This column has produced a number of little seen gems throughout its tenure.  One of the rules to the column is that we try to avoid films that have become cult classics.  In general, of course, this is a judgment call, because everyone has their own definition of what may or may not be a cult hit film.  Obvious examples would be movies like Clerks or Donnie Darko.  For me, David O. Russell’s intelligent I Heart Huckabees finds itself firmly entrenched in this gray area, so I am giving it the green light for a write up in this edition of Films-U-Missed.  “Huckabees” was largely passed over in it’s 2004 theatrical run, earning just north of $12 million which was roughly half of it’s reported budget.  By most accounts a box office failure, but it seemed to have found some stable footing on video shelves, as evidenced by the 33,000+ rating votes on its IMDB page.

“Huckabees” was directed by the notoriously tough-to-get-along-with, David O. Russell.  He is almost more famous for his riffs with actor George Clooney and of course, the infamous one with Lily Tomlin, than he is for helming quality works such as 1996′s Flirting with Disaster (with Ben Stiller), or 1999′s Three Kings, with Wahlberg, buddy Spike Jonze, rapper Ice Cube and of course, Clooney.  The turmoil he has caused some actors might make for fun headlines, but distracts from a filmmakers oeuvre who continually challenges himself and filmgoers, with I Heart Huckabees being a prime example.

An A-list ensemble cast was on board for “Huckabees,” a difficult film to describe about existential existence.  When the tagline states “an existential comedy,” one knows they are not in for the average movie going experience, which perhaps explains why it was widely overlooked initially.  Dustin Hoffman and Lily Tomlin play a husband and wife team of investigators who aim their work at helping people uncover their existential being; their “true self” which will help grant them meaning and purpose on Earth.  Among the cast whose intertwining storylines come into play in the film are Mark Wahlberg as a firefighter struggling with familial and career issues, Jude Law, as a corporate hack and boyfriend to Naomi Watts, a model who begins to reject her looks.  It is Jason Schwartzman’s “Albert” who kicks it all into gear as a guy attempting to figure out why he has seen a strange individual on multiple occasions.  The themes of interconnectedness, randomness and circumstance all play a significant role in the piece as the plot (often hilariously) unravels in a who-done-it sort of way.

"Blocking out all thoughts will help you feel more connected to the world."

Hoffman, Tomlin and Schwartzman play off of each other brilliantly, offering up ranges between manic and confused, which might confound some moviegoers but I think serves to heighten the viewing experience.  They record and observe their subjects in every aspects of their lives.  While they are showering, sleeping, sh*tting.  The mysterious set-up with sleuths on the case framing the story place the viewer in the proper mind frame necessary to try to tackle the difficult subject matter.  Wahlberg hasn’t been this funny outside of Boogie Nights and Watts may not have been sexier playing the misinformed blonde.  O. Russell keeps the pace flowing; the movie is continually off-kilter, never allowing the viewer to settle into the idea that they have a complete handle on what is taking place or what the films message is.

On that front, ultimately trying to explain the film is futile and against the wishes of the filmmakers, in my opinion.  The purpose, in large part, is for individual viewers to examine the movie for themselves and form their own takes.  The beauty of an outside-the-box film like this is that there is no clear right or wrong.  Its a thinking man’s movie that is open to interpretation.  Fans of heavy-handed direct messages or popcorn-flick fare need not apply.  Michael Bay (Transformers 2) might not care for this.  While we await David’s The Fighter (another Wahlberg starring movie) next, if you have yet to see this, it is worth a viewing, likely multiple, for those that enjoy the concept.  Rich layers of story, character and performance nuances are uncovered upon repeat viewings as we try to figure out our own concept of what our existential beings are. It comes recommended, but I think your existential being probably already knew that.

Three months before Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes even hits theaters on Christmas Day, the Risky Biz Blog is reporting a potential sequel in the works at Warner Bros. with Brad Pitt as the potential nemesis, Moriarty.

Of course, the apparently action-heavy modern take on the famous English detective (as initially conceived by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle) stars Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law and Rachel McAdams in the big holiday tent-pole film for Warner Bros. this season. Much of the cast is expected to return, as well as Ritchie as director, with Kieran and Michele Mulroney set to write the new script.

Odds are that Sherlock Holmes will do very well for itself this winter, but it seems a little preemptive given that Guy Ritchie isn’t exactly box-office material. However, anyone who has seen the trailer for the new version knows that this appears to be a more commercialized, broad and accessible Ritchie. Plus, Robert Downey Jr. should be more than bankable after his coming-out party in 2008 that should have happened in 2007 with his performance in David Fincher’s Zodiac.

Personally, I think Sherlock Holmes looks like a guilty, good-time action-comedy. The slow-motion bare-knuckle fight club scene looks a bit excessive, but it seems like it’s been forever since Jude Law starred in a big-budget studio film and that needs to change.  Thoughts?

Time for an early preview of one of next year’s highly anticipated films. Note: It’s still too early for pics from the movie or posters or trailers, but we do have a few set pics for you, courtesy of thebadandugly.com.

Sherlock Holmes. Does the character’s name ring a bell? It should. Look it up on IMDB and 16 different versions appear to have been made for the screen in one shape or another throughout time. Another new version is in the works. The plot is pretty straight-forward on the surface as it’s set in 1891 with the titular detective Holmes and his sidekick Dr. Watson engaging in a battle of brawn and wits with a nemesis who plans to threaten all of England. So why would we want to enter down this road again? Here are a few reasons that this film could be unique.

Sherlock Holmes Official Movie Logo

First off, it’s directed by Guy Ritchie, of Snatch fame, who will undoubtedly bring a unique visual style and potentially some frantic pacing to the story. Secondly, the cast appears to be pretty strong, beginning with actor du jour of the moment, Iron Man and Mr. Blackface himself, Robert Downey Jr. If you know of a more daring actor than he, let me know and the debates can begin. I expect primarily silence from the peanut gallery at this standpoint.

Something is too funny for RDJ or else he is over-acting.

Also signing on for the cast are the venerable Jude Law, as notable sidekick Watson, the usually solid Rachel McAdams as Irene Adler, New Jersey gal who earns Holmes’ respect, and new Ritchie stalwart Mark Strong, who coincidentally made a very strong impression in Guy’s most recent film, RockNRolla. With Strong playing the villain, Lord Blackwood (such a cool, old-school name, too), all told, that’s a pretty solid lineup that could potentially knock one out of the park. I only wish Daniel Craig could take a break from Bond and squeeze in a supporting role somehow.

That's Law, Dr. Watson, Jude Law to you.

I expect this to be a little less funny than some other iterations, as it’s been reported that Law will not be portraying the “bumbling fool” that Watson has kind of become known for. Also, Ritchie is not writing, so we may lose some of the sly-wit his scripts are known for. Holmes is always a nutty mess and that would fit right up Downey’s alley, with him certainly having the experience to draw from.

In Iron Man, I did this with no wires. I. Am. Old school.

Long-time super Producer Joel Silver (the Die Hard, Lethal Weapon, and Matrix series of pics) is on board, so studio expectations are likely to be high. However, period pieces, which this most certainly is, can definitely struggle at the box office. With Ritchie appealing more to younger fans, but maybe the era Holmes is set in turning some of them off, it will be an interesting sell once this is marketed for release next year. We can only wait and see as it may take a detective to figure out. The movie is currently filming and at this point due to arrive in theaters November 20, 2009.