Okay, Burn After Reading has two major things going for it: it was written and directed by the Cohen Brothers; and it’s being released by Focus Features.

Oh yeah, and I guess it has some name actors.

There are a few film companies who consistently churn out decent, if not astounding films, and Focus Features is at the top of my list. Today I received a press release about four of their upcoming titles, so I thought I’d cue you in on what they showed me, and let you know just what I think about that.

CORALINE
Release Date: Dec. 2008 (limited), Feb. 6, 2009 (nationwide)
Synopsis: A high-definition stop-motion animated feature – the first to be originally filmed in 3-D – with spectacular CG effects, based on Neil Gaiman’s international best-selling book. A young girl (Dakota Fanning) walks through a secret door in her new home and discovers an alternate version of her life. On the surface, this parallel reality is eerily similar to her real life – only much better. But when this wondrously off-kilter, fantastical adventure turns dangerous, and her counterfeit parents (including Other Mother [Teri Hatcher]) try to keep her forever, Coraline must count on her resourcefulness, determination, and bravery to get back home – and save her family.
Director: Henry Selick (“Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas”)
Writers: Henry Selick; Based on the book by Neil Gaiman
Cast: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Ian McShane

What I think: First, there are a lot of hyphens in the first sentence. As I am generally hyphen-friendly, and like to put them where-ever-I-can when I’m writing, I’m pretty much sold on Coraline. And, wait, Neil Gaiman? Anyone who Tori Amos writes songs about is pretty alright in my book already, plus I never really outgrew animation (as most US citizens are expected to do at about age 12). And since it’s directed by Henry Selick, who did Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, and it’s about a little girl stepping into an alternate dimension, I can totally take a date to this movie. Since I tend to date recovering goths and weirdos, it will be perfect. I will totally get to touch boobie. Thanks Focus.


MILK
Release Date: TBD 2008
Synopsis: Academy Award nominee Gus Van Sant directs Academy Award winner Sean Penn as gay-rights icon Harvey Milk. Mr. Milk (1930-1978) was an activist and politician, and the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in America; in 1977, he was voted to the city supervisors’ board of San Francisco. The following year, both he and the city’s mayor George Moscone were shot to death by another city supervisor, Dan White. Mr. Milk was previously the subject of the Academy Award-winning documentary feature “The Times of Harvey Milk,” but “Milk” is the first non-documentary feature to explore the man’s life and career. “Milk” is being filmed on location in San Francisco.
Director: Gus Van Sant (“Good Will Hunting,” “My Own Private Idaho”)
Writer: Dustin Lance Black (“Big Love”)
Cast: Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin, Diego Luna, James Franco

What I think: Gus Van Sant is so hit or miss for me. Dallas Von Killbot loves that film about Kurt Cobain, but that was seriously the most boring thing I’d ever seen (the first 15 minutes of before turning on the Food Channel…) But the plot is pretty ill, and my SF friends are stoked to see all the random ’70s attire on extras everywhere. Plus Sean Penn can lead pretty much any film into the lands of memorable and awesome.

BURN AFTER READING
Release Date: September 12, 2008
Synopsis: A dark spy-comedy from Academy Award winners Joel and Ethan Coen. An ousted CIA official’s (Academy Award nominee John Malkovich) memoir accidentally falls into the hands of two unwise gym employees intent on exploiting their find.
Writers/Directors: Joel and Ethan Coen (“No Country for Old Men,” “Fargo”)
Cast: George Clooney, John Malkovich, Frances McDormand, Brad Pitt, Tilda Swinton

What I Think: I haven’t even read the description. But while searching Google Images for a poster I saw various Coen brothers films pop up, as well as Clooeny and Pitt, so I know that I can take one of my weirdo dates to this and then later touch boobie. I bet I can even make it to 3rd base if we sneak in. Yeah, I like to date weird girls. The kind who shoplift for kicks. This movie will rock. I just read the synopsis. I totally agree with myself.


HAMLET 2
Release Date: August 22 (limited); August 29 (nationwide)
Story: A world premiere at – and the comedy smash of – the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. In the irreverent comedy, a failed actor-turned-worse-high-school-drama teacher (Steve Coogan) rallies his Tucson, AZ students as he conceives and stages a politically incorrect musical sequel to Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
Director: Andrew Fleming (“Dick,” “Threesome”)
Writers: Andrew Fleming and Pam Brady (“South Park,” “Team America”)
Cast: Steve Coogan, Catherine Keener, Amy Poehler, David Arquette, Elisabeth Shue

What I Think: Well, first off, Shakespeare blew it by not writing more sequels. Especially the tragedies. Ever seen Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead? That shit was brilliant. Coogan was great in 24 Hour Party People and that one show on BBC (sorry, isn’t coming to me), and the premise of this is certainly inspired. Anyone who had a part in shitty high school musicals will probably be in for a treat.