The coming months (October, November, December)
may be about giving to those in need and loving one another, but it is also a time for studios to pull out all the stops and
deliver their finest films of the year in a cut throat battle that is unlike nothing youve ever seen. I, in truth, hate this
time of year at the cinemas. Its too damn costly for the most part. Im seeing movies virtually every day, Im battling my way
through snow filled streets just to reach the multiplex to see all the films that the critics say are good. Studios: come
on, help me out here. There are nine other months out of the year you can release this stuff. If its good, youll be nominated
for it anyway, besides, we all know that if Michael Caine is in something hell get nominated, so release that film early on
in the year when nothing is out. Same goes for Judy Dench.
I am excited to see The Matrix Revolutions even though I hated Reloaded. Sure. Im also
excited to see Elf, Mel Gibsons The Passion,
Master and Commander, The Texas Chainsaw
Massacre, Kill Bill: Volume One, Big
Fish, School of Rock, Gothika, Mystic River and Bubba Ho-Tep (which probably
wont get a wide release till spring) to name a few, but there are five flicks on their way that really excite me. These are
the crème dela crème. The films that dreams are made of, at least my dreams anyway.
#5 Bad
Santa (November 26th)
Directed
by Terry Zwigoff, this is one film I dont want to miss. I loved what Zwigoff did with Crumb
and I adored his artistic vision with his adaptation of Ghost World, but Zwigoff
hasnt really made a film that appeals to the general audience. Well, folks, this is that filmhopefully. Produced by the Coen
brothers (who also have a movie out this Christmas), Santa stars Billy Bob Thorton and Bernie Mac. The films plot involves
two drifters (Thorton and Tony Cox) who pose as Santa and an elf in order to steal from small department stores. Now I can
only hope that the Dude, its America
guy from Zwigoffs Ghost World can make an appearance.
#4 Scary
Movie 3 (October 24th)
I didnt
honestly like Scary Movie and I hated Scary
Movie 2, but this third helping looks and feels completely different. Directed by Airplane
and Kentucky Fried Movie alum David Zucker and written by cult writer/director
Kevin Smith (he also executive produced), this film is sure to entertain more than the previous entries having lost most of
what made the other films badthe Wayans. Thankfully Smith and crew kept the good and dropped the bad. Regina Hall and the
lovely Anna Faris are back. Newcomers to the ongoing series are Charlie Sheen, Leslie Neilsen, Eddie Griffin, Jeremy Piven
and Queen Latifah. Join them as they weigh in some of todays hottest films. Hopefully this entry will redeem the Scary Movie
series as well as the spoof genre.
#3 Alien:
The Directors Cut (October 31st)
Okay, so
I like re-releases. Some people say they are cheap cash-ins, but you know what? Who cares? Fans, including myself, wanted
this release and its finally here so I dont care whether or not its a cash-in. Since I can remember, I have been a huge Alien fan. I am already eagerly awaiting the huge nine disc Alien Quadrilogy DVD
box set due this Christmas but until then I have this directors cut of Ridley Scotts 1979 original to look forward to. Featuring
scenes that could only previously be seen in the deleted scenes section of a DVD and never before seen footage that was restored
and digitally remastered, this is one film you do not want to miss. Drag your friends to see this, your parents, hell, drag
Grandma if you want to. Bring on Aliens: The Directors Cut.
#2 Big
Fish (December 18th)
Whats sad
about Big Fish is that its probably going to get Goth director Tim Burton the Academy Award nomination he so rightly deserves
as a true directorial talent in Hollywood, but he will lose the award this year
to Peter Jackson for his Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Any other year and it would
be his year. Why is Columbia releasing this film now, one day after The Return of the King? After a lackluster attempt to update Planet of
the Apes, Burton goes back to his roots, creating a weird, uniquely odd tale
about William Bloom (Billy Crudup), a man discovering his dying fathers strengths and weakness through a series of tales and
myths he creates in his head. With an all star cast including Helena Bonham Carter, Jessica Lange and Ewan McGregor this is
sure to be on everyones top 10.
#1
Lord of the Rings Trilogy: Fellowship of the Ring Extended Cut, The Two Towers Extended Cut, The Return of the King (November for the extended cuts, December 17th for Return of the King)
It has been
two years since Peter Jacksons tale of wizardry, magic and the one ring began and boy has it been one hell of a ride. We live
in a time where true classics are being released; films that will be remembered and watched for years to come. This is what
George Lucas desired his petty Star Wars prequels to be. He failed and Jackson,
a guy previously known for gross out films like Meet the Feebles and Dead Alive, achieved. With the release of The Return of the King, Jackson has also decided to release the extended cuts of Towers and Fellowship
a month before King is released so that our craving for the third entry are either
calmed or infuriated. When this series is over, it will be one of the greatest events in motion picture history. I am excited
to be alive in such an awesome time.
