Movie Previews: Little Fockers, True Grit and Blue Valentine

As we turn into the final week of mad shopping before Christmas and the holidays, we can take a moment to focus on the various up-coming movies vying for our entertainment dollars.

 

Part 3 of the on-going conflict between Greg Focker (Ben Stiller) and retired CIA agent Jack Byrnes (Robert De Niro). This 2010 film coming out on December 22 is the sequel to both the 2000 film Meet the Parents and the 2004 film Meet The Fockers. As well as continuing with the original cast including Dustin Hoffman and Barbara Streisand, this 3rd outing introduces Harvey Keitel, Jessica Alba and Laura Dern to the mix.

 

Will this film be good or bad? Meet the Parents rated 84% on Rotten Tomatoes (http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/meet_the_parents/) but Meet The Fockers ended up with 38% (http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/meet_the_fockers/). Are most sequels not up to par or even bad? Will the third time be a charm?

 

Rotten Tomatoes: Little Fockers: no reviews yet

 

Wikipedia: Little Fockers

 

official web site

 

trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j65JfjApdg4

 

This remake of the 1969 film which starred John Wayne and Glen Campbell brings together Jeff Bridges in the role of U.S. Marshal Reuben J. "Rooster" Cogburn, Matt Damon and Josh Brolin all under the direction of the Coen Brothers. I would remind everyone that the Coen Brothers have a remarkable talent for producing high quality films. Their previous work includes Fargo, The Big Lebowski, O Brother, Where Art Thou (an excellent vehicle for one George Clooney) and A Serious Man to name but a few. As a consequence, my expectations are going to be high for this remake and I add that I will definitely see this film. The Coen Brothers are truly excellent film makers.

 

This film comes out on December 22 but already the critics are being tallied on Rotten Tomatoes giving the film a score of 94%. That is a sure sign of a quality product.

 

Rotten Tomatoes: True Grit: 94%

 

Wikipedia: True Grit

 

official web site

 

trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfTSvFSdyRg

 

It’s going to be good. It was the official selection at the Canner Film Festival, the Sundance Film Festival and the Toronto Film Festival and is already rated at 92% on Rotten Tomatoes.

 

Starring Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams, the film follows a married couple and the highs and lows of their life together. Originally released with a NC-17 rating meaning that nobody 17 and under can get in, the production company argued and won its challenge for an R rating which now means 17 or older can get in. A change in rating allows 17 year olds which translates into a wider audience. One newspaper called the victory "a slightly less Blue Valentine".

 

Rotten Tomatoes: Blue Valentine: 92%

 

Wikipedia: Blue Valentine

 

official web site

 

trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ2CqKMrcCM

Click HERE to read more from William Belle