JUNE 5
“Away We Go”
We’ve talked about the sheer indieness of this film and released the soundtrack details, but the jury is still out on whether we actually are looking forward to seeing John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph take an offbeat road trip across the country to search for the right place to start their family. The pedigree is there, with Sam Mendes directing a script penned by Dave Eggers and wife Vendela Vida and a superb supporting cast including Jeff Daniels, Jim Gaffigan, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Josh Hamilton, Allison Janney, and Catherine O’Hara, surely any two of whom should be enough to get anyone to watch a movie. This indie road trip dramedy seems to be walking a fine line between must-see and unbearable, we’ll be curious to see on which side it lands.
“The Hangover “
Who isn’t rooting for Todd Phillips to return to “Old School” form? The premise, Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms trying to retrace the wild and crazy steps of last night is A-OK in our book. But, admittedly, we have a soft spot for “Dude, Where’s My Car?” The trailer suggests loads of potential (the Mike Tyson glimpse is brilliant), and the soundtrack is kinda interesting. The film’s buzz has been so good, there’s even been talk that a sequel has already been greenlit (or at least discussed). If there’s any cause for concern, it is the screenwriters, Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, were the ones behind “Ghost of Girlfriends Past” and “Four Christmases” (but also “Full of It” which we kinda liked and seems closer to this movie than the other two). The world can always use more no holds barred laugh out loud comedies, hopefully this film fits that bill.
“Seraphine”
The film’s specific genre seems to be: an austere and severe art film biopic of a crazy idiot savant turned artist turned crazy (e.g. similar in tone to “Camille Claudel” to name one example). In case that isn’t enticing enough, you might be interested to hear that it cleaned up at the latest Cesar Awards, taking the prize in seven out of its nine nominations including Best Music Written for a Film (Michael Galasso), Best Original Screenplay (Martin Provost and Marc Abdelnour), Best Actress (Yolande Moreau) and Best Film. Director Provost was one of the two nominees from the film who didn’t win his category. The picture, by the way, is about the French painter who lived from 1864 to 1942 and who, when discovered, was working as a cleaning woman.
“Downloading Nancy”
When assessing its trailer, we said: we’ll admit we’re kind of mildly intrigued/fascinated with the possibilities of the fucked-up sounding Internet drama, “Downloading Nancy,” which stars Mario Bello as a dissatisfied housewife who goes online to stave off boredom and becomes so engaged in an online relationship with a crazy sadomasochistic asshole (with Jason Patric), she leaves her husband (Rufus Sewell) to pursue this sexually perverse fling. Still sounds about right.
“Tennessee”
It isn’t always fair to judge a movie by its trailer, but wow does director Aaron Woodley’s sophomore effort look like it could be bad. Apparently the world needed a road trip movie where everyone mopes around the whole time. Two brothers (Adam Rothenberg and Ethan Peck) travel to the titular state to find their estranged father. Mariah Carey co-stars as the aspiring singer they pick up along the way (as one is wont to do on a road trip. Carey also contributed some songs to the soundtrack, including “Right to Dream” which she co-wrote with Willie Nelson (and made the shortlist for last year’s Oscar nominations).
JUNE 12
“Tetro”
We were fortunate enough to see this film in Cannes, calling it “a flawed little jewel, hopefully pointing to a fully realized vision gem sometime in the near future.” The film stars Alden Ehrenreich as a teen who happens upon a chance to reconnect with his estranged older brother, Tetro (Vincent Gallo) and try to work out the family’s past. The two, along with the supporting cast, are generally receiving high marks for raising the film to something higher than it otherwise might have been. If nothing else, it is certainly progress from the misstep that was “Youth Without Youth,” even if not a triumphant comeback for Coppola.
“Moon”
If, as some have suggested, this year heralds the comeback of sci-fi, this film just might be the most interesting. It is the directorial debut of Duncan Jones (yes, you’ve probably already heard, but we’re contractually obligated to mention again he’s David Bowie’s kid) and stars Sam Rockwell as a sort of corporate astronaut working alone on the Moon to mine new energy sources with only his computer (voiced by Kevin Spacey) for companionship. With only a few weeks left on his contract, all sorts of Twilight Zone-creepy stuff starts happening. Clint Mansell is scoring the film, which was bought at Sundance by Sony Picture Classics, and the trailer (even if we thought response was overblown) is probably all you need to determine if the movie is for you. We saw it at SXSW, and found it to be “thoroughly captivating and enjoyable, but there was enough endgame gravitas missing and fleeting absence felt to deny ranking it as another contemporary sci-fi classic.” Still, a pretty strong film regardless.
“Dead Snow”
The next time someone complains about the lack of original ideas in movies, perhaps point them in this direction. Unless they’ve already seen a Norwegian movie about Nazi zombies attacking med students on a ski trip. The film played Sundance and was bought by IFC Films, so it has some cred, despite what its viral marketing might lead you to believe. The director, Tommy Wirkol, is reportedly in talks to direct a movie about Hansel and Gretel as adults, produced by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay. Adjust your expectations accordingly.
“Food Inc.”
Author Eric Schlosser’s Fast Food Nation swept the country with its horrifying tales of food processing. Richard Linklater’s “Fast Food Nation”…well…existed. And now there’s Robert Kenner’s take on things. This documentary will likely better capture the spirit of the book as it appears to take a hardline stance on how the food Americans consume and its system need to be reevaluated. It investigates current practices, their possible detrimental effects, and the difficulties in instigating change. Unsurprisingly, Schlosser is featured in the film. Expect the urge to eat salads and zero urges to hit Burger Weeks well into weeks after this one is over.
“Youssou Ndour: I Bring What I Love”
A documentary about Africa’s most prominent pop musician starts following Youssou during the recording and release of his embattled album Egypt, a tribute to the Sufi Muslim religion of his native Senegal. Recorded with the Cairo Orchestra, N’Dour delayed the release of the album after 9/11, only to have the album rejected by the people of Senegal who found it to be offensive. We saw this at SXSW and while the narrative is ok, the best parts of the film are of N’Dour performing, and demonstrate the ability of music to transcend language and culture. The vitality of the Senegalese people shines through, and N’Dour proves to be a compelling subject.
JUNE 19
“Whatever Works”
Woody Allen and Larry David. A match made in…well…it may not be exactly clear the benefits of bringing together two people with such similar shticks. We weren’t sold on the trailer, though the supporting cast (Ed Begley, Jr., Patricia Clarkson, Michael McKean, and Evan Rachel Wood) is intriguing. While some may be heralding this film as Allen’s return to his roots, we’re somewhat skeptical, thinking that that perhaps Allen’s return to filming in New York and the creepy old man-young woman implications are clouding the minds of some people. Still, there’s potential for a screwball comedy to emerge, as David plays a member of the upper class who decides to slum it a little, running into Wood and her family, with everyone sniping at everyone else.
“Year One”
The Judd Apatow train rolls on! At least, sort of. He produced, but the movie was written by The Office scribes Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg along with Harold Ramis, who also directed and yes, this potentially could be as awful as the movies we mentioned in our intro, but we’re trying to be somewhat open-minded (plus we read the script and it was a decent, mild laugh). In case you missed the Super Bowl spot or trailer (domestic/international), the film stars Jack Black and Michael Cera as bumbling hunter-gatherers in ancient times who embark on a road trip which at times mirrors the events of the Bible. June Diane Raphael, Juno Temple and Olivia Wilde (recently named #1 on the Maxim Hot 100) are the eye candy, and Hank Azaria, David Cross, Vinnie Jones, Christopher Mintz-Plasse all show up. The film received a PG-13, so it won’t be as risque as previous Apatow joints, perhaps replaced by zaniness and the connected sketches approach often employed by Ramis. Or, you know, History of the World, Part I.
June 26
“The Hurt Locker”
We gushed about this film a few months ago, calling it “the first great movie of 2009.” Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, the film stars Jeremy Renner as a bomb disposal expert, Anthony Mackie and Brian Geraghty his security officers. Though the film uses the Iraq War as a backdrop, it would be incorrect to call it an Iraq war movie. Rather, it is an adrenaline-charged thriller that manages to be smart and riveting as well. Ralph Fiennes, Evangeline Lilly, David Morse, and Guy Pearce all make small appearances, but the film is ably carried by the main trio. It is chaotic, suspenseful work, one we’re hoping doesn’t get crowded out this summer, it’s a must-see.
“Cheri”
Based on the novels of Colette, and directed by Stephen Frears, this film is already generating awards buzz for star Michelle Pfeiffer. It helps that screenwriter Christopher Hampton has written the scripts for multiple movies receiving Oscar noms, including “Dangerous Liasions,” also directed by Frears and starring Pfeiffer. In this film, Pfeiffer plays what kids these days call a cougar, seducing a 19-year old (Rupert Friend) who is the son of a former courtesan and rival (Kathy Bates). It has been some time since a Colette adaption has hit the big screen, the last major attempt was a half decade ago, a not so little film called “Gigi.”
“Life Is Hot In Cracktown”
This films uses intertwining vignettes to illustrate the impact of, wait for it, crack on an inner-city neighborhood. The ensemble cast includes a boatload of people trying to resusciate their careers, such as Lara Flynn Boyle, Illeana Douglas, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Brandon Routh, Shannyn Sossamon, and Kerry Washington. Plus Tony Plana and Victor Rasuk. And, of course, the RZA (of the Wu-Tang Clan), who alone might make the movie worth watching. Buddy Giovinozzo’s film to be terrifically unsubtle, so it should follow nicely in the tradition of “Crash” and “Syriana.”