Ah yes, it's that time of year again. Sleep schedules being cut short, reunions with friends not seen since last May, constant trips to Office Depot, and most of all, that sinking feeling of walking onto campus and realizing that all the best summer movie releases are behind you.
We cheered on (and felt a little sorry for) Harrison Ford in "Indiana Jones," we revered Heath Ledger for his headline-making role in "The Dark Knight" and we were a little disappointed with everyone except Robert Downey Jr. in "Tropic Thunder."
But fear not, for when summer movie season comes to a close, standing in the bullpen is the fall movie season, eagerly waiting to take the mound and throw some fastballs (maybe even a change-up or two).
First on the list of the fall must-sees is "Righteous Kill," starring contemporary screen legends Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. The film, which marks their second ever on-screen appearance together, seems like a step in the right direction for the two, both of whom have not been treated well by the last decade.
The story follows two police officers (Pacino and De Niro) that believe a recent murder might be linked to a case that was closed years ago.
While a career-reviving picture like this seems more fit to be directed by Martin Scorsese, there's still hope for "Righteous Kill" to be a return to form for two of the greatest actors of our time. Kudos, Bob and Al.
Next up is the latest outing for the brother-brother directing team of Joel and Ethan Coen.
Only six months out from winning the Best Picture Oscar for last year's "No Country For Old Men," the brothers' new flick, "Burn After Reading" hits theaters on Sept. 12. Starring Coen regular George Clooney alongside Brad Pitt and John Malkovich, it tells the story of a CIA Agent (Malkovich), whose memoirs have mistakenly fallen into the hands of workout gym employee (Pitt). Quirky dark comedies are what the Coens do best, and with movies like "Fargo" and "The Big Lebowski" on their resumes, I have faith they can go for a second year in a row with a box office hit.
If you're anything like me, then you've been waiting anxiously these past few years for director Guy Ritchie ("Snatch", "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels") to return to the big screen - and return he does this fall with "RocknRolla," a British crime caper featuring an ensemble cast and starring "300"'s Gerard Butler. Hailed as the Quentin Tarantino from the other side of the Atlantic, Ritchie has now essentially made the same movie three times over - a group intertwined stories about the gritty criminal underworld of London (except for 2002's "Swept Away" starring Madonna...we don't talk about that one.)
I'm not complaining though, because he does it well, and I'll certainly be in line opening night to shell out my $10 to see it.
There are certain movies where the title tells you exactly what you're going to get - "Snakes on a Plane." "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre." In October, we can add Kevin Smith's "Zack and Miri Make a Porno" to that list.
The film stars Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks as the titular pair of lifelong friends who decide to make an adult movie for a quick buck, only to find they may have more feelings for each other than they originally thought.
Think John Hughes, just exponentially filthier (the film has been battling the Motion Picture Association of America trying to secure an R rating and not be branded with a crowd killing NC-17.)
Though written, directed, produced, edited, costumed, and catered all by Smith, it doesn't take place in the same universe as his other hit comedies "Clerks," "Dogma," and "Chasing Amy" (which basically means no Jay and Silent Bob).
And finally, if you can scrounge up enough cash after your last few trips to the movie theaters, you should set your sights on "Quantum of Solace."
Don't let the title deceive you - it's not Russian expressionist propaganda, it's the newest James Bond movie starring Daniel Craig. 2006's "Casino Royale" was enough of a hit to secure Craig another go around as the infamous secret agent. "Quantum" picks up right where the last Bond left off, with Craig pursuing an eco-terrorist and dealing with the grief of losing a loved one. For those who were irked at the lack of invisible cars or surfing the arctic seas on a slab of ice in "Casino Royale," stay away from this one. It retains its dark, gritty, and more realistic style that was a staple of Bond in the 1960's.
So don't fret! The days of summer may be going the way of the buffalo, but that doesn't mean Hollywood is following suit!
I knew there was a reason I worked and saved up all summer.
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