New Releases

Only a couple of releases this week closing out the summer season. Last years winner was also the Labor Day weekend box office record of $18.5 million. I don't think any of these releases will reach it though, but you never know.

Vanity Fair. This actually opened this past Wednesday. It is a lavish costume drama starring Reese Witherspoon and Gabriel Byrne. I've never been a big fan of this type of film, nor of Witherspoon, but it has been getting good notices. The story follows Witherspoon, who is a poor woman who climbs London's social ladder. It was directed by Mira Nair, best known for Monsoon Wedding a few years back. The interesting thing here is the blending of a lot of Indian influences, which make sense for the time period giving it a different look than what I am used to seeing. May be good, but I don't think I'll be seeing it.

The Cookout. This one kind of snuck in under the radar, I vaguely remember a trailer for it, but it doesn't have a big marketing machine behind it. Looks like it might be pretty funny. It's about a basketball player who gets signed to his home town team and then decides to throw a barbecue to celebrate.

Paparazzi. Had to know a film like this was coming sooner or later. An actor is harassed by the paparazzi decides to take his family's safety into his own hands. Of course this leads to bigger problems. It stars Cole Hauser, Robin Tunney, Dennis Farina, and Tom Sizemore. This wasn't being screened for critics, so that is not a terribly good sign as to the quality of the movie. On the other hand, mistakes can happen and sleeper hits are born. I may give it a shot.

Wicker Park. I think this has the most potential for me. It stars Josh Hartnett as a man whose love disappears and he tries to find her, all the while being sought after by another woman. I'm not sure how to accurately describe what I have seen in the trailers, but needless to say, it looks to be the most intriguing of this weeks releases. I think this will also show if Hartnett can carry a movie on his own, I hope that he can. We need a new generation of young actors with ability. I guess we'll see.