THE AMERICAN
Starring: George Clooney, Violante Placido, Anton Corbijn, Bruce Altman,
Irina Bjorklund, Thekla Reuten
Irina Bjorklund, Thekla Reuten
Directed by Anton Corbijn for distribution by Focus Features.
The Plot: A master craftsman among assassins , Jack (Clooney) gets shaken up following a hit that doesn’t go as planned. Deciding to get out while he’s ahead, he agrees to one last hit which sees him jettisoned to the Italian countryside. While waiting to carry out his last job, Jack finds himself drawn to the peaceful and quiet town. Although his surprising friendship to a local priest (Paolo Bonacelli) and continued attraction to a local woman (Reuten), may have him tempting fate.
The Final Word: We all know George Clooney is one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood, although this is clearly not film being made just for profit. Every actor looks to challenge themselves and take on different types of roles, which has to be the appeal for Clooney. With a director who cut his teeth on music videos and a supporting cast comprised non-USA established actors, this is arthouse cinema at its core.
MACHETE
Starring: Danny Trejo, Jessica Alba, Robert DeNiro, Michelle Rodriguez, Lindsay Lohan
Cheech Marin, Jeff Fahey, Don Johnson, Steven Segal
Directed by Robert Rodriguez, Ethan Maniquis for distribution by 20th Century Fox
Cheech Marin, Jeff Fahey, Don Johnson, Steven Segal
Directed by Robert Rodriguez, Ethan Maniquis for distribution by 20th Century Fox
The Plot: A betrayed ex-Federale (Trejo) seeks revenge against those who betrayed him.
The Final Word: When Robert Rodriguez released Grindhouse back in 2007, the character of Machete was introduced during a fake trailer that ran with the film. Nobody had any idea that it would actually be the part of the movie that garnered the strongest reaction from the bloody “double-feature.” So Rodriguez, who is perhaps one of the smartest filmmakers out there, developed a full movie based around the character and re-assembled some of his usual suspects to appear in it. While Fox is obviously hoping to re-create the success Dimension had with Rodriguez and his 2005 hit “Sin City,” I think they’d settle for a few steps above the poor returns Grindhouse pulled in. With cult appeal and a Labor Day weekend date, that goal seems very likely.
GOING THE DISTANCE
Starring: Drew Barrymore, Justin Long, Jason Sudeikis, Jim Gaffigan, Christina Applegate
Directed by Nanette Burstein for distribution by New Line Cinema (Warner Bros.)
The Plot: A summer fling results in meaningful romance for a couple (Barrymore & Long) living in NYC, but when the season ends and their jobs force them into a long distance relationship, problems ensue.
The Final Word: It isn’t just a on again/off again romance that Justin Long and Drew Barrymore share as the two have found their careers to be streaky as well. It isn’t easy to predict how a movie with either of these stars will do nowadays, but at least this one looks somewhat promising.
Previewed next week: Resident Evil: Afterlife 3D
Previewed next week: Resident Evil: Afterlife 3D
