Looking ahead...

It’s been difficult to post this week as I’ve been traveling for work and I literally have been on the jobsite for the past 24 hours. Sadly, I haven’t had time to see many movies (rented or theatrical) lately. And there are a few movies out that I do need to get to: especially 3:10 to Yuma.

So, with the Oscar push right around the corner there’s plenty of buzz about some movies coming out in the next few weeks. So, I’m going to pick a few movies that I’m really excited to see.

First, “Popcorn”. Ok, so these aren’t really “popcorn”; these films are the artsy side of the studios, strategically released a few months before the Oscars.

4. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Brad Pitt (playing Jesse James) has been getting good reviews for his performance, but the real stand out seems to be Casey Affleck for his portrayal of Robert Ford. Looks like some more great Roger Deakins cinematography too.

3. Atonement
I haven’t read the book, but the trailer (and plot synopses that I’ve read) make the story look very intriguing. When it premiered at the Venice film festival several critics predicted that it would be an “instant classic”[i]. It may be too early to say that, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this film does pretty well come February.

2. The Darjeeling Limited
It could have a fair shot at a Best Original Screenplay nomination. However, no critics seem to like this movie which is exactly why I think it will find an audience. Even though Wes Anderson has been criticized for revisiting the same themes in each of his films, they are all unique stories and have all found unique audiences.

1. No Country for Old Men
People are calling this one of the Coens’ best films ever. If that’s true—I shutter even thinking about it. Sounds like the Coens are coming out swinging for the Oscar and Tommy Lee Jones is in two films that could get him a nomination: No Country and In the Valley of Elah. (And oh yeah, Roger Deakins again).


"Indies". Two of the “Popcorn” titles (No Country for Old Men and The Darjeeling Limited) are probably considered independents; however, they are relatively mainstream and will no-doubt get wide releases in the Oscar push. The following, are truer independents that probably won’t get nominated, but will definitely push the artistic envelope.

3. Wristcutters: A Love Story
In case you are wondering what kind of movies I like, this looks like it. It’s the darkest of dark comedies that take place in a special purgatory reserved only for those who have taken their own lives. It’s gotten some buzz after premiering at Sundance, and from what I can tell, has some potential. However, it sounds like a concept that would be way too easy to botch. I’ll have to wait and see.

2. Margot at the Wedding
Initially, The Squid and the Whale (director Noah Baumbach’s first film) didn’t sound like a movie I would like. But when I finally saw it, it was a little hard to swallow but none-the-less a brilliant dramatic-comedy. Margot at the Wedding has a concept that I’m much more receptive to, so hopefully Baumbach will exceed my expectations.

1. Be Kind Rewind
Last year, I attended a lecture by Cinematographer Ellen Kuras at Ohio State in which she spoke about a film she had just wrapped with director Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and The Science of Sleep) called Be Kind Rewind. I was excited about it then. Now, I can’t wait until its January 2008 release. Check out the trailer, it looks funny: like “Jack Black at his best”-funny. And Gondry is great at true comedies that avoid being trivial.


[i] Read Ray Bennett’s review at Reuters or IMDb’s Studio Briefing