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Star Trek 2009

Star Trek

Director: J. J. Abrams

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

• Review [8.May.2009]

Get ready for the hype. By the time you read this, several “special” websites will have already screened (and reviewed) this J.J. Abrams reboot of the classic sci-fi series, and along with the main trade papers (The Hollywood Reporter and Variety) are declaring it as good as The Dark Knight. Really? If so, it will be quite a coup for Paramount, especially since the studio has been looking for a way to bring back the classic Trek characters without having to go the nursing home route for almost a decade. Apparently, they found the answer, though many among the devoted are voicing concern over the “youthful” approach to the project. Besides, prequels don’t have the greatest track record. Still, the trailer looks amazing, and if said spies are to be believed, Abrams may have ended the race for Best Film of Summer 2009 before it really even begins.

Next Day Air

Director: Benny Boom

Cast: Donald Faison, Mike Epps, Wood Harris, Mos Def, Darius McCrary, Cisco Reyes, Yasmin Deliz

• Review [8.May.2009]

Talk about counterprogramming. While a certain demographic lines up to see the original adventures of a pre-puffy Captain Kirk, rap video director Benny Boom makes his feature film debut with this crazy crime comedy. When a couple of bumbling hoods run across a shipment of cocaine, they wind up facing the wrath of the intended recipients, the kingpin behind the drugs, and seemingly everyone they come in contact with. Could be hilarious. Could be another sign of Hollywood misunderstanding minority audiences.

Adoration

Director: Atom Egoyan

Cast: Rachel Blanchard, Scott Speedman, Devon Bostick, Arsinée Khanjian

Just reading the synopsis of Atom Egoyan’s latest film is enough to make one’s head spin. The storyline focuses on a young boy who uses a French Class assignment as a means of investigating his “fictional” parentage. What he posts on the Internet creates a controversy that may lead to the actual, unsettling truth. As he does with all his films, Egoyan is playing with themes here—identity, technology, fact vs. fiction. It sounds very dense and thought provoking.

Rudo y Cursi

Director: Carlos Cuarón

Cast: Gael García Bernal, Diego Luna, Jessica Mas, Guillermo Francella, Dolores Heredia

• Review [8.Sep.2009]
• Review [11.May.2009]

The famed screenwriter brother of celebrated director Alfonso Cuarón, Carlos, gets his shot behind the lens taking on the story of two brothers, living in Mexico, who can’t stop fighting over who is the best professional soccer player. It actually sounds like a comedy, but both the official website and the press materials indicate that it is more dramatic. Early reviews have been favorable. Here’s betting this gets lost in the deluge of Summer fluff.