With the summer blockbusters essentially over for the year, it is time to look for interesting, possibly smaller films to fill my movie-going needs. Of course Lady in the Water is this weekend and although I’m really looking forward to it I’m not sure I’d classify it as a blockbuster. Here are a few other films that look to be interesting:

We saw the trailer for The Science of Sleep at the preview of A Scanner Darkly last week. It appears to be a quirky, independent film from the makers of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, a film that I thoroughly enjoyed. The Science of Sleep looks to have some fantastic dream sequences that mimic the equally amazing mind sequences of Eternal Sunshine. This one is slated for September 15th release. Trailer here.

The Illusionist is a film that I came across while watching movie trailers. With its phenomenal cast (Paul Giamatti, Edward Norton, Jessica Biel, and Rufus Sewell) and the slightly eerie feel of the trailer it is a film that I am anticipating seeing in the theatre. The Illusionist is from the film makers who brought Sideways and Crash to the big screen so hopefully they will continue with their run of well written films. You can click on the site here and the trailer will start automatically.

Only two more days to the weekend (and Lady in the Water!) and possibly only one more day of 100+ temperatures…for now. Never thought I would look forward to a 90 degree day!

On this humpday I bring you movies past and future. This past Friday I ended up being fortunate enough to attend Buffy/Firefly creator Joss Whedon’s birthday party. Of a sort, that is. Theatres worldwide screened Serenity to raise money for Joss’ favorite charity Equality Now. Mary, Tori and I joined Mary’s brother John and his son Josh in a theatre in Kansas City that I did not know existed: Screenland. It is a very cool retro facility that is used as a meeting center and also to show first run independent movies as well as older films. Halfway back in this 150 seat theatre are soft, comfy red leather recliners. We were among the early Browncoats and were thus able to enjoy the film in lavish comfort. It is a really cool theatre that, on the first friday of every month, shows “classic” 80’s films. The next one is Princess Bride which was the first date movie that we attended.

We had just recently watched Firefly with Tori and it was great that her first viewing of Serenity was not only on the big screen but also in the presence of 150 true Browncoats. The audience cheered and clapped and laughed uproariously. It stands as one of the best movie audiences I have ever been it.

It was a fun night and a welcome escape from reality for awhile. The theatre manager mentioned that they might do a full day Firefly marathon there soon. I’ll be keeping my eyes open for that.

As if I am not excited enough about Pirates and Lady in the Water coming up next month, the just released the teaser trailer for Spiderman 3 and it looks to be an awesome film. I wonder if, like Star Wars Ep. III, if this one will be too dark for the kiddies. This trailer is debuting this weekend with Superman Returns, but I couldn’t wait to watch it and share it…enjoy.

Enjoy Wednesday everyone, we can make it.

Yesterday saw the DVD release of two very entertaining movies that are sure to be a good prescription for this past Monday’s new health plan:

This rerelease director’s cut of the film cashes in on the whole sexy factor of the two stars by calling itself an “unrated” version. I have seen nothing in reviews to indicate that ‘unrated’ translates into ‘nudity’ which is of course the first thing that springs to mind. This movie had such a great sense of humor running through it that I see the giant ‘unrated’ title as a great tongue-in-cheek piece of advertising that will get people to buy it just to see what is on it.

The two disk set includes the new cut of the film that runs 14 minutes longer, and:

Feature-Length Commentary By The Director
Deleted Scenes Including An Alternate Ending
Doug’s Film School Sequence
Breakdowns With The Director, Including Animatics, Storyboards And A Major Action Sequence Not Included In The Film
Confidential Files Featuring Secret Footage
Behind The Scenes Documentary
Shooting School Combat Training Featurette
Photo Gallery And More

Mr. and Mrs. Smith was a black comedy that I really enjoyed (my review here) and I look forward to seeing what this extended version has to offer.

The second DVD release that I am excited about is:

I was pleased with the second film of this (supposed) trilogy (review here) and have looked forward to its DVD release since the moment I walked out of the theatre. Great fun, and Kate Beckinsale to boot! This is a bare-bones release with only a few extra features and most likely an unrated extended cut will find its way to store shelves in the near future as did the first movie. If you enjoyed the first film at all you will enjoy this one.
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Speaking of DVD’s and men’s health I borrowed Jeff’s copy of Sin City, the recut, extended, unrated version and am amazed with this film all over again (my review here).

This is a special edition DVD set done right. It contains both the theatrical release of the movie and the extended cut. The behind the scenes featurettes are terrific and watching these alone makes me believe that eventhough this isn’t my favorite comic book movie it is indeed the best comic book movie ever made. No comic book film thus far has translated the look, feel, story, etc. into the film format like Sin City has. And as someone who has been frustrated by great comics turned into crappy movies (LXG anyone?) I can really appreciate that. I haven’t been able to view the extended cut yet but the extras on the two disk set are really terrific. There is alot of fun stuff for DVD geeks on this one. You can actually watch the entire film in a green screen version without the special effects thrown in.

Well, that’s all the doctor has time for today. Get out there, get healthy, and do your part to keep the entertainment industry alive and well.

As first reported (to me) on Sci Fi Chick’s site, the X-Men 3 teaser trailer went up online today. You can view it by traveling to the official movie site here or click here for a link directly to the trailer. From what little you see it looks to be pretty fantastic. They are supposed to debut this on the big screen during King Kong when it comes out next week and I look forward to seeing it there as well.

The Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest teaser trailer can be seen here. It looks every bit as fun as the first one.

It is not too early to start getting excited about next year’s spring and summer blockbusters!!!

There’s some great stuff coming out at your local movie house this season and I thought I’d post a few trailer links just to whet some movie-lover appetites (release dates are subject to change):

Zathura opens November 11th and is an outer space version of Jumanji that just looks fantastic. It looks to be a great movie for the family and for the science fiction geek as well…I mean what sci fi geek hasn’t dreamt of suddenly being in outer space. I hope it lives up to its hype as it looks to be great fun. Trailer here.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire opens November 18th. I must profess that I have not read any of the HP books and have only seen one of the movies…the second installment I believe…and thus have not been caught up in the HP phenomenon. I am thankful, however, for the impact J.K. Rowling has had on bringing children back to reading. Despite not seeing the other films I have to say that this film looks incredible. The kids are more grown up which appeals to me and the film looks to be more adventure laden on the lines of films like LOTR. I wouldn’t mind seeing this one and though one might be slightly lost on minute details without having an introduction to the universe this film looks to me like it was made to stand alone and attract first time viewers. This film will no doubt be a fall blockbuster. Trailer here.

The Ice Harvest opens November 23rd. This isn’t a movie I plan to see in the theatres but it is one I’m interested in for a number of reasons, the strongest being that it is a John Cusak film. I became a Cusak fan in college and have rarely been disappointed by his work. This film looks to be a black comedy along the lines of Grosse Point Blank and has the added fun of being set in Wichita and Kansas City. Its from the guy who made Groundhog Day and Analyze This so it has the potential of being quite entertaining. Trailer here.

Rent opens November 23rd and is the movie adaptation of the hit Broadway musical of the same name. I have not seen the musical and know nothing about it but as a fan of musicals I’d really like to see this one. The trailer looks really good (I recommend trailer 1 for quality) and I really like the song they feature in it. Looks interesting.

Aeon Flux opens December 2nd and is the movie adaptation of the bizarre MTV animated series. I haven’t seen the series but I’m really looking forward to this movie. Looks like a great blend of science fiction and action with a hot chick (Charlize Theron) doing some major butt-kicking…what more could a sci fi geek want? Opening the main site in the above link will start the trailer automatically.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe opens December 9th. With the end of Peter Jackson’s epic Lord of the Rings series I had been lamenting the fact that Christmas would not be bringing a similar quality of movie…until I heard about the Narnia film. While I don’t expect it to occupy the same place in my affections I do think it looks to be a fantastic film based on a wonderful piece of classic children’s literature. The trailer page is here and I recommend watching the newest trailer, trailer 2, as it is incredible! I can’t wait to see this one.

King Kong opens December 14th. Since PJ’s dominating hold over the box office for the past several years who hasn’t been looking forward to his next big film? I remember seeing both versions of King Kong as a child but have little remembrance of either and I’ve been psyched about this ever since the trailer first hit theatres. It looks incredible and I hope it is the blockbuster everyone expects it to be. Not wanting to wait to begin cashing in on his masterpiece Peter Jackson is releasing a DVD extravaganza called the Production Diaries loaded with extra geek appealing items. Check it out here (scroll to bottom of page). I can’t wait to see dinosaurs and a big monkey on the big screen!!!

The Producers opens December 16th. Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane reprise their roles of the hit Broadway musical of the same name. I really enjoy both of these stars and, again, I love musicals so this is a must see. I saw Matthew Broderick in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying on Broadway several years ago and he was fantastic and I have no doubt this will be as well. Trailer here.

Mrs. Henderson Presents opens December 23rd. “Set in pre-World War II London, Mrs Henderson Presents tells the remarkable true-life story of one of England’s most prominent and eccentric society figures, Laura Henderson, who founded the historic Windmill Theatre.” I really enjoy Dame Judi Dench and this looks like a fun, entertaining period film. Despite the risque nature of some of the theatrical productions at the Windmill Theatre I would imagine that this will be a mostly tasteful, tongue in cheek reimagining of said shows. This may be another that I don’t catch until it comes on DVD, but it looks enjoyable. Trailer here.

Underworld: Evolution opens January 20th, 2006. The first one was terrific vampire/werewolf goodness and the sequel promises to be just as cool. The website is still pretty barebones but there is a link to the trailer here.

Well, that’s all for now. I’ll soon be applying for loans so I can afford to see all the movies I want to see this season.