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October 24, 2013: Upcoming Under the Radar Movies to look Forward to! Or not!

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DALLAS BUYERS CLUB

Release Date: November 1, 2013

What it’s about: The true story of Texas cowboy Ron Woodrof who, after being diagnosed as HIV-positive in 1985, decided to take matters into his own hands and track down treatments for his condition.

What it’s got working for it: A fascinating true-life account.

What’s it’s got going against it: Matthew McConaughy is an acquired taste.

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DIANA

Release Date: November 1, 2013

What it’s about: Diana’s romance with a Pakistani heart surgeon.

What it’s got working for it: My buddy Cas Anvar stars as Dodi Fayed!

What’s it’s got going against it: The subject matter may not have wide-ranging appeal.

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MR. NOBODY

Release Date: November 1, 2013

What it’s about: A movie that uses a non-linear narrative and many worlds interpretation to tell the story of 118 year old Nemo Nobody.

What it’s got working for it: It’s certainly looks unique.

What’s it’s got going against it: Or, potentially, just annoyingly weird. According to wikipedia, the movie was shot four years ago and is just now being released.  Not a good sign.

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ASS BACKWARDS

Release Date: November 8, 2013

What it’s about: Two childhood friends return to their hometown and a shot at redemption in the local beauty pageant.

What it’s got working for it: There’s a real dearth of truly funny female buddy movies.

What’s it’s got going against it: And, judging from the trailer, this movie may not change things.

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BEST MAN DOWN

Release Date: November 8, 2013

What it’s about: When their obnoxious best man dies at their wedding, a couple must cancel their honeymoon in order to plan his funeral.

What it’s got working for it: The premise looks hilarious.

What’s it’s got going against it: The trailer does not.

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THE BOOK THIEF

Release Date: November 8, 2013

What it’s about: A courageous young girl transforms lives during WWII.

What it’s got working for it: Based on the New York Times best-selling novel.

What’s it’s got going against it: The movies are never as good as the book.

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HOW I LIVE

Release Date: November 8, 2013

What it’s about: In a near-future U.K., an American teenager finds romance amidst the backdrop of a global apocalypse.

What it’s got working for it:  The SF elements look interesting.

What’s it’s got going against it: The romantic elements less so.

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DEAR MR. WATTERSON

Release Date: November 15, 2013

What it’s about: Calvin & Hobbes, the comic strip.

What it’s got working for it: Calvin & Hobbes!

What’s it’s got going against it: How interesting could a documentary about a comic strip be?  Let’s find out!

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BETTY PAGE REVEALS ALL

Release Date: November 29, 2013

What it’s about: The story of famed pin-up model Betty Page, narrated by Betty Page.

What it’s got working for it: A potentially fascinating study of a pop icon and our culture.

What’s it’s got going against it: The subject matter may not be to everyone’s tastes.

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MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM

Release Date: November 29, 2013

What it’s about: Nelson Mandela.

What it’s got working for it: Powerful subject matter.  The wonderful Idris Elba.

What’s it’s got going against it: An honest or idealized account of Mandela’s life?

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22 responses

  1. JeffW Avatar
    JeffW

    Isn’t “Nemo Nobody” a bit repetitive?

    I will definitely see Dear Mr. Watterson. I love Calvin and Hobbs!

    Reply
  2. fsmn36 Avatar
    fsmn36

    I had only caught the end of the Dallas Buyers CLub trailer before, so didn’t realize it was about a man with HIV, I assumed it was actual illegal drugs (i.e. coke or something), so now I’m actually intrigued.

    How I live Now looks good, too, in that I really like Saoirse. She was stunning in Hanna.

    Reply
  3. dasndanger Avatar
    dasndanger

    Joe, before you write off Matthew McConaughey until you’ve seen Mud. I thought it was an excellent film, and he did a fine job in the role. Perhaps the role seemed made just for him (it was an easy fit), but that still doesn’t take away from the fact that he gave a great performance.

    Would love to see the Calvin and Hobbes docuflick, but like all the ones I wanted to see recently I’ll have to wait for the DVD release. I just have not been able to get to the theater lately, or the films haven’t been shown in my area. For instance, I’m still dying to see Simon Pegg’s The World’s End, but my stupid local theaters didn’t have it. I almost cried. And it was during such a busy time I just never had the time to drive an hour to see it. It seems all we get at the local theater are superhero flicks and kiddie movies, nothing in between.

    Okay…I must get back to my TCM Vincent Price marathon! Wooooo! The Tingler is coming up next! 😀

    das

    Reply
  4. dasndanger Avatar
    dasndanger

    Whoopsies…screwed up the first sentence. My thought changed mid-stream. It should be ‘don’t write off Matthew before you’ve seen…’ Serves me right for watching tv and typing at the same time. 😛

    das

    Reply
  5. Vin Avatar
    Vin

    Mr Nobody has been out for years already. Although maybe that’s only in Europe.
    It’s a brilliant must see film, I think you’ll like it.

    Reply
  6. Sparrow_hawk Avatar
    Sparrow_hawk

    @PBMom: Thank you for sharing your story. I’m glad Maddie is as peace and that you were with her at the end.

    As for yesterday’s movies, I’m really looking forward to Ender’s Game. It probably won’t be as good as the book, but I’ll give it a chance. And at the risk of being politically incorrect: the author may be anti-gay now, but this story is not.

    Reply
  7. Airelle Avatar
    Airelle

    @das did you see where Sherlock is coming to pbs in Jan for 3 episodes.
    The Empty Hearse” – Sunday, January 19, 2014 at 10pm on MASTERPIECE

    “The Sign of Three” – Sunday, January 26, 2014 at 10pm on MASTERPIECE

    “His Last Vow” – Sunday, February 2, 2014 at 10pm on MASTERPIECE
    ————–
    ~~Joe , I read this line in reference to a remake of the Murder She Wrote they are working on and wondered what it meant? ~~The new hourlong project, which has received a put pilot commitment,~~ never heard put pilot before, is that a good thing?

    Reply
  8. dasndanger Avatar
    dasndanger

    Oi. What a morning. Firstly, I woke up late (8:30). Secondly, I just could not get going, so sat a while and watched part of The Raven, the last Vincent Price movie for this recent marathon. Thirdly, Julien disappeared.

    Vanished. Gone. Hubby and I searched the house, searched the yard, searched the neighborhood. We didn’t know if he got out, or if he was hiding in the house. I doubted the latter since he is the sort of kitty to come when called. So we searched outside again – down to the house he lived in before coming to us last week, and all the yards in between, and then all the yards behind our house. Nada. To make matters worse it’s trash and recyclables day, so the neighborhood was noisy with trucks. We started to panic, especially since we had no idea if he was in or out, and if out just how long he had been out.

    I felt like an idiot walking around the neighborhood calling, ‘Jules! Jules! JUUUULIEEEEN!’, complete with accompanying ‘Heeeeere kittykittykittyKITTY!s’. It was getting late and hubby had to get to work so he went in the house. I just couldn’t go to work without finding him so in a last ditch…and rather embarrassing…effort, I started to meow.

    Meow. Meee-ow. Mew. Meeew. MEEEE-ow. I meowed around the house and then into the back yard…and what do I hear? An answering meow! And then I seen Julien, walking towards me along the fence, but on the other side. He seemed unable to jump over it, so I kept meowing and coaxed him down to the hole in the fence that the ferals use to get in and out. After a few failed attempts to find it (it’s partially concealed by clematis vines), he finally nosed his way through and into my arms!

    What an adventure he had! And what an upsetting morning we had! He’s now all snuggled in the bed, and I’m just getting to my ‘morning’ coffee at 1 pm. 😛

    We have no idea how and when he slipped out this morning, but from now on I’m calling the li’l gray fart Houdini. 🙄

    das

    Reply
  9. Mike A. Avatar
    Mike A.

    You always post a lot more under the radar movies(which is a good thing) than the big studio stuff, so to save time(and space), I’ll only comment about the one I have a comment for…

    Diana: I don’t know enough of what is true and what will be exaggerated or even fabricated for this movie to go in objectively and know the difference. Naomi looks fantastic, though.

    Mr. Nobody: Looks very interesting. Rhys Ifans is usually pretty good. I’d like to see this one purely for what looks like its ability to tell a story in a non-traditional way. Could be very good, or could be very full of itself. The fact that it’s four years old either means it’s too cerebral for the majority of Hollywood(which is fine by me), or it really sucks(disjointed storyline, no real meaning or purpose, flimsy premise, etc.).

    Best Man Down: Hmmm. I’m torn. Could have potential. Could show how shallow and self-involved people really are these days. Could also suck and just be poorly acted. I might need to see more before deciding. I do like Tyler Labine, though.

    The Book Thief: I might have to see this movie purely for the sets and locations! Talk about feeling like you’re there! The movie LOOKS gorgeous, I just hope it delivers where it really counts.

    Dear Mr. Watterson: As the wise Phillip J. Fry once said: “Shut up and take my money!” Definite must watch and potential day 1 DVD purchase. It’s amazing how all these people are so impressed and awed with his work and how “groundbreaking” they all say it was and yet all he did, essentially, was keep that little portion of his mind that still acts and thinks like a kid active enough to be able to create from it. It’s a truly simple idea, but I guess extremely hard to some to do and/or understand.

    @das:

    Whenever you get to see The World’s End, you will NOT be disappointed! I got to see it in the theaters and while it starts off slow, it just gets better and better and better. The last 10 minutes or so are absolutely hilarious! I was literally sore that night from laughing so hard. Seriously. This movie is considerably more “British” than the other two in the “Cornetto Trilogy”, but if you get and understand British humor, you’ll be howling!

    -Mike A.

    Reply
  10. dasndanger Avatar
    dasndanger

    @ Airelle – Thanks for the head’s up! I’ll keep a sharp eye out for it! 🙂

    @ Mike A. – I can’t wait! It comes out on DVD here in about 3 weeks, I think. I’m looking forward to the fence gag, anything with a traffic cone (I hope there are cones in this one!), and – of course – a Cornetto, or two. 😀

    das

    Reply
  11. dasndanger Avatar
    dasndanger

    Is it heads or head’s up? I can’t decide.

    das

    Reply
  12. dasndanger Avatar
    dasndanger

    @ Deni – How’re ya feelin’, dear? Hope a bit better!

    @ Bella&Kasper – RE: Toilet lid. I’m trying, but it’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks. This is the first kitty I’ve had since getting married that has imbibed in toilet hooch, so we are well out of the habit of keeping the lid down. Growing up I had a cat who drank from the toilet all the time, and she lived to be 21, so maybe it’s not such a bad thing. Hell…for that matter maybe I should start drinking from it, too!

    😀
    .
    🙂
    .
    😐
    .
    😕
    .
    On second thought…mebbe not. 😛

    das

    .

    Reply
  13. Mike from Canada Avatar
    Mike from Canada

    Joseph:
    I found your best/worst list of anime from September 2009. I’ve found some of your best on Netflix, and some on Hulu.

    I’d still like to suggest you do another updated list if you get time. Maybe your top 20?

    Matthew McConaughey is an acquired taste in the same way that having dirty rancid socks shoved in your face is an acquired taste.
    Which is to say, not to my tastes at all.

    What peaves me is I recognized Last Exile on Netflix a hundred times but never watched it, and now it’s gone. I recall seeing it’s picture just the other day. Oh well. I guess I’ll have to see it on Hulu and put up with commercials.

    I’m considering changing from Netflix over to Hulu. Hulu seems to have a better selection of Anime, but it’s hard to tell, and it looks like some shows can’t be watched from the beginning episode, which is useless to me. I could be wrong. I’ve been wrong once or wtice before.

    Anyone have any thoughts on Netflix vs Hulu? They seem to cost the same. I don’t want to get both, I want to reduce my expenditures rather then increase them.

    Reply
  14. archersangel Avatar
    archersangel

    i agree about the trailer for best man down. it doesn’t seem that funny.

    Reply
  15. Mike A. Avatar
    Mike A.

    @das

    You have no idea what you’re in for, trust me! They did a fine job on the trailer not letting out even a hint at what the best bits are or how the story goes.

    -Mike A.

    Reply
  16. Mike from Canada Avatar
    Mike from Canada

    dasndanger:
    I didn’t mind my cat drinking from the toilet, until I caught her drinking from my glass.

    Reply
  17. Lewis Avatar
    Lewis

    Hey, Joe!

    Teryl Rothery was on Wed night’s episode of Arrow as Jean Loring (wife of the Atom who eventually becomes Eclipso in the DC universe). On the show she was a lawyer ..it will be interesting to see where they take her character in the future.

    Reply
  18. Ponytail Avatar
    Ponytail

    @das – I have often wondered if drinking from the hose outside was not good for you. Nobody knows. I have done that forever and I’ve lived past 21, so it must be okay. I wish I wasn’t allergic to cats or I would have a couple. They are so cool.

    Reply
  19. Tim G Avatar
    Tim G

    Jason Momoa gets into slap contest with some guy:
    http://www.blastr.com/2013-10-25/ouch-foolish-guy-gets-slapped-around-game-thrones-star

    Reply
  20. Deni Avatar
    Deni

    @Das and Tammy: Finally feeling a bit better today, thanks for asking! It’s been a rough week over a beef empanada! 🙂

    Reply
  21. Luis Avatar
    Luis

    Joe,
    You and Akemi go to Movie”s much???or do you guys Stream on line???Netflix,ETC. I find that as I get older my wife and i go to the movie’s alot more than when we were younger…we do mostly Matinee’s…..

    Reply
  22. PBMom Avatar
    PBMom

    @Das I am so glad you found him! As I was reading it, I began to feel panic rise up into my throat. Webster says: heads-up

    @Deni Yes dear one. How are you feeling?

    Oct 24 was our 21st anniversary. Woot! Woot! Can’t believe I’ve been with someone for almost half of my life.

    Hope your trip is going well, but I just saw you post a new blog “my trip” so I’m going to read.

    Most of these movies look great. Except the beauty pageant one.

    Reply

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