At the top of the long weekend, I saw a screening of the film Choke, based on the novel by Chuck Palahniuk. It was filthy. The main character had a messiah complex. The outlook on life was bleak. It starred Sam Rockwell. In short, it was a fall movie. To me, that signaled the end of summer more so than the passing of Labor Day.
As sad as I am to see summer go, I consider this a good thing. Pop culture gets much better in the fall—and that’s thanks in part to the work of some of our county residents. Here’s a guide to where you’ll see some of your neighbors this season, on screens large and small.
Nights in Rodanthe
Neighbor: Richard Gere
Release Date: September 26
Our silver-haired Bedford neighbor is reuniting on-screen with the beautiful Diane Lane and, like Unfaithful, I’m pretty sure this movie is also about an adulterous couple. But a really, really attractive one.
Rachel Getting Married
Neighbor: Debra Winger
Release Date: October 3
Besides writing a memoir, which she chatted about with Diane Clehane for our September issue, this year Debra Winger also returns to the big screen for the first time since 2004. Winger plays a mom whose family is sent into an upheaval when a post-rehab daughter returns to the homestead. We love Winger, but we’re pretty sure all eyes are going to be on Anne Hathaway and her walk on the goth side.
The Tale of Despereaux
Neighbor: Stanley Tucci
Release Date: December 19
Forget James Brown. I’m pretty sure that North Salem’s Stanley Tucci might be the hardest working man in showbusiness. Even though this is only a vocal performance in an animated film about a maverick mouse, it’s his sixth feature-film outing this year. If he keeps up the pace, I’m pretty sure you can make spot-the-Tucci the film equivalent of Where’s Waldo?
Ugly Betty
Neighbor: Vanessa Williams
Season Premiere Date: September 25
Everyone one loves the Williams’ turn as the love-to-hate-her Wilhelmina Slater. We’re just glad that, after two seasons, Ugly Betty is now filming in New York City, so the Chappaqua resident can give up her bicoastal lifestyle. That means more chances to catch a glimpse of her at the Galleria.
Private Practice
Neighbor: Audra McDonald
Season Premiere Date: October 1
Sure, she got great reviews for her performance in A Raisin in the Sun—but how does she do with fans of Grey’s Anatomy? The second season of this Grey’s spinoff returns in October with the Croton resident playing Dr. Naomi Bennett. McDreamy and McSteamy, move over for McDonald.
Damages
Neighbor: Glenn Close
Season Premiere Date: January 6, 2009
Fine, we can’t even fudge the numbers and pretend this will premiere in fall. But Close’s portrayal of a high-stakes litigator won her a Golden Globe award (and an Emmy nomination, but no statue), and I thought you might want to catch the Bedford Hills resident in all her intimidating glory.
Richard Gere and Diane Lane star in Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Village Roadshow’s romantic drama Nights in Rodanthe, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Photo by Michael Tackett
