ARGO
Starring: Ben Affleck, Alan Arkin, Bryan Cranston
& John Goodman
Directed by Ben Affleck for distribution by Warner
Brothers
The Plot: Using a fake
move as cover, a CIA extraction expert enters into Iran to rescue six Americans
seeking refuge in the home of the Canadian ambassador following the start of
the Iranian hostage crisis.
The Final Word: Fundamentally
“Argo” is a movie about a military operation that is so absurd in nature and
over the top in execution that if it wasn’t based on actual events it probably
would be getting a much chillier reception from audiences and critics. Yet it
is based on actual events and as a result it is being taken seriously (and
rightfully so).
HERE COMES THE BOOM
Starring: Kevin James, Salma Hayek & Henry
Winkler
Directed by Frank Coraci for distribution by
Columbia (Sony)
The Plot: A teacher turns
to mixed martial arts competition to raise money to save the arts program at
his school.
The Final Word: Kevin James had
a major hit with his CBS series “The King Of Queens,” since then he’s a had a
fairly healthy run at the box office. Although James’ comedies seem to get over
better with fans when he’s paired with a fellow comedian and here he’s
shouldering the load mostly solo. “Boom” should do okay, but it won’t be to the
levels frequent co-star Adam Sandler used to command early in his career.
SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS
Starring: Colin Farrell, Christopher Walken, Sam
Rockwell, Woody Harrelson,
Abbie Cornish, Tom Waits, Olga Kurylenko & Zeljko Ivanek
Directed by Martin McDonagh for distribution by CBS
Films
The Plot: A struggling
screenwriter gets entangled in a scheme to kidnap a gangster’s dog.
The Final Word: Read the plot
line again and then tell me your expecting more out of this film than action
and dark humor. CBS Films was designed to make small budget movies with big
name casts and hopefully turn a profit; not sure how much of one this one will
turn, no matter the pedigree of its cast and crew.
SINISTER
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Vincent D'Onofrio,
James Ransone & Fred Dalton Thompson
James Ransone & Fred Dalton Thompson
Directed by Scott
Derrickson for distribution by Summit Entertainment
The Plot: A crime
novelist and his family are plunged into a state of terror following his
discovery of a box of mysterious and disturbing home movies.
The Final Word: It’s October
and this is a horror film. You do the math! “Sinister” came out of nowhere and
has slowly built up buzz which should translate into a solid return.
