Ryan McNeilLike many of you, I find the fall to be the best time to be in a multiplex. It’s that nifty little nook where you can easily blend the deep and thoughtful with the fun and gooey. So besides the TIFF movies that I didn’t get around to seeing (NICK & NORAH, APALOOSA) here’s a fall top five to get this blog back to normal…
The Top Five Movies I’m Excited About for Fall 2008
#5. BODY OF LIES… Some days I think I’m the last fan of Ridley Scott left standing (AMERICAN GANGSTER was vastly underrated). That may well be, but I can’t wait to see what he can draw from DiCaprio and Crowe in their first flick together. There had to be a better title though – at a glance I’d think this one would star Sharon Stone as a psycho killer.
#4. AUSTRALIA…Some directors are off the grid so long it becomes a criminal offense. Case in point, Baz Luhrmann. After creating three of the most visionary movies in film history, the imaginative Aussie has been off the grid for seven long years. What he’s come back with, looks epic. The next BRAVEHEART? Or the next FAR AND AWAY? Time will tell.
#3. QUANTUM OF SOLACE… Do I really need to explain why I’m looking forward to another installment of martinis, girls, and guns? Didn’t think so. On to number two.
#2. THE ROAD… I read this book this summer and was blown away by its simplicity and bleakness. It cemented Cormac McCarthy as one of my all time favorite writers and made me curse Billy Bob Thornton for what he did to All The Pretty Horses. Fair warning though – might be worth seeing at an afternoon show, so that you can step out into a bit of sunshine and leave the gloominess behind.
#1. THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON… In case you haven’t figured it out by now, I’m drawn to a movie more by the director, than by any star out there. With that in mind, David Fincher is one of my all-time favorites. So when I first saw the clip from this movie my brain immediately hollered “I’m there!”. Based on the Hemingway story, the movie looks like it might see Tim Burton’s bet and raise it. Is it December yet?
Did I miss any? Post a comment below and share some of the fall movies you’re looking forward to, and likewise feel free to leave suggestions for next week’s top five.
Of all the movies that are coming on this fall, The Road is at the top of my list. I just read the book by McCarthy, then I read the script to the film, and it’s going to be a masterpiece. John Hillcoat can’t go wrong with this source material (he earned my trust with The Proposition). But even someone like Michael Bay couldn’t screw this up.
I’m also looking forward to Blindness. Fernando Meirelles, has yet to let me down, and the subject matter is fascinating.
The Road and Benjamin Button are at the top of my list, too. The first time I saw the trailer for the latter, I broke out with the biggest grin. Can’t wait.
Dude, thanks for the email…I’ll try to email you back tomorrow. Now that school is in session again, I’m busier. Love the blog.
That’s not really fair – this list is Fall movies – but you list a winter film as #1… tsk tsk…
How about The Changeling? I’m stoked to see that one. Miracle at St. Anna looks good too. How to Lose Friends and Alienate People could be good too. All you need to say is Danny Boyle and I’m there for Slumdog Millionaire. Viggo isn’t falling into the Mark Hamill slump apparently – so The Road looks like a keeper too. There’s my 5.
BUT I must say I’m MOST excited to see Beverly Hills Chihuahua! Oh wait… No I’m not! Ah, lest not forget Harry Potter… Oh… Wait… Nuts!
The Road was an incredible book. I may have to take Vicodin to see the film.
Blake… Having caught BLINDNESS last week, let me tell you that you won’t be let down.
Cblaze… I count anything between Sept 1 and Dec 31 as “Fall Movies”. It may smack of cheating but what the hell? I *do* want to see ST. ANNA as well, likewise CHANGELING and DOUBT.
Franny… You ain’t kidding. Something tells me I’ll want to see it at a theatre that’s next door to a bar.
Miracle at St. Anna?
Fall, winter, whatever. I’m with you on all 5 here! Can’t wait.