Skyfall (November 9)
Sioui: Makes me feel good to see those MGM lions roaring to the tune of 007. With the newly released one-sheet last week, the first moving pictures are now online, and boy are they pretty. Most likely due to the ever impressive eye of cinematographer Roger Deakins (even though he looks like an oompa-loompa), Skyfall begins with a word association (Agent/Provocateur…awesome) and builds from there. Not much is known of the titular word, which is a refreshing concept in today’s day and age. I’m sure more will be unveiled as the months melt away, but Bond is back, and I couldn’t be happier.
If there’s one character in film I’d love to be, it’s tough to go against Bond. Yeah, your life is threatened seemingly every waking (and sometimes sleeping) moment, but then you get to spend your time with Eva Green, and have Naomie Harris shave your face in the dark.
Warren: Not to sound like a pretentious English major, but Craig IS Ian Fleming’s Bond. Loved Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, even if it became a Bourne rip off. Sam Mendes has stated he wants this outing to fall a bit more in line with the traditional Bond films, so I hope they are able to strike a balance between new and old (please no invisible car).
The Good Doctor (2012)
Sioui: I’ll be honest; I did not see where this trailer was going. Dorky, oddly haircutted Legolas getting all creepy and poisoning a cute blonde chick? Count me in. On a side note, one of my best friend’s is a doctor, and he regularly works 30 plus hour shifts. The fact that Orlando Bloom has time to play on the beach, and go on dates is a complete fabrication. All I’m asking for is a little dose of reality, Hollywood!
Warren: Gotta feel bad for poor Orlando. If you go back and watch the original Pirates, Will Turner was scripted to be the main character of that film. No love? This is an actor who starred in several Hollywood directing legends’ only flop. Cameron Crowe’s Elizabethtown? Ridley Scott’s Kingdom of Heaven? I think im the only one who liked that movie. And lets not even talk about Troy…
Anyway this trailer’s all over the place. If Adam tells me it’s a gem I might give it a shot. If not just to see if Bloom finds an excuse to pick up a sword at some point.
Anchorman: The Legend Continues (TBD)
Sioui: The best comedy of the aughts finally gets a sequel, and a subsequent teaser. To be honest, if Ron Burgundy, Brian Fantana, Champ Kind and Brick Tamland just stood there and spouted one-liners, I would go to sleep a contented man.
I’m a weeee bit skeptical though, only because the original was so damn funny. How can they top it?! Adam McKay is back though; as is of course the central cast, so my doubts should be quelled. What do you think, Mac? Can Burgundy and co. possibly raise the bar?
Warren: Okay, full disclosure time. When I saw Anchorman in theaters, I didn’t like it. The slapstick off the cuff Will Ferrell brand of humor wasn’t realy what I expected and it didn’t land with me. A few hundred viewings on TNT later and I can recite the whole movie and consider it to be the holy grail of modern funny.
A Cat in Paris (June 1)
Sioui: I’m all for the WALL-E, How to Train Your Dragon, and The Incredibles in the world, but there’s a lot to be said for the lost art of the classic animated films. Hailing from France, A Cat in Paris was recently nominated for the Academy Award, before finally seeing some love in theatres this side of the Atlantic. I love cats, and I love Paris; I even love the burgular that scales walls like Spider-Man, pardon me, Homme D’araignée.
Warren: Wholeheartedly agree with Adam. For all the brilliance and photo-real quality of digital animation, the ability to manipulate and exaggerate reality frame by frame is something that has been lost in modern animation. Theres a connection made between the animator and the viewer in the trailer that speaks volumes. Think Iron Giant vs The Incredibles.
Dead Shadows (2012)
Sioui: What the crap was that? I’m not sure what’s weirder; the fact that we’ve featured three films with French connections, or the horny human with a lizard penis. Certainly B-movie worthy. Dead Shadows looks to be the bastard child of Attack the Block and television’s V. But sucky. And that hurts me to say that, because I am an enthusiast of slop theatre, but I think Shadows is trying to hard to be realistic instead of embracing its abominable soul.
Warren: I have no idea what I just saw, but I do know that after witnessing the alien penis rape I wont be sleeping this evening. This is what happens when George A. Romero takes acid at an observatory.
Wrong Cops (2012)
Sioui: A short film by Quentin Dupieux, aka Mr. Oizo. Dupieux last took audiences on a ride with his feature Rubber, a tale about a murderous, telekinetic tire (likely the only time you’ll ever read that sentence). Here we get a little taste of shock-rocker, Marilyn Manson, dressed innocently, but still as pale as the fallen snow. Don’t know much about it, but if there’s anything worse than a cop, it’s a cop that whips it out in a public place.
Warren: We’re doing trailers for short films now? While that scene did make me giggle, I am reminded of the fact that I’ve now seen 10 percent of this movie. And yes, cops are dicks.
Sioui: Bradley Cooper plays a less greasy version of his character from Limitless: a would-be writer who lacks inspiration. [Author's note: if taking Zoë Saldana to bed doesn't get your mental juices flowing, then you have a problem, sir.] When you look up lay-it-out-for-you trailers, you’ll find The Words, as it seems to leave nothing for the imagination. As well, the cast is pretty exceptional, but it’s produced by CBS Films; almost a kiss of death for any feature.
Warren: Agreed. Somebody in Hollywood needs to learn that giving a movie away before you get in the theater is a bad idea. Take a peek at the trailer for Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master and you will get an idea of the what im talking about. I wouldn’t be able to tell you what that movie’s about if you threatened to burn my comic book collection in exchange for a plot synopsis. And I’m a guy who LOVES his comic books. Wait, what was I writing about again?
Hyde Park on Hudson (December 7)
Sioui: I’m not the hugest fan of Presidential nostalgia, but I will watch Bill Murray in absolutely everything, so I’m at a crossroads. The most impressive thing is how lost in character Murray gets portraying FDR in 1939 as he prepares to host King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in their first visit to America. Incestual fun fact of the week: FDR’s mistress during that time was also his cousin, Margaret Suckley (Laura Linney). I have a friend who dated his cousin once, but he’s from Kentucky, so they kinda push that kind of thing there.
Warren: I’ve always believed that a comedian has all the tools to be a great actor. The greats know exactly how to sell themselves to an audience under the most difficult of situations, and Bill Murray is their king.
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