ABOUT TIME
Release Date: November 1, 2013
What it’s about: A guy travels through time in search of the perfect relationship.
What it’s got working for it: It’s a comedy!
What’s it’s got going against it: A romantic comedy. 🙁
ENDER’S GAME
Release Date: November 1, 2013
What it’s about: Young Ender Wiggin enters Battle School to train and prepare for conflict against an alien threat.
What it’s got working for it: Looks great. And it’s based on a great book.
What’s it’s got going against it: Not to give away a huge spoiler, but the revelation that makes this book so great would undermine a big screen treatment.
FREE BIRDS
Release Date: November 1, 2013
What it’s about: Two turkeys travel back in time to get turkey taken off the Thanksgiving menu.
What it’s got working for it: A mighty off-the-wall premise.
What’s it’s got going against it: A run-of-the-mill trailer that does it no favors.
LAST VEGAS
Release Date: November 1, 2013
What it’s about: Four old friends return to Vegas to relive their glory days.
What it’s got working for it: Solid cast.
What’s it’s got going against it: The gags look as old as the characters. The Hangover on downers?
THOR: THE DARK WORLD
Release Date: November 8, 2013
What it’s about: The God of Thunder battles to save Earth and The Nine Realms.
What it’s got working for it: The first movie had potential but never really delivered. This one seems to have even more going for it including terrific visuals, a promising trailer, and a potential Thor-Loki alliance!
What’s it’s got going against it: I had high hopes for the original but was seriously underwhelmed. What’s the saying? Second time’s the charm?
THE WOLF OF WALL STREET
Release Date: November 15, 2013
What it’s about: Chronicling the rise and fall of Wall Street insider Jordan Belfort.
What it’s got working for it: Directed by Martin Scorsese, written by Terrence Winter, based on the best-selling memoir.
What’s it’s got going against it: Why do I want to see a movie about this douchebag?
DELIVERY MAN
Release Date: November 22, 2013
What it’s about: A man discovers he fathered 533 children through sperm donations and embarks on a journey of self-discovery…and fatherhood.
What it’s got working for it: The premise is certainly original.
What’s it’s got going against it: After a while, all Vince Vaughn comedies into one giant ball of big screen mediocrity.
FROZEN
Release Date: November 22, 2013
What it’s about: A gang of misfits set out on a quest to confront the Snow Queen responsible for trapping their kingdom in eternal winter.
What it’s got working for it: Tangled did well for Disney.
What’s it’s got going against it: As Akemi put it after watching the trailer “It looks very for kids.”. Seems like a movie an adult would endure instead of enjoy.
THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE
Release Date: November 22, 2013
What it’s about: Katniss Everdeen returns home after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games, but a rebellion is simmering…
What it’s got working for it: Second big screen installment of the hugely popular book series.
What’s it’s got going against it: I preferred the original when it was called Battle Royale.
OLD BOY
Release Date: November 27, 2013
What it’s about: An advertising executive sets out to find the individual responsible for kidnapping him and keeping him captive for 20 years.
What it’s got working for it: Based on a fantastic South Korean movie by the same name.
What’s it’s got going against it: Hollywood. Expect a watered down version of the original – and it’s shocking twist.
Meh.
I might go see About Time with the girlfriend since she’s into that sort of stuff. (Although I think it has come and gone here in the UK.)
I’ll definitely be seeing Ender’s Game. Even though I thought the book was overrated I think it will be worth going to see so I can sit back and enjoy all the nerd rage that will ensue.
I might manage to catch Thor if I’ve got nothing better to do. Likewise The Hunger Games.
Other than that there’s not much to see here. It’s good to see Morgan Freeman in a movie where he’s not some sort of benevolent or malevolent overseer.
I’m loving these upcoming movie posts. I don’t follow the latest releases so I find it really useful!
Ender’s Game!!!!! Can’t wait for that one. Some of the others might be a fun movie/pizza night at home (Frozen & Thor). I will probably see “Catching Fire”. It is so sad knowing they make Katness crazy at the end of the series. Completely understandable that she breaks but still sad.
You posted way early. I hope that means you have great plans for the day?!
Das: Congrats on the new cat!
Big {{{{hugs}}}} going to PBmom! So sorry you are going through this. It’s been a rollercoaster month. I’ll be thinking/praying about you today.
Ha! Re: The Wolf of Wall Street…I met the guy and even know his attorneys here in NYC…
Only going to see Thor for that sexy li’l biscuit, Loki. 🙂
In other news, I just discovered Julien’s dirty little secret…
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/dasNdanger/2053c05b-9ea7-4d95-b101-f2242e80a812_zpsc430757d.jpg
😛
das
Wow, early post! Sitting here still enjoying the food poisoning I got in Miami, ugh. Thinking about poor PBMom and Maddie, too.
The only one of these that I’d like to watch is “About Time”. Not all romantic comedies suck, Joe…:)
Hey Joe,
thanks for reviews.
I’m looking forward to THE HUNGER GAMES, THE WOLF OF WALL STREET and of course ENDER’S GAME.
I haven’t seen Thor yet, it’s sitting somewhere on my hard drive.
About Time: I know I’ve mentioned this before on this blog about this movie, but I’m almost certain I have to go see it. Mainly because it’s so close to an idea/screenplay I’ve been “writing” for a while now and want to see how close they came to my ideas. It’ll determine if I ever finish mine or start legal proceedings against the writers of this movie. 😉 That, and it’s got Bill Nighy and Rachel McAdams. Love them both for VERY different reasons.
Ender’s Game: Never read the book. I’ve seen Bender’s Game from Futurama, does that count? I may go see it just for the special effects, but I’m not holding my breath.
Free Birds: Pass. Looks like it has the potential to have some underhanded/subliminal message about vegetarianism or animal rights or something. The worts movies out there are “kids” movies that are preachy. I’m looking right at you Disney.
Last Vegas: I’m with you on this one, Joe. Tremendous cast, worn out premise. I’ll go if four of my friends tell me I have to see it, but not three.
Thor: Saw the first one, wasn’t impressed. Could never get over how fake his hair and beard looked. Plus, I was always trying to figure out if that small town they were in was a real town or if it was built just for the movie, where it could be, and could I go visit it.
Wolf of Wall Street: Bleh.
Delivery Man: I want to see it because it looks like it’ll be a nice story of redemption, but at it’s very core, it’s just like every other unrealistic scenario out there: someone hitting a “jackpot” in life and everything changes for the better, instantly. Oh this man’s sad and wonders what has happened to his life….surprise, you’ve got instant meaning and purpose! Or like in most other movies in recent years where people “fall in love” in increasingly shorter time-spans. I think one of the worst ones in recent memory is When in Rome with Kristen Bell. She fell in love with and agreed to marry Josh Duhamel’s character in like four dates! FOUR! (Still a cute movie that I enjoy watching, save for that major story hole) Sorry, life doesn’t happen that way. I won’t be watching anymore of these “instant life jackpot” movies if they don’t have a stronger foothold in reality. It’s one of my favorite aspects of Cast Away. He doesn’t get the girl. Reality.
Frozen: Pfft. New line of Disney toys setup movie.
Catching Fire: Never saw the first Hunger Games. Too much hoopla about it at the time. But, I do like looking at Jennifer Lawrence…. 😉 (sorry to be such a “dude”, ladies)
Old Boy: Very interesting. Not sure if I should see this one, or just skip it to do it right and seek out the South Korean original.
Do you and Paul enjoy dressing differently to express how wide a field of experience and knowledge you guys can draw from? Or is that just Paul’s excuse for showing up in jeans and flip-flops(which is actually my preferred Fall attire)? 😉
-Mike A.
Thor.. what it has going for it: Hot Norse Gods (or demi-gods, but who’s quibbling?). There ya go.
In other news, I think Agents of Shield will probably be canceled this season. It seems to be slipping every week and I don’t see it holding up for the full 22 episodes. I know most people myself included predicted renewal but its dangerously close to the 7 million viewer mark and in the mid 2s 18-49 after 5 episodes.
People are clearly losing internet. Though I think Arrow for example is doing better because the DC universe is more interesting.
Hey guys: If you want to read about what happened today with our dog, please read here: http://www.aleashabove.com/blog/?p=63
I want to see the first two films. Not so sure about the rest of them. I have been hoping that someone would do a film about the events leading up to the American mortgage crisis and the fallout there after, painting the banks as the villains. We already know that they were the villains, but it never hurts to remind the people about how the banks screwed them for profit. It likely won’t happen, though; not when the film makers may need the banks to finance their films.
“About Time” Yes. I’m a sucker for romance and time travel. But I’ll have to wait until premium channels.
“Ender’s Game:” Want to. Looks good. But the author is very anti-gay. And I may participate in the boycott.
“Free Birds” Cute premise. And it’s got a time machine. But premium channels.
“Thor” Looks great. Didn’t see the first. Does that matter? Premium channels.
“Wolf of Wall Street” Absolutely not.
“Delivery Man” That looks adorable. Probably will wait until it is on premium channels.
“Frozen” Because I don’t have to endure it. I like it. Premium channels.
“Catching Fire” Absolutely. Which reminds me, I still need to finish Mockingjay. I’d pay to see this.
“Old Boy” Too intense for me right now but I may change my mind by the time it is out on premium channels.
Made a good dinner tonight – Moroccan Beef Tagine (alas, no tagine available, so I used a Dutch oven instead): Beef, sauteed with onions, cilantro stalks, saffron, fresh ginger, garlic, stick cinnamon, and ras el hanout (cinnamon, cumin, ginger, paprika, turmeric, cardamom, and other spices), then simmered for a few hours with tomatoes and carrots, with some more ginger, ras el hanout, garlic and cilantro added about three quarters of the way through. Served it on rice with a side of cacik (minced onion, cucumber, garlic and parsley in plain yogurt with lemon and seasoned with salt and pepper – dill or mint could be used instead of parsley – it’s like a Turkish version of tzatziki). Finished things off with an orange, date, and pistachio salad/dessert. Very yummy! I’m going back for dessert seconds! 🙂
Hope all it well, Joey! Was this a travel day?
das
Did you see this? http://m.nbcnews.com/health/pet-jerky-treat-mystery-nearly-600-animals-dead-still-no-8C11436330
Makes me sick! I remember the news about this a year or do ago and nothing has been done. Disgusting!!
someone may have mentioned this already (as i type this there are no comments showing) but you have the same trailer fro free birds & last vegas.
@ PBMom – Saddened by your loss. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Hope Patrick does okay.
Regarding Ender’s Game, I’m almost more interested to see how they make the book reveal into a movie that still has that shocking ending. I do hate that OSC is so bigoted, but this was my childhood (the first true sci-fi and not fantasy book I ever read) so I have to see the movie.
As for everything else? YAWN. I too was unimpressed by the first Thor and this one probably doesn’t have Hawkeye or Coulson so…and while I’ll probably see Hunger Games, I could not see it and go on just fine. I’m a member of the group of people that are very upset with Frozen and some of the things that have come out about it (like the guy who did the animation saying females face were too hard emotionally and thus there are only 2 larger role females) so I’ll give that one a pass.
I just want to see The Counselor, but alas, I have commitments every night of this weekend.
I can’t wait to see “Ender’s Game”. Ok, honestly, I can’t wait to see Harrison Ford in “Ender’s Game”. All the others, not so much.
I finally made it up to Vancouver. Got a sunburn driving through California the first day, then groped my way through fog covered Oregon and Washington state the second day. Ironically, the sun came out when I hit the Canadian border. All I can think about, and been doing, is eating. I think I’ve already gained three pounds. I see a lot of walking in next few days, and great weather for it!
@PBMom: I’m so sorry about Maddie. Your blog made me cry for her, and you. My heart goes out to you and Jeff.
Oh and on the movie front, I’m looking forward to Enders Game which looks amazing, the trailer really impressed me, Thor, Frozen and the Hunger Games sequel.
I’m not entirely sure about the others to be honest. But those movies from your list I’ll be watching as soon as humanly possible.
Frozen also looks decent, I’ve liked Disneys past efforts on Wreck It Ralph, Tangled, and Brave in recent years, all enjoyable movies, especially in 3D. Well worth watching.
PBMom: So sorry to hear about Maddie. It’s clear she was very loved. I hope everyone is doing okay.
“It’s ALIVE!!”
😉
das
@ PBMom/HIlda That was lovely, and heartbreaking, and perfect. Thank you for sharing so much of your heart. {{{hugs}}}
Now…to find the tissues.
das
Could it be not so much what’s in the jerky treats, but how much of it? For example, what happens when you dump a large amount of preservatives into a dog’s gut?
@pbmom – It’s a beautiful story.
Richard Curtis is my guilty pleasure; his films used to annoy be but now I enjoy them for being genuinely kind, a little snarky and sweetly goofy. I may have to see About Time on DVD though because I’m not a Rachel McAdams fan nor a fan of chick flicks. I’m looking forward to seeing 47 Ronin and Raze:
http://youtu.be/6vAs4ZkGGSE
PBMOM: Very sorry about Maddie. She was a beautiful dog.
Joseph: Have you ever done, or considered doing your own “best of” list of Anime? I know I’d be interested in seeing it. Perhaps one on books too.
@PBMom, so sorry about Maddie, but you gave her the best end possible. Your humorous note reminded me of when I had to have my first dog put down. He was a miserable bugger with strangers and his last act when the needle was going in, was to try and bite the vet (the drugs took over before anything happened). I started laughing (with tears) and the vet smiled too–Mic was his grumpy self to the end.
@das, re: Julien’s secret–that’s why we keep our toilet lids down.
Deni: Are you better yet? Did the baby get it? Food poisoning is the worst!!!!!
Is this Japan travel week? Have lots of fun!
It’s going to be a cold winter. We’re going to need some Canadian tips on dealing with this one.
I’ll have a short drive in the mornings with five people in the car, most of them small. That’s a lot of breath to fog up the windshield. And getting little people across an icy driveway, gah!