November is already here, and we find ourselves with very few Oscar-friendly films released yet. Of course, this lack of awards-worthy films may just be an illusion. Last October, for instance, witnessed the release of three future Best Picture nominees which were deemed unlikely when they first came out. “The Queen” was thought to be too small, “The Departed” (the winner of Best Picture) was thought by many to be too violent and “Babel” was thought to be too bleak and divisive. 

However, those films prevailed due in no small part to the lack of quality in many of the anticipated November/December releases. So, what could be this year’s as-yet-unheralded films that could sneak into the mix.  Well, an entire article could (and still might) be written on this; but, for now, it suffices to say that a gambling man would not count out “3:10 to Yuma,” “Michael Clayton,” “Gone Baby Gone,” “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead,” and , especially, “Into the Wild.”

But I digress. This article was conceived, rather, as an outlook at what we still have to look forward to because, as we all know, sometimes it’s more fun to look forward to ALL the movies we want to see but, inevitably, won’t be able to. And with that, I will cover what is on the radar for November. So it begins…
November

 A brief look at the lineup for November releases and it becomes clear that this will be one of the most diverse months in a while. The first two big releases of the month are American Gangster (Nov. 2) and Bee Movie (Nov. 2). “American Gangster” is being compared to “Scarface” thanks to its ultra-violent look at the world of a drug lord, in this case, the 1970s New York-centered Frank Lucas, who imported heroin from Vietnam in the coffins of dead American soldiers. “Bee Movie,” on the other hand, is slightly lighter fair (just slightly) from the mind of Jerry Seinfeld. The film follows a bee (Jerry Seinfeld) who sues the human race for its shameless thieving of bees’ precious honey. 

Also sure to rake in at the box office is Robert Zemeckis’ take on Beowulf (Nov. 16). Starring Ray Winstone as the titular hero, this realistically animated film (Zemeckis uses the same motion-capture technology employed on his “Polar Express” adaptation two years ago) follows Beowulf’s adventures fighting the monster Grendel (perfectly cast creeper Crispin Glover) and his mother (Angelina Jolie). Zach Helm, writer of last year’s “Stranger than Fiction,” makes his directorial debut with Mr. Margorium’s Wonder Emporium (Nov. 16), a family-friendly film starring Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman and Jason Bateman in a story of a Willy Wonka-esque toy store owner (Hoffman) who bequeaths his “living” store to a young employee (Portman).

 On the political front, Robert Redford’s latest directorial effort, Lions for Lambs (Nov. 9), promises to be full of liberal discourse about the state of our country in context with the Iraq war. Yes, we know, the war sucks. The question is whether this movie, starring Redford, Meryl Streep and Tom Cruise, can say anything new. Javier Bardem, the Spanish actor garnering increasing acclaim and acting gigs in Hollywood, headlines two November flicks – No Country for Old Men (Nov. 9) and Love in the Time of Cholera (Nov. 16). The former, the Coen brothers’ newest film, is another addition to the resurgent western genre and has been receiving raves across the board, both for the film and for Bardem’s delightfully psychotic performance. “Love,” based on the classic novel of the same name, stars Bardem as a man who devotes his entire life to attaining the woman who has so long been unattainable.

November also premieres two dramedies, an increasingly divisive genre among reviewers, but one that when a success, can often be great. Margot at the Wedding (Nov. 16), the new film from director/screenwriter Noah Baumbach (“The Squid and the Whale”), stars Nicole Kidman as self-centered woman visiting her soon-to-be-married sister (Jennifer Jason Leigh) and future brother-in-law (Jack Black) whom she sees as below her sister’s standards. Expect cutting dialogue, boiling-over familial bitterness and a different Jack Black than you have seen before. Probably. The Savages (Nov. 28) stars Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney as siblings dealing with an increasingly ailing father (Philip Bosco, in a said-to-be amazing performance) and the difficult decisions they must make.

Fred Claus (Nov. 9) proves to be the first true holiday film of the year, with the story of Santa Claus (Paul Giamatti), his younger brother Fred (Vince Vaughn), and a sure-to-be memorable Christmas. Did I mention this family film is being directed by the director of “Wedding Crashers?” Talk about an oxymoron. Also looking to the family fare, Enchanted (Nov. 21) stars Amy Adams as a Disney-style princess who is sucked out of her fantasy world and into…New York City.

For music fans, two decidedly different films will be released this November. I’m Not There (Nov. 21), the unconventional biopic of Bob Dylan (or more appropriately, the different stages of Dylan’s life and career) stars six different actors, all playing characters that are versions of Dylan. Directed by Todd Haynes, “I’m Not There” promises to be at worst a completely original film and at best a masterpiece. August Rush (Nov. 21), from first-time director Kristen Sheridan, follows a musical prodigy (Freddie Highmore) in search of the parents he never knew (Keri Russell and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers) with the help of an eccentric musician (Robin Williams). Finally, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (Nov. 30), Julian Schnabel’s latest film, presents the true story of Jean-Dominique Bauby, the editor of French Elle who suffered a debilitating stroke that left his body paralyzed entirely except for his left eye, with which he dictated his book of the same name through blinking.

Other releases: Martian Child (Nov. 2) stars John Cusack as a reluctant dad who becomes attached to a young boy who claims to be an alien. K-Pax Jr., anyone? Hitman (Nov. 21) is based on the hit video game and stars Timothy Olyphant as the title character. Southland Tales (Nov. 14) finds Richard Kelly, director of “Donnie Darko,” returning with this film which stars Justin Timberlake, The Rock and Sarah Michelle Gellar. Hmm...?

Stephen King’s The Mist (Nov. 21) – This film is a Stephen King adaptation about a deadly – wait for it – mist! It may seem like a typical horror film, but “The Mist” is being directed by Frank Darabont, the director of two other King adaptations you may have heard of – “The Shawshank Redemption” and “The Green Mile.”

This Christmas (Nov. 21) – Family Christmas dramedy 2007. This time starring Delroy Lindo, Regina King, Mehki Phifer and R&B star Chris Brown.

Next Week: December Films

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