Friday, August 31, 2007
A+E, Food
Coming attractions
Don’t miss these 25 movies
George Clooney stars in “Michael Clayton.”
CREDIT: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures |
By Kevin Forest Moreau and Rachael Mason
As leaves start to fall from the trees, you’re probably thinking about raking them. Don’t be silly—you don’t have time for chores. There’s way too much going on in the city this season. We know planning isn’t your strong suit, so we’ve taken the liberty of preparing a guide to the movies, concerts and art shows you simply must see over the next few months.
DRAWN FROM THE HEADLINES
THE KINGDOM: The marquee entry on this season’s slate of star-studded topical dramas, “Kingdom” stars Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman and Chris Cooper as FBI agents investigating the bombing of American contractors in Saudi Arabia. Coincidentally, director Peter Berg (“Friday Night Lights”) appears in another high-wattage political film, November’s “Lions for Lambs” (see below). Sept. 28.
GRACE IS GONE: John Cusack plays a father who delays telling his kids about their mother’s death in Iraq in this independent film. Oct. 5.
IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH: After a young soldier comes home from Iraq, he disappears, prompting his father (Tommy Lee Jones), an ex-military man, to hire a private detective (Charlize Theron) to help find him. Sept. 21.
LIONS FOR LAMBS: Another message movie in the “Crash”/“Babel” mold: Multiple storylines, an impressive cast (Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep, director Robert Redford) and a hot topic (i.e., a certain war on everyone’s minds). Nov. 9.
RENDITION: Reese Witherspoon plays a woman who discovers her husband is being detained by the U.S. government in this drama about the practice of “extraordinary renditions.” Oct. 19.
RIGHT VS. WRONG
MICHAEL CLAYTON: George Clooney often seems caught between the matinee-idol looks that sell popcorn fare like the “Ocean’s” movies and high-minded projects such as “Syriana” and “Good Night, and Good Luck.” But “Michael Clayton”—in which he plays the morally complex title character, a corporate lawyer nicknamed “the Janitor” for the way he cleans up clients’ dirty little secrets—may finally allow him to display some real acting chops. Oct. 12.
THE BRAVE ONE: After a beating that almost leaves her dead, a New York radio host (Jodie Foster, who’s already generating Oscar buzz for this role) takes the law—and a gun—into her own hands. Sept. 14.
PERIOD PIECES
AMERICAN GANGSTER: Russell Crowe and director Ridley Scott (“Gladiator,” “A Good Year”) reteam for this troubled crime drama (an earlier version, to be directed by Antoine “Training Day” Fuqua, was shelved in 2004 due to budget concerns). Denzel Washington stars as real-life ’70s drug kingpin Frank Lucas; Crowe plays the cop on his tail. Their dual star power should sell tickets, but it’s Scott’s impressive credentials (“Black Hawk Down,” “Blade Runner”) that really mark this as one to watch. Nov. 2.
3:10 TO YUMA: Christian Bale and Russell Crowe star in this Western based on a story by Elmore Leonard (“Get Shorty”). Sept. 7.
THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD: Brad Pitt plays the famous outlaw—hope the movie’s less long-winded than the title. Sept. 21.
ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE: Cate Blanchett returns to the big screen as the regal Queen Elizabeth. Now older and more powerful, her majesty still dons those elaborate lace collars. Oct. 12.
DREAMS AND NIGHTMARES
MR. MAGORIUM’S WONDER EMPORIUM: If “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” took place in a toy store, it might look a lot like the fantasy-filled shop in this film. Dustin Hoffman stars as the lisping 243-year-old shop owner, who decides the self-conscious store manager (Natalie Portman) is the perfect person to take over the business. The screenplay was written by director Zach Helm, who also penned “Stranger Than Fiction.” Nov. 16
30 DAYS OF NIGHT: During a month of darkness, a sheriff (Josh Harnett) tries to protect an Alaskan town from vicious vampires, but a lot of blood is still shed in this horror flick that’s reminiscent of the quick-moving creatures and hopelessness of “28 Days Later,” only with lots of snow. Oct. 19.
BEOWULF: Ray Winstone and Angelina Jolie head this digitally enhanced interpretation of the classic legend. Nov. 16.
LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE
THE DARJEELING LIMITED: A story about three brothers on a train trip may sound kind of dull—until you consider that the siblings are played by Adrian Brody, Owen Wilson and Jason Schwartzman. Director Wes Anderson (who wrote “Rushmore” and worked on “The Royal Tennubaums” with Wilson) teamed up with Schwartman and Roman Coppola to pen this story, which is filled with oddball scenes and situations. October TBD.
BEE MOVIE: Jerry Seinfeld co-wrote and leads the voice cast of this family-friendly animated tale about a bee who sues humankind for stealing honey. Nov. 2.
DAN IN REAL LIFE: When widower Steve Carrell finally meets a woman (Juliette Binoche) he feels a connection with, he soon finds out she’s dating his brother. Oct. 12.
FRED CLAUS: Does this movie—starring Vince Vaughn as the disgruntled brother of Santa Claus (Paul Giamatti)—look like it could be pretty darn funny? You bet your pointy-toed elf shoes it does. Nov. 9.
THE TIES THAT BIND
THINGS WE LOST IN THE FIRE: After her husband’s death, a woman (Halle Berry) asks his best friend (Benicio Del Toro) to move into the house she shares with her sons. Though he’s fighting a heroin addiction, she comes to increasingly depend on him. Expect strong performances from Berry and Del Toro, both Oscar winners. The film is the first English-language project directed by Susanne Bier of Denmark, who got her own Academy Award nod in for “After the Wedding”—nominated in the best foreign film category in 2006. Oct. 26.
MARGOT AT THE WEDDING
When Margot (Nicole Kidman) can’t accept her sister’s (Jennifer Jason Leigh) fiancé (Jack Black), it affects their already tenuous relationship. Nov. 16.
RESERVATION ROAD
Tragedy affects two Connecticut couples, played by Mark Ruffalo, Mira Sorvino, Joaquin Phoenix and Jennifer Connelly, in this film based on a novel by John Burnham Schwartz. Oct. 19.
TYLER PERRY’S WHY DID I GET MARRIED?
Adapted from a successful stage show by Atlanta actor/director Tyler Perry, who also stars, this film explores the relationships between four married couples vacationing in the Colorado mountains. Oct. 12.
FROM SHELF TO SCREEN
GONE BABY GONE: Based on a taut, gut-wrenching kidnap thriller by Dennis Lehane (whose “Mystic River” spawned a high-profile Oscar contender), “Gone” marks the directorial debut of Ben Affleck, whose wobbly acting career might keep some viewers away. But its gritty, working-class milieu, strong cast (Morgan Freeman, Michelle Monaghan, the director’s brother Casey) and gripping plot should more than compensate for any perceived Affleck fatigue. Oct. 19.
THE JANE AUSTEN BOOK CLUB: Six friends, including Emily Blunt of “The Devil Wears Prada”, start a book club focused on Jane Austen’s six novels and find the British writer’s words are still very relevant today. Based on the bestselling book by Karen Joy Fowler, this could easily become the romantic comedy of the fall. Sept. 21.
THE KITE RUNNER: Based on the bestselling book by Khaled Hosseini, this drama follows a young boy in 1970s Afghanistan who gets separated from his best friend when he moves to the United States with his father after the Soviets invade their country. Nov. 2.