Winter films: The good, the bad and the ugly
Andrew Mangan
Issue date: 12/3/09 Section: Arts & Entertainment
One shouldn't be entirely surprised at what's hitting in theaters this Winter, but that doesn't mean anyone shouldn't be excited for a few stand-outs.
Starting December off is a film called "Brothers." It is a pure drama as it happens to star Natalie Portman as a woman who falls in love with her brother-in-law, Jake Gyllenhaal, after her husband, Tobey McGuire, is presumed dead in Afghanistan. Some see this film as an Oscar grab, but only time will tell when the film is released on Dec. 4.
The next week, Dec. 11, sees the release of two huge films-one for the younger set and one for the older. First is the new animated Disney venture named "The Princess and the Frog." It seems as if it will fall in line with other Disney Princess films and not disappoint younger girls.
That same week we are also introduced to the film version of Alice Sebold's 2002 bestselling book "The Lovely Bones." Being directed by Peter Jackson, of "The Lord of the Rings" fare, it too seems to be aiming for the Oscars, and also stars a knockout cast including the likes of Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, and Susan Sarandon.
The following week, Dec. 18, there is little competition for James Cameron's "Avatar." This is setting up to be a record breaking sci-fi action adventure tale concerning the planet Pandora, its inhabitants, and a huge war between the natives and humans. Twist is, the humans are the bad ones here.
Christmas Day will also see three fairly big films being released. The first being a sequel, or "squeakuel," to the 2007 film "Alvin and the Chipmunks," appropriately titled "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel." Don't see this if you're out of elementary school.
After writing about the last film and wanting to commit chipmunkicide-is another Nancy Myers December romantic comedy. In 2000 it was "What Women Want," in 2003 it was "Something's Got to Give," in 2006 it was "The Holiday," and in 2009 it is "It's Complicated." This time starring Alec Baldwin as a married man who is having an affair with his ex-wife when she's technically dating another man, Steve Martin.
Finally, wrapping up December and saving Christmas Day films from being a complete movie throwaway, we have Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, and Rachel McAdams starring in Guy Ritchie's "Sherlock Holmes." No doubt that it will be a smash and rake in huge box-office dollars.
It looks like there'll be plenty on any film-goers' plate this winter-no matter your tastes.
Starting December off is a film called "Brothers." It is a pure drama as it happens to star Natalie Portman as a woman who falls in love with her brother-in-law, Jake Gyllenhaal, after her husband, Tobey McGuire, is presumed dead in Afghanistan. Some see this film as an Oscar grab, but only time will tell when the film is released on Dec. 4.
The next week, Dec. 11, sees the release of two huge films-one for the younger set and one for the older. First is the new animated Disney venture named "The Princess and the Frog." It seems as if it will fall in line with other Disney Princess films and not disappoint younger girls.
That same week we are also introduced to the film version of Alice Sebold's 2002 bestselling book "The Lovely Bones." Being directed by Peter Jackson, of "The Lord of the Rings" fare, it too seems to be aiming for the Oscars, and also stars a knockout cast including the likes of Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, and Susan Sarandon.
The following week, Dec. 18, there is little competition for James Cameron's "Avatar." This is setting up to be a record breaking sci-fi action adventure tale concerning the planet Pandora, its inhabitants, and a huge war between the natives and humans. Twist is, the humans are the bad ones here.
Christmas Day will also see three fairly big films being released. The first being a sequel, or "squeakuel," to the 2007 film "Alvin and the Chipmunks," appropriately titled "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel." Don't see this if you're out of elementary school.
After writing about the last film and wanting to commit chipmunkicide-is another Nancy Myers December romantic comedy. In 2000 it was "What Women Want," in 2003 it was "Something's Got to Give," in 2006 it was "The Holiday," and in 2009 it is "It's Complicated." This time starring Alec Baldwin as a married man who is having an affair with his ex-wife when she's technically dating another man, Steve Martin.
Finally, wrapping up December and saving Christmas Day films from being a complete movie throwaway, we have Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, and Rachel McAdams starring in Guy Ritchie's "Sherlock Holmes." No doubt that it will be a smash and rake in huge box-office dollars.
It looks like there'll be plenty on any film-goers' plate this winter-no matter your tastes.
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