Big Picture Big Sound

Well folks, you made it through the doldrums that typically signify late August at the multiplex. (Was anyone lining up to see "The Invasion" or "Mr. Bean's Holiday"? Didn't think so). Now, with Labor Day behind us, a critic's eye turns toward that magical time known as the Fall Movie Season. A time when studios dispense with the big-budget, CGI-laden bluster and attempt to deliver something of substance - something that, if the stars align (literally and figuratively), may make them winners come Oscar night.

With that in mind, Lexi and I have pored over the Fall film schedule and compiled our lists of the ten movies we're most looking forward to - not because we think they're all going home with Oscar gold, simply because we like a good time at the movies.

So without further ado, here they are in order of release date (click here for Lexi's ten choices):

"The Brave One"
Jodie Foster as an assaulted radio host on a vengeance-fueled rampage? Sounds like those lambs aren't keeping quiet for no one anymore. Foster can make even the most predictable fare (see "Flightplan") take off. Factor in director Neil Jordan and this could be a solid thriller.
Prediction:
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0476964/
Trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/thebraveone/
Release Date: 9/14



"Grace is Gone"
John Cusack gets all serious on us as a father of two who loses his wife in Iraq. This one could be a syrupy message movie, but a restrained performance by the always-reliable and under-nominated Cusack gives it a chance to tug at the heartstrings without the preachiness. Here's hoping.
Prediction:
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0772168/
Release Date: 10/5



"Elizabeth: The Golden Age"
The 1998 original helped introduce the world to the wonders of Cate Blanchett. Now, against all odds, the actress reunites with director Shekhar Kapur (and virtually the entire original cast) for an equally fast-and-loose depiction of the Virgin Queen's "middle years" - with Clive Owen as Sir Walter Raleigh! You had me at Blanchett.
Prediction:
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0414055/
Trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/elizabeththegoldenage/
Release Date: 10/12



"Lions for Lambs"
Tom Cruise, back in "The Firm" form, in a political pot-boiler directed by and co-starring Robert Redford. Despite what already looks like another Oscar-worthy performance by Meryl Streep (from the trailer alone), this one has the potential to beat its drum a bit too loudly.
Prediction:
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0891527/
Trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/mgm/lionsforlambs/
Release Date: 11/9



"No Country For Old Men"
With the always-intense Javier Bardem as a remorseless killing machine and the Cormac McCarthy source material, this could be another "Blood Simple" or "Fargo" for the ever-unpredictable Coen brothers.
Prediction:
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0477348/
Trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/miramax/nocountryforoldmen/
Release Date: 11/9



"Beowulf"
Robert Zemeckis takes the oldest English language story and gives it his now patented 3D treatment (just in time for Thanksgiving…for some reason). Sure to be a bombastic ride, but the visuals should be amusing enough.
Prediction:
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0442933/
Trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/beowulf/
Release Date: 11/16



"Enchanted"
Surprise: I'm not kidding! On the surface, this animated-princess-finds-herself-in-the-real-world fairytale looks like direct-to-DVD fodder. But a winning trailer and an undeniably charming cast (Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, Susan Sarandon) give this Disney entry "Princess Bride" potential. There, I said it.
Prediction:
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0461770/
Trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/disney/enchanted/
Release Date: 11/21


"The Mist"
Stephen King go-to adapter Frank Darabont tackles one of my favorite short stories - a group of soon-to-be-at-each-other's-throats characters are cornered in a supermarket by the mysterious titular weather pattern. Bad stuff happens. This one promises to be super-freaky, but I'll wager the character development will be uneven and the ending will be a cop-out.
Prediction:
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0884328/
Release Date: 11/21

"Cassandra's Dream"
Woody Allen in "Match Point" mode without Scarlett Johansson? Count me in. Despite the familiar love triangle premise, teaming Colin Farrell and Ewan McGregor as brothers who turn to crime could inject some energy into the flagging Allen canon.
Prediction:
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0795493/
Release Date: 11/30

"Sweeney Todd"
An R-rated horror movie musical version of Stephen Sondheim's "Demon Barber of Fleet Street" directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman and Sacha Baron Cohen. Need I type more?
Prediction:
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0408236/
Release Date: 12/21




"Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem"
To quote Entertainment Weekly: the "best birthday present the Baby Jesus ever got". Well, maybe not Baby Jesus, but judging by the slam-bang "red band" trailer on IGN (by way of "Ain't It Cool News"), it's going to be a happy holiday for fanboys.
Prediction: (okay okay, just kidding. But is it too much to hope for ?)
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0758730/
Trailer: http://www.aintitcool.com/node/33783
Release Date: 12/25