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| Fall films 2009: From sci-fi to horror to family-friendly, Hollywood promises something for everyone this autumn |
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| By Julie Dye, Times Staff Writer |
Friday, October 09, 2009 |
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School is back in session, and those hot summer nights are getting a bit cooler — both good indications that fall is right around the corner. Another indication is the start of the fall movie season.
The first week of September is the unofficial start of the fall film season, and after a successful summer that has grossed nearly $4 billion heading into its final week, Hollywood seems optimistic that it will continue on its course to having one of the most profitable years ever.
The end of the year will likely bring the biggest boost to the final box office numbers as a few of the seasons’ likely blockbusters — “A Christmas Carol” (Nov. 6), “Twilight: New Moon” (Nov. 20), “Avatar” (Dec. 18) and “Sherlock Holmes” (Dec. 25) — hit theaters. The “Twilight” films are coming in a hurry with the third installment slated for summer 2010, putting all three films in theaters in under two years. Last falls “Twilight” brought in a solid $191 million at the U.S. box office and the hype has grown for “New Moon,” which delves Bella into the world of werewolves.
James Cameron’s long-awaited action/adventure “Avatar” has generated an enormous amount of excitement on the Internet among movie lovers. The 3-D film, which finally released its teaser trailer worldwide and a 16-minute preview for a select group on Friday, was met with extreme praise.
"It looked very real, especially the aliens. It looked amazingly real," 45-year-old Dwayne Smith told The Associated Press after the preview. "It was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen, actually."
Along with some sci-fi, there’s more than enough gore for horror film fanatics. Kicking off the plethora of horror offerings is “Sorority Row” on Sept. 11. And in case filmgoers haven’t had enough of the “Saw” films, “Saw VI,” hits theaters Oct. 23. Also hitting theaters by the year’s end for thrill-seekers are “Jennifer’s Body” and “Splice” (Sept. 18), “Zombieland” (Oct. 9), “The Stepfather” (Oct. 16), “Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant” (Oct. 30) and “The Box” (Nov. 6).
But it’s hardly all about entertaining grown-ups this fall. Kids and families will have plenty to choose from, including the return of a certain chipmunk trio on Christmas Day in “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel.” The enormous success of the chipmunks’ return to film in 2007 sets up this sequel as they are introduced to three intriguing female ’munks.
Also on the schedule for kids is “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” (Sept. 18), “Where the Wild Things Are” (Oct. 16), “Planet 51” (Nov. 20) and “The Princess and the Frog” (Nov. 25).
And that’s hardly it. There’s a little romance, “Love Happens,” on Sept. 18, a little comedy, “Extract,” on Sept. 4 and even another dance flick, “Fame,” on Sept. 25.
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In honor of fall films, Times staff members Julie Dye, Brandon Oland and Brian Patterson have picked the top five films they’re planning to see this fall. They may not win any Oscars, make the most money or even be groundbreaking, but we predict they’ll be entertaining for movie audiences.
Dye’s picks
Name: Julie Dye
Position: Copy editor
Favorite movie quotation: “I shall call him Squishy. And he shall be mine. And he shall be my Squishy.” — Dory in “Finding Nemo”
Early Oscar pick: Director Peter Jackson for “The Lovely Bones,” possibly some acting nods for Rachel Weisz or Saoirse Ronan (who has already received a nomination in her young career for “Atonement”).
Worst film prediction: When I first saw the teaser-trailer for “2012” early in the year, I thought it had potential to be decent blockbuster. Then I realized that the director was “disaster master” Roland Emmerich. The director has said this will be his last natural disaster film, and I’m scared he’ll pull out some even more insane scenarios he didn’t do in his last two films — “The Day After Tomorrow” and “10,000 B.C.” — and that’s not easy to do.
Five films I want to see and why:
5. ‘Sherlock Holmes’
Release date: Dec. 25
Why I want to see it: Robert Downey Jr. has been on a roll the past couple of years, and I have faith he’ll bring his unique personality to the legendary detective. He’s joined by Jude Law, who plays his trustworthy sidekick Watson.
4. ‘The Lovely Bones’
Release date: Dec. 11
Why I want to see it: Besides the fact that this film, which centers on a young girl who watches over her family in the afterlife after she is murdered, appears to be a visual stunner, it stars a solid cast (Mark Wahlberg and Oscar winners Rachel Weisz, Saoirse Ronan and Susan Sarandon) and has a one-of-a-kind director in Peter Jackson.
3. ‘Love Happens’
Release date: Sept. 18
Why I want to see it: I’m a sucker for soppy love stories. This one stars the intriguing duo of Jennifer Aniston and Aaron Eckhart. Eckhart portrays a widower/self-help author who finds love again.
2. ‘Whip It’
Release date: Oct. 9
Why I want to see it: “Juno” is easily one of my favorite films of the past few years, and that’s largely because of actress Ellen Page. In “Whip It,” Page plays a girl who is tired of her parents’ demands that she compete as a beauty queen, so she joins a brutal female roller derby team.
1. ‘Avatar’
Release date: Dec. 18
Why I want to see it: That’s right, I’m buying into all of the hype surrounding this alien adventure starring Sam Worthington. The movie’s effects look amazing and innovative, and don’t forget this is from the director who made the highest-grossing film of all time (“Titanic”).
Patterson’s picks
Name: Brian Patterson
Position: Copy editor
Favorite movie quotation: “Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.” — Peter Clemenza in “The Godfather.”
Early Oscar pick: “The Road” and “Shutter Island” could get Best Picture nominations. I also think Hilary Swank could garner a Best Actress nomination for the biopic “Amelia.”
Worst film prediction: “Surrogates.” Bruce Willis gets to try to save the world again. This time, things go wrong in a futuristic world where everyone lives their lives through robots, and no one ever leaves the house. OK, OK … I’ll spend less time on Facebook.
Five films I want to see and why:
5. ‘9’
Release date: Sept. 9
Why I want to see it: Little dolls with sweet tattoos of numbers have to try to save the world. No, the plot doesn’t seem terribly involved, or original, in this animated film — think “The Terminator” or “The Matrix” with dolls — but the visual effects should please.
4. ‘The Road’
Release date: Oct. 16
Why I want to see it: This one is based on the novel of the same name by Cormac McCarthy, who also wrote “No Country for Old Men.” If the screen adaptation of “The Road” is even half as good as the adaptation of “No Country,” it will be worth a look. I haven’t read either of the books, but I probably should.
3. ‘Where the Wild Things Are’
Release date: Oct. 16
Why I want to see it: Combine one of my favorite children’s books with director Spike Jonze (“Being John Malkovich”) and you can sign me up — just don’t try that concept with the “Bernstein Bears.” I did manage to read this one cover to cover.
2. ‘Jennifer’s Body’
Release date: Sept. 18
Why I want to see it: I’m always up a good horror movie, especially when that movie doesn’t take itself too seriously. And a story about a possessed cheerleader who starts killing boys at her high school fits the bill. It’s a better use of time than lining up for “Saw VI.”
1. ‘Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant’
Release date: Oct. 30
Why I want to see it: It is a safe bet this won’t be the most popular vampire movie this fall. That honor will go to “Twilight: New Moon” which has a built-in fan base from Stephanie Meyers’ “Twilight” saga. As for me, I’m going to go with John C. Reilly over Robert Pattison.
Oland’s picks
Name: Brandon Oland
Position: Features writer
Favorite movie quotation: “I ate fiberglass insulation. It wasn’t cotton candy like the guy said. … My tummy itches.” — Brick Tamland (Steve Carell), “Anchorman”
Early Oscar pick: “Shutter Island.” Pretty simple equation: Leonardo DiCaprio plus Martin Scorsese equals a movie with a real shot at Best Picture.
Worst film prediction: “Youth in Revolt.” The synopsis says it all: Nick Twisp goes on a quest to lose his virginity after his parents split up.
Five films I want to see and why:
5. ‘Fame’
Release date: Sept. 25
Why I want to see it: I never saw the original, so this remake will be new to me. It’s a mostly no-name cast of young actors in a school setting, but that recipe has worked before (“High School Musical”).
4. ‘Whip It’
Release date: Oct. 9
Why I want to see it: Ellen Page’s career didn’t take off like I thought it would after “Juno.” “Whip It” is her first lead role since. I’m intrigued by everything about this one: I want to see Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut. I’m intrigued by Page’s character, a girl who goes from beauty queen to roller derby team member in an act of rebellion.
3. ‘The Blindside’
Release date: Nov. 20
Why I want to see it: Being a sports buff, I make sure to catch most movies revolving around football. This pigskin picture is a definite must-see for another reason: The movie is based on the difficult upbringing of the Baltimore Ravens’ 2009 first-round draft pick Michael Oher. His rags-to-riches story is remarkable, one that was meant to see in a movie theater. I’m in.
2. ‘A Christmas Carol’
Release date: Nov. 6
Why I want to see it: Full disclosure: I was born on Christmas Eve. I’m a huge Christmas fan. Just the thought of Jim Carrey as Ebenezer Scrooge makes me giddy. Carrey drilled The Grinch role nine years ago, and he should have no problem making this version of “A Christmas Carol” a must-see holiday favorite as well.
1. ‘Extract’
Release date: Sept. 4
Why I want to see it: Lots to like here. I laughed out loud four times during the trailer. I’d expect nothing less from a Mike Judge film. Judge’s “Office Space” is an all-time favorite of mine. I doubt “Extract” lives up to “Office Space,” but there’s lots of potential here for it to be funny. The mere presence of the gorgeous Mila Kunis is always a plus. She plays a hot temp. That’s not a stretch for her.
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