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Man of steel: Actor Brandon Routh as Superman in ‘Superman Returns.’
Here's an alphabetical look at the dozen movies I'm most interested in announced for 2006 so far:
"Art School Confidential." Combining the talents of one of the great comic artists of our time, Daniel Clowes, and director Terry Swigoff. Their last movie, "Ghost World," was fantastic, and this one takes on the even scarier world of art school. April.
"Clerks 2: Passion of the Clerks." Catch up with Dante and Randall 10 years on, still mired in dead-end jobs. This is either a really great idea or a really bad one. Will it catch the unique vibe of Kevin Smith's 1994 "Clerks"? Either way, it's got to be better than Smith's toothless "Jersey Girl." August.
"For Your Consideration." Writer-director Christopher Guest, co-writer Eugene Levy and the rest of their wacky ensemble turn their satiric attention to Hollywood's award season. Another film from the minds behind "A Mighty Wind" and "Waiting for Guffman"? I'm there. Sept. 22.
"The Fountain." Hugh Jackman plays a time traveler who struggles for 1,000 years as a Spanish conquistador, a scientist and an astronaut to save the woman he loves. Directed by Darren Aronofsky ("Requiem for a Dream"), it's a very promising, mind-bending story. Opening TBA.
"Marie Antoinette." Sofia Coppola follows up "Lost in Translation" with something completely different -- a take on the legendary Antoinette, played by Kirsten Dunst, in historic France. A really mesmerizing trailer with a fascinating choice of music has me quite looking forward to this. Oct. 13.
"Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest." Johnny Depp's Captain Jack is back. The first was surprising fun. The sequel could either be another blast or a bloated over-hyped mess. But Depp is back, so I'm hoping for the former. July 7.
"Tenacious D in: The Pick of Destiny." The origins of Jack Black and Kyle Gass' frenetic rockin' duo are finally revealed. If you don't want to see this, you do not rock. September.
"Superman Returns." This year's "Hulk" or this year's "Spider-Man"? Is Superman too uncool for 2006? But director Bryan Singer helmed the first two "X-Men" movies, and promises to be respectful to the classic first two movies starring Christopher Reeve, so I'll be at the head of the line to see what he's done with the Man of Steel. June 30.
"X-Men 3." Speaking of "X-Men" ... despite losing director Singer to "Superman," the first trailer for this is quite entertaining, and the first two movies were excellent. Plus, "Frasier's" Kelsey Grammer is furry and blue as the Beast. I'm cautious because director Brett "Rush Hour"Ratner doesn't come with a great reputation, but I'm a big fan of the series, so I'll give it a shot. May 26.
"V For Vendetta." Alan Moore has a terrible track record with movie adaptations of his legendary graphic novels ("League of Extraordinary Gentlemen," "From Hell"), and it does sound like this movie about a totalitarian future terrorist has taken some liberties. But it's starting to build some interesting buzz, and Natalie Portman is great whenever she's not in a George Lucas movie. March 16.
Least looking forward to: At least two big-budget 9/11 themed movies are planned for next year. I have to admit I have zero interest in seeing what happened that day reenacted by actors on the big screen. I only wonder that anybody could. The events of that day inevitably will lead to great art, but Hollywood all too often cheapens reality.
I suspect these movies will be seen as too much, too soon.
"Art School Confidential." Combining the talents of one of the great comic artists of our time, Daniel Clowes, and director Terry Swigoff. Their last movie, "Ghost World," was fantastic, and this one takes on the even scarier world of art school. April.
"Clerks 2: Passion of the Clerks." Catch up with Dante and Randall 10 years on, still mired in dead-end jobs. This is either a really great idea or a really bad one. Will it catch the unique vibe of Kevin Smith's 1994 "Clerks"? Either way, it's got to be better than Smith's toothless "Jersey Girl." August.
"For Your Consideration." Writer-director Christopher Guest, co-writer Eugene Levy and the rest of their wacky ensemble turn their satiric attention to Hollywood's award season. Another film from the minds behind "A Mighty Wind" and "Waiting for Guffman"? I'm there. Sept. 22.
"The Fountain." Hugh Jackman plays a time traveler who struggles for 1,000 years as a Spanish conquistador, a scientist and an astronaut to save the woman he loves. Directed by Darren Aronofsky ("Requiem for a Dream"), it's a very promising, mind-bending story. Opening TBA.
"Marie Antoinette." Sofia Coppola follows up "Lost in Translation" with something completely different -- a take on the legendary Antoinette, played by Kirsten Dunst, in historic France. A really mesmerizing trailer with a fascinating choice of music has me quite looking forward to this. Oct. 13.
"Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest." Johnny Depp's Captain Jack is back. The first was surprising fun. The sequel could either be another blast or a bloated over-hyped mess. But Depp is back, so I'm hoping for the former. July 7.
"Tenacious D in: The Pick of Destiny." The origins of Jack Black and Kyle Gass' frenetic rockin' duo are finally revealed. If you don't want to see this, you do not rock. September.
"Superman Returns." This year's "Hulk" or this year's "Spider-Man"? Is Superman too uncool for 2006? But director Bryan Singer helmed the first two "X-Men" movies, and promises to be respectful to the classic first two movies starring Christopher Reeve, so I'll be at the head of the line to see what he's done with the Man of Steel. June 30.
"X-Men 3." Speaking of "X-Men" ... despite losing director Singer to "Superman," the first trailer for this is quite entertaining, and the first two movies were excellent. Plus, "Frasier's" Kelsey Grammer is furry and blue as the Beast. I'm cautious because director Brett "Rush Hour"Ratner doesn't come with a great reputation, but I'm a big fan of the series, so I'll give it a shot. May 26.
"V For Vendetta." Alan Moore has a terrible track record with movie adaptations of his legendary graphic novels ("League of Extraordinary Gentlemen," "From Hell"), and it does sound like this movie about a totalitarian future terrorist has taken some liberties. But it's starting to build some interesting buzz, and Natalie Portman is great whenever she's not in a George Lucas movie. March 16.
Least looking forward to: At least two big-budget 9/11 themed movies are planned for next year. I have to admit I have zero interest in seeing what happened that day reenacted by actors on the big screen. I only wonder that anybody could. The events of that day inevitably will lead to great art, but Hollywood all too often cheapens reality.
I suspect these movies will be seen as too much, too soon.
