2009 is about to witness yet another piece of history years in the making (though this one is probably far less important to the kinds of people who fill their days with activities like leaving their homes and speaking to members of the opposite sex). That’s right–after twenty odd years of trying, Hollywood has finally forced Alan Moore‘s “Watchmen” onto screens across the country. This adaptation should probably win the weekend and displace Tyler Perry’s most recent film, which has reigned for the past two weeks. The fact that it’s been impossible to go anywhere in the contiguous 48 states without seeing an ad for the movie, coupled with the fact that it’s the only film opening wide this weekend (and wider than any R-Rated movie ever) suggests that it should dominate. It’s inevitable. How well it does though remains to be seen, but last minute poor reviews probably cannot derail this juggernaut of marketing.
Russian filmmaker Nikita Mikhalkov, who won an Oscar for best foreign film in 1995 for “Burnt by the Sun“, returns this weekend with “12,” a semi-adaptation of the Sidney Lumet classic “12 Angry Men” that tells the story of 12 jurors trying an eighteen year-old boy for murder. If costumed heroes aren’t your thing, then this picture–with an 89% right now–might be more your speed. Also for foreign film buffs is “Everlasting Moments,” from Swedish director Jan Troell. The story centers on a woman who experiences a reawakening of her inner life and escape from an abusive husband through photography as the medium is being born. ‘Moments’ also boasts a high rating, currently sitting at 85% on the Tomatometer.
Perhaps the most exciting release this weekend is “Tokyo!” a three-part film in the “Paris, Je T’aime” mold about the Japanese city that gives the movie its title. Michel Gondry (“The Science of Sleep“), Joon-Ho Bong (“The Host“), and Leos Carax (“Pola X“) each helm a segment that rhapsodizes and examines life in the bustling Japanese metropolis. Reviews have been kind, giving the film a respectable 71% right now and making it a pretty safe bet for Gondryphiles.
Elsewhere, actor Mark Webber (“The Hottest State“) makes his directorial debut with Explicit Ills. Starring Paul Dano (“There Will Be Blood“), Rosario Dawson (“Eagle Eye“) and Lou Taylor Pucci (“Thumbsucker“), the movie is about the seedy side of Philadelphia. Its 83% rating suggests it might be worth a look. And speaking of Lou Taylor Pucci…he’s in another movie this weekend! “Horsemen“, starring LTP and Dennis Quaid is a detective thriller with a killer who bases his crimes on the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. There’s no reviews in yet, which tells you all you need to know as it wasn’t screened for critics. It’s directed by former shallow music video director Jonas Akerlund who helmed, “Spun,” a vile and artificial crystal-meth movie with an all star cast that turned out to be utter shit.
Finally, this weekend’s current highest rated picture is “Fados,” the third film in a musical trilogy by the great Spanish director Carlos Saura (“Cris Cuervos”) Exploring Lisbon through the musical genre of fado, a style particular to that part of the world, the film fuses multiple styles and art forms to create a portrait of Portugal. If you live in a city where this is playing and you miss elaborate and innovative film musicals, give it a shot.
That’s pretty much it for this weekend–there are a few smaller films seeing limited release, but nothing too stunning. Frankly, we’ll just be glad to see the “Watchmen” hysteria blow over.