New movies coming out...

[Winslow Leach]

So has anyone else started their "to see" list for 2008 yet?

So far I'm looking forward to (In random order):

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Hoodwinked 2: Hood vs. Evil
Wall-E (New Pixar film)
the untitled JJ Abrams monster movie
The Dark Knight
Power of the Dark Crystal
Hellboy 2: The Golden Army
Sin City 2
Speed Racer
Indiana Jones 4
Star Trek XI
The Incredible Hulk

So far I've only got "The Dark Knight" and "Get Smart" on my list, but there will be more.

 

[Winslow Leach]

I'm looking forward to Sleuth in October, though it will supposedly be in limited release, so it may not play here. It started out as a play, then became a classic film starring Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine in 1972. It was the last film directed by the legendary Joseph L. Mankiewicz. The play (and screenplay) was written by noted playwright Anthony Shaffer.

This new version has been reworked and rewritten by playwright Harold Pinter, and stars Michael Caine (in the Olivier role) and Jude Law. It is directed by Kenneth Branagh, who just made a wonderful adaptation of As You Like It, starring Bryce Dallas Howard, Alfred Molina and Kevin Kline for HBO.

Sleuth is a twisty puzzle about a middle-aged author of suspense novels who is very fond of games. He invites a younger man, who is having an affair with the author's wife, to his massive estate, filled with exotic games and tricks, and forces the young man to commit a robbery in his own home. Soon the young man mysteriously disappears, and the author is investigated by a very clever police inspector, who has his own bag of tricks.

Branagh's film is said to deviate from the original in the second half, ostensibly for those who are already familiar with the play/film.

Ira Levin's play Deathtrap, which was made into a film in 1982, stars Michael Caine (yet again!) and Christopher Reeve. The plot is somewhat similar to Sleuth: older mystery playwright (Caine) invites novice playwright (Reeve) to his home, which contains deadly and dangerous devices from Caine's plays. Caine plans to murder Reeve, steal his perfectly-written play, and pass it off as his own. But as in Sleuth, things aren't always what they seem, and there are a lot of twists and turns before the end.

 

[Beakerfan]

Really? That's so cool! He's my second favorite SNL cast member, right after the fellow in my avvy!

Murray's playing a character known as Agent 13 in Get Smart. I don't know if its a main role or a cameo.

Aren't Bill and his brothers opening up a golf-themed restaurant somewhere?

HE'S PLAYING AGENT 13? Oh my gosh! I was wondering who was going to play him! It's perfect!

 

[Winslow Leach]

HE'S PLAYING AGENT 13? Oh my gosh! I was wondering who was going to play him! It's perfect!

Is that like a big or important role, or something? Seriously, I've never watched the show!

 

[Beakerfan]

Well, Agent 13 was the guy who had the inside scoop on everything. He was like Maxwell's informant. He didn't appear in every episode, and when he did, if was somewhat briefly. But I say Bill Murray and Agent 13 go hand in hand because Agent 13 always pops up in unexepected places. Literally. He'll pop his head out from a toilet, or a microwave, or something like that. And usually all you see is his head.

 

[Pork]

I love Get Smart, Bill Murray as Agent 13 would be perfect. I agree with Beakerfan.

 

[Winslow Leach]

Well, Agent 13 was the guy who had the inside scoop on everything. He was like Maxwell's informant. He didn't appear in every episode, and when he did, if was somewhat briefly. But I say Bill Murray and Agent 13 go hand in hand because Agent 13 always pops up in unexepected places. Literally. He'll pop his head out from a toilet, or a microwave, or something like that. And usually all you see is his head.

LOL! Thanks for the info! I can totally picture Bill in the part now! I agree, Alex, the casting is perfect! Now I'm really looking forward to this one. I saw the trailer the other day...funny stuff!

 

[unclematt]

I guess I really am the only human on the face of the planet looking forward to Alvin and the Chipmunks

 

[Winslow Leach]

I'm also looking forward to The Assassination of Jesse James By the Coward Robert Ford, based on the excellent novel of the same name. The film was supposed to be released last September (a trailer has been around for over a year), but for some reason was held until this September...or October, still not sure of the release date.

The book (and film) chronicals the last year in the life of outlaw Jesse James, and a young man named Robert Ford who is desperate to join the legendary James gang. It stars Brad Pitt as Jesse and Casey Affleck as Ford.

 

[anytimepally]

I'm looking forward to Sleuth in October, though it will supposedly be in limited release, so it may not play here. It started out as a play, then became a classic film starring Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine in 1972. It was the last film directed by the legendary Joseph L. Mankiewicz. The play (and screenplay) was written by noted playwright Anthony Shaffer.

This new version has been reworked and rewritten by playwright Harold Pinter, and stars Michael Caine (in the Olivier role) and Jude Law. It is directed by Kenneth Branagh, who just made a wonderful adaptation of As You Like It, starring Bryce Dallas Howard, Alfred Molina and Kevin Kline for HBO.

Sleuth is a twisty puzzle about a middle-aged author of suspense novels who is very fond of games. He invites a younger man, who is having an affair with the author's wife, to his massive estate, filled with exotic games and tricks, and forces the young man to commit a robbery in his own home. Soon the young man mysteriously disappears, and the author is investigated by a very clever police inspector, who has his own bag of tricks.

Branagh's film is said to deviate from the original in the second half, ostensibly for those who are already familiar with the play/film.

I am glad to hear that the second half of the film is different.. I was concerned about how they were going to make it interesting and still have it be the same film.. knowing the twists and turns would make it far less enjoyable.

on a side note, it's a rather odd thing for Michael Caine, who is one of my all-time favorite actors, to be remaking this movie.. he always says that you should never remake a success (and certainly, the original Sleuth, which garnered both he and Olivier Oscar nominations, qualifies), because it's a no-win situation.. even if the remake is good, people will always say it wasn't as good as the original.. instead, Caine says you should only remake flops, because that's a no-lose situation.. if t's bad, it's just bad material.. but if it's good, you've rehabilitated the material

I'm very interested to see this film.. while I think Michael Caine is every bit the actor Olivier was, I can't say I feel the same way about Jude Law taking over Caine's role (the Alfie remake, case in point), but I'm still interested to see it, and I always enjoy a good Kenneth Branagh movie.. and while there have been a few (Bewitched, Jaws: The Revenge), it's very hard to miss with Michael Caine.. which makes me want to visit another thread for a moment