November Movie Guide

American Gangster

Go see this movie. I really wish I could stop there, but I’ll go on. This will be considered one of the year’s best films, the cast is stellar and the story runs super smooth. Denzel Washington plays drug kingpin Frank Lucas, and the movie follows his rise and fall during the 70’s. Russell Crowe stars opposite Washington as Richie Roberts, a cop with aspirations of being a lawyer. The film is gritty and honest; to say that it is shot beautifully by Ridley Scott is an understatement. Now you can go see it.

Darfur Now

I don’t get the opportunity to tell you guys about as many documentaries as I would like, so this is kinda special. The nation of Darfur is in crisis, and this film will follow six special people as they explore ways to save the war torn country. This kind of film is terribly important if for nothing else to educate people who might not be familiar with the events that are taking place even as I write this. I know this is supposed to be a shoot from the hip men’s site, but real talk, there is a lot going on in this country and abroad that will have drastic effects on you, and therefore you need to educate yourself and then get involved, even if all you do is send along an email that calls attention to an important social issue. Get it together men, our apathy is killing us.

Fred Claus

On its face Fred Claus seems like one Christmas comedy too many, but there is a saving grace (and therefore a reason to check out this movie) and his name is Paul Giamatti. I officially want him to have a part in every movie produced while he lives, he can do anything. Fans will flock to see Vince Vaughn and that’s great, but 10 bucks says they’ll leave feeling that Giamatti as Santa saved the movie. Plus there’s Kathy Bates and Kevin Spacey to consider as well, give this movie a shot.

Lions for Lambs

While I consider myself a liberal as opposed to anything else, it doesn’t mean I’m pleased with my blue brethren (they really suck right now) and this movie has all the trappings of a heavy handed liberal finger pointing session, which may or may not be a bad thing. The important thing to remember however is that when you look at the cast and director, you know that this is likely to be a very well made heavy handed liberal finger pointing session. Since the political machine has stripped the media of its nether regions it’s been up to Hollywood to argue for the American people (the one’s in California and New York at least) as best they can. Watch this film, it will either reaffirm your current feelings or piss you off, either way it will be effective.

Beowulf

Beowulf is yet another classic tale that has been adapted for the big screen. The odds of this movie being good are high as the cast is impressive, as well as director Robert Zemeckis. The story will follow the early parts of the Beowulf adventure and then leap ahead considerably in time to the last parts of his adventure with Grendel’s mother (played by Jolie). Another big reason to check out this movie is the fact that Neil Gaiman (Sandman) and Roger Avary (Pulp Fiction) adapted the story for the screen, I’ll be there, will you?

Margot at the Wedding

This is the kind of movie you take a girl to so that she can see that you think all the time, not just when you need to know what the count is. Don’t worry Jack Black is in it, so odds are it won’t be boring. Honestly, when was the last time Jack Black made a bad movie? There’s also Jennifer Jason Leigh and Nicole Kidman there to round out the cast and make sure plenty of people hit the box offices. I would suggest you join them, because this will be one of those, “You haven’t seen Margot at the Wedding? Really?” kind of movies and I hate hearing that.

Hitman

This is what a lot of you have been waiting for, a man’s movie in November (what? Does American Gangster sound too touchy feely for you?) that’s based on a great video game. Look, I’d be lying if I said I thought this movie was going to good in the general sense. No, it probably won’t be ‘good’, but it will likely deliver what you want; a bunch of people being shot, stabbed, beaten up, or otherwise being mistreated in general. Stuff will blow up and babes will be hot. You can be honest with me, I won’t tell your girl friend that you saw it I promise.

I’m Not There

What’s most important about this new biography of Bob Dylan, is that Dylan himself approved of it. This is definitely a movie for a particular type of person (namely a music or Bob Dylan fan) but when you look at the cast, and consider the subject, wouldn’t you like to be a fly on the wall during certain moments of Bob Dylan’s life. Bob Dylan is easily one of the most universally interesting pop cultural icons to still be living, and this movie (considering its limited release schedule) might be a rare opportunity to take a look at his life.

The Mist

For a retired guy Stephen King still manages to scare the bejeezus out of me on a pretty regular basis. This time it is the adaptation of the 1980 horror story The Mist, in which a town is engulf in fog that is also engulfing blood thirsty monsters. People in a small town in Maine (which is why people shouldn’t live in small towns) are forced to seek refuge in a small super market while the evil creatures try to get in. We all know that they’ll die horribly one by one in various uncomfortable manners until Thomas Jane emerges as the sole survivor, but we’ll go see it won’t we? That’s right we will!

This Christmas

Fella’s, this is the movie you take your family to, with a great cast and wonderful theme these types of movies are often over looked which is a shame because they have great value. When it comes to family ties, no matter what the culture there are plenty of issues that we can all relate to no matter what the color of your skin might be. Not to be too heavy handed, but I personally feel like we should be twenty or thirty years past blaxsploitation and we’re simply not. One of the reasons is that movies like this get brushed aside as cheesy. But screw that, how come black people can’t tell inspiration and uplifting stories. To put a point on it, this is the perfect movie for this time of year for any kind of audience, and all it takes to find out for yourself is a movie ticket.

That’s it for me gang, it’s getting late and there is more out there for me to pass on to you, have a good time at the movies and come back and see me next month.