October Movies: Red, Hereafter, The Social Network & Let Me In....

[Mark Vader]

As is typical for this time of year, box office numbers are down, now as the month of October moves in the Adult Season of movies will conclude. While there is still plenty of serious fare to come, Halloween is among us, which will bring out audiences craving a good scare, and they will have plenty to choose from. There are also some big name actors and directors that people will get to see as the Oscar races will start to heat up before the big tentpole films in November & December are released.

 

Summit Entertainment takes a timeout away from the cash cow of the Twilight franchise, and instead employs the likes of Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren & John Malkovich to star in the graphic novel adaptation "Red". When his idyllic life is threatened by a high-tech assassin, former black-ops agent Frank Moses reassembles his old team in a last ditch effort to survive. With a cast like this, how can you miss? Not to mention the prospect of seeing a gun toting Helen Mirren, is just too good to pass up. Also starring Mary Louise Parker, Brian Cox, Karl Urban, Julian McMahon, Richard Dreyfuss & Ernest Borgnine.

 

Clint Eastwood is back behind the camera, reteamed with actor Matt Damon, and brings us something a little different, in the supernatural thriller "Hereafter". Centered on three people -- a blue-collar American, a French journalist and a London school boy -- who are touched by death in different ways. Eastwood's track record as a director is undeniable, and many people will be curious how he does in this genre. Also starring Bryce Dallas Howard & Cecile De France.

 

Director David Fincher brings us "The Social Network". Harvard undergraduate Mark Zuckerberg recruits some of his classmates to develop the social networking website, Facebook. The endeavor, however, leads to a messy fallout with friend and co-founder, Eduardo Saverin. Garnering strong reviews and early Oscar buzz, people are warning moviegoers that this is not just a cheap thriller about Facebook. Columbia Pictures also gets to showcase two of it's younger stars in Jesse Eisenberg and the new Spider-Man; Andrew Garfield. Also starring Justin Timberlake.

 

The Americanized version of the Swedish horror film "Let the Right One In" is released under the title, "Let Me In". Owen is an alienated and bullied 12-year-old who builds a tentative friendship with his mysterious new neighbor, Abby. Only socializing at night and seemingly immune to the winter climate, Abby reveals her true nature to Owen after her father disappears and a series of murders grips their town. Child actors Kodi Smit-McPhee & Chloe Moretz garnered much praise in their recent outings("The Road" & "Kick-Ass"), and again are receiving good praise for this film. Purists & lovers of the original film may scoff at this for being a cheap Hollywood re-make, but early buzz has been extremely positive. Also starring Richard Jenkins & Elias Koteas.

 

Edward Norton, Milla Jovovich & Robert DeNiro star in "Stone". A convicted arsonist uses his wife as a device to secure his release by getting her to seduce the aged parole officer in charge of his case.

 

In "Conviction", A single mother spends nearly two decades putting herself through law school in order to overturn her brother's unjust murder conviction. Starring Hilary Swank, Sam Rockwell, Melissa Leo, Minnie Driver, Peter Gallagher, & Juliette Lewis.

 

In "Secretariat", The life story of Penny Chenery, whose racehorse, Secretariat, won the Triple Crown in 1973. Starring Diane Lane, John Malkovich, Scott Glenn & James Cromwell.

 

As mentioned before, this is the month of Halloween and if you want to be scared, there is plenty to see.

 

In "Case 39", Social worker Emily Jenkins takes 10-year-old Lily out of her apparently abusive home, though while she shelters the little girl and searches for a foster family, Emily realizes that her new case is protected by dark, threatening forces. Starring Renee Zellweger, Jodelle Ferland, Ian McShane & Bradley Cooper.

 

Wes Craven directs "My Soul To Take", A serial killer returns to his hometown to stalk seven children who share the same birthday as the date he was allegedly put to rest. Starring Max Theriot, Emily Meade & John Magaro.

 

The plot is unknown for "Paranormal Activity 2", a sequel to Oren Peli's no-budget blockbuster, in which a couple became increasingly disturbed by a nightly demonic presence in their new home.

 

And in "Saw 3D: The Final Chapter", As a deadly battle rages over Jigsaw's brutal legacy, a group of Jigsaw survivors gathers to seek the support of self-help guru and fellow survivor Bobby Dagen, a man whose own dark secrets unleash a new wave of terror. Starring Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor & Betsy Russell.

 

Katherine Heigl & Josh Duhamel star in "Life As We Know It", Two single adults (Heigl and Duhmael) become caregivers to an orphaned girl when their mutual best friends die in an accident.

 

Finally Johnny Knoxville stars in "Jackass 3-D", Knoxville and company return for the third installment of their TV show spin-off, where dangerous stunts and explicit public displays rule.

 

Calendar with trailers.

 

10/1

"The Social Network": http://www.thesocialnetwork-movie.com/

 

"Let Me In": http://www.letmein-movie.com/

 

"Case 39": http://www.case39movie.com/mainsite/

 

10/8

"Life As We Know It": http://lifeasweknowitmovie.warnerbros.com/

 

"Secretariat": http://www.disney.go.com/disneypictures/secretariat/

 

"My Soul To Take": http://www.iamrogue.com/mysoultotake

 

"Stone": http://www.stonemovie.com/stone.html

 

10/15

"Jackass 3-D": http://www.jackassmovie.com/#/home

 

"Conviction": http://www.foxsearchlight.com/conviction/

 

"Red": http://red-themovie.com/

 

10/22

"Paranormal Activity 2": http://www.paranormalmovie.com/

 

"Hereafter": http://hereafter.warnerbros.com/

 

10/29

"Saw 3-D: The Final Chapter": http://saw3dmovie.com/index.html

 

That's all for now. Independent Films will be posted later. Enjoy!

[Dante]

I hope they don't wreck "Let The Right One In." Jackass looks fun. "Secratariat" Do we really need another horse movie?

[shrader]

Red looks like it could be entertaining. I'll probably check that one out. The one I'm absolutely sick of hearing about though is that Facebook movie. It feels like they've been pushing that one for about 6 months now and it needs to end. I have no intention of ever seeing that movie no matter how many more ads they show me. I'm guessing I'll wait until it hits cable, but I'll check out Jackass at some point. That mindless stupidity usually works out pretty well at 1pm on a weekend night on Comedy Central.

[erynthered]

Thanks Mark!!

 

:thumbsup:

 

 

[Fezmid]

I hope they don't wreck "Let The Right One In."

Agreed.

 

I'm taking my team out to a movie next week, and I'm debating whether we should watch this one or not... The original was so good, that I just don't think the remake will do it justice....

 

Maybe I'll delay the outing a week and go to Red instead.

[Dante]

Agreed.

 

I'm taking my team out to a movie next week, and I'm debating whether we should watch this one or not... The original was so good, that I just don't think the remake will do it justice....

 

Maybe I'll delay the outing a week and go to Red instead.

Judging by the previews it looks like they have enhanced it visually for sure. If they can treat the story like the original it will be a winner. Hollywood tends to go overboard though. My fear is that it will be too romantic or shmaltzy, corny or however you want to put it. The original had a kind of no frills or starkness to it that didn't distract from the tension or story.

[Mark Vader]

Judging by the previews it looks like they have enhanced it visually for sure. If they can treat the story like the original it will be a winner. Hollywood tends to go overboard though. My fear is that it will be too romantic or shmaltzy, corny or however you want to put it. The original had a kind of no frills or starkness to it that didn't distract from the tension or story.

I do'nt think you have to worry about it being too shmaltzy or romantic. If anything this version looks like a carbon copy of the original, except for throwing in a police officer trying to figure out the situation, an added twist that I like.

 

Also McPhee & Moretz look quite good in their respective roles. And to ease your mind a bit, Rotten Tomatoes has a score of 84 for this movie.

 

I admit that I was worried when I first heard that they were re-making "Let the Right One In", and giving it the Hollywood treatment. I thought we would get something that would end up looking like "Twilight".

 

But my fears have long since disappeared and I will be seeing this movie tonight. Can't wait!

 

A footnote: this is the first film released in the USA by the "New" Hammer Films Productions. Let us hope that this the beginning of a new, and prosperous, era of "Hammer Horrors".

[Dante]

I do'nt think you have to worry about it being too shmaltzy or romantic. If anything this version looks like a carbon copy of the original, except for throwing in a police officer trying to figure out the situation, an added twist that I like.

 

Also McPhee & Moretz look quite good in their respective roles. And to ease your mind a bit, Rotten Tomatoes has a score of 84 for this movie.

 

I admit that I was worried when I first heard that they were re-making "Let the Right One In", and giving it the Hollywood treatment. I thought we would get something that would end up looking like "Twilight".

 

But my fears have long since disappeared and I will be seeing this movie tonight. Can't wait!

 

A footnote: this is the first film released in the USA by the "New" Hammer Films Productions. Let us hope that this the beginning of a new, and prosperous, era of "Hammer Horrors".

This would be great. My favorite and most terrifying portrayal of Dracula is by Hammers Christopher Lee. They really should consider remaking "Dracula Has Risen From The Grave" and "Horror Of Dracula".

Also "Twilight" like movie is exactly what I'm afraid of. It would be pretty typical of Hollywood to go there. Post up a mini review when you can!

[Mark Vader]

Red looks like it could be entertaining. I'll probably check that one out. The one I'm absolutely sick of hearing about though is that Facebook movie. It feels like they've been pushing that one for about 6 months now and it needs to end. I have no intention of ever seeing that movie no matter how many more ads they show me. I'm guessing I'll wait until it hits cable, but I'll check out Jackass at some point. That mindless stupidity usually works out pretty well at 1pm on a weekend night on Comedy Central.

Yes they have been buzzing about "The Social Network" for some time now and I can not say that I am that thrilled to see it myself.

 

Although, I do like director David Fincher's movies(Se7en, The Game, Fight Club & Panic Room), and I may have to see this film, simply because he's the one behind the camera.

[Mark Vader]

This would be great. My favorite and most terrifying portrayal of Dracula is by Hammers Christopher Lee. They really should consider remaking "Dracula Has Risen From The Grave" and "Horror Of Dracula".

Also "Twilight" like movie is exactly what I'm afraid of. It would be pretty typical of Hollywood to go there. Post up a mini review when you can!

Ok, just got back from watching "Let Me In", and I was impressed. It did feel like a carbon copy of the original, but it did have moments that improved on the original.

 

I will not give away the changes in this film, but I will say that both Kodi Smit-McPhee & Chloe Moretz are fantastic. I give a lot of credit to the writers and director for not dumbing down the movie and throwing a lot of Hollywood into it. It was very faithful to the original and took some liberties that did pay off.

 

If you've seen the original you will enjoy it, and if you have not seen the original, give this film a try. It'll take away the awful feeling that the Twilight franchise has given vampire movies lately.

[HopsGuy]

Yes they have been buzzing about "The Social Network" for some time now and I can not say that I am that thrilled to see it myself.

 

Although, I do like director David Fincher's movies(Se7en, The Game, Fight Club & Panic Room), and I may have to see this film, simply because he's the one behind the camera.

 

"The Social Network" is running 97% on RottenTomatoes.com right now. Aaron Sorkin is my favorite screenwriter (A Few Good Men, The American President, Charlie Wilson's War, as well as TV's Sports Night, The West Wing, & Studio 60) and along with Fincher, I have to believe this is a great work. That said, there's a bunch of Twitter chatter about how the script (based on Ben Mezrich's "Accidental Billionaires") departs greatly from reality. To that I say "Feh". I would have gone to see it tonight, but there's just too much football to watch. Maybe next week.

Edited October 2, 2010 by HopsGuy

[Mark Vader]

Thanks Mark!!

 

:thumbsup:

You're welcome erynthered. I have a lot of fun making these for all of you and I appreciate the feedback.

[Mark Vader]

BUMP

 

Here are this month's Independent Films, and there are a bunch!

 

In "It's Kind of a Funny Story", A clinically depressed teenager gets a new start after he checks himself into an adult psychiatric ward, where he bonds with one patient and sparks with another. Starring Keir Gilchrist, Zach Galifianakis & Emma Roberts.

 

"Nowhere Boy" is a chronicle of the early life of John Lennon in 1950s Liverpool, from his relationship with his aunt Mimi and estranged mother, to the foundation of The Quarrymen. Starring Aaron Johnson, Kristen Scott Thomas & Anne-Marie Duff.

 

In "Barry Munday", Womanizer Barry Munday wakes up after being attacked to realize that he's missing his family jewels. To make matters worse, he learns he's facing a paternity lawsuit filed by a woman he can't remember meeting. Starring Patrick Wilson, Judy Greer & Chloe Sevigny.

 

In "Tamara Drewe", A young newspaper writer -- once an ugly duckling -- returns to her hometown in the English countryside, and causes a stir among the locals. Starring Gemma Arterton.

 

In "Inhale", When his daughter is diagnosed with a degenerative condition for which she needs a double lung transplant, a father travels to Juarez, Mexico in order to consult with a doctor, though he soon discovers a situation that will test his ethical boundaries. Starring Dermot Mulroney, Diane Kruger & Sam Shepard.

 

There are low budget thrillers & horrors for that Halloween feeling too.

 

In "Monsters", With half of Mexico serving as an alien quarantine zone, an American journalist heads across the border into dangerous territory to find his boss's daughter and bring her back home. Starring Scott McNairy & Whitney Able.

 

In "Hatchet II", After narrowly avoiding death by Victor Crowley's axe, the resilient Marybeth returns to the Louisiana bayou to exact her revenge and claim the bodies of those who died on her first visit. Starring Danielle Harris, Kane Hodder & Tony Todd.

 

In "Chain Letter", High schooler Jessie Campbell (Reed) and her friends receive a series of chain letters via email from a killer with gruesome plans in store for anyone who breaks the chain. Starring Nikki Reed, Keith David & Brad Dourif.

 

In the remake, "I Spit on Your Grave: Unrated", A writer retreats to an isolated cabin in order to work on her latest novel. After she is brutalized and left for dead by a group of men, she sets out to exact her revenge by trapping her attackers one-by-one. Starring Sarah Butler.

 

There are several documentary films as well.

 

"Inside Job" is, A comprehensive analysis of the global financial crisis of 2008. Starring Matt Damon.

 

"I Want Your Money" is, A documentary that contrasts two views of role that the federal government should play in our daily lives, using the words and actions of Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama.

 

In "Freakonomics", A handful of documentary filmmakers explore the subject of incentive-based thinking.

 

And to wrap it all up....

 

In "Down Terrace", Sprung from prison, a father and son struggle to keep their crime family business together while sussing out the police informant in their midst. Starring Robin Hill, Robert Hill & Julia Deakin.

 

In "Leaving", Feeling listless in her stale marriage and life in the south of France, Suzanne falls for Ivan as he works on her property. Unexpected is her husband Samuel's ugly retaliation. Starring Kristen Scott Thomas, Sergi Lopez & Yvan Attal.

 

In "Ghetto Physics: Will the Real Pimps and Hos Please Stand Up?", A blend of documentary, satire, and narrative filmmaking examines the power dynamic that exists in social, political, and corporate relationships. Starring Mike Foy, Sabrina Revelle & Nina Daniels.

 

In "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest", Lisbeth Salander fights for her life while in intensive care and faced with murder charges. As she and Mikael Blomkvist work to prove her innocence, Lisbeth also takes it upon herself to denounce the government forces that nearly destroyed her.

 

"Aftershock" is, A drama based on China's Tangshan Earthquake, which claimed the lives of 240,000 people in 1976.

 

Calendar with trailers. Note that dates are for Exclusive or Limited release. These films may appear in your area at a later date.

 

10/1

"Freakonomics": http://www.magpictures.com/freakonomics/

 

"Hatchet II": http://www.darkskyfilms.com/

 

"Chain Letter": http://chainletterthemovie.com/

 

"Barry Munday": http://www.barrymundayfilm.com/

 

10/8

"It's Kind of a Funny Story": http://focusfeatures.com/film/its_kind_of_a_funny_story/

 

"Tamara Drewe": http://www.tamaradrewe-movie.com/

 

"Inside Job": http://www.sonyclassics.com/insidejob/

 

"Leaving": http://www.ifcfilms.com/films/leaving

 

"Nowhere Boy": http://nowhereboymovie.com/

 

"I Spit on Your Grave": http://www.ispitonyourgravemovie.com/

 

"Ghettophysics": http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi3324942617/

 

10/15

"Down Terrace": http://downterrace.com/

 

"I Want Your Money": http://www.iwantyourmoney.net/

 

10/22

"Inhale": http://www.ifcfilms.com/films/inhale

 

10/29

"Monsters": http://monstersfilm.com/

 

"The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest": http://dragontattoofilm.com/about-5/the-girl-who-kicked-the-hornets-nest/

 

"Aftershock": http://www.moviexclusive.com/review/aftershock/aftershock.html

 

That is all for now. I will have the November movies up very soon. Enjoy!

[WWVaBeach]

Saw Jack Ass 3D opening weekend. I was very impressed with how far 3D has come. This ain't your father's 3D. Unfortunately I was a little let down by the movie itself. There was so much more they could have done with the 3D effects. Don't get me wrong, there are some very funny stunts in the movie, but they IMO didn't take full advantage of the 3D. My $.02

[KD in CA]

Yes they have been buzzing about "The Social Network" for some time now and I can not say that I am that thrilled to see it myself.

 

In case you haven't seen it, it was pretty good -- certainly worth seeing.

[shrader]

Saw Jack Ass 3D opening weekend. I was very impressed with how far 3D has come. This ain't your father's 3D. Unfortunately I was a little let down by the movie itself. There was so much more they could have done with the 3D effects. Don't get me wrong, there are some very funny stunts in the movie, but they IMO didn't take full advantage of the 3D. My $.02

 

I went to see it last night. I had no intention of seeing the 3D, but the online listing I saw was wrong. The normal showing they had listed didn't actually exist at the theater. Anyway, the 3D seemed a bit pointless to me, definitely not worth the extra money.

[Dante]

Went to go see "Red" this weekend. Underwhelmed at best. Pretty standard action movie with all the regular cliched plot lines and characters. Main villain is of course the old white guy arms manufacturer illegally dealing weapons to S.America. Freeman plays the guy he always plays. Even Malkovic is wasted as a flaky retired agent. I guess its a standard action flick if your into that kind of thing. But there is nothing new or unique as far as the plot goes. Characters are cookie cutter. Mildly entertaining if your looking for lots of explosions, gun fire etc.

Blah 6/10