Future films (part 2)

By Vives Anunciacion
Inquirer Libre, April 8 2005

Before and after the summer blockbusters, Hollywood comes up with its more flavorful fare, especially towards the –Ber months when the race for the Oscars begins. Here’s some of the more noteworthy films to be released in the US within the year. However, there’s no assurance all of these films will be released here in the Philippines.

Award hopefuls

Eros (Warner Independent Pictures) – Eros is three short films about love and sex. The theme may not sound extraordinary, but the filmmakers are: the first short is directed by Italian master Michelangelo Antonioni, the second is directed by American cinematographer Steven Sodebergh, and the third is by Hong Kong avant-garde Wong Kar Wai. Sounds like an art film fan’s wet dream? Spaniard Pedro Almodovar created sequences that bind the films together. Multiple wet dreams.

Howl’s Moving Castle (Hauru no ugoku shiro) (Toho Company) – based on the novel by Diana Wynne Jones, this Japanese blockbuster anime is directed by the magical Hayao Miyazaki (Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away).

The Constant Gardener (Focus Features) – based on the novel by John Le Carré, it stars Ralph Fiennes and is directed by City of God’s Fernando Meirelles.

Millions (BBC Films/ Fox Searchlight) - two young boys discover a suitcase full of money, but they only have a week to spend it before the United Kingdom switches to the euro. Directed by Trainspotting’s Danny Boyle.

Cinderella Man (Universal Pictures) – sounds like an Oscar movie released in summer (June in the US), this boxing drama stars Russell Crowe, directed by Ron Howard. The last time they teamed up, Crowe was nominated for his acting in A Beautiful Mind, which won Best Picture.

The Corpse Bride (Warner Brothers) – the animated version of an old Russian folk tale, in which a man mistakenly marries a corpse. Directed by visualist Tim Burton (Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands). Includes voices of Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham-Carter, Emily Watson and Christopher Lee. Before the Bride, Burton and Depp reunite in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, a remake of the 1971 classic children’s movie starring Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka. Pure imagination.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Warner Brothers) - the fourth installment of the Potter series is directed by Mike Newell. Arrives around November.

Memoirs of a Geisha (Columbia Pictures/ DreamWorks) – from the director of Chicago (Rob Marshall) comes the movie adaptation of the international bestseller. Starring Zhang Ziyi, Michelle Yeoh, Ken Watanabe and Gong Li.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Disney/ Buena Vista International) – based on the second book of the classiest of classic children’s books, The Chronicles of Narnia series by CS Lewis. If this gets the slightest Peter Jackson treatment, it’s a sure winner. Directed by Shrek’s Andrew Adamson.

King Kong (Universal Pictures) – Hollywood’s latest king Peter Jackson is doing a remake of the 1933 classic fantasy drama (not the 1976 version starring Jessica Lange). After The Lord of the Rings, can he ever go wrong?

The Producers The Movie Musical (Universal/ Sony International) – based on the Broadway musical based on the acclaimed 1968 comedy by Mel Brooks. The original movie won Brooks the Oscar for original screenplay, the Broadway version won him the Tony. It seems the Oscar for best picture is next in line.