Tower Heist
Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy join forces for the first time in this action-comedy from Brett Ratner, director of the Rush Hour movies. A timely plot involves employees at an upscale apartment building planning a heist on one of their residents, who stole their money in a Ponzi scheme. Stiller is the leader of the motley crew, Murphy is the professional thief they bring in to help them. Bringing together two comedic geniuses- from two very different classes of comedy- was a great idea, and this film looks like a good addition to both their resumes. An all-star cast includes Matthew Broderick, Alan Alda, Casey Affleck, and Gabourey Sidibe (Precious).
Look for a Ratner/Murphy reunion in February at next year's Academy Awards ceremony: Murphy is hosting the show while Ratner is producing.
J. Edgar
...Hoover. Sorry, it's just- shouldn't the last name be added onto the end of the title? It feels incomplete without it.
Anyway, this is the first real prestige film of the year, a biopic of the famous FBI director who revolutionized the way the government deals with crime. I see Oscars in its future! Leonardo DiCaprio plays the title character over several decades of his life. Topics include his relationship with his right-hand man Clyde Tolson, which sparked many rumors; his clashes with Robert F. Kennedy and several presidents, and his secret private life. Acclaimed director Clint Eastwood helms this epic that Dustin Lance Black (Oscar-winning writer of Milk) wrote. Armie Hammer (The Social Network), Naomi Watts, and Judi Dench co-star.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn- Part 1
I know, I know. I've famously debunked the Twilight movies in the past, so why would I pick the most recent one? So I could make fun of it, of course.
The fourth (and penultimate) film hilariously proves that it's just a Harry Potter-wannabe by going all Deathly Hallows on us and dividing the final book into two movies. (Part 2 is due this time next year.) In this film, the pasty vampire Edward and the clingy human Bella finally get married and have sex, resulting in a pregnancy of a hybrid child that threatens to kill the mother. There's also something about a war between vampires and werewolves, and Taylor Lautner looks all moody while he takes his shirt off. Even fans of the "romance" series didn't like this book; so why prolong the inevitable disappointing conclusion by doubling the films they have to watch? For money, of course. Sure to be a big hit, no matter what critics say.
The Muppets
The title says it all: the Muppets are back! Anyone who grew up watching their movies, or old enough to remember the original show, undoubtedly fell in love with the felt creatures, and has missed them terribly this last decade or so. (Fozzie was always my favorite.) Jason Segel wrote and stars in this franchise reboot, about old fans finding the Muppets gang and convincing them to re-open their theater and start their act again. All the old favorites return, along with some new characters and a slew of celebrity cameos.
Think Segel is a strange choice to bring the Muppets back to the screen? Just remember his infamous Dracula musical sequence- with puppets- from Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Wokka-wokka!Bonus Pick- Christmas!
What says November better than Christmas movies?
It happens every year that the biggest holiday movies open in November (sometimes even in early November), to make room for the big blockbusters that need a Christmas Day release date. There are two good-looking movies starring Santa coming out this month- and wouldn't you know it, one's for kids and one's for adults.
Well, that's it for November. Post additional Picks you may have on my Facebook page!
