October 23, 2013: Upcoming Movie Releases to Look Forward to! Or not!

ABOUT TIME

Release Date: November 1, 2013

What it’s about: A guy travels through time in search of the perfect relationship.

What it’s got working for it: It’s a comedy!

What’s it’s got going against it:  A romantic comedy.

ENDER’S GAME

Release Date: November 1, 2013

What it’s about: Young Ender Wiggin enters Battle School to train and prepare for conflict against an alien threat.

What it’s got working for it: Looks great.  And it’s based on a great book.

What’s it’s got going against it: Not to give away a huge spoiler, but the revelation that makes this book so great would undermine a big screen treatment.

FREE BIRDS

Release Date: November 1, 2013

What it’s about: Two turkeys travel back in time to get turkey taken off the Thanksgiving menu.

What it’s got working for it: A mighty off-the-wall premise.

What’s it’s got going against it: A run-of-the-mill trailer that does it no favors.

LAST VEGAS

Release Date: November 1, 2013

What it’s about: Four old friends return to Vegas to relive their glory days.

What it’s got working for it:  Solid cast.

What’s it’s got going against it: The gags look as old as the characters. The Hangover on downers?

THOR: THE DARK WORLD 

Release Date: November 8, 2013

What it’s about: The God of Thunder battles to save Earth and The Nine Realms.

What it’s got working for it: The first movie had potential but never really delivered.  This one seems to have even more going for it including terrific visuals, a promising trailer, and a potential Thor-Loki alliance!

What’s it’s got going against it: I had high hopes for the original but was seriously underwhelmed.  What’s the saying?  Second time’s the charm?

THE WOLF OF WALL STREET

Release Date: November 15, 2013

What it’s about:  Chronicling the rise and fall of Wall Street insider Jordan Belfort.

What it’s got working for it: Directed by Martin Scorsese, written by Terrence Winter, based on the best-selling memoir.

What’s it’s got going against it: Why do I want to see a movie about this douchebag?

DELIVERY MAN

Release Date: November 22, 2013

What it’s about: A man discovers he fathered 533 children through sperm donations and embarks on a journey of self-discovery…and fatherhood.

What it’s got working for it: The premise is certainly original.

What’s it’s got going against it: After a while, all Vince Vaughn comedies into one giant ball of big screen mediocrity.

FROZEN

Release Date: November 22, 2013

What it’s about: A gang of misfits set out on a quest to confront the Snow Queen responsible for trapping their kingdom in eternal winter.

What it’s got working for it: Tangled did well for Disney.

What’s it’s got going against it: As Akemi put it after watching the trailer “It looks very for kids.”.  Seems like a movie an adult would endure instead of enjoy.

THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE

Release Date: November 22, 2013

What it’s about: Katniss Everdeen returns home after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games, but a rebellion is simmering…

What it’s got working for it: Second big screen installment of the hugely popular book series.

What’s it’s got going against it: I preferred the original when it was called Battle Royale.

 OLD BOY

Release Date: November 27, 2013

What it’s about: An advertising executive sets out to find the individual responsible for kidnapping him and keeping him captive for 20 years.

What it’s got working for it: Based on a fantastic South Korean movie by the same name.

What’s it’s got going against it: Hollywood.  Expect a watered down version of the original – and it’s shocking twist.

Tagged: About Time, Delivery Man, Ender's Game, Free Birds, Frozen, Last Vegas, Old Boy, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, The Wolf of Wall Street, Thor: The Dark World