FOLIO LINE FOLIO LINE M c C l a t c h y - Tr i b u n e

An all-access guide to
the fall movie season
By Laremy Legel
Film.com
Fall is the most dynamic season of
the entertainment calendar, with stu-
dios attempting to wring every last
drop out of the box office while
actively politicking for awards nom-
inations. Luckily, not every film is a
gut-wrenching drama, and the next
three months also feature a sprinkling
of comedy to get you through the
rainy days.
Here are 25 films to be aware of as
the leaves change color, broken out
by potential box office hits, welcome
comic relief, the dreaded “potential
disaster” and, finally, Academy Award
contenders.
I L L U S T R AT I O N S B Y E R I C G O O DW I N / M C T For more fall movie picks, news and reviews,
visit Film.com.

PROJECTED PROJECTED
BOX OFFICE HIT BOX OFFICE HIT
■ “The Town” (Sept. 17): Ben ■ “Unstoppable”
Affleck’s second directorial effort looks (Nov. 12): Denzel
like a treat; shades of the modern bank- Washington and
robbing classic “Heat” abound. The film Chris Pine star in a
also features the wildly underrated film by Tony Scott
Rebecca Hall, unsung hero of “Vicky PA R A M O U N T P I C T U R E S
(“Man on Fire”) D I S N E Y E N T E R P R I S E S , I N C.
Cristina Barcelona.” about an unstoppable
“Paranormal Activity 2” premieres Jeff Bridges stars in sci-fi sequel
■ “Wall Street: Money Never train. That reads like Denzel
in theaters Oct. 22. “Tron: Legacy.”
Sleeps” (Sept. 24): Oliver Stone’s fol- a recipe for box Washington
low up on Gordon Gekko closed the office success!
PROJECTED PROJECTED
Cannes Film Festival to largely positive ■ “Harry Potter and the Deathly
BOX OFFICE HIT Hallows: Part One” (Nov. 19): The BOX OFFICE HIT
reviews. But will audiences want any-
thing to do with a movie about the econ- ■ “Paranormal Activity 2” (Oct. “Potter” franchise is getting darker as it ■ “Tron: Legacy” (Dec. 17): The
omy? 22): The last one cleared nearly $200 nears the finish line, but audiences of all momentum for the “Tron” sequel has
million on a pauper’s budget. Even half ages should make this the most success- been building for three years. Look for
COMIC that take will work for Paramount ful film of the year. audiences to flock to the original CGI
RELIEF Pictures this time around. concept.
COMIC
■ “Easy A” (Sept. 17): Emma Stone COMIC COMIC
RELIEF
(“Zombieland”) has long been poised for RELIEF RELIEF
a breakout role. It looks like this high
school twist on Hawthorne’s “Scarlet ■ “Red” (Oct. 15): Bruce Willis, ■ “How Do You Know” (Dec. 17):
Letter” will be the film that pushes her Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich and Comedy all-stars Paul Rudd, Reese
over the top. Helen Mirren star as former C.I.A. Witherspoon and Owen Wilson team up
agents on the run. Did we mention for this December laugher. The bonus?
Mirren fires a machine gun? Jack Nicholson!
POTENTIAL POTENTIAL
DISASTER DISASTER
■ “Saw 3D” (Oct. 29): It’s a race to WA R N E R B R O S . E N T E RTA I N M E N T ■ “Little Fockers” (Dec. 22): The
see which phenomenon audiences are Robert Downey Jr. and Zach “Fockers” franchise enters its “Three
more tired of: The “Saw” franchise or Galifianakis star in “Due Date.” Men and a Little Lady” phase.
SCREEN GEMS
overpriced 3-D movies.
■ “Due Date” (Nov. 5): If trailers ACADEMY AWARD
Emma Stone stars in the high ACADEMY AWARD CONTENDERS
count for anything, then we’re in for a
school comedy “Easy A.” CONTENDERS treat when Robert Downey Jr. and Zach ■ “Black Swan” (Dec. 1): Darren
POTENTIAL ■ “The Social Network” (Oct. 1): Galifianakis team up for a new spin on Aronofsky (“The Wrestler”) brings
DISASTER Skeptics initially thought “a drama about the classic road trip movie. Natalie Portman to the big screen in a
the creation of Facebook?” And then the reimagining of “Swan Lake.” Or perhaps
■ “Devil” (Sept. 17): The first trailer trailer was released. Now everyone the film is the story of the musical
noted the story was written by M. Night POTENTIAL
wants to “like” it. DISASTER “Swan Lake” as Portman plays a balleri-
Shyamalan. Then they cut Shyamalan’s na. Whatever the case, you can expect
name out of the marketing completely. ■ “Burlesque” (Nov. 24): Speaking plenty of hardware to head this direction
Neither move is a good sign. of trailers, this might be the worst effort come late February.
released this year. The old adage is “If
ACADEMY AWARD ■ “The Fighter”
they couldn’t find any decent footage to
CONTENDERS (Dec. 10): David O.
show in the trailer, how do you think the
Russell (“Three
■ “Catfish” (Sept. 17): One thing is movie will turn out?”
Kings”) directs
clear: the Academy Award winner for Christian Bale and
Best Documentary is likely to come from ACADEMY AWARD
COLUMBIA PICTURES Mark Wahlberg in a
September. Will it be “Catfish,” a tale of CONTENDERS
“The Social Network” stars Justin boxing movie. Given
lies, impersonation and hurt feelings? Timberlake and Jesse Eisenberg. ■ “127 Hours” (Nov. 5): Danny the release date, it’s
■ “Waiting for ‘Superman’” (Sept. Boyle, only one year removed from his “Raging Bull” all over Christian
24): Or perhaps Best Documentary will ■ “Nowhere Boy” (Oct. 8): If you’re Best Director run, returns with this again. Early buzz has Bale
go to this true life story of the failings of looking for dramatic fodder, you could “based on real events” tale of a trapped Bale as a frontrunner in the supporting
the education system. do far worse than the life and times of hiker. Reviews out of the festival circuit actor category.
■ “Howl” (Sept. 24): Audiences will John Lennon. have been largely positive. ■ “True Grit” (Dec. 22): This is a
be wowed by James Franco’s take on ■ “Secretariat” (Oct. 8): If there’s ■ “Love and Other Drugs” (Nov. remake of the 1969 classic that starred
beat poet Allen Ginsberg. Uniquely, the one thing The Academy loves, it is tales 24): Anne Hathaway is looking for her John Wayne. The Coen Brothers are
film is a hybrid animation/courtroom of inspiring animals. Look for this to second nomination for this Edward directing, and Jeff Bridges is attempting
drama, difficult to define much like the capture a few of the Oscars that eluded Zwick (“Blood Diamond”) dramedy that to fill John Wayne’s shoes. It doesn’t get
poetry of Ginsberg himself. “Seabiscuit.” also stars Jake Gyllenhaal. more Academy than that.

her share of both edgy (“V for James Franco: He has a in the summer, but Duvall’s seventh
Vendetta”) and commercial harrowing tale of survival (“127 Academy Award nomination (and second
(“Star Wars: Episodes 1, 2 and Hours”) and a harrowing tale of win) is too juicy a story to pass up. Look
3”) work. This fall she’s found beating censorship (“Howl”). This for Duvall to give a lovely acceptance
the perfect director for critical is the season where people realize speech at the tender age of 80. And if you
accolades: Darren Aronofsky. His Franco isn’t just a comic actor, haven’t seen “Get Low” it may be time to
last film, “The Wrestler,” gained though his time on “Freaks and put that on the calendar.
Natalie Portman: “The Professional,” nominations for Mickey Rourke Geeks” and guest appearances Anne Hathaway: Like Portman, she’s
“Heat” and “Beautiful Girls” cemented and Marisa Tomei. The major on “30 Rock” show he’s also paid her dues in comedy (“Get Smart”)
Portman’s place in our pop culture con- difference this year? Portman gifted in that department. while still taking on challenging roles
sciousness when she was just a teenager. will win it. Robert Duvall: We’re (“Brokeback Mountain”). She’s also
She picked up an Academy Award nomina- cheating slightly here already received a nomination for “Rachel
tion for “Closer” and pulled at our heart- Natalie Portman because “Get Low” Getting Married,” so Academy voters will
L E O N A R D O RT I Z / O R A N G E
strings with “Garden State.” She’s taken on COUNTY REGISTER/MCT received a limited release be familiar with her work.

FALL MOVIES 2010

MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE