Looking at the Weekend: September 24-26, 2010

Looks like we’ll be having a lot of busy weeks for the foreseeable future. We have three wide releases (we previously previewed The Virginity Hit when it was originally supposed to show, so we won’t be doing it again this week): Wall Street 2, You Again and The Legend of the Guardians. There are three limited releases: Buried, Howl and Like Dandelion Dust. And there are three NY/LA releases: Waiting for Superman, Enter the Void and You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger. (Update: 9/22/10, 3:25p – Added Wes’ information and Consensus data)

Consensus

Below is a list of what we have come to a general consensus on. The number in parens represents the percentage of our contributors who agree with the statement.

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps: We’re probably going to watch it, but no one seems to be in a real rush to do so (75%) and Michael Douglas is being talked about for Best Actor, so we think it might be a minor contender (75%).
You Again: We won’t be watching it (75%) and it’s not an Oscar contender (100%).
The Legend of the Guardians: We aren’t interested (75%), but we’re mixed on whether it would be a 5-nominee field nominee (50%).
Buried: A mixture of desire to see it (75%) and a split on whether Ryan Reynolds could be a Best Actor contender (50%).
Howl: Most of us will check it out at some point (75%) and we generally think it’s an Oscar contender (75%).
Like Dandelion Dust: Not on our viewing schedules (75%). Not a contender (75%).
Waiting for Superman: General malaise in whether or not to watch it (50%). Definitely a Documentary Feature contender (100%).
Enter the Void: General disinterest in watching it (75%) is paired with a general belief it’s not Oscar’s cup of tea (75%).
You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger: Woody Allen seems to have become outre (75%) and has definitely lost his Oscar mojo (100%).

WIDE RELEASES

WALL STREET: MONEY NEVER SLEEPS
See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview
Will We See?	Will We See?	Will We See?	Will We See?
Oscar Chances	Oscar Chances	Oscar Chances	Oscar Chances
Thoughts I never saw the original and have little desire to see this sequel.	Thoughts Just as The Color of Money was a film that looked at Paul Newman’s character in The Hustler 25 years later, this looks at Michael Douglas’s character from Wall Street 23 years later. He’s changed – but the film’s focus is on another character. Like Oliver Stone’s recent W., the film looks at contemporary issues without the befit of an historical perspective – it may be too little too soon.	Thoughts I haven’t decided yet whether this is intriguing or unnecessary, but what was once thought of as a possible major contender is slipping in credibility.	Thoughts I guess it’s possible for Michael Douglas to get nominated for reprising his Oscar-winning role of Gordon Gekko, but I doubt it. The bad reviews aren’t helping his chances.

WALL STREET: MONEY NEVER SLEEPS

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Oscar Chances

Thoughts

I never saw the original and have little desire to see this sequel.

Thoughts

Just as The Color of Money was a film that looked at Paul Newman’s character in The Hustler 25 years later, this looks at Michael Douglas’s character from Wall Street 23 years later. He’s changed – but the film’s focus is on another character. Like Oliver Stone’s recent W., the film looks at contemporary issues without the befit of an historical perspective – it may be too little too soon.

Thoughts

I haven’t decided yet whether this is intriguing or unnecessary, but what was once thought of as a possible major contender is slipping in credibility.

Thoughts

I guess it’s possible for Michael Douglas to get nominated for reprising his Oscar-winning role of Gordon Gekko, but I doubt it. The bad reviews aren’t helping his chances.

YOU AGAIN
See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview
Will We See?	Will We See?	Will We See?	Will We See?
Oscar Chances	Oscar Chances	Oscar Chances	Oscar Chances
Thoughts The cast is really the only thing that makes me want to see the movie. How far can you go wrong with Kristen Bell, Sigourney Weaver, Jamie Lee Curtis and Betty White?	Thoughts Another week, another dumbed down romantic comedy for those that like that sort of thing.	Thoughts Painfully unfunny looking.	Thoughts It looks really crappy, so I’ll skip it.

YOU AGAIN

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Oscar Chances

Thoughts

The cast is really the only thing that makes me want to see the movie. How far can you go wrong with Kristen Bell, Sigourney Weaver, Jamie Lee Curtis and Betty White?

Thoughts

Another week, another dumbed down romantic comedy for those that like that sort of thing.

Thoughts

Painfully unfunny looking.

Thoughts

It looks really crappy, so I’ll skip it.

THE LEGEND OF THE GUARDIANS
See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview
Will We See?	Will We See?	Will We See?	Will We See?
Oscar Chances	Oscar Chances	Oscar Chances	Oscar Chances
Thoughts They made Happy Feet. That’s the only reason it has any shot at the Oscars and is the main reason I won’t watch it.	Thoughts Strictly for kids.	Thoughts I don’t know what is stupider: the idea of a fantasy movie about owls, or the name Ga’Hoole.	Thoughts It should top the box-office this weekend and looks like it might be alright, but I’ll be skipping it until it comes out on DVD. It will be a bake-off finalist for Best Animated Feature and if there are 5 nominees this year, it stands a good chance at being nominated.

THE LEGEND OF THE GUARDIANS

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Oscar Chances

Thoughts

They made Happy Feet. That’s the only reason it has any shot at the Oscars and is the main reason I won’t watch it.

Thoughts

Strictly for kids.

Thoughts

I don’t know what is stupider: the idea of a fantasy movie about owls, or the name Ga’Hoole.

Thoughts

It should top the box-office this weekend and looks like it might be alright, but I’ll be skipping it until it comes out on DVD. It will be a bake-off finalist for Best Animated Feature and if there are 5 nominees this year, it stands a good chance at being nominated.

LIMITED RELEASES

BURIED
See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview
Will We See?	Will We See?	Will We See?	Will We See?
Oscar Chances	Oscar Chances	Oscar Chances	Oscar Chances
Thoughts Whether or not I’ll get to see it on the big screen or not, I do want to see it. It’s mostly concept, but Ryan Reynolds is said to do exceedingly well in his performance, so that makes the decision easier.	Thoughts Looks interesting, but I’d rather watch something like this on DVD where I can pause it if it’s too intense.	Thoughts Looks as flat as hundreds of other horror movies that come out each year.	Thoughts It’s getting outstanding reviews and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ryan Reynolds factor into the Best Actor race in spite of the horror movie stigma. Of course, whether or not he contends will rely entirely on whether or not he picks up year end critics’ awards.

BURIED

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CinemaSight
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Will We See?

Oscar Chances

Thoughts

Whether or not I’ll get to see it on the big screen or not, I do want to see it. It’s mostly concept, but Ryan Reynolds is said to do exceedingly well in his performance, so that makes the decision easier.

Thoughts

Looks interesting, but I’d rather watch something like this on DVD where I can pause it if it’s too intense.

Thoughts

Looks as flat as hundreds of other horror movies that come out each year.

Thoughts

It’s getting outstanding reviews and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ryan Reynolds factor into the Best Actor race in spite of the horror movie stigma. Of course, whether or not he contends will rely entirely on whether or not he picks up year end critics’ awards.

HOWL
See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview
Will We See?	Will We See?	Will We See?	Will We See?
Oscar Chances	Oscar Chances	Oscar Chances	Oscar Chances
Thoughts An interesting cast. An important subject. It’s my kind of movie.	Thoughts Excellent cast in recreation of Allen Ginsberg’s obscenity trial. James Franco’s Oscar nomination, though, is likely to be for his other major film this year, 127 Hours.	Thoughts Not my cup of tea, but the reviews are sounding pretty good.	Thoughts A few months ago I would’ve said this was a major contender, but it’s received a lot of really lousy reviews. It looks as if James Franco will have to hope that his turn in “127 Hours” will land him his first Best Actor nomination now.

HOWL

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CinemaSight
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Will We See?

Oscar Chances

Thoughts

An interesting cast. An important subject. It’s my kind of movie.

Thoughts

Excellent cast in recreation of Allen Ginsberg’s obscenity trial. James Franco’s Oscar nomination, though, is likely to be for his other major film this year, 127 Hours.

Thoughts

Not my cup of tea, but the reviews are sounding pretty good.

Thoughts

A few months ago I would’ve said this was a major contender, but it’s received a lot of really lousy reviews. It looks as if James Franco will have to hope that his turn in “127 Hours” will land him his first Best Actor nomination now.

LIKE DANDELION DUST
See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview
Will We See?	Will We See?	Will We See?	Will We See?
Oscar Chances	Oscar Chances	Oscar Chances	Oscar Chances
Thoughts It has some critic support so far, but the trailer just makes it look predictable, corny and unoriginal, so right now I plan on skipping it.	Thoughts Looks like it could be an interesting domestic drama with Mira Sorvino in her best role in years. On the other hand it could play like a Hallmark channel TV movie. I’ll wait for the DVD.	Thoughts Looks painfully trite and predictable.	Thoughts I’d never heard of it until just now, but it sounds dreadfully boring.

LIKE DANDELION DUST

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Trailer & Poster
Preview

Will We See?

Oscar Chances

Thoughts

It has some critic support so far, but the trailer just makes it look predictable, corny and unoriginal, so right now I plan on skipping it.

Thoughts

Looks like it could be an interesting domestic drama with Mira Sorvino in her best role in years. On the other hand it could play like a Hallmark channel TV movie. I’ll wait for the DVD.

Thoughts

Looks painfully trite and predictable.

Thoughts

I’d never heard of it until just now, but it sounds dreadfully boring.

NEW YORK / LOS ANGELES RELEASES

WAITING FOR SUPERMAN
See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview
Will We See?	Will We See?	Will We See?	Will We See?
Oscar Chances	Oscar Chances	Oscar Chances	Oscar Chances
Thoughts It’s an important subject to be sure, but I’m not sure I can watch a movie that’s likely to make me that angry. Plus, it’s a documentary and I’m not the biggest fan of the doc.	Thoughts Documentary about the education system in America – may or may not see it, but probably not until it hits DVD or cable TV.	Thoughts This possible Best Doc nominee looks like required viewing, but that could just be the teacher in me coming out.	Thoughts A strong contender for Best Documentary Feature.

WAITING FOR SUPERMAN

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Preview

Will We See?

Oscar Chances

Thoughts

It’s an important subject to be sure, but I’m not sure I can watch a movie that’s likely to make me that angry. Plus, it’s a documentary and I’m not the biggest fan of the doc.

Thoughts

Documentary about the education system in America – may or may not see it, but probably not until it hits DVD or cable TV.

Thoughts

This possible Best Doc nominee looks like required viewing, but that could just be the teacher in me coming out.

Thoughts

A strong contender for Best Documentary Feature.

ENTER THE VOID
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Will We See?	Will We See?	Will We See?	Will We See?
Oscar Chances	Oscar Chances	Oscar Chances	Oscar Chances
Thoughts Not a huge fan of trippy films and since this is based on a film I haven’t seen, I won’t be watching it.	Thoughts This fantasy about a man who dies and goes through a void to the afterlife could garner a nomination for its special effects, but I have no desire to see it.	Thoughts Gasper Noe isn’t my favorite of directors, so I am in no rush to catch his new one.	Thoughts It’s probably too far out there for Oscar voters. I probably won’t watch it either.

ENTER THE VOID

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Thoughts

Not a huge fan of trippy films and since this is based on a film I haven’t seen, I won’t be watching it.

Thoughts

This fantasy about a man who dies and goes through a void to the afterlife could garner a nomination for its special effects, but I have no desire to see it.

Thoughts

Gasper Noe isn’t my favorite of directors, so I am in no rush to catch his new one.

Thoughts

It’s probably too far out there for Oscar voters. I probably won’t watch it either.

YOU WILL MEET A TALL DARK STRANGER
See the original CinemaSight Trailer & Poster Preview
Will We See?	Will We See?	Will We See?	Will We See?
Oscar Chances	Oscar Chances	Oscar Chances	Oscar Chances
Thoughts I like a handful of Woody Allen’s films, but this one just doesn’t look good.	Thoughts It’s been quite a while since a Woody Allen relationship comedy has lived up to expectations. I’ll probably get around to seeing it some day by I won’t be first in line at the box office on opening day.	Thoughts Woody Allen remains my favorite filmmaker, so I keep giving his new film each year a chance. Hopefully this is more Vicky Cristina Barcelona and less Scoop.	Thoughts I seriously believe that Woody Allen’s Oscar days are far behind him. Honestly, it’s either time for him to retire or to sit down and put some thought into his work instead of churning out mediocre movies year after year.

YOU WILL MEET A TALL DARK STRANGER

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Will We See?

Oscar Chances

Thoughts

I like a handful of Woody Allen’s films, but this one just doesn’t look good.

Thoughts

It’s been quite a while since a Woody Allen relationship comedy has lived up to expectations. I’ll probably get around to seeing it some day by I won’t be first in line at the box office on opening day.

Thoughts

Woody Allen remains my favorite filmmaker, so I keep giving his new film each year a chance. Hopefully this is more Vicky Cristina Barcelona and less Scoop.

Thoughts

I seriously believe that Woody Allen’s Oscar days are far behind him. Honestly, it’s either time for him to retire or to sit down and put some thought into his work instead of churning out mediocre movies year after year.