I was fortunate enough to attend an advanced screening of Becoming Jane last night, and as I predicted in my trailer review, this one is a RENT IT. The film plays very fast and loose with the “facts” of Jane Austen’s life, and should by no means be taken as a biopic. But luckily, that doesn’t take away from the bittersweet story it’s telling.

Anne Hathaway, although not British, plays Jane beautifully. She manages to portray Jane as a strong-willed, independent woman, while still allowing her vulnerable side to show through. And James McAvoy is absolutely charming as the philandering Irishman who catches Jane’s hard-to-catch eye. The story tends to lag in places, as most period pieces are known to do, but it manages to pick itself up and engross you again.

So while not a staggering work of genius, Becoming Jane is exactly what it sets out to be; a sweet and sad love story that anyone who has liked the films based on Austen’s novels will enjoy. It’s perfect for viewing on a rainy Sunday afternoon.

In general, I’m not a huge fan of movies based on comic books. I assume it has something to do with that whole being a female thing. But Batman is definitely an exception. Why? Because Batman kicks all kinds of ass, duh!

I loved the first two Batman films (the Tim Burton ones). Then came the two horrifying sequels that brought us such gems as a batsuit with nipples. But all was forgiven when Batman Begins was released. Christian Bale was a fantastic Bruce Wayne and a badass Batman. Michael Caine was perfectly cast as his sweet and sour butler, Alfred. And they’re both returning for The Dark Knight, along with Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent and Heath Ledger as The Joker. Even the weakest link from Begins (that would be Katie Holmes) is getting replaced by Maggie Gyllenhaal. I never understood why it was necessary for Batman to even have a love interest in every movie, but at least Gyllenhaal is 80 shades of awesome. The only downside to this movie is that I have to wait another year to SEE IT. But I think I speak for a lot of people when I say I am fully prepared to once again dance with the devil in the pale moonlight.

The Dark Knight is not yet rated and opens July 18, 2008. (Official site)

This trailer just dropped today, and the first thought that came to my mind was “Why?!”

Are there really people out there that are just dying to see Alvin and the Chipmunks up on the big screen? And I get it that this is a kid’s movie, but Alvin and the Chipmunks have been absent from the television screen for decades. Plus, did you see these little CGI chipmunks? They’re not cute; they’re creepy. And Alvin eats a turd, for christ sake. How is that funny?

I am definitely going to SKIP IT, so I guess it doesn’t matter. I’m just wondering what Jason Lee is thinking. This is how he leverages his My Name is Earl success? He’s on top right now. Why is he competing with Cuba Gooding Jr. for movie roles?

Alvin and the Chipmunks is not yet rated but I’m assuming it’ll be rated G. And it opens on Christmas. (Official Site)

So here’s my opinion of Wes Anderson. I don’t think he’s the best director of our generation, as a lot of people seem to believe. I don’t even think he’s that original, seeing how every one of his films is an attempt to recreate the essence of Harold and Maude. However, I do think that Wes Anderson is talented, and he certainly brings the best out of some fantastic actors, like Owen Wilson and Jason Schwartzman and Bill Murray. And even though all of his movies are basically the same, they’re all very enjoyable and lighthearted and different from anything else playing at the local multiplex.

The Darjeeling Limited, the story of a guy (Owen Wilson) who tries to rekindle his relationship with his two brothers (Adrien Brody and Jason Schwartzman) by taking them on a train trip across India, seems like pretty standard Wes Anderson fare: lots of wispy music, goofy characters and overdone montages. What does make me happy about The Darjeeling Limited, though, is the addition of Adrien Brody to the Wes Anderson crew. I like Brody, but he’s been a lost soul ever since The Pianist. Fortunately, it finally seems like he’s found the right fit with Anderson, a fact that just might save his career.

I suppose it’s inevitable that the next Wes Anderson movie was going to be a SEE IT for me. It probably won’t be any better than his last couple movies, but that will still make it better than most of the other films out there. I just wish that he’d make another movie as good as Rushmore, but that’s probably asking too much.

The Darjeeling Limited is rated R and opens September 29.

One of my favorite things about writing on TrailerSpy is the opportunity to give more attention to small but deserving movies that might otherwise pass you by. Charlie Bartlett is one of those movies, and I hope it doesn’t get lost in the shuffle of the summer blockbusters.

In the dog days of summer, I long for a movie with three-dimensional characters, witty dialogue, and an intelligent story. From the trailer, it looks like Charlie Bartlett will more than fill the void left by spiders, pirates, and robots.

See it for Robert Downey Jr., Hope Davis, and Anton Yelchin holding his own in the title role. See it for all the small, smart movies that fade into the background. SEE IT so that studios will realize that we’re still aching for good movies.

Charlie Bartlett is rated R and opens on August 3. (official site)

Remember all the hubbub about the new J.J. Abrams production, where Manhattan is mysteriously attacked by some ominous roar? Supposedly it had a fake working title of Cloverfield, but Vulture is now reporting that the movie is (most likely) named Monstrous. Grainy camera-phone pictures show the title on posters for the movie, and Paramount has bought the domain TheMonstrousMovie.com.

Monstrous? That’s the best they could do? Really? Well, I guess Chtulu would be a little hard to pronounce. Judging by all the excitement this movie has already generated, the movie could be called Reading From the Dictionary and it would be a hit.

Previously:
Transformers Comes With a Mystery “Cloverfield” 1-18-08 Trailer
Comments From a Cloverfield Insider