Thursday, October 4, 2001

Coming Soon
By David Reese
Skiff Staff

Movie studios, like many businesses, have slow times during the year and it is usually during the fall and spring for the film business. This fall will be no exception with few blockbusters being released until the end of November. Movie audiences will have to settle for a smaller selection of films, all of which lack money-making appeal.

Studios might be in for another surprise hit like “Meet the Parents,” which earned over $150 million at the box office last fall. But we will have to wait and see. This season’s releases are outlined below as they are rated by The Motion Picture Association of America. All dates are subject to change. Information about the films were gathered from the Internet Movie Database at (www.imdb.com). From the prospects, it looks like it may be a long autumn season.

Oct. 5, 2001
“Joy Ride” (R)
Adventure/Thriller/Horror
Paul Walker, Steve Zahn, Leelee Sobieski
This film is marketed to the young-adult audience. Recently, teen films have not done as well as expected. This movie was supposedly filmed more than two years ago before Walker and Sobieski garnered any fame. Walker starred in “The Fast and the Furious,” a summer surprise hit which means he can ride on that fame to bring audiences to the theaters. But many may be put off by the dark theme of this movie.

“Max Keeble’s Big Move” (PG)
Family Comedy
Alex D. Linz, Zena Grey, Larry Miller
This could be this year’s “Snow Day.” There has not been a very good family film in the past few months, which may give this film an opportunity to do well. But children are back in school during the fall and this type of film tends to do better during the winter or summer months while they are on vacation.

“Serendipity” (PG-13)
Romantic Comedy
John Cusack, Kate Beckinsale
This looks like a nice romantic comedy which will appeal to a broad audience. It will, of course, be the date movie of the season. The film revolves around Cusack’s character as he searches for a woman that he believes may be his soul mate played by “Pearl Harbor” star Beckinsale. “Serendipity” has potential but the box office muscle of Denzel Washington may draw audiences away from this film.

“Training Day” (R)
Drama
Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke
Denzel Washington stars in this dramatic film about a corrupt cop who is training his new partner (Hawke). Washington has the star power to rake in box office dollars as he did last year with “Remember the Titans,” which earned more than any of his other films. Since the film is rated R, it will deter families and younger audiences, which could be a problem.

Oct. 12, 2001
“Corky Romano” (PG-13)
Comedy
Chris Kattan, Peter Falk
I have many reservations about this film. From the movie trailers it seems like a quirky family comedy starring “Saturday Night Live” performer, Chris Kattan. It is a Disney film, that is rated PG-13. I think with this rating, people will be surprised that it is not really a family film.

“Bandits” (PG-13)
Comedy, Crime, Drama, Romance
Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton, Cate Blanchett
The film has received a lot of promotions and publicity in recent weeks. Its only competition is “Corky Romano,” which has the same PG-13 rating. I think if people want to see a funny film with some energy this will be it. It sounds like it has a clever story line. It takes a certain type of audience to watch Billy Bob Thornton and Cate Blanchett films, but this one looks like it could be a winner.

Oct. 19, 2001
“The Last Castle” (R)
Action
Robert Redford, James Gandolfini
In the past several years, Redford has been seen directing more than acting, but now he is back in front of the camera. “The Last Castle” will appeal to the audiences who liked “Three Kings” or “Rules of Engagement.” If male audiences go to the theater this particular weekend, it will be to see this film.

“Riding in Cars with Boys”
Comedy, Drama
Drew Barrymore, Steve Zahn
Not much information has leaked out about this film. It seems to be about a teenage girl growing up in the 1960s who gets pregnant and raises her son while trying to get her hectic life on schedule. The film is a perfect fall movie with a lot of warmth and caring. I am not too sure how well it will compete with “The Last Castle” and “From Hell” but it will be the date movie of the weekend.

“From Hell” (R)
Crime, Thriller, Horror, Mystery
Johnny Depp, Heather Graham
At first glance, this film share similarities with Johnny Depp’s “Sleepy Hollow”. It is the story of Jack the Ripper as directed by the Hughes brothers. Their previous movies include “Menace II Society” and “Dead Presidents,” which both include very graphic details. So it may be more hard-edged than “Sleepy Hollow.”

Oct. 26, 2001
“K-Pax” (PG-13)
Adventure, Family, Drama, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
Kevin Spacey, Jeff Bridges
Praises and the possibility for another Academy Award nomination for Kevin Spacey have already been mentioned for his role in this film. It is still early to talk about the Oscars, but Spacey has been a mainstay with fall films. Two years ago “American Beauty” was released at the same time and last year there was “Pay It Forward.” The story has a lot to do with fantasy and psychic premonitions. It has a mystical feel, which may be a nice getaway for movie audiences.

“13 Ghosts” (PG-13)
Horror, Thriller
Matthew Lillard, Shannon Elizabeth
Another carbon-copy horror film with younger actors in the roles of the victims and heroes. I have a feeling this film will flop, especially with low-budgeted horror films doing increasingly worse at the box office. All the studios are trying to recreate the success of “Scream ” but it just won’t happen.

Nov. 2, 2001
“Monsters, Inc.” (G)
Family, Animation, Comedy
Voices of Billy Crystal, John Goodman
This will definitely be the first big blockbuster of the fall leading into the holiday season. If audiences liked “Shrek” they are sure to like “Monsters, Inc.” I am not a big animated film fan but the people at DreamWorks are good at it. This will be one of the biggest family films of the fall season.

Nov. 9, 2001
“Shallow Hal” (R)
Comedy
Gwyneth Paltrow, Jack Black
Gwyneth Paltrow is fat. It is hard to believe but Paltrow actually is in a fat suit during many scenes within the movie. The film is from the Farrelly brothers who did classics like “There’s Something About Mary” and “Dumb and Dumber.” Their more recent gross-out comedies like “Say It Isn’t So” and “Me, Myself, and Irene” have not been as big as their previous films, but I suspect this film could bring their reputation back as the gross-out kings.

Nov. 16, 2001
“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” (PG)
Adventure, Fantasy
Daniel Radcliffe, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith
Without a doubt, I am placing my bets on this film to be the highest grossing film of the fall season. The book written by J.K. Rowling has been an international phenomenon, and it arrives just in time for the holidays. The film has been kept top secret but it is directed by Chris Columbus who did “Home Alone.” Based on the trailers, I think it will please the avid fans.

“The New Guy”
Comedy
DJ Qualls, Eliza Dushku, Eddie Griffin
This film looks like a cute comedy about a nerd who is taught some lessons in prison and then returns to high school as the new “cool” guy. The film’s release date has been moved numerous times, and I do not think this weekend is the greatest choice. It might do okay and pique the interest of fans that enjoy films like “Road Trip.”