Limited Release Movie Guide: Holiday 2009 Edition

[Romulus]

This is the first time I've done something like this before, so hopefully all goes well.

Awards season is coming up here pretty soon, and it can be a little difficult to keep up with every single movie that's coming up. I thought I would make this thread to let you know what's coming up and what's already out. I would also love to use this thread to discuss these films. We already know what the big releases are, so I'm focusing this thread on the limited release films because they get overlooked easily.

I'll do three posts, one for October, one for November, and one for December.

[Romulus]

OCTOBER

October 2nd


Director(s): Joel and Ethan Coen
Cast: Michael Stuhlbarg, Sari Lennick, Richard Kind, Fred Melamed, Aaron Wolff, Jessica McManus, Adam Arkin
Trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/focus_...s/aseriousman/

My take: For me it's hard to find a bad film that the Coen Brothers make. Early impressions say that if you didn't enjoy No Country for Old Men, then you may want to stay away. It looks to be a very layered film that would require repeat viewings. If I get a chance to see this, then I definitely will.


October 9th


Director: Nicolas Winding Refn
Cast: Tom Hardy
Trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/magnolia/bronson/



My take: It looks very peculiar. I think if anything it's going to be remembered for its performance. I've heard next to nothing on this title, so as I learn more I'll update this section.




Director: Lone Scherfig
Cast: Peter Sarsgaard, Carey Mulligan, Alfred Molina, Dominic Cooper, Rosamund Pike, Olivia Williams, Emma Thompson
Trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony/aneducation/


My take: Definitely one of my must sees for this holiday season. Looks like it will deliver on performances all around and the trailer just immediately had me hooked. Hopefully it doesn't take too long to be released.


October 16th


Director: Scott Sanders
Cast: Michael Jai White, Kym Whitley, Tommy Davidson, Kevin Chapman, Byron Mills, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Cedric Yarbrough
Trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/indepe...blackdynamite/

My take: Now I'm certainly one of the younger posters here and this will probably be a bigger hit with the older members here, but this looks like an absolute riot. As soon as I get a chance to see this, I'll be at the theater.



October 23rd


Director: Lars von Trier
Cast: Charlotte Gainsbourg, Willem Dafoe
Trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/antichrist/

My take: This film made an absolute ruckus at Cannes this year. Described as misogyny by critics, it nonetheless earned a Best Actress award for Gainsbourg. I ultimately think I'll pass on this until I hear more impressions about it. Would definitely love to hear your opinion if you've seen it.

[Romulus]

November 6th



Director: Lee Daniels
Cast: Gabourey Sidibe, Paula Patton, Mo'Nique, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd, Lenny Kravitz
Trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/lions_gate/precious/

My take: Probably my most anticipated film of the year behind The Lovely Bones. This won the Audience Award at Toronto that Slumdog Millionaire won last year. Lee Daniels worked as producer on Monster's Ball (one of my favorite films of the decade) so I've had my eye on this for a while. Sounds like Mo'Nique could be a shoe in for the Oscar at this point.


November 13th



Director: Oren Movermen
Cast: Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson, Jena Malone, and Samantha Morton.
Trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/themessenger/

My take: Ben Foster has been an actor I've kept my eye on ever since 3:10 to Yuma. From that point forward I knew he could be an incredible actor but just didn't know if he would ever choose a project that would really showcase that talent. It finally looks like he found it, and I'm glad it didn't take him long. Rumors are going around that he could earn an Oscar nomination for this performance. Let's not forget Harrelson either, as I'm sure he's earned new fans with Zombieland.


November 20th


Director: Werner Herzog
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Eva Mendes, Val Kilmer, Alvin “Xzibit” Joiner, Fairuza Balk, Shawn Hatosy, Jennifer Coolidge
Trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/indepe...allneworleans/

My take: When I first looked at that cast and then the Director... I was scratching my head a little bit. I don't know how this film didn't earn bigger promotion. I'm sure a lot of people here would love to see this and I think it could do really well. The film has been getting glowing reviews and I think it just further proves that Herzog can do no wrong.



Director: Pedro Almodóvar
Cast: Penélope Cruz, Lluís Homar, Blanca Portillo, José Luis Gómez, Rubén Ochandiano, Tamar Novas
Trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony/brokenembraces/

My take: As talented as Penelope Cruz is... this looks pretty boring to me. I'll probably have to pass.



Director: Noah Bushel
Cast: Michael Shannon, Frank Wood, Amy Ryan, Margaret Colin
Trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/indepe...missingperson/

My take: Looks like to be a take on film noir, and it looks like it works beautifully. However I'm not completely sold on the story and will probably wait for impressions before I bite the bullet.

[Romulus]

December 4th


Director: Jason Reitman
Cast: George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman
Trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/upintheair/

My take: It seems to a strong year for Clooney, who already has award talk for this performance. I'll probably catch this on opening weekend, I don't think it will be the best film of the year by any means but I find it interesting nonetheless.


December 11th


Director: Tom Ford
Cast: Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Matthew Goode, Nicholas Hoult
Trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/weinstein/asingleman/

My take: I'm actually pretty excited for this movie. It looks to be a good character study and I've heard nothing but high praise for this. As soon as I get the chance to see it, I'll be there day one.


December 16th


Director: Scott Cooper
Cast: Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Colin Farrell, Robert Duvall
Trailer: None, yet.

My take: Haven't seen a trailer but the synopsis sounds pretty interesting:

Bad Blake (Jeff Bridges) is an emotionally-crippled, alcoholic country music singer, with one too many failed marriages under his belt. Enter Jean Craddock (Maggie Gyllenhaal), a young journalist who begins to see the man behind the musician and helps Bad get his life back on track. In doing so, Bad also becomes the mentor to a contemporary country star, Tommy Sweet (Colin Farrell), while simultaneously struggling in the rising young crooner's shadow.

I'll keep an eye out.


December 23rd

The Last Station
(Website: http://www.sonyclassics.com/thelaststation/)

Director: Michael Hoffman
Cast: Christopher Plummer, Hellen Mirren, James McAvoy, Paul Giamatti


December 25th


Director: Terry Gilliam
Cast: Heath Ledger, Christopher Plummer, Verne Troyer, Lily Cole with Colin Farrell, Jude Law, and Johnny Depp
Trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony/t...ctorparnassus/

My take: This is a must see for me. I appreciate what Heath Ledger has done in his career and really like Terry Gilliam. I'll be very interested to see how Farrell, Law, and Depp all step in and perform in Ledger's absence.


December 30th

(The White Ribbon)

Director: Michael Haneke
Cast: Ulrich Tukur
Trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony/thewhiteribbon/

My take: I'm also very excited for this film. The trailer instantly hooked and reading a little more on it has furthered my interest. It will probably be months before I get a chance to see this, however.

[Trogdor2010]

I would like to see A serious man and An Education (It sounds pedophilic, but I would like to see it otherwise).

[koontz1973]

You guys are in for a treat with this film. I highly recommend you see it if you can. Without giving anything a way, it is about a man who has spent most of his adult life in prison.

When it has come out over in the States, I would love to hear your thoughts on the differences between American and British prisons as depicted on film.

[assydingo]

A lot of them only have blu-ray release dates for the UK. Hope that changes.

[OrlandoEastwood]

Rom, Black Dynamite was released on the 16th of October.

[Romulus]

Thanks Orlando, I've corrected the mistake.


I've also updated the post for November.

[Romulus]

Updathed December now as well.

Come on folks! Don't let this thread die, if you've seen any of these films please comment on them.

[sfmarine]

I haven't seen any of them but there's a lot I'd love to see!

Especially Bad Lt. with Cage and Mendes.

[Vicon]

Really want to see The White Ribbon.

[hardcorefrokid]

A friend of mine just gave me screeners for The White Ribbon, Bronson, and Black Dynamite. I'll let you know what I think when I watch 'em this weekend.

[Romulus]

Want to mail some of those my way?