The pReview Re-viewing Appe-Teasers!
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by Jeff Finck
written: 9/14/2011
It's Wednesday! Time for my 2 cents about the Friday releases this week. Let's see, we have a remake starring Cyclops.. what might as well be a Sex and the City prequel.. a quirky indie drama by Gus Van Sant.. a revisit to the "going back to high school" romp.. and a German drama about dramatic serendipity.
First up: Straw Dogs! I am very interested! Yes, I realize it's a remake.. and I know that I'm not always the voice of positivity when it comes to regurgitation. And when I saw this was coming out, I was highly skeptical for the following reasons: First, it was a remake. Second, the original Straw Dogs was so brutal, that I just don't know how they're going to handle this. Third, it stars the power couple from Superman Returns, James Marsden and Kate Bosworth. Yeah, it's okay.. I got that queasy feeling, too.. and I had to actually *type* that.
After seeing the trailer for this, however, I was actually really impressed. As back-handed a compliment as that sounded, I really am interested in seeing this! I got used to seeing James Marsden being amazing in comedic roles lately (i.e. a cameo on Modern Family, Death At A Funeral (another remake btw), Sex Drive, the only reason to watch 27 Dresses), so it will be interesting to see him tackle something this.. heavy. And I'm not gonna lie, seeing Jimmy Mars slowly lose it, might be as entertaining as watching Nicholson snap in The Shining. Fingers crossed. Kate Bosworth is the more controversial character, though.. she will have to rise to the occasion as she is in the role that was once described by critics as one example of Sam Peckinpah's (the original Straw Dogs' director) debasement of women. If you can handle a remake, some violence, and watching some decent actors go against popular demand for their skills.. check out:
The two star cross'd lovers, of course, fall madly in love (Annabel and Enoch, not Enoch and the Kamikaze pilot.. weird.) and seem to be racing her mortal clock, as Annabel has only months to live. This is a drama, and has been delayed a few times over the past year. It will probably only see limited release in the theater.. but as far as dramas go, this may be worth the trip if you're on a date, or if you just really want to be depressed by yourself. I will probably wait on DVD for this, but it totally seems worth checking out...
In any case, it stars all of those people and is about a guy, who was not well liked back in High School. He writes a book and is promptly asked by the principal to do the commencement speech at his old high school. You know.. the one he wasn't well liked at. In his time back in his old town, he runs into some old friends, makes some new friends, meets a Senior High School girl who becomes obsessed with him, as well as runs back into an old crush. This all looks pretty rehashed and as it is 2 years old, I'm not sure if anyone will give it a fair shake. Unless they're just convinced that new ground can be broken in the lands of Back to School, Never Been Kissed, Under Cover (yeah.. I pulled Under Cover out, what!?), Grosse Point Blank, Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion, Take Me Home Tonight, and many others. New jokes.. maybe not, but here's hoping. Check it if you dare:
Straw Dogs: Total theater experience.. unless you're squeamish.. in which case, you should watch the upcoming Spooky Buddies coming out.
I Don't Know How She Does It: I Don't Know How Someone Will Pay To See This.
Restless: Looks pretty sweet.. but I don't know if I can bring myself to theatricate this. Shut up, auto-correct.. "theatricate" is a word.
Stay Cool: Stay Home.
Three (Drei): I can't relate to the story, and I already generally steer clear of drama in the theater.. but if you like foreign movies, threesomes, or German cinema.. Tom Tykwer is a brilliant director.