'Don Jon' Strikes Again

Man, Joseph Gordon-Levitt has hit it out of the park. Scarlett Johansson never looked better. And, Tony Danza is in this? With Julianne Moore?

This even has a story with potentially excellent subtext -- the whole 'movies vs. reality' thing. Engaging. Well thought out.

'Don Jon' is cruising. Wow. Must-see.

Sinbad-esque Trailer for 'Seventh Son'

Poster doesn't work but, wow, this trailer does. Reminds me of the Sinbad movies, which I loved as a kid.

Trailer has bite, gets to you. Usually, these fantasy flicks are so much fluff -- I just ignore them -- but 'Seventh Son' resonates with themes everyone can relate to. Editing is tight, love the movement. Action is compelling and CGI looks great. Complete package.

Plus, Jeff Bridges and Julianne Moore...can't complain. I'm there. Take my money (and get a better poster).




















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Smartest Trailer of the Day: Joseph Gordon-Levitt's 'Don Jon'

Everybody looks so good. Scarlett Johansson seems like a different actor -- what flow. Tony Danza, wow. Julianne Moore -- again, so fresh. And Gordon-Levitt...man, the guy has a strong vibe.

Like the best from the indie tradition married to the best stuff studio movies offer.

Total confidence. Makes me want to make movies.
























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'The English Teacher' Trailer

I know what you're thinking. You see the poster and read that title and you say 'pass'. Me too. However, trailer is charming and elegant. Funny without that try-too-hard edge.

Nice. Must-see.





















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'6 Souls' Trailer

Julianne Moore brings it in this trailer. Could be hokey but lots of potential. Way lots.























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"God Won't Help You" Poster for 'Carrie'

A tad cheesy, a tad scary. If it were anyone other than Julianne Moore it would be just plain cheesy. I'm liking how 'Carrie' is looking already. Could be special.























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Early Look at the 'Carrie' Remake

Due March 2013. Directed by Kimberly Peirce (Boys Don't Cry, The L Word). With Chloë Grace Moretz as Carrie and Julianne Moore.

















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Joseph Gordon-Levitt's 'Don Jon's Addiction' Now Shooting

Written, directed by, and starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt. With Scarlett Johansson, Julianne Moore, and Tony Danza. Logline listed as:

• The journey of a contemporary, porn-addicted Don Juan-type as he attempts to become less selfish.

Photo from the production blog.

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New Trailer for 'Crazy, Stupid, Love'

Just when you think you have a movie pegged they roll out a trailer with a whole different vibe that zigs when you expected it to zag.

So far, trailers for 'Crazy, Stupid, Love' have had that wacky sex comedy thing going on and it was working just fine. The movie looked like it was for the average everyday person and pivoted on crude jokes and predictable skits spiked with appropriate raunchiness, one-liners, slapstick-y physical gags, and had a fun kinda dirty pop/dance sorta 80s soundtrack. It seemed to be another Steve Carell summer popcorn vehicle that happened to include indie regulars Julianne Moore and Marisa Tomei for depth and credibility (along with the very solid and very indie Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone). And, icing on the cake, Kevin Bacon.

I was fine with that. The movie looked funny, easy to digest, and we can always use one of those.

In this new trailer, though, the movie plays like a smart observant indie with slow-burn comedic flare and subtly drawn characters that negotiate slice of life situations without missing a beat, and heartfelt performances that aren't out for crude laughs but keep you giggling at bits that feel real and have that 'Oh, yeah, I've been there' feel, featuring an introspective alternative soft-rock soundtrack that you're a little embarrassed to admit you really like. Here, Carell isn't the star carrying the movie but part of an ensemble. Moore, Tomei, Stone, and Gosling (and, icing on the cake, Kevin Bacon) aren't guests in a big summer comedy but at home in a cozy quirky intelligent dramedy (albeit one laced with raunchiness) about love, sex, marriage, and family. It's as funny as the first trailer and, if anything, more appealing.

Which would I rather see? Seems I can have both. I'm there.

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Poster for 'Crazy Stupid Love'

Nice

Trailer for 'Crazy, Stupid, Love.'

With Steve Carell, Julianne Moore, Marisa Tomei, Ryan Gosling, Kevin Bacon, and Emma Stone

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Jerry Bruckheimer and Julianne Moore on Charlie Rose

Jerry Bruckheimer and Julianne Moore with Charlie Rose.

Blindness

I haven't liked this idea too much. Based on a novel by Jose Saramago, the story is pretty intellectual and heavy. (I knew before I checked that this movie was based on a novel) -- not a good sign. This will be a tough sell. Release is in September when audiences are burned out from summer CGI spectacle, but still, it's hard to imagine people will want to see this one.

I do like the poster, though. There is a series of them with the same motif, but Moore's is the most compelling. I'm pretty sure the images used for this series are not stills from the movie but were created specifically for the posters. Hats off to the photographer (sorry I don't know who he/she is). It must be a bit daunting for a still photographer to direct a Hollywood actor.

Here is a trailer:

Children Of Men

Anne Thompson feels that Universal execs have 'already written off' "Children of Men", directed by Alfonso Cuaron and starring Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, and Michael Caine.

Thompson gives us the scoop from the premiere after-party, saying the movie "is a brilliant exercise in style, but it's another grim dystopian look at our future", and industry types in attendance were hinting that the movie is "a downer film that was going to lose money".

Hard to argue. The clips I've seen promise an intellectually engaging story, but one that's way out of place as a Christmas release, and way too expensive at a reported $70-90 million. Remember Spielberg's "Munich" from last year? It was a very heavy story, opened at X-mas and totally tanked at the box office -- and Cuaron and "Children of Men" are certainly lower profile than Spielberg and "Munich".

I don't know where all that money went (it's not apparent how they could have spent that much), and think the release date needs to be bumped -- but will buy this one on disc ASAP. The P.D. James book goes on my list, too (something tells me this story is better read than watched, anyway).

Here is an excerpt of Anne's rundown:

But what made the movie so frigging expensive? Clive Owen, Julianne Moore and Michael Caine don't cost so much. It's shot with amazing hand-held cameras and boasts some astonishing long action takes that took days to set up. The filmmakers shut down sections of London to shoot some of the street scenes. There are extras and tanks and pyrotechnics and enormous sets. It's still hard to imagine how the studio could justify spending so much on this movie. But in the long run, they could eke out some coin if this movie lasts in the culture the way Blade Runner or The Road Warrior did.

Well, if she says 'frigging', you know she's upset. I don't blame her. This movie could have been made for, say, 25% of the money they spent. Adjust the budget, release in February, and you might have a successful outing. If "Children of Men" gets the shit kicked out of it at the box office it certainly won't do smart/risky films any good. Now, I'm cussing... Oh, well. At least it'll be a fun disc to watch. Did I say fun? I meant...intellectually engaging.

Anne Thompson's complete rundown