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I would love to get everyone's take on these two films, as early descriptions have run the gamut from A all the way to Z.

Both are fairly expensive pieces of merchandise in the leagues... are they worth it?

I have both of those films on my slate that starts in August. I thought in the simplest of terms- Brad Pitt on the open range with roguish charms flowing. What's not to love? And for the Across the Universe, It feels like an extreme movie- either way, very good or very poor. It has Beatles songs, so 'everyone' knows the music to start with which is a plus. I think it looks accessable to the mass audience. And also if Hairspray can do the business it is, Beatles songs should hit the same spot just as well. I don't have much desire to see it personally, but that being said I am not big fan of most Beatles songs and the plot meanderings look a little too bohemian for my taste. I know many more people around me who are the exact opposite of my opinion, so I will bet on their interest and curiousity.

Jesse James is being directed by the guy who directed Chopper. I have faith that it will be very good although I haven't seen a single thing about it.

I think Across The Universe is going to tank hard. It might be the worst trailer i have ever seen it looks god awful i havent heard a thing about it and the reaction here has been horrible.

I'm cautiously optimistic about 'Jesse James' but maybe my expectations are a bit low as well -- I'm expecting 'Zodiac' like numbers in terms of box office and iMDb while PTA and Top 5 might fluctuate depending upon whether Warner goes wide or expands to wide.

Many people have complained 'The Assassination of Jesses James...' has appeared to have very little promotion put into it by Warner. Truth is, it's still early and Warner has gone with a much longer 'artistic' cut than might be deemed commercially successful (Venice Film Festival lists the run-time at 155 min). I AM concerned that Warner hasn't transferred distribution responsibilities to one of its more reliable specialist subsidiaries (Picturehouse, Warner Indie, etc) but I think this ties in with the lack of advertising -- if it is headed for small profits and bad reviews, Warners isn't going to lose anymore money than it has to. Warner Bros has finally released a second trailer for the film (and what a terrific trailer it is!) but I think they're waiting to see the reaction of the critics and audience at the Venice Film Festival and possibly Toronto as well before they decide whether to commit to an onslaught of advertising or to cut the film loose and move on.

This is a movie that will live or die by the reviews it gets. The reviews at Venice are crucial. If those reviews are positive, I think $16 in the current league make it VERY attractive.

I have no patience for what strikes me as the Über-Pretentious 'Across the Universe' but I don't know if betting against Wood, Taymor and the Beatles is sound, brilliant philosophy either. I might have to hold my nose and take the film. On the other hand, $22? I'd rather pick 'Eastern Promises' for $13 and 'Martian Child' for $9, or some other combo that will deliver more points cumulatively. Let's all keep in mind though that I'm a fatally cheap bargain hunter who will be undone by not spending money -- even pretend money -- when I need to!

Just saw the trailer for Jesse James.

Damn man... is that trailer great or what?

I smell a masterpiece.

My early Best Picture Predictions based on trailer:

1. American Gangster
2. No Country For Old Men
3. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

eh. I'll wait for dvd.

Assassination will draw in a large audience but not all at once. As for Across the Universe, it will probably be a good picture, I'm going to see it, but it won't bring in a lot of money or a lot of people. However, I think it will have good DVD sales if word gets around.

Seriously, we have another masterpiece on our hands.

Ass of JJ I'm talking about, not Across the Universe.

I have reservations about both films.

JJ looks more appealing to me, but its length is concerning. I fear that its delving into self-indulgence due to the power of Pitt. I think in terms of popularity, it'll be something like Babel or Zodiac, well-reviewed and well-liked, but not a huge hit.

Across the Universe looks highly irritating to me, but I'm neither a musical nor a Beatles fan. But we all know how well the Beatles sell. Tatoo a picture of them onto a pile of dog-crap and it'll still sell. I seriously can't see it bombing, but it seems to be falling into that middle-release hole that gets neither PTA nor storm the box-office.

If a gun was to my head, I'd go for JJ.

You mean, The Ass of JJ.

Both are overrated in terms of this game. "Assass" looks like a PTA goldmine, as does "Across the Univ.", without knowing the specs on the theaters.

Unfortunately, it's been reported that both distributors have recut the film for release. Now, it seems that Dominik has been a little more understanding than Taymor (she spoke out against Revolutions president, Joe Roth), but then again, Taymor seemingly has more clout.

However, "Assass." from the trailer looks incredible. Shot by Roger Deakins, with an all-star cast and even involving Nick Cave (writer of the incredible, "The Proposition"...RENT IT!), this is what Westerns are all about. If the trailer is one second of what the movie is, then it already has a Best Pic nomination.

And cRaZy, how could you not want to see "Assass." after seeing the trailer? Were you asleep? Wow.

As for "Across the Universe", though it does feature Beatles songs, I think it being a musical set in the 1970s, along with its niche-style will only be successful on the limited market. It has a ceiling and it won't make more than $12-19M.

Ass of JJ will be a masterpiece.

I just had a frightening thought- at least to those who Universe. I just remembered that this isn't the first time someone came up with the idea of a Beatles' musical. The first attempt is considered by some critic to be one of the worst movies of the 70's, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club. It had noble intentions- Beatles songs, and allstar cast of singers, a potentially captive audience. It went belly up creatively and financially. I may remove Universe off of my slate just because of that mind blurp alone.

I've seen the Proposition, friskytiger, and I would have to agree with your praise of it. Dark, raw, brutal and no punches pulled. Made me wish I was Australian because I felt like I would gotten even more out of it.

Complete sidenote but some what related to The Proposition, I saw The Sundowners a couple of weeks ago. It is about sheepherding on the Australian Outback in the 1920's(I think it was the 1920'). It stars Robert Mitchum(sp?)and was made in the late 50's/ early 60's by an American company. My question was how much of what I saw is Australia and how much of it was Hollywood? Or am I one of the few that has even watched it?

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