Payne's picks: The best of fall cinema
Sarah Payne
Issue date: 9/23/09 Section: Entertainment
9/23/09 - It's that time of year again. And while Fall does mean back to the books, it also means tons of seasonal treats: leaves changing, pumpkin spice lattes, apple picking and fall movies.
Movie fanatics luck out because most of the critically acclaimed movies make their debut now- just in time for the Academy Awards in February. Here are a few from each genre that I've got on my countdown:
"A Serious Man" (Oct. 2) - Directed by the Coen Brothers, "A Serious Man" is scheduled for a limited release. Hopefully the Avon Cinema in Providence picks up this movie. Since I saw "No Country for Old Men" and "Fargo" this past year, I can't get enough of the Coen brothers. The preview doesn't give much away, only repeating certain phrases and scenes from the film in a way that makes me think the main character is neurotic (in true Coen brothers style).
"Couples Retreat" (Oct. 9) - I'm usually pretty picky when it comes to comedies, but this one seems like it could be really funny. Four floundering couples sign up for an intensive couples retreat in the tropics. The preview echoes similar humor to "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" - in fact, Kristen Bell stars in both movies. The cast will make this movie. Vince Vaughn plays his usual self, but I don't think anyone will complain about that.
"The Stepfather" (Oct. 16) - This one's a re-make of a 1987 movie known as one of the scariest movies of all time. Penn Badgley from "Gossip Girl" comes home from college to find his mom with a new man who's got some bloody secrets. I can't explain why I want to see it. All I know is that the preview totally freaked me out. It's the perfect movie to see for Halloween.
"Where the Wild Things Are" (Oct. 16) - Remember reading the book as a kid? This October you get to see it played out as a movie. I've had the preview on repeat for the past couple months, which also got me hooked on Arcade Fire's song "Wake Up" that plays in the background. Anticipate a sweet message about the power of imagination and expect some amazing cinematography, courtesy of Spike Jonze and company.
"New York, I Love You" (Oct. 16) - The girl in me (and the movie fanatic) is super excited about this one. It's kind of like "Love, Actually," only set in New York. There are too many great actors to count: Natalie Portman, Orlando Bloom, Shia LaBeouf, Bradley Cooper, etc. Multiple, interconnected storylines will either work to bring out common themes or seem completely contrived.
"New Moon" (Nov. 20) - I know most people will either cringe or jump for joy that this one's on the list. The truth is, I have a love/hate relationship with the "Twilight" series. I saw "Twilight" last fall and laughed through most of the movie and even gave the book a try this summer. Though I poke fun at Kristen Stewart's awful acting, I can't help but be drawn to this dramatic teenage love story.
Movie fanatics luck out because most of the critically acclaimed movies make their debut now- just in time for the Academy Awards in February. Here are a few from each genre that I've got on my countdown:
"A Serious Man" (Oct. 2) - Directed by the Coen Brothers, "A Serious Man" is scheduled for a limited release. Hopefully the Avon Cinema in Providence picks up this movie. Since I saw "No Country for Old Men" and "Fargo" this past year, I can't get enough of the Coen brothers. The preview doesn't give much away, only repeating certain phrases and scenes from the film in a way that makes me think the main character is neurotic (in true Coen brothers style).
"Couples Retreat" (Oct. 9) - I'm usually pretty picky when it comes to comedies, but this one seems like it could be really funny. Four floundering couples sign up for an intensive couples retreat in the tropics. The preview echoes similar humor to "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" - in fact, Kristen Bell stars in both movies. The cast will make this movie. Vince Vaughn plays his usual self, but I don't think anyone will complain about that.
"The Stepfather" (Oct. 16) - This one's a re-make of a 1987 movie known as one of the scariest movies of all time. Penn Badgley from "Gossip Girl" comes home from college to find his mom with a new man who's got some bloody secrets. I can't explain why I want to see it. All I know is that the preview totally freaked me out. It's the perfect movie to see for Halloween.
"Where the Wild Things Are" (Oct. 16) - Remember reading the book as a kid? This October you get to see it played out as a movie. I've had the preview on repeat for the past couple months, which also got me hooked on Arcade Fire's song "Wake Up" that plays in the background. Anticipate a sweet message about the power of imagination and expect some amazing cinematography, courtesy of Spike Jonze and company.
"New York, I Love You" (Oct. 16) - The girl in me (and the movie fanatic) is super excited about this one. It's kind of like "Love, Actually," only set in New York. There are too many great actors to count: Natalie Portman, Orlando Bloom, Shia LaBeouf, Bradley Cooper, etc. Multiple, interconnected storylines will either work to bring out common themes or seem completely contrived.
"New Moon" (Nov. 20) - I know most people will either cringe or jump for joy that this one's on the list. The truth is, I have a love/hate relationship with the "Twilight" series. I saw "Twilight" last fall and laughed through most of the movie and even gave the book a try this summer. Though I poke fun at Kristen Stewart's awful acting, I can't help but be drawn to this dramatic teenage love story.
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