Fall/Winter Part 4: December
Paul Thomas Anderson’s There Will Be Blood (2007). Movie of the year?
This is the fourth and final look at some of what is coming to theaters in Fall/Winter when the studios unveil all of their prestige projects and awards hopefuls. I intended to do this a few weeks ago, but I got sidetracked by the here and now. As always, I’ve starred my picks for the month.
December 5
Juno. I was befuddled by the popularity of Enchanted and Juno might prove to be the second movie in a row I’ve completely missed the boat on. Early buzz on this comedy starring Ellen Page as a pregnant teen who chooses to give her baby up for adoption has been strong, but I was underwhelmed when I saw it at AFI. Some folks are even looking at this as being an Oscar contender. I don’t think it is, but when I’m ultimately proven wrong I’ll be the first to admit it. Of course, if I’m right I’ll be shouting it from the rooftops. That Nelson voice you’ll hear saying “Haw haw, Juno sucks!”? Yeah, that’ll be me. Also with Michael Cera, Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner. (Opens in NY & LA) Trailer
December 7
Atonement. #1 on the list of many Oscar prognosticators is this British story of a doomed romance starring Keira Knightley and James McAvoy (The Last King of Scotland) set during WWII. Directed by Joe Wright of last years’ underseen Pride & Prejudice for which Ms. Knightley received an Oscar nomination. (Limited release. Expands 12/14, 12/21 and 1/4) Trailer
The Golden Compass. Fantasy adventure based on a series of novels a la Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia staring Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Eva Green and some talking CGI bears. It’s about a 12-year-old girl’s quest to save not only her own world where people’s souls manifest themselves as animals, but our world as well. This kind of thing can go both ways, but one thing is for sure: if it’s a hit, there will be sequels. Trailer
Grace is Gone. A shell shocked looking John Cusack loses his wife in Iraq and must now raise his 8 and 12-year-old daughters alone. He’s a loving father, but ill equipped to go it alone and he finds at first he’s not even able to tell his children that their mother isn’t coming home. Lots of good buzz from Sundance on this one. I’ve got to admit the Iraq tie-in gives me pause a little. Isn’t the loss enough? Do we need the ripped from the headlines current events? I’m just asking. (Limited release) Trailer
The Walker. The third part of Paul Schrader’s “lonely man” trilogy following American Gigolo and Light Sleeper. It’s about a professional ‘companion’ to the wives of the rich and powerful in Washington, D.C. who gets himself involved in a scandal. It stars Woody Harrelson and Kristen Scott Thomas. Off hand, I can’t think of anything Schrader has directed that I really like. American Gigolo was wretched. Alas, he wrote Taxi Driver so I’m obligated to sit up and notice. My job here is done. (Opens in NY & LA) UK Website
December 12
The Perfect Holiday. My perfect holiday is a Christmas without stupid Christmas movies. Looks like I’ll strike out again this year. This one’s got Gabrielle Union, Morris Chestnut, Queen Latifah and Terrence Howard. I don’t care what it’s about and I’m too lazy to even look for a link to the trailer. In fact, I’ve already forgotten about it.
December 14
Alvin and the Chipmunks. Please god, no. Trailer
I Am Legend. This is at least the third time that Richard Matheson’s novel has been brought to the big screen. The second time was Omega Man starring Charleton Heston. Will the third time be a charm? Not likely. It’s written by Akiva Goldsman the man behind all those awful Ron Howard movies. He’s also a fanboy’s nightmare having written Batman Forever, Batman & Robin, Lost in Space and I, Robot. The buzz at AICN can’t be good, can it? Will Smith plays the last man on earth…except he’s not or there wouldn’t be a movie. Trailer
*The Kite Runner. Based on Khaled Hosseini’s best selling novel, this drama tells the story of a pair of fathers and sons in Afghanistan from the fall of the monarchy to the rise of the Taliban. I’ve heard nothing but great things about it. (Limited release) Trailer
*Youth Without Youth. The latest film from Francis Ford Coppola. I’ve deliberately avoided knowing anything about it, but it stars Tim Roth and takes place prior to WWII. (Opens in NY & LA) Trailer
December 21
Charlie Wilson’s War. Mike Nichol’s directs this amusing and enjoyable cautionary tale starring Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Hanks plays Charlie Wilson, the real life Congressman who helped wage a covert war against the Soviet Union in 1980s Afghanistan. Wait, it’s a comedy you say? Well, not exactly. It’s funny, but it’s also got a bite. Written by Aaron Sorkin. Trailer
P.S. I Love You. Romantic drama written and directed by Richard LaGravenese. Hilary Swank plays a woman who loses the love of her life, but finds that before he died he wrote her a series of letters to help guide her through her loss. Trailer
*Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Tim Burton’s R-rated version of the classic musical about a man unjustly sent to prison seeking his revenge. The film stars Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. Early word is very good. Trailer
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. Written by Judd Apatow and Jake Kasdan. Directed by Kasdan. John C. Reilly stars in this mock biopic about a famous musician and songwriter. Trailer
December 25
Aliens vs. Predator - Requiem. This one is for all of you who actually paid money to see the original Alien vs. Predator. Merry Christmas, assholes.
The Bucket List. Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman sound like part of a dream cast, but based purely on the concept and the trailer, this movie looks awful. Nicholson is a billionaire, Freeman is a mechanic. They meet in a hospital room, become unlikely friends and decide to spend the time they have left doing all the things they ever wanted to do before kicking ‘the bucket’. I plan on living my life to its fullest by not wasting my time watching another movie about people learning to do just that. Directed by Rob Reiner. (Opens in NY, LA, Toronto. Opens wide 1/11/08) Trailer
The Great Debaters. Inspired by a true story, Denzel Washington is a debate coach at a small black college in the segregated south. I’m guessing he ruffles feathers and makes waves, but shapes his students into winners and we all learn a little something about ourselves. Trailer
*Persepolis. Animated story from France about a young girl in Iran during the Islamic revolution who discovers punk rock, ABBA and heavy metal. It’s supposed to be very good. Featuring the voice of Catherine Deneuve. (Limited release) Website
The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep. Fantasy adventure about a Scottish boy and a magical egg. ***Spoiler*** The egg has a horse in it. A legendary water horse. They all live happily ever after. ***End Spoiler*** Trailer
December 26
*There Will Be Blood. Daniel Day-Lewis plays a ruthless oil man over the course of 30 years beginning around the turn of the 20th century. Based on the Upton Sinclair novel Oil! Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. This is my third most anticipated movie of the year (following No Country For Old Men and The Darjeeling Limited). I don’t want to say too much about it, except movies like this don’t come around very often. If you don’t see it, I’m not sure we can be friends. (Opens in NY & LA) Trailer
December 28
Cassandra’s Dream. Woody Allen’s drama about two brothers (Ewan McGregor and Colin Farrell) who become mortal enemies as a result of a criminal financial scheme they come up with. (Limited release) Trailer
Honeydripper. The new music drama from John Sayles set in rural Alabama at the onset of Rock and Roll. Danny Glover stars as “Pine Top” Purvis, a piano player with a dark past struggling to keep his live blues bar open in the face of changing times. This might not be a major Sayles film, but it’s not bad. Even the minor films from this god among indie directors should be met with excitement. (Opens in NY & LA) Website
*The Orphanage. Genuinely creepy looking horror thriller from Spain and Mexico directed by first-timer Juan Antonio Bayona. A woman buys the abandoned orphanage she grew up in with the hope of turning it into a facility for disabled children. Proving once again that no good deed is left unpunished, the place is haunted. Disturbing shit goes down. Produced by Guillermo Del Toro. Can we have a ban on trailers ruined by cheesy narration though? (Limited release) Trailer
And there you have it. That about sums things up for 2007. Stay tuned for a look at some of the new movies planned for 2008.
Wow, what a mishmash of films I’ve been looking forward to and films I have no interest in ever seeing. I can say without a doubt that from what I’ve seen (having not seen all the trailers for all these films) that the Bucket List looks absolutely awful. Collect a paycheck, won’t you?
Although I’ve suffered through the trailer for PS I Love You a staggering three times now and I have as yet to gouge out both my eyes with dull butter knives, it does look like one of those great crowd pleasers that defines my contempt for mainstream movie-goers. I know nothing about The Perfect Holiday, but between the title and the cast I don’t think I need to. It writes itself from those elements only.
Really looking forward to THere Will Be Blood. I’m hoping I can enjoy Juno since my girlfriend is looking forward to it. The Orphanage and Persepolis both have sturdy buzz and seem very unChristmas, so those are on my shortlist.
I’m hesistant to get too excited about Youth Without Youth, Sweeney Todd, or Charlie Wilson’s War but I’m hoping to enjoy all three. All three of these are directed by guys with wildly spotty but lofty records, so we shall wait and see.
All in all though, December may end up proving out 2007 as a banner year at the theater after an abyssmal summer. One can only hope.
“…can’t think of anything Schrader has directed that I really like” “awful Ron Howard movies” “Merry Christmas, assholes.”
I’ve probably told you this before, Craig, but you’re okay by me.
Kite Runner, Persepolis, The Orphanage and (surprisingly) Sweeny Todd seem like the best bets to me.
Does the word “Requiem” in the title of a monster-movie rehash make anyone else snicker?
Joel, many husband and boyfriends will be dragged to P.S. I Love You. Though I admit the subject is clearly pandering to a narrow (yet underserved) segment of the audience, it doesn’t have to suck. Being single, I’ll probably never have to find out.
Also, don’t let me piss on your Juno campfire. There’s a real chance I read this one wrong or I was just in a bad mood or I’d just seen too many goddamn movies in too short a period of time. Keep an open mind. All I’m saying. You may remember my original capsule review I think I recommended people see it anyway.
Thank you Frank. You wouldn’t believe the dirty looks I get when I dump on Ron Howard. Or maybe you get the same response up there in Lumberton.
I’m not expecting a lot from Youth Without Youth, but I hope it’s interesting at least. Persepolis I’m really excited about.
I don’t know how you roll on the whole musical front Frank, but I think you might dig Sweeney. Yes, I freely use words like ‘dig’ with no discernable trace of irony. I’m weird that way.
And you know I actually have to admit, though I’m against this type of movie on principle, the Great Debaters looks like it could win me over if I let it.
frank,
You could get away with Requiem in an Alien trilogy sequel but in Alien Vs Predator series (God, please let it end at two) it does indeed merit many snickers.
Although I admit, the 13 year old in me would like it to at least be watchable but after seeing the trailer, I’m guessing it won’t be.
I’m sorry, I haven’t seen it yet, but I already fucking hate Juno. This is going to be this year’s movie McIndie Movie that’s really just a lower budget, do anything to please all types horseshit-fest. The trailer, which I’m having to see in front of more movies with distressing regularity, is awful.
The dialogue is flimsy, annoying, and overwritten, the “quirk”, the “outrage” all neatly manufactured and then discarded for the ending that teaches us a Very Special Thing so we walking out loving it. If the trailer is to be believed everyone gets at least one “what we need of one another in this world” speech before the curtains go down.
Listen, if you want dumb middle of the road movies, that’s fine, but I hate dumb, middle of the road movies that are made for the wannabe smarties that are too insecure to admit they want dumb middle of the road movies.
So Chuck….you saying you’re not going to see Juno?
My favorite line is “I hate dumb, middle of the road movies that are made for the wannabe smarties that are too insecure to admit they want dumb middle of the road movies.”
Ouch, that ones gonna leave a mark.
Craig, you’re right, a lot of people will probably LOVE PS I Love You and god knows it’s got some talented people in it but it’s just not something I can even conceive of sitting through. Thankfully my girlfriend likes these kind of movies in the same sort of cotton-candy manner that I like summer action movies: we’re both completely happy to enjoy our guilty pleasures alone. No reason to drag anyone into the abyss with you.
A bit militant Joel I’ll admit, but those kinds of movies really rub me the wrong way. It would be less irritating if the critics didn’t always fall for it too. For anyone keeping score back home, I consider young Reitman’s first film, Thank You for Smoking, to fall under the same category. A film that wants you to think it’s irreverent and dangerous, but wants to send you out of the theatre happy and comfortable and with all platitudes in check.
I’ll say it, the PS I love You trailer (awful music notwithstanding) could be worse, and Richard LaGravenese’s short film in Paris je t’aime was wonderful. But I haven’t bought Hilary Swank in anything since Boys Don’t Cry, and I imagine the film doesn’t go beyond chick flick filler.
I have a confession to make. I want to see P.S. I Love You. I know that this is a character flaw and that I’ve been seduced by the trailer into a downward spiral of silly, simpering poor taste. So there’s no need to dismiss me as a chump. I already know it.
In my defense, the only way I’d see The Bucket List is with barf bucket in hand.
Chuck, well I wasn’t disagreeing with you…you just made me laugh. I thought the biggest problem with Thank You for Smoking was that it was about 10 years too late to really have the advantage of truly being satire. It felt like I was watching a great movie taken from some time capsule. I’m not sure it completely qualifies but I see what you’re getting at. My opinion of Thank You has diminished somewhat over time simply because the movie itself ends up picking such easy and obvious targets. I’m sure if it had been made when the book first came out, it would have been lobbing hand grenades rather than spitballs.
I don’t mind feel good for the sake of feel good and it’s entirely possible PS I Love You might be a perfectly fine film with a regrettably obnoxious trailer, but I doubt it would appeal to me. Regardless, I do hate feel good mixed with politics. Thanks, but the Lifetime network is way ahead of Hollywood on that note these days.
Time will tell what I think of Juno but I’ll be sure to post my thoughts when the time comes.
Ahahah. You people are funny. Keep your voices down about Juno though, they’ll hear you and come after me.
I can guarantee that Chuck is right and he will hate Juno. It’s the kind of movie if you go in wanting to hate it, many reasons present themselves almost immediately. There’s another side of that coin however and you’re all smart enough to see it without me spelling it out so I’ll be like No Country and fnish this scene off screen…
The thing about No Smoking and I think it applies even more to Juno is that they both might’ve been a lot better if they were true indie film instead of Fox Searchlight. As it is, the edges have been scrubbed off. They’re too squeaky clean. Maybe I should track down the original Juno screenplay and see if my theory holds water.
Pierre, there is no shame in being drawn to PS I Love You. We’ve been fed a steady diet of terrific, challenging films this year and an occasional Twinkie never hurt anyone. If all you ate were Twinkies…well then I suspect you wouldn’t take the trouble to comment here.
It might not actually be a Twinkie. As Chuck says, Lagravanese isn’t a hack.
Rats, I was hoping I Am Legend might get it right this time, but I didn’t realize Goldsman was writing it. Batman & Robin alone is two hours of my life I’m going to be gnashing my teeth about on my deathbed. I may send the husband to Legend alone.
CJ, I really enjoy your site. Nicely done.
Pierre, I, a target demographic thirtysomething female must completely and sheepishly concur with you on PS I Love You. But also on The Bucket List. Blech.
Thanks Jennybee. I hope you’ll come back and stir things up from time to time.
Goldsman is only one of the writers I think, so there’s always a chance he didn’t completely muck it up…but really what are the odds?
In a world that needs more quality Sci-Fi, it’ll be a shame if Legend stinks.
Heh heh, I forgot to comment on Pierre’s Bucket List dismissal.
(In John Cleese voice) “Oh dear. I have trodden in monsieur’s bucket. Another bucket for monseiur!…and perhaps a hose.”
Great to see the wonderful jennybee posting comment on these boards!