Trailer Hitch
By Eric Hughes
September 10, 2008
BoxOfficeProphets.com
The Haunting of Molly Hartley – Opens October 31st
Saw V has a little competition once the Halloween season comes around, though The Haunting of Molly Hartley only matches the genre of the popular franchise and really nothing more. Featuring a cast of unknowns, the film is about a girl, Molly (Haley Bennett), who aims to begin her life anew after enduring a traumatic experience with her mother. Enrolled in a new school, Molly struggles to face the stresses of high school and new peers, while at the same time shaking away nightmares of her mother's knife-welding attack. As the same mental illness that took control of her mother is slowly foreshadowed in the girl, Molly learns the unfortunate truth of why she may have to be killed.
Silly premise? Sure. The trailer itself really isn't that creepy either (save for the opening 30 seconds, which gives away what happened the night Molly's mom went crazy). This much was good. The rest I didn't find the least bit appealing.
Grade: D-
Also expected to be released on this date: The Changeling, RocknRolla, Zack and Miri Make a Porno, The Other End of the Line, Splinter, Fear(s) of the Dark
Zack and Miri Make a Porno – Opens October 31st
Seth Rogen entertained audiences earlier this summer in Pineapple Express, though I didn't think too much of it. He's back in Zack and Miri Make a Porno, coupled with a trailer that actually makes me laugh. Here, Rogen plays title character Zack, a guy who suffers from a lack of accomplishment well into adulthood. While living with good friend Miri (Elizabeth Banks), the duo experiences dire rent problems, which sparks the idea in Zack that they should get into - what else? - the amateur porn business. And as the cameras start rolling, Zack and Miri realize that maybe they're meant to be more than just friends.
It's a shocker, but Judd Apatow has nothing to do with this production. In his place? Kevin Smith, a man just as (if not more so) nerdy than Rogen. It's a partnership that I see continuing for years to come, so long as audiences warm up to their freshman effort together. With jokes like those in the trailer - Rogen's gay porn banter with Justin Long, Craig Robinson's moderation at a porn audition - I don't see how they couldn't.
Grade: A
Also expected to be released on this date: The Changeling, RocknRolla, The Haunting of Molly Hartley, The Other End of the Line, Splinter, Fear(s) of the Dark
Nothing Like the Holidays – Opens November 21st
You know, I watched this one a few times just to be sure I didn't miss out on some redeeming qualities that would convince me that Nothing Like the Holdays could be a good film. I mean I like Debra Messing, I like Freddy Rodriguez and I usually like John Leguizamo. But after multiple viewings, I decided this one just doesn't look good (save for the "Lean On Me" cover. I actually thought it to be all right).
The movie stars the aforementioned people along with Alfred Molina, Elizabeth Peña and director Alfredo de Villa in a dramedy about the eccentric members of the Rodriguez family who join together for a memorable week at their parents' home in Chicago. While there are moments to be celebrated, like Jesse's (Rodriguez) return from combat overseas, others turn out to be rather unpleasant, like mother Anna's (Peña) dinner announcement that she plans to divorce her husband, Eduardo (Molina). But it's a holiday film, right? My money is on Anna getting back with Eduardo by the time end credits start rolling.
Grade: D+
Also expected to be released on this date: Bolt, Twilight, The Soloist
Milk – Opens November 26th
Is there anything Sean Penn can't do? The man looks like he just nails former San Francisco city supervisor and gay rights activist Harvey Milk in a biopic about Milk's later life and eventual assassination. For those not in the know, Milk became the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in America when San Francisco voted him in during the late 1970s.
To resemble the time period, much of the Gus Van Sant project was filmed in San Francisco. And the faded colorization in which the movie was shot looks just like archived '70s documentary footage, making what you're seeing appear that much more authentic. Other stars include Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin, Diego Luna and James Franco.
Grade: B+
Also expected to be released on this date: Four Christmases, Australia, Transporter 3
Fast & Furious – Opens June 5, 2009
The Fast and the Furious film series has gotten to be one of those franchises that is surprisingly still around (or just managing to get by, I'm not sure which). Can you believe we're getting a fourth installment of this schlock? Even better, it's titled Fast & Furious. If you're keeping score at home, that's the same name used three movies ago, but with a few unnecessary articles deleted. Clearly the Universal people have run out of ideas.
The movie's trailer plays more like an extended teaser, and understandably so as this one doesn't premiere in theaters until next summer. In it, a gasoline land train (think semi-trailer truck, but much longer) tips over, nicely explodes and not much else. Oh, original stars Paul Walker, Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez also show their pretty faces to prove they're in the film. Ask me if I care.
Grade: D
Also expected to be released on this date: None