Coming Soon
For the first news item on The Aspect Ratio, a reader
suggested I create a list akin to my Overlooked
article in which I discuss my most anticipated
upcoming releases. It’s a good idea, and another way
to shine some light on a mixture of different
projects, both domestic and foreign. With IMDb at my side, here's a selection
of twenty intriguing features:
Scoop - Woody Allen
 I love it that Woody Allen is still among the most
exciting filmmakers working today. Because of his
shockingly refreshed work on Match Point, Scoop
unfortunately carries the weight of having to confirm
Allen’s newfound inspiration. It may be unfair to
expect his new comedy to match or surpass the
electrifying bravura of his previous work, but the
fact that Scoop inspires this much excitement is a
small success of its own. It’s been a while since a
Woody Allen comedy has delivered on the promise of his
early work, and hopefully Scoop manages to be a new
Manhattan Murder Mystery at the very least.
Here’s the synopsis by Focus Features: “In Woody
Allen's new contemporary comedy, a student journalist
(Scarlett Johansson) for a college paper visiting
friends in London happens upon the scoop of a
lifetime. Along the investigative trail, she finds
magic, murder, mystery - and perhaps love, with a
British aristocrat (Hugh Jackman).”
Scarlett Johansson and Hugh Jackman is mighty fine
casting, not to mention a new performance by the
director himself. Sounds like a great time.
The Departed - Martin Scorsese
 Easily my most anticipated film of 2006. Despite what
talented, but egomaniacal and delusional
cinematographer Christopher Doyle says about Scorsese,
remakes, and American film, The Departed looks to
continue the DiCaprio streak Scorsese began with Gangs
of New York. The Departed is the American remake of
Hong Kong sensation Infernal Affairs (shot by Doyle) -
perfect material for a director made famous by films
like Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, and Goodfellas. The
crime genre is no stranger to Scorsese, and his
experienced cinematic sensibilities should brilliantly
translate a standard police/gangster thriller into a
potent piece of contemporary American filmmaking. And
what a cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, Matt
Damon, Martin Sheen, Mark Wahlberg, and Alec Baldwin.
"Years ago, a powerful Irish mafia figure placed a
small selection of his youngest, brightest men into
the Massachusetts Police Academy as cadets. Their
purpose is to eventually rise within the prestigious
ranks of the city's police department, to serve as the
eyes and ears of their boss. While somewhere else, a
young cadet was assigned with an equally dangerous
task: infiltrate the Irish syndicate headed by the man
sending in his own to the Boston Police. Now, one
cadet is an up and coming police official with a torn
allegiance to his job and to the criminal mastermind
that put him there. While the other cadet is the
trusted number two of that man, only finding his
professional duties are becoming blurred with his
current state. But new clues have lead to unfortunate
discoveries, when both sides realize they're being
watched by the enemy."
The Departed comes out in October.
Indiana Jones 4 - Steven Spielberg
I selected this film not because I’m eagerly awaiting
its release, but because I believe it would be a major
misstep for Spielberg, Lucas, and Ford. Nostalgia is
a powerful thing, but yet another installment to a
franchise that effectively concluded itself is simply
unnecessary. That Spielberg and Lucas feel the need
to bring back Indiana Jones for another adventure is
sweet, but ultimately pointless and uninspired.
Spielberg has evolved into a much riskier and mature
filmmaker, while Lucas has finally finished his epic
Star Wars series and prepares new, independent and
more personal ideas. Why retread when everything is
pointing forward? The 80’s are over. It would be far
more impressive if these influential figures continue
to inspire new generations with new, passionate
material.
Children of Men - Alfonso Cuarón
“In 2027, as humankind faces the likelihood of its own
extinction, a disillusioned government agent agrees to
help transport and protect a miraculously pregnant
woman to a sanctuary at sea where her child's birth
may help scientists to save the future of mankind.”
Intriguing science-fiction is almost always superior
to the simplistic adventures that dominate the genre.
Hopefully, Cauron’s Children of Men is more
thought-provoking sci-fi along the lines of A Scanner
Darkly, 12 Monkeys, or Dark City. The concept is
interesting, and the cast includes Clive Owen,
Julianne Moore, and Michael Caine. I’ve seen no
footage or images from this film, but Cauron is
quickly revealing himself to be quite a special
talent. This is definitely one to watch for.
My Blueberry Nights - Wong Kar-Wai
 My Blueberry Nights marks the first English language
feature from Hong Kong master filmmaker Wong Kar Wai
(Happy Together, Ashes of Time, In the Mood for Love).
This could either mean Wong Kar Wai is pulverized by
the Hollywood system like most foreign directors, or
somehow keeps his integrity and style intact for
another exquisite romantic odyssey. I’m very much
hoping for the latter, especially since he’s working
with some of my favorite actors. Jude Law, Natalie
Portman, Ed Harris, Norah Jones (...okay), and Rachel
Weisz star. I guess this means Kar-Wai’s The Lady
From Shanghai with Nicole Kidman and Takeshi Kitano
(what a mix) is delayed indefinitely.
Wong Kar Wai has done no wrong - one of the few
directors with a filmography that ranges from worthy
to remarkable. Hopefully this widens his recognition
in the states, and allows him further opportunity to
larger audiences. My Blueberry Nights is scheduled
for a 2007 release.
 The Science of Sleep - Michel Gondry
“A man held captive by the people in his dreams tries
to wake himself up and take control of his own
imagination”
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind was a massive
success for director Michel Gondry and screenwriter
Charlie Kaufman. While Gondry did a mesmerizing job
of directing the complex originality of Kaufman’s
brilliant screenplay, it was Kaufman who received the
most attention and praise. The Science of Sleep is
Gondry’s bizarre and wild looking follow-up that seems
to display his acute visual ideas and idiosyncratic
personality. This is written and directed by Gondry,
so it makes the entire enterprise that much more
appealing. Based on the dreamy trailer, The Science
of Sleep looks like a fascinating emotional puzzle -
the sort of atypical romantic comedy and unassuming
drama that made Eternal Sunshine so resoundingly
successful. It stars the great Gael García Bernal
(The Motorcycle Diaries).
Marie Antoinette - Sofia Coppola
 A period piece about Marie Antoinette that looks and
feels contemporary is destined to divide audiences.
The juxtaposition of stylish pop-energy and historical
based narrative will carve out a niche audience for
Coppola’s newest feature, but her vision and
originality is certainly noted. Lost in Translation
still remains one of the best films of recent years,
so watching how she develops her abilities should be
nothing short of exciting.
The trailer for Marie Antoinette is strange, but
intoxicating, and hopefully the film delivers on the
vibrant and wondrous promise of its early footage.
The mixed response at Cannes is fairly well-known by
this point, but anything that causes such divided
opinion is always worth a look.
Check out the trailer.
 Takeshis - Takeshi Kitano
“Beat Takeshi lives the busy and sometimes surreal
life of a showbiz celebrity. One day he meets his
blond look alike named Kitano, a shy convenience store
cashier, who, still an unknown actor, is waiting for
his big break. After their paths cross, Kitano seems
to begin hallucinating about becoming Beat”
That sounds so damn odd, I’m convinced it has the
potential to be something special. Takeshi Kitano is
still the best and most consistent Japanese filmmaker
working today. His work centers on mood and feeling,
and his poetic sensibilities create affecting and
profound pieces of cinema. Fireworks is still his
masterpiece, but other substantial works include
Kikujiro, Sonatine, Violent Cop, and Zatoichi. His
new film, Takeshis, seems more in line with his
experimental undertakings like Dolls and Boiling
Point. Kitano is one of the most unpredictable
storytellers, and Takeshis looks like something
fantastically new from Japan’s most gifted cinematic
artist.
Pan’s Labryinth - Guillermo Del Toro
 Featured at the Cannes film festival this year.
Guillermo Del Toro is one of the premiere genre
visionaries of his generation with films like Cronos
and The Devil’s Backbone in his body of work. His
imagination is clearly extraordinary, and his
determination to create serious, adult-oriented
fantasy thrills is highly admirable. Take a look at
this character from his new horror adventure Pan’s
Labyrinth:
The man certainly has an eye for the macabre. What
makes Del Toro such a vital figure in today’s world is
how surprisingly accessible his peculiar and
horrifying visions actually are. Beneath the
grotesque surface of many of his films is integral
dramatic expression. Cronos and The Devil’s Backbone
are extremely powerful thematic experiences, and Pan’s
Labryinth seems to be in continuation of that
artistry. The response at Cannes was enthusiastic -
adding to the already high anticipation.
Here’s the summary written by Guillermo Del Toro:
“Pan's Labyrinth" is the story of a young girl that
travels with her mother and adoptive father to a rural
area up North in Spain, 1944. After Franco´s victory.
The girl lives in an imaginary world of her own
creation and faces the real world with much chagrin.
Post-war Fascist repression is at its height in rural
Spain and the girl must come to terms with that
through a fable of her own."
 Curse of the Golden Flower - Zhang Yimou
“The ill-fated romance between an imperial bodyguard
and a prince takes the lovers on a dangerous journey
where royal family secrets are revealed.”
Curse of the Golden Flower is the third martial arts
epic from Zhang Yimou, completing a thematic trilogy
that began with Hero and continued with House of
Flying Daggers. Since both of those movies
(especially the latter) are strikingly beautiful
portraits of mystical adventure and sensual emotion, I
think it’s safe to expect his newest venture to follow
that elegance. With his adventure trilogy, Yimou has
turned himself into an avant-garde genre filmmaker,
using his intimacy and depth to create unlikely
entertainment. The echo game in House of Flying
Daggers is one of the most beautiful and humbling
segments of cinema this decade. Yimou’s craft is
impeccable. Curse of the Golden Flower has him
working with the legendary Chow Yun Fat and his muse
Gong Li (so good in Raise the Red Lantern). Best
movie of 2007? Probably.
The Good Shepherd - Robert DeNiro
It would be terrific if Robert DeNiro makes another
profound cinematic impression so late in his career.
DeNiro has been struggling for years now, looking
mostly disinterested and bored in generic Hollywood
thrillers and comedies. With his new film, The Good
Shepherd, DeNiro may deliver on the wishful thinking
of his most ardent supporters. This sounds like a
genuinely solid film with an interesting subject and a
great cast.
“The tumultuous early history of the Central
Intelligence Agency is viewed through the prism of one
man's life.”
A three hour epic about the CIA that stars Matt Damon,
Angelina Jolie, Joe Pesci, Alec Baldwin (he’s doing
well), William Hurt, John Turturro, and DeNiro
himself. This shows great promise, and it will be
interesting to see how it turns out.
Casino Royale - Martin Campbell
Despite my initial reluctance towards the Broccoli’s
re-start of the Bond franchise, Martin Campbell’s
(Goldeneye) Casino Royale does look leagues ahead of
the amateurish simplicity of recent Bond offerings.
The franchise was plunging into the realm of
embarrassment with the last three pictures, so the
idea of wiping the slate clean and starting anew is
smart. It’s unfortunate Pierce Brosnan won’t be
returning since he deserves much better than what he
was given, but rising star Daniel Craig (Munich, Road
to Perdition) should make for a darker, Dalton-esque
(only blonde) presence. Another smart move is
refreshing the franchise by adapting Casino Royale,
perhaps Ian Flemings most widely recognized and hailed
novel.
 From IMDB: “Casino Royale introduces James Bond before
he holds his licence to kill. But Bond is no less
dangerous, and with two professional assassinations in
quick succession, he is elevated to '00' status.
Bond's first 007 mission takes him to Madagascar where
he is to spy on a terrorist, Mollaka (Sebastien
Foucan). Not everything goes to plan and Bond decides
to investigate, independently of MI6, in order to
track down the rest of the terrorist cell. Following a
lead to the Bahamas, he encounters Dimitrios (Simon
Abkarian) and his girlfriend, Solange (Caterina
Murino). He learns that Dimitrios is involved with Le
Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen), banker to the world's
terrorist organizations. Secret Service intelligence
reveals that Le Chiffre is planning to raise money in
a high-stakes poker game in Montenegro at Le Casino
Royale. MI6 assigns 007 to play against him, knowing
that if Le Chiffre loses, it will destroy his
organisation. 'M' (Judi Dench) places Bond under the
watchful eye of the beguiling Vesper Lynd (Eva Green).
At first skeptical of what value Vesper can provide,
Bond's interest in her deepens as they brave danger
together and even torture at the hands of Le Chiffre.
In Montenegro, Bond allies himself with Mathis
(Giancarlo Giannini) MI6's local field agent, and
Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright) who is representing the
interests of the CIA. The marathon game proceeds with
dirty tricks and violence, raising the stakes beyond
blood money and reaching a terrifying climax."
Everything sounds fantastic except the idea of Bond
playing poker. The world’s most suave and
sophisticated secret agent is above such a common
game. Besides that one misstep, Casino Royale sounds
extremely enjoyable. Director Martin Campbell made
the last entertaining Bond film with Goldeneye, and
from the looks of the Casino Royale trailer,
he’s brought that level of class and professionalism
to his newest adventure.
Lust, Caution - Ang Lee
While Bond represents escapist spy-adventure, Ang
Lee’s amazing sounding new thriller Lust, Caution
represents real-world espionage and intrigue.
“The project, set in World War II-era Shanghai,
reunites him with "Brokeback" distributor Focus
Features and his longtime collaborator, Focus CEO
James Schamus, who will executive produce. The
screenplay will be adapted from Eileen Chang's short
story by Lee's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"
screenwriter Wang Hui-Ling.”
A World War II spy drama from Ang Lee? Excellent.
Brokeback Mountain is arguably his best feat yet, so
hopefully that inspiration carries over to this
project and creates something even more profound. I
love that Lee is working in a period setting again,
and the idea of realistic espionage is a subject that
fascinates me endlessly. This should be one of next
year’s finest moments.
Avatar - James Cameron
Avatar is already being touted as a revolutionary step
forward for the medium. While it’s safe to assume
James Cameron’s first fictional movie since Titanic
will be a technological landmark, it’s uncertain as to
what that will mean for the future of motion-pictures.
Avatar will be the first widely released, digitally
shot IMAX 3D feature film that utilizes
ground-breaking technology the director is developing.
It will be unlike anything in the history of
motion-pictures from a filmmaker who wants to be
recognized as a pioneer just as much as George Lucas
does. Quite frankly, the idea of a live-action and
performance-capture (Gollum in LOTR) sci-fi spectacle
in IMAX 3D sounds like experimenting with technology
more than realizing a well crafted narrative. It
seems like a gimmick. A showcase for new visual
effects and highly advanced equipment.
That being said, I adore many of his films, especially
The Abyss and T2. Avatar sounds like a project to be
cautious of rather than excited for. If the future of
movies is essentially a mixture of cinematic narrative
and video-game effects, it may be more visually
immersing, but far less intellectually engaging. Only
time will tell if James Cameron’s newest ambition
results into something positive.
 Tachiguishi Retsuden - Mamoru Oshii
Mamoro Oshii’s (Ghost in the Shell) innovative new
film is the closest experimental project to release.
Oshii is best known for his intellectual, adult
animated genre films - a major influence on many
western directors, including James Cameron. Oshii is
a visionary, and his work is challenging and complex
in the most fascinating ways. His last feature,
Innocence, was one of the best films of 2004 - a
tremendous achievement of sophisticated, mind-bending
science-fiction.
His new film looks reminiscent of the eccentricities
that defined his early work such as The Red
Spectacles. Tachiguishi Retsuden looks like the
inexplicable. All I know is that it’s a comedy that
uses a style Oshii calls “superlivemotion”, - a
mixture of performance and animation. According to
press reports, Oshii uses still photographic images of
the actors, and animates them to appear as paper
cut-outs.
Here is the very, very bizarre trailer.
Strange? You bet.
Inglorious Bastards - Quentin Tarantino
A Tarantino WWII mission film could be something
incredible if it ever gets made. I’ve been excited
for this one ever since he first announced it, and
disappointed it’s taking so long to develop.
“A band of US soldiers facing death by firing squad
for their misdeeds are given a chance to save
themselves - by heading into the perilous no-man's
lands of Nazi-occupied France on a suicide mission for
the Allies”
There’s something about a Dirty Dozen inspired war
epic by Quentin Tarantino that just sounds right.
When Tarantino focuses on story and characters,
(Jackie Brown) he demonstrates an innate understanding
of cinematic technique and structure. He does possess
a significant talent, but because of his adoration
towards his favorite movies, he busies himself with
referential self-indulgences and endless homages.
Kill Bill is a terrific entertainment, but it seems
like Tarantino is capable of so much more. If his
artistic expression is simply throwing nods to obscure
movies (the upcoming Death Proof), I feel like his
career will become less and less interesting.
Inglorious Bastards could be either two things: A
departure from his habits or yet another retread of
highlighting aspects of his knowledge. I sincerely
hope he’s up to something new.
The Fountain - Darren Aronofsky
Aronofsky’s arduous journey of The Fountain will
finally be unveiled this October, and I absolutely
cannot wait to see how it plays. The Fountain looks
like an inventive new sci-fi thriller by one very
talented filmmaker.
“Spanning over one thousand years, and three parallel
stories, The Fountain is a story of love, death,
spirituality, and the fragility of our existence in
this world”
Sounds philosophical - which means it will be either
loved or detested. I Heart Huckabees, The Matrix
Trilogy, Waking Life, Innocence - we’ve all seen how
well philosophy is received by the general public.
There’s never any middle ground when it comes down to
thematically based storytelling. You either find
yourself engrossed by the ideas, or turned off by what
seems like tedious pyschobabble. Hugh Jackman says
Aronofsky is like a new Kubrick. I hope The Fountain confirms this.
Rescue Dawn - Werner Herzog
A Vietnam POW Herzog drama with Christian Bale.
That’s about all I needed to know to include Rescue
Dawn on this list.
“This film tells the real-life story of U.S. fighter
pilot Dieter Dengler, a German-American shot down and
captured in Laos during the Vietnam War. Dengler, to
be played by Bale, organized a death-defying escape
for a small band of POWs, including Duane Martin
(Zahn).”
Sounds great.
Looks great.
Herzog is one of the best filmmakers of all time, so
it’s terribly exciting that his new movie seems fueled
by his intense passion.
Paprika - Satoshi Kon
 Satoshi Kon is the brilliant director of Millennium
Actress, Perfect Blue, Tokyo Godfathers, and the
phenomenal series Paranoia Agent. If Paprika is
anywhere near as compelling as those works, it will be
exceptional.
“A female detective investigates criminal cases by
entering the dreams of subjects”
That’s all I found about the film, but even that brief
description gives you some insight of what to expect.
Kon’s style is heavily focused on questioning the real
and the imaginary, so Paprika will most likely follow
his densely layered and stimulating tendencies. For
an industry that survives off predictable fare,
Satoshi Kon is anything but. Paprika should be yet
another unforgettable feature from a new Japanese
master.
 The Prestige - Christopher Nolan
“Based on Christopher Priest's 1996 novel, Christian
Bale and Hugh Jackman play rival magicians in
turn-of-the-century London who battle each other for
trade secrets. The rivalry is so intense that it turns
them into murderers”
Joining Bale and Jackman (who are doing very well for
themselves) is Michael Caine, David Bowie, Scarlet
Johansson, and Andy Serkis. Does it get any more
classy?
Christopher Nolan is becoming one of the great
directors of mainstream spectacle, and his darker,
edgier tone gives his work immediacy and suspense.
What he accomplished with last year’s magnificent
Batman Begins is scope and drama of epic proportions,
and I expect nothing less from his newest film. The
Prestige comes out in a very crowded, yet potentially
incredible, October.
Check out the trailer here. |
