Fall movies preview: Something for everyone
Take one killer virus, add some boxing robots, and throw in Humpty Dumpty for good measure.
With the summer blockbuster season officially behind us, movie fans will get a diverse roster of films for all audiences this fall. On "The Early Show" Monday, Entertainment Weekly Editor Jess Cagle had a look at some that look to be the biggest and best:
He says he's "really excited for this fall. You've not only got the usual Oscar contenders, some of which are very very strong and very exciting, but you also have a lot of crowd pleasers, and lots of lots of big stars.
"Contagion"
The fall movie season really kicks off with "Contagion." ... This one has Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law and Matt Damon, Kate Winslet and Marion Cotillard. Do not get too attached to any of them, because there is a killer virus going around.
"Moneyball"
"Moneyball" is based on Michael Louis' bestseller about Billy Bean of the Oakland A's, who revolutionized the baseball industry. I absolutely loved it. ... Brad Pitt plays Billy Bean, (and there's) lots of Oscar buzz for Brad Pitt and this movie. Easily one of the best movies of the year.
Fall movie preview: A full slate of adventure and thrills
"Ides of March"
George Clooney directed "Ides of March" and he also stars as a Democratic governor going for the presidential nomination. It is a movie about the corruption of politics. Lots of Oscar buzz for this one. Really good movie. And Oscar buzz for Ryan Gosling, who plays a young media strategist.
"J. Edgar"
If there is one movie that is considered a shoe-in for the Oscars, even though no one has actually seen it, it is "J. Edgar." Leonardo DiCaprio plays the very evil, very fascinating head of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover, and it is directed by Clint Eastwood.
"Real Steel"
"Real Steal" is about boxing robots. I had the same reaction -- a movie about boxing robots? I don't care. It was a fantastic movie. Set in the near future, Hugh Jackman plays a guy who boxes robots - remote-control robots, but it is also a movie about a father and a son. It is a really special movie. It is a huge crowd pleaser.
"In Time"
"In Time" is a sci-fi thriller set a little bit in the future, when human beings only age to be 25 (now -- that is the good news!) The bad news is -- you might get exterminated. So Justin Timberlake plays this guy who is accused of a crime and goes on the run, and Olivia Wilde, who is actually three years younger than Justin Timberlake plays his mom.
"50/50"
This has been a great year for adult comedies, and "50/50" is another one coming out getting great, great buzz. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is this young guy who is diagnosed with cancer and Seth Rogen is his buddy who helps him through it. ... This is a difficult movie to market, but the trailer is getting fantastic response. The buzz is great, and there is actually a little Oscar talk around this one.
"I Don't Know How She Does It"
Sarah Jessica Parker is known for, of course, the glamour from "Sex and the City." In "I Don't Know How She Does It," she plays a very different kind of woman. She plays a very overworked financial executive. The studio is hoping this could be another "Devil Wears Prada"; it's based on a best-selling novel
"Puss in Boots"
My favorite character from "Shrek" is finally getting his own spinoff. ... Antonio Banderas is back as Puss in Boots. But I am also very excited that Zach Galifianakis is in this, playing Humpty Dumpty.
"Twilight"
The last book in the "Twilight" series is "Breaking Dawn," and this fall we have Part One of "Breaking Dawn." ... This book is the most interesting book in the series. I actually have high hopes for this movie.
"Footloose"
Everybody laughed when they said they were going to remake "Footloose." ... And now, buzz on the movie is getting a lot better. A lot of my colleagues at Entertainment Weekly have seen it -- they really like it. A lot of the songs that you love from the original are in and are being covered by different artists. ... I am really excited about this one."