I wasn’t that excited about this film at first, but with every new piece of footage I see, I’m quickly coming around. I have to admit, these new international trailers look pretty damn cool. Those Wachowski brothers sure do know what they’re doing.

International Trailer #1:

International Trailer #2:

Is it possible to have absolutely no desire to see a movie and yet, at the same time, be very excited to see that same movie? Well, I suppose it is possible, because that’s exactly how I feel about this new Speed Racer flick.

When I first heard that they were making a Speed Racer movie earlier this year, I recall feeling very nauseous. Granted, I had recently eaten some bad sushi, but I’m sure the Speed Racer thing didn’t help. Maybe I’m alone on this one, but I personally think it’s a horrible idea to make a movie off of the Speed Racer cartoon. Not that the cartoon wasn’t entertaining, but I don’t remember the episodes being all interesting or the plots that engaging. All I remember is some fun animation and a catchy song. Plus, I’m still not convinced that cartoons make for good live-action movies (Scooby-Doo comes to mind).

Of course, then I heard that the Wachowski brothers (The Matrix, V for Vendetta) were writing and directing this film, and my nausea started to subside a bit (then again, I hadn’t eaten any sushi in a while). And then I heard that Emile Hirsh was playing the starring role, and that again made me feel a little better (have you seen Into the Wild yet????). And then I finally saw this trailer, which does look pretty cool, so now I suddenly find myself very excited about seeing this film.

Except that I still have absolutely no desire to see a movie based on Speed Racer!!!

As you can see, I’m still fairly confused about this one. But I guess when I really think about it, I know I’m going to SEE IT in the theaters. And that’s really for only one reason: the Wachowski brothers. Those guys are geniuses, and I know that this movie will be great because of them. But I still wish that they would have chosen a different vehicle (pun intended) with which to display their genius.

Speed Racer is not yet rated (though it’s rumored to be rated G) and opens May 9 (Official Site)

It’s possible that I’m alone on this one, but I am VERY excited about this film.

There is a certain type of story that only a book seems to capture properly and just never seems to translate well onto film. Stories like Siddhartha and The Fountainhead, where the action primarily takes place inside the character’s head, as he struggles to find personal enlightenment. Hollywood has tried many times over to recreate these types of stories on the big screen, but the movie versions always seem to bomb (Peaceful Warrior is the most recent example).

I suppose that’s why most people were been betting against Sean Penn when he decided to make a movie based on the very popular book, Into the Wild, the true story of a rich kid who turns his back on his parent’s money and instead seeks out adventure and enlightenment in the vast wilderness of Alaska. And it’s not hard to see why some people thought Penn was crazy…I mean, a kid alone in Alaska doesn’t seem like a very exciting movie.

However, the word on the street is that Penn pulled it off. According to the early buzz, the movie is supposed to be as good as the book was, which is a hell of a feet for this type of story. And judging from the trailer, it does look pretty great.

Granted, all of the hype may be just that…hype. But I plan on being one of the first to find out when I SEE IT on opening weekend. I love these kind of stories, and since I rarely get a chance to read a book anymore, I’m excited to watch a competent translation of one on the big screen.

Into the Wild is rated R and opens September 21. (Official Site)

Much of the discussion about Alpha Dog has centered around the morally suspect role that this movie plays in glamorizing a notorious drug dealer and murderer, Jesse James Hollywood, as well as the questionable behavior of the prosecutor in the case, Ronald J. Zonen, who allowed the makers of the movie full access to classified legal documents from the case. Personally, though, I don’t see what all the hubbub is about. It’s not like this is the first movie that glamorize a criminal, and it’s not like various law-enforcement agencies haven’t bent over time and time again for the chance to participate in the movie-making experience.

To me, the far more important question about this movie is ‘what the hell were the casting directors thinking?!?!’ I’ll admit that I’m a fan of Justin Timberlake’s music…I mean, the guy did bring sexy back, right? And to be honest, I don’t mind Justin Timberlake jumping into the acting frey…every other musician is doing it, so why not? I’ll also admit that I really enjoyed Emile Hirsch’s last movie, The Girl Next Door, you know, the one where the pornstar moves in next to the High School geek (Hirsch).

The problem that I have is that Timberlake and Hirsch are not dangerous or scary or any of the things that Jesse James Hollywood and his friends are supposed to be. And I think that the trailer supports this. Alpha Dog doesn’t look like a story about a drug dealer and future member of the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted List. It looks like the campy tale of a few friends who get caught up in some adolescent hijinks.

Unfortunately, I’m gonna have to go with a SKIP IT for this one. I admit that I’m a little curious to see whether or not Justin Timberlake has any acting ability, but I think I’ll be able to sleep at night without knowing.

Alpha Dog is rated R and opens January 12. (Official Site)