Public Enemies – Directed by Michael Mann, Written by Michael Mann and Ronan Bennett
I may not have liked Miami Vice, but Michael Mann is one of the best directors ever, and this epic 1930’s crime drama looks fantastic. The story of Dillinger and Baby Face Nelson has been portrayed on screen a million times, but this cast is amazing, and the cinematography looks great.
Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Emilie de Ravin, Marion Cotillard, Channing Tatum, Leelee Sobieski, Billy Crudup, Giovanni Ribisi, Stephen Dorff
July 1

The Girl From Monaco – Written and Directed by Anne Fontaine
The story of a lawyer who travels to Monaco to defend a criminal, and gets involved with a seemingly innocent girl via his bodyguard. Fontaine is celebrated in France, and the film won two French Academy Awards last year (I know, I know, but give it a chance).
Fabrice Luchini, Roschdy Zem, Louise Bourgoin
July 3

Blood: The Last Vampire – Directed by Chris Nahon, Written by Chris Chow
Based on a popular anime, this is basically Blade, if he were a Japanese schoolgirl. If you liked House of Flying Daggers, Fearless, and Blade, you might enjoy the bloody katana action with the undead.
Gianna Jun, Allison Miller, Masiela Lusha, Koyuki
July 10

Bruno – Directed by Larry Charles, Written by Sacha Baron Cohen
Borat was an awful, awful, awful movie. And I freaking loved it. I still call people gypsy. This will not be as popular, and probably not as funny, but two hours of uncomfortable riotous laughter is always worth $11.
Sacha Baron Cohen
July 10

Streets of Blood – Directed by Charles Winkler, Written by Eugene Hess
Winkler and Hess are both fairly new to film, and the casting is somewhat unexpected, but the story of corrupt cops in The Big Easy during Hurricane Katrina might be one of Kilmer’s better films of late. It won’t be Spartan, but I’ll watch it.
Val Kilmer, 50 Cent, Sharon Stone, Michael Biehn
July 13

500 Days of Summer – Directed by Marc Webb, Written by Scott Neustadtler and Michael H. Weber
I’ve been very impressed with Joseph Gordon-Levitt since Manic, and Deschanel is always good. Music Video-director Webb’s first big feature about a man reliving his relationship with the love of his life after she dumps him. Looks like The Break-up meets Definitely, Maybe, but the animated bird has me skeptical, and both writers followed this project with The Pink Panther 2. I’ll wait for on-demand.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zooey Deschanel
July 17

Death in Love – Written and Directed by Boaz Yakin
Yakin directed Remember the Titans (surprisingly good) and Uptown Girls (why would I watch that?), but this is a much more serious film about a concentration camp survivor who has a relationship with a Nazi soldier. As she gets older, she watches her sons’ lives and relationships get progressively more complicated and unsuccessful. I have a hard time taking Josh Lucas seriously, but it looks intriguing.
Jacqueline Bissett, Josh Lucas, Lukas Haas, Adam Brody
July 17

The Answer Man – Written and Directed by John Hindman
Jeff Daniels plays a writer still riding the 20 years of success brought by his book about God and life’s answers. However, he’s a recluse and kind of a dick. Then he meets an attractive chiropractor, and starts to open up. If anyone but Daniels was in this, I would pass, but I like his work. First film for Hindman.
Jeff Daniels, Lauren Graham, Lou Taylor Pucci, Kat Dennings
July 24

Deadgirl – Directed by Marcel Sarmiento and Gadi Harel, Written by Trent Haaga
Not to be confused with Brittany Murphy’s lackluster thriller, Deadgirl is the story of two teenagers who ditch school to hang out in an abandoned mental facility. They find a woman in a locked room, barely alive, and decide to keep her there and have some…fun. Looks really, really twisted, but I’ve never heard of anyone involved.
Shiloh Fernandez, Noah Segan
July 24

In the Loop – Directed by Armando Iannucci, Written by Jesse Armstrong and Simon Blackwell
I usually don’t go in for British camcorder-comedies, but this looks genuinely funny, absurd, and relevant. About politicians in Britain and America weighing the pros and cons of going to war.
Peter Capaldi, Tom Hollander, James Gandolfini, Anna Chlumsky, Steve Coogan
July 24

Orphan – Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, Written by David Johnson
Little white girls are scary, Peter Sarsgaard is a solid actor, and Vera Farmiga is hot, and not a half bad actress. Need I say more? Probably. A couple adopts a 9 year old who’s a little…off. By off I mean psychotic. Same director as House of Wax, but Paris Hilton isn’t in it, so it might be cool.
Vera Farmiga, Peter Sarsgaard
July 24

Shrink – Directed by Jonas Pate, Written by Thomas Moffett
Kevin Spacey is one of my favorite actors, and he hasn’t done nearly enough work in the last few years. So I’m excited to watch him play a celebrity therapist who suffers a mental breakdown. Newbie writer and director, but the cast looks respectable, and Robin Williams is in there somewhere.
Kevin Spacey, Saffron Burrows, Mark Webber, Keke Palmer, Pell James, Robert Loggia, Robin Williams
July 24

Bakjwi (Thirst) – Written and Directed by Park Chan-Wook
What little I’ve seen of Korean cinema has impressed me; lower budget, but just as much violence as Japan. I’m also a huge vampire fan, so this tale of a priest-turned-vampire trying to maintain his humanity sounds pretty sweet. Chan-Wook also directed Oldboy, which was an instant Korean classic.
Song Kang-Ho, Shin Ha-kyun, Kim Ok-bin
July 31

Funny People – Written and Directed by Judd Apatow
It might seem like Apatow has directed every movie since 2005, but this is only his third, and it appears to have a bit more substance than the first two. Sandler plays a comedian with a terminal illness who makes his peace with death, only to be given a second chance. Several Apatow regulars, and some new additions, I’m just not sure about his pairing with Sandler yet.
Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Eric Bana, Jonah Hill, Jason Schwartzman, Leslie Mann
July 31

KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN

Last Ride – Directed by Glendyn Ivin, Written by Mac Gudgeon
Australian film about a father who runs from his past, and brings his son along through the outback. Supposedly Weaving’s best performance yet, it looks like another underappreciated hit from down under. It hits theaters in Australia July 2, but no other releases are scheduled so far, so it might be on DVD by August, it might hit festival circuits in 2011. Who knows?
Hugo Weaving, Tom Russell
July 2 (Australia)

All the Boys Love Mandy Lane – Directed by Jonathan Levine, Written by Jacob Forman
Horror movie about a girl every guy wants to get with. Then someone actually goes crazy and tries to kill everyone to get to her. The preview reminds me of Texas Chainsaw Massacre and High Tension. Levine’s latest was The Wackness, which was really good, but this one actually started at festivals in 2006, and hasn’t gotten an officially U.S. release yet. Which is surprising, because Amber Heard is really sexy.
Amber Heard
July 17 (Possible Limited Release)

Fifty Dead Men Walking – Directed by Kari Scogland, Written by Nicholas Davies and Martin McGartland
This is the true story of Martin McGartland, an undercover civilian in the IRA. He actually wrote the book himself a few years ago, and is still in witness protection. Screened at Canadian festivals in 2008, came to the Seattle festival in May, but I can’t find a solid date. I actually saw this movie a few months ago, and I highly recommend it. It’s not the most exciting movie ever, but the acting is good, and the fact that it all really happened is crazy.
Jim Sturgess, Ben Kingsley, Rose McGowan
July 31 (Possible Limited Release)

I need to start reading more.

The Informers is the latest adaptation of one of Bret Easton Ellis’ novels (he wrote Less than Zero, Rules of Attraction, and American Psycho), and it’s on par with its predecessors. The story has been done in every sub culture in every decade since the 1930’s. A bunch of people living in L.A. in 1983 lead seemingly glamorous lives, full of sex, drugs, and music. But beneath the trendy, hedonistic cultural expectations lie real people with real emotional problems.

The film starts at an upscale party in Beverly Hills, where one of the “popular” kids is hit by a car and killed in front of everyone. In the aftermath of this tragedy, the main characters start to reexamine their lives and their priorities. Several different characters and storylines intersect and parallel each other. Dynamics are explored between husband and wife (Billy Bob Thornton and Kim Basinger), father and son, estranged down-and-out relatives (Brad Renfro, Mickey Rourke), and committed relationships involving orgies (all the best ones seem to).

by The Great White Gypsy

X-men Origins: Wolverine - Directed by Gavin Hood, Written by David Benioff
You wouldn’t think that the guy who directed Tsotsi and Rendition would be asked to start off the Origins spinoffs, but he was. Goes back to the very beginning of Wolverine, whose past has always been shrouded in mystery and violence. Looks pretty cool.
Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Ryan Reynolds, Dominic Monaghan, Kevin Durand, will.I.am
May 1

Battle for Terra - Directed by Aristomenis Tsirbas Written by Evan Spiliotopoulos
I know, it’s a cartoon, but this looks really cool. It’s essentially a space invasion story, with humans as the merciless invaders. The subtle emotions and moral subtext might be lost on the kiddies, but it seems layered. And shit, look how many people are lending their voices (it’s a who’s who of the obscure, but there’s a lot of them…)
Evan Rachel Wood, Brian Cox, James Garner, Chris Evans, Danny Glover, Amanda Peet, David Cross, Ron Perlman, Danny Trejo, Rosanna Arquette, Luke Wilson, Dennis Quaid, Justin Long, Beverly D-Angelo, Mark Hamill
May 1

Home – Written and Directed by Mary Haverstick
Extremely indie film about a mother trying to save her house, and connect with her daughter. Newcomer Haverstick looks like she has a little growing to do, but it seems to have done well in several festivals.
Marcia Gay Harden, Michael Gaston, Eulala Scheel
May 1

The Limits of Control – Written and Directed by Jim Jarmusch
Focus Features started out cool, but it’s had its shortcomings lately. Jim Jarmusch is hot and cold for me. Broken Flowers was cool, Dead Man was awesome. But the last time he tried to do an assassin movie, it sucked ass (Ghost Dog). I’ll give him a chance, but if I see Forest Whitaker in there, I’m done.
Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, John Hurt, Gael Garcia Bernal, Isaach De Bankole
May 1

Little Ashes – Directed by Paul Morrison, Written by Philippa Goslett
The “untold” story of Salvador Dali, Luis Bunuel and Federico Garcia Lorca in Madrid’s tumultuous 1920’s. No one recognizable involved, but it has a Motorcycle Diaries-meets-The Dreamers kind of feel to it. Could be interesting, if not informative.
Javier Beltran, Robert Pattinson, Matthew McNulty, Marina Gatell
May 8

Adoration – Written and Directed by Atom Egoyan
This did very well at Cannes, and apparently Egoyan is kind of a big deal. About a kid who writes a family history paper for French class, involving terrorism and intrigue, and then hosts an online video chat to discuss it. One question: Why is Scott Speedman in this?
Scott Speedman, Rachel Blanchard, Kenneth Welsh, Devon Bostick
May 8

Management – Written and Directed by Stephen Belber
Belber’s directorial deflowering about a hotel manager (Zahn) who meets a traveling saleswoman (Aniston), falls in love with her, and follows her around the country. Sure, when Steve Zahn does it, it’s funny and touching, but when I do it, all of a sudden the term “restraining order” comes up. Lame.
Jennifer Aniston, Steve Zahn, Woody Harrelson
May 15

Summer Hours – Written and Directed by Olivier Assayas
Yeah, I admit it: I’m a fan of Juliette Binoche. French director Assayas’ story of a family coming to terms with their emotional memories when they must part with their material belongings. Also an IFC release, which is always cool.
Juliette Binoche
May 15

Terminator Salvation – Directed by McG, Written by John D. Brancato and Michael Ferris
The best part of Terminator 2: Arnold Schwarzenegger running like a little girl. The best part of Terminator 3: Kristanna Loken naked (goddamn). The best part of Salvation: Christian Bale yelling at a cameraman. Seriously, this movie looks awesome. Bale has proved himself as an action star, the effects look sick, and it’s set in the future. My only complaint: who the fuck let McG direct this? Really? The guy with no real name who directed Charlie’s Angels 2? Is he a 32-year-old Hawaiian organ donor too? Part of that 12-dollar ticket better be going to buy that guy a fucking surname.
Christian Bale, Helena Bonham Carter, Common, Jane Alexander, Moon Bloodgood
May 21

The Girlfriend Experience – Directed by Steven Soderbergh, Written by Brian Koppelman and David Levien
I gotta believe George Clooney is pissed about not being in this, considering he’s Soderbergh’s bitch. This is very similar, if not identical, to Secret Diary of a Call Girl, but it looks really interesting. Also, this is Sasha Grey’s feature film debut (don’t act like you don’t recognize the name, I know you have a copy of Face Invaders 4 under your bed), and even though Magnolia Pictures is very hit and miss, it looks good. Hey, Barb Wire didn’t premiere at Sundance.
Sasha Grey
May 22

The Brothers Bloom – Written and Directed by Rian Johnson
Johnson wrote and directed Brick, which most people thought was weird, but I freaking loved. This is way different, but it’s a caper comedy, and the cast looks good. As long as they’re not talking like The Big Sleep, it’ll be fine.
Mark Ruffalo, Adrien Brody, Rachel Weisz, Rinko Kikuchi
May 29

by The Great White Gypsy

You’ve probably seen most of these titles on the shelf at your local video store.  You may have even picked a couple of them up, looked at the pictures, but then put them down and rented Definitely, Maybe instead.  You could have a friend who’s told you about a couple of them, but you never bothered to look further.  Well, now is your chance to do something about it.

These ten films are (as far as director and screenwriter) essentially one hit wonders from the last few years.  In the music industry, a one hit wonder gives you a damn good two minute song that stays on the charts for a year, and then gets pulled up from the depths on VH1 a decade later.  In the film industry, a one hit wonder is generally a guy who writes and directs a film, gets a respectable cast, and then a straight-to-DVD debut.  Half of them are garbage.  But the other half are the ones with substance, a soul; they are the reason I love film.  These are some of my favorites.

1.  Laurel Canyon (2002)

Written and Directed by: Lisa Cholodenko

Starring: Frances McDormand, Christian Bale, Kate Beckinsale, Natascha McElhone, Alessandro Nivola

An amazingly personal look at the dynamics between mother and son, newlyweds, and the desire to balance goals and relationships with self-discovery and hedonism.  You would think a married couple living with the groom’s mother would be confining, but McDormand isn’t your mom, she’s your best friend’s pot smoking, rock n roll mom.

2.  Moonlight Mile (2002)

Written and Directed by: Brad Silberling

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman, Susan Sarandon, Ellen Pompeo

Gyllenhaal coming to terms with his fiancée’s violent death (Hoffman’ and Sarandon’s daughter).  Themes of guilt, grief, moving on, and forgiveness.  Very realistic and emotional, well written and actually well acted (I’m not a Jake or a Susan fan, but they were really good).

3.  The Salton Sea (2002)

Directed by: D.J. Caruso

Written by: Tony Gayton

Starring: Val Kilmer, Peter Sarsgaard, Vincent D’Onofrio, Adam Goldberg, Luis Guzman, Doug Hutchison, Anthony LaPaglia, Deborah Kara Unger

Borderline noir about Kilmer’s quest for revenge after the shooting death of his wife.  Twists and turns, compelling characters (D’Onofrio is the best coke dealer ever).  Caruso’s best film, and all the proof I needed that Kilmer is an underrated actor.  Cinematography and soundtrack are amazing.

4.  The United States of Leland (2003)

Written and Directed by: Matthew Ryan Hoge

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Don Cheadle, Chris Klein, Jena Malone, Lena Olin, Kevin Spacey, Michelle Williams

Gosling is Leland, a simple-minded teen accused of murder.  Cheadle is his counselor; Spacey is his estranged, asshole-of-a-writer father.  Everyone is trying to figure Leland out, but he shows them all their own reflections.  The somewhat docile tone of the film makes the isolated violence and emotional outbursts all the more meaningful.

5.  A Love Song for Bobby Long (2004)

Written and Directed by: Shainee Gabel

Starring: John Travolta, Scarlett Johansson, Gabriel Macht, Deborah Kara Unger

Philophiles and literary enthusiasts must see this.  Travolta actually did an off-the-radar film, and he is really good.  You sympathize with him, but you really don’t want to.  The great dialogue and literature references all mask the message that the hardest thing to do is forgive yourself.

6.  Imaginary Heroes (2004)

Written and Directed by: Dan Harris

Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Emile Hirsch, Jeff Daniels, Michelle Williams, Kip Pardue

What happens when you realize that your idyllic, simple suburban life is a sham?  When Pardue commits suicide, his family must deal with the aftermath.  Very raw and emotional, but the argument against it is that it puts the audience through too much pain, and the ending doesn’t make up for it.  I disagree.  I think it very realistically shows how, with all the hardships normal people go through, you have to make the most of whatever outcome you get.

7.  Brick (2005)

Written and Directed by: Rian Johnson

Starring: Joseph Gordon Levitt, Nora Zehetner, Lukas Haas, Noah Fleiss, Emilie de Ravin, Richard Roundtree, Meagan Good

Levitt’s girlfriend is killed, and he goes on a noir-ish mission to find those responsible.  I say noir because the dialogue is right out of the thirties.  It does take a little getting used to, because it’s actually high-schoolers in 2005, but if you keep an open mind, it’s a great concept, and very well directed…ya mook.

8.  The Chumscrubber (2005)

Directed by: Arie Posin

Written by: Arie Posin and Zac Stanford

Starring: Jamie Bell, Camilla Belle, Justin Chatwin, Glenn Close, Rory Culkin, William Fichtner, Ralph Fiennes, John Heard

The Chumscrubber is a video game character that brings about the destruction of suburbia.  Actually, it’s a teenager who commits suicide, and his best friend finds his body.  The idea is that the Chumscrubber is an antihero who forces the community to reevaluate their lives and values.  If you haven’t caught on yet, I like when white suburbia gets taken down a peg.

9.  Hard Candy (2005)

Directed by: David Slade

Written by: Brian Nelson

Starring: Ellen Page, Patrick Wilson, Sandra Oh

Creepy, creepy, creepy.  Wilson finds a 15-year-old (Page) on line, and seduces her into coming to his house for some fun.  But she is actually the one in control, and proceeds to torture her antagonist-turned-victim in really messed up ways.  It blurs lines in a big way.  Should we despise Wilson for being a sexual predator, or feel bad for his misfortune?  Should we cheer for Page for turning the tables, or condemn her for violent hypocracy?  Who is right, who is the victim, and what is really forgivable?

10.  Me and You and Everyone We Know (2005)

Written and Directed by: Miranda July

Starring: John Hawkes, Miranda July

This is about…wait, what is this movie about?  I’ve seen it four times, and every time I love it, but every time I don’t know why.  The dialogue and characters aren’t just realistic, they’re uber-realistic (conversation is awkward and clumsy at times; I can’t relate, but I know people who can).  It is essentially about everyone’s need to be accepted, loved, and valued for who they are, rather than who they think they should pretend to be.

You may still be skeptical, but think about this: D.J. Caruso and David Slade aside, these are all one hit wonders by writer/directors who never did anything else.  However, look at the casting.  Everything besides #10 is full of big names.  Even if you don’t trust me, trust the actors.  Most of them know what they’re doing.