Master and Commander is having a difficult pre-release testing run. It’s possible the studio will want to mess with what is reputed to be the most accurate presentation of naval warfare of the period, just to make it easier for the “average” viewer to follow.
The best movie I’ve seen so far this year just came out in limited release. Go look for American Splendor. Simply, staggeringly brilliant.
In September, I’m looking forward to: Once Upon a Time in Mexico; though I expect the story to be a mess, as is usual for Rodriguez, he always delivers on the extravagant kineticism. Secondhand Lions, which is getting some sharp advance buzz. Lost in Translation, the new film from Sofia Coppola, starring Bill Murray, which has absolutely rapturous advance notices. And Casa de Los Babys, because even what is reputed to be a lesser effort from John Sayles is still worth seeing. Also, Cabin Fever, which I’ve seen, comes out in September; it’s a pretty nifty little horror/comedy with a feeling of 80’s homage, if you’re into that sort of thing.
In October: The School of Rock, starring Jack Black, directed by Richard Linklater; excellent buzz as a broad crowd-pleaser. Tarantino’s Kill Bill, part one, of course. Mystic River, the new film from Clint Eastwood, with an amazing cast; it was one of the few entries in the most recent Cannes that people didn’t loathe. Intolerable Cruelty, the new Coen Brothers flick, reuniting them with O Brother star George Clooney.
In November: Matrix Revolutions, even though I thought the second installment was pretty mediocre. Love Actually, the directorial debut from Richard Curtis, screenwriter of Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill and many others, with an unbelievably amazing cast. 21 Grams, from the director of the somewhat flawed but still remarkable Amores Perros. And Bad Santa, directed by Terry Zwigoff (Crumb, Ghost World), starring Billy Bob Thornton as the worst mall Santa Claus you’ve ever heard of.
In December: Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, of course. Big Fish, the new Tim Burton, who has been straining my patience of late, but who I’ll give another shot. Paycheck, from John Woo, adapting Philip K. Dick, which could be horrifyingly bad (it stars Ben Affleck), but which has my reluctant interest.
Those are just the big releases with confirmed release dates. (You can see a rundown by month by clicking here.) There are lots more little movies still jockeying for position.