September Movies: Moneyball, Contagion, Dream House, Warrior....

[Mark Vader]

The leaves are starting to change color, there's a little nip in the air, school is back in session and it's time for football. With a gargantuan summer movie season now in the books, we say hello to the month of September and the start of the so-called "Adult Season" of movies. This is where the start of Oscar talks take place as we won't see as many big budget tent-pole films until November. Generally there will be more serious fare to watch, but there is a little bit for everyone as well, as there is a large amount of wide releases this month.

 

Getting plenty of early buzz is the Brad Pitt headliner "Moneyball". Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane works to put together a baseball club on a budget by employing computer-generated analysis to draft his players. With a strong writing team, Pitt's star-power and baseball getting closer to it's playoffs, and this movie being based on a true story, this film will have big appeal. Also starring Jonah Hill, Robin Wright & Philip Seymour Hoffman.

 

An impressive array of big name acting talent comes together in the Steven Soderbergh biological thriller, "Contagion". The Center for Disease Control dispatches an international team of doctors to stop an airborne virus from spreading around the world. Starring Marion Cotillard, Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow & Kate Winslet.

 

Daniel Craig, Naomi Watts & Rachel Weisz star in "Dream House". As Will Atenton and his family relocate to a quaint New England town, they soon learn that a mother and her two children were murdered in the same residence. While most everyone thinks the killer is the husband who survived the incident, Will works with a local woman to piece together an even more disturbing puzzle.

 

Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton headline, "Warrior". Ex-Marine Tommy Riordan returns to his hometown of Pittsburgh to train for a mixed martial arts tournament with a major cast prize. Looking to his father, an alcoholic former coach, for guidance is tough enough, but Tommy's chosen path also is putting him on a collision course with his older brother, Brendan, a former MMA and current struggling parent. Also starring Nick Nolte.

 

Joseph Gordon-Levitt & Seth Rogen star in "50/50", a comedic account of a 27-year-old guy's cancer diagnosis, and his subsequent struggle to beat the disease. Also starring Bryce Dallas Howard, Anna Kendrick & Anjelica Huston.

 

Ryan Gosling stars in "Drive", A Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a get-away driver for the criminal underground finds himself on the run from after a botched job. Riding shotgun and equally in danger are his neighbor and her child. Also starring Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Ron Perlman & Albert Brooks.

 

"The Debt", Takes place in 1965, Mossad agent Rachel Singer was part of a secret mission to capture and bring to trial the Surgeon of Birkenau, a Nazi war criminal. In her present-day life, when a man claiming to be the killer surfaces in Ukraine, Singer travels to Eastern Europe to seek out the truth. Starring Helen Mirren, Sam Worthington, Jessica Chastain & Tom Wilkinson.

 

James Marsden & Kate Bosworth star in the thriller remake, "Straw Dogs". L.A. screenwriter David Sumner relocates with his wife Amy to her hometown in the deep South. There, while tensions build between them, a brewing conflict with locals becomes a threat to them both. Also starring Alexander Skarsgard, Dominic Purcell & James Woods.

 

Taylor Lautner stars in the John Singleton directed "Abduction". When Nathan, who has always felt distanced from his parents, discovers that he was kidnapped as a child, he begins to uncover a vast conspiracy and must go on the run in order to survive. Also starring Lily Collins, Alfred Molina, Jason Issacs, Maria Bello & Sigourney Weaver.

 

Jason Statham, Clive Owen & Robert DeNiro star in "Killer Elite". A retired member of Britain's Elite Special Air Service is forced into action when his mentor is taken captive. His mission: kill three assassins dispatched by their cunning leader.

 

In "Shark Night 3D", A lake-house retreat on the Louisiana Gulf turns into a nightmare for a group of vacationers when they are subjected to an improbable phenomenon: fresh-water shark attacks. Starring Sara Paxton, Dustin Milligan, Chris Carmack & Katharine McPhee.

 

In "Apollo 18", Decades-old found footage from NASA's Apollo 18 mission, where two American astronauts were sent on a secret expedition, reveals the reason the U.S. has never returned to the moon. Starring Warren Christie & Lloyd Owen.

 

In "Dolphin Tale", A boy befriends a dolphin who lost her tail in a crab trap. Inspired by the story, everyone who knows the young man work together to create a prosthetic appendage for the dolphin, who in turn becomes an inspiration to people with special needs. Starring Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, Harry Connick, Jr., Kris Kristofferson & Nathan Gamble.

 

Anna Faris stars in "What's Your Number?". A woman reflects upon her old romances and flings, wondering if one of the men might have been her true love. Also starring Chris Evans, Chris Pratt & Ryan Phillipe.

 

In "Courageous", When a tragedy strikes close to home, four police officers struggle with their faith and their roles as husbands and fathers; together they make a decision that will change all of their lives. Starring Alex Kendrick, Ken Bevel, Kevin Downes & Ben Davies.

 

In "Bucky Larson: Born to be a Star", After learning that his parents were porn stars in the 1970s, a nerdy guy leaves his home in northern Iowa for Hollywood, hoping to follow in their footsteps. He's taken in by a down-and-out director who sees a bright future for him and the kid. Starring Nick Swardson, Don Johnson & Christina Ricci.

 

Finally, in "I Don't Know How She Does It", Kate Reddy is a finance executive who is the breadwinner for her husband and two kids. A new account adds another layer to her already packed schedule -- and it includes temptation in the form of business associate Jack Abelhammer. Starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Greg Kinnear, Pierce Brosnan, Kelsay Grammer & Christina Hendricks.

 

Calendar with Trailers

 

8/31

"The Debt": http://focusfeatures.com/the_debt

 

9/2

"Shark Night 3D": http://www.iamrogue.com/sharknight3d/fullsite/index.html

 

"Apollo 18": http://apollo18movie.net/

 

9/9

"Contagion": http://contagionmovie.warnerbros.com/index.html#/trailer

 

"Warrior": http://www.warriorfilm.com/index2.html

 

"Bucky Larson: Born to be a Star": http://www.buckylarson.com/

 

9/16

"Drive": http://www.drive-movie.com/

 

"I Don't Know How She Does It": http://howshedoesitmovie.com/

 

"Straw Dogs": http://www.strawdogsmovie.com/

 

9/23

"Moneyball": http://www.moneyball-movie.com/

 

"Abduction": http://abductionthefilm.com/

 

"Killer Elite": http://www.killerelite.com/

 

"Dolphin Tale": http://dolphintalemovie.warnerbros.com/index.html

 

9/30

"50/50": http://www.50-50themovie.com/

 

"Dream House": http://www.dreamhousemovie.net/

 

"What's Your Number": http://www.whatsyournumbermovie.com/main.php

 

"Courageous": http://www.courageousthemovie.com/

 

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

[ajzepp]

Quite a few of these films appeal to me, with "The Debt" being the one I"m most excited to see...I haven't seen any early feedback on the film, but I'm fascinated by the plot and am very happy with the casting. Equally as appealing to me is "Warrior". This will likely be a good opportunity for those of you who aren't familiar with Tom Hardy yet to give the guy a look. (Tom Hardy will be playing Bane in the next Batman film.) Hardy has already become one of my favorite actors, and I have no doubt he'll shine in this role. Third at the top of my list is Moneyball. I'm always interested in the concept of player movement in sports, and the idea of putting a team together on a budget thinking outside the box sounds really interesting.

 

There's a handful of others on this list that I"m sure I'll see when they hit bluray, but chances are I'll see the above three in the theater.

 

As always, Thanks Vader!!

[Jerry Christ]

Third at the top of my list is Moneyball. I'm always interested in the concept of player movement in sports, and the idea of putting a team together on a budget thinking outside the box sounds really interesting.

!

haven't you been watching how Ralph does it? Cheap Talent, I mean Cheap players= PROFIT!

[KD in CA]

Getting plenty of early buzz is the Brad Pitt headliner "Moneyball". Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane works to put together a baseball club on a budget by employing computer-generated analysis to draft his players. With a strong writing team, Pitt's star-power and baseball getting closer to it's playoffs, and this movie being based on a true story, this film will have big appeal. Also starring Jonah Hill, Robin Wright & Philip Seymour Hoffman.

 

Good cast and interesting subject (at least to me), but I can't see how this will translate into an entertaining movie. I'm guessing it will be over-Hollywooded to the point of nausea (similar to how they ruined Ben Mezrich's 'Bringing Down The House').

[shrader]

Quite a few of these films appeal to me, with "The Debt" being the one I"m most excited to see...I haven't seen any early feedback on the film, but I'm fascinated by the plot and am very happy with the casting. Equally as appealing to me is "Warrior". This will likely be a good opportunity for those of you who aren't familiar with Tom Hardy yet to give the guy a look. (Tom Hardy will be playing Bane in the next Batman film.) Hardy has already become one of my favorite actors, and I have no doubt he'll shine in this role. Third at the top of my list is Moneyball. I'm always interested in the concept of player movement in sports, and the idea of putting a team together on a budget thinking outside the box sounds really interesting.

 

There's a handful of others on this list that I"m sure I'll see when they hit bluray, but chances are I'll see the above three in the theater.

 

As always, Thanks Vader!!

 

Warrior seems so poorly timed. It's way too close on the heels of the Fighter. The Batman connection between the two films is kind of funny though, now that I think about it.

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

Good cast and interesting subject (at least to me), but I can't see how this will translate into an entertaining movie. I'm guessing it will be over-Hollywooded to the point of nausea (similar to how they ruined Ben Mezrich's 'Bringing Down The House').

 

+1

 

I loved the book "Bringing Down the House" and hated what they did to it in the movie.

 

I also loved the book "Moneyball," so I'm kind of dreading seeing this movie.

[CosmicBills]

I have not seen a frame of the movie yet, but every meeting I go on, everyone absolutely raves about Drive. I'm talking across the board gushing from execs who had nothing to do with the film. It's supposed to be the best action movie of the past decade.

 

It might mean nothing, but it's rare to hear that kind of universal consensus from the typically ultra jaded folks in tow.

[ajzepp]

I have not seen a frame of the movie yet, but every meeting I go on, everyone absolutely raves about Drive. I'm talking across the board gushing from execs who had nothing to do with the film. It's supposed to be the best action movie of the past decade.

 

It might mean nothing, but it's rare to hear that kind of universal consensus from the typically ultra jaded folks in tow.

 

That movie sure has a solid cast...Gosling, Cranston, Brooks, etc. Can't wait to hear more about it!

[Acantha]

An impressive array of big name acting talent comes together in the Steven Soderbergh biological thriller, "Contagion". The Center for Disease Control dispatches an international team of doctors to stop an airborne virus from spreading around the world. Starring Marion Cotillard, Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow & Kate Winslet.

You always do a great job on these so I'll give you a little slack on this mistake. It's very well known that this star studded movie features Dustin Hoffman, Rene Russo, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey, and Donald Sutherland.

 

Jason Statham, Clive Owen & Robert DeNiro star in...

No further info needed. This is obviously the movie of the year.

[Mark Vader]

You always do a great job on these so I'll give you a little slack on this mistake. It's very well known that this star studded movie features Dustin Hoffman, Rene Russo, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey, and Donald Sutherland.

 

 

No further info needed. This is obviously the movie of the year.

 

That's exactly what I tell people, and it's also why I am not that thrilled about seeing "Contagion". The only difference is there is no monkey.

 

I have not seen a frame of the movie yet, but every meeting I go on, everyone absolutely raves about Drive. I'm talking across the board gushing from execs who had nothing to do with the film. It's supposed to be the best action movie of the past decade.

 

It might mean nothing, but it's rare to hear that kind of universal consensus from the typically ultra jaded folks in tow.

I have heard good things about this movie too. The thing that surprises me is the presence of Albert Brooks. I am so used to him being in comedies, and seeing him play this gangster type role is quite a trip.

[shrader]

 

That's exactly what I tell people, and it's also why I am not that thrilled about seeing "Contagion". The only difference is there is no monkey.

 

What were they thinking? Everyone loves monkeys.

[Mark Vader]

BUMP

 

Here are this month's Independent Films.

 

While not an Independent film Disney re-releases it's classic "The Lion King" giving it the 3D treatment, for a 2 week engagement.

 

Gerard Butler is, "Machine Gun Preacher". After finding God, Sam Childers leaves his outlaw life behind and crusades for hundreds of Sudanese children who've been forced to become soldiers. Also starring Michelle Monaghan and Michael Shannon.

 

Colin Firth stars in "Main Street". Residents of North Carolina community find their lives changed by the arrival of a stranger with a controversial plan to save their decaying town. Also starring Ellen Burstyn, Patricia Clarkson, Amber Tamblyn & Orlando Bloom.

 

Anna Paquin, Matt Damon & Mark Ruffalo star in, "Margaret". A New York City girl who feels that she played a roll in a fatal traffic accident attempts to set things right, though she faces life-changing opposition at every turn.

 

Lucas Black, Robert Duvall & Melissa Leo star in "Seven Days in Utopia". After a disastrous debut on the pro circuit, a young golfer finds himself unexpectedly stranded in Utopia, Texas and welcomed by an eccentric rancher.

 

Chris Evans stars in "Puncture". Two young lawyers -- one of them a functioning drug addict -- take on a case involving an ER nurse who was pricked by a contaminated needle while on the job. As the case deepens, a conspiracy emerges, testing the respective mettle of the underdog legal team.

 

Tyler Labine & Alan Tudyk star in, "Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil". In the mountains of West Virginia, hillbilly pals Tucker and Dale look to drink, fish, and relax at their cabin retreat, until their encounter with a group of college kids turns into a bloody, deadly misunderstanding.

 

Mia Wasikowska & Henry Hopper star in "Restless". The story of a terminally ill teenage girl who falls for a boy who likes to attend funerals and their encounters with the ghost of a Japanese kamikaze pilot from WWII.

 

Michael Shannon stars in "Take Shelter". Plagued by a series of apocalyptic visions, Curtis LaForche, questions whether to shelter his family from a coming storm, or from himself. Also starring Jessica Chastain & Shea Whigham.

 

Jason Sudeikis stars in, "A Good Old Fashioned Orgy". With access to his dad's house in the Hamptons for a holiday weekend, a party-loving guy talks his best friends into having an orgy.

 

In "Tanner Hall", The friendship between three girls at a sheltered New England boarding school is tested when trouble-maker Victoria is introduced to the group, and their usually level headed leader, Fernanda, enters into a relationship with an older guy. Starring Rooney Mara, Georgia King & Brie Larson.

 

In "Creature", A group of friends come face to face with Lockjaw, a half-man, half-alligator monster who resides in the backwoods of New Orleans. Starring Mehcad Brooks, Serinda Swan & Daniel Bernhardt.

 

"Laugh at my Pain", is a stand-up performance from comedian Kevin Hart's popular 2011 tour.

 

From France comes, "Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life". A glimpse at the life of French singer Serge Gainsbourg, from growing up in Nazi-occupied Paris, through his years as a jazz musician, and into the era when he was a pop superstar. Starring Eric Elmosnino, Lucy Gordon, & Laetitia Casta.

 

From Mexico comes, "Saving Private Perez", A Mexican crime lord rallies a group of toughs in order to meet his mother's demand: to infiltrate Iraq and rescue his brother. Starring Miguel Rodarte, Jesus Ochoa & Joaquin Cosio.

 

"Pearl Jam Twenty" is a documentary on the band Pearl Jam that marks their 20th anniversary in the year 2011.

 

In the documentary, "Thunder Soul", Alumni from Houston's storied Kashmere High School Stage Band return home after 35 years to play a tribute concert for the 92-year-old "Prof," their beloved band leader who broke the color barrier and transformed the school's struggling jazz band into a world-class funk powerhouse in the early 1970s.

 

In the documentary, "The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975", Contemporary Swedish filmmaker Göran Hugo Olsson edits together footage shot by a team of Swedish journalists who documented the Black Power Movement in the United States.

 

Finally, in the documentary, "Sarah Palin: You betcha!", A documentarian travels to Alaska in order to trace the origins of Sarah Palin's political career.

 

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

 

9/2

"A Good Old Fashioned Orgy": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi918592537/

 

"Saving Private Perez": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi869178393/

 

"Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1798413337/

 

"Seven Days in Utopia": http://www.sevendaysinutopia.com/

 

9/9

"The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3307641881/

 

"Laugh at my Pain": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3284376601/

 

"Main Street": http://www.mainstreetthemovie.com/

 

"Creature": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1189190681/

 

"Tanner Hall": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3743718425/

 

9/16

"Restless": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi4076706841/

 

"The Lion King": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3764362265/

 

9/20

"Pearl Jam Twenty": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3603209241/

 

9/23

"Machine Gun Preacher": http://www.machinegunpreacher.org/

 

"Thunder Soul": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1696439577/

 

"Puncture": http://www.puncture-the-movie.com/

 

9/30

"Margaret": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1417649177/

 

"Take Shelter": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3746995481/

 

"Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil": http://www.magnetreleasing.com/tuckeranddalevsevil/

 

"Sarah Palin: You Betcha!": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi490839065/

 

That's all for now, I'll have the October movies up soon. Enjoy!

[KD in CA]

You always do a great job on these so I'll give you a little slack on this mistake. It's very well known that this star studded movie features Dustin Hoffman, Rene Russo, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey, and Donald Sutherland.

 

I actually liked that movie, cheesy as it was.

 

 

p.s. you forgot Patrick Dempsy and Cuba Gooding, Jr.

 

 

 

What were they thinking? Everyone loves monkeys.

Especially cute, bio-terror carrying monkeys!