SEPTEMBER'S UP-AND-COMERS
SLEEPY HOLLOW
Johnny Depp stars in this version of the legend of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman. He is a New York police detective in the late 1700's called to the New England area to help solve a crime that the locals think may involve the supernatural. The skeptical Depp finds out that they may be right. Some quick flashes of the head-impaired horseman and the creepy mind of director Tim Burton make this one worth seeing. Also starring Christina Ricci.
THE INSIDER
This is based on the tobacco company worker whose interview on 60 Minutes was pulled due to the network's fear of retribution by the Big Bad cigarette companies and their lobbies. Al Pacino stars as the good guy of the network (no big surprise since the guy he plays is the writer of the story the movie is based on) opposite a wonderfully aged Russell Crowe who ends up looking a bit like the late J.T. Walsh. While it looks to be a taut drama with thriller aspects, it will be interesting to see how it holds up to the scrutiny of the reality its' based on.
FIGHT CLUB
From the director of Seven comes this stylish-looking movie about a testosterone group who spends time beating the stuffing out of their fellow members. Edward Norton and Jennifer Aniston's boyfriend star in this movie sure to be a hit. Also stars the lovely Helena Bonham Carter.
ANGELA'S ASHES (a site based on the book that the movie's based on)
Appearing to be in the Les Miserables / Oliver Twist mold of drab colors and depressing topics, sure to be critically acclaimed and tepidly received by movie-goers. The best I can figure, it tells the story of poor immigrants who learn by their struggles the importance of family, maybe.
THE MESSENGER
One of those "glimpse" previews, this looks promising just because it stars the wonderlul Leeloo Dallas, uh, I mean Milla Jovovich as Joan of Arc directed by The Fifth Element director and Milla's former beau, Luc Besson. The glimpse shows Milla in a field wielding her sword.
BONE COLLECTOR
Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie co-star as a paralyzed forensics expert and a uniformed police officer who team up to stop a serial killer. Based on a book, Ed O'Neill co-stars. Looks to be pretty formulaic thriller material, but I still want to see it.
MAN ON THE MOON
Odd comic Andy Kaufman's life is portrayed in this film directed by Milos Forman. Jim Carrey appears to have transformed himself into Kaufman for the part. It remains to be seen whether it will be about the comic as opposed to being a 2 hour long impersonation, especially with the original cast of Taxi back together. This may be a great movie or a rejected skit idea for Saturday Night Live. Also starring Courtney Love.