by The Great White Gypsy

Gran Torino – Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood has been hit or miss as a director, and his acting these days borders on the chronically cranky.  This one is a hard call.  First he doesn’t like Asians or children, then he does, then he protects them from other Asian children.  Then he works on a car.  Then he takes a nap.

Clint Eastwood

January 9

 

Nothing but the Truth – Rod Lurie

Beckinsale is a reporter who, with one story, blows the lid off CIA operations.  She is arrested, and chooses to go to prison rather than reveal her source.  Generally, this cast would be a little off from most political dramas.  Rod Lurie did The Contender and The Last Castle, which weren’t all that great.  But Beckinsale is already getting Oscar predictions, and Vera Farmiga is hot.  

Kate Beckinsale, Matt Dillon, Alan Alda, Angela Bassett, Vera Farmiga, David Schwimmer, Courtney B. Vance, Noah Wyle.

January 9

 

The Unborn – David Goyer

Goyer has had several successes as a writer. (The new Batman franchise, the Blade Trilogy, Dark City), but as a director, he’s still shaking out the kinks.  This does look much better and creepier than the rest of the teeny-bopper Japanese remakes, and the effects look sweet.  Plus Gary Oldman seems like a smart guy.

Odette Yustman, Gary Oldman, Carla Gugino, James Remar, Idris Elba, Jane Alexander, Meagan Good

January 9

 

Defiance – Edward Zwick

Most people don’t know Edward Zwick’s name.  But Legends of the Fall, Courage Under Fire, The Last Samurai, and Blood Diamond are all solid, violent dramas with great character development.  Daniel Craig headlines this WWII film about hiding from Nazis, and then killing Nazis.  And really, who likes Nazis?  No one.

Daniel Craig, Jamie Bell, Leiv Schreiber, Alexa Davalos

January 16

 

My Bloody Valentine 3-D – Patrick Lussier

When a mediocre horror movie needs a sequel directed, they call Patrick Lussier.  A couple Dracula 2000 sequels, White Noise 2, and The Prophecy 3 haven’t made for a bright career.  But really, are we going to this movie for the production value, the script, or the performances?  No, we’re going because 3-D horror movies are sweet, and there hasn’t been a good one since Friday the 13^th part 3.

Jaimie King, Kerr Smith

January 16

 

Notorious – George Tillman Jr.

I’m going to guess right now that this film is going to exaggerate Biggie’s hard upbringing, and focus on his gangstericity.  However, the lack of known actors intrigues me, and BIG was one of the greatest rappers of all time.  It won’t be Walk the Line, but it’ll be good.

Jamal Woolard, Derek Luke, Anthony Mackie, Naturi Naughton, Angela Bassett

January 16

 

Killshot – John Madden

This movie has been in production for like 3 years, and I’ve been waiting the whole time.  Mickey Rourke just rocked us in The Wrestler, and Gordon-Levitt just keeps getting better.  But also, this is an adaptation of an Elmore Leonard novel (He wrote Get Shorty, Be Cool, Out of Sight, Jackie Brown, etc.)  Thomas Jane has been surprisingly good the last few years.  It’s about damn time.

Thomas Jane, Diane Lane, Mickey Rourke, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Rosario Dawson

January 23

 

Che – Steven Soderbergh

The character is an icon, and always a good story.  Benicio Del Toro is a great actor.  However, I’m concerned because, even though Soderbergh directed Traffic, and I haven’t forgotten that, he also directed Ocean’s 11…and 12…and 13…and I haven’t forgotten that either.  I also haven’t forgotten that writer Peter Buchman’s only credits are Jurassic Park III and Eragon.  Hopefully, this will be an amazingly detailed and entertaining film (It’s being released in two parts.), But don’t be really surprised if it ends up being like Medellin from Entourage.

Benicio Del Toro

January 24

 

Taken – Pierre Morel

The last time Morel directed a Luc Besson screenplay was District B-13 (pretty sweet stunts), so this could be really good.  Neeson’s daughter gets kidnapped, but he’s a crazy ex-operative, and decided to kill people rather than pay.  Too bad he’s not intimidating in the least (anyone can slap Orlando Bloom around, you don’t scare me Liam).

Liam Neeson, Famke Janssen, Xander Berkeley, Maggie Grace, Leland Orser

January 30