Out of all the fall movies, this is the one I’m most looking forward to. It’s based on Washington Post columnist David Ignatius 2007 novel about a CIA operative, Roger Ferris (Leonardo DiCaprio), who uncovers a lead on a major terrorist leader suspected to be operating out of Jordan.

More after the jump, including trailers…

When Ferris devises a plan to infiltrate his network, he must first win the backing of CIA veteran Ed Hoffman (Russell Crowe) and the collegial, but perhaps suspect, head of Jordanian intelligence. Although they appear to be his allies, Ferris isn’t altogether sold on trusting these men.

Directed by Ridley Scott, it’s rated R for strong violence, including some torture, and for language throughout. Runtime is 128 minutes. In theaters Oct. 10, 2008.

“Body of Lies” - Trailer 1:

“Body of Lies” - Trailer 2:

Image: Body of Lies, Warner Bros., 2008

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This is fun: Kevin Lima, who directed last year’s crowd-favorite Enchanted, is directing a big-screen version of Tom Thumb, titled simply “Thumb.” That’s him in the picture, with Amy Adams on the set of “Enchanted.”

It’ll primarily be a live-action movie, though Thumb may be depicted as a CG character. The movie will explore the origin of the folklore character, including the heroism the knight must summon after being reduced to a pint size. If the production is anything like “Enchanted,” I’m totally on-board.

A bit about Tom Thumb: He’s a British legend that dates as far back as the 1500s. The minuscule hero is known for getting into mischief in his parents’ home and eventually winding up in the castle of King Arthur.

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There have been plenty of big-screen takes on the character over the years, including a live-action musical from MGM in 1958 and a darker animated BBC film in 1993.

The film will be produced by Douglas Wick and Lucy Fisher via their Red Wagon banner, with Chris Chase executive producing. Courtenay Valenti and Jesse Ehrman are overseeing for Warners, and Robert Rodat, who scribed Saving Private Ryan, is writing the screenplay.

Image: Enchanted, Walt Disney Pictures, 2007; Source: Hollywood Reporter

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The big-screen version of Shakespeare’s The Tempest continues to gather cast members. I don’t know about you, but it’s been a while since I’ve seen a great Shakespearean film, and this one, written and directed by Julie Taymor, sounds pretty good.

Taymor has helmed Across the Universe, Frida, and Titus, and also helped bring the TV series, Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD to life. So she certainly has the chops to do justice to “The Tempest.”

Cast members so far include Jeremy Irons, Djimon Hounsou, Russell Brand, Alfred Molina, Ben Wishaw and Felicity Jones. Geoffrey Rush is in negotiations to join, as well. 

Here’s a kicker, though. The original play centers on Prospero, an exiled duke-turned-sorcerer, but Taymor has a knack for experimenting with projects, so she’s re-gendered the lead character to be female. And guess who’s playing her? Helen Mirren! I can’t think of a better person to take on that role.

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Shakespeare’s play mixes romance, politics, and the supernatural. The film version will revolve around Prospera, her daughter Miranda (Jones), and a shipwrecked crew full of Prospera’s enemies. The island’s other inhabitants include Hounsou as the deformed slave Caliban and Wishaw as the airy spirit Ariel.

On the ship are rising comedy star Brand, playing Trinculo, a jester; Irons, as Alonso, the King of Naples; and Molina as the drunken butler Stephano. Rush would play Gonzalo, a royal adviser and old ally of Prospera’s.

Bob Chartoff, Lynn Hendee and Julia Taylor-Stanley are producing, eyeing a November start date in Hawaii. Miramax has acquired the rights to all English-speaking territories; Icon is handling foreign sales.

Image: Helen Mirren, National Treasure: Book of Secrets; Source: Hollywood Reporter

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Sleeping Beauty (2-Disc Platinum Edition). It’s ok. Be seven years old again with this beautifully restored version of Disney’s 1959 animated tale. It’s the 14th century, and the malevolent Maleficent taunts a king that his baby Aurora will fatally prick her finger on a spinning wheel before sundown on her 16th birthday. But thanks to the assistance of some bubbly, bumbling fairies named Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather, things take a different turn. [Official Site] [Buy It]

You Don’t Mess With the Zohan (Unrated Single-Disc Edition). This jumbled “mess” of a movie stars Adam Sandler as “the Zohan,” an Israeli spy-turned-hair dresser. I just didn’t get this movie at all. [Gecko Review] [Buy It]

The Happening. Mark Wahlberg, Zooey Deschanel and John Leguizamo try to escape an unseen evil that threatens humanity. I’m usually scared of thriller movies, but aside from a few creepy scenes of people dying, this movie wasn’t even all that scary. [Gecko Review] [Buy It]

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Rear Window (2-Disc Special Edition). The classic tale of a photographer (James Stewart) who suspects his neighbor of murdering his nagging wife and enlists his socialite girlfriend (Grace Kelly) to help investigate the suspicious chain of events. Excellent remastered version with lots of extras. [Gecko Review] [Buy It]

Jack Frost (Remastered Deluxe Edition). The classic frosty tale from Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin, Jr. [Buy It]

The Visitor. Walter Vale (Richard Jenkins) is an economics professor whos completely bored with his life in Connecticut. On a trip to his NYC apartment, he finds a couple living there and strikes up a friendship. Sweet film. Rated PG-13 for brief strong language. [Official Site] [Buy It]

Paranoid Park. Gabe Nevins stars as Alex, a nice teenager who likes to spend his free time skateboarding with his best friend Jared (Jake Miller). But when they get involved with the death of a security guard, their lives take a much more serious turn. [Gecko Preview & Trailer] [Buy It]

Watership Down (Deluxe Edition). While this animated tale isn’t meant for small kids, it’s a tale of realism that hits home in many ways. A band of rabbits illegally leave their warren after a prophecy of doom from a runt named Fiver (Richard Briers - yes, Briers). In search of a safe place, they face all kinds of dangers, including a fascist-state warren. [Buy It]

Kill Switch. Sometimes you’ve just gotta have some Steven Seagal, don’t you? I know I do. He plays Detective Jacob Stillwell, whose brutal delivery of street justice is legendary among law enforcement. But on this latest case, he may have finally met his match in Lazerus, a violent killer terrorizing the inner city. [Buy It]

Images: Amazon.com

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One of my favorite movies of all time, Rear Window, hits store and cyber shelves today in a 2-Disc Special Edition. The great Jimmy Stewart plays a professional photographer who suspects his neighbor of murdering his nagging wife. So he enlists his socialite girlfriend (Grace Kelly) to help investigate the suspicious chain of events. Excellent digitally remastered picture and tons of extras, including:

• Audio commentary by John Fawell, author of Hitchcock’s Rear Window: The Well-Made Film
• Pure Cinema: Through the Eyes of the Master
• Hitchcock/Truffaut interview excerpts
• Breaking Barriers: The Sound of Hitchcock
• Alfred Hitchcock Presents Mr. Blanchard’s Secret
• Original theatrical trailer

Features carried over from the 2001 Collector’s Edition:

• Rear Window Ethics: An Original Documentary (55 minutes)
• A Conversation with Screenwriter John Michael Hayes (13 minutes on the Collector’s Edition)
• 1983 re-release trailer for Vertigo, The Man Who Knew Too Much, The Trouble With Harry, Rope, and Rear Window, narrated by James Stewart (6 minutes)
• Production photographs
• Production notes

It’s a great time to re-visit this movie, and if you’ve never seen it, a great time to check it out. Buy it on Amazon

Image: Amazon.com