Fall 2009 Movie Preview

I'm not going to lie - I'm not that excited about the crop of movies that Hollywood is releasing this fall.

I've taken 24 of the most "anticipated" films that will be released from September to December and have divided them into six categories: "Can't Wait to See", "Definitely Will Check Out" (either in the theaters or thru home rental), "Might Check Out" (if there's nothing better to do), "For Oscar's Consideration" (the movies that are already generating award show buzz), "No Interest In" (I just could care less about) and "Absolutely No Interest In" (I'm offended that these travesties were even produced).

As you will quickly see, there is only ONE movie this fall that I Can't Wait to See and there are WAY TOO MANY that either Not Interested In or Absolutely Not Interested In. This fall line of films basically sums up the entire 2009 year in movies. The few good ones have been have great ("Hangover", "The Soloist") and the rest were just pretty bad all the way around.

I pulled the quick synopsis for each movie from ComingSoon.net and if you want more info or want to watch trailers, just click on the film title and it will take you to that movie's particular page from the website.

We can only hope that there will be a couple of hidden gems along the way, so happy hunting until we can find them!


CAN’T WAIT TO SEE:

- SHERLOCK HOLMES Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams (Dec 25) In a dynamic new portrayal of Arthur Conan Doyle's most famous characters, "Sherlock Holmes" sends Holmes and his stalwart partner Watson on their latest challenge (One of my favorite stories starring one of my favorite actors and like I said, it’s the ONLY movie of the fall that I legitimately can’t not wait to see).

DEFINITELY WILL CHECK OUT:

- EXTRACT Jason Bateman, Kristen Wiig, Ben Affleck, Mila Kunis (Sept 4) In "Extract," writer/director Mike Judge ("Office Space," "King of the Hill") returns to the fertile territory of the American workplace, rotating his perspective away from the white collar cubicle warriors of "Office Space" and towards a blue collar boss – a small business owner – who employs an odd cast of losers, loners and misfits in his flavor extract factory.

- THE INFORMANT! Matt Damon, Scott Bakula, Joel McHale (Sept 18) A rising star at agri-industry giant Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Whitacre suddenly turns whistleblower (I had NO interest in this one because I thought it was going to be all dark and Michael Clayton-ish, but then I saw the trailer and it actually looks hilarious. I need to just learn to trust director Steven Soderbergh).

- THE INVENTION OF LYING Ricky Gervais, Jennifer Garner, Jonah Hill, Tina Fey (Oct 2) Takes place in an alternate reality where lying--even the concept of a lie--does not exist. But when a down-on-his-luck loser named Mark suddenly develops the ability to lie, he finds that dishonesty has its rewards (If this was done by anyone else, I would be terrified of this premise, but Gervais has the most self awareness in the business and gave us the original “Office”, so I will definitely be there an opening night).

- COUPLES RETREAT Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Jon Favreau, Malin Akerman, Kristin Davis, Kristen Bell (Oct 9) This comedy follows four Midwestern couples who embark on a journey to a tropical island resort. While one of the couples is there to work on their marriage, the other three set out to jet ski, spa and enjoy some fun in the sun. They soon discover that participation in the resort’s couples therapy is not optional (Vaugh, Bateman, and Favreau have quietly established a decent, reoccurring comedy group and the trailers have looked pretty entertaining).

- PIRATE RADIO Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Kenneth Branagh (Nov 13) Inspired by the British pirate radio revolution in the '60s, the majority of the film's shoot will take place in a large rusty metal fishing trawler moored off the coast of England in the very waters that kept the rock of the '60s booming into the U.K.

- THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG voices of Anika Noni Rose, Terrence Howard, John Goodman (Dec 11) Walt Disney Animation Studios presents the musical "The Princess and the Frog," an animated comedy set in the great city of New Orleans (FINALLY, an old school that animated movie that isn’t computer generated! I will see it for that reason alone).

MIGHT CHECK OUT:

- NEW YORK, I LOVE YOU starring most of Hollywood (limited Oct 16) In "New York, I Love You," 12 segments will be connected together via transitional linking sequences. New York City is the main unifying character and the Film will show the city as a living, breathing and loving whole. In the end, the audience will not only understand each individual story, but they will also see the integrated whole of chance encounters through these unique transitions.

- A CHRISTMAS CAROL Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Colin Firth (Nov 6) A multi-sensory thrill ride re-envisioned by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Robert Zemeckis, captures the fantastical essence of the classic Dickens tale in a groundbreaking 3-D motion picture event.

- FANTASTIC MR. FOX voices of George Clooney, Cate Blanchett, Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman, Meryl Streep (Nov 25) The stop-motion film, marking Wes Anderson's first foray into animation, is an adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic children's story, centering on a clever fox who must outwit three mean, dimwitted farmers who try their hardest to hurt Mr. Fox and his family.

- UP IN THE AIR George Clooney (Dec 4) A comedy called about a corporate hatchet man who loves his life on the road but is forced to fight for his job when his company downsizes its travel budget. He is required to spend more time at home just as he is on the cusp of a goal he's worked toward for years: reaching five million frequent flyer miles and just after he's met the frequent-traveler woman of his dreams.

- IT’S COMPLICATED Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin, John Krasinski (Dec 25) Writer/director Nancy Meyers ("What Women Want," "Something's Gotta Give," "The Holiday") directs Meryl Streep, Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin in "It's Complicated," a comedy about love, divorce and everything in between (I’ve already been told by my Wife that we are seeing this one).

FOR OSCAR’S CONSIDERATION:

- AMELIA Hilary Swank, Richard Gere, Ewan McGregor (Oct 23) An extraordinary life of adventure, celebrity and continuing mystery comes to light in "Amelia," a vast, thrilling account of legendary aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart.

- PRECIOUS Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd, Lenny Kravitz (Limited Nov 6) Lee Daniels's "Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire" is a vibrant, honest and resoundingly hopeful film about the human capacity to grow and overcome (And yes, Mariah Carey is in a film that has early Oscar buzz. Unbelievable).

- NINE Daniel Day-Lewis, Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman, Judi Dench, Kate Hudson, Stacy Ferguson, Sophia Loren (Nov 25) A vibrant and provocative musical that follows the life of world famous film director Guido Contini (Daniel Day-Lewis) as he reaches a creative and personal crisis of epic proportion, while balancing the numerous women in his life (Directing “Chicago” to Oscar glory worked for Rob Marshall. Why not try it again?).

- INVICTUS Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon (Dec 11) The film tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela joined forces with the captain of South Africa's rugby team to help unite their country (Morgan Freeman playing Nelson Mandela in a film directed by Clint Eastwood. Do we even need to hold the Oscar’s this year? I mean, clean sweep, right?).

NO INTEREST IN:

- LOVE HAPPENS Aaron Eckhart, Jennifer Aniston (Sep 18) A woman falls in love with a widower living in Seattle. Basically a homeless man’s remake of “Sleepless in Seattle” with a generic title.

- THE BOX Cameron Diaz, James Marsden (Nov 6) What if someone gave you a box containing a button that, if pushed, would bring you a million dollars...but simultaneously take the life of someone you don't know? Would you do it? And what would be the consequences? (What if they made a movie that no one cared about or saw? Would it even matter?)

- THE MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Kevin Spacey (Nov 6) Involves a down-on-his-luck reporter (McGregor) who gets more than he bargains for when he meets a special forces agent (Clooney) who reveals the existence of a secret, psychic military unit whose goal is to use paranormal powers to end war as we know it.

ABSOULUTELY NO INTEREST IN:

- 2012 John Cusack, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Amanda Peet (Nov 13) How many times can we destroy the White House and pretend like it still carries some impact. Been there, done that too many times before.

- OLD DOGS John Travolta, Robin Williams (Nov 25) Two best friends have their lives turned upside down when they're unexpectedly charged with the care of six-year-old twins while on the verge of the biggest business deal of their lives. Really? I swear producers are now just making bets with each other about what they can actually get away with and still make a profit on.

- AVATAR Sam Worthington (Dec 18) This was supposed to be the next great American movie from “Titanic” and “Aquaman” director James Cameron. Whoops! As Hitler puts it, Cameron “should have left the remake of ‘Ferngully: The Last Rainforest’ to Lucas”. Not Good.

- DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE MORGANS? Hugh Grant, Sarah Jessica Parker (Dec 18) Grant and Parker get put in the Witness Protection program in Wyoming. Why? Dear God, why?

- ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE SQUEAKQUEL You know what? I’m just going to pretend this isn’t really happening.