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Posted

The month of August rolls in, thus bringing a close to the big Summer Season of movies. What used to be a month of final offerings, August is now seen as a month that can still soak up some big money, as studios manage to get one or two tentpole films. August is also a month with plenty of variety and quantity. A whopping 14 movies have wide releases this month, by far the largest in one month all summer, as studios try to squeeze every last dollar they can get, before school and football start up again.

 

Leading the charge is Paramount Pictures "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra". Going from one popular Hasbro toyline(Transformers) to another, Paramount is banking on making it big with this franchise. An elite military unit comprised of operatives known as the Global Integrated Joint Operating Entity look to dismantle Cobra, an organization headed by a Scottish arms dealer. While this franchise may not scale the box office heights that the giant robot franchise is making, the mindless action does look appealing for those still craving some fun. Having a big attractive cast does'nt hurt either. Starring Dennis Quaid, Channing Tatum, Marlon Wayans, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Sienna Miller, Rachel Nichols, Christopher Eccleston, Ray Park, Byung-hun Lee & Jonathan Pryce.

 

Cult favorite Quentin Tarantino returns to the director's chair with his latest film, "Inglorious Basterds". An American-led killing squad known as "The Basterds" terrorize the Nazis in German-occupied France during World War II. Brad Pitt headlines the cast as Tarantino is looking for some redemption at the box office. "Grindhouse" flopped, and "Kill Bill" had a modest reception, so Tarantino must show that he is still relevant in this industry. Pitt's presence will help, but people might find out the hard way that this is not your typical WWII movie. A running time of over 2 1/2 hours might not help either. Fans of Tarantino are loyal, now will there be word-of-mouth to help? Also starring Diane Kruger, Mike Myers, Eli Roth, B.J. Novak, Rod Taylor & Cloris Leachman.

 

The big alternative summer programming movie, finally arrives in the form of, "Julie & Julia". Based on two best selling books, Frustrated secretary Julie Powell tries to shake up her life by chronicling her attempt to cook all 524 recipes in Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking in a year's time. Starring Amy Adams & Meryl Streep in the titular roles, this also continues the trend of countering the mindless popcorn fun of summer with a movie that does not rely on CGI. Meryl Streep has been in this place before with last year's "Mamma Mia", and the year before that with "The Devil Wears Prada", both films were hits, and there is no reason to doubt why J&J will not be either. Also starring Stanley Tucci & Chris Messina.

 

In what some are billing as the sleeper hit of the summer, comes "District 9". A sci-fi/action story set in a fictional world, where extraterrestrials have become refugees in South Africa. Peter Jackson is on as executive producer, which has helped in the marketing, as this movie is relying on storyline rather than starpower. Trailers, tv spots, and a clever website have made more people curious about this sci-fi tale. Starring Sharlto Copley, David James and Jason Cope.

 

Another best selling novel makes it into theatres this month in the form of "The Time Traveler's Wife". A romantic drama about a Chicago librarian with a gene that causes him to involuntarily time travel, and the complications it creates for his marriage. While not your typical summer fare, this movie will attract women who need a good serious romance and a good cry. Starring Eric Bana, Rachel McAdams & Ron Livingston.

 

In "A Perfect Getaway", Two pairs of lovers on a Hawaiian vacation discover that psychopaths are stalking and murdering tourists on the islands. Starring Milla Jovovich, Steve Zahn, Timothy Olyphant & Kiele Sanchez.

 

"The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard", is about used-car liquidator Don Ready is hired by a flailing auto dealership to turn their Fourth of July sale into a majorly profitable event. Starring Jeremy Piven, Ving Rhames & David Koechner.

 

A pair of horror franchises make their summer appearnce.

 

Rob Zombie is back with "Halloween II". Laurie Strode struggles to come to terms with her brother Michael's deadly return to Haddonfield, Illinois; meanwhile, Michael prepares for another reunion with his sister. Starring Scout Taylor-Compton, Tyler Mane & Malcolm McDowell.

 

And in "The Final Destination", After Hunt's premonition of a deadly race-car crash helps saves the lives of his peers, Death sets out to collect those who evaded their fate. Starring Nick Zano, Krista Allen & Andrew Fiscella.

 

Ang Lee directs "Taking Woodstock", A man working at his parents' motel in the Catskills inadvertently sets in motion the generation-defining concert in the summer of 1969. Starring Demetri Martin, Imelda Staunton, Jeffrey Dean Morgan & Emile Hirsch.

 

In "Post Grad", When recent college graduate Ryden Malby discovers she can't land a good job because of the working world's harsh climate, she moves back in with her oddball family in order to reconsider her options. Starring Alexis Bledel, Michael Keaton, Carol Burnett & Zach Gilford.

 

In "Bandslam", An outcast bonds with the popular girl on campus over their shared love of music, and together they decide to form a rock group and enter their school's upcoming battle of the bands competition. Starring Alyson Michalka, Vanessa Hudgens, Gaelan Connell & Lisa Kudrow.

 

Robert Rodriguez directs "Shorts", Toe Thompson's discovery of a colorful, wish-granting rock causes a stir in the suburban town of Black Falls, and grand-scale chaos occurs when the object falls into the hands of local adults. Starring Jimmy Bennett, Kat Dennings, James Spader, William H. Macy & Leslie Mann.

 

Finally in "Ponyo, An animated adventure from director Hayao Miyazaki, centers on a 5-year-old boy and his relationship with a goldfish princess who longs to become human. Starring Cate Blanchett, Matt Damon, Liam Neeson, Lily Tomlin, Betty White, Cloris Leachman, Tina Fey, Noah Cyrus & Frankie Jonas.

 

Calendar with trailers

 

8/7

"Julie & Julia": http://www.julieandjulia.com/

 

"Shorts": http://shortsmovie.warnerbros.com/

 

"A Perfect Getaway": http://www.iamrogue.com/aperfectgetaway/

 

"G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra": http://www.gijoemovie.com/

 

8/14

"District 9": http://www.district9movie.com/

 

"Ponyo": http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/ponyo/

 

"Bandslam: http://www.bandslam-movie.com/

 

"The Time Traveler's Wife": http://www.thetimetravelerswifemovie.com/

 

"The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard": http://www.livehardsellhard.com/

 

8/21

"Inglorious Basterds": http://inglouriousbasterds-movie.com/

 

"Post Grad": http://www.foxsearchlight.com/postgrad/

 

8/28

"Halloween II": http://www.halloween2-movie.com/

 

"The Final Destination": http://www.thefinaldestinationmovie.com/

 

"Taking Woodstock": http://www.filminfocus.com/focusfeatures/f...king_woodstock/

 

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

Posted
Chicago librarian with a gene that causes him to involuntarily time travel

 

That may be one of the most mindnumbingly stupid sentences I've ever read. I'd except something like that from a random sci-fi thriller movie, but not a chick flick. I'm sure they're trying to lure a few guys in, but they'll see right through it.

 

This will make two months in a row where I don't see any movies.

Posted
That may be one of the most mindnumbingly stupid sentences I've ever read. I'd except something like that from a random sci-fi thriller movie, but not a chick flick. I'm sure they're trying to lure a few guys in, but they'll see right through it.

 

This will make two months in a row where I don't see any movies.

Time Traveler's Wife has no pretense of itself being anything more than a chick flick.

 

Two months without seeing a movie? You had no interest in Public Enemies or Harry Potter? And you have no interest in "District 9"?

Posted
Time Traveler's Wife has no pretense of itself being anything more than a chick flick.

 

Yeah, I can tell from the ads I've seen on tv. But really, time traveling in a chick flick? It just comes off as incredibly stupid to me.

 

Two months without seeing a movie? You had no interest in Public Enemies or Harry Potter? And you have no interest in "District 9"?

 

If anything, they're at best stuff I'll wait to see on tv. Nothing has caught my eye recently. Public Enemies was the only one I was even considering at any point (and probably because of your thread).

Posted
Time Traveler's Wife has no pretense of itself being anything more than a chick flick.

 

Two months without seeing a movie? You had no interest in Public Enemies or Harry Potter? And you have no interest in "District 9"?

:blink:

 

<_<

Posted

Yeah, I can tell from the ads I've seen on tv. But really, time traveling in a chick flick? It just comes off as incredibly stupid to me.

 

 

 

Granted a time traveling chick flick sounds a bit odd, yet you have to admit, it is something different. Much like the reimagining of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice with zombies.

 

Also "The Time Traveler's Wife", was a best selling novel, so people did like the idea.

Posted
Cult favorite Quentin Tarantino returns to the director's chair with his latest film, "Inglorious Basterds". An American-led killing squad known as "The Basterds" terrorize the Nazis in German-occupied France during World War II. Brad Pitt headlines the cast as Tarantino is looking for some redemption at the box office. "Grindhouse" flopped, and "Kill Bill" had a modest reception, so Tarantino must show that he is still relevant in this industry. Pitt's presence will help, but people might find out the hard way that this is not your typical WWII movie. A running time of over 2 1/2 hours might not help either. Fans of Tarantino are loyal, now will there be word-of-mouth to help? Also starring Diane Kruger, Mike Myers, Eli Roth, B.J. Novak, Rod Taylor & Cloris Leachman.

 

The big alternative summer programming movie, finally arrives in the form of, "Julie & Julia". Based on two best selling books, Frustrated secretary Julie Powell tries to shake up her life by chronicling her attempt to cook all 524 recipes in Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking in a year's time. Starring Amy Adams & Meryl Streep in the titular roles, this also continues the trend of countering the mindless popcorn fun of summer with a movie that does not rely on CGI. Meryl Streep has been in this place before with last year's "Mamma Mia", and the year before that with "The Devil Wears Prada", both films were hits, and there is no reason to doubt why J&J will not be either. Also starring Stanley Tucci & Chris Messina.

 

In what some are billing as the sleeper hit of the summer, comes "District 9". A sci-fi/action story set in a fictional world, where extraterrestrials have become refugees in South Africa. Peter Jackson is on as executive producer, which has helped in the marketing, as this movie is relying on storyline rather than starpower. Trailers, tv spots, and a clever website have made more people curious about this sci-fi tale. Starring Sharlto Copley, David James and Jason Cope.

 

Another best selling novel makes it into theatres this month in the form of "The Time Traveler's Wife". A romantic drama about a Chicago librarian with a gene that causes him to involuntarily time travel, and the complications it creates for his marriage. While not your typical summer fare, this movie will attract women who need a good serious romance and a good cry. Starring Eric Bana, Rachel McAdams & Ron Livingston.

 

In "A Perfect Getaway", Two pairs of lovers on a Hawaiian vacation discover that psychopaths are stalking and murdering tourists on the islands. Starring Milla Jovovich, Steve Zahn, Timothy Olyphant & Kiele Sanchez.

 

"The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard", is about used-car liquidator Don Ready is hired by a flailing auto dealership to turn their Fourth of July sale into a majorly profitable event. Starring Jeremy Piven, Ving Rhames & David Koechner.

 

A pair of horror franchises make their summer appearnce.

 

Rob Zombie is back with "Halloween II". Laurie Strode struggles to come to terms with her brother Michael's deadly return to Haddonfield, Illinois; meanwhile, Michael prepares for another reunion with his sister. Starring Scout Taylor-Compton, Tyler Mane & Malcolm McDowell.

 

And in "The Final Destination", After Hunt's premonition of a deadly race-car crash helps saves the lives of his peers, Death sets out to collect those who evaded their fate. Starring Nick Zano, Krista Allen & Andrew Fiscella.

 

Ang Lee directs "Taking Woodstock", A man working at his parents' motel in the Catskills inadvertently sets in motion the generation-defining concert in the summer of 1969. Starring Demetri Martin, Imelda Staunton, Jeffrey Dean Morgan & Emile Hirsch.

 

In "Post Grad", When recent college graduate Ryden Malby discovers she can't land a good job because of the working world's harsh climate, she moves back in with her oddball family in order to reconsider her options. Starring Alexis Bledel, Michael Keaton, Carol Burnett & Zach Gilford.

 

In "Bandslam", An outcast bonds with the popular girl on campus over their shared love of music, and together they decide to form a rock group and enter their school's upcoming battle of the bands competition. Starring Alyson Michalka, Vanessa Hudgens, Gaelan Connell & Lisa Kudrow.

 

Robert Rodriguez directs "Shorts", Toe Thompson's discovery of a colorful, wish-granting rock causes a stir in the suburban town of Black Falls, and grand-scale chaos occurs when the object falls into the hands of local adults. Starring Jimmy Bennett, Kat Dennings, James Spader, William H. Macy & Leslie Mann.

 

Finally in "Ponyo, An animated adventure from director Hayao Miyazaki, centers on a 5-year-old boy and his relationship with a goldfish princess who longs to become human. Starring Cate Blanchett, Matt Damon, Liam Neeson, Lily Tomlin, Betty White, Cloris Leachman, Tina Fey, Noah Cyrus & Frankie Jonas.

 

Calendar with trailers

 

8/7

"Julie & Julia": http://www.julieandjulia.com/

 

"Shorts": http://shortsmovie.warnerbros.com/

 

"A Perfect Getaway": http://www.iamrogue.com/aperfectgetaway/

 

"G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra": http://www.gijoemovie.com/

 

8/14

"District 9": http://www.district9movie.com/

 

"Ponyo": http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/ponyo/

 

"Bandslam: http://www.bandslam-movie.com/

 

"The Time Traveler's Wife": http://www.thetimetravelerswifemovie.com/

 

"The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard": http://www.livehardsellhard.com/

 

8/21

"Inglorious Basterds": http://inglouriousbasterds-movie.com/

 

"Post Grad": http://www.foxsearchlight.com/postgrad/

 

8/28

"Halloween II": http://www.halloween2-movie.com/

 

"The Final Destination": http://www.thefinaldestinationmovie.com/

 

"Taking Woodstock": http://www.filminfocus.com/focusfeatures/f...king_woodstock/

 

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

All in all pretty fuggin weak. Tarantino jumped the shark with that Jackie Brown pos and hasn't been close to his previous genius since. Guy just went goofy. Julie and Julia looks way lame out of the box. Do yourself a favor and see a film that isn't even listed here. Hurt Locker. Didn't even need a plot to be immersive, interesting, gripping.

 

 

Please Mark nothing personal. I really do appreciate your movie previews/updates. Not your fault the product sucks.

Posted
All in all pretty fuggin weak. Tarantino jumped the shark with that Jackie Brown pos and hasn't been close to his previous genius since. Guy just went goofy. Julie and Julia looks way lame out of the box. Do yourself a favor and see a film that isn't even listed here. Hurt Locker. Didn't even need a plot to be immersive, interesting, gripping.

 

 

Please Mark nothing personal. I really do appreciate your movie previews/updates. Not your fault the product sucks.

Thanks Dante, and nothing personal taken. As far as Tarantino, I think he's always been goofy, but I did enjoy Jackie Brown.

 

I agree with you about Hurt Locker. A very intense film, that everyone should see. Kathryn Bigelow needs to direct more often. I think it is still in limited release, so not everyone in the country might not be able to see it yet, but trust me everybody, when it opens in your area, see it. Also, it was very refreshing to see an Iraq War movie that had no stupid political agenda behind it.

Posted
Thanks Dante, and nothing personal taken. As far as Tarantino, I think he's always been goofy, but I did enjoy Jackie Brown.

 

I agree with you about Hurt Locker. A very intense film, that everyone should see. Kathryn Bigelow needs to direct more often. I think it is still in limited release, so not everyone in the country might not be able to see it yet, but trust me everybody, when it opens in your area, see it. Also, it was very refreshing to see an Iraq War movie that had no stupid political agenda behind it.

;) Nice, lean and clean movie. No dumb twists, turns or surprises to try to keep the story interesting. Proves you can do a lot with relatively little. Movie didn't even have a plot really. Great character development and directing. Solid 8.5/10

Posted

Very psyched for District 9.

 

GI Joe might have had some potential but then they casted Marlon Wayans. WTF? And super robot suits? Dumb.

 

Saw a preview for The Time Traveler's Wife. Thought it actually looked interesting. People who see 'time travel' and 'expect' a sci-fi movie will be disappointed, instead they should realize that time travel is just a plot device to explore other issues. Total chick flick obviously, but some of them can be pretty good. ;)

 

Good job as always Mark. Thanks.

Posted

Mark maybe just a little bit off topic here but weren't they supposed to be making a Magnum PI movie this year? Googled it and it really says nothing more than McConaghy won't be playing the part of Thomas. What do ya know?

Posted
Mark maybe just a little bit off topic here but weren't they supposed to be making a Magnum PI movie this year? Googled it and it really says nothing more than McConaghy won't be playing the part of Thomas. What do ya know?

From what I know the Magnum PI movie is in development hell. They've been trying to get this movie in motion for the past 5 years, maybe more. Right now they are looking towards a 2011 release, yet they have nobody attatched to star in it. This is how it goes in Hollywood. A lot of studios talk about which big movies they want to make, then they get bogged down for years.

 

A few examples: We were supposed to have a Wonder Woman movie out TWICE already, yet they fired Joss Whedon and now they are back to "in development", with nobody set to write, direct or star in it.

 

While Peter Jackson was working on King Kong, he was gearing up to get Halo made. Yet the studios balked when they saw the projected budget. Their reason being that "video game movies are good, but they do not do blockbuster business". Although it looks like Halo might be finally moving forward with a projected 2012 release. The studios are all going to keep an eye on how well "Prince of Persia" does next summer, before greenlighting any other big name video game movies.

 

Back in the mid-90's Mel Gibson wanted to get a re-make of Farenheit 451 going. After a few years Gibson abandoned the project and Frank Darabont decided to take a shot at it. To this day they still have'nt gotten anywhere with it.

 

The same goes for the Forbidden Planet re-make, which has just now gotten a writing team together after being in development for nearly 15 years.

 

There are many exciting movie projects out there, yet some of them take longer than others or they never see the light of day. So I would'nt hold your breath on Magnum PI getting made anytime soon. But you never know, situations change and they go right into business again.

 

One more thing, "The A-Team" movie comes out next summer. If that movie does reasonably good business, then Magnum PI could be put on the fast track.

Posted
The same goes for the Forbidden Planet re-make, which has just now gotten a writing team together after being in development for nearly 15 years.

That would be fun. Remakes of 50's/60s sci fi can be good. Really, I think Alien was, if not a remake, based on Queen Of Blood . I remember seeing this movie when I was younger and it was pretty good. Of course The Thing remake was fantastic as well. Don't know if I can say the same for War Of The Worlds or The Day The Earth Stood Still. WoTW wasn't bad but it didn't stand up to the original

Posted
That would be fun. Remakes of 50's/60s sci fi can be good. Really, I think Alien was, if not a remake, based on Queen Of Blood . I remember seeing this movie when I was younger and it was pretty good. Of course The Thing remake was fantastic as well. Don't know if I can say the same for War Of The Worlds or The Day The Earth Stood Still. WoTW wasn't bad but it didn't stand up to the original

I thought the War of the Worlds remake was very good, although the George Pal movie still holds up today. I believe that you can remake classic films and have them still be good movies.

I absolutely loved Peter Jackson's remake of King Kong. However, The Day the Earth Stood Still remake was awful.

Posted
I thought the War of the Worlds remake was very good, although the George Pal movie still holds up today. I believe that you can remake classic films and have them still be good movies.

I absolutely loved Peter Jackson's remake of King Kong. However, The Day the Earth Stood Still remake was awful.

yeah..those old movies had to depend on really good stories. Once there is a good story it has to improve the movies chances a lot. I thought the King Kong remake was the best of the remakes of that movie. Still, I didn't think it stood up to the original. There is something special about that movie. Even though its made in the 30s it still manages to be immersive.

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

BUMP

 

Here are this month's Independent Movies......

 

Paul Giamatti stars in "Cold Souls", Paul is an actor who feels bogged down by his participation in a production of Chekov's play, Vanya. His condition which leads him to an organization that will store his soul while he treads the boards, though complications (and international travel) arise when his soul goes missing. Co-Starring Emily Watson & Dina Korzun.

 

"It Might Get Loud" is a documentary on the electric guitar from the point of view of three significant rock musicians: The Edge, Jimmy Page and Jack White.

 

In "I Sell the Dead", 18th century justice catches up with a pair of grave robbers. With only a few hours to go before his date with the guillotine, Arthur Blake tells his life story to Father Francis Duffy. Before long, Arthur spills the beans on how he got started in the grim corpse peddling business with seasoned ghoul Willie Grimes. Starring Dominic Monaghan, Ron Perlman & Larry Fessenden.

 

Liam Neeson stars in "Five Minutes of Heaven", As a youth, Alistair Little was a member of the Ulster Volunteer Force, a paramilitary group in Northern Ireland. After serving a thirty year sentence for the murder of a young Catholic man, Little prepares for his televised meeting with his victim's brother, Joe Griffin, who watched as the hit was carried out. Co-starring James Nesbitt

 

In "Spread", Nikki is a sexual grafter who uses his assets to enjoy the city's richest women and their lifestyle. Soon he finds himself torn between two very different women: Samantha, a lawyer who gives Nikki more than he's ever had before, and Heather, a waitress and equally savvy grafter in her own right. Starring Ashton Kutcher, Anne Heche & Margarita Levieva.

 

Renee Zellweger stars in "My One and Only", A 1950s-set comedy in which the glamorous Anne Deveraux leaves her adulterous husband and embarks on a drive down the Eastern Seaboard on a quixotic search for a wealthy man to fund a new life for her and her sons. Co-starring Kevin Bacon and Logan Lerman

 

In "Grace", After losing her unborn child, Madeline Matheson insists on carrying the baby to term. Following the delivery, the child miraculously returns to life, with an appetite for human blood. Starring Jordan Ladd, Samantha Ferris & Gabrielle Rose.

 

In "Paper Heart", Artist Charlyne Yi blends fiction, fantasy, and documentary in her exploration of what loves means to different people; all the while, she is courted by her real-life boyfriend, Michael Cera.

 

In "Big Fan", Paul Aufiero (Oswald), a hardcore New York Giants football fan, struggles to deal with the consequences when he is beaten up by his favorite player. Starring Patton Oswalt, Kevin Corrigan & Michael Rapaport.

 

From Mexico comes "Casi Divas". A comedy centered on four women, each of them from different corners of Mexico, vying with hundreds of other aspiring actresses for roles in a movie producer's new project.

 

"Art and Copy" is a documentary on some of the mavericks of modern American advertising.

 

"X Games 3D: The Movie" is an X Games documentary featuring behind-the-scenes stories of the athletes and the sacrifices they make in pursuit of glory and the advancement of their sports on the biggest stage in action sports.

 

Calendar with trailers. Note that these dates are for exclusive or limited release. Some of these films will open in other areas at a later date.

 

8/7

"Cold Souls": http://www.coldsoulsthemovie.com/#/home

 

8/14

"Paper Heart": http://www.paperheart-movie.com/

 

"It Might Get Loud": http://www.sonyclassics.com/itmightgetloud/

 

"Spread": http://www.sonyclassics.com/itmightgetloud/

 

"Grace": http://www.grace-themovie.com/

 

"I Sell The Dead": http://www.imdb.com/video/wab/vi3227516953/

 

8/21

"My One and Only": http://www.myoneandonly.com/

 

"Casi Divas": http://www.myoneandonly.com/

 

"Five Minutes of Heaven": http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi30736921/

 

"Art and Copy": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi4146397721/

 

"X Games 3D: The Movie": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1657537049/

 

8/28

"Big Fan": http://www.bigfanmovie.com/

 

That's it for now. See you in September!!!

Posted

Mark, you might be happy to know that I'm somewhat reconsidering my stance from the start of this thread. I might give Inglorious Basterds a shot. Maybe I'll wait until September though just to prove a point. :devil:

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