So Many Movies, So Little Time

Posted by Peter Smith
There were times this summer when I desperately scanned movie listings for something to lead me out of boredom and into air conditioning, only to find some very slim pickings. I thanked God for Netflix and moved on. But after spending the better part of this month trying to take advantage of all the New York Film Festival has had to offer, I suddenly find myself with an overwhelming backlog of must-see films.

I’ve yet to see Wes Anderson’s The Darjeeling Limited or Ang Lee’s Lust, Caution. The Assassination of Jesse James is surely not going to be the same movie on DVD as it is on film. Michael Clayton would normally be a solid contender for a trip to the movie theater. And how could I possibly pass on the black and white Ian Curtis biopic Control? I’m certainly curious about the Ryan Gosling vehicle Lars and the Real Girl, as well as Noah Baumbach’s sophomore effort, Margot at the Wedding. I was lucky enough to have seen an advance screening of Ben Affleck’s Gone Baby Gone, and you will not want to miss that sure-footed, tightly woven drama. But somebody is going to lose here, and the Times seems to agree with my sentiments.  

I understand Oscar strategy, and the sad tale of the early-season release forgotten, but honestly, how does this make any sense? A couple of these films will likely still be in theaters a month from now, but a greater number will see their runs shortened by the surplus of other options. Not all of these scheduling decisions are based on awards positioning — some tie into film-festival premieres or distribution-company calendars —  but if some had been released during the last few months, they would have had a much better chance of getting attention. For the moment I’ve got to determine which one of these movies I’m going to see first. — Bryan Whitefield
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Posted Oct 16 2007, 04:00 PM
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Comments

Warren said:

Well, Baumbach must be pleased that TSATW was his first film, the first four must have been figments of his imagination.  Margot At The Wedding is his sixth film.  If you are a magazine that writes about film, at least, try and get your facts straight.  Simply because a guy had a breakthrough movie, it doesn't necessarily mean that is all he'd done!

October 16, 2007 9:29 PM

blue23 said:

Sorry - total oversight.  He really only came on my radio with Squid and the Whale.  Certainly no disrespect to Mr. Baumbach was intended.  

October 17, 2007 9:19 AM

Paul Clark said:

Yeesh.  I thought I had it bad here in Columbus.  Opening here this weekend:  The Assassination of Jesse James, Into the Wild, Things We Lost in the Fire, Gone Baby Gone (which is surprisingly awesome), The Darjeeling Limited, and Lust, Caution.  Add to that the Horror Marathon, a one-night-only showing of the Mexican cult classic Santa, and the already-in-progress releases of Michael Clayton and We Own the Night, and it's all a bit overwhelming.

October 18, 2007 12:00 AM

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