Casino Jack – Jonathan On The Internets

TRON: Legacy comes out this week, as does Rabbit Hole and a couple other films I don’t really give a shit about. Kind of a small weekend for films, but that’s good considering it gives me a chance to catch up with the other films I’ve missed. How about you? What are you seeing this weekend? Are you actually going to go see the crap-fest that’s Yogi Bear? God, I hope not.

	How Do You Know Directed By: James L. Brooks Written By: James L. Brooks Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd and Owen Wilson Release Date: December 17, 2010 (2,483 screens) Synopsis: Feeling a bit past her prime at 27, former athlete Lisa Jorgenson finds herself in the middle of a love triangle, as a corporate guy in crisis competes with Lisa’s current, baseball-playing beau. Thoughts: A love triangle between Paul Rudd, Owen Wilson and Reese Witherspoon. Diagnosis: Yawn.
	Tron: Legacy Director: Joseph Kosinski Written By: Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz Starring: Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund and Olivia Wilde Release Date: December 17, 2010 (3,451 screens) Synopsis: Sam Flynn, the tech-savvy 27-year-old son of Kevin Flynn, looks into his father’s disappearance and finds himself pulled into the same world of fierce programs and gladiatorial games where his father has been living for 20 years. Thoughts: Jeff Bridges and Daft Punk. Sure, there’s 3D but…JEFF BRIDGES! Diagnosis: Seeing it!!!
	Yogi Bear Director: Eric Brevig Written By: Jeffrey Ventimilia, Joshua Sternin Starring: Dan Aykroyd, Justin Timberlake and Anna Faris Release Date: December 17, 2010 (3,515 screens) Synopsis: A documentary filmmaker travels to Jellystone Park to shoot a project and soon crosses paths with Yogi Bear, his sidekick Boo-Boo, and Ranger Smith. Thoughts: Hey kids, do yourselves and your parents a favor and watch the original cartoons instead of this crap heap. More fun to be had there too, I’d wager. Diagnosis: 500% pass.
	Casino Jack Director: George Hickenlooper Written By: Norman Snider Starring: Kevin Spacey, Barry Pepper and Jon Lovitz Release Date: December 17, 2010 Synopsis: A hot shot Washington DC lobbyist and his protégé go down hard as their schemes to peddle influence lead to corruption and murder. Thoughts: Not my cup of tea, but it might be worth checking out if you like Kevin Spacey Diagnosis: Pass.
	Rabbit Hole Director: John Cameron Mitchell Written By: David Lindsay-Abaire Starring: Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart and Dianne Wiest Release Date: December 17, 2010 (5 screens) Synopsis: Life for a happy couple is turned upside down after their young son dies in an accident. Based on a play by David Lindsay-Abaire. Thoughts: The trailer is a little oscar-baity, but it’s not offensively so and you can hear James Mercer croon in the background as people are really gloomy. I’m actually kind of curious to see this one. Diagnosis: Curious to see.

This is a good week to see films, for the most part. Got a few in this bunch I would go see, and a few others I am kind of interested in seeing. Nothing really struck me as a pan except for a few that you’ll read about below. Let’s get to this without further delay.

	The Social Network Director: David Fincher Written By: Aaron Sorkin Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Justin Timberlake, Andrew Garfield Release Date: Oct 1, 2010 Despite the suspiciously glowing reviews on RottenTomatoes, I’m still interested in seeing this. And it’s not because I’m all that interested in Facebook. I am interested in the story the filmmakers have devised. It’s not like this is actually how it all went down. Diagnosis: Want to see.
	Case 39 Director: Christian Alvart Written By: Ray Wright Starring: Renée Zellweger, Jodelle Ferland, Ian McShane, Bradley Cooper Release Date: Oct 1, 2010 Horror film month is approaching soon and with it a slew of films where randy youths get chopped to bits and people deal with tangible demons. It’s pretty much my favorite month for mainstream B horror and attempts at something better. This doesn’t look like the later. Diagnosis: If I have time.
	Let Me In Director: Matt Reeves Written By: Matt Reeves Starring: Chloe Moretz, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Richard Jenkins, Elias Koteas Release Date: Oct 1, 2010 It’s a remake. I liked the original, but some positive reviews have turned on the curiosity. So much for my stance on remakes. Diagnosis: Interested in seeing.
	Ip Man (Yip Man) (2008) Director: Wilson Yip Written By: Edmond Wong Starring: Donnie Yen, Hiroyuki Ikeuchi, Fan Siu-Wong, Xiong Dailin Release Date: Oct 1, 2010 If I see the phrase “one man defies an empire” one more time, I’m gonna scream. Didn’t we get that same description for Hero as well? Seriously. Time to get new copy. Diagnosis: I eat this punchy-kicky-shit up like cocoa puffs.
	Leaving (Partir) Director: Catherine Corsini Written By: Catherine Corsini Starring: Kristin Scott Thomas, Sergi López, Yvan Attal, Bernard Blancan Release Date: Oct 1, 2010 (Limited) As much as I love tales of infidelity and woe (I don’t), the trailer just doesn’t grab me. I think after the third shot of the lady running away and the mean ol’ coot of a husband staring off into the distance, I decided not to seek this one out. But I’m a guy…and I like punchy-kicky-shit and cocoa puffs. Diagnosis: Not interested.
	Freakonomics Director: Alex Gibney, Heidi Ewing Written By: Peter Bull, Alex Gibney, Jeremy Chilnick, Morgan Spurlock, Eugene Jarecki, Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady, Seth Gordon Starring: Zoe Sloane, Adesuwa Addy Iyare, Jade Viggiano Release Date: Oct 1, 2010 (Limited) Admittedly, I’ve grown into a bit of a documentary person. Not sure when that happened, but the few on my Netflix Instant Queue remain there for a definite reason. Now there’s this one and the trailer has piqued my interest. Diagnosis: Want to see.
	Barry Munday Director: Chris D’Arienzo Written By: Chris D’Arienzo Starring: Patrick Wilson, Judy Greer, Chloë Sevigny, Cybill Shepherd Release Date: Oct 1, 2010 (Limited) Not entirely sure on the premise, but the trailer makes me think that this could either be really fun or really suck. Diagnosis: Tentative…
	Casino Jack Director: George Hickenlooper Written By: Norman Snider Starring: Kevin Spacey, Barry Pepper, Jon Lovitz, Kelly Preston Release Date: Oct 1, 2010 (Limited) Did they just say “show me the money” in the trailer? shoots self Diagnosis: Pass.
	Hatchet II Director: Adam Green Written By: Adam Green Starring: Kane Hodder, Danielle Harris, Tony Todd, Parry Shen Release Date: Oct 1, 2010 (Limited) There’s a Hatchet 1?! Wow. The trailer promises a lot, but I think the B horror nature of it has won me over already. Diagnosis: Need to see the first one first. But yeah..
	Douchebag Director: Drake Doremus Written By: Drake Doremus, Andrew Dickler Starring: Andrew Dickler, Ben York Jones, Marguerite Moreau, Nicole Vicius Release Date: Oct 1, 2010 (Limited) Saw the trailer to this before Enter The Void. I’m kind of curious. Diagnosis: I’m kind of curious.
	Atlantis Down Director: Max Bartoli Written By: Max Bartoli, Doug Burch, Sam Ingraffia Starring: Michael Rooker, Dean Haglund, Greg Travis, Kera O’Bryon Release Date: Oct 1, 2010 (Limited) The trailer wasn’t working for me, but the premise seems interesting enough. Really, anything that starts with “on a routine mission” promises some degree of calamity. Diagnosis: If there’s time. Otherwise, DVD..
	Sex Tax: Based On A True Story Director: John Borges Written By: David Landsberg Starring: John Livingston, Erin Cardillo, Dana Green, Fiona Gubelmann Release Date: Oct 1, 2010 (Limited) I question the “based on a true story” subtitle. I also see the National Lampoon logo on the poster and…there goes any interest in seeing this gem. Diagnosis: Pass.
	Release Director: Darren Flaxstone, Christian Martin Written By: Darren Flaxstone, Christian Martin Starring: Daniel Brocklebank, Garry Summers, Bernie Hodges, Wayne Virgo Release Date: Oct 1, 2010 (Limited) There’s a lot of plot to sift through on the synopsis on RottenTomatoes. Um..this might be a wait for Netflix for me. Diagnosis: Netflix Instant
	NUREMBERG Director: Pare Lorentz, Sean Stone Written By: Starring: Release Date: Oct 1, 2010 (Limited) It’s a documentary. Diagnosis: Interested.
	Is It Just Me? Director: J.C. Calciano Written By: J.C. Calciano Starring: Nicholas Downs, David Loren, Adam Huss Release Date: Oct 1, 2010 (Limited) I feel like I’ve seen this plot play out in other films, but it sounds like it could be a fun film nonetheless. But honestly, who these days is silly enough to use a shared computer for online dating sites? Diagnosis: Netflix Instant
	Brutal Beauty: Tales of the Rose City Rollers Director: Chip Mabry Written By: Starring: Release Date: Oct 1, 2010 (Limited) I’ve got this constant fascination with Roller Derby. Meant to see Whip It with Ellen Page and Drew Barrymore, but forgot. I think I would probably be more interested in this, however, as it’s real Roller Derby folk. Diagnosis: Want to see.
	The Hungry Ghosts Director: Michael Imperioli Written By: Michael Imperioli Starring: Aunjanue Ellis, E.J. Carroll, Emory Cohen, Joe Caniano Release Date: Oct 1, 2010 (Limited) The synopsis didn’t grab me initially, but watching through the trailer kind of grabbed me. Diagnosis: It kind of grabbed me. Maybe I’ll see it.