Just a few that caught my eye:
THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG
Release Date: December 13, 2013
What it’s about: The second instalment in the sprawling Hobbit trilogy. No, really.
What it’s got working for it: Director Peter Jackson and oodles of production value.
What’s it’s got going against it: Three really long movies based on a single fairly short book.
SAVING MR. BANKS
Release Date: December 13, 2013
What it’s about: The story of how Walt Disney convinced the author of Mary Poppins to give him the film rights to her book. No, really.
What it’s got working for it: An all-star cast and a story we definitely haven’t seen before.
What’s it’s got going against it: A movie that, I’m sure, will bear no resemblance to actual events or characters.
ANCHORMAN 2: THE LEGEND CONTINUES
Release Date: December 13, 2013
What it’s about: Sequel to the somewhat successful Anchorman about – you guess it! – an anchorman.
What it’s got working for it: The promise of consistency in quality.
What’s it’s got going against it: Of course, said consistency cuts both ways depending on what you thought of the first movie.
WALKING WITH DINOSAURS
Release Date: December 20, 2013
What it’s about: An “immersive 3D experience” that will place audiences within a prehistoric tale involving an underdog dinosaur.
What it’s got working for it: The promise of state of the art visuals.
What’s it’s got going against it: But they say promises are made to be broken. The actual script sounds a bit flimsy.
47 RONIN
Release Date: December 25, 2013
What it’s about: Loosely based on true events – a group of samurai seek vengeance on those responsible for the death of their leader.
What it’s got working for it: It certainly looks epic.
What’s it’s got going against it: Keanu Reeves? Sorry, Hollywood, I STILL don’t get it.
GRUDGE MATCH
Release Date: December 25, 2013
What it’s about: Two old guys prepare for a rematch to a bout that never happened.
What it’s got working for it: DeNiro and Stallone as aging boxers? So ridiculous it could be brilliant!
What’s it’s got going against it: Or just ridiculous. Probably ridiculous.
THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY
Release Date: December 25, 2013
What it’s about: Based on the story by James Thurber which focuses on an innocuous fellow’s incredible fantasies.
What it’s got working for it: Looks visually appealing.
What’s it’s got going against it: If it’s “all in his head”, then a very unsatisfying movie. If it’s not, then it’s a completely different character from the story. Also – Ben Stiller.
Hubby will def be seeing The Hobbit, and I’ll probably go along in support. He still doesn’t understand why I’m not totally into the whole Tolkien thing. For me, sometimes epic is just TOO epic, if you know what I mean.
No interest in 47 Ronin, outside of Reeves. 😉 I’ve seen the old film adaptation – which is very good, and am awaiting the graphic novel. I might catch this on tv some day, but for now I’ll pass.
The rest? Meh.
das
@ Auntie SHAN – Okay, I’m convinced! Knowing that The Maltese Falcon film is almost word-for-word by the book, I just never felt I needed to read the source material. But you’ve made it sound so good, I think I might just have to put it on my to-do list! 😀
@ JeffW – All the best, Mr. Gimpy. 🙂
das
The only one of those that I’ll likely see at the theatre is the Hobbit installment, but I admit I found just the first one rather plodding and slow to fill out the story telling time. More for completeness sake than anything else. The others are at best video fodder or total misses as far as I’m concerned.
Spending the weekend at my friends’ place in PEI and having a nice relaxing time. It’s great to be visiting friends and a nice distraction from the daily hectic life lately.
How are you feeling today Joe? Hopefully much better.
@Das:
Hmmm, Gimpy? I like it! It’ll fit in with my grumpy old-man persona I’m trying to develop with my kids. 😉
@Joe:
Of these options, I think the only movie I’ll be seeing is the Hobbit. Walter Mitty might be interesting, but as you indicate, if it’s all in his head it’s ultimately unsatisfying.
And I don’t get the Keanu Reeves angle either.
And Das, thanks!
Speaking of epic, the new Pearl Jam CD is just excellent! I have so many favorites after just a few days of listening, but right now this one tops the list (this is a live performance because everyone should be treated to watching Eddie sing at least once in their lifetime 🙂 ):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAVfXDFFtuE
das
I can say for sure that I will see The Hobbit in the theater for a couple of reasons, one is my husband will most definitely want to go and the second reason is because that Thorin Oakenshield character is quite the hottie for a dwarf and while a bit of a jerk at times, he is still a bad ass, a hot one.
Hope you are feeling a lot better today Joe!
Definitely, The Hobbit. The first one was a little slow but I liked it. None of the other movies interest me.
We did see Ender’s Game and liked it! It seemed a little rushed. If I hadn’t have read the book, I might have been confused by things that weren’t explained. Good movie though.
How are you feeling? Is hot sauce in your future? Are you back to a normal sleep cycle yet?
@JeffW: Sorry about the surgery but I hope it helps. Are you going to “Milk It”? 😉
Ben Stiller? Huh. Well, I do love Tropic Thunder.
Oh. Crap.
Who’s up for a game of “Knockout”?
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/deadly-knockout-game-what-it-is/
Worst.Game.Evar.
Just got done watching (finally!) The World’s End – and it was GREAT!! Despite the laughs I thought it was actually a bit more serious than the other two, at least where Pegg’s character was concerned. So glad I finally got to see it – I raise my Cornetto to Wright, Pegg & Co. in a salute for a job well done! And Nick Frost? He totally rocked in this flick with his mad rugby skills!
Good times, good times. 😀
das
none of those seem really appealing to me. maybe saving mr. banks as it seems vaguely interesting.
i echo all of the hope you’re doing better comments.
@Tam Dixon:
I’m going to try! There’s only so much influence that a parent has over a teenager, so we have to use every opportunity to its fullest! 🙂
Right now I have my son enlisted to cook the Turkey on T-Day. As for the rest, I’ll have to play it by ear…
Seriously, though, I’m looking forward to getting rid of the knee pain, so I’m not really fearful of the surgery. The recovery time and pain will be just the price to pay for improvement. Everyone I’ve talked to who has had this type of surgery has said they wished they had had it sooner. I’m hoping for a similar result.
@Das:
I think I’ll rent “The World’s End” while I’m on the loopy meds. Should be fun!
Definitely – the Hobbit
@JeffW: Wishing you well on the knee surgery. I’m sure it will go fine and you’ll be up and at ’em (at them? 🙂 ) in no time.
I don’t feel the need to see any of them.
@JeffW: Bestest wishes for your surgery; you’ll be so glad you did it!
@gforce:
Thanks for the well wishes!
I see you’ve been at Prince Edward Island…any pictures?
@Deni:
I hear that a lot; it gives me optimism.
Thanks for the well wishes!
JeffW: I’m sure the kids will be great! Best wishes for a successful surgery.
I’m looking forward to the Hobbit. Because I don’t care if it’s overly long and indulgent. As a fan of the books and movies, I love all the little unnecessary character bits. As long as they don’t completely screw something up like the way they did with Faramir’s entire characterization. But then, I’ll still probably like it overall even if there are one or two things I really hate.
That dinosaur movie does look flimsy… but AWW BABY TRICERATOPS!
Anchorman was really funny. I’ll probably see the sequel.
I’ll probably try to see that Mary Poppins movie, too, even if it’s not historically accurate. They’ve got a good cast, and the trailer looks amusing.
Eh,, those movies do not really do it for me, not enough sci-fyie, or comedy or something. Hope your tummy is feeling better and you are rested up.
@JeffW, best wishes for the knee surgery and recovery.
Why does Hollywood keep casting white folk as the lead samurai?
@JeffW – you know, I didn’t take a one, even with my phone! I almost always do, at least of my friends’ dog, Toby (the wonder dog.) In lieu of that, here’s a video I took of him a few months ago!
http://smg.photobucket.com/user/gforce2002/media/4D9B345A-87B4-4701-9A12-91B273067403-2583-000003038FB86762.mp4.html
@JeffW Will be keeping you in our prayers.
As far as these movies — Definitely The Hobbit and Anchorman 2.