celluloidnotes

PICK OF THE WEEK:
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
dir. Mark Herman
Stars: Asa Butterfield, David Thewlis, Rupert Friend

If you need any cue to let you know that Oscar season films are upon us this is it. The early buzz on this film seems pretty positive, sure to be a tear jerker. But then again almost all WWII films are both Oscar contenders and tear jerkers. Hopefully this will be a film that can rival Roman Polanski’s brilliant The Pianist because WWII films are often a little formulaic so that they can be: a. Oscar contenders b. tear jerkers.

Soul Men
dir. Malcolm D. Lee
Stars: Samuel L. Jackson, Bernie Mac, Issac Hayes

Two legends of soul music, who have not spoken in twenty years decide to reunite after the passing of their former band leader. With a plot like this and both Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes passing away shortly after shooting wrapped the pressure is on both MGM and Dimension to get this film seen without appearing as though the studios are marketing this in bad taste. The verdict is still out on this.

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
dir. Eric Darnell Tom McGrath
Stars: Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, etc. etc.

This will certainly bring in tops at the box office this week. The highly anticipated, and highly publicized sequel to one of the biggest kids films in years is going to be a smash. If it will actually be any good remains to be seen. It’s a ridiculous question, but since we’re at the front end of Oscar season at the theaters, does this have any chance against WALL-E? Probably not.

Repo! The Genetic Opera
dir. Darren Lynn Bousman
Stars: Paul Sorvino, Anthony Head, Alexa Vega, Sarah Brightman, Paris Hilton

This horror rock opera from Saw director Bousman is going to get split reactions across the board. Some are going to hail this as the new cult classic horror film that Rocky Horror fans have been waiting for, while others are going to find that this is a big snooze fest worthy of Alien vs. Predator stature.

Role Models
dir. David Wain
Stars: Paul Rudd, Seann William Scott, Elizabeth Banks

Judd Apatow staples take on a film worthy of their talents. A couple of energy drink salesman take on a big brother program and learn to love their new kids (and, surely, zaniness ensures). The buzz on this film is not nearly as positive as you would expect (if you expected anything at all)…and then again Paul Rudd is pretty much great in everything he is in.

House
dir. Robby Henson
Stars: Reynaldo Rosales, Heidi Dippold, Michael Madsen

And the late fall slew of crappy horror films continues. Maybe we’re wrong over here, correct that, hopefully we’re wrong, I, personally, would love a great horror film to come out, but this doesn’t sound like it will be the one.

Last Week’s Top Ten:
1. High School Musical 3
2. Zack and Miri Make a Porno
3. Saw V
4. Changeling
5. The Haunting of Mary Hartley
6. Beverly Hills Chihuahua
7. The Secret Life of Bees
8. Max Payne
9. Eagle Eye
10. Pride & Glory

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