2014 Fall Movie Preview: September
2014 Fall Movie Preview: September

2014 Fall Movie Preview: September

DOLPHIN TALE 2

DOLPHIN TALE 2

The Good: Dolphins are fun.

The Bad: Humor = people falling and fecal matter. Harry Connick Jr. is your lead.

Prediction: .

Dolphins are as cute on TV or in person versus a 1.5 hr snoozefest.

No Good Deed

NO GOOD DEED

The Good: Idris Elba will be scary. Great cast.

The Bad: Worn premise. Worse message about not helping people.

Prediction: .

The cast saves a crappy script and story.

The Drop

THE DROP

The Good: James Gandolfini’s last film. Tom Hardy.

The Bad: Minimal story, actor’s death used to prop up something forgettable.

Prediction: .

Gandolfini and especially Hardy will rivet on screen, but nothing else will.

Skeleton Twins

THE SKELETON TWINS

The Good: Putting SNL All-Stars Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader on screen together. Buzz is very strong.

The Bad: Potentially anyone else on screen except the leads.

Prediction: .

Dramatic turns for Wiig and Hader elevate their casting potential and Skeleton Twins into a dark horse Oscar contender.

The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ELEANOR RIGBY

The Good: Terrific premise (a breakup from both perspectives), strong leads.

The Bad: First time director, editing two films into one.

Prediction: .

The premise shines a light about viewpoints in a relationship, and Jessica Chastain and James McAvoy act the hell out of a strong story.

The Maze Runner

THE MAZE RUNNER

The Good: Spin on the dystopic young adult genre, strong air of mystery

The Bad: No “names” in cast, reeks of zeitgeisty, first time director

Prediction: .

I see all flags and no anchors. Tread lightly.

This Is Where I Leave You

THIS IS WHERE I LEAVE YOU

The Good: Strong source material with a strong, funny ensemble.

The Bad: Kids movie director, reliance on pratfall humor.

Prediction: .

Promising turns for Jason Bateman and hopefully Corey Stoll (in a comedy), but should just be harmless entertainment.

A Walk Among The Tombstones

A WALK AMONG THE TOMBSTONES

The Good: Strong source material and butt-kicking Liam Neeson

The Bad: Neeson’s new ass-kicking persona probably has more influence than it should.

Prediction: .

Expect more morose Neeson who kicks only a little butt. Solid but forgettable.

Hector and the Search for Happiness

HECTOR AND THE SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS

The Good: Simon Pegg is funny.

The Bad: There are 20 producers on this film. Most good ones won’t have more than 3. “A well-to-do person finding themselves by slumming it.” Terrible buzz.

Prediction: .

Simon Pegg in material he didn’t write himself but 20 producers saying he should say? Hard pass.

Tracks

TRACKS

The Good: Young rising stars Mia Wasikowska and Adam Driver

The Bad: The premise is hella stupid: “How should I grow as a person? I know, I’ll trek across the desert.”

Prediction: .

Director mistakes boredom for stillness and minimalist with compelling. Driver and Wasikowska will be terrific.

The Equalizer

THE EQUALIZER

The Good: Denzel Washington in Man on Fire Mode, directed by his Training Day Director. Chloe Graze Moretz is involved.

The Bad: This feels like its gonna be a Training Day victory lap.

Prediction: .

If it goes Neeson-style revengy, it will be a solid film.

The Boxtrolls

THE BOXTROLLS

The Good: Charming animation with good track record.

The Bad: Advertising overload. Middling buzz.

Prediction: .

I want this movie to be good, but early signs make me sad.

Pride

PRIDE

The Good: Two feel-good stories merged into one. British wit and charm.

The Bad: Budget keeps the story minimal.

Prediction: .

Solid indie involving issues of the moment: workers’ rights and homosexuality.

Jimi All By My Side

JIMI: ALL IS BY MY SIDE

The Good: Andre Benjamin/Jimi Hendrix comparisons. Strong behind-the-scenes team.

The Bad: Unproven lead. Only part of Jimi Hendrix’s life.

Prediction: .

Andre Benjamin becomes an acting star and rivals Chadwick Boseman for the influential African-American musician award.

 

MUST SEEThe Skeleton Twins. It is probably the safest bet.

MUST SKIPHector and the Search for Happiness. More producers does not equal more success.

MOST INTRIGUINGThe Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby. Hopefully the editing works brilliantly.

 

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