IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS: November Movies - First Impressions

Lord how time flies!!!!  The Fall Movie season will soon be coming to an end and Christmas will suddenly be upon us.  After some extremely well-received movies in August and September (The Help, Moneyball and Contagion) and a lackluster October filled with sequels (Paranormal Activity 3), prequels (Puss In Boots), ho-hum star-driven vehicles (In Time and The Rum Diary) and snoozy remakes (Footloose, The Thing and The Three Musketeers); I thought we should take a look at some of the films coming out over the next month as we head into the Holiday seasons and the beginning of the Awards track (Golden Globe nods come out in mid-December!).

So, let's look at some of the trailers of the major studio films (and some of the Award-hopefuls) being released during November and talk about the first impressions based on the trailer (and whatever buzz may be surrounding the movie in question!).  Then, I'll give the verdict on whether I would personally take the time to see the movie.

RELEASE DATE: Friday, November 4, 2011

A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas

Starring: Kal Penn, John Cho, Neil Patrick Harris

First Impressions: The Harold & Kumar franchise has done quite well especially in its key demographic (audience ages 18-35).  Both stars Kal Penn and John Cho have been able to transition within their own careers thanks to the H&K brand, so why wouldn't a third film be in the cards.  However, comedy franchises tend not to do as well as their predecessors (as we learned with the highly-anticipated Hangover II earlier this year!).  Studios tend to expect more out of them than they end up getting.  And when they don't meet those expectations, they are counted as failures.  It's quite possible that the duo's trip to WhiteCastle should have been their one and only.

Would I See It?: Possibly (on TV or DVD though)

Tower Heist

Starring: Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Casey Affleck

First Impressions: Alan Alda as a Bernie Madoff-type living in what is obviously Trump Towers!  It's the kind of biting satire that worked back in the 1980s, but today its a little along the too esoteric lines.  Though the rest of the cast is likable in what seems to be their typical roles now (Ben Stiller as fumbling lead, Casey Affleck as sarcastic assistance, Matthew Broderick as nebbish friend, etc.), the only standout even within the trailer is obviously Eddie Murphy.  He seems to be in exactly the type of role that made us love him at the beginning of his career (i.e. Trading Places, 48 Hrs., etc.).  The problem is that right-off you can tell that Murphy in all his comic glory is probably only in about 20-25% of the movie.  Meaning the rest of the film would be kind of a snore when Murphy is not on the screen.
Would I See It?: Possibly (on TV or DVD though)

The Son of No One
Starring: Channing Tatum, Al Pacino, Juliette Binoche

First Impressions: I have not heard of this movie at all!  No buzz, no news, no early reviews, no nothing!  And yet there are actual people in this movie!  Like name people, A-Listers!  Is it because Channing Tatum is the first name on the list that I automatically ignored anything about this film?  It looks like it might actually be interesting and provocative with some pretty good performances (except for maybe Katie Holmes, although she could surprise us!).  Why have I heard nothing about this film?

Would I See It?: Maybe

RELEASE DATE: Friday, November 11, 2011

Immortals

Starring: Henry Cavill, John Hurt, Mickey Rourke

First Impressions: Trying to capture what was captured a few years ago with 300, but probably being more like the horrendous remake of Clash of the Titans last year.

Would I See It?: Never

Jack & Jill
Starring: Adam Sandler, Katie Holmes, Al Pacino

First Impression: Adam Sandler dances on that line of clever parody (The Wedding Singer) to touching lead (Punch-Drunk Love) to trying to be serious (Spanglish) to just plain stupid (Grown Ups).  Unfortunately, this is way passed the latter of those options.
Would I See It?: Never

J. Edgar

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Watts, Dame Judi Dench

First Impression: This movie has the most going for it as far as I'm concerned.  Its directed by an accomplished and acclaimed director (Clint Eastwood!).  Its screenplay is by the smart and edgy Oscar-winning writer behind Milk (Dustin Lance Black).  And it stars Leonardo DiCaprio in what quite possibly could be his Oscar-winning performance (if the early critics are to be believed!).  It has the stylish qualities that went into last year's Oscar-winner The King's Speech and the political intrigue (and topical metaphors) that went into the previous Oscar-winner The Hurt Locker.

Would I See It?: Most Likely

RELEASE DATE: Friday, November 18, 2011

The Twilight Saga - Breaking Dawn Part I

Starring: Robert Pattison, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner

First Impressions: Just when you think you're rid of these brooding "teenagers" who never seem to smile, they come back doing the exact thing the Harry Potter series did earlier by splitting its "final chapter" into two movies (because Stefanie Meyer can do anything J. K. Rowling can do! NYAH!).  So that just means they'll be boring boyfriends and putting husbands to sleep in two movies instead of one!

Would I See It?: Not even if you held a gun to my head! I would choose death! (Too much with the sarcasm?) 

Happy Feet Two
Starring: Elijah Wood, Pink, Robin Williams

First Impressions: I really liked the first one.  It was touching, funny and surprisingly well-crafted.  But I'm not sure all of that positive reaction the first one got (including an Oscar for Best Animated Film beating Cars!) warrants a sequel.  It seems like it could be cute and funny and maybe even touching.  But it also seems like its over-reaching and re-hashing some of the same jokes and plotlines that fueled the first one.

Would I See It?: On the Fence

The Descendants
Starring: George Clooney, Judy Greer, Matthew Lillard

First Impressions: Another potential Awards grabber and George Clooney already had one earlier this fall with The Ides of March.  It may be hard to decipher which George Clooney Oscar-bait movie audiences need to see.

Would I See It?: On the Fence

RELEASE DATE: Friday, November 25, 2011

Hugo

Starring: Asa Butterfield, Sasha Baron Cohen, Christopher Lee

First Impressions: At first look, its family-friendly and filled with a typical mix of fantasy and comic relief (Thank You Borat!).  It seems to have charm and kids and period costumes and....wait a minute...did that say "Directed by Martin Scorcese?!?!"  Martin "Mean Streets-Taxi Driver-Raging Bull-GoodFellas-Gangs of New York-The Departed" Scorcese?!?!  I know he's taking risks now and doing things he wouldn't have done 20 years ago (hence his Emmy-winning work on the HBO drama Boardwalk Empire!), but how opposite from his canon does he have to go in order to prove he's a risk-taker?  Wait, Does he need to prove he's a risk-taker?!?!  Maybe he figures: He has an Oscar and an Emmy, now he needs the children to like him!

Would I See It?: Likely (but probably on TV or DVD)

The Muppets

Starring: Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper

First Impressions: It has Muppets! It's their first theatrical venture since the somewhat average Muppets From Space over a decade ago.  It has celebrity cameos, self-referential humor...oh, and did I mention: IT HAS MUPPETS!!!!

Would I See It?: Try and stop me!!!

Arthur Christmas

Starring: James McAvoy, Jim Broadbent, Bill Nighy

First Impressions: Sure, there of course is bound to be a Christmas-themed animated movie this year (we've had The Polar Express and Jim Carrey in A Christmas Carol).  This movie seems like it might be charming and sweet with a anything-can-happen and anyone-can-do-anything message.  But on the other hand, everything that makes it so cute and special also could make it so gratingly irritating.  Since PIXAR revolutionized Disney, every studio has to get into the game and do it in some way (see Happy Feet Two above!).  But I just don't know if I can take much more of this.
Would I See It?: Possibly (on TV or DVD though)

A Dangerous Method

Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Michael Fassbender, Keira Knightley

First Impressions: The last Viggo Mortensen-David Cronenberg venture (Eastern Promises) resulted in an Oscar nomination for the former Lord of the Rings star.  Plus, Michael Fassbender (who first charmed audiences a few years ago in Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds!) is quickly becoming one of the most welcome additions to any movie this year (a well-received version of Jane Eyre and the surprisingly well-done X-Men prequel).  And its been a while since Keira Knightley steamed up the screen in a racy role that could result in some awards attention.  And its about Freud and Jung and their tenuous (re: stressful) work relationship.  The two are the greatest influences on the psycho-analytical world and a dramatic depiction of their (possible) "friendship" would be quite interesting.

Would I See It?: Quite Possibly

My Week With Marilyn

Starring: Michelle Williams, Eddie Redmayne, Kenneth Branagh

First Impressions: A movie about Marilyn Monroe while she was making the somewhat charming 1957 film The Prince and the Showgirl with Sir Laurence Olivier...interesting.  Michelle Williams looks gorgeous as the iconic blonde.  Branagh is the perfect choice to play Lord Larry.  And Tony-winner Eddie Redmayne seems to be in a star-making performance as the man who was Monroe's confidante and friend for that titular "week."  It is definitely an Awards-grabber (especially with Williams' rising Oscar profile receiving nods for Brokeback Mountain and Blue Valentine).
Would I See It?: Maybe

The Artist

Starring: Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo, John Goodman

First Impressions: It has already won fans at both the Cannes Film Festival and the Toronto Film Festival.  It is become so beloved by the early critics that this will certainly not be the last time we will hear this film's name over the next Awards season.

Would I See It?: Maybe

IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS: Why Are the Critics So Blue?

Each week in the summertime, film critics and pundits prognosticate which movie opening that Friday will be the biggest Box Office draw over the upcoming weekend.  Well, last week, the critical blogosphere was set a-"Twitter" when the Sony Pictures kiddie flick The Smurfs eked out a slight edge over the Spielberg-produced western/sci-fi film Cowboys & Aliens.  Now, this wasn't the first weekend ever that the pundits were mistaken or misjudged the bankability of a film.  This was, however, one of the few times in recent memory when the numbers were so close and both films were not entirely beloved by the critics.  In fact, before last Friday's opening, The Smurfs had a critical rating of 0% on RottenTomatoes.com (since then the rating has gone up, slightly, to 21%).  Cowboys & Aliens fared little better with those same critics gaining a 44% from the site.  Which is not good compared to other recent Summer fare like the final Harry Potter (which earned a 97%), Captain America (a 79%) and Crazy, Stupid Love (which also opened last weekend with a 75%).  To some, the critics were still proving that they have lost touch with audiences (Meaning: Critics = Snobs!).  To others, it was another example that the general pop culture masses worship the lowest common denominator (in other words: People like Sh--!).  I, personally, saw it as a mix of both of those with a slight edge that we haven't quite seen before but has only popped up recently.

In these days of constant technology and everybody-and-their-brother blogging (and yes, I recognize the irony!), there are so many voices out there and each of those voices/opinions can get very critical (Believe me, I know!).  With so many opinions flying trough the web, it becomes harder to decipher which person should be listened to and which "critic" would agree with an audience member's taste most.  And since film -like most other artistic mediums (TV, Theatre, Art, Music, etc.)- is completely subjective, everybody's tastes differ and what people look for in what entertains them shifts from person to person.  With that (obvious!) fact stated, it is not a surprise that critics and audiences will differ and it's sometimes surprising that it doesn't happen more often.

But this past weekend was different.  Why?  Because I believe (In my little opinion!) that there was a little bit of a cause-and-effect happening here.  To me, it wasn't surprising that The Smurfs made money because Sony Pictures used the same marketing campaign 20th Century Fox did back in 2007 for their more-than-modest kiddie hit Alvin and the Chipmunks.  Both films obviously had "kid appeal" and those kids drooling to see the movie(s) would drag their parents to the movie theater (most likely around Opening Day!).  But I sensed there was something else going on as the pundits closely watched the numbers over this past weekend.  It also seemed that the more the critics disliked The Smurfs and the more bad reviews the film received, the more there were people going to see it.  It's like these audiences were saying to themselves: "Well, it can't be that bad!"  (NOTE: I have yet to see the movie, so I don't know exactly how bad or good it is!)

In my childhood (back when The Smurfs was just a fun Saturday morning TV cartoon!), film critics were just a bit more respected.  We didn't always agree with them, but we respected their opinions and realized that this was their job and they knew what they were talking about (most of the time!).  Now, with everyone able to be a "critic" and with this day of instant-anonymous commenting, audiences want to try and judge for themselves.  Audiences have kind of woken up and realized that they can do what the likes of Bosley Cowther, Pauline Kael and Gene Siskel did (and what the likes of Roger Ebert, Peter Travers and Leonard Maltin still do!).

A lot of this also comes on the heels of a devastating Oscar season for the film critics.  Last year, David Fincher's edgy The Social Network was winning every Critics' Prize along the pipeline (including the Golden Globe!).  But come Oscar night in February 2011, it won only 3 awards and none of them were Best Picture or Best Director.  The winner in those categories was the sentimental audience favorite The King's Speech.  A couple Oscar analysts summed it up to the fact that the critics were too soon with their praise and awards and were also to universal in their praise.  They pointed it out that it is rare that every critic likes the same film.  So, this past weekend, I feel that the audiences who went to see The Smurfs (and walked out saying that they liked it!) were responding to the rarity that every critic hates the same film.

I would like to point out one other thing before I let you all go (probably to go see The Smurfs!).  In every review I read of the kiddie flick, I noticed that the critics' distaste for the movie did not come from the film itself (although it is said to be pretty bad!).  It seemed that the critics (some of whom had general praise for star Neil Patrick Harris) were more disgusted with this specific genre.  This type of kids movie based on some nostalgic children's icon of the past that is really made by a studio for the purposes of making money.  Every single review I read (and I read practically all of them in research for this column!) bemoaned this corporate stronghold within the Hollywood community that just markets a product and not a quality film.  But this Critics vs. Corporate (re: Art vs. Commerce) debate has raged on for years and with the results from last weekend, it isn't likely to stop anytime soon!

But what do you think readers?  Have film critics completely lost touch?  Do audiences love a film more when the critics hate it?  Or do audiences truly just enjoy low quality films (or TV shows)?  And what effect will this have in the future if this is what our kids are loving when it comes to entertainment?  Or do people just not give a rat's a--? Speaking of rats, before you all want to let loose on the critics and begin "the hate," I want you to take a look at this scene from the 2007 Disney-Pixar film Ratatouille which best describes what a critic is all about.