Andi's watch list

Here is a list I will continue to update of movies I am greatly looking forward to watching.

Rogue Trader (1999)
The true story of the investment broker who singlehandedly bankrupted one of the most prestigious trading firms in the United Kingdom. Co-written by Nick Leeson (the guy who did it), and played by Ewan McGregor from the same time period as Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Part of me wishes I had movies on this list that were here because they're great works of human achievement. The other 99% of me just wonders what McGregor is going to look like talking mortgage-backed securities with his shirtsleeves rolled up.

Also this trailer looks like it was filmed in the 70s.

 
The Brothers Karamazov (1958)
Fans of Russian literature, Yul Brynner, and William Shatner, rejoice! A drop-dead adorable pre-Star Trek William Shatner plays Alyosha Karamazov, a would-be monk who spends most of his time putting out fires in his community - most of which are caused by his irascible father Fyodor and hotheaded brother Dmitri (Yul Brynner). Will I ever see this movie? Depends on whether or not I can finish the book first!

Update: this movie is amazing. It grasps all the important concepts and plot points of Fyodor Dostoevsky's novel, squishes it into 2 hours 20 minutes, and, astonishingly, leaves you blanketed with warm fuzzies the way Captain Kirk gets avalanched with tribbles. Yul Brynner's performance is outstanding. I had no idea what to expect but his portrayal of Dmitri can be summed up by that quote about how nothing is so strong as gentleness, and nothing is so gentle as real strength. And smoldering good looks.

Treasure Island (2012)
The book of the same name is the quintessential adventure story, tied for first with The Three Musketeers. And I love Eddie Izzard on principle because he ran 43 marathons in 51 days with only five weeks of training. He is my foremost living inspiration for lacing up the trainers and hitting the streets. This movie is bound to be enjoyable even if not a top ten favorite.

Allow me to add that my second greatest living inspiration to run is a nemesis of personal acquaintance.

2. The Three Musketeers (2011)
Lo and behold, it must seem like I only care about tales of adventure! I do love The Three Musketeers more than almost any other adventure story, but I want to watch this film for the actors, not the plot. If you want to see a  3M movie that sticks well to the story and perfectly conveys the camaraderie and jollity of Dumas' famous tale, watch the 1973 version with Oliver Reed, Richard Chamberlain, Frank Finlay, and Michael York as Athos, Aramis, Porthos, and the puppy-lovable D'Artagnan respectively. Go watch and fall in love!

I've heard the 2011 version is nothing like the books (lame. why do you want to add flying ships and 10,000 tons of gunpoweder? to ruin a perfectly good story). But who can resist Matthew Macfadyen playing brilliant, wry Athos? Like Darcy went rogue. And oh look, Ray Stevenson is here to play Porthos, it's like getting a second helping of our much beloved Titus Pullo from HBO's Rome FOR FREE. And Percy Jackson--well, Logan Lerman, whatever--is playing D'Artagnan! If this movie captures the esprit de corps of the novels and gives us anything remotely following the books I'll be happy, because adaptations of famous books usually get people to go read the books, and that is always a good thing.

For example, did you know you can buy copies of Romeo and Juliet and Wuthering Heights (and maybe Pride and Prejudice) in Twilight motif? It just goes to prove that saying about how bad things come with silver linings.

3. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997)

I was in high school when I read this book so I don't remember it much except being enchanted with the descriptions of life in the deep, sleepy American south. I'm betting this movie can bring it to life. I've enjoyed disliking Kevin Spacey in every movie I've seen him in (except in Beyond the Sea; that was such an about-face that I feel obligated to mention it because I was flabbergasted I could actually like the man). John Cusack will forever have my heart for voicing Dmitri in Fox's Anastasia (which premiered the same year this movie did, incidentally). And I am very interested to see Jude Law playing a presumably smoking hot young rapscallion. Bring on the peach cobbler and sweet tea!

Update: it starts to drag in the middle during a long-winded trial, but not to be missed. Jude Law was compelling but it turns out the star of the show is Lady Chablis, a cross-dressing actress who stars as herself in both the book and the movie and who outshines everyone in a ten-mile radius.