Movie Minutiae - Disney/Touchstone Pictures Preview - Fall/Winter 2006
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Below is a list of upcoming releases through December for Walt Disney and Touchstone Pictures. The synopses come straight from the
studio - you know I'd never use such flowery language to describe these films. My expectations and insights are
included. Release dates are subject to change. My opinions are subject to be highly accurate.
THE GUARDIAN - September 29 (Touchstone)
Synopsis: After losing his crew in a fatal crash, legendary Rescue Swimmer, Ben
Randall (Kevin Costner), is sent to teach at "A" School, an elite training program for Coast Guard Rescue
Swimmers. Wrestling with the loss of his crew members, he throws himself into teaching, turning the
program upside down with his unorthodox training methods.
While there, he encounters a young, cocky swim champ, Jake Fischer (Ashton Kutcher), who is driven to be
the best. During training, Randall helps mold Jake’s character, combining his raw talent with the heart
and dedication required of a Rescue Swimmer.
Upon graduation, Jake follows Randall to Kodiak, Alaska, where they face the inherent dangers of the
Bering Sea. In his initial solo rescue, Jake learns firsthand from Randall, the true meaning of heroism
and sacrifice, echoing the Swimmer’s motto... "So Others May Live!"
Johnny's Take: Let me guess, they'll end up with a
begrudging respect? Yep, you know it's true.
It looks all right, but Ashton really annoys me in the trailer with his wannabe tough talk. "I'm gonna
break all the records because I'm so cool!" Sure thing, bird chest. I also fear it's going to try a
little too hard to pull at the heartstrings, dropping swimmer mottos and all that jazz.
theguardianmovie.com
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THE PRESTIGE - October 20 (Touchstone)
Synopsis: From acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan (Memento,
Batman Begins), comes a mysterious story of two magicians whose intense rivalry leads them on a
life-long battle for supremacy full of obsession, deceit and jealousy with dangerous and deadly
consequences.
From the time that they first met as young magicians on the rise, Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and
Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) were competitors. However, their friendly competition evolves into a
bitter rivalry making them fierce enemies-for-life and consequently jeopardizing the lives of everyone
around them. Full of twists and turns, THE PRESTIGE is set against the backdrop of turn-of-the-century
London, the exceptional cast includes two-time Oscar® winner Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson and David
Bowie.
Johnny's Take: Great director, great cast, intriguing
storyline - how could it possibly go wrong? This is my pick for most anticipated movie for the rest of
the year.
prestige-movie.com
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THE SANTA CLAUSE 3: THE ESCAPE CLAUSE - November 3 (Disney)
Synopsis: Holiday magic mixes with comical chaos at the North Pole in THE
SANTA CLAUSE 3. Tim Allen reprises his role of Scott Calvin – AKA Santa – as he juggles a full house
of family and the mischievous Jack Frost (Martin Short), who is trying to take over the "big guy’s"
holiday.
At the risk of giving away the secret location of the North Pole, Scott invites his in-laws
(Ann-Margret & Alan Arkin) to share in the holiday festivities, and upcoming birth of baby Claus with
expectant wife, Carol, - AKA Mrs. Claus - (Elizabeth Mitchell).
Along for the adventure are Scott’s extended family, son Charlie (Eric Lloyd), ex-wife Laura Miller
(Wendy Crewson), her husband, Neil Miller (Judge Reinhold) and their daughter, Lucy (Liliana Mumy) who
together with head elf Curtis (Spencer Breslin), foil Jack Frost’s crafty scheme to control the North
Pole.
Johnny's Take: I have a feeling this will contain
neither holiday magic nor comical chaos. The fact that I didn't smile a single time during the
trailer does not fill my heart with hope.
Jack Frost wants to take over Christmas and call it Frostmas, huh? Yeah. Well, perhaps the 5-year-olds
will enjoy it.
santaclause3.com
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DÉJÀ VU - November 22 (Touchstone)
Synopsis: Everyone has experienced the unsettling mystery of déjà vu – that
flash of memory when you meet someone new you feel you’ve known all your life or recognize a place even
though you’ve never been there before. But what if the feelings were actually warnings sent from the
past or clues to the future? In the captivating new action-thriller from producer Jerry Bruckheimer
and director Tony Scott, written by Terry Rossio & Bill Marsilii, it is déjà vu that unexpectedly
guides ATF agent Doug Carlin (Denzel Washington) through an investigation into a shattering crime.
Called in to recover evidence after a bomb sets off a cataclysmic explosion on a New Orleans Ferry,
Carlin is about to discover that what most people believe is only in their heads is actually something
far more powerful – and will lead him on a mind-bending race to save hundreds of innocent people.
Johnny's Take: This is the kind of movie that I can
get excited about. I read the synopsis and was immediately interested in the mystery and how it will play
out. The problem is that this means the movie has a lot to live up to, and as a result will be a huge
disappointment if it doesn't pull it off.
Put this one on my must-see list. I just hope at some point I'll actually see Val Kilmer. The cast
list indicates he's in the movie, but you sure can't tell it by watching the trailer. I think I may have
seen the back of his head, but I can't be sure.
dejavu.movies.com
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APOCALYPTO - December 8 (Touchstone)
Synopsis: From Academy Award® winning filmmaker Mel Gibson (The Passion of
the Christ, Braveheart), comes APOCALYPTO: a heart stopping mythic action-adventure set
against the turbulent end times of the once great Mayan civilization. When his idyllic existence is
brutally disrupted by a violent invading force, a man is taken on a perilous journey to a world ruled
by fear and oppression where a harrowing end awaits him. Through a twist of fate and spurred by the
power of his love for his woman and his family he will make a desperate break to return home and to
ultimately save his way of life.
Johnny's Take: This should be good, but could Mel
maybe lay off the subtitles sometime? And the booze. But that's a different story.
apocalypto.com
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