Like any self-respecting/self-deprecating entertainment site, we’re all about lists … in this one, bill bodkin looks at his most-anticipated fall films …
1. Sherlock Holmes
Release Date: Dec. 25
Director: Guy Ritchie
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong
Bill Says: I’ve been a Guy Ritchie fan from the first time I saw the opening credits of Snatch. He’s had some missteps — Swept Away, Revolver, both terrible. But after the mild success of the super-fun-yet-flawed RocknRolla, I feel Sherlock will be Ritchie’s masterpiece — a brilliant story with a brilliant cast and Ritchie’s trademark intriguing camera work. I feel Russell Crowe would’ve been better than Law as Dr. Watson, but the trailers have won me over. A must-see, in my opinion.
2. The Men Who Stare At Goats
Release Date: Nov. 6
Director: Grant Heslov
Starring: George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Spacey
Bill Says: This looks absolutely brilliant … and based on a true story? To me, Clooney is at his best in quirky Coen Brothers films (O, Brother Where Art Thou or Burn After Reading), and here as a “Jedi warrior,” he looks in top form. The ridiculously madcap plot really intrigues me and Jeff Bridges playing a “Dude”-like character is like a warm cinematic blanket.
3. The Fantastic Mr. Fox
Release Date: Nov. 25
Director: Wes Anderson
Voices of: George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman, Adrien Brody, Owen Wilson, Williem Dafoe, Anjelica Huston, Brian Cox, Michael Gambon
Bill Says: If you know me, you know I am a Wes Anderson super-fan. I’ve seen all his films and The Royal Tennenbaums ranks amongst my favorites of all time. This movie’s stop-motion animation, whimsical tone and a vocal cast of some of the best actors ever to be in his films, I believe will make for a classic film that both children and adults will love.
4. Where The Wild Things Are
Release Date: Dec. 25
Director: Spike Jonze
Starring: Max Records, James Gandolfini, Catherine Keener, Mark Ruffalo, Forrest Whitaker, Chris Cooper
Bill Says: This movie has a lot going for it. A beautifully illustrated and written children’s book as a starting point, a script co-written by a brilliant writer (Dave Eggers), a tremendously talented director (Spike Jonze) seemingly throwing his entire being into the film and puppets done by the Henson company. I think this movie will be tremendous and touching.
5. Boondock Saints 2: All Saints Day
Release Date: Oct. 30
Director: Troy Duffy
Starring: Sean Patrick Flannery, Norman Reedus, Billy Connolly, Clifton Collins, Peter Fonda
Bill Says: I am a bit cautious about being excited for this film, as it has been rumored to be released since 2005 — legal issues held the film up. With that said, the sequel is going to be awesome. If you’ve never seen the bloody cult hit Boondock Saints, see it ASAP. It’s a classic action film, and if you love all things Irish (like I do), you’ll love the original. The sequel should be bloody fun.
6. Up In The Air
Release Date: Dec. 25
Director: Jason Reitman
Starring: George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Jason Bateman, Anna Kendrick, J.K. Simmons, Zach Galifianakis, Danny McBride
Bill Says: ‘Tis the season of Clooney. I think this could nab him the Oscar, although the presence of Daniel Day-Lewis has robbed him before. I think this will be genuinely funny and genuinely sad. The cast is great, and seeing Clooney interact with Zach Galifianakis will be a kick for me.
7. Ninja Assassin
Release Date: Nov. 25
Director: James McTiegue
Starring: Rain, Naomie Harris
Bill Says: Check out the trailer for this movie — it’s unreal. Normally, this would be a “get it on Netflix” movie, but with James McTiegue, the director of V For Vendetta, at the helm, it makes me really interested.
8. Pirate Radio
Release Date: Nov. 13
Director: Richard Curtis
Starring: Rhys Ifans, Bill Nighy, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Nick Frost, Kenneth Branagh
Bill Says: Formerly known as The Boat That Rocked, this movie should be a lot of wanky British fun. Directed by the guy who made Love Actually and starring two of my favorite Brits — Frost and Nighy — this is one you shouldn’t let go under the radar.
9. Law Abiding Citizen
Release Date: Oct. 16
Director: F. Gary Gray
Starring: Gerard Butler, Jamie Foxx, Colm Meaney, Bruce McGill
Bill Says: The appeal for this movie is solely based on Gerard Butler’s Hannibal Lecter-style character. I think it’ll be his best performance to date. And any movie with Colm Meany and Bruce McGill in it has got to be enjoyable.
10. Black Dynamite
Release Date: Oct. 16
Director: Scott Sanders
Starring: Michael Jai White, Tommy Davidson, Arsenio Hall, Brian McKnight, Mykelti Williamson, Bookeem Woodbine
Bill Says: I saw the trailer earlier in the year, and it looks pretty good. This is a dead-serious spoof of the classic blaxploitation flick — definitely worth a view.
(Note: Due to the tardy nature of this post, I will be eliminating two of my top picks: The Invention Of Lying and Zombieland. They’ve been out two weeks, so I while they are high on my list, I can’t put them in a “preview post.”)
