Daniel Craig in Defiance

2008 finished with three WWII films (Miracle at St. Anna, Boy in the Striped Pajamas, and Valkyrie), and 2009 continues the trend with Defiance. Even though Striped Pajamas had the least amount of action, I would say it was by far the strongest of the four films with Defiance coming in a close 2nd. But I wonder where this fad is coming from, and how much more Hollywood thinks they can wring out of us before people stop watching.

I enjoyed Defiance, and the true-story aspect of the film. In fact, if it hadn’t been based on a true story, I don’t think it would have had so great an impact as it did. But the weight of the atrocities of this war, as well as the heroic efforts of those who refused to be mere victims, certainly came through in a story worth being told.

Focusing in on the three Bielski brothers,  Tuvia (Daniel Craig), Zus (Liev Schreiber) and Azael (Jamie Bell), the plot unfolds as the band of brothers hide out in the woods from the Germans who are systematically killing off Jews in the region. The growth of the resistance the real story of the movie. As more and more people take refuge in the area, it begins as a matter of survival for them all to band together. From a means of support and survival to the development of intentional resistance, the leadership in the brothers’ lives is mirrored in the larger group – growing, straining, coming undone and finding redemption.

There are certainly other bit players in the film, but they merely orbit the stars. And while it’s a powerful story, it does seem to try to stretch itself onto more film than was needed. Half an hour less would have sufficed and still been true to the plot and characters. Much of the time spent in the forest seemed like filler and could have been cut. And while that time may have been included to bring into sharper focus the harsh and bleak conditions, it never seems that bleak. Yes, we see a scarcity of food, and people beginning to fight among themselves, but then it moves on to other things. You never really feel that bleakness in your gut.

You do feel, however, the evil that prompts the story. And as long as we deal with evil in our world, movies like this need to be made. Attempted genocide must not be forgotten or turned away from. Remembering it in films like this and Hotel Rwanda serve to honor the fallen and to prompt good people to live out what’s right. Celebrating what was right about the Bielski brothers is worth your time.

 ☆☆☆☆☆ 

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So let’s get on with the list of upcoming movies in 09 that at least a few of us are excited about. By the way this is in no order besides that of which I think of them.

Monsters vs. Aliens

Why I am excited: I am always up for a solid movie with a company very well known for awesome animation. While I don’t see this breaking any records, I would say this may be the Wall-E of 2009.

Summary: When a meteorite from outer space hits a young California girl named Susan Murphy and turns her into a giant monster, she is taken to a secret government compound where she meets a ragtag group of monsters also rounded up over the years. As a last resort, under the guidance of General W.R. Monger, on a desperate order from The President, the motley crew of Monsters is called into action to combat the aliens and save the world from imminent destruction!

Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Hugh Laurie, Will Arnett, Seth Rogen, Rainn Wilson, Stephen Colbert, Kiefer Sutherland and Paul Rudd

Release: March 27, 2009

Watchmen

Why I am excited: Have you seen the freaking Trailers for this thing??? This movie looks awesome, comic book adaptation done well, what more can you say. I am ready for this one to hit IMAX now!!

Summary: In a gritty and alternate 1985 the glory days of costumed vigilantes have been brought to a close by a government crackdown, but after one of the masked veterans is brutally murdered an investigation into the killer is initiated. The reunited heroes set out to prevent their own destruction, but in doing so discover a deeper and far more diabolical plot.

Cast: Carla Gugino, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Patrick and

Wilson

Release: March 6^th, 2009

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Why I am excited: I am a true Harry Potter fanboy, read the books and have enjoyed them all including the films. Can’t wait for this one, it seems so much more mature than the previous films.

Summary: Harry Potter’s sixth year at Hogwarts turns out to be quite the exciting year. First off is the arrival of a new teacher at Hogwarts, Horace Slughorn, who is a bit more useful to Harry than he realizes. Next, Harry obtains a Potions book which used to be belong to the very mysterious Half-Blood Prince. Harry finds that the Half-Blood Prince’s ancient scribbles are written along the margins of almost every page, giving Harry advice on how to improve greatly on his Potions work, and also teaching him a few helpful (and dangerous) spells along the way.

Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman,

Helena Bonham Carter, and Tom Felton

Release: July17th, 2009

I Love You, Man

Why I am excited: I have been told this is the movie for guys of 2009. After seeing a sneak peak of it out west, a buddy of mine couldn’t stop talking about it. Word of mouth is sometimes the best way to advertise something good.

Summary: A newly engaged guy sets out to find the perfect “Best Man” for his wedding.

Cast: Paul Rudd, Jason Segel, Rashida Jones, Andy Samberg, J.K. Simmons, Jane Curtin, Jon Favreau and Jaime Pressly

Release: March 20, 2009

The Soloist

Why I am excited: A story based upon real life events featuring big named actors. What happened last time Foxx was portraying someone we knew in real life? Look for this one.

Summary: A schizophrenic (Jamie Foxx), is a homeless musician from Skid Row, Los Angeles who dreams of playing at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Through “chance,” he meets a journalist (Robert Downey Jr.), who tries to help this mentally disturbed man get “back on his feet” and make his dreams come true.

Cast: Jamie Foxx, Robert Downey Jr,Catherine Keener

Release: April 24th, 2009

Star Trek

Why I am excited: Finally a Star Trek movie that will actually be good. Yes I said it, all of the other movies and even the show sucked horribly. This looks to be a solid reboot along the lines of The Dark Knight. And anything with J.J. Abrams attached usually is pretty solid work

Summary: A chronicle of the early days of James T. Kirk and his fellow USS Enterprise crew members.

Cast: John Cho, Ben Cross, Bruce Greenwood, Simon Pegg, Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Winona Ryder, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Eric Bana and Leonard Nimoy

Release: May 8th, 2009

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Why I am excited: I don’t know why this is on the list besides it’s related to Transformers. The first movie was a so-so recreation of a fond childhood memory. The imagination is always better than the movie! This may be worth my pass though.

Summary: A new threat arrives from times of old…a threat that must be stopped… no matter what the cost.

Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Kevin Dunn, Julie White, John Benjamin Hickey, Ramon Rodriguez, Isabel Lucas and John Turturro

Release: June 26th, 2009

G.I. Joe:  The Rise of the Cobra

Why I am excited: Another childhood memory looking to be squashed/ruined, but anything with Rachel Nichols in it is a must watch.

Summary: An elite military unit comprised of special operatives known as G.I. Joe, operating out of The Pit, takes on an evil organization led by a notorious arms dealer.

Cast: Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Christopher Eccleston, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Byung Hun Lee, Sienna Miller, Rachel Nichols, Ray Park, Saïd Taghmaoui, Channing Tatum, Marlon Wayans and Dennis Quaid

Release: August 7th, 2009

The Lovely Bones

Why I am excited: A movie with heart. Need I say more? I like the actors involved, the story and the premise. Why not put it on here.

Summary: A young girl who was brutally raped and murdered, watches the effects of her death on her family from Heaven, as her parents drift apart, her father becomes obsessed with vengeance and her sister grows into the woman she would never be.

Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon, Stanley Tucci, Michael Imperioli and Saoirse Ronan

Release: Fourth Quarter, 2009

Defiance

Why I am excited: Daniel Craig and Live Schreiber kicking ass in the forest. What more can I say about that.

Summary: Three Jewish brothers escape from Nazi-occupied Poland into the Belarussian forest, where they join Russian resistance fighters and endeavor to build a village in order to protect themselves and others in danger.

Cast: Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber, Jamie Bell, Alexa Davalos, Allan Corduner and Mark Feurstein

Release: January 16, 2009/December 31, 2008 (NY/LA)

I am sure that I have missed a ton of solid movies that are coming out but I didn’t want to break this up into 4 different articles for you folks.

This list in an opinion piece so if something I said offended you, well, build a bridge and get over it!

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