Friday, October 3, 2008

Legends Of The Fall

Fall movie season is here, and with it comes a slew of Oscar bait and "important" films. But don't worry action and comedy fans, we've got you covered too. Here are our top 10 must see movies this fall.

10. Valkyrie

Generally speaking, movies that have switched release dates as many times as Valkyrie has don't inspire confidence. But after positive test screenings, United Artists gained a new found confidence in the film and decided it was worthy of an award's season release. Add to that a riveting trailer (despite a somewhat dodgy German accent from Tom Cruise...or lack thereof), and you've got a film that could put Cruise back on top.

Opens: December 26th

9. Australia

Admittedly I'm not the biggest Baz Luhrmann fan, but even I can't deny the extraordinary images found in the trailer for Australia. Plus, no singing, no anachronisms...Luhrmann may have just made a movie I can sit through.

Opens: November 26th, December 5th (Wide)

8. Milk

Sean Penn playing gay politician Harvey Milk, in a film directed by Gus Van Sant. I wonder if this will get Oscar nominations?

Opens: November 26th (Limited)

7. Changeling

Clint Eastwood's been on a directing hot streak recently, so I'll go see pretty much anything with his name on it...like say, a period drama about a mother (Angelina Jolie) whose son is kidnapped and returned - only she doesn't believe it's her son.

Opens: October 24th (Limited), October 31st (Wide)

6. Revolutionary Road

If you were a teenage girl in 1997, you've probably been waiting for the reunion of Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet longer than baby boomers had to wait for Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan to reunite in You've Got Mail. Thankfully, Revolutionary Road looks like it has a bit more substance and very little chance of turning into a two hour commercial for AOL.

Opens: December 26th (Limited)

5. W.

Too soon? W. looks to either be the most entertaining film ever made about a U.S. President or a giant trainwreck. Director Oliver Stone has said the film is not a "hatchet job" on the legacy of our 43rd President, but the teaser poster filled with "Bush-ims" suggests otherwise.

Opens: October 17th (Limited)

4. Zack & Miri Make A Porno

Two in a row for Elizabeth Banks (also in W.), who co-stars with Seth Rogen in Zack & Miri Make A Porno, in which the titular slackers are forced to make a skin flick to come up with rent money. Early word says it's writer/director Kevin Smith's best in years.

Opens: October 31st

3. The Road

Author Cormac McCarthy's No Country For Old Men won last year's Best Picture Academy Award. This year, McCarthy invades cinemas with Oprah Book Club favorite The Road, starring Viggo Mortensen as a father navigating a post-apocalyptic wasteland with his son. Director John Hilcoat (The Proposition) may not be able to top the Coen Brothers' masterpiece, but he should at least be able to wash the bad taste of the I Am Legend climax out of our mouths.

Opens: November 14th (Limited), November 26th (Wide) - POSTPONED FOR RELEASE IN 2009

2. Quantum Of Solace

After a much needed revamp in Casino Royale, Daniel Craig brings his no nonsense Bond back for revenge in Quantum Of Solace. Questionable title aside, the most recent trailer for the film looks absolutely amazing, and with a 106 minute running time (the shortest of any Bond film), this looks like it could be the most action packed Bond yet.

Opens: November 14th

1. The Wrestler

Considering that there hasn't even been an official trailer for The Wrestler yet, I only have early word of mouth to go by on this one. That early word of mouth consists of across the board praise for the film, the best reviews Mickey Rourke's gotten in years, and the Golden Lion at The Venice Film Festival. So you could say the word of mouth is not to shabby on this one.

Opens: December 19th