TGITDNMAR (8/17/12)

It’s that time again for TGITDNMAR, which (obviously) stands for Thank God It’s The Day New Movies Are Released.

The Expendables 2
You may or may not know this, but I’ve been devouring the Rocky films in the last few weeks in preparation for an upcoming podcast on them (sidenote: believe it or not, I’d only seen #4 prior to this).  Watching them and then thinking of the casts of these Expendables films had me quite curious about yet another action star from the 80s/90s that’s missing: Carl Freaking Weathers!  Where’s Apollo Creed/Action Jackson/Dillon (poorly spelled) when you need him?!?

As far as I can tell, the main reason he didn’t appear and probably won’t be anytime soon is due to a kind of falling out that Weathers and Stallone had over roles/archived footage on Rocky Balboa (in which they cast a look-alike for some flashback scenes, apparently – can’t wait to see those!).  Still, I’m saddened.

Believe it or not (again), but I’ve yet to see the first in this series despite my love for 80s/90s action films, a wrong that I shall be righting in the near future, thanks to Netflix streaming.  Will I do it in time to see 2 in theaters and/or will the first be good enough that I’d even want to see 2 in theaters?  To be continued…

Dylan’s Chance of Viewing (in the theater): 28%

ParaNorman
If you’re like me, there’s a part of you that wants to like this, but you find that there’s just some little thing out there nagging you that you can’t put your finger on (or maybe you can, as the theory I’m about to present isn’t all that complicated).

I’m here to tell you that I know your problem, and it’s name is Tim Burton.  Despite a pretty sweet teaser trailer, I just can’t get the Burton stench away from my nose when it comes to this flick.   The fact is, Burton’s name is nowhere to be found amongst the credits, but it’s made by people involved with Coraline – though not director Henry Selick, who directed a little film that Burton’s constantly given credit for directing, The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Now, granted, Burton’s name wasn’t attached to Coraline one bit at all, either, but I feel like it felt different enough from his works that it didn’t bother me as much then.  Or perhaps that’s because when it was released in 2009, we were in a pre-Alice in Wonderland and -Dark Shadows era of Burtonism.  Whatever.Anyway, ParaNormanfeels like Burton, and as such, I turn up my nose at it.  No offense.

Dylan’s Chance of Viewing (in the theater): 35%

Sparkle
“Hey – it’s been more than a decade since Glitter!  We can put out a flick titled Sparkle, right?”

Although this might turn out to be Heather’s favorite film of 2012, I can’t say that I’ll be joining Jordin Sparks, Whitney Houston and the rest of the gang for some Motown musical.  Hell, if I haven’t cared enough to watch Dreamgirls, why would this have a chance?

Random Awesomeness Casting Note: Amongst the actors appearing all Sparkly is none other than Booger himself, Curtis Armstrong.  Now, I don’t mean to lump all 60s films featuring black musicians into the same category (even though I just did), but I found it pretty funny that this quirky character actor appears in both this and 2004′s Ray (his comeback role!).  Just odd the way Hollywood works sometimes.

Dylan’s Chance of Viewing (in the theater): 2%

The Odd Life of Timothy Green
Speaking of odd…

Being over the age of 12, I won’t pretend that I have much interest in this cutesy family dramedy.  What I do have interest in, however, is star Joel Edgerton.  Mostly, I’m wondering what in the hell he’s doing here?

I suppose a solid argument could be made that a) despite appearing in such films as Revenge of the Sith (briefly), Warrior, and The Thing, he’s still not a “name” in the US at all and, b) appearing in a Disney family film isn’t the worst move an actor can make (provided his name isn’t Eddie Murphy).  But I guess I just want more for the guy, and sooner rather than later?  While his Warrior co-star Tom Hardy is grabbing all the glory and big roles like Bane (we’ll just pretend This Means War never happened, ok?), he’s stuck in this Odd flick?  Ouch.

But let’s not bury the lead: holy crap I love the supporting cast here!!  I might actually have to see this (eventually).  In order or interest for me: David Morse, Ron Livingston, M. Emmett Walsh, Rosemarie DeWitt, Common, James Rebhorn, Dianne Wiest, and Shohreh Aghdashloo all appear, amongst others. Dang!!

Dylan’s Chance of Viewing (in the theater): 5%

LIMITED RELEASE LOOK

I have no thoughts on Cosmopolis, Robot & Frank, Compliance or The Awakening.  Never even heard of all but the first one until today.