Fall Movie Preview

daniel cohen looks at the 10 films he’s looking forward to most this fall …

With the blockbuster and explosions season behind us, we now look ahead to the Awards season of September through December. Certainly there are still blockbusters looming (yay Twilight), but it’s the more Academy-friendly movies that I’m looking forward to this fall. So grab the tissues, get ready for descents into madness, and dust the history books off, it’s my Top 10 Most Anticipated Movies of the 2011 Fall Season:

10. 50/50
Release Date: Sept. 30
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick, Bryce Dallas Howard, Anjelica Houston
Directed by: Jonathan Levine (The Whackness)

This is pretty much because I’m a big Joseph Gordon-Levitt fan. Basic premise: Young guy battles cancer. Simple enough, right? Anna Kendrick also plays a big role here, and I’ve been a fan of her since 2009’s Up In The Air. But it looks like Levitt is carrying this one on his shoulders, so I’m interested to see how well he pulls it off. Seth Rogen also co-stars. I’m not the biggest fan, but maybe he’ll surprise me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ90H5HCgCw

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9. Contagion
Release Date: Sept. 9
Cast & Crew notes within the preview

Let me just run down the cast for you: Marion Cotillard. Matt Damon. Laurence Fishburne. Jude Law. Gwyneth Paltrow. Kate Winslet. Bryan Cranston. Oh, and it’s directed by Steven Soderbergh. I think we can all agree that’s an all-star lineup. The trailer is pretty intense as these doctors basically try and track down the root of this deadly disease. I don’t know if there’s Oscar potential here, but it certainly looks pretty good.

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8. Drive
Release Date: Sept. 16
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Bryan Cranston, Carey Mulligan, Christina Hendricks, Albert Brooks, Ron Perlman
Directed by: Nicholas Winding Refn (Bronson, Valhall Rising)

I can’t get a read on this one at all. The first half of the trailer looks like a slick action movie, and then it morphs into an artsy-yet-still-high-octane thrill ride. I’m certainly intrigued, though. Ryan Gosling has shown he can carry a movie, and it’s got a solid supporting cast in Bryan Cranston, Carey Mulligan, and even Albert Brooks makes an appearance. It’s also been a festival darling. I’m not completely sold on it, but it certainly has potential, and gives me the same vibe I had going into last year’s The Town.

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7. The Muppets
Release Date: Nov. 23
Starring: The Muppets, Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper, Jack Black, Selena Gomez, John Krasinski, Zach Galifianakis, Emily Blunt, Rashida Jones, Neil Patrick Harris, Danny Trejo, Katy Perry, Ricky Gervais, Whoopi Goldberg, Billy Crystal, Donald Glover, Alan Arkin, Judd Hirsch, Wanda Sykes, Kathy Griffin,
Directed by: James Bobin (Flight Of The Conchords)

Let me be very clear about this: I love The Muppets. I will repeat: I love The Muppets. I don’t want to be associated with anyone who dislikes The Muppets. And even though this has a good cast, I’m going in with extremely low expectations. I’m excited, but I just don’t get a great vibe here. I wasn’t crazy about the parody trailers, and the plot just seems putrid. The Muppets try and save their old theater from closing down … really? I’m also fearful that it’s just going to be a love letter to the Muppets with shallow throwbacks to the older movies and skits. I want to see The Muppets in a truly original story, and I’m not sure that’s what we’re going to get. And what the hell is that pink shirt Gonzo is wearing in the trailers! But nevertheless, it’s The Muppets, so it gets on this list by default.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaeXrigYkGY

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6. The Artist
Release Date: Nov. 23
Starring: Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo, John Goodman, Penelope Anne Miller, James Cromwell, Malcolm McDowell
Directed by: Michel Hazanavicius (OSS 117)

I really don’t know too much about this, except that the subject matter intrigues me a great deal. Set in Hollywood, late twenties. The silent picture is on the verge of getting overtaken by sound. The film focuses on silent movie star George Valentin (Jean Dujardin), and what sound will eventually mean for his career. Apparently from what I’ve read, the film is virtually dialogue-less as well as black and white. It’s of course been a festival darling, which probably means no one will see it. I have no idea if this will be any good, but I’m just curious to see if this connects with anyone in the age of the 3D/CG movie era. John Goodman is in it, though, and that’s always a good thing.

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5. Warrior
Release Date: Sept. 9
Starring: Nick Nolte, Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton, Kurt Angle, Jennifer Morrison, Frank Grillo, Kevin Dunn
Directed by: Gavin O’ Connor (Miracle)

I get a Fighter vibe from this all the way. Gavin O’Connor (Miracle) is in the directing chair, and that alone excites me. I love Miracle. But the real reason I’m pumped for this movie is Tom Hardy. I’m salivating for Hardy’s performance as Bane in The Dark Knight Rises, but I guess this will have to tide me over. I’m not really into MMA, but sports movies, no matter what the sport, always bring me in. The only thing I’m worried about is the other star opposite Hardy, Joel Edgerton. The only role I know him from is Owen Lars in the Star Wars prequels. He doesn’t look that good in the trailer. Maybe this will be like the Fighter in the sense that Hardy will have the Christian Bale performance, and Edgerton will be the Mark Wahlberg.

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4. The Ides Of March
Release Date: Oct. 7
Starring: George Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Evan Rachel Wood, Marissa Tomei, Jeffrey Wright
Directed by: George Clooney

A drama centered on a presidential campaign directed by George Clooney. What else do we really need to know? Once again, Ryan Gosling pops up. The trailer looks damn good, and add Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, and Marisa Tomei to the mix … If I had to pick an Oscar Best Picture winner today, it would probably be this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McCt-_yYLpo

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3. Moneyball
Release Date: Sept. 23
Starring: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Robin Wright, Chris Pratt
Directed by: Bennett Miller (The Cruise, Capote)

I didn’t think a movie about Facebook could be any good, but it was. So maybe a movie about baseball statistics and sabermetrics could surprise us all, as well. Brad Pitt as the lead certainly helps. The trailer looks pretty solid. I’m very curious to see how this plays out, and if director Bennett Miller (Capote) can actually convey compelling drama about on-base percentage. I’m very optimistic about this film. The only thing that really worries me is I’m not buying Jonah Hill in a dramatic role. I’m sorry, but he looks overwhelmed in that trailer.

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2. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Release Date: Dec. 21
Starring: Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer, Stella Skarsgard, Robin Wright, Joely Richardson, Embeth Davidtz, Goran Visnjic
Directed by: David Fincher