Observe and Report

Blu-Ray Review: Seth Rogen, Anna Faris in Hilarious ‘Observe and Report’

BrianTT — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:13:05 -0600

CHICAGO – All of you DVD and Blu-Ray buyers who lament the neverending flow of slapstick comedies that basically all feel and look the same owe it to director Jody Hill and star Seth Rogen to rent or buy “Observe and Report,” one of the best comedies of the year to date and one of the most daring movies of the last several years.

Blu-Ray Rating: 4.5/5.0

The ads made “Observe and Report” look like nothing more than a variation on “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” or, even more inaccurately, a romantic comedy with Rogen and co-star Anna Faris. Audiences weren’t sure what to expect and, consequently, stayed away. “Observe and Report” should have been pitched to the arthouse crowd, one that could handle a film with extensive drug use, male frontal nudity, extreme violence, and even arguable date rape. This is material not for the faint of heart. It’s not a movie for everyone.

Observe and Report was released on DVD and Blu-Ray on September 22nd, 2009.
Photo credit: Warner Brothers Home Video

However, if you think that comedy needs to be dangerous every once in a while just for the overall health of the genre, you owe it to yourself to see “Observe and Report,” especially fans of Hill’s “Eastbound and Down” on HBO or even those who enjoyed Rogen’s “Pineapple Express”. This is that brand of dark humor.

Observe and Report was released on DVD and Blu-Ray on September 22nd, 2009.
Photo credit: Warner Brothers Home Video

Working from a script reportedly inspired by “Taxi Driver,” Rogen gives the best performance of his career as Ronnie Barnhardt, a bipolar mall security guard with serious mental issues. And I mean serious. One of the things I like about “O & R” is its recognition that slapstick-y characters like Paul Blart are probably a little crazy. He lives alone with his alcoholic mother (Celia Weston), spends way too much time at the gun range, and pines after the makeup-counter girl (Anna Faris).

When a flasher targets Ronnie’s mall, our “hero” believes he’s found his purpose in life. He can save the mall and get the girl, one of the flasher’s first targets, and maybe even graduate to actual police officer in the process. Only Detective Harrison (Ray Liotta) stands in his way. Assisting Ronnie are his right-hand man Dennis (Michael Pena) and twin guards John and Matt (John and Matt Yuan). He gets emotional support from the sweet-and-cute coffee girl Nell (Collette Wolfe).

“Observe and Report” could have been a wacky Will Farrell comedy but it’s much more subversive than its plot set-up. Around halfway through, around when Ronnie goes off his meds, “Observe” becomes honestly dark and violent. Ronnie basically descends into madness and Hill walks a tight rope of comedy and tension. You’re not suppose to like Ronnie. You’re not supposed to root for him. And you’re probably not going to be surprised if the film ends in a hail of bullets (and I’m not saying that it does or doesn’t).

Observe and Report was released on DVD and Blu-Ray on September 22nd, 2009.
Photo credit: Warner Brothers Home Video

Comedy is such a “medicine” genre, one that works hard to make you happy but great comedy can also make you feel uneasy and put you on edge (think “After Hours” or “Something Wild”). One late scene features a police officer who says “I thought this would be funny, but it’s just sad.” The line could describe the conflicting tones within the film itself.

It’s not a film for everyone, but too many films already are and those looking for something different should check out “Observe and Report”.

The Blu-Ray for “Observe and Report” is a beauty, featuring several extended and deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes footage, and a commentary with Hill, Rogen, and Faris. The last feature is a little unusual in that it’s available only as a picture in picture commentary and even the trio can’t seem to figure out why people would want to watch them watch the movie. Then again, maybe such an unusual movie deserves an atypical commentary track. A digital copy is also included.

‘Observe and Report’ is released by Warner Home Video and stars Seth Rogen, Anna Faris, Ray Liotta, Celia Weston, Michael Pena, John Yuan, Matt Yuan, and Collette Wolfe. It was written and directed by Jody Hill. The film is available on Blu-ray, DVD, On Demand, & Digital Download on September 22nd, 2009. It is rated R. Check out the official site here.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Seth Rogen Delivers in Controversial, Hilarious ‘Observe and Report’

BrianTT — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 11:12:28 -0600

Rating: 4.0/5.0

CHICAGO – The hysterically misleading TV spots for Jody Hill’s “Observe and Report” make it out to look like another broad comedy that might even have a cute romance between stars Seth Rogen and Anna Faris. There’s nothing cute or predictable about “Observe and Report”. And that’s precisely why it works.

Those ads are like suckering family viewers into a Kevin Smith movie by advertising that he did a voice in the animated “Doogal” or pitching “Tropic Thunder” to the crowds that really liked that family-friendly Ben Stiller in “Night at the Museum”. Audiences have no idea what they’re in for.

Read Brian Tallerico’s full review of “Observe and Report” in our reviews section.

Drug use, extensive frontal nudity, extreme violence, date rape - this is material that’s not for the faint of heart. If you were remotely offended by last year’s Rogen vehicle (“Pineapple Express”) find another movie for this weekend’s date night. “O&R” pushes the envelope to a level that will be well beyond the breaking point for a lot of viewers and I understand that. It’s not a movie for everyone.

However, if you’re like me and you think that comedy should be dangerous every once in a while just for the health of the genre, then get in line. Sometimes, humor should make you uncomfortable. I would never dare to suggest that everyone will fall for the very dark jokes of “Observe and Report,” but aren’t you exhausted by the predictability of modern movie comedy? Don’t you sometimes want to see something completely different? Aren’t you tired of movies that you could write yourself simply based on watching the TV spots?

‘Observe and Report’ stars Seth Rogen, Anna Faris, Michael Pena, Ray Liotta, Collette Wolfe, and Celia Weston. It was written and directed by Jody Hill. It opens on April 10th, 2009. It is rated R.

Continuing reading for Brian Tallerico’s full “Observe and Report” review.

Anna Faris as Brandi and Seth Rogen as Ronnie.
Photo credit: Peter Sorel and Warner Brothers

Slideshow: 23-Image Gallery From ‘Observe and Report’ With Seth Rogen, Anna Faris

BrianTT — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 11:11:30 -0600

CHICAGO – This 23-image slideshow contains the press images for Warner Brothers’ “Observe and Report,” starring Seth Rogen, Anna Faris, and Ray Liotta. Written and directed by Jody Hill, the film opens on Friday, April 10th, 2009.

Synopsis: “At the Forest Ridge Mall, head of security Ronnie Barnhardt (Seth Rogen) patrols his jurisdiction with an iron fist. The master of his domain, he combats skateboarders, shoplifters and the occasional unruly customer while dreaming of the day when he can swap his flashlight for a badge and a gun.

Ronnie’s delusions of grandeur are put to the test when the mall is struck by a flasher. Driven by his personal duty to protect and serve the mall and its patrons, Ronnie seizes the opportunity to showcase his underappreciated law enforcement talents on a grand scale, hoping his solution of this crime will earn him a coveted spot at the police academy and the heart of his elusive dream girl Brandi (Anna Faris), the hot make-up counter clerk who won’t give him the time of day.

But his single-minded pursuit of glory launches a turf war with the equally competitive Detective Harrison (Ray Liotta) of the Conway Police, and Ronnie is confronted with the challenge of not only catching the flasher, but getting him before the real cops. ”

You can click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through this slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photos credited to Peter Sorel and Warner Bros. Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

observe_and_report_01: Michael Pena as Dennis, Jesse Plemons as Charles and Seth Rogen as Ronnie.
observe_and_report_02: John Yuan as John Yuen, Seth Rogen as Ronnie, Michael Pena as Dennis and Matt Yuan as Matt Yuen.
observe_and_report_03: Anna Faris as Brandi and Seth Rogen as Ronnie.
observe_and_report_04: John Yuan as John Yuen and Matt Yuan as Matt Yuen.
observe_and_report_05: Michael Pena as Dennis, John Yuan as John Yuen, Seth Rogen stars as Ronnie, Jesse Plemons as Charles and Matt Yuan as Matt Yuen.
observe_and_report_06: Seth Rogen stars as Ronnie.
observe_and_report_07: Seth Rogen stars as Ronnie.
observe_and_report_08: Anna Faris stars as Brandi and Seth Rogen as Ronnie.
observe_and_report_09: Seth Rogen as Ronnie and Collette Wolf as Nell.
observe_and_report_10: Seth Rogen stars as Ronnie.
observe_and_report_11: Director Jody Hill and Seth Rogen on the set.
observe_and_report_12: Seth Rogen as Ronnie and Ray Liotta as Detective Harrison.
observe_and_report_13: Dennis (Michael Pena) and Ronnie (Seth Rogen) ogle the passing girls.
observe_and_report_14: Anna Faris as Brandi and Seth Rogen as Ronnie.
observe_and_report_15: Seth Rogen stars as Ronnie.
observe_and_report_16: Seth Rogen stars as Ronnie.
observe_and_report_17: Celia Weston as Mom and Seth Rogen as Ronnie.
observe_and_report_18: A reporter (Debra-Jayne Brown) interviews Ronnie (Seth Rogen) for the local news.
observe_and_report_19: Anna Faris as Brandi.
observe_and_report_20: Michael Pena as Dennis.
observe_and_report_21: Seth Rogen stars as Ronnie.
observe_and_report_22: Seth Rogen stars as Ronnie.
observe_and_report_23: Anna Faris as Brandi and Seth Rogen as Ronnie.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

2009 Warner Bros. Picture Preview: ‘Terminator Salvation,’ ‘Watchmen,’ ‘Friday the 13th,’ ‘Inkheart,’ More

BrianTT — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 06:29:20 -0700

CHICAGO – Warner Brothers has released a slate of images from their entire 2009 schedule of films, the first half of which are included in a 25-image slideshow below. The second half of the 2009 Warner Brothers slate will be posted a week from today, January 19th, 2009.

This 25-image slideshow contains official press images and schedule information for the recently announced slate of films to be released by Warner Brothers Pictures in the first half of 2009 including new movies starring Brendan Fraser, Seth Rogen, Anna Faris, Jennifer Aniston, Ben Affleck, Scarlett Johannson, Zac Efron, Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Christian Bale, Jennifer Connelly, and Drew Barrymore.

These 2009 Warner Brothers Pictures include “Inkheart,” “He’s Just Not That Into You,” “Friday the 13th,” “Under the Sea 3D,” “Watchmen,” “Observe and Report,” “17 Again,” “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past,” and “Terminator Salvation”. All films have images in the slideshow below.

The release dates, cast lists, and filmmaker information for these Warner Brothers Pictures films can be found below in chronological order, followed by a slideshow of available images.

“Inkheart”
Release Date: January 23rd, 2009
Director: Iain Softley
Writer: David Lindsay-Abaire
Cast: Brendan Fraser, Paul Bettany, Helen Mirren, Jim Broadbent, Andy Serkis, Sienna Guillory, Eliza Hope Bennett, Rafi Gavron

Synopsis: “Mortimer “Mo” Folchart and his 12-year-old daughter, Meggie, share an extraordinary gift for bringing characters from books to life when they read aloud. But there is a danger: when a character is brought to life from a book, a real person disappears into its pages. On one of their trips to a secondhand book shop, Mo locates a book he’s been searching for since Meggie was three years old, when her mother, Resa, vanished into its mystical world. But Mo’s plan to use the book to find and rescue Resa is thwarted when Capricorn, the evil villain of Inkheart, kidnaps Meggie and, discovering she has inherited her father’s gift, demands that she bring to life his most powerful ally, the Shadow. Determined to rescue his daughter and send the fictional characters back where they belong, Mo assembles a small group of friends and family—some from the real world, some from the pages of books—and embarks on a daring and perilous journey to set things right.”

“He’s Just Not That Into You”
Release Date: February 6th, 2009
Director: Ken Kwapis
Writers: Abby Kohn & Marc Silverstein
Cast: Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly, Kevin Connolly, Bradley Cooper, Ginnifer Goodwin, Scarlett Johansson, Kris Kristofferson, Justin Long

Synopsis: “An all-star cast is featured in the stories of a group of interconnected, Baltimore-based twenty- and thirtysomethings as they navigate their various relationships from the shallow end of the dating pool through the deep, murky waters of married life. Trying to read the signs of the opposite sex, each hopes to be the exception to the “no exceptions” rule.”

“Friday the 13th”
Release Date: February 13th, 2009
Director: Marcus Nispel
Writers: Damian Shannon & Mark Swift
Cast: Jared Padalecki, Danielle Panabaker, Aaron Yoo, Amanda Righetti, Travis Van Winkle, Derek Mears

Synopsis: “In this re-imagining of the classic horror film, Clay searches for his missing sister in the eerie woods of legendary Crystal Lake, where he stumbles on the creaky remains of rotting old cabins behind moss-covered trees. And that’s not the only thing lying in wait under the brush. Against the advice of police and cautions from the locals, Clay pursues what few leads he has, with the help of a young woman he meets among a group of college kids up for an all-thrills weekend. But they are about to find much more than they bargained for. Little do they know, they’ve entered the domain of one of the most terrifying specters in American film history—the infamous killer who haunts Crystal Lake, armed with a razor-sharp machete…Jason Voorhees.”

“Under the Sea 3D”
Release Date: Exclusively in IMAX on February 13th, 2009
Director: Howard Hall
Narrator: Jim Carrey

Synopsis: “This new IMAX adventure transports moviegoers to some of the most exotic and isolated undersea locations on Earth, including Southern Australia, New Guinea and others in the Indo-Pacific region, allowing them to experience face-to-face encounters with some of the most mysterious and stunning creatures of the sea. It offers a uniquely inspirational and entertaining way to explore the beauty and natural wonder of the oceans, as well as the impact of global climate change. In IMAX 3D, the images will literally leap off the screen and float around the theatre, putting the audience in the movie.”

“Watchmen”
Release Date: March 6th, 2009
Director: Zack Snyder
Writers: David Hayter and Alex Tse
Cast: Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Carla Gugino, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Patrick Wilson

Synopsis: “A complex, multi-layered mystery adventure, the film is set in an alternate 1985 America in which costumed superheroes are part of the fabric of everyday society, and the “Doomsday Clock” - which charts the USA’s tension with the Soviet Union - is set at five minutes to midnight. When one of his former colleagues is murdered, the washed-up but no less determined masked vigilante Rorschach sets out to uncover a plot to kill and discredit all past and present superheroes. As he reconnects with his former crime-fighting legion - a ragtag group of retired superheroes, only one of whom has true powers - Rorschach glimpses a wide-ranging and disturbing conspiracy with links to their shared past and catastrophic consequences for the future. Their mission is to watch over humanity…but who is watching the Watchmen?”

“Observe and Report”
Release Date: April 10th, 2009
Director: Jody Hill
Writer: Jody Hill
Cast: Seth Rogen, Anna Faris, Michael Pena, Ray Liotta

Synopsis: “At the Forest Ridge Mall, head of security Ronnie Barnhardt patrols his jurisdiction with an iron fist, combating skateboarders, shoplifters and the occasional unruly customer while dreaming of the day when he can swap his flashlight for a badge and a gun. His delusions of grandeur are put to the test when the mall is struck by a flasher. Driven to protect and serve the mall and its patrons, Ronnie seizes the opportunity to showcase his underappreciated law enforcement talents on a grand scale, hoping his solution of this crime will earn a coveted spot at the police academy and the heart of his elusive dream girl Brandi, the hot make-up counter clerk who won’t give him the time of day. But his single-minded pursuit of glory launches a turf war with the equally competitive Detective Harrison of the Conway Police, and Ronnie is confronted with the challenge of not only catching the flasher, but getting him before the real cops do.”

“17 Again”
Release Date: April 17th, 2009
Director: Burr Steers
Writer: Jason Filardi
Cast: Zac Efron, Leslie Mann, Thomas Lennon, Michelle Trachtenberg, Matthew Perry

Synopsis: “What would you do if you got a second shot at life? Class of 1989, Mike O’Donnell is a star on his high school basketball court with a college scout in the stands and a bright future in his grasp. But instead, he decides to throw it all away to share his life with his girlfriend Scarlett and the baby he just learned they are expecting. Almost 20 years later, Mike’s glory days are decidedly behind him. His marriage to Scarlett has fallen apart, he has been passed over for a promotion at work, his teenage kids think he is a loser, and he has been reduced to crashing with his high school nerd-turned-techno-billionaire best friend Ned. But Mike is given another chance when he is miraculously transformed back to the age of 17. Unfortunately, Mike may look 17 again, but his thirtysomething outlook is totally uncool in the class of 2009. And in trying to recapture his best years, Mike could lose the best things that ever happened to him.”

“Ghosts of Girlfriends Past”
Release Date: May 1st, 2009
Director: Mark Waters
Writers: Jon Lucas & Scott Moore
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Lacey Chabert, Michael Douglas, Emma Stone, Anne Archer, Robert Forster

Synopsis: “Celebrity photographer Connor Mead loves freedom, fun and women…in that order. A committed bachelor who thinks nothing of breaking up with multiple women on a conference call, Connor’s mockery of romance proves a real buzz-kill for his kid brother, Paul, and a houseful of well wishers on the eve of Paul’s wedding. Just when it looks like Connor may single-handedly ruin the wedding, he is visited by the ghosts of his former jilted girlfriends, who take him on a revealing and hilarious odyssey through his failed relationships—past, present and future. Together they attempt to find out what turned Connor into such an insensitive jerk and whether there is still hope for him to find true love…or if he really is the lost cause everyone thinks he is.”

“Terminator Salvation”
Release Date: May 22nd, 2009
Director: McG
Writers: Michael Ferris & John Brancato, Paul Haggis, Jonathan Nolan, Shaun Ryan, Anthony Zuiker
Cast: Christian Bale, Sam Worthington, Anton Yelchin, Bryce Dallas Howard, Moon Bloodgood, Common

Synopsis: “The highly anticipated new installment of “The Terminator” film franchise is set in post-apocalyptic 2018. John Connor is the man fated to lead the human resistance against Skynet and its army of Terminators. But the future that Connor was raised to believe in is altered in part by the appearance of Marcus Wright, a stranger whose last memory is of being on death row. Connor must decide whether Marcus has been sent from the future, or rescued from the past. As Skynet prepares its final onslaught, Connor and Marcus both embark on an odyssey that takes them into the heart of Skynet’s operations, where they uncover the terrible secret behind the possible annihilation of mankind.”

You can click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through this slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photos credited to ©Warner Brothers. All rights reserved. Specific photographer credits where noted.

Inkheart_1: Helen Mirren as Elinor, Brendan Fraser as Mo, Rafi Gavron as Farid, Eliza Bennett as Meggie, and Paul Bettany as Dustfinger in New Line Cinema’s fantasy adventure Inkheart, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo by Murray Close
Inkheart_2: Fenoglio (Jim Broadbent, middle) finds his original manuscript for Inkheart as Mo (brendan Fraser, left) and Dustfinger (Paul Bettany, right) anxiously grab at the pages in New Line Cinema’s fantasy adventure Inkheart, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo by Murray Close
Hes_Just_Not_1: Drew Barrymore stars as Mary and Scarlett Johansson stars as Anna in New Line Cinema’s romantic comedy “He’s Just Not That Into You,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo by Darren Michaels
Hes_Just_Not_2: Ginnifer Goodwin stars as Gigi, Jennifer Aniston stars as Beth and Jennifer Connelly stars as Janine in New Line Cinema’s romantic comedy “He’s Just Not That Into You,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo by Darren Michaels
Hes_Just_Not_3: Justin Long star as Alex and Ginnifer Goodwin stars as Gigi in New Line Cinema’s romantic comedy “He’s Just Not That Into You,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo by Darren Michaels
Hes_Just_Not_4: Scarlett Johansson stars as Anna and Bradley Cooper stars as Ben in New Line Cinema’s romantic comedy “He’s Just Not That Into You,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo by Darren Michaels
Friday_the_13th_1: Jason (Derek Mears) prepares to slash a victim in New Line Cinema’s horror film “Friday the 13th,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo by John P. Johnson
Friday_the_13th_2: Bree (Julianna Guill, left) is unsuspecting of the danger she might be in as Jason (Derek Mears) lurks in the shadows in New Line Cinema’s horror film “Friday the 13th,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo by John P. Johnson
Under_The_Sea_1: A Giant Cuttlefish (Sepia apama) shows off its ability to display an entire spectrum of color on its skin, in Whyalla, South Australia, for the filming of the IMAX® 3D film Under the Sea 3D. Photo © 2008 Michele Hall used with permission of Warner Bros. Entertainment.
Under_The_Sea_2: A Giant Cuttlefish (Sepia apama) shows off its ability to display an entire spectrum of color on its skin, in Whyalla, South Australia, for the filming of the IMAX® 3D film Under the Sea 3D. Photo © 2008 Michele Hall used with permission of Warner Bros. Entertainment.
Watchmen_1: Jackie Earle Haley as Rorschach in Warner Bros. Pictures and Paramount Pictures action/sci-fi “Watchmen.” Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Watchmen_2: Patrick Wilson as Nite Owl II, Malin Akerman as Silk Spectre II and Jackie Earle Haley as Rorschach in Warner Bros. Pictures and Paramount Pictures action/sci-fi “Watchmen.” Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Watchmen_3: Billy Crudup as Dr. Manhattan in Warner Bros. Pictures and Paramount Pictures action/sci-fi “Watchmen.” Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Watchmen_4: Jeffrey Dean Morgan as the Comedian, Malin Akerman as Silk Spectre II, Billy Crudup as Dr. Manhattan, Matthew Goode as Ozymandias, Patrick Wilson as Nite Owl II and Jackie Earle Haley as Rorschach in Warner Bros. Pictures and Paramount Pictures “Watchmen.”Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Observe_and_Report_1: Seth Rogen stars as Ronnie in Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures comedy “Observe and Report,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo by Peter Sorel
Observe_and_Report_2: Anna Faris as Brandi and Seth Rogen as Ronnie in Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ comedy “Observe and Report,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo by Peter Sorel
17_Again_1: Zac Efron stars as young Mike O’Donnell in New Line Cinema’s release “17 Again,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo by Chuck Zlotnick
17_Again_2: Zac Efron stars as Young Mike O’Donnell in New Line Cinema’s release “17 Again,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo by Chuck Zlotnick
17_Again_3: Young Mike O’Donnell (Zac Efron) confronts the school bully Stan (Hunter Parrish) in New Line Cinema’s release “17 Again,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo by Chuck Zlotnick
Ghosts_of_Girlfriends_1: Connor (Matthew McConaughey) reacts to Jenny’s (Jennifer Garner) quick wit in New Line Cinema’s romantic comedy “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo by Ron Batzdorff
Ghosts_of_Girlfriends_2: Connor (Matthew McConaughey) tries to prevent a wedding cake from toppling over in New Line Cinema’s romantic comedy “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo by Ron Batzdorff
Ghosts_of_Girlfriends_3: Jenny (Jennifer Garner, left) and Brad (Daniel Sunjata, right) listen to the Minister (Tom Kemp, background) announcing them married while Connor (Matthew McConaughey, center) is powerless to stop them in New Line Cinema’s romantic comedy “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo by Ron Batzdorff
Terminator_Salvation_1: Christian Bale stars as John Connor in Warner Bros. Pictures action/sci-fi feature “Terminator Salvation.” Photo by Richard Foreman
Terminator_Salvation_2: Christian Bale stars as John Connor and Sam Worthington stars as Marcus Wright in Warner Bros. Pictures action/sci-fi feature “Terminator Salvation.” Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
Terminator_Salvation_3: Christian Bale stars as John Connor in Warner Bros. Pictures action/sci-fi feature “Terminator Salvation.” Photo by Richard Foreman

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

The 10 Most Anticipated Movies of Early 2009

BrianTT — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:58:10 -0700

CHICAGO – Believe it or not, there are movies worth marking your calendar for between Oscar season and the big summer blockbusters of 2009.

Over the next few months, the buzz for films like “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” “Star Trek,” “Angels & Demons,” “Terminator: Salvation,” “Night at the Museum 2,” “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs,” “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” “Public Enemies,” “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” “New Moon,” and Pixar’s “Up” is going to become absolutely deafening, but there are well over a hundred flicks hitting the multiplex before those box office juggernauts take center stage and, believe it or not, a handful are actually worth your time.

The first third of 2008 produced quality films in “Cloverfield,” “In Bruges,” “The Visitor,” “George A. Romero’s Diary of the Dead,” “Snow Angels,” “Redbelt,” and “Paranoid Park”. Which, granted, was not an overwhelming display of memorable filmmaking, but the point is that even in a weak season like the one we were about to start at this point last year, there were still a few gems. So, the question is - what will the early season gems be in 2009?

Looking into our movie-loving crystal ball, we’ve tried to target the ten films from January to April 2009 that we might conceivably still be talking about twelve months from now. While we recognize that there are audiences out there with countdown clocks for the release of “Jonas Brothers: The 3-D Concert Experience” and “Hannah Montana: The Movie,” we are not members of that audience. And movies like “Crank 2: High Voltage”, “The Pink Panther 2,” and “The Fast and Furious” clearly have loyal fan followings but, if those sequels are even halfway decent, we’ll be surprised and satisfied. No, the idea was to try and find the 5-star films based on pedigree, plot, previews, potential, and assuming that a certain legal battle surrounding “Watchmen” goes the way that we think it will. So, without further ado…

The Soloist, from Paramount Pictures, opens on April 24th, 2009.
Photo credit: Paramount Pictures

10. “The Soloist”
Release Date: April 24th
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Jamie Foxx, Catherine Keener, Stephen Root, and Tom Hollander
Writer: Susannah Grant
Director: Joe Wright

Plot: The comeback kid of 2008, Robert Downey Jr., plays Steve Lopez, an LA Times journalist who discovers a former classical music prodigy living on the streets. Based on the true story, “The Soloist” details Lopez’s attempts at bringing the talented musician, played by Jamie Foxx, back to his feet.

Reason To Get Excited: Hanging onto the top ten by its dirty fingernails, “The Soloist” would have ranked a lot higher on this list if it hadn’t been bumped from the 2008 Oscar season for undisclosed reasons. That’s usually a bad sign. In fact, nearly everyone involved with making this drama seems to be distancing themselves from it, with Downey getting more press for his work on “Sherlock Holmes” and barely anyone talking about “The Soloist”. But there’s too much potential in that cast, the Oscar-nominated writer of “Erin Brokovich,” and the talented director of “Pride and Prejudice” and “Atonement” to completely dismiss this project sight unseen. Even the gorgeous score on the official site hints at a project that definitely should work. Yes, this could be the misstep in the Downey comeback and Foxx hasn’t really been stellar since he won his Oscar, but we’re not ready to give up on “The Soloist” yet.

The International, from Sony Pictures, opens on February 13th, 2009.
Photo credit: Sony Pictures

9. “The International”
Release Date: February 13th
Cast: Clive Owen, Naomi Watts, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Ulrich Thomasen, Jack McGee, and Brian F. O’Byrne
Writer: Eric Singer
Director: Tom Tykwer

Plot: Clive Owen plays an Interpol agent working with a Manhattan Assistant District Attorney (Naomi Watts) in an effort to bring down one of the world’s most powerful banks. International espionage, worldwide cover-ups, and war-profiteering serve as the backdrop for what could be the action thriller of the winter.

Reason To Get Excited: Three words - Tykwer, Watts, Owen. The director of “Run Lola Run” and the stars of “Children of Men” and “Eastern Promises”. These names should give everyone reason to get excited. Why not higher on the list? Well, the preview looks a little goofy and early February is not often known for stellar action. Case in point - this weekend last year saw the release of the horrible “Jumper”. It seems unlikely that Owen, Watts, and Tykwer would make something that disposable with “The International,” but we’ll keep our fingers crossed that this will be the perfect Valentine’s Day alternative to “He’s Just Not That Into You” that we think it will be.

Adventureland, from Miramax Films, opens on March 27th, 2009.
Photo credit: Miramax Films

8. “Adventureland”
Release Date: March 27th
Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Martin Starr, Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Margarita Levieva, and Ryan Reynolds
Writer/Director: Greg Mottola

Plot: In the summer of 1987, a recent college grad (Jesse Eisenberg) takes a useless job at a local amusement park as he prepares for the real world.

Reason To Get Excited: Most people still think that Judd Apatow directed “Superbad,” but it was actually the talented Greg Mottola who helmed that hilarious flick and his comic follow-up looks like it has a similar charm. Eisenberg was great in “The Squid and the Whale,” Kristen Stewart has always hinted at potential better than the movies she chooses, and Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig are currently the most talented male and female comedian on “Saturday Night Live”. There are several promising comedies in early 2009, but “Adventureland” is one of the most appealing.

Anna Faris as Brandi and Seth Rogen as Ronnie in Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ comedy “Observe and Report,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Photo credit: Peter Sorel

7. “Observe and Report”
Release Date: April 10th
Cast: Anna Faris, Seth Rogen, Ray Liotta, Patton Oswalt, and Michael Pena
Writer/Director: Jody Hill

Plot: Rogen plays the bi-polar mall security guard Ronnie Barnhardt, who’s called in to stop a flasher from destroying his mall, but he needs the help of a surly detective, played by the often-funny and usually surly Ray Liotta. Also, the great Patton Oswalt plays a character named “Cinnabon Man”. ‘Nuff said.

Reason To Get Excited: Seth Rogen and Anna Faris are two of the most reliably effective comedians working today. Don’t get me wrong. Faris has made some BAD career choices. But the same can’t be said for Rogen, who gave two of the best performances of his career last year in “Pineapple Express” and “Zack and Miri Make a Porno”. And the great concept sounds like “Paul Blart: Mall Cop,” but, you know, funny. We’re choosing to ignore that writer/director Jody Hill made the buzzed-about, though ultimately disappointing “The Foot Fist Way”. Everyone needs to start somewhere.