SEPTEMBER
Heading into Autumn, an early Oscar-contender for 2008 was released in the shape
of Atonement, the wartime adaptation of a popular novel, starring Keira
Knightley (out to prove she's more than a pirating tough-nut) and James McAvoy
(having a great year, following The Last King Of Scotland). The film seemed to
be a good antidote to the summer fare, spending weeks at the top of the UK
chart.
Joining Atonement in almost parallel success was Simon Pegg comedy Run, Fat Boy, Run.
This rom-com set in the world of amateur marathon running was a surprise hit for
director David Schwimmer (Ross in Friends) and proved that, post-Fuzz, Pegg has
been taken to British hearts. The film itself? Mediocre.
The latter half of 2007 saw a resurgence in the Western genre; first with
3:10 To Yuma, starring Christian Bale and Russell Crowe, which peaked early
in the UK and slipped considerably. But still, it did very well in the US and
proved there's still some fondness for heterosexual cowboys post-Brokeback Mountain.
A big disappointment, in terms of success anyway, was Clive Owen actioner Shoot 'Em Up,
which just wasn't marketed very strongly following its failure in the US. Still, it
s a brainless, high-octane barrel of fun which should do well on DVD and
become a cult hit.
Following up Knocked Up was Seth Rogen and Judd Apatow, both involved in
Superbad. This was cleverly sold on the back of Knocked Up's success in the
US and UK, and months of hype online helped make it a hit -- despite slightly
underperforming because of such epic expectations.
On the opposite end of appraisal from most people was I Now Pronounce You Chuck And Larry,
the new Adam Sandler comedy that received mostly negative reviews because of its offensive
gay stereotypes. Audiences were more forgiving, and made it a modest hit.
The biggest casualty of 2007 was undoubtedly Grindhouse, a double-bill "film
experience" from directing friends Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino. Two films
for the price of one, both inspired by the exploitative, violent, cheap n'
nasty flicks of the 1970s. The project bombed in the US and forced the studio
to cut their losses, re-edit both films, push Tarantino's Death Proof into
Cannes for some quick praise, before throwing it into UK cinemas and hoping
for the best. It failed. Death Proof, about a serial killer stuntman (Kurt Russell)
tanked in the UK and capped Tarantino's worst year in film.
Another gritty film was The Brave One, which wasn't much of a hit,
but was interesting enough for being a Jodie Foster female-version of Death Wish.
Having righted some wrongs with his Ocean's franchise, George Clooney made a
bid for awards glory in 2008 with Michael Clayton. This law thriller generated
a bit of buzz from critics, directed by scribe Tony Gilroy (the Bourne films), although
its box-office success didn't reflect the plaudits.
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