Planetarium - politics/music/culture/smarts

Alright, since it's the weekend, and the end of August is fast approaching, like a crowd of soccer moms at a new Ikea store, we here at Planetarium thought it might be time to offer a heads-up on some of the more promising-looking films that will be hitting the screens over the next couple months. We've added links to trailers when possible. (Oh, and BTW- we will admit that we misjudged AvP. Sorry folks, even we get it wrong now and then. Mostly then.)

Leaving aside films that have a gosh-cool-but-it'll-probably-suck factor already added in (paging Sky Captain), we thought the first intriguing film to delve into the cyber-noir - other than Code 46 - will be The Final Cut, the debut film from Omar Naim, about a world of implants that allow for recording memories, which can then be assembled and viewed post-morten by others. Early word is that audience reception has been kind and critical reception is....not. Most Likely Reason it Could Suck: Robin Williams is in it.

More likely to reel in Planetarium, talent-wise, is the quickly appproaching The Forgotten. No, not a film about Howard Dean; the movie stars the lovely Julianne Moore as a woman who wants her son back, the only problem being nobody else seems to think she ever had a son. Early TV clips seems to promise a classicly elegant thriller, something in rare breed these days, and Moore kicks ass, so here's hoping. Most Likely Reason it Could Suck: The ending was re-shot last month. That's rarely done because the movie is too awesome, and they want to make it less so.

Next up is something that looks so crazy, it just might work. We're referring to David O. Russell's latest, I Heart Huckabee's (click to see the trailer). We're not sure Fox Searchlight knows how the hell to market this thing, and that can often mean good things for a film's quality. It's just that, well, it really looks crazy. But given Rusell's track record (Spanking the Monkey, Three Kings), we're gonna give him the benefit of the doubt. Most Likely Reason it Could Suck: The film seems to involve existential detectives. Anyone remember A Life Less Ordinary?

Now, on to something we're excited about. What would you expect if you combined Nicole Kidman with director Jonathan Glazer (Sexy Beast)? Answer: nothing remotely like Birth (click for trailer- it's zipped), a movie that is apparently about a young boy claiming to be Nic's reincarnated dead husband. Color us fascinated, especially given the controversy already brewing over a bathtub scene. Props to Ms. Kidman for continuing what's shaping up to be an impressive winning streak. Most Likely Reason it Could Suck: Well, it does sound kind of silly.

Another film that will quite probably kick all sorts of ass: John Sayles' Silver City (click for the trailer). This political satire opening a month or so before the elections becomes even more beguiling when you learn that Sayles asked his star, Chris Cooper, to intentionally model his dimwitted politician character after George W. Most Likely Reason it Could Suck: Hmmmmm.........nope, nothing yet.

And finally, we want to offer something for you dark weirdo movie lovers out there, as well, so look out, 'cause here comes The Machinist, starring Christian Bale as a factory worker who, after years of barely sleeping, begins to doubt his own sanity. Bale's at his best playing these fucked-up creepy types, and the movie have received generally positive buzz out of Sundance, so it might be a must-see for you arty thriller types. Most Likely Reason it Could Suck: Christian, there aren't any dragons you and Matt McConaughey have to fight in this, are there?