GRAVITY
Release Date: October 4, 2013
What it’s about: Two astronauts find themselves tethered together, floating helpless in space when disaster strikes a shuttle flight.
What it’s got working for it: A rare intelligent and intriguing looking scifi offering from Hollywood.
What’s it’s got going against it: 90 minutes of two people floating in space could get very old very fast.
RUNNER RUNNER
Release Date: October 4, 2013
What it’s about: A young grad student travels to Costa Rica where he falls under the sway of a dangerous gambling tycoon.
What it’s got working for it: The Costa Rican scenery looks nice.
What’s it’s got going against it: Ben Affleck as a scary gangster? If you say so, Hollywood. Ben Affleck as Batman? Okay, I have to draw the line.
CAPTAIN PHILLIPS
Release Date: October 11, 2013
What it’s about: An American cargo ship is hijacked by somali pirates.
What it’s got working for it: Based on a true story.
What’s it’s got going against it: So I already know how it ends.
MACHETE KILLS
Release Date: October 11, 2013
What it’s about: An ex-Federale agent is hired to take down a dangerous arms dealer.
What it’s got working for it: Doesn’t seem to take itself too seriously.
What’s it’s got going against it: What more is left to be said after the original Machete?
ESCAPE PLAN
Release Date: October 18, 2013
What it’s about: A security expert is tasked with his most challenging job = breaking out of an ultra high-tech facility.
What it’s got working for it: A fun premise.
What’s it’s got going against it: The brilliant security expert – convincingly played by Sylvester Stallone.
THE FIFTH ESTATE
Release Date: October 18, 2013
What it’s about: Julian Assange and Daniel Domscheit-Berg team up to leak covert government secrets.
What it’s got working for it: A powerful moral and ethical question at its heart.
What’s it’s got going against it: Honest exploration or propaganda piece? It remains to be seen.
THE COUNSELOR
Release Date: October 25, 2013
What it’s about: Things go bad for a lawyer when he gets involved in the world of drug trafficking.
What it’s got working for it: Director Ridley Scott and Cormac McCarthy (Alien/Blade Runner and the first 90 minutes of No Country for Old Men).
What’s it’s got going against it: Scott and McCarthy (G.I. Jane and the last 30 minutes of No Country for Old Men).
BAD GRANDPA
Release Date: October 25, 2013
What it’s about: In the spirit of Borat, the unwitting public is pranked by an annoying old man and his equally annoying son.
What it’s got working for it: Some funny bits in the trailer.
What’s it’s got going against it: There’s a fine line between funny and mean-spirited when it comes to pranks. If Borat wasn’t able to walk it, it’s doubtful Johnny Knoxville will.
Can’t wait for Captain Phillips! Yes, I know how it ends, but – I believe – this is more about the journey to that end, much of which the majority of people who can even remember the story haven’t a clue about. I remember the story and the very dramatic ending, but I have no idea what happened before it.
No interest in The Fifth Estate, other than to say that Benedict Cumberbatch could make a pretty decent Elric, no? 😉
Speaking of dear ol’ Benedict C… I just love these Key and Peele bits (watching the first through to the end is important to appreciating them all!):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gODZzSOelss
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rT1nGjGM2p8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDo2N43nsI4
😆 I just love these guys!
das
Just heard from a friend, pro stills photographer, that the photo on the CAPTAIN PHILLIPS poster is one of his. See his website for more of his work.
stonephoto.com
gravity seems like it will have a downer ending.
I’ve been waiting anxiously for Gravity, but then I’m an aviation and aerospace enthusiast. I’m not sure that Gravity will be able to get the interest of the general public though.
As for the rest, Captain Philips is a maybe and everything else will depend on on bored I am. Since life is pretty full right now, it’s not looking too good for those films…
Forget the movies, watch this! It’s hilarious! Cats, it seems, are especially devious, regardless of size. 🙂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vx1OVLX5Rc
das
I’ll even leave my house and pay for 3D/IMAX to see Gravity. Looks very beautiful; I hope they got the physics right.
The Bad Grandpa trailer makes me howl. I agree there’s a fine line, but being American mine is probably far to the ‘mean’ of your line, haha.
Can’t wait for “Gravity”, but the rest of these, nah.
Hey, Joe!
If you were a SEINFELD character, which one would you be??
Would Carl Binder be more of a Newman or George, ..or a mix of both? 🙂
G’day
@ Das – Thanks for the kitty laughs. I can totally relate to most of them.
The only one of those I would really like to see is “Gravity”. If done properly, it could be a gripping, suspenseful movie. Not sure it would have widespread appeal, though.
@Das: Someone posted on Facebook today a heartwarming compilation video where people were helping animals in various ways. Your video is a nice counterbalance! Bloody ingrates! 🙂
I’m off for a much needed weekend break down to Maine to do some Fall foliage photography, hiking and fly fishing. My step mom is doing quite a bit better and is now just waiting for her placement at the nursing home, so I thought I’d treat myself to some nice R&R. See y’all on Monday!
I’d like to think that I’m above the low brow humor presented in Bad Grandpa…but that beauty pageant stripper pole scene was freaking hilarious! Apparently I just “like to think” that I’m above it.
Hello Joseph,i’m a Costa Rican, you said: “What it’s got working for it: The Costa Rican scenery looks nice.”, have you been around here? Hope this movie gets to my expectations about the “costa rican scenery”. If you will come to Costa Rica, please tell me where to get you to sign all my SG-1 and SG Atlantis DVD’s, hahahaha.
You were right on about the “for or against” categories. My hubby said the same things about Gravity (90 minutes of two people floating in space could get very old very fast.). It seems slim pickings out there in movie land right now. Gravity is the only current movie on my “might watch list”, even with the negatives.
How do you like the new iOS7? I’m not loving it so far. I suppose I’ll get used to it though.
I’m interested in Runner, Runner. But, then, I play a lot of online poker.
@ Janet & gforce – Glad you enjoyed! Though I’ve seen most of those before they still crack me up every time! My favorite two are the cat on the Roomba slapping the dog, and the dog who steals the sled – I about bust a gut laughing at both of those!
I am home (and mostly in bed) trying to get over this bad back. It’s getting better but not fast enough! Tonight I might break down and take the muscle relaxer, since the aspirin just ain’t cuttin’ it. 😛
das
Gravity: two Very Attractive people floating around in space.
I definitely agree with your comment about Ben Affleck in Runner Runner. I was also surprised when he was announced as the new Batman. Still, Keaton was an unorthodox choice but for me, he made it work. So with that, I’ll reserve my thoughts on Affleck until he’s done the shoot.