All Is (Hopefully) Not Lost

I feel compelled to defend myself against the accusation that I am uninterested in 2007’s remaining releases. While there is certainly no King Kong on the horizon (oh, how I miss those production diaries), there are at least a few upcoming releases have managed to catch my attention for reasons that mostly differ from potential headiness. In the name of proving Chuck wrong (and to hopefully provoke him into finally posting something), I present a non-inclusive (and later-to-be regretted) list of those very titles:

The Bourne Ultimatum

A character that isn’t nearly as popular as his seemingly-unanimous appreciation among movie fans suggests he should be is rounding out his very own trilogy. Paul Greengrass (who directed the second Bourne chapter) is again behind the sure-to-be-shaking camera and Matt Damon is again in front of it, reprising the only role that he’s ever played with any sense of assurance. Give me another cool car chase, a little bit of character-closure, and action smart enough to take in more than once and I’ll be one happy camper.

Superbad

This movie looks stupid from almost every angle, but I’m looking forward to it, anyway. Seth Rogan and Michael Cera are both winners in my book, making the hilarious phone conversation in the red-band trailer merely icing on the cake. I am McLovin’.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

I had forgotten all about this one until its blip on my radar was resuscitated by an unlikely source: Joe Carnahan’s blog. Not even Brad Pitt can quell my anticipation for this one – and, impossibly, I don’t even have a good reason why.

Here’s hoping that’s a not a setup for disappointment.

Across the Universe

If it’s sung by the Beatles, it reminds me of summer. By no stretch of any man’s imagination am I a fan of musicals, but the Beatles will land me front and center every time. That, and Evan Rachel Wood is cute as hell.

I Am Legend

Think Castaway with more back story, less hope, and a cooler car (which is to say: a car, period). Now think Will Smith instead of Tom Hanks, and way less opportunity for Fed Ex to place their product. Now think about all that with an apparent element of horror.

Actually, just watch the trailer.

The Golden Compass

Daniel Craig and Sam Elliot in the same epic fantasy? Only the inclusion of an intense (and CGI-rendered) polar bear could make this one more interesting. (... Check)

The story looks every bit as cool as the presentation, and the roster of fine actors and actresses assembled behind that promise lend the hope of enchantment some solid legitimacy.

That’s right: enchantment.