Movie Preview- September 2013

September is usually a very slow month for movies.  It comes in just after the summer blitz has wrapped up, and August has dumped out the all the leftovers, but the (slight) boost given by Halloween horror rarely comes about before the last weekend or the first weekend of October.  Overall, it's mostly a neglected month, where the majority of the huge youth demographic is easing back into school, but the eclectic product that results has a few surprises, and smaller and/or less established fare may get their chance to shine.
Ladies and Gentlemen, your September 2013 wide release lineup:

September 6
RIDDICK  (Sci-Fi/Action) Directed by Dave Twohy; Starring Vin Diesel, Karl Urban, Katee Sackhoff
R for strong violence, language and some sexual content/nudity.
"The infamous Riddick has been left for dead on a sun-scorched planet that appears to be lifeless. Soon, however, he finds himself fighting for survival against alien predators more lethal than any human he's encountered. The only way off is for Riddick to activate an emergency beacon and alert mercenaries who rapidly descend to the planet in search of their bounty. The first ship to arrive carries a new breed of merc, more lethal and violent, while the second is captained by a man whose pursuit of Riddick is more personal. With time running out and a storm on the horizon that no one could survive, his hunters won't leave the planet without Riddick's head as their trophy." -Official Synopsis, Universal Pictures

Vin Diesel as Richard B. Riddick

I still haven't seen the first of the series, PITCH BLACK (2000), let alone the less-reputable PG-13 sequel, THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK (2004), but judging by the cult status of the franchise, plus the return of the previous films' director, Twohy, I suspect that this will be a slightly specialized interest.  However, for the invested fans of the franchise, the darker and clearly more R-rated return to form is likely to please.  Financially, it will take some luck to be very successful, as the modestly-budgeted original was only modestly profitable, and the big budget sequel barely squeaked by a profit with the assistance of the international market; yet the previous installment was nearly a decade ago, and even with a more restrained budget, the R rating and potentially confusing sci-fi elements are likely to slim the possibilities for casual moviegoers.

September 13
INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 2  (Horror/Thriller)  Directed by James Wan; Starring Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Ty Simpkins, Barbara Hershey
PG-13 for intense sequences of terror and violence, and thematic elements.
"The famed horror team of director James Wan and writer Leigh Whannell reunite with the original cast of Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Lin Shaye and Ty Simpkins in INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 2, a terrifying sequel to the acclaimed horror film, which follows the haunted Lambert family as they seek to uncover the mysterious childhood secret that has left them dangerously connected to the spirit world."  -Official Synopsis, FilmDistrict
The original INSIDIOUS was a surprise hit in 2011, grossing $97 million worldwide off a budget of $1.5 million, and even with the blessing of critics, a relative rarity for the horror genre.  Yet, even with the return of the major cast and crew members, this deserves skepticism; after all, when did you last see a quality horror movie sequel?  The original was probably a little bit of lightning (or a small spark) in a bottle, and the advertising is generic, but the return of James Wan as director just might be a saving grace, this following his critically-acclaimed hit, THE CONJURING, this past July.

THE FAMILY  (Action-Comedy/Crime)  Directed by Luc Besson; Starring Robert DeNiro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Tommy Lee Jones, Dianna Agron
R for violence, language and brief sexuality.
"In the off-beat action comedy "The Family," a mafia boss and his family are relocated to a sleepy town in France under the witness protection program after snitching on the mob. Despite the best efforts of Agent Stansfield (Tommy Lee Jones) to keep them in line, Fred Manzoni (Robert DeNiro), his wife Maggie (Michelle Pfeiffer) and their children Belle (Dianna Agron) and Warren (John D'Leo) can't help but revert to old habits and blow their cover by handling their problems the "family" way, enabling their former mafia cronies to track them down. Chaos ensues as old scores are settled in the unlikeliest of settings in this darkly funny film by Luc Besson (Taken, Transporter)."  -Official Synopsis, Relativity Media
French director/writer/producer Luc Besson (TAKEN, LEON: THE PROFESSIONAL, THE FIFTH ELEMENT) is a hate-him-or-love-him talent, and try as I might, I admit to being in the camp of less favorable opinion.  As is apparent in THE FAMILY's advertising campaign, his directorial style is fast and loose, with minimal attention to plot detail and credibility, mixed with a heavy portion of graphic violence.  If that's your thing, than this film is probably right up your alley, but you can keep it.

September 20
BATTLE OF THE YEAR  (Drama/Dance)  Directed by Benson Lee; Starring Josh Holloway, Laz Alonso, Josh Peck, Chris Brown 
PG-13 for language and some rude behavior.
"Battle of the Year is an international dance crew tournament that attracts all the best teams from around the world, but the Americans haven't won in fifteen years. Los Angeles Hip Hop mogul Dante (Alonso) wants to put the country that started the Sport back on top. He enlists his hard-luck friend Blake (Holloway), who was a championship basketball coach, to coach his team. Armed with the theory that the right coach can make any team champions, they assemble a Dream Team of all the best dancers across the country. With only three months until Battle of the Year, Blake has to use every tactic he knows to get twelve talented individuals to come together as a team if they're going to bring the Trophy back to America where it started."  -Official Synopsis, Screen Gems
So-called "dance movies" used to be more along the lines of extravagant musicals that allotted extended periods of time for performers like Gene Kelly, the Sharks or the Jets to dance their creative choreography like mad men, and at least one dance movie was actually pornography (looking at you SHOWGIRLS), but sometime around STEP UP, we've found ourselves subjected to a surprising count of urban-set choreography showcases laden with hip hop, barely-dressed young men and women, and lots of twerking.  This is just another one of those.  Stop giving them money.

PRISONERS  (Crime Thriller/Drama)  Directed by Denis Villeneuve; Starring Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhall, Maria Bello, Melissa Leo, Terrence Howard, Viola Davis, Paul Dano
R for disturbing violent content including torture, and language throughout.
"Keller Dover (Jackman) is facing every parent's worst nightmare. His six-year-old daughter, Anna, is missing, together with her young friend, Joy, and as minutes turn to hours, panic sets in. The only lead is a dilapidated RV that had earlier been parked on their street. Heading the investigation, Detective Loki (Gyllenhaal) arrests its driver, Alex Jones (Paul Dano), but a lack of evidence forces the only suspect's release. Knowing his child's life is at stake, the frantic Dover decides he has no choice but to take matters into his own hands. But just how far will this desperate father go to protect his family?"  -Official Synopsis, Warner Brothers
The story seems a bit like LAW ABIDING CITIZEN except with a conscience, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but the cast alone earns a second glance.  The previews we've seen so far have a seething intensity with Jackman colliding with Gyllenhall, and it looks very dark and gritty.  If you have a strong constitution, this will probably be worth a look; I would, however, watch the review trends first.

(Limited Release, Expanding September 27)

"Words Over Face."

RUSH  (Biopic/Sports Drama)  Directed by Ron Howard; Starring Chris Hemsworth, Olivia Wilde, Natalie Dormer, Daniel Bruhl
R for sexual content, nudity, language, some disturbing images and brief drug use.
"Set against the sexy, glamorous golden age of Formula 1 racing in the 1970s, the film is based on the true story of a great sporting rivalry between handsome English playboy James Hunt (Hemsworth), and his methodical, brilliant opponent, Austrian driver Niki Lauda (Bruhl). The story follows their distinctly different personal styles on and off the track, their loves and the astonishing 1976 season in which both drivers were willing to risk everything to become world champion in a sport with no margin for error: if you make a mistake, you die."  -Official Synopsis, Universal Pictures
Ron Howard has quite an assortment of both excellent "Oscar-dramas" and crapfests, and now that we've gotten ANGELS & DEMONS and THE DILEMMA, Howard is due for that critical hit, and RUSH looks like a likely candidate.  Oscar buzz for this one actually started trickling in a while back, and the previews exude a sexy, rock-and-roll energy, with Chris Hemsworth, best known as Thor from THE AVENGERS, in the lead as a reckless Formula 1 driver with a death wish.

September 27
CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2  (Animated/Family Comedy)  Directed by Cody Cameron and Kris Pearn; Featuring the Voices of Bill Hader, Anna Faris, Kristen Schaal, Andy Samberg, Will Forte, Terry Crews, James Caan
Not Yet Rated
"Inventor Flint Lockwood's genius is finally being recognized as he's invited by his idol Chester V to join The Live Corp Company, where the best and brightest inventors in the world create technologies for the betterment of mankind. Chester's right-hand-gal - and one of his greatest inventions - is Barb (a highly evolved orangutan with a human brain, who is also devious, manipulative and likes to wear lipstick). It's always been Flint's dream to be recognized as a great inventor, but everything changes when he discovers that his most infamous machine (which turns water into food) is still operating and is now creating food-animal hybrids - "foodimals!" With the fate of humanity in his hands, Chester sends Flint and his friends on a dangerously delicious mission, battling hungry tacodiles, shrimpanzees, apple pie-thons, double bacon cheespiders and other food creatures to save the world again!"  -Official Synopsis, Sony Pictures
In 2009, CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS was surprisingly hilarious, and probably the best work that the often abysmal Sony Pictures Animation studio has put out to date, under the talented direction of Phil Lord and Chris Miller, but as they've moved on to 21 JUMP STREET and THE LEGO MOVIE, the greenie team of Cody Cameron and Kris Pearn has been placed in their stead.  Given the new team's more-or-less freshman status, there's little to judge on what they might be capable of, but the advertising has been moderately amusing and severely punny so far.

DON JON  (Romantic-Comedy/Drama)  Directed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt; Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Scarlett Johansson, Julianne Moore, Tony Danza
R for strong graphic sexual material and dialogue throughout, nudity, language and some drug use.
"Jon Martello (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a strong, handsome, good old fashioned guy. His buddies call him Don Jon due to his ability to "pull" a different woman every weekend, but even the finest fling doesn't compare to the bliss he finds alone in front of the computer watching pornography. Barbara Sugarman (Scarlett Johansson) is a bright, beautiful, good old fashioned girl. Raised on romantic Hollywood movies, she's determined to find her Prince Charming and ride off into the sunset. Wrestling with good old fashioned expectations of the opposite sex, Jon and Barbara struggle against a media culture full of false fantasies to try and find true intimacy in this unexpected comedy written and directed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt."  -Official Synopsis, Relativity Media
This seemingly unconventional and hard-edged independent romantic comedy debuted at the Sundance Film Festival this year to critical acclaim, and despite the trailer's showcasing of Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Tony Danza sporting "douche-looks," DON JON looks highly promising.  An auteur sort of project for writer/director/star Gordon-Levitt, it looks like an indie romance with a hard and tricky twist that could hurl it in Oscar's way come next January.

This could be the most romantic movie about pornography addiction ever.

BAGGAGE CLAIM  (Romantic Comedy)  Directed by David E. Talbert; Starring Paula Patton, Derek Luke, Taye Diggs, Djimon Hounsou
PG-13 for sexual content and some language.
"Determined to get engaged before her youngest sister's wedding, flight attendant Montana Moore finds herself with only 30 days to find Mr. Right. Using her airline connections to "accidentally" meet up with eligible ex-boyfriends and scour for potential candidates, she racks up more than 30,000 miles and countless comedic encounters, all the while searching for the perfect guy."  
This is one of those movies that can best be described as, "it is what it is," and this looks like a stock romantic comedy aimed primarily at African American women; kind of like a Tyler Perry movie, except hopefully more balanced and consistently fluffed.  If that's your bag, then have at it.