This is it: The final chance for the studios to make their big push for the Oscars. There are definitely a lot of contenders here, with new films from Martin Scorsese, Mike Nichols, Steven Soderburgh, Clint Eastwood and James L. Brooks. Joel Schumacher officially puts the notoriously nippled batsuit behind him with his latest film, “Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera.” Is it possible the film could garner him his first directing nomination?
The stream of biopics continues with films about Howard Hughes, Bobby Darin, Alexander the Great, among the better-known names. Don Cheadle and Javier Bardem turn up in biopics about lesser-known figures and emerge with some potential best-actor performances.
It’s not all about the awards. On the lighter side, Tim Allen, Ben Stiller and Jim Carrey are ready to keep audiences laughing. Adam Sandler, on the other hand, tries his hand at a comedy aimed at grownups. There is also a new martial-arts film by the director of “Hero,” and the hardest working man in showbiz, Jude Law, checks in with three more films. Plenty of reasons to spend the cold winter months huddled in movie theaters.
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Columbia Pictures
1Pfalsefalse“Christmas with the Kranks”
Starring: Tim Allen, Jamie Lee Curtis, Dan Aykroyd, Erik Per Sullivan, Cheech Marin, Jake Busey, Julie Galanzo, M. Emmet Walsh
Director: Joe Roth
Story: Jamie Lee Curtis and Tim Allen star as the Kranks, a couple known for their over-the-top Christmas cheer. But when their daughter (Galanzo) decides not to come home for Christmas one year, the Kranks decide to forgo Christmas and take a trip to the Caribbean, much to the chagrin of their neighbors. Then at the last moment, their daughter changes her mind and decides to head home and the Kranks have to scramble to give her the perfect Christmas. Based on the novel “Skipping Christmas” by John Grisham.
Buzz: This is the film “Surviving Christmas” was scared to go up against. Roth runs Revolution Studios and is much more experienced as a producer than a director. His last film, “America’s Sweethearts,” landed with a thud. Strangely, Chris Columbus adapted the novel — his last screenplay was 1995’s “Nine Months.” Still, you can’t discount the comic talents of Tim Allen and especially Jamie Lee Curtis, who proved in “Freaky Friday” that she has comedy chops.
Web site: http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/christmaswiththekranks/
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Warner Bros.
2004 IMF Internationale Medien und Film GmbH and Co. 3 Produktions KG
1Pfalsefalse“Alexander”
Starring: Colin Farrell, Angelina Jolie, Anthony Hopkins, Val Kilmer, Jared Leto, Rosario Dawson, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers
Director: Oliver Stone
The story: Colin Farrell stars as the Macedonian conqueror who created an empire by the time he was 32. The story starts with Alexander’s childhood — Jolie plays his mother — and follows his rise to glory. Dawson (“25th Hour”) plays his wife Roxanne. Leto (“Requiem for a Dream”) co-stars as Hephaestion, Alexander’s general who may have had a homosexual relationship with him. Kilmer (“Spartan”) plays Alexander’s father. Hopkins (“Red Dragon”) plays Ptolemy, another one of Alexander’s generals, who eventually become the Pharaoh of Egypt.
The buzz: The big news about this film is the delay. Our own Jeanette Walls reported in The Scoop that the reason for the delay had to do with the studio's discomfort with the homosexual content. The studio responded by saying that that rumor was “completely untrue.” Oliver Stone then went on to defend the homosexual content. Hmm. It will be curious to see how much of that content ends up making it to the final edit. Oliver Stone seems like he could be voted "most likely to not bow down to studio pressure." His previous films prove (“Salvador,” “Natural Born Killers”) he's a man with a unique vision. He also directed one of the better war films around (“Platoon”) . Stone is a potential best-director Oscar nominee. There's also some Oscar buzz for Kilmer.
Web site: http://alexanderthemovie.warnerbros.com/
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Warner Independent Pictures
1Pfalsefalse“A Very Long Engagement”
Starring: Audrey Tautou, Gaspard Ulliel, Dominique Pinon, Jodie Foster, Chantal Neuwirth, Ticky Holgado, André Dussollier, Jean-Paul Rouve, Albert Dupontel
Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Story: From the director and star of “Amelie” comes this film based on the best-selling novel by Sebastien Japrisot. Set at the end of World War II, the film tells the story of a girl’s (Tautou) search for her missing fiancé, who may have been court-martialed under mysterious circumstances. Jodie Foster has a small role as a Parisian vegetable vendor. The film is in French with English subtitles.
Buzz: Films by Jeunet (“City of Lost Children,” “Delicatessen”) make a visual statement that’s both beautiful and playful. But Jeunet doesn’t just care about the visuals, as he proved in “Amelie,” he’s adept at creating quirky characters who are empathetic, tragic, funny and full of love. In his hands with the lovely and talented Tautou on board, it’s hard not to have high hopes for this one.
Web site: http://wip.warnerbros.com/index.html?site=averylongengagement
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Columbia Pictures
1Pfalsefalse“Closer”
Starring: Natalie Portman, Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Clive Owen
Director: Mike Nichols
Story: Based on the play by Patrick Marber, this film tells the story of two couples: one played by Roberts and Owen, the other played by Portman and Law. When Law and Roberts encounter each other and begin an affair, it sets off a series of events that lead Portman and Owen to get involved as well. A story of how people who love each other can end up hurting each other.
Buzz: Word is that when this film played in Toronto audiences found it a bit cold. Still, there’s some Oscar buzz surrounding Natalie Portman, who already proved that she’s not just a “Star Wars” action figure with her performance earlier this year in “Garden State.” Clive Owen also has a bit of Oscar buzz; he originated the role on stage. You can’t count out Nichols, either, he received tons of critical acclaim for his HBO adaptation of “Angels in America.”
Web site: http://sonypictures.com/movies/closer/
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Sony Movie Classics
1Pfalsefalse“House of Flying Daggers”
Starring: Zhang Ziyi, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Andy Lau
Director: Zhang Yimou
Story: From the director of the surprise hit “Hero” comes this story of unrest in set near the end of the Tang Dynasty. Ziyi (“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”) is a dancer who is suspected of having ties with the House of the Flying Daggers, a rebel army. Lau and Kaneshiro play two police deputies who are determined to find out the truth.
Buzz: This film made quite a hit when it screened at Cannes this year. It’s China’s official entry for the Academy Award foreign-language category, and don’t be surprised if it ends up snagging the nomination and perhaps even the award. Zhang Yimou proved with “Hero” that he really places emphasis both on the startlingly beautiful visuals and the characters’ emotions in his work. He gives martial-arts films a depth that thrills both fans of the genre and those who might not normally attend a martial-arts movie.
Web site: http://www.sonyclassics.com/houseofflyingdaggers/trailer-open.html
“I am David”
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Lions Gate Films
1PfalsefalseStarring: Ben Tibber, James Caviezel, Joan Plowright, Maria Bonnevie, Silvia De Santis, Adrian McCourt, Paco Reconti, Alessandro Sperduti, Clem Tibber, Carnci Viola
Director: Paul Feig
The story: Based on the novel by Anne Holm. Newcomer Ben Tibber stars as a 12-year-old boy who escapes from a 1950s Bulgarian prison camp and struggles to make his way across Europe to Denmark. Caviezel (“The Passion of the Christ”) co-stars as a fellow inmate. Plowright plays a painter who lives on the Swiss border and befriends the young boy, teaching him how to trust again.
The buzz: Director Paul Feig is best-known as the creator of TV’s “Freaks and Geeks” and “Undeclared” — two quirky series cancelled before they had a chance to find an audience. This is a pretty big change of pace for him, and his feature film debut. He also penned the screenplay.
Web site: http://www.iamdavidmovie.com/
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New Line Cinema
1Pfalsefalse“Blade Trinity”
Starring: Wesley Snipes, Kris Kristofferson, Jessica Biel, Ryan Reynolds, Parker Posey, Dominic Purcell, Ashley Scott, Steve Braun
Director: David Goyer
Story: Wesley Snipes is back as the vampire hunter. This time he teams up with a group of human vampire hunters, the Nightstalkers (including Reynolds and Biel), to hunt down the original Dracula. This is allegedly the final film in the “Blade” trilogy.
Buzz: What’s happened to Wesley Snipes’ career? Remember when he used to be considered a serious leading man? What is the heck is Parker Posey doing in this movie? Are we supposed to accept funny-man Reynolds (“Van Wilder”) as an action star? So many questions! In any case, if you were a fan of the first two “Blade” films, you’re probably going to go see this installment. Interestingly, director Goyer penned the screenplay for the upcoming “Batman Begins.” He also wrote all three “Blade” films, but this marks his first time directing an installment.
Web site: http://www.bladetrinity.com/
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Warner Bros.
1Pfalsefalse“Ocean’s Twelve”
Starring: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Andy Garcia, Don Cheadle, Julia Roberts, Casey Affleck, Scott Caan, Elliott Gould, Eddie Jemison, Bernie Mac, Carl Reiner, Vincent Cassel, Eddie Izzard, Peter Fonda
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Story: Three years after the original film took place, the Ocean’s gang decides to attempt three heists in three different cities (Rome, Amsterdam and Paris). Garcia, still upset about being taken, is hot on the gang’s trial. Zeta-Jones joins the cast as Pitt’s ex-girlfriend and Interpol agent Isabel. The original cast all returns, but its 12th member is a well-kept mystery. Could it be Bruce Willis or Vincent Cassell, who both join the cast?
Buzz: The first film was a huge hit, so expectations are high for the sequel. The script actually already existed as a separate project that was intended for director John Woo; it was adapted to fit the Ocean’s crew. Soderbergh’s last two films, “Full Frontal” and “Solaris” didn’t exactly burn up the box office, so the director could use a hit.
Web site: http://oceans12.warnerbros.com/
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Lions Gate Films
1Pfalsefalse“Beyond the Sea”
Starring: Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, John Goodman, Bob Hoskins, Brenda Blethyn, Greta Scacchi, Caroline Aaron
Director: Kevin Spacey
Story: Spacey stars as teen singing idol Bobby Darin, who was born with a rare heart condition that would plague him until his death at age 37. Bosworth stars as “Gidget” girl Sandra Dee, who wound up falling in love with and marrying Darin. Spacey does all of his own singing in the film.
Buzz: Could this be a vanity project? Actually, there is positive buzz for Spacey’s singing, but not so much for the film, which when shown at Toronto came off to some critics (including The Hot Button’s David Poland) as awkwardly paced. At 45, Spacey seems way too old for the role of Darin. Since his Oscar winning turn in “American Beauty,” Spacey has really faltered. “K-Pax,” “Pay it Forward,” and “The Shipping News” are just some of the clunkers he’s starred in. Kevin Spacey is a bit like Helen Hunt — good when he’s playing someone smart and seemingly close to his own somewhat smug personality, not so good when he’s not. Still, it would definitely be nice to see him turn that losing streak around. If Academy members embrace the film, Spacey could end up garnering an Oscar nod.
Web site: http://www.beyondtheseathemovie.com/
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Miramax Films
1Pfalsefalse“The Aviator”
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, John C. Reilly, Kate Beckinsale, Jude Law, Adam Scott, Kelli Garner, Gwen Stefani, Nellie Sciutto, Alec Baldwin, Danny Huston, Matt Ross, Ian Holm, Alan Alda
Director: Martin Scorsese
Story: A chronicle of almost 20 years of the life of billionaire, pioneering aviator and movie mogul Howard Hughes (DiCaprio). During this period Hughes was both producing movies, including “The Front Page” and the original “Scarface,” while at the same time becoming obsessed with aviation. The billionaire bought TWA to do battle with arch-rival Pan Am (Baldwin plays the head of Pan Am). Hughes also romanced a number of the top actresses of the day, including Katherine Hepburn (Blanchett), Eva Gardner (Beckinsale) and Jean Harlow (Stefani). Law has a small role as Errol Flynn.
Buzz: The last Scorsese/DiCaprio collaboration resulted in the rather dreary “Gangs of New York,” but this film is said to have a much lighter tone. The focus is more on Hughes’ love affair with aviation rather than with any of the women. DiCaprio is at his best when he’s playing someone who’s bucking the status quo (as he did in “Catch Me If You Can” and “Titanic”). Could this be the movie that finally nets Scorsese that elusive best-director Oscar, or will he remain the Susan Lucci of the filmmaking world? Though Oliver Stone (“Alexander”) and Alexander Payne (“Sideways”) look to provide some competition, this race is certainly Scorsese’s to lose.
Web site: http://theaviatormovie.com/
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Paramount Pictures
1Pfalsefalse“Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events”
Starring: Jim Carrey, Meryl Streep, Billy Connolly, Jennifer Coolidge, Liam Aiken, Emily Browning, Timothy Spall, Luis Guzman, Craig Ferguson, Cedric the Entertainer, Jude Law
Director: Brad Silberling
Story: From the best-selling children’s-book series comes this story of the Baudelaire orphans (Aiken, Browning and the Hoffman twins) who stay with a series of strange relatives after their parents’ untimely death. The relatives include Streep as the grammar-obsessed Josephine Anwhistle, and Connolly as herpetologist Montgomery Montgomery. Carrey plays the worst of the lot, the evil Count Olaf, who plots to do away with the kids and steal the family fortune. Helping Carrey at his task are Guzman as the bald man, Ferguson as a person of undeterminable gender and two white-faced women (Coolidge and Adams). Jude Law — is a 2004 movie complete without him? — is on board as the voice of Lemony Snicket.
Buzz: Paramount is obviously looking for their own “Harry Potter” franchise, but will “Lemony Snicket” prove that popular? Barry Sonnenfeld (“Men in Black”) was the original director but left after clashes with the studio over the budget. Silberling is best known for directing “Moonlight Mile” and “Casper,” so this film will be a big test for the filmmaker. The shoot was long, almost seven months, and the film did end up going over budget. Still, there’s extremely positive buzz for Carrey. Don’t be surprised to see him accepting yet another Golden Globe award.
Web site: http://www.unfortunateeventsmovie.com/intro.html
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Columbia Pictures
1Pfalsefalse“Spanglish”
Starring: Adam Sandler, Téa Leoni, Cloris Leachman, Paz Vega, Allen Covert, Ian Hyland, Sarah Steele, Matt Battaglia
Director: James L. Brooks
Story: From the director of “As Good as It Gets,” comes this story of two very different parents. Sandler is a mild-mannered chef whose restaurant recently acquired a four-star rating. Leoni is a neurotic career woman who’s recently become a stay-at-home mom. When Spanish-speaking housekeeper Vega (“Talk to Her”) is hired, sparks fly between her character and Sandler’s. Will Leoni and Sandler be able to make their marriage and their parenting styles work? Leachman is on board as Leoni’s troubled mother.
Buzz: Brooks is known for smart, sentimental comedies (“Terms of Endearment,” “Broadcast News”). Sandler, following in the footsteps of Jim Carrey and Robin Williams, is obviously getting interested in playing more grownup roles. He was quite good in “Punch Drunk Love,” but will his audience want to see him in an adult comedy? There’s Oscar buzz for Brooks, Leoni and Leachman. This could be the darkhorse Oscar film to watch.
Web site: http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/spanglish/
“The Sea Inside”
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Fine Line Films
1PfalsefalseStarring: Javier Bardem, Belén Rueda, Lola Dueñas, Mabel Rivera, Celso Bugallo, Clara Segura, Joan Dalmau, Alberto Jiménez, Tamar Novas, Francesc Garrido, José María Pou
Director: Alejandro Amenábar
Story: Bardem (“Before Night Falls”) stars in this true-life story of Richard Sampero, a man who for 30 years fought in favor of euthanasia and his own right to die with dignity. Rueda plays a woman who tries to help his cause, while Dueqas (“Talk to Her”) is a neighbor who wants to convince him to stay alive.
Buzz: Amenábar directed “The Others” and “Open Your Eyes” (remade as “Vanilla Sky”) and he has a distinctive visual style that should guarantee that this film will be striking to watch. Bardem is a favorite for an Oscar nomination. He was nominated previously for “Before Night Falls,” and here he plays a character who faces physical challenges, which tends to earn points with Academy voters.
Web site: http://www.theseainside.com/
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AP file
Clint Eastwood
OCT. 2, 2003 FILE PHOTO
PEOPLE EASTWOODNEW YORK CITYNYUNITED STATES6322518720000000001NY110Pfalsefalse“Million Dollar Baby”
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Hilary Swank
Director: Clint Eastwood
Story: Eastwood (“Mystic River”) directs this story of a female boxer (Swank) trained by an aging boxer (Eastwood). Morgan Freeman (“Unforgiven”) plays a fellow former boxer. The film is based on two short stories in “Rope Burns” by F.X. Toole.
Buzz: In an interview with the Washington Post, Swank said she trained for three months before filming even began. She took boxing classes for 2½ hours a day and spent 90 minutes a day lifting heavy weights. She drank protein shakes, raw eggs, flax oil and ate raw fish to up her protein intake. As a result, she did not need a body double for the film. Swank proved with “Boys Don’t Cry” that she can commit fully to a performance. She hasn’t done that much since her Oscar win, but this could be her comeback. Eastwood, who’s proven himself a talented filmmaker, may find it hard to top “Mystic River.”
Web site: NA
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Universal Pictures
1Pfalsefalse“Meet the Fockers”
Starring: Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Dustin Hoffman, Barbra Streisand, Teri Polo, Blythe Danner
Director: Jay Roach
Story: In this sequel to the 2000 hit film, “Meet the Parents,” Greg Focker (Stiller) and Pamela Byrnes (Polo) are preparing to get married. Only one stumbling block remains: Polo’s parents (De Niro and Danner) need to meet Stiller’s parents, the Fockers (Hoffman and Streisand). Streisand’s Roz Focker is a geriatric sex therapist, while Hoffman’s Bernie Focker is a legal-aid lawyer who’s not afraid to show his feelings. The mellow Fockers are a sharp contrast to the tightly wound Byrneses. Will De Niro’s Jack Byrnes let the marriage take place?
Buzz: This sequel to the 2000 hit film “Meet the Parents” is probably the most anticipated comedy of the year. The idea of casting Hoffman and Streisand does seem inspired. Streisand hasn’t done a film since “The Mirror Has Two Faces,” and some people may have forgotten that she’s an adept comedian (“Funny Girl,” “What’s Up, Doc?”). Hoffmann proved in “Tootsie” that he’s no slouch in the comedy department either. Sadly the one player who’s not returning is Owen Wilson — he pretty much stole the first film. Jeffrey Wells of Hollywood Elsewhere, says, “The invisible subtitle of this film is ‘Meet the Jews, Accept Them into Your Family, and Sacrifice the Purity of Your Wonderbread Bloodline.’” That actually makes it sound pretty funny.
Web site: http://www.meetthefockers.com/
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United Artists
1Pfalsefalse“Hotel Rwanda”
Starring: Don Cheadle, Nick Nolte, Joaquin Phoenix, Sophie Okonedo, Antonio David Lyons
Director: Terry George
Story: Based on the true story of Paul Rusesabagina (Cheadle), a hotel manager in 1994 Rwanda who sheltered over a thousand Tutsi refugees during the genocide there — ignored by most of the Western world. Nolte plays a sympathetic yet powerless U.N. officer, while Phoenix is on board as a photojournalist who gets involved with a Rwandan woman.
Buzz: This film won the People’s Choice award at the Toronto Film Festival and Cheadle has a lot of buzz going into the Oscars. Cheadle is one of those rare actors who seems to make every film he’s in that much better and he’s proven to have a great instinct for a good script (“Traffic,” “Ocean’s Eleven,” “Boogie Nights”). It’s only a matter of time before he gets the recognition he deserves. The Hollywood Reporter compared this film favorably to “The Killing Fields.”
Web site: http://www.hotelrwanda.com/
“Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera”
Starring: Gerard Butler, Emmy Rossum, Patrick Wilson, Miranda Richardson, Simon Callow, Ciaran Hind, Minnie Driver
Director: Joel Schumacher
Story: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical comes to the big screen. A disfigured genius (Butler) hides in an opera house and falls in love with the beautiful Christine (Rossum). The Phantom is determined to make her the new star of the opera. Butler plays Raoul, the Phantom’s rival for Christine’s affections. Driver (“Beautiful”) plays Carlotta, the soprano whom the Phantom thinks Christine should replace.
Buzz: Could “Phantom” become the “Chicago” of 2004? It does look likely that this film will end up on the list of best-picture nominees. However, Schumacher is a director with a spotty record. He can be good (“The Client,” “Tigerland”), but he can also be a bit of a hack (“Batman and Robin,” “8MM”). The question is: which Schumacher directed “Phantom”? The cast — other than Richardson, Callow and Driver — is fairly untested. Rossum is probably best known for playing Sean Penn’s murdered daughter in “Mystic River” and Butler for playing opposite Angelina Jolie in the “Tomb Raider” sequel. Wilson proved himself to be a talented actor playing Joe Pitt in Mike Nichols’ “Angels in America.”
Web site: http://phantomthemovie.warnerbros.com/
“Flight of the Phoenix”
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Tyrese Gibson, Miranda Otto, Giovanni Ribisi, Scott Michael Campbell, Tony Curran, Hugh Laurie, Jared Padalecki, Jacob Vargas
Director: John Moore
The story: Dennis Quaid takes on Jimmy Stewart’s role in this remake of the 1965 film of the same name. A team of oil workers are stranded in the desert after a cargo-plane crash during the middle of a sandstorm. They attempt to build a new plane from the wreckage of the old one. Will they make it home alive? “Lord of the Rings” co-star Otto and Ribisi (“Lost in Translation”) play two of the other oil workers.
The buzz: Moore directed the surprisingly good action film, “Behind Enemy Lines.” “Flight” was shot on location with Namibia standing in for Mongolia’s Gobi Desert. On doing this remake, Quaid told the Associated Press, “I don’t think a lot of people from this generation really remember the movie or are that aware of it.” With this film, he could be onto something.
Web site: NA
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“The Woodsman”
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Getty Images file
Kevin Bacon
51263700GC007_woodsmanDeauvilleFrance632300256000000000151263700PfalsefalseStarring: Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, Eve, Mos Def, David Alan Grier, Benjamin Bratt, Kevin Rice, Michael Shannon, Hannah Pilkes, Carlos Leon, Gina Philips
Director: Nicole Kassell
Story: Bacon stars as a middle-aged child molester who has been released after serving 12 years in prison. He struggles to start a new life, still haunted by his desire for little girls. Real-life wife Sedgwick co-stars as the no-nonsense woman he gets involved with. Bratt plays his kindly brother-in-law who tries to help him get back on his feet. Mos Def plays the parole officer who will never forgive Bacon’s sins.
Buzz: This film made quite a splash at Sundance. Bacon — whose performance in last year’s “Mystic River” was one of the highlights of that film — is said to have turned in a solid, deeply conflicted performance here. This film seems like a good bet to pick up some Independent Spirit nominations. This is Kassell’s first feature film and she adapted it, along with Steven Fechter, from Fechter’s off-Broadway play.
Web site: NA
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“Fat Albert”
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20th Century Fox
1PfalsefalseStarring: Kenan Thompson, Kyla Pratt, William H. Cosby, Jr., Omari Grandberry, Raven-Symone, Jermaine Williams, Aaron Frazier, Jeremy Suarez
Director: Joel Zwick
Story: Following in the footsteps of “The Brady Bunch Movie,” this film transports the Fat Albert kids from the 1970s cartoon to modern-day society. Expect lots of jokes about them not understanding the slang and habits of modern-day teens. “You Got Served’s” Omarion co-stars as Reggie. Bill Cosby plays himself.
Buzz: Bill Cosby had a hand in the script, which might seem like good news, unless you stop to consider that the last movie script he helped out on was “Leonard Part 6.” Zwick is primarily a television director, with one huge exception; he directed the wildly successful (and sitcom-like), “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” Thompson is best known for being a current cast member of “Saturday Night Live.” This movie seems so by-the-numbers and dumbed down that it’s hard to imagine that it will be very successful. Are kids today interested in Fat Albert?
Web site: http://www.fatalbertthemovie.com/
“The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou”
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Touchstone
1PfalsefalseStarring: Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett, Owen Wilson, Anjelica Huston, Willem Dafoe, Robyn Cohen, Bud Cort, Michael Gambon, Jeff Goldblum, Peter Stormare, Noah Taylor, Wallace Wolodarsky
Director: Wes Anderson
Story: Murray plays the Jacques Costeau-style Steve Zissou, an oceanographer and filmmaker who’s determined to kill the jaguar shark that ate his former partner. Wilson plays a new member of Zissou’s team who just might be his long-lost son. Houston is Zissou’s estranged wife, while Blanchett is a journalist assigned to write a feature on him. Dafoe co-stars as Zissou's loyal German crewman, Klaus, and Goldblum is on board as a rival oceanographer.
Buzz: Wes Anderson (“The Royal Tenenbaums,” “Rushmore”) is one of the most imaginative filmmakers around and his films all have an offbeat, slightly surreal quality that makes you feel like you’re entering a parallel universe. This is the first film he’s written without Owen Wilson. Noah Baumach (“Kicking and Screaming”) co-wrote the screenplay with Anderson. Those who wish Murray would have won that best-actor Oscar last year may think this is his ticket back to the category, but Anderson’s films seem a bit too quirky for Oscar (though "Life Aquatic" will probably get a screenplay nomination).
Web site: http://lifeaquatic.movies.go.com/splash.html
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“The Assassination of Richard Nixon”
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Reuters file
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Sean Penn
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LEISURE CANADA FESTIVALTORONTOONCanada6323071680000000001TOR103DPfalsefalseStarring: Sean Penn, Naomi Watts, Don Cheadle, Michael Wincott, Jack Thompson, Brad Henke, Jared Dorrance, Nick Searcy, Jenna Milton, Mariah Massa
Director: Niels Mueller
Story: Penn plays Sam Bicke, a sad-sack 1970s Philadelphia furniture salesman who hatches a plot to kill Richard Nixon. Thompson plays his blowhard boss who lives by Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People.” Watts, sporting a brunette hairdo, co-stars as Penn’s estranged wife and the mother of his two children. Cheadle is the struggling mechanic Penn’s character hopes to start a tire shop with.
Buzz: No denying the good cast here, but there hasn’t been much buzz for this film. The characters and plot may just be a bit too dark to pull audiences into theaters. Mueller is a first-time director; he wrote the 2002 film, “Tadpole.”
Web site: NA
“William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice”
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Sony Pictures Classics
1PfalsefalseStarring: Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, Joseph Fiennes, Lynn Collins, Allan Corduner, Charlie Cox, Mackenzie Crook, Gregor Fisher, Radica Jovicic, Kris Marshall
Director: Michael Radford
Story: From the director of “Il Postino,” comes this adaptation of the William Shakespeare play about a young aristocrat, Bassanio (Fiennes), who is deeply in debt and needs $3000 to woo Portia (Collins). His dear friend Antonio (Irons) helps him secure a loan by going to Shylock (Pacino), a Jewish loan shark whom Antonio has previously publicly denounced. When Antonio’s ships don’t return in time to repay the loan, Shylock demands his pound of flesh.
Buzz: This is one of the Bard’s most troublesome works due to the anti-Semitic take on Shylock — it’s easy to forget that it is, in fact, one of the comedies. Pacino, coming off a strong performance in “Angels in America,” gives himself a chance to chew a lot of scenery with this role. Expect good work from Irons (“Reversal of Fortune”) and Fiennes (“Shakespeare in Love”). Newcomer Lynn Collins (“13 Going on 30”) is a rising star to keep an eye on.
Web site: http://www.sonypictures.com/classics/merchantofvenice/
“A Love Song For Bobby Long”
Starring: John Travolta, Scarlett Johansson, Gabriel Macht, Deborah Kara Unger, Dane Rhodes
Director: Shainee Gabel
Story: Johansson (“Lost in Translation”) stars as a woman who returns to New Orleans after her mother’s death to find her childhood home occupied by a former literature professor, Bobby Long (Travolta), and his young protégé (Macht). As Macht tries to write a novel about Bobby Long, the three lost souls find themselves living together in the house and sharing their secrets.
Buzz: This should be a good test of Travolta’s acting ability. Rather than playing a leading man, this is a character actor’s role — with gray hair, extra weight and a southern accent. He did those things to comedic effect in “Primary Colors,” but it will be interesting to see if he can pull that off in this drama. This is Johansson’s first real role (not counting “The Score”) since she broke through with “Lost in Translation” and “Girl with a Pearl Earring.” Can she live up to the promise of those films? This is the first starring role for Macht who’s had smaller roles in some forgettable films (“The Recruit,” “Bad Company”). Gabel is best known for directing the documentary film, “Anthem.”
Web site: http://www.alovesongforbobbylongmovie.com/
“In Good Company”
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Universal Pictures
1PfalsefalseStarring: Dennis Quaid, Topher Grace, Scarlett Johansson, Marg Helgenberger, David Paymer, Clark Gregg, Philip Baker Hall, Selma Blair
Director: Paul Weitz
Story: Quaid plays a 50-something ad sales executive, who finds himself demoted and working for the 20-something business-school prodigy Topher Grace. Quaid faces the challenge of trying to support his wife and kids (one of whom is played by Johansson) on his diminished salary. In the meantime, Grace’s marriage falls apart and, much to Quaid’s chagrin, he begins a relationship with Johansson.
Buzz: Topher Grace is an actor on the rise. MSNBC.com film critic John Hartl already picked out his performance in “P.S.” as Oscarworthy. Director Weitz made the very good film “About a Boy,” which balanced sweetness and humor in a similar fashion to this film. “In Good Company” seems like just the right project for Weitz, who also penned the screenplay. With this film and “Love Song for Bobby Long” coming out the same week, we get a double-dose of Johansson — though it might be nice to see her in a slightly less serious role.
Web site: http://www.ingoodcompanymovie.com/
“The Upside of Anger”
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Getty Images file
Kevin Costner
030818_kevin_costner_vsmll12pBurbankCAUnited States63196416000000000012397314PfalsefalseStarring: Joan Allen, Kevin Costner, Erika Christensen, Evan Rachel Wood, Keri Russell, Alicia Witt, Mike Binder, Tom Harper, Dane Christensen
Director: Mike Binder
Story: When Allen (“Bourne Supremacy”) is abandoned by her husband, retired baseball player Costner (“Open Range”) steps in to help the family. Christensen (“Traffic”), Wood (“Thirteen”), Russell (“Felicity”) and Witt (“Two Weeks Notice”) co-star as her four teenage daughters.
Buzz: Binder is best known for creating and starring in the HBO comedy series “Mind of the Married Man.” There’s a little bit of Oscar buzz for Allen, though this film is being released so late in the year that it will be interesting to see if voters take notice. Costner is the kind of actor who seems to have come to the point in his career where he just won’t make a film if he doesn’t believe in — and he does seem to do well portraying baseball players. The four younger women are all emerging talents.
Web site: http://www.upsideofanger.com/