’s first hand-drawn-animated feature in years is a delight. From Ron Clemens and John Musker, the talented duo behind Aladdin (my personal favorite Disney cartoon), The Great Mouse Detective (forgot how much I loved that Holmes-ian Basil of Baker Street!), The Little Mermaid, Mulan, and the underrated Hercules and Treasure Planet, this film recaptures some of the storytelling magic that Disney perfected in the 90’s. Following Tiana and Prince Naveen, two lively, very enjoyable characters in 1920’s New Orleans, this twist on the “The Frog Prince” fairy tale is full of charm and warm-hearted spirit—a perfect treat for the holidays. It’s not necessarily a great film, but it’s an easy recommend, especially if you love (and, like me, missed) the glory of Disney’s 2-D animated films.

2. “The Lovely Bones” - I just saw this last night (we’ll have a full review up next week), and, while far from perfect, this is an interesting, quite powerful film, and a highly recommended watch. Based on Alice Sebold’s beloved book (which I’m finishing up right now), The Lovely Bones tells the story of Susie Salmon (the amazing, young Saoirse Ronan, an Oscar-nominee from Atonement), a bright, lovely girl in 1970’s suburbia, and one who was savagely murdered on her way home from school. Thus, Susie narrates the proceedings from her own personal Heaven, a gorgeous, endless “perfect world,” something that the film dubs the In-Between. Throughout the film, her surviving family (featuring Mark Whalberg and Rachel Weisz as Susie's parents, both terrific) grieves and tries to rediscover the love that held them together, her killer, Mr. Harvey (the great character actor, Stanley Tucci) attempts to cover his tracks, and Susie, ever lonely and away from her loved ones, tries to make peace with her own death and finally move on to a better place. As you could tell, there are a lot of elements at play here (much like the book)—bits of family drama, supernatural visuals, and even suspense and thrills—they don’t always mix, but when the different pieces click, the film ranks among the best I’ve seen this year. I imagine the book, spanning years of time and lacking any straightforward narrative, was incredibly hard to adapt, so kudos to the filmmakers for capturing some of its ultimately hopeful and loving spirit.

This comes to us from Lord of the Rings/King Kong super-director Peter Jackson (and produced by some little, unheard-of guy named Steven Spielberg), and it’s a beautiful film, all emotionally anchored by Ronan, easily one of our best young actresses. The reviews are very mixed, with many claiming that the special effects distract from the emotional pull of the story. Honestly, I couldn’t disagree more—the film does run into some narrative stumbles in the second act, as Jackson obviously struggles to do justice to Susie’s family's story in under 3 hours, but the few visual sequences always felt right for the surreal state of Susie’s Heaven. It’s certainly not for everyone—its subject matter (though handled sensitively) doesn’t make it easy to watch, but this is very strong work on display, and further proof that Jackson remains on the most important and gifted directors working in Hollywood.

3. “Invictus” - Check out the trailer below. Can’t you just taste the Oscar nominations? Following the story of Nelson Mandela’s first year in office (played by the perfectly-cast Morgan Freeman, our go-to guy for wise, inspirational people), and his plan to unite the post-Apartheid South African people with a World Cup Rugby victory, this looks like intelligent, uplifting entertainment. Plus, it’s packed with the kind of things Oscar voters love: we have an inspirational true story, an important historical figure (who surprisingly does not have his own movie yet), a top-notch cast (including the always-good Matt Damon as South African Rugby star, Francois Pienaar, whose relationship with Mandela jump-starts the plot), and all delivered with a touch of class from director and living legend Clint Eastwood. Honestly, it looks like a very good film. On a simple level, I know only the general facts about Mandela and his presidency, so I’d love to learn more, especially since the events depicted here hold a special place in South African history. And, of course, Eastwood knows how to make a strong picture—it might hit those “hopeful” notes a little too hard (as the still very good reviews point out), but I think the whole picture is worth catching in theaters. Mandela, himself a symbol of hope, democratic reform, and perseverance, deserves to have his story told, even if it’s just a fraction of his whole life experience. I’m definitely watching this soon, and expect this to be a major contender once the Academy Awards season starts full swing.

4. “A Single Man” - If I needed only one reason to check this out, it’s for Colin Firth, the great British actor who’s earning endless raves for his turn here—here’s hoping he will get his first-ever Oscar nomination as a result. Firth has been so good for so many years (ie, Love Actually, Girl with a Pearl Earring, Shakespeare in Love, and, of course, his iconic Mr. Darcy in the 1995 Pride & Prejudice mini-series), that it’s about time he gets his time to shine. If you guys get the chance, also check out his recent film, Easy Virtue, with Jessica Biel—it’s one of his strongest performances, and the whole film is just a witty (and surprisingly dark) trip into the heart of the British upper class.

The Oscar buzz on Colin Firth is my driving factor to see this, but, actually, the rest of the story—about a middle-aged gay college professor (Firth) trying to move on after the loss of his lover (Watchmen’s Matthew Goode)—sounds equally compelling. This could be powerful (and topical) material, and, according to the excellent all-around reviews, Julianne Moore is phenomenal in a supporting part (like always), and newbie director Tom Ford makes it all something truly special. I really want to see this—it looks like a fine choice for anyone seeking intelligent drama, and, like Invictus, I hope to catch it sometime in the next few weeks.

5. “The Slammin’ Salmon” - This is from Broken Lizard, the comedy guys behind Beerfest, Super Troopers, and (unofficially) The Dukes of Hazard. I’m not a fan of them, but I know Super Troopers and Beerfest have their followings (I want to guess a very specific, herbal-substance-involving target audience, but you could probably say the same thing about the Harold & Kumar movies, which I unashamedly love). The trailer below wasn’t all that funny to me, though I'm a big fan Michael Clarke Duncan, who broke through amazingly with The Green Mile and The Whole Nine Yards, then kind of remained on the sidelines for years. He should have been a much bigger star, and while I love his occasional TV gigs (like Chuck!), here’s hoping this will be a nice showcase for his leading-man quality and underseen comic chops. The reviews are mostly negative, as expected. I doubt it will be worthwhile, but you never know. By all means, it could be a silly, stupid-good time at the movies, which is sometimes just the thing we need.

And that’s it for this weekend. Are you guys excited to see any of these films?

Of the ones I haven’t seen, I think A Single Man and Invictus look equally good, both bona-fide awards contenders featuring some of our best off- and on-screen talent.

Next week looks pretty great too—we’ll have the release of the star-studded musical, Nine, a new Hugh Grant romantic comedy (always a nice option in my book), and James Cameron’s 3-D epic, Avatar, which, yeah, we might be a tiny bit excited to see.

Have a good weekend, everyone, and see you next week!

Clips courtesy of Trailer Addict.
Read more!

Review: "The Princess and the Frog"

- Posted by Rusty


Movie: Disney’s The Princess and The Frog

My Rating: 3 bites [out of 5]

In Short: The hand-drawn-animated The Princess and the Frog is a most welcome return to form for Disney! Although it doesn’t hit the highs of their previous classics, it’s a lovely fairy tale that will sit comfortably on the shelf next to your old Disney VHS’es. [full review after the jump]

Full Review: The Princess and the Frog, in a spin on the Grimm Brothers’ “The Frog Prince”, stars the bright, determined Tiana, who dreams of opening her own restaurant in 1920’s New Orleans. But, when money problems get in the way, she stumbles upon a smooth-talking, very cooly accented, talking frog. Turns out, he’s a prince under a curse by the voodoo Shadow Man (a very colorful, fun villain), and if she kisses him…well, he’ll turn human again and pay for her restaurant!

Ah, but there’s the twist: the mucus-y kiss fails and they both turn into frogs instead, launching a bright, colorful adventure into the Louisiana bayou. Wisecracking animal sidekicks, lots of musical numbers, and one big, last-10-minutes showdown with the villain ensue. And, of course, we get lots of heartfelt moments along the way, with a sweet running theme of making your own dreams come true, not by wishing but through patience, hard work, and dedication—I wouldn’t expect any less from Disney.

Like it sounds, this it the old Disney formula down pat, and it’s a wonderful, familiar sight. What makes this outing extra special is likely the most engaging central couple Disney has ever had. Tiana is getting a lot of positive word-of-mouth for being the first Black princess (long overdue, though still nice to see), but her character is also headstrong, intelligent, hard-working (she even refuses to dance, for she’d rather work and save money for her restaurant!), and has big dreams that don’t only revolve around boys (take that, Bella Swan). She’s probably the most rounded character in the Disney Princess universe and the best role-model for young girls since Beauty and the Beast’s Belle.

As for Prince Naveen…well, he’s a charming, ultra-suave European womanizer (as much as the G-rating will allow him to talk about), but, of course, with a great, big heart too. He’s great fun to watch, and he gets the biggest laughs in this movie. There were also genuine and very sweet sparks between him and Tiana (not to mention an adorable running joke about “slime” vs. “one’s own mucus”)—his journey in the film is really the most rewarding. What a great change of pace from Disney’s stock of unbearably bland princes (I’m looking at you, Prince Eric!).

In all honesty, I wanted to rate this higher, but there were just a few nagging things that prevented it from becoming an instant classic for me. First off, while the story was cute, it just felt too slim to support 90 minutes, resulting in parts of the movie feeling padded and sapping its great, zippy initial energy.

Same goes for the musical numbers: the songs are well-animated—lots of oomph and colors and jazzy tunes—but there were a good one or two that felt like they were filling up time and not pushing the story forward. It doesn’t really help that the songs weren’t too memorable—I enjoyed them when I saw the film last week, but none of them really stuck in my head (compare that to: “A Whole New World”, “Under the Sea,” the opening song of Beauty and the Beast, and many, many more).

Finally, while the cast of characters here is a funky, creative bunch (including a jazz-playing chubby alligator and a Cajun fly), none of them end up really standing out. They don’t really pop off the screen—we like them, sure, but their personalities don’t leave too lasting of an imprint. There are no Timons here, or Abus, or Lumieres—Tiana and Naveen make up for this, but I would have liked to see them surrounded by a more developed group of people. Even the villain, while very amusing to watch and root against, pales in comparison to more deliciously evil Disney baddies like Jafar and Gaston. I know I’m comparing The Princess and the Frog too much to the Disney classics I grew up with; it should stand on its own, and, by all means, it does. It’s just so close to being perfect that it’s a bit of a bummer that it falls short.

Still, my nitpicks aside, I’m sure little kids will eat this up. Even better, all of us crazy Disney enthusiasts (I know there’s a bunch of us out there!) or just fans of good family films will love this too. It’s too charming not to like, brimming with warm humor and imagination, and, despite its shortcomings, I have a feeling I’ll watch this many more times over the years.

If you caught the trailers and I liked what you saw, I’m pretty sure you’ll like the final product too. Go out and see it—you know you want to; even if you don’t come out humming the songs, you’ll still exit with a great big smile on your face. After all, it’s why we adore the old Disney movies.

Good to know that Disney (and not just Pixar) is making those once again.

Image courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures.
Read more!

“Prince of Persia” trailer hits!

- Posted by Rusty



Check out the first teaser from Disney’s upcoming blockbuster above. I really like this preview. More than anything, this looks BIG. Like epic-adventure, huge-battle-between-good-and-evil BIG. Exactly as it should be. We have sweeping deserts, swordfights, jumping acrobatics between buildings, collapsing temples…and, oh, yeah, some magical gizmo called the Sands of Time, a dagger which allows one to control time, and which Jake Gyllenhaal must stop Ben Kingley’s evil vizier (is there another kind? Have we learned nothing from Jafar??) from possessing [more thoughts after the jump].

My friend is a huge fan of the games this is based on. Judging by what he told me, there is a ton of story potential here, and it’s especially reassuring to see that Prince of Persia mastermind/creator Jordan Mechner co-wrote the script. This is honestly great material. I’m always up for some escapist swashbuckling, especially in a cool ancient setting. Plus, this one looks like it takes a few good tips from Pirates of the Caribbean (no surprise, since they’re both from producer Jerry Bruckheimer)—we get plenty of humor, some cool-looking action, Jake Gyllenhaal’s rascally hero (he won’t be Captain Jack Sparrow, but good to see that he’s not brave-and-boring, like poor Orlando Bloom) and a cute, feisty female lead in Gemma Arterton (with a strong Elizabeth Swann-vibe). The visuals are gorgeous too, and I like the nifty special effects for the Sands of Time Dagger—a very cool way to show its powers. Disney obviously wants a franchise with this one, and, by all means, if this preview is an indication, we could be in for something that’s just pure enjoyment and excitement—there really aren’t enough of those types of movies.

As for Jake Gyllenhaal, it’s a weird bit of casting (an American Jewish guy is not the first thing that pops into your head when you think of a prince of Persia), and it probably would’ve been better to find an unknown, one more fitting for the role, and make it a true discovery for audiences (like Keira Knightley was in Pirates). But Gyllenhaal should be more than up to the task, and I think he’ll make a fine adventure hero. He’s a strong actor, charismatic as hell, and, to his credit, he looks remarkably like the prince from the game cover. I like his impish charm in this trailer, and he looks perfectly believable in the big action sequences.

I doubt this will reach Pirates-like brilliance…but I’m looking forward to this one all the same. If anything, this might just hold the honor of being the first genuinely good video-game movie. I like the Resident Evil films as guilty pleasures (and loved the awful John Leguizamo-Bob Hoskins Super Mario Bros. as a kid), but, up until now, every attempt to turn a game into a film has pretty much failed—we get all the noise and action, but rarely a decent story from the concept. Here’s hoping the Prince can work his magic and break that mold…and set a good precedent for Bioshock, my other hugely-anticipated video-game movie in 2010.

So, how about you guys—did you like the trailer? Are you excited to see it come next May? And do you think Gyllenhaal will make a good hero to follow through a series of Prince of Persia films?

And for a bonus, check out this interview below with producer Jerry Bruckheimer on the movie. I respect Bruckheimer a great deal—though his track record is sometimes spotty, he’s a savvy producer with an amazing eye for talent (he supported Johhny Depp’s wacky take on Jack Sparrow when Disney suits were getting worried), and a smooth ability to make hugely entertaining movies, often ones that shouldn’t work at all (ah, Con Air, how much I love you, despite your stupidity…). That said, this interview is hilarious for one reason: just listen about 1 minute in to Bruckheimer’s reasons (especially their order) of why he thinks Gyllenhaal is a good choice for the lead…



Completely harmless, and probably just spoken without thought…but I love that “He’s in fantastic shape” goes before “he’s a great young actor”...

Image courtesy of Ubisoft.
Clip courtesy of Yahoo! Movies.

Read more!

News Bites: A “Roger Rabbit” sequel? Yes, please!

- Posted by Rusty

Source: MTV
(Found via Cinematical)

Do you guys remember Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Man, did I love that movie as a kid—back then, just the combination of real people interacting with cartoon characters was the coolest thing in the world. Or the fact that there was a place called "Toontown"? How could you not root for Bob Hoskins’ noir-ish private eye to stop Christopher Lloyd’s dastardly plan to destroy it?? [more thoughts and cool news after the jump]

What a brilliant movie. Better yet, once you grow out of the “wow” phase, you’ll notice that the script is genius. A wickedly clever mash-up of Hollywood history, pure, loony, cartoon goodness, and an old-school detective story. Fun for kids; especially fun for grown-ups. It’s that rare movie that makes an impact regardless of age or your love of cartoons.

So, is a sequel really a good idea?

Well, it could be…and the geek in me is dying for another trip to Toontown. So here’s what we know: original director Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future trilogy, Cast Away, this weekend’s new A Christmas Carol) is developing it, and the original screenwriting team is already back to work hammering out the story. That’s a good sign all-around—it looks like they’re serious about making it good, and preserving the magic of the original in whatever way they can. Well, as they should—those are some might mighty big shoes to follow.

Now here’s the rub: Zemeckis wants to employ his current M.O.: motion-capture, the middle ground between live-action and animation that we’ve seen in his past two films, Beowulf and The Polar Express. I’m not the biggest supporter of this; I think the results don’t yet justify the means and expense (especially since James Cameron’s Avatar, which uses the same technique, looks miles ahead of the stuff in A Christmas Carol and Beowulf). I’d really hate it if Roger Rabbit 2 turned into another exercise of pushing motion-capture further.

But…then again, what if the motion-capture element is part of the story? Now that’s something completely different…and a mighty interesting possibility for the world of Roger Rabbit. The first film was a savvy look at toons (those animated cartoon characters who lived alongside us humans) working in Hollywood. “Black-and-white” ones were unemployed and obsolete (color was just too in-demand), while even the “color” ones like Roger and his dangerously curvy wife, Jessica Rabbit, weren’t exactly sure things either. Well, what if motion-capture characters are introduced as part of the plot? What if that technique threatens the existence of regular, two-dimensional toons? Very, very intriguing.

Despite my indifference to his last few movies, Zemeckis is a smart filmmaker, and has a boyish, creative imagination that’s right up there with his old friend Steven Spielberg (who, not coincidentally, was his producer in the beginning). He would know not to tamper with the look and style of what made Roger Rabbit a masterpiece, and I think he’s clever enough to work his beloved motion-capture as a natural part of the story. Reading between the lines of his below interview with MTV, I think that’s exactly what he’s getting at.

Now that I can totally get behind. Update the timeframe of the original, bring in a smart new angle, and—as long as Bob Hoskins and Roger Rabbit (voiced by the amazing Charles Fleischer), along with the whole wonderful 2-D Disney-WB-MGM, etc cartoon universe, come back—I couldn’t be more for this.

Can’t wait to see how this develops. Check out Zemeckis’ full interview embedded below.

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

What do you guys think? Would you be up for one more journey to old Hollywood and Toontown? Or does this just run the risk of ruining a classic?

And what do you think of Zemeckis’ current run of motion-capture films—does the “uncanny valley” bridge between animation and live-action bother you? I think it has incredible possibilities—each film is a step forward (and I haven’t seen A Christmas Carol yet, so I can’t quite judge), so I guess we’ll just have to see how it evolves.

Images courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures.
Read more!

News Bites: “Toy Story 3” Trailer!

- Posted by Rusty

I won’t waste time babbling on this one. Just check out the brand-new Toy Story 3 trailer above—it’s wonderful. Pixar is becoming (if it’s not already) the only sure thing in Hollywood, and if anyone can make a perfect trilogy of films to rival Lord of the Rings, it’s these guys.

This is a great tease—it’s tiny, and we only get a tempting, bare-bones view of the plot. We learn that Andy, the little boy from the first two films, is now all grown-up and leaving for college, and so his mom donates Woody and the gang to the worst place imaginable—an absolute hell for our favorite toys—preschool! The laughs are plenty in this little clip, especially that final gag...but it still doesn’t forget that emotional punch that made the series so great. Look at that shot of Woody, alone in Andy’s room, unwanted and probably unplayed with for years. Pixar’s not afraid to dig deeper, and, after Up, I can’t wait to see what they do here. Toy Story 3 hits theaters June 18, 2010—next summer can’t come soon enough!

What do you guys think of the Toy Story 3 trailer? Excited to see the final product? There’s probably going to be a longer trailer closer to the film’s release, but, for now, I think this is a fantastic taste of what we could expect come next June.

P.S. If anyone’s interested, the Toy Story 3D Double Feature that’s currently in theaters has just been extended. So, if you missed it, now’s your chance to catch two of the very best animated films in a cool two-for-one deal.

Trailers courtesy of Trailer Addict. [end of post] Read more!

What's on the Menu: October 2 - 4

- Posted by Rusty

What a great weekend for movies. We have 5 new releases (and one very special double-feature re-release), and it looks like all are worth catching in theaters. Let’s break down the movies, and see what we have…


1. “Whip It” - I’m crazy about the trailer for this—check it out below if you haven’t seen it. I don’t know about you guys, but it looks like a great time to me—colorful characters, a rousing spirit, and a pretty heartwarming coming-of-age story at the center (and love that Weezer song it’s set to!). This is actually the directing debut of Drew Barrymore, and it’s all centered on Ellen Page’s Bliss Cavendar, a teen misfit who defies her mother’s beauty pageant dreams…and joins the roller derby instead! The trailer has an infectious energy, and just look at the talent that Barrymore rounded up: Page is dependably good at this point (especially in playing quirky teens), and she’s backed up by Kristen Wiig, Barrymore herself, Juliette Lewis, super stuntwoman Zoe Bell (from Tarantino’s Death Proof), Marcia Gay Harden, Daniel Stern (great to see him again—he was Joe Pesci’s robber partner in Home Alone), and Jimmy Fallon as derby announcer “Hot Tub” Johnny Rocket. The reviews are strong, and this could very well be a popular, feel-good hit for Barrymore.

2. “Zombieland” - This just looks fantastic—I have a weird love for zombie flicks in general, and this one feels like it’s mining the same horror/comedy gold as Shaun of the Dead (one of my all-time favorite zombie movies). The previews have all been fun, and the story, tracking a group of random heroes as they travel a zombie-ravaged world, has tons of potential for both laughs and scares. The cast is also pitch-perfect: Woody Harrelson looks like he’s having a blast as Tallahassee, a guy who finally discovers his one true talent (killing zombies!), and Jesse Eisenberg (ironically following up another “land” movie, Adventureland) and Emma Stone are fast becoming my new favorite young actors. This is actually the best-reviewed movie of the week, so, in terms of sheer entertainment, I think this will be your best bet. I’m psyched to see what the final product will be—hopefully, I’ll catch it sometime this weekend, so I’ll let you guys know how it was.

3. “A Serious Man” - This is the new film from the Coen brothers, the always-unpredictable duo behind Fargo, No Country for Old Men, and Burn After Reading, and it’s supposedly their most personal (and, according to the many positive reviews, their best) film yet. Featuring mostly unknown actors, this tackles the midlife crisis of a Jewish man in 1960’s suburbia. I think the trailer (check it out below if you’re curious) is brilliant—it’s strange, but with a captivating, haunting edge to it—even in two minutes, it really pulls you in, and you feel for this guy whose life is crumbling all around him. And while I’m not crazy about all of the Coens’ films (I thought Fargo was a masterpiece, but No Country For Old Men didn’t live up to the hype for me), they’re certainly never boring, and they always manage to bring something new and intriguing to the table. If you’re in the mood for something more challenging, or are a fan of the filmmakers, this looks like it’s worth seeing, even if it doesn’t strike me as a must-watch-in-theaters type of film.

4. “The Invention of Lying” - I can’t wait to see this. From Ricky Gervais, the mastermind behind The Office (the original British version) and Extras, this movie takes place in a version of our world where everyone can only tell the truth…that is, until one man (Gervais) discovers a lie, and uses that power to get everything he ever wanted (including the way-out-of-his-league Jennifer Garner). The premise is ripe for Gervais’ satirical bite, and the cast alone might make this worth seeking out: alongside Gervais and Garner (who showed great comic chops in 13 Going on 30), we have Rob Lowe, Tina Fey, Jason Bateman, Jonah Hill, and apparently some big-star, secret cameos. The reviews are a bit mixed, but that’s not surprising—Gervais’ brand of comedy isn’t for everyone, and sometimes he goes too far into the squirmingly-awkward even for me (there’s also a religion subplot here—cleverly hidden by the marketing—that's sure to rub some people the wrong way). Still, this feels like something witty and original, and its topic is brimming with comic potential, especially with these actors tackling all the painfully honest dialogue.

5. “Toy Story" / "Toy Story 2" 3D Double Feature” - This is just too tempting an opportunity: two of the best animated films of all time, back-to-back for the price of one, all in a nifty, brand-new 3D presentation…and capped off with a never-before-seen preview for next summer’s Toy Story 3! I never saw the original Toy Story in theaters, so I’ll definitely make time for this—if anything, it’s a lovely way to spend a few hours—some great storytelling, characters you love, and I hear the 3D adds a beautiful touch to already perfect films (oh, and apparently there’s some in-between-movies footage that’s really entertaining as well). For $10, I think it’s a wonderful deal…and it should do the job of all getting us all pumped for Toy Story 3—if anyone can pull off two brilliant sequels in the same series, it’s the band of geniuses at Pixar! This is only playing for two weekends, so if you want to see it, make sure to catch it soon.

6. “More Than a Game” - I’m really not the target audience for this—opening in limited release, it’s a documentary about LeBron James’ rise from humble beginnings to NBA Basketball superstardom. True, I’m the least knowledgeable guy when it comes to sports, but this does sound like a compelling story—if you’re a James and basketball fan, this might be worth checking out.

And that’s all we have for this weekend. What do you guys think? Interested in seeing one (or more) of these?

Me? I actually want to see almost all of them (sorry, Mr. LeBron James), so this weekend is a very nice change of pace from the last couple of weeks. All of the major releases look like good movies, so I think you can’t go wrong—it all depends on whatever you’re in the mood for. And I could never pass up some zombie-comedy action!

Images courtesy of Fox Searchlight, Columbia Pictures, Focus Features, Working Title Films, Warners Bros. Pictures, Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar Animation Studios, and Lionsgate.

Clips courtesy of Trailer Addict.
Read more!

The Daily Munchies: Trailer Time

- Posted by Rusty

Sorry, you guys--I haven’t done one of these in quite a while. But, to make up for a bit of lost time, here are some of my favorite recent trailers...

“The Men Who Stare at Goats”

I’m digging this trailer a lot—this movie tracks a top-secret division of the U.S. government, devoted to paranormal missions…and, yes, these guys are so good, they can stare down any goat! I like the offbeat sense of humor, that crazy cast (always great to see Jeff Bridges!), and the fact that it’s all supposedly based on true events. Clooney’s a lot of fun when he’s slightly unhinged (best seen with his Coen Brothers’ work, like “O, Brother, Where Art Thou?” and “Burn After Reading”), and it’s the directing debut of his longtime creative partner, Grant Heslov (you might remember him as the young agent under Schwarzenegger’s wing in “True Lies”)—this could be a quirky sleeper hit to go alongside Clooney’s more serious, likely Oscar-nominated turn in “Up in the Air,” out later this year too. Genius poster too, by the way—about time a goat gets its Hollywood due… Catch these crazy dudes on November 2nd. (and thanks for the heads up on the poster, Kristal!)

“Up in the Air”

I should just call this column the Clooney edition, huh? This movie comes from director Jason Reitman (son of director Ivan Reitman…who gave us “Ghostbusters”!). With just two films under his belt—the biting “Thank You for Smoking” and the quite lovely (if a bit overrated) “Juno”—he’s proving himself to be a major talent. This is a really creative trailer too—I can’t quite tell you what this is about, but I like the way it slowly draws us in. We know Clooney’s character is some kind of corporate speaker—one of those guys who travels so often that it becomes a way of life. And that’s it, really—the trailer is a quick series of scenes, all set to Clooney’s monologue about life on the move, what it takes to succeed. His speech is all cutthroat, business-people stereotype—these people are “sharks,” never stopping, never settling down. And yet look at the images—the empty apartments, the bare-bones connections, the people breaking apart, the quiet desperation. This is subject matter that could be jammed down our throats in the wrong hands, but I like the subtle, melancholy tone of the trailer—I think we’re looking at one of this year’s potential best films. Also, while Clooney’s one of our biggest stars, I think we tend to forget how good of an actor he can be—this could be a solid reminder of that. The reviews coming from the Toronto International Film Festival are nothing short of glowing, so I think this will be well worth checking out. This hits theaters November 25th.

“A Christmas Carol”

Director Robert Zemeckis gave us “Back to the Future,” one of my favorite movies of all time (I’m psyched every time someone gets a “Hey, McFly” or “Great Scott!” reference). He also gave us “The Polar Express” and “Beowulf,” both using his beloved motion-capture technology—simply put, it’s the technology that helped bring “Lord of the Rings”’ Gollum to life—capturing every detail of a live-action performance, and then transforming that into anything imaginable. I get why Zemeckis is attracted to it—the possibilities really are endless—any world can be constructed from the ground up, and actors are free to play whoever (and whatever) they want, minus all real-world restrictions—it’s a gift to actors who are game to experiment. It’s a fantastic concept…but I’m not crazy about the results so far.

All that blabbing aside, Disney’s “A Christmas Carol” is probably the best showcase yet for Zemeckis’ new style—if he really wants us to love this motion-capture filmmaking, this is probably the movie to do it with. Charles Dickens’ story has been adapted seemingly every single year...and why not? It’s timeless and charming—an adventurous, perfectly-constructed morality tale for the ages, all delivered with a tiny hint of Gothic-y horror goodness, and a huge, infections helping of Christmas spirit. Victorian London is a gorgeous setting, and, here, Zemeckis could really show off what motion-capture could do—you can even see it in this trailer. Big Ben Tower, which is just being constructed, Ebenezer Scrooge flying through the sky, the slightly exaggerated features of the characters—it honestly looks great, and I’m curious to see more now. (The animation is still a bit jarring, though, but hopefully the story will overpower that). I also like the designs of the Three Ghosts (of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come)—the individual looks are imaginative, and they seem more organic in this world than they would in a live-action setting. All in all, the clip has a fun spirit, and I hope that will translate to the final movie.

Plus, Zemeckis has Jim Carrey playing roughly 8 different roles—we all know Carrey’s a gifted physical comedian, but he’s a hell of an actor too (as “The Truman Show” and “Eternal Sunshine” showed us)—this is the ideal platform for him to go crazy, and show us just how much of a ridiculous range he has. There's also quite the cast playing along, including Gary Oldman (playing Tiny Tim!), Colin Firth, Robin Wright Penn, and Bob Hoskins (reuniting with his “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” director). Disney’s releasing this November 6th both in regular theaters and in IMAX 3D—I’ll try to catch it in 3D for sure. I want to like Zemeckis’ new approach (his next film will be filmed the same way—a remake of the Beatles classic, “Yellow Submarine”)—he’s too gifted a filmmaker, so I hope this is the movie that finally makes me a convert.

Now, if he could just get that rumored “Roger Rabbit” sequel off the ground…that I would see in a heartbeat!

What do you guys think? Do any of these movies look interesting or worth checking out? If I had to pick one, I think I'd go for "Up in the Air"--it looks like the kind of smart, powerful film Hollywood likes to give us around Oscar time (ie, "Brokeback Mountain," "Almost Famous," etc).

I'll be back with some more cool trailers (and one crappy one, but it's worth talking about) next week, along with my much-belated review of "State of Play", one of my favorite new films.

Clips courtesy of Trailer Addict.
Read more!