Hollywood Releases Preview – September, 2011

by HELEN GEIB

The vastly improved multiplex forecast can almost reconcile me to the coming of Fall. Five weekends, five movies I actually look forward to seeing. What looks good to you?

Jump to the end for the full releases list (title links lead to the IMDb pages).

The Debt

This thriller, a remake of a 2007 Israeli film, finally hits theaters after languishing in distribution limbo since last year. It’s reputed to have lots of twists and plenty of drama, and definitely stars Helen Mirren, Tom Wilkinson, and Ciaran Hinds as Mossad agents confronted by the ghosts of a 30 year old mission. It was directed by John Madden (Shakespeare in Love, Proof).

Warrior

Technically the fighting is mixed martial arts, but a boxing drama by any other name is still a boxing drama. Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton are combative brothers and Nick Nolte their recovering alcoholic dad and coach. Director Gavin O’Connor proved his mettle with sports dramas with Miracle.

Drive

Ryan Gosling plays a Hollywood stunt driver who moonlights as a getaway driver. His beautiful new neighbor (Carey Mulligan) and her son are his gateway to a job gone wrong and a different kind of getaway. Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn (writer-director of Bronson, Valhalla Rising).

Moneyball

I like baseball movies. This one stars Brad Pitt in the based-on-fact story of the Oakland A’s game-changing (pardon the pun) analytical player selection strategy. Sounds like dry stuff? It looks anything but in the trailer.

Killer Elite

It’s a sad state of affairs when Jason Statham receives top billing over Clive Owen. It’s inexplicable that the marketing department thinks “based on a true story” is a selling point for an action-thriller about feuding hitmen. Regardless, this looks like it could be my kind of movie. Robert De Niro heads the supporting cast.

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Release Schedule:

September 2- Apollo 18, The Debt (on Wed), Shark Night 3D

September 9- Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star, Contagion, Warrior

September 16- Drive, I Don’t Know How She Does It, Straw Dogs

September 23- Abduction, Dolphin Tale, Killer Elite, Moneyball

September 30- 50/50, Dream House, What’s Your Number?