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Movie Minutiae - Fox Searchlight Preview - Fall/Winter 2006

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Below is a list of upcoming releases through December for Fox Searchlight. These are all platform releases, so the dates don't necessarily represent when they'll be released in your area. 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.

LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE - August 18 (Memphis)

Little Miss Sunshine Synopsis: LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE tells the story of the Hoovers, one of the most endearingly fractured families ever seen on motion picture screens. Together, the motley six-member family treks from Albuquerque to the Little Miss Sunshine pageant in Redondo Beach, California, to fulfill the deepest wish of 7-year-old Olive, an ordinary little girl with big dreams. Along the way the family must deal with crushed dreams, heartbreaks, and a broken-down VW bus, leading up to the surreal Little Miss Sunshine competition itself. On their travels through this bizarrely funny landscape, the Hoovers learn to trust and support each other along the path of life, no matter what the challenge.

Johnny's Take: You want my take? Then read my review.

TRUST THE MAN - September 1 (Memphis)

Trust the Man Synopsis: A smart, sophisticated comedy about the challenges of love and marriage among modern day New Yorkers, TRUST THE MAN features the romantic escapades of two couples: a successful actress (Julianne Moore) and her stay-at-home husband (David Duchovny); and her slacker younger brother (Billy Crudup) and his aspiring novelist girlfriend (Maggie Gyllenhaal). The film follows these four on their pointed, often surprising and frequently hilarious search for love in the midst of careers, family, infidelity and the ever-daunting search for Manhattan street parking.

Johnny's Take: I can't really explain why, but this movie actually looks fairly interesting to me. I'll be screening it today, so you'll get my review soon.

CONFETTI - September 15

Confetti Synopsis: A sharp and affectionate comedy featuring an ensemble of UK comedic talents, CONFETTI follows three couples as they duke it out to win a bridal magazine contest for "Most Original Wedding of the Year." The talented cast -- which includes Martin Freeman, Jessica Stevenson, Stephen Mangan, Felicity Montagu, award-winning comedian Jimmy Carr in his first screen performance and Alison Steadman -- was afforded total creative freedom within the confines of a carefully crafted story frame. To prepare, the cast took part in weeks of intense workshops where they began the process of developing and inhabiting their unique roles.

Johnny's Take: Sounds like it could have some potential? Let me check out the trailer...

Nope, I was wrong. I couldn't wait for the trailer to be over. That does not bode well for a 100 minute movie.

THE NAMESAKE - September 20

Synopsis: THE NAMESAKE is the story of the Ganguli family whose move from Calcutta to New York evokes a lifelong balancing act to meld to a new world without forgetting the old. Though parents Ashoke and Ashima (Irrfan Khan, Tabu) long for the family and culture that enveloped them in India, they take great pride in the opportunities their sacrifices have afforded their children. Paradoxically, their son Gogol (Kal Penn) is torn between finding his own unique identity without losing his heritage. Even Gogol’s name represents the family’s journey into the unknown.

Johnny's Take: This looks to be one of those artsy films that will most likely find an audience, however, Johnny Betts won't be found in that audience.

THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND - September 27

Last King of Scotland Synopsis: In an incredible twist of fate, a Scottish doctor (James McAvoy) on a Ugandan medical mission becomes irreversibly entangled with one of the world’s most barbaric figures: Idi Amin (Forest Whitaker). Impressed by Dr. Garrigan’s brazen attitude in a moment of crisis, the newly self-appointed Ugandan President Amin hand picks him as his personal physician and closest confidante. Though Garrigan is at first flattered and fascinated by his new position, he soon awakens to Amin’s savagery - and his own complicity in it. Horror and betrayal ensue as Garrigan tries to right his wrongs and escape Uganda alive.

Johnny's Take: I was gonna be awesome and say something like, "What in the world do I care about Uganda? Nothing - just like with this movie!" But I watched the trailer, and well *shrugs shoulders* it looks OK, but I just can't get excited about movies of this nature.

FAST FOOD NATION - October 20

Fast Food Nation Synopsis: A dramatic feature based on material from the incendiary book Fast Food Nation, a no-holds-barred exploration of the fast food industry that ultimately revealed the dark side of the "All American Meal."

Johnny's Take: I initially assumed this was a documentary, but nope, it's an actual movie. So fast food entities are the bad guys now, huh? Look, you can find a dark side to anything if you look hard enough, but that doesn't mean I want to spend two hours of my time being preached to about it.

THE HISTORY BOYS - November 22

Synopsis: THE HISTORY BOYS tells the story of an unruly class of bright, funny history students in pursuit of an undergraduate place at Oxford or Cambridge. Bounced between their maverick English master (Richard Griffiths), a young and shrewd teacher hired to up their test scores (Stephen Campbell Moore), a grossly out-numbered history teacher (Frances de la Tour), and a headmaster obsessed with results (Clive Merrison), the boys attempt to sift through it all to pass the daunting university admissions process. Their journey becomes as much about how education works, as it is about where education leads.

Johnny's Take: Um, OK. Never heard of anybody in the cast. I'll wait to say more until I see the trailer, but this isn't going on my "must-see" list at the moment.

NOTES ON A SCANDAL - December 22

Synopsis: When Sheba Hart (Cate Blanchett) joins St. George's as the new art teacher, Barbara (Judi Dench) senses a kindred spirit. But Barbara is not the only one drawn to her. Sheba begins an illicit affair and Barbara becomes the keeper of her secret. NOTES ON A SCANDAL is a story of loneliness, loyalty, envy and love.

Johnny's Take: Get excited about this all YOU want, but until I see a trailer that will convince me otherwise, this is the kind of movie I couldn't possibly care any less about. Boooooooring!
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Weekend Results:

1. Beverly Hills Chihuahua($29,300,465)

2. Eagle Eye($17,709,817)

3. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist($11,311,751)

4. Nights in Rodanthe($7,368,259)

5. Appaloosa($5,050,310)
 
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