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No Strings Attached Director: Ivan Reitman Writers: Elizabeth Meriwether and Michael Samonek Stars: Natalie Portman, Ashton Kutcher, Kevin Kline, Cary Elwes MPAA Rating: Rated R for sexual content, language and some drug material. Synopsis: Two friends attempt to have a purely sexual relationship with each other, but eventually their feelings get in the way.

Lars’ take: A lot of funny people in this one and a lot of people I like – Kevin Kline, Cary Elwes, Mindy Kaling. It could be a cute little romantic comedy. Unfortunately, you have Ivan Reitman and Ashton Kutcher to deal with and it’s killing me to say Ivan Reitman’s name in this sentence, but he hasn’t made a strong comedy in a long time. It seems like a cute thing that is going to be done horribly.

Joel’s take: The supporting cast seems solid, I’m a big fan of Natalie Portman and I like that it’s rated R, but Ivan Reitman doesn’t make funny movies anymore and Ashton Kutcher rarely makes funny movies so there’s no reason to have any confidence in this one. Also, the premise does nothing for me. Besides, if you don’t like it this time around, you can always watch this story again in a few weeks when Friends With Benefits comes out.

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The Company Men Director: John Wells Writer: John Wells Stars: Ben Affleck, Chris Cooper, Tommy Lee Jones, Rosemarie DeWitt, Kevin Costner MPAA Rating: Rated R for language and brief nudity. Synopsis: After three coworkers lose their jobs, they must find a way to pick up the pieces of their lives.

Lars’ take: This is a group of guys who I really like and Ben Affleck, who I’m starting to like more and more. It’s really topical and it looks like it has a solid script. It looks like there’s nothing fancy about the way it’s shot and instead it just relies on story and solid actors, which I’m a big fan of. It looks really good and I hope it is.

Joel’s take: I like the cast and I think this movie will be solid. The only thing that worries me, and this may just be the trailer and not the movie itself, is that it comes across a little exploitative. I think that’s always a fine line when making a topical movie like this. I guess it just seems weird to me that you are going to be asking a bunch of Americans who have lost their jobs to pay $11 to see a movie where a bunch of rich Hollywood actors play unemployed Americans. I’m sure it’s a great movie, but the concept does give me pause.

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The Way Back (limited) Director: Peter Weir Writers: Keith R. Clarke and Peter Weir (screenplay), Slavomir Rawicz (novel The Long Walk: The True Story of a Trek to Freedom) Stars: Jim Sturgess, Ed Harris, Colin Farrell MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for violent content, depiction of physical hardships, a nude image and brief strong language. Synopsis: A group escapes from a Siberian gulag in Soviet-occupied Poland during World War II and must walk 4,000 to reach India and secure their freedom.

Lars’ take: Peter Weir, looking at his body of work, is always able to choose a really interesting project and he’s directed at least one movie that you really, really like. However, for me they always miss the mark just a little bit. I can’t explain why. And the cast in this movie, I don’t dislike them as actors, nor am I a huge fan. So I’m completely indifferent toward this movie.

Joel’s take: It looks like it could be good. But it also looks like it could be long and boring and over-dramatic. But I think the elements are in place to make this one good. It will all be in the execution. It could work, but I’m not sold that it will work.

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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 Director: David Yates Writers: Steve Kloves (screenplay), J.K. Rowling (novel) Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for some sequences of intense action violence, frightening images and brief sensuality. Synopsis: Voldemort has seized control of the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts, leaving Harry Potter a fugitive. Harry’s only hope is to track down and destroy the remaining Horcruxes – magical items that house a part of Voldermort’s soul.

Lars’ take: Everyone knows what these movies are already and they’re fantastic. They’ve done a good job staying true to the story and an excellent job picking young actors to portray these young characters. What I’m really looking forward to is the veritable “who’s who” of British actors sharing the screen together in what I’m sure will be a great ride.

Joel’s take: Maybe it’s because this has been a lackluster year for movies, but this feels like one of the only true big event movies of 2010. People are excited for this film and rightfully so. The overarching storyline in these films has continued to pick up steam and there is a lot of tension built up at the beginning of this film. I think it’s going to be really exciting and dramatic. My only concern is their decision to split this final story into two films, which could leave this movie with a lackluster ending that leaves you feeling disappointed until Part 2 is released.

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The Next Three Days Director: Paul Haggis Writers: Paul Haggis (screenplay); Fred Cavayé and Guillaume Lemans (screenplay Pour elle) Stars: Russell Crowe, Elizabeth Banks, Liam Neeson MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for violence, drug material, language, some sexuality and thematic elements. Synopsis: Believing his wife is falsely accused of a crime she has spent three years in prison for, a desperate husband decides to break his spouse out of jail.

Lars’ take: I’m so conflicted about this story. While it’s a remake, it’s cool to see what seems like an original family drama with Russell Crowe and Elizabeth Banks. I think it will be fun to watch. But unfortunately, looking at it, it just seems like it could be really, really boring because of the work you’d have to do to make the story seem realistic. I have high hopes nonetheless.

Joel’s take: What is this movie? Is it going to be a serious drama about a wrongly accused woman and her loving husband or is it an action movie where Russell Crowe beats people up and stages a prison break? Crowe is certainly capable of pulling off either end of the spectrum, but for the film to work, it’s going to have to be one or the other. The trailer seems to be somewhat ambivalent, hopefully that’s just a marketing decision to give it a wider appeal and the film itself is more focused.

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Made in Dagenham (limited) Director: Nigel Cole Writer: William Ivory Stars: Sally Hawkins, Bob Hoskins, Andrea Riseborough MPAA Rating: Rated R for language and brief sexuality. Synopsis: This drama centers around the 1968 strike at the Ford Dagenham car plant, in which women protested against sexual discrimination.

Lars’ take: I really liked Calendar Girls and I really have a lot of high hopes for this film. Although, I could see it very easily getting to a point where I just stop caring about the story and the characters. I’m really unsure about this one, which kind of makes me want to see it even more.

Joel’s take: These types of movies at times have the tendency to get really dry and overly dramatic, but with Calendar Girls, Nigel Cole showed he is capable of mixing humor in with drama, which is essential. If he can strike a similar tone here, I think this film will be successful.

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Unstoppable Director: Tony Scott Writer: Mark Bomback Stars: Denzel Washington, Chris Pine, Rosario Dawson MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for sequences of action and peril, and some language. Synopsis: An out-of-control train transporting dangerous chemicals must be stopped before it hits a sharp curve and is derailed.

Lars’ take: As much as I love Denzel, I have no interest in this movie whatsoever. It seems to draw from several formulas that have been done to death. I know it’s based on a true story, but it looks like they’ve adapted it poorly and I’m not excited about it at all.

Joel’s take: Not only do I feel like I’ve seen this exact same movie before, but I feel like Denzel Washington starred in it the last time too.

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Morning Glory Director: Roger Michell Writer: Aline Brosh McKenna Stars: Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for some sexual content including dialogue, language and brief drug references. Synopsis: An energetic young producer brings in a cranky veteran newsman in an attempt to save a struggling morning news program.

Lars’ take: Diane Keaton is always solid for a good performance and Harrison Ford has been very noble in staying away from movies because he’s advancing in age, but he’s still a talented man. The dynamic between those two should be really entertaining. Throwing in Rachel McAdams, an above par actress who is easy on the eyes, adds another element in there that I’m curious to see. I think it will be a good comedy with elements of truth we may have seen before, but with a new spin on them.

Joel’s take: This movie has a strong cast, a solid premise and it’s being produced by J.J. Abrams, one of the most talented people in Hollywood today. Yet somehow, I think the finished product is going to be less than the sum of its parts. I think it will have entertaining moments in it, but in the end I think it’s going to be underwhelming.

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Megamind Director: Tom McGrath Writers: Alan J. Schoolcraft, Brent Simons Stars: Will Ferrell, Jonah Hill, Brad Pitt, Tina Fey, David Cross MPAA Rating: Rated PG for action and some language. Synopsis: The brilliant but evil Megamind decides to stop terrorizing Metro City when a new threat emerges, for once using his powers for good.

Lars’ take: It doesn’t matter what I say because this will make a gajillion dollars.

Joel’s take: Dreamworks will never be Pixar. They tend to rely too heavily on pop culture references, pop music and fart jokes to sell their movies. But this movie still has the potential to be good. Besides, anything that seems to be mocking Superman is alright in my book.

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Due Date Director: Todd Phillips Writers: Alan R. Cohen, Alan Freedland, Adam Sztykiel, Todd Phillips Stars: Robert Downey Jr., Zach Galifianakis, Michelle Monaghan MPAA Rating: Rated R for language, drug use and sexual content. Synopsis: In order to make it home in time for the birth of his child, a man must hitch a ride with a bizarre aspiring actor.

Lars’ take: This is another formula for a movie that always works – a buddy comedy on the road. It’s been done countless times and it’s always entertaining. It should be an entertaining dynamic between Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis. It will be good for some laughs. I just think when it comes down to the emotional aspects of the film, it would be easy for them to get really mushy and really preachy and I hope they stay away from that and focus instead on a good story and a good comedy.

Joel’s take: This has a great cast, a promising set up and Todd Phillips is a fairly consistent comedic director. I think as long as this movie can find a similar vibe to something like Plains, Trains and Automobiles, it will be a truly memorable comedy.

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127 Hours Director: Danny Boyle Writers: Danny Boyle and Simon Beaufoy (screenplay), Aron Ralston (book Between a Rock and a Hard Place) Stars: James Franco, Amber Tamblyn, Kate Mara MPAA Rating: Rated R for language and some disturbing violent content/bloody images. Synopsis: Based on a true story, a mountain climber gets trapped while climbing alone and must go to great lengths in order to survive.

Lars’ take: I’m really excited about this movie despite the fact that a majority of it is going to have to be a guy alone and silent. I like basically anything that Danny Boyle puts out because he focuses a lot on story and entertainment. I know that may seem simple enough, but moviemakers often lose those two things in the shuffle. Also, with the actual guy that this happened to on set the whole time and Danny Boyle listening to him to make this movie, I think it’s going to be accurate and really well-told.

Joel’s take: Earlier this year, Buried tried to tell the story of one man trapped all alone, using his wits to survive. While that movie seemed overly gimmicky, 127 Hours actually seems really compelling and good. Plus, it’s based on a true story. Danny Boyle is always great and James Franco is a fantastic actor who I actually think is perfect for this role. It’s going to be good.

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Saw 3D Director: Kevin Greutert Writers: Patrick Melton, Marcus Dunstan Stars: Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor, Betsy Russell MPAA Rating: Rated R for sequences of grisly bloody violence and torture, and language. Synopsis: People continue to be brutally tortured and killed by a series of complex machinery … but this time it’s in 3D.

Lars’ take: The Saw movies have become a bit of a Hollywood tradition. It’s like your local haunted house – it’s very low-budget, it’s freaky, you are in for some graphic violence and gore and it gets you in the mood for the season. The movies know what they are, they work within their realms and they’re always good for entertainment purposes.

Joel’s take: The smartest thing the makers of these movies ever did was attach themselves to Halloween. The franchise is so entrenched at this point that people will go to see them regardless of their quality. It’s a genius move. It may not seem that complicated, but considering Rob Zombie’s Halloween came out in August and The Simpsons “Treehouse of Horror” specials air the first week of November because of the World Series, Hollywood still doesn’t quite seem to grasp this simple concept. So for that reason alone, Saw 3D deserves to succeed.

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Monsters (limited release) Director: Gareth Edwards Writer: Gareth Edwards Stars: Scoot McNairy, Whitney Able MPAA Rating: Rated R for language. Synopsis: An American journalist bravely heads deep into an alien quarantine area to rescue his employer’s daughter.

Lars’ take: District 9 has become the gold standard for what a realistic alien invasion movie should be, but these movies existed before District 9 and they will continue to exist long after, so it’s not fair to compare this movie to District 9. But it does seem to come very close to the same story. We’ll have to wait and see what exactly they do with it. But regardless, it seems like they put good money and talent behind it, so I’m hopeful it won’t be a carbon copy of a great science fiction movie that came out just last year.

Joel’s take: I don’t know if the filmmakers themselves or the marketing people behind the film are responsible for the decision, but the trailer and the poster for Monsters definitely seem to intentionally invoke District 9. It’s clear they are courting fans of that film. However, I think ultimately that will is a disservice to this film. Chances are, even if it turns out to be an entertaining movie that stands on its own, it won’t reach the very high bar set by District 9.

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Welcome to the Rileys (limited release) Director: Jake Scott Writer: Ken Hixon Stars: James Gandolfini, Kristen Stewart, Melissa Leo MPAA Rating: Rated R for strong sexual content, brief drug use and pervasive language involving a teenager. Synopsis: A businessman struggling with a rocky marriage and the loss of his daughter befriends a young stripper in New Orleans.

Lars’ take: This could be a movie that has three really solid performances backed by a very compelling story, but it all seems really contrived because it has elements of so many other things we’ve seen before. We’re really going to have to wait and see if there’s anything that makes this movie special other than the acting. I’m optimistic that this movie can succeed, but at the same time I’m a little trepidatious.

Joel’s take: This movie has a few things working against it from the start. First of all, I find it incredibly distracting whenever James Gandolfini talks in anything other than his Tony Soprano voice. (It’s unfair, I know, but I can’t help it.) Secondly, I have trouble taking Kristen Stewart seriously as an actress. I feel like she hasn’t really proven herself as a legitimate actor yet. Third, and most importantly, the whole setup seems over the top – she’s a stripper, he’s dealing with a broken family, the film is set in post-Katrina New Orleans. It seems very clichéd and melodramatic. But Gandolfini and Melissa Leo are great actors and the film is probably still good, even if it rubs me the wrong way.

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