SHORTS: THE ADVENTURES OF THE WISHING ROCK (Robert Rodriquez)
Release Date:
August 21st 2009 (wide)
Thoughts:
Robert Rodriguez (creator of the SPY KIDS series) returns to the epic child-adventure pic with SHORTS, a film about the havoc that is unleashed when a group of prepubescent dudes find an alien artifact/rock that falls from the sky. Turns out this rock grants them wishes. Of course, adults attempt to spoil the fun and craziness ensues. I prefer when Rodriguez produces action flicks made for an adult oriented audience (PLANET TERROR, SIN CITY, DESPERADO), but SPY KIDS is far better then most kids movies. Still, I am looking forward most to Robert Rodriguez's full length spin-off of the fake trailer, MACHETE, that debuted in 2007's GRINDHOUSE double feature.
THE LAST AIRBENDER (M. Night Shyamalan)
Release Date:
July 2, 2010
Thoughts:
M. Night Shyamalan finally checked his ego at the door by deciding to direct a live action adaptation of the popular Nicktoon series, AVATAR, instead of his wonderfully awful self-written productions. To avoid confusion with James Cameron's newest film of the same name, Shyamalan and Paramount intelligently dropped AVATAR from the title, hence, THE LAST AIRBENDER. I have felt that Shyamalan's films have gotten progressively worse in almost a perfect negative distribution since his critically acclaimed debut, THE SIXTH SENSE. Here's hoping that Shyamalan will return to form–it seems that each of his films have tried to recapture the magic that made THE SIXTH SENSE work so well. Maybe removing himself from his own material will benefit his career. There is already conversation brewing about the contorversial casting choices that Shyamalan made for his stars. I have little hope for this movie. THE HAPPENING, LADY IN THE WATER, and SIGNS are some of the biggest wastes of talent, money, and time in cinema history. Its amazing to me that someone upstairs is still letting this dude handle films with epically large budgets. If I was a fan of the show, the announcement that Shyamalan was directing the live action adaptation would really upset me…im starting to rant. So fuck it, I'm moving on.
OLD DOGS (Walt Becker)
Release Date:
November 25th, 2009
Thoughts:
I actually haven't seen Becker's 2007's "old men act young" comedy WILD HOGS, but this trailer did in fact make me laugh out loud on a few occasions. The cast impressed me. Seth Green, Matt Dillon, and Justin Long will surely kill in their roles, and who can't enjoy the idea of Robin Williams teaming up with John Travolta as the old dudes trying to avoid familial responsibilities. Seems like a run of the mill family comedy that will most likely bring Disney millions and millions of dollars during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend when it releases wide.
CIRQUE DU FREAK: THE VAMPIRES ASSISTANT (Paul Weitz)
Release Date:
October 25th, 2009
Thoughts:
Not sure what to think of this Family adventure flick starring John C. Reily as a "good" vampire who takes on a teenage assistant to carry on the legacy of a magical carnival like freak show. The trailer has a few bright spots….but this type of film isn't really up my alley. In fact, every trailer so far has been pretty much a highlight reel of films I could care less to see….until, this one played:
SHUTTER ISLAND (Martin Scorsese)
Release Date:
October 2nd, 2009
Thoughts:
Yes. This looks awesome. This time out, Scorsese pairs his golden boy Leo opposite Ben Kingsley and Mark Ruffalo in a psychological thriller about a mysterious/shady mental institution that is under investigation by the F.B.I. due to a missing patient. Scorcese is no rookie with the psychological drama. I personally love Scorsese's adaptation of CAPE FEAR and TAXI DRIVER, of course, is one of the most influential films of all time. I have a good feeling about this one. The secluded and shady mental institution is no stranger to film, but, with Scorsese's direction the result is most likely going to be something original. Keep this one on your radar!
