As infrequently as I’m heading to the movie theater these
days, I’m not sure I’m the best person to write about movies. Guess I won’t let
that stop me though. LOL.
My September was fairly movie free. Sigh. I rented Amelia –
I find the Earhart story disturbing, albeit fascinating, in any presentation,
but it was an interesting character study and offered a few tidbits I didn’t
know. I have The Blind Side waiting. I also saw Eat Pray Love in the theater –
great scenery, good acting by all the principals, and a delicate love story. I
enjoyed it. And that, my friends, is the extent of my September movie watching.
Now if you want to talk television, I’m way behind on
watching premieres of new shows and returning favorites. But I’m hoping to
catch up this weekend. I’m also planning on cutting out some series, just
because I’m watching waaaaaay too much TV.
So for movies in October, we have quite a few choices. And
at least three I plan to see in the theaters; please don’t hold me to that.
Case 39:
Starring Renee Zellweger, this horror tale opens a
scary October. I guess it’s only natural, but there are a number of horror
movies this month, just in time to scare us all for Halloween. I’m not a fan of
the genre, so I’ll skip these. If you are, here are a few others to look for:
Let Me In,Hatchet II, Chain Letter, My Soul to Take, I Spit on Your Grave,
Paranormal Activity 2, and Saw 3D: The Final Chapter. Case 39, rated R, also
stars Ian McShane, Bradley Cooper and Callum Keith Rennie, and it opens October
1.
The Social Network:
A closer look at the birth of Facebook,
the movie isn’t at all accurate, according to those involved in the real deal.
But critics are saying it’s an entertaining and intriguing movie, nonetheless.
Jesse Eisenberg stars as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, and the film also
stars Andrew Garfield and Justin Timberlake. Rated PG-13, The Social Network
opens October 1.
Life As We Know It:
Another rom-com for Katherine Heigl and
Josh Duhamel, who portray a couple who, upon the deaths of their best friends,
find themselves guardians of a baby. Since they don’t get along, having been on
one bad date, the movie is geared to hijinks as the couple learn to be parents.
Rated PG-13, Life opens October 8.
Secretariat:
Touted as the true story of the spectacularly
successful four-hoofed athlete, the movie stars humans Diane Lane as Penny
Chenery, owner of the Triple Crown winner; John Malkovich, Scott Glenn, James
Cromwell and Dylan Walsh. I’m planning on seeing this one in the theater, not only
for the spectacle of horse racing but to see a successful woman make her way to
the pinnacle in what was once thought of as a man’s sport. Rated PG,
Secretariat opens October 8.
It’s Kind of a Funny Story:
While depression and other
mental illnesses are not funny, this film promises a few laughs as Craig (Keir
Gilchrist) finds himself a patient of an adult psychiatric ward. He gets a new
start with the help of fellow patients Bobby (Zach Galifianakis) and Noelle
(Emma Roberts) and Dr. Minerva (Viola Davis). I can see this one producing
laughter and lots of tears. Take tissues. Rated PG-13, Funny Story opens in
limited release October 8.
Nowhere Boy:
The story of a young John Lennon (portrayed by
Aaron Johnson) chronicles his relationships with his aunt (Kristin Scott
Thomas) and mother (Anne-Marie Duff), and the founding of The Quarrymen. Early
reviews have been less than favorable. Rated R, Nowhere Boy opens in limited
release October 8.
Stone:
Another terrifying performance from the always
terrific Edward Norton looks to keep people on the edge of their seats in this
one. Robert De Niro portrays ready-to-retire parole officer Jack Mabry who
wants to finish up his current cases, including Gerald “Stone” Creeson, a
convicted arsonist up for early release. Caught in the middle are Stone’s wife,
Lucetta (Milla Jovovich), and Mabry’s wife, Madylyn (Frances Conroy). Rated R,
Stone opens in limited release October 8.
RED:
One of my must-sees for October, RED (Retired Extremely Dangerous) stars Bruce
Willis, Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman and John Malkovich as supposedly retired
spies who come in from the cold for one more mission. None of them are enjoying
their “golden years” and a threat to one of their own prompts the team to
reform. Based on a graphic novel. Rated PG-13, RED opens October 15.
Conviction:
Hillary Swank stars as a single mother who
spends almost 20 years putting herself through law school in order to overturn
her brother’s conviction. Sam Rockwell stars as the convicted sibling. Based on
a true story. Rated R, Conviction opens October 15.
Hereafter:
Billed as a supernatural thriller, the film stars
Matt Damon as a psychic pulled into other people’s experiences with death. Directed
by Clint Eastwood, this film is on my to-see list. It also stars Bryce Dallas
Howard, Cecile De France, Jay Mohr, Derek Jacobi and Richard Kind. Rated PG-13,
Hereafter opens October 22.
The Company Men:
In today’s economy, The Company Men may
strike a bit too close to home for many. Three businessmen (Ben Affleck, Chris
Cooper and Tommy Lee Jones) find themselves on the unemployment line, with all
the trauma and drama that entails. Kevin Costner, Maria Bello and Craig T.
Nelson also star. Rated R, Company Men is garnering Oscar buzz and opens
October 22.
Monsters:
While this could go in the horror category
mentioned earlier, Monsters is more a science-fiction thriller. Aliens invade
and infect portions of the Earth, including Mexico. A journalist finds himself
escorting a tourist through the bleak countryside toward the United States.
The tag line is “Now it’s our turn to adapt,” which tells me this is going be
fairly bleak. Rated R, Monsters opens in limited release October 29, and it’s
already available through Video On Demand.
Wild Target:
Released during the summer in the United Kingdom,
Wild Target stars Bill Nighy as a tired hitman trying to retire whose plans are
changed by an intended victim (Emily Blunt) and his new apprentice (Rupert
Grint). The film also stars Rupert Everett. Rated PG-13, Wild Target opens in
limited release October 29.
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest: The last film in the Millennium
Trilogy, the Swedish movie continues the story of Lisbeth Salander (Noomi
Rapace) and Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist). Lisbeth’s in the hospital,
accused of murder, and she’s ready for revenge. I’ve seen The Girl with the
Dragon Tattoo, and hope to see The Girl Who Played with Fire soon (and I've read the first two books), so this one
is on my radar. Rated R, Hornet’s Nest opens in limited release October 29.
My Netflix queue is looking more inviting every day.
Howabout we talk TV next time around? I’ll let you know which of the new shows
have caught my attention and which ones are on my never-again list.
See ya!