This September might not be the cinematic wasteland we’ve come to expect.
September usually bridges the gap between the summer blockbusters and serious Fall movies. That means you’re left with action films that can’t compete with the likes of “Transformers” and “The Dark Knight,” and dramas without a flicker of Oscar heat.
This September looks different, so much so that it could change the landscape for Septembers to come.
This week alone we’re getting “Contagion” and “Warrior,” films which would fit nicely in more competitive movie months. The former features an A-list jamboree including Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet, Marion Cotillard and Jude Law in a tale of a bird virus gone amok. And the latter, the best chance at bringing the sport of Mixed Martial Arts to the masses, could be a smash if studio enthusiasm is any indicator. Critics have been given multiple screenings of the film already – a very good sign – and audiences got a peek at the movie yesterday.
I’ve seen “Warrior,” and while I’m bursting to talk about it embargo rules prevent me from doing so.
Consider my emotions mixed on “Straw Dogs,” the remake of the brilliant 1971 treatise on violence. But “Moneyball,” the Brad Pitt vehicle based on the new math developed by the Oakland A’s baseball brain trust, could hit for average at the box office.
The month’s best bet might be “Machine Gun Preacher,” the Gerard Butler film based on a real-life hero who used his bullets and brawn to save innocents in East Africa.
Sure, the month also delivers “Bucky Larson: Born to be a Star” featuring comedy killer Nick Swardson, as well as “I Don’t Know How She Does It” starring Sarah Jessica Parker in her latest attempt to stretch beyond Carrie Bradshaw.
But the month offers more than enough hope to shatter the notion that September is the best time to renew your library card. And, if the films in question deliver both quality content and box office buzz, perhaps future Septembers will be back in play for serious entertainment.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Warrior is such a great flick … damn embargoes!
I want to see Warrior as well, since it shows a good portrayl of an Iraq War veteren which means most of Hollywood and a lot of the fan boy liberal blog sites will hate it.
The only movie mentioned that interests me is “Moneyball”. I love sports and I’m a sucker for any movie about baseball.
I’m actually looking forward to Drive with Ryan Gosling. Everything else just seems boring for some reason. Bucky Larson? Ok he’s pretty fun but the trailer looks pretty bad so I’m not sure. Contagion? I’m really not into these kind of disaster, end of the world types of films even though it’s got an excellent cast. Not my cup of tea. So September doesn’t seem that impressive to me unfortunately!