As a big fan of Peter Jackson it pains me to say this. The Lovely Bones simply doesn’t work.

Based on a dreamy, meditative book by Alice Sebold, Bones is the very definition of an unfilmable property. On paper it is the haunting story of a 14-year-old girl who is raped and murdered by a man in her neighborhood, and then watches the resulting effect this has on her mother, father and younger sister. Author Sebold, herself a victim of rape, created a phantasmal dreamscape for Susie to inhabit after she’s dead; not Heaven, but a kind of ephemeral waiting room, referred to as the ‘in-between’ by those already there.

On film and in the hands of a director as literal as Jackson (this is the same guy who once evaporated hordes of zombies with a push mower) Lovely Bones seems far too passive and breezy to account for its most sinister and disarming scene; Susie’s death at the hands of her murderer, played by Tucci as an uncomfortably sleazy pedophile stereotype. Jackson handles it with a delicate touch and doesn’t show anything terribly disturbing, but all of the surrounding details generate their own queasiness.

The technical achievements of the film are hard to argue with. The cinematography by Andrew Lesnie is spellbinding and lush and it captures such lyrical scenes as Susie’s father staring at a flickering candle and wondering if his daughter might be nearby, or Susie’s moments late in the film where she’s reaches beyond the grave to experience a few stolen moments of adolescent pleasure. The visual effects in the ‘in-between’ are also well done and relatively imaginative. Unfortunately there’s nothing for the filmmakers to grasp because in Sebold’s prose this afterlife is little more than a plot device.

The result is a series of computer-generated images that feel like a music video instead of a functioning and expansive dream world. The score by Brian Eno may be the element of the film most capable of standing on its own, but it fails to really add much commentary on the rest. Jackson’s directing has always been expressive and immediate. When he’s staging a fantasy battle between monstrous armies or a giant gorilla and hungry dinosaurs he can deliver the goods like nobody’s business. Here, where a softer, more thoughtful touch is required, he ends up decimating moments that were awkward to begin with.

On the acting front, there are some great performances on display. Saoirse Ronan proves she has the potential to become a great actress, and I hope that Jackson finds a use for her elfin features and charming persona in one of the upcoming Tolkien adaptations. As Susie she registers almost immediately and when her life is cut short, so is her character’s impact on the storyline. Wahlberg and Weisz are usually capable actors who usually elevate the films they are in. Here, where their story should be the primary focus, they are pushed to the background and have to settle for capturing small moments of grief and loss. Susan Sarandon as the hippie grandmother and Stanley Tucci as the creepy killer fare the worst. They aren’t bad per se, but the movie abuses their effort and they swamp the boat every time they show up. Jackson seems at a loss for what to do with them and when he finds something it feels ham-handed and forced. Tucci’s final moments on the film are inexcusably laughable and bewildering.

After seeing The Lovely Bones and having read its source material, it’s hard to imagine how this one could have been done effectively. When I saw the trailers I hoped that Jackson would be able to give Bones a tone and atmosphere similar to 1994′s Heavenly Creatures, but the whole production just gets away from him. The result is an emotionally empty film that wants to be important but instead comes as off creepier and more pointless than it means to be.

Rating: ★★☆☆☆ 

Two months before its January 2010 UK release date, Peter Jackson’s new film The Lovely Bones will be shown at the 2009 Royal Film Performance in November.

The annual Royal Film Performance is the biggest fundraising event for Britain’s Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund, which aims to provide financial and practical assistance to anyone who has had at least two years in a paid position within the film or television industry.

The fund was first started in the 1920s, and added its first royal to the CTBF’s list of patrons in the 1930s. England’s royal family already had a long history of supporting the arts, with several ‘Royal Command Performances’ taking place each year. These were (and continue to be) occasions where the royal family has the privilege of private screenings of films or theatre performances they wish to see.

In 1946, the Royal Command Performance joined with the CTBF to premiere the first Royal Film Performance, showing the film A Matter of Life and Death. The tradition continued, and the Royal Film Performance now holds the distinction of being not only the largest fundraising even for the CTBF, but (supposedly) is also the only night of the year that Her Majesty the Queen goes to the cinema.

According to the official press release for the event, the film will be shown in London’s Leicester Square in late November, and several of the big-name stars of The Lovely Bones cast are expected to attend, along with members of the royal family.

It goes without saying that having a film selected for the Royal Film Performance is a pretty big honor for all involved in the film. For a film like The Lovely Bones, an adaptation of a best-selling novel, that is already expected to do well at the box office, being selected for the Royal Film Performance will serve to heighten anticipation for the film’s December release.

Take a look at this poster for Peter Jackson’s The Lovely Bones and tell me it’s not one of the most beautiful one-sheets you’ve ever seen.

This, along with the posters for Where the Wild Things Are, Moon and the trailer for Jason Reitman’s Up In the Air seem to indicate that advertising campaigns for films (thanks largely to film sites) has shifted toward aesthetics instead of floating heads.

This is a perfect counterpart to the trailer for the film, which will be released on December 11, 2009.

The film stars Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, and Saoirse Ronan, and is scripted by Jackson alongside longtime partner Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens.

Straight from the creative talents of Peter Jackson comes the latest fantasy thriller, yet another novel adaptation, The Lovely Bones. Starring the wonderful talents of Susan Sarandon, Rachel Weisz, Mark Wahlberg and so on, this is one of the more anticipated films of this fall lineup. Finally jumping its way onto computers everywhere, here is the trailer for you all to enjoy. The film comes out in theaters December 11th.

The Lovely Bones Trailer

Well it’s that time of the year when things are dying down and folks are off for the Holidays. Or depending on your family, it may not be the time of year you look forward to. The Hustle and Bustle of Holiday shopping, years end reports due at work, long hours put in at the paper mill….oh wait no one uses paper anymore. In this time of the internet, lists can be a winner for sure. So I figured why not start us off with a bang for the New Year.

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!