While not quite as quiet as October was, November promises to be easy on my pocketbook when it comes to movies. I see five or six that might draw me away from my books. So without further ado, here we go. Again, I’m listing a number that sound interesting; well, interesting for some people, anyway.
The Box: Starring Cameron Diaz, James Marsden and Frank Langella, The Box looks more than a little creepy. And what is with all the scary movies these days? Anyway, this one has Diaz and Marsden as an unhappy couple who are faced with a dilemma: open the box and gain a million bucks while killing someone they don’t know. What to do? Rated PG-13, The Box opens November 6.
Disney’s A Christmas Carol: In the animated style of Polar Express and Beowulf (and adapted for the screen and directed by Robert Zemeckis), this retelling of Charles Dickens’ classic features the voice talents of Jim Carrey (as just about everyone), Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Cary Elwes, Bob Hoskins and Robin Wright Penn. Rated PG, Disney’s A Christmas Carol opens November 6.
The Fourth Kind: While I love supernatural tales, I may have to wait for The Fourth Kind to come out on DVD. That way I can stop it if I get too scared; I don’t particularly like screaming or jumping out of my seat when I’m in a crowded movie theater. This supposedly-based-on-a-true-story movie stars Milla Jovovich as a psychologist in Nome, Alaska, who treats traumatized patients only to discover they’ve all had close encounters of the fourth kind (abduction). Rated PG-13, The Fourth Kind opens November 6.
The Men Who Stare at Goats: Starring George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges and Kevin Spacey, this movie looks like it might be fun. McGregor is Bob Wilton, a reporter who chances upon the story of a U.S. military program that uses ESP during missions. Clooney is Lyn Cassaday, who claims to be a former member of the First Earth Battalion and a man who can kill with his mind. Rated R, The Men Who Stare at Goats opens in limited release November 6.
Precious: With Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry combining efforts to promote this film, along with numerous awards, Precious looks to be on the fast track to success. It’s the heart-wrenching tale of a Harlem teen – abused, overweight, illiterate and pregnant – who learns her life can go in a different direction when she enrolls in an alternative school, Precious will undoubtedly be difficult to watch. I hear, though, that the performances are outstanding, the story grabs your attention, and you’ll continue to think about this movie long after the final credits. Rated R, Precious opens November 6 in limited release.
2012: Don’t let the hype overwhelm you. This is an end-of-the-world view from Roland Emmerich, who has given us such films as Independence Day, 10,000 B.C. and The Day After Tomorrow. John Cusak leads the cast of survivors, and we’ll see a tsunami throwing a battle cruiser into the White House. Rated PG-13, 2012 opens November 13.
Pirate Radio: Released in April in the United Kingdom as The Boat That Rocked, Pirate Radio tells the tale of how England attempted to outlaw rock ‘n’ roll in the 1960s, only to be thwarted by ingenious disc jockeys spreading the word via a floating radio station. Expect a fun time with Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifans, Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh. Rated R, Pirate Radio opens November 13.
The Messenger: With the war in Iraq as the backdrop, The Messenger follows a U.S. soldier, who on his return home becomes involved with the widow of a fallen comrade. Reviews say it’s a powerful story, and, while it’s slow paced, the performances from Ben Foster and Woody Harrelson are exceptional. The move also stars Samantha Morton, Steve Buscemi, Eamonn Walker and Jena Malone. Rated R, The Messenger opens November 13.
The Blind Side: Michael Oher is a rookie with the Baltimore Ravens. The Blind Side tells his story, from his broken-home roots to his life with the Touhys, a well-to-do white family. Starring Quinton Aaron, Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw and Kathy Bates, The Blind Side looks promising as an inspirational tale, and it may just require a box of tissues. Also, let’s hope this is better than some of Bullock’s latest work. Rated PG-13, The Blind Side opens November 20.
Planet 51: This movie has been on my radar for a while. An animated view of aliens, Planet 51 looks hilarious, with an underlying important message. What happens when a planet’s inhabitants are faced with a visitor from outer space? And what happens when that visitor is from Earth and the inhabitants are the green beings of Planet 51? Lots of laughs, in my opinion. Voices provided by Dwayne Johnson, Jessica Biel, Justin Long, Gary Oldman, Seann William Scott and John Cleese. Rated PG, Planet 51 opens November 20.
The Twilight Saga: New Moon: A confession is in order: I read the first book and saw the first movie, and I’m now working on New Moon the book. Yes, I adore tales of the supernatural, but …. I’m a bit ambivalent on this series. I’m also a bit leery of movies with two titles. Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner reprise their roles as Edward, Bella and Jacob, as the saga continues. Rated PG-13, New Moon opens November 20.
Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans: Again with the extra title. This is a retelling/reimagining of the original 1992 Bad Lieutenant starred Harvey Keitel. The movie follows Nicolas Cage as a detective who is more interested in drugs and placing bets than the case of five dead immigrants. Not yet rated, Bad Lieutenant also stars Eva Mendes, Val Kilmer, Shawn Hatosy, Xzibit and Jennifer Coolidge and opens November 20.
Old Dogs: Robin Williams and John Travolta (who reunites with his Wild Hogs director Walt Becker) star as friends and business partners forced to take some time off when 7-year-old twins appear on the scene. While it might be a bit over-the-top with the humor, Old Dogs looks like it’s full of laughs. And Seth Green may just steal the film from Williams and Travolta. Also starring Matt Dillon and Justin Long, Old Dogs is rated PG and opens November 25.
The Princess and the Frog: A different twist on the traditional Frog Prince fairy tale, this animated Disney flick takes place during the Jazz Age in New Orleans’ French Quarter. Voices provided by Anika Noni Rose (as Princess Tiana), John Goodman, Keith David, Terrence Howard, Angela Bassett, Oprah Winfrey and Jim Cummings. Not yet rated, The Princess and the Frog opens in limited release November 25 and in wide release December 11.
The Road: Based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Cormac McCarthy, The Road follows a father and son as they travel across the country after an unknown disaster has left the world in ruins. Lots of buzz around this one, although it’s release date has changed several times. Viggo Mortensen stars as the father and Kodi Smit-McPhee as the son. Charlize Theron, Garret Dillahunt, Robert Duvall and Guy Pearce also star. Rated R, The Road opens November 25.
Me and Orson Welles: Taking a piece of history and adding an unknown character or two to the mix makes for some interesting storytelling, as far as I’m concerned. Richard Samuels is a teen intent on making it big on Broadway. A chance meeting with Orson Welles as the director prepares his 1937 Broadway adaptation of Julius Caesar leads to a role for Richard, as well as a mess of complications. Zac Efron stars as Richard, Christian McKay as Welles, and Claire Danes as aspiring actress Sonja. Rated PG-13, Me and Orson Welles opens November 25.
I have on my radar The Men Who Stare at Goats, Pirate Radio, The Blind Side, Planet 51 and The Road. Whatta think? Anything that I absolutely need to catch at the local cineplex?
See ya at the movies!
