Films of 2010: Shutter Island; The Runaways; Robin Hood; Wall Street 2; Extraordinary Measures

Though I'm sure I'd enjoy it, I've never been the type to charge out to first-run popular films blockbusters like "Avatar." I'm more inclined to stick with the known film universe of tried and true classics. I've watched several versions of "Pride and Prejudice" many times over. I never tire of the subtlety, the witty dialogue, the beautiful scenery, and the wonderful portrayals of life in different historical periods. My idea of an action movie is "Heat" and I can watch each time as if it's the first time. Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, and the sound of shell casings hitting the pavement can rescue me from the deepest torpor. Marlon Brando in "On the Waterfront" and Humphrey Bogart in "Casablanca" or other films have me rehearsing the lines as I wait to be checked out in the supermarket line. However, I've decided to step out of my mold this year and have made a New Year's resolution to see more first-run films.

Some likely choices in 2010 would be "Shutter Island," directed by Robert Scorsese; the story of Joan Jett and the "Runaways" in a film of the same name; a new "Robin Hood" starring Russell Crowe; and "Wall Street 2" because I liked Michael Douglas's character, Gordon Gekko, in "Wall Street." There's another serious film coming out in January of this year 2010 which I probably won't see, though I greatly admire Harrison Ford: "Extraordinary Measures."

Martin Scorsese's "Shutter Island" is set to hit movie theatres February 19. "Shutter Island" features Leonard DiCaprio who worked with Scorsese in "The Departed," which also takes place in Boston. "Shutter Island" is a chilling crime story about a murderess who escapes a mental institution and her pursuers, played by Ben Kingsley and Marc Ruffalo. I trust the Scorsese film to give me the creeps, as his "Cape Fear" did several years ago.

I'm not so sure about "The Runaways" but Joan Jett was a kick and I'll probably like the musical score. The film is about the band which failed to follow Joan Jett to rock star status, and features Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart, of "Twilight" notoriety, in leading roles. Unless the dialogue is very sharp and witty, I'll probably sleep through the obligatory scenes of alcohol and drug excess which are designed to evoke pathos from mall rats. "The Runways" should be in theatres in March 2010.

Russell Crowe is the new "Robin Hood" and you can expect him to have a very English wit and to project the bad boy image he has cultivated into the character of England's best known wealth redistributing bandit (England doesn't have Tim Geithner). Crowe is a gifted actor who can play a wide range of characters. From "Gladiator" to "Cinderella Man," Crowe has shown the thespian brilliance which got him an Academy Award. Besides, there is the added benefit of already knowing the plot. "Robin Hood" is set for release in the middle of May 2010.

On April 23, Director Oliver Stone will have his "Wall Street 2" sequel in theatres. Stone's films sometimes have a distinctive left-leaning political spin in spite of his Marine Corps service during the Vietnam era, but he's a guy who's always loads up on his punches, and I kind of respect that. High-wire finance mogul Michael Douglas regarded everyone as contemptible peons during
the original "Wall Street" so I'm hoping his "redemption" isn't entirely complete. I enjoy nasty characters on the big screen, far more than I do in real life, where there is no shortage. I hope Gordon Gekko doesn't turn out to be a nice-guy schmuck in "Wall Street 2."

I suppose I should tell you why I probably won't be watching "Extraordinary Measures," derived from the true story of a medical scientist, a kid with a fatal disease, and how society treats of medical issues. It's probably a good film, uplifting and enlightened. The reason I probably won't see it is simply because I prefer to read books about real life things, as there is far more to stories like this one than you could compress into a film. "Extraordinary Measures" is opening soon-January 22. Hmmmm..... I do need some enlightenment...