I’m definitely a bit torn with this one. On the one hand, it’s got John Cusack, and I rarely miss a chance to see Big John up on the big screen. On the other hand, it’s a horror movie, and I rarely miss a chance to skip a horror movie.

When I heard that 1408 was actually the number of the hotel room where the entire movie takes place, I was relieved because I figured I was off the hook. But then I saw this trailer, and I have to admit, it does looks really good.

I don’t know… I think I may just have to drag my wimpy butt to the theater to SEE IT.

1408 is rated R and opens June 22. (Official Site)

With the Sundance Film Festival starting this week (on the 18th), we thought it would be appropriate to bring you the trailer for what’s probably the most anticipated of all of this year’s entries at Sundance.

Black Snake Moan is a definite SEE IT…we’ll just get that out of the way right from the start.

I want to see this movie for the same reasons everyone else wants to see this movie. Because it’s Craig Brewer’s follow up to the great movie Hustle & Flow; because of Samuel L. Jackson’s big grey chops that he sports in the film; oh, and I’m also mildly interested in seeing Christina Ricci playing a nymphomaniac who spends most of the movie in her underwear, with a giant chain wrapped around her waist.

But having said that, I find myself feeling a bit guilty about being excited for this film. First of all, I really should hate Samuel L. Jackson by now…I mean, the man would probably star in your home video if you paid him enough money. I’m also feeling a little guilty about the fact that I find Christina Ricci really hot all of the sudden, even though I know that the only reason she suddenly became so hot is because she decided to stop eating. And lastly, I’m feeling a lot guilt about being so anxious to see a movie about a nympho, even though I know that the only reason Christina Ricci’s character is a nympho is because she was sexually abused as a kid.

But you know what, I’m still excited for this film, guilt and all. I can’t help it if I still love Samuel L., especially when he does something funky with his hair. And I’m just going to pretend that Christina Ricci really is getting three square meals a day. And, as for the sexual abuse stuff, I sort of think that’s par for the course with this movie. My feeling is that Craig Brewer had no intention of making of carefree sex romp. He wants me to be conflicted and uncomfortable when I watch the film, so that’s what I’ll be.

Black Snake Moan is definitely rated R and opens nationwide on February 23. Unless somebody with a car wants to drive up to Utah with me to catch the Sundance screening…don’t worry, I’ll chip in on gas money. (Official Site)

After watching this trailer, I found myself with an intense, visceral anger boiling up inside of me. But my anger wasn’t for any of the reasons you may be suspecting. It wasn’t that the plight of these characters intensely moved me or that my anger toward the Iraq War was reignited from watching the trailer. The reason that I felt so angry was because the makers of this film have so obviously screwed up one of the most important movies to be released in a long, long time.

No matter what you may think of the Iraq war, you have to admit that what’s going on over there is extremely interesting and dramatic, and you also have to admit that the stories of the soldiers who are coming home is perhaps even more interesting and dramatic. Therefore, it seems like a no-brainer that Hollywood would come out with at least one great movie about the spectacle that is the Iraq War and/or the heartbreak that is the life of the Iraq War veterans. And now, finally, here it is, Home of the Brave, the first ensemble piece about the soldiers of the Iraq War and what it’s like when they return to their “normal” lives in America.

Which is why I’m so dumbfounded that this important milestone in American culture could be so royally fouled up. First off, the cast of this thing looks like a WB reunion, with 50 Cent thrown in the mix to add a couple of extra dimples. Secondly, the “drama” depicted in the trailer sort of makes me want to shoot myself. And lastly, the only major movie that the director, Irwin Winkler, has previously directed was the Sandra Bullock debacle, The Net. In fact, the only reason that I’m even willing to watch the trailer for this thing is because Samuel L. Jackson happens to be in it.

In case you haven’t figured it out yet, my recommendation for Home of the Brave is to SKIP IT.

Fortunately, there are a boat-load of other Iraq War movies streaming through the pipeline, so maybe there’s some hope. However, that still doesn’t excuse them from messing up this first, and therefore most important, offering.

Home of the Brave is rated R and opens January 5. (Official Site)

-posted by Tal.