The Brave One
Starring: Jodie Foster, Terrance Howard, Naveen Andrews & Mary Streenburgen.
Directed by Neil Jordan for distribution by Warner Brothers.

Erica Dane (Foster) is a radio talk show host with a fiancée she loves as much as her career. Although, when a brutal attack takes away her perfect world, Erica embarks on a vigilante quest for justice. Now descending deeper and deeper in madness and her exploits being picked up on by the public, Dane begins to realize she's become the very evil she was trying to excise.
The Final Word: A very versatile actress, Foster hasn't been as active in recent years at the box office. Of course, with her resume and a pair of Oscars on her mantel, she can pretty much pick and choose her roles. This new one looks interesting and fits in more with her decent darker and more psychological based films. Warner Brothers coming off a so-so summer, would love to have an possible Oscar contender on their hands and seems to have all the piece to do so.
                 SEPTEMBER 14

3:10 To Yuma
Starring: Russell Crowe, Christian Bale, Ben Foster, Peter Fonda & Gretchen Mol.
Directed by James Mangold for distribution by Lionsgate.

In the Wild West, a man makes his own laws. For Ben Wade (Crowe) and his dangerous crew of outlaws, those laws are non-existent. Set in Arizona during the 1800's, this modern take on the classic western, finds Civil War veteran Dan Evans (Bale) charged with transporting the newly captured Wade to justice, more specifically to the 3:10 train to Yuma. Although Wade's loyal crew aren't ready to on without their fearless leader and Evans soon finds his perilous mission getting riskier with every turn, as they begin to close in on the pair.
 The Final Word: Is the Western making a comeback? Anything's possible as Hollywood tries to find and exploit the next big ticket genre. Although with Crowe and Bale, two proven leads, heading up the cast, audiences may have no problem revisiting a type film rarely seen since 1992's Oscar-winning “Unforgiven.”
SEPTEMBER 7

Flicks Favorites

Shoot Em' Up
Starring: Clive Owen, Paul Giamatti, Monica Bellucci, Greg Bryk & Chris Jericho.
Directed by Michael Davis for distribution by New Line Cinemas.

One Sentence Summary: A stranger (Owen) helps a damsel in distress (Bellucci) give birth to a little boy, but soon finds himself in the role of protector as a determined hit man comes after the mother and child.
The Final Word: Let's be honest, this isn't the type of film you go to for the plot. New Line has basically created an action film for the action fan and they don't care who knows it. Then again, you get the feeling that the studio knows something we don't, as this seems much more like a summer popcorn flick then a post-Labor Day burn-off. Will audiences react favorably?
SEPTEMBER 7


Mr. Woodcock
Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Seann William Scott, Susan Sarandon & Ethan Suplee.
Directed by Craig Gillespie for distribution by New Line Cinemas.

One Sentence Summary: A motivational speaker (Scott) returns to his hometown only to find out his mother (Sarandon) is newly engaged to his former teacher Mr. Woodcock (Thorton); a man who made his and his classmates lives a living hell growing up.
The Final Word: Ever wonder what became of Stifler from the “American Pie” movies? Well wonder no more as he's back in his first live-action role since 2005's big-screen adaptation of “The Duke's of Hazard.” Opposite him is Billy Bob Thornton, in the type of role he seems like he was born to play. It's the smart-ass redneck vs. a geekified Seann William Scott and early buzz is not positive.
SEPTEMBER 14


The Kingdom
 Starring: Jamie Foxx, Chris Cooper, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman & Jeremy Piven.
 Directed by Peter Berg for distribution by Universal Pictures.
One Sentence Summary: An elite FBI team is taken out of their element when they are dispatched to Saudi Arabia after an American facility is attacked.
The Final Word: While the top line cast may be the story here, check out who's behind the scenes. The story was co-written by Michael Mann, who has directed such films as “Heat,” “The Insider” and “Collateral,” in fact writing the first two. In addition, the director is Peter Berg, who directed both the film and the pilot episode of the sleeper hit “Friday Night Lights.” Universal is banking on this movie to do well, as they held it back from its original April release date, in favor of a more Oscar friendly September debut.
                                                               SEPTEMBER 28

The Game Plan
 Starring: The Rock, Madison Pettis, Roselyn Sanchez, Kyra Sedgwick & Morris Chestnut.
 Directed by Andy Fickman for distribution by Walt Disney Pictures.

One Sentence Summary: A successful quarterback, notorious for his bachelor ways finds himself blindsided when a 7-year old girl shows on his doorstop with proof that she's his daughter.
 The Final Word: Even die-hard wrestling fans will tell you that The Rock is slipping at the box office as of late. This new film may not do much to help him either. The trailer looks like a recycled plot updated to fit The Rock's skill set. Of course, this Disney fare won't help bring his once loyal WWE followers into the seats either, the question is, who will it bring in?
                                                                SEPTEMBER 28

SEPTEMBER RELEASES