Fall 2008 Film Preview

Burn After Reading

The latest from los hermanos de Coen is with an all-star cast including Brad Pitt, George Clooney, and the great Frances McDormand. Fri., Sept. 12, general release.

Christmas on Mars

A concept psychedelic sci fi film from Flaming Lips’s Wayne Coyne. Fri., Sept. 12, general release.

Sukiyaki Western Django

Takashi Miike writes and directs and Quentin Tarantino stars in something the film fan community is calling an “Udon Western.” Fri., Sept. 12, general release.

Battle in Seattle

Stuart Townsend’s film about the 1999 WTO clash-the defining moment of a generation’s activism efforts. Wed., Sept. 17, general release.

My Brother Is an Only Child

This film, written in part by the author of the great Italian flick, The Best of Youth, chronicles two brothers growing up with opposing radical political views in 1960s Italy. Sun., Sept. 21, 4:30pm. Ojai Theater, 145 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai. Call 646-8946 or visit filmsociety.ojai.net.

Miracle at St. Anna

Spike Lee’s much-anticipated World War II film. Fri., Sept. 26, general release.

Critics Pick: I Am So Proud of You

This world premiere of the new film by Santa Barbara resident and Rejected animator Don Hertzfeldt will open up Magic Lantern’s fall film series. Hertzfeldt will also appear live onstage to field audience questions. Fri., Sept. 26, 8pm. I.V. Theater, 960 Embarcadero del Norte, Isla Vista. Visit myspace.com/magiclantern.

Honeydripper

The Ojai Film Society’s screening of John Sayles’s Delta rock ‘n’ roll genesis film, which played only one day in S.B. last year. Sun., Sept. 28, 4:30pm. Ojai Theater, 145 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai. Call 646-8946 or visit filmsociety.ojai.net.

Wall-E

A screening of Pixar’s ingenious apocalyptic animated comedy. Wed., Oct. 1, 7:30pm and 9:30pm. UCSB’s Campbell Hall. Call 893-35354 or visit artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.

Sex and the City

Big revival screening with virgin Cosmos, prizes, and an SATC lookalike contest. Fri., Oct. 3, 7:30pm and 10pm; Mon., Oct. 6, 10pm. I.V. Theater, 960 Embarcadero del Norte, Isla Vista. Visit myspace.com/magiclantern.

Gonzo

This documentary about famed journalist Hunter S. Thompson (Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas), who used to order Chivas Regal snow cones at the Biltmore when visiting Santa Barbara. Thu., Nov. 6, 7:30pm. UCSB’s Campbell Hall. Call 893-35354 or visit artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.

Changeling

Clint Eastwood’s film stars Angelina Jolie in a story based on a bizarre incident in 1920s Los Angeles. Fri., Oct. 10, general release.

Oliver Stone chronicles the life of our beloved lame duck president. Fri., Oct. 17, general release.

Quantum of Solace

Daniel Craig returns as Bond in this sequel to 2006’s Casino Royale. Fri., Nov. 7, general release.

Critics Pick: Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired

From l’enfant terrible to fugitive child molester, from the heights of Chinatown to the salty depth of Pirates, few filmmakers have been so enigmatic and compelling onscreen and off. This will be the first S.B. screening of Marina Zenovich’s documentary about director Roman Polanski. Wed., Nov. 12, 7:30pm. UCSB’s Campbell Hall. Call 893-35354 or visit artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.

Australia

Baz Luhrmann returns to the big screen for another highly anticipated World War II film starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. Fri., Nov. 14, general release.

Critics Pick: Trouble the Water

This Sundance favorite and critically celebrated documentary provides first-hand accounts from Hurricane Katrina victims. It also balances handheld reporting with the dismal context of a presidency that pretended not to know what was going on in the Big Easy. Thu., Nov. 20, 7:30pm. UCSB’s Campbell Hall. Call 893-35354 or visit artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.

Milk

Gus Van Sant’s biopic of assassinated San Francisco mayor Harvey Milk. Fri., Nov. 21, general release.

The Road

An all-star cast in the post-apocalyptic tale written by Cormac (No Country for Old Men) McCarthy. Fri., Nov. 21, general release.