This is a year for Sequels, Remakes, Interesting Blockbusters, and fascinating Independent Movie!!!
As most of you know, I have a love for movies, and a more specific passion for unique/independent flicks. That being said, there is such a mix of big budget and independent movies that are on my “must see” list, so far, this year. It is funny to admit, but I actually don’t get to the movies that often. Because of the over busy life I lead I end up waiting for the DVD release and then hope to remember all of the “one” on my target list. Start your radar and target the movies below. I’ll include my own reasoning for wanting to see them.
Below is A) a cheat sheet reminder list for me, and B) a suggestion list for you.
Big(ger) Budget Movies
Karate Kid – June 11, 2010 release. It’s easy to explain this one. Loved the original, love the cast and setting. Looks like an admirable job was done on this remake. Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith in China, practicing Kung Fu make it all the more enticing.
The A-Team – June 11, 2010 release. Huge fan of the series, as a kid. Liam Neeson (Hannibal) , Bradley Cooper (Faceman), and Jessica Biel are a solid cast. Add in UFC Veteran Quinton Rampage Jackson as B.A. Baracus and I’m sold.
Knight and Day – June 25, 2010 release. Yes, I will likely be there opening night to see this one. Most of you who know me know that I worked on this film. I’ve worked on a lot and many (most) I never saw in the theater. I’ll see this one because a) Trailer looks great and b) I saw myself in said trailer- 1st trailer I made it in. Even though my screen time will be limited to seconds, i still think this is going to be a great movie. Cruise and Diaz are exceptionally great to work with.
The Expendables – August 13, 2010 release. Some identical with my DNA cast this movie. WOW! For action movie, martial art, wrestling, ufc, or war movie fans- this one has you covered. Sylvester Stallone stars in this one and directs. He obviously brought in a few old friends. Here is your cast Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Eric Roberts, Randy Couture, Steve Austin, Mickey Rourke, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Danny Trejo! 6 Stars with martial art resumes (Li, Lundgren, Roberts, Couture, Statham and Danny Trejo Trejo from Marked for Death, Con Air, Heat, Anchorman, Spy Kids), 2 Stars with wrestling resumes (Austin and Rourke) and the of course Stallone, Schwarzenegger, and Willis who have done almost every type of action movie. Add in the late Brittany Murphy and this is one heck of a cast. The trailer seems to show a balance of all of these heavyweights.
Honorable mentions; This means I want to see it but odds are I’ll catch it on DVD (unless a friend or child pushes the issue)
Ironman 2, Shrek Forever After, Toy Story 3, Megamind, Grown Ups (Sandler+ a lot), Dinner for Schmucks (Carell & Rudd), WallStreet (2) Money Never Sleeps, Zookeeper (James, Sandler ect..), Meet the Fockers Sequel. I would probably catch a lot of grief if I also didn’t mention…….. Twilight’s Eclipse, Sex in the City 2, and Eat Pray Love.
Also on there way out this year Yogi Bear, Tron (yes the video game & remake), Gullivers Travels, Red Dawn, Jackass 3-D, Paranormal Activity 2, Saw 7, Predators, Step Up 3 , Marmaduke(yes, the dog), Prince of Pursia (yes the video game) and another Robin Hood
Independent/Lower Budget Movies
Merantau - Very excited about this movie. It is a take off of sorts to the Thai movie phenom Ong Bak, except instead of Muay Thai kickboxing, it is showcasing the Indonesian art of Silat. As a longtime student in Silat, this looks fun. great Trailer — WILL SEE
The Next Three Days - While this is tagged as a remake, I like the plot and cast. Russel Crowe, Elizabeth Banks, and Liam Neeson. Mom in jail for murder, dad trying to hold the family together, mon not doing well 3 years in to the sentence and dad decides to break her out. LIKELY DVD RENTAL
Red - Willis, Freeman, Malkovich, Dreyfus, Miran, Brian Cox and Mary Louis Parker – the cast alone makes this interesting. Talk is that this comedy could turn in to a franchise-style flick. WILL SEE
The American - George Clooney. An American Assassin hiding in Italy. Has my curiosity peeked. Could be a hidden jewel. LIKELY DVD RENTAL
Warrior - Ok, lets start off with; this is a Mixed Martial Arts movie. The cast has a few people I like such as Nick Nolte (who did a solid job in the Peaceful Warrior), Kevin Dunn, and some MMA guys (Yve Edwards, Anthony Johnson) and wanna-be mma but actually wrestler Kurt Angle. Has an almost karate kid feel, but with more dirt. WILL SEE
The Switch - Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman. I’m a fan of both. This is a Miramax picture (likely one of the last). A few other fun cast members. Unfortunately nothing to original with this one but I foresee the Aniston/Bateman team working well and this being a funny movie. LIKELY DVD RENTAL
The Kids are All Right - This one might be the best of the lot, so far. Likely only in limited release. Solid cast with Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, and Mark Ruffalo. Alternative family drama. Lots of lessons and emotions likely enclosed. WILL SEE
Mother and Child - Naomi Watts, Annette Bening, Samuel L. Jackson, Kerry Washington. Lots of good early reviews about this deep movie about three women and adoption. Likely only in limited release. WILL SEE
Ok, with all of the movies I’ve listed above (and I’ve left a bunch out) there are some great choices. go to IMDB to see trailers or get more information. Mark your calendars. There is no denying though that there are just too many Remakes and Sequels for one year. On this post alone I make mention of 12 sequels and 5 remakes, which doesn’t include the video game-to-movie and the cartoon-to-movie.
Let’s see who can pull it off and make it work.
