October 2009

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October is here! The major festivals are behind us and now we really are in the thick of Oscar season. There are tons of titles out this month (though, sadly, no Shutter Island) that have me on the edge of my seat in anticipation.
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Tomorrow the Coen Brothers have A Serious Man, a film lauded by just about everyone in Toronto. At the very least we'll be looking for an Original Screenplay nomination, possibly more. You never know with those 10 Best Picture slots up for grabs. Drew Barrymore's Whip It, another film that got some love at Toronto, is out tomorrow too. This is one I will definitly be catching, even though I think it's safe to say it won't be getting much Oscar attention.
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I also have some interest in the Ricky Gervais movie The Invention of Lying, and Zombieland, the zombie-comedy starring Woody Harrelson.
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The most exciting release of tomorrow, for me anyway, is the Toy Story/Toy Story 2 double feature in 3D. It's only in theaters for two weeks, so get your tickets while you can!
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Next week will see the limited release of An Education, the film I've been beyond excited about since it stole the hearts of audiences at Sundance back in January. I don't happen to live in an area where limited releases are accessible, so I'll probably be making a four-hour drive to see this movie on opening day. Not kidding.
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The 16th brings Where the Wild Things Are, Spike Jonze's film adaptation of the classic children's book by Maurice Sendak. This is probably the biggest fanboy title apart from Avatar, and will likely draw lots of families to the theater. I'm expecting this to be October's moneymaker.
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Amelia and Antichrist hit theaters on the 23rd. Both have been buzzy projects this year. Amelia hasn't been seen yet, so we don't really know how much of a player it will be this awards season, but I'm hoping Hilary Swank will hit yet another performance out of the park and land her third Academy Award nomination this year. I'm a sucker for a biopic, just like every member of AMPAS. Antichrist will likely be too controversial to garner much acclaim from the largely-conservative Academy, though.
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Lots of contenders to keep an eye on this month! This is the best time of the year to visit the cinemas. What are your must-sees this month, and what are you planning to skip??

Poll: Besides the Toy Story movies, which Pixar film would you most like to see get a 3D theatrical re-release?

If there are movies worthy of a second viewing on the big screen, Pixar's collection is certainly among them. With this Friday's release of the Toy Story double feature in 3D, I'm wondering which other films in the Pixar cannon you think are worthy of a theatrical re-release. Pixar is known for using 3D as a device to service the story, and not just a cheap gimmick. Let me know which one you'd line up to see in the sidebar poll.

(NOTE: Up is excluded, as it's the only one presented in 3D at the time of its original release earlier this year).

(POLL RESULTS: Last week we talked about Matt Damon and his best performances. It was a tie. His performances as Jason Bourne from the Bourne franchise and Mark Whitacre in The Informant! both drew 37% of the vote, while his turn as the title character in Good Will Hunting took third with 25%. Thanks for voting!)

The Toys Are Back To Make Bank

I have to say, one of the most genius marketing strategies I've seen this year is the 3D re-release of Toy Story and Toy Story 2.

We all know that Pixar has some smart folks behind the desks, but this has to be the smartest move I've seen from them yet. Sure, 3D is all the rage right now, the Toy Story flicks are classics and definitely deserving of another watch on the big screen, but make no mistake, this was a financial decision.

While a lot of adults appreciate Pixar's films, animation is still seen as a family-friendly medium and kids love cartoons. A kids-appropriate movie in the summertime is a bonafide hit, typically, and there's not much in Pixar's history to suggest that Toy Story 3 would be any different.

EXCEPT: Toy Story 3 hits theaters June 18, 2010, more than a decade after the largely successful second film and 15 years behind the original. Today's kids weren't around to experience that magical introduction to Pixar and its greatest characters, Woody and Buzz Lightyear. Not that they haven't caught the films on video a few times, but they're probably more likely to have a connection to Shrek or the gang from Ice Age.

But this Friday, Toy Story and Toy Story 2 will be released in a 3D double feature, and after Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs had two very successful weekends in a row, it may be the only family film tots and toddlers haven't seen yet. It's a brilliant move. Not only will it make HUGE dollars from nostalgic moviegoers and the family film market, but it's ushering in a whole new generation of fans who will be begging their parents to take them to the third film next summer. And it's a perfect opportunity to put the franchise back on everyone else's minds before next June.

Disney and Pixar marketing execs should throw themselves a huge party for thinking this one up. They certainly aren't taking any chances with Pixar's perfect record.