by The Great White Gypsy

 

Cadillac Records – Darnell Martin

It seems that musicals and music industry biopsies (no, I don’t mean biopic, I’m being ironic) are the new trend.  This appears to be closer to Walk the Line than Dream Girls, at least I hope so.  It’s fun to see modern musicians play old school legends (Beyonce as Etta James, Mos Def as Chuck Berry), and there’s even a tie-in with the Rolling Stones.  Plus Cadillacs are pretty.

Adrien Brody, Beyonce Knowles, Jeffrey Wright, Mos Def, Gabrielle Union

December 5

 

Punisher: War Zone – Lexi Alexander

I’m sure anyone who read Punisher comics sees how cool it is to transition from Thomas Jane to Ray Stevenson.  It’s the difference between a pissed off widower and a badass mercenary for justice.  My only concern is admittedly misogynistic.  Chicks don’t watch action crap like this, so why did a chick direct it?  Her last film about soccer hooligans beating the crap out of each other (Green Street Hooligans) had a bit more heart and substance than necessary for hitting someone in the face with a brick.  We’ll see.

Ray Stevenson, Dominic West

December 5

 

Dark Streets – Rachel Samuels

Film Noir meets musical with a little flair in this murder mystery based on the play by Glenn M. Stewart.  Writer and director are newbies, but there’s some talent in the cast, and the art direction.  The soudtrack and musical numbers are done by classic blues and jazz artists.  Worth a try, since I missed Repo.

Gabriel Mann, Bijou Philips, Elias Koteas

December 12

 

The Day the Earth Stood Still – Scott Derrickson

Remake of the 1951 sci-fi classic, the visuals and special effects look pretty sweet, and Keanu Reeves’ career can only be helped by a role as a Vulcan-esque alien.  Not sure why this is coming out in December instead of summer, but maybe the lines at the theater will be shorter.

Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connelly, Kathy Bates

December 12

 

Timecrimes – Nacho Vigalondo

It’s true, there really hasn’t been a good time travel movie since Back to the Future II.  Even Ray Bradbury and Ben Kingsley couldn’t save A Sound of Thunder.  But if I’ve learned one thing, it’s that foreign directors can generally add substance and art to dead sub-genres.  Vigalondo is fairly new to feature films, but the premise looks promising.

Karra Elejalde, Nacho Vigalondo, Candela Fernandez

December 12

 

The Wrestler – Darren Aronofsky

Most people over the mental age of 15 don’t take wrestling seriously.  However, it appears a second-rate wrestler is the perfect character juxtaposition for Mickey Rourke, one of the most underrated actors ever.  It looks like a film with substance and style, which should be no surprise given Aronofsky’s resume (Pi, Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain).  Might not blow up the box office, but could get some Oscar credit.

Mickey Rourke, Evan Rachel Wood, Marisa Tomei

December 17

 

Seven Pounds – Gabriele Muccino

Muccino directed the original Last Kiss, and worked with Will Smith on The Pursuit of Happiness.  Smith has been slowly yet steadily broadening as a actor.  The exact plot is somewhat vague through the previews, but quests for redemption always tug at our heartstrings and guilty wallets.  Myself included.

Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson, Barry Pepper

December 19

 

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – David Fincher

I’m still confused.  Are you sure it’s Fincher directing this?  I mean, he’s a great director, works well with Brad Pitt, but this really has a Tim Burton feel to me, in style and story.  Confusion aside, it looks really cool.  Brad Pitt ages backwards, it looks dark and eerie, with a soul.  David Fincher got robbed of any Oscar credit last year (Zodiac came out too early in the year.), let’s hope this one is his ticket to the red carpet.

Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett

December 25

 

The Spirit – Frank Miller

Sin City was groundbreaking in story and visuals.  Sin City 2 and 3 are currently in production.  Frank Miller is a talented writer and director, but The Spirit, though intriguing, looks like space filler from a one trick pony.  300 stood out by itself, I’m not sure this one can, but I’ll give it a try.  I owe it to Frank, 300 is the reason I have a gym membership.

Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Eva Mendes

December 25

 

Revolutionary Road – Sam Mendes

Although it made everyone sick to enjoy it, Titanic was the last time DiCaprio and Winslet were on screen together, and there’s some chemistry there.  More importantly, after seeing what Sam Mendes does to modern suburban life (American Beauty), I can’t wait to see what he does to the suburbs in 1950’s Conneticut.

Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Kathy Bates

December 26

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