Hollywood’s writers aren’t likely to have the merriest of seasons if the studios and the Writers Guild of America can’t strike a deal. Yet the writers’ holiday-season gifts to audiences were wrapped long ago, and here’s a sneak peek at what’s coming to theaters in the next few weeks.
This being the season of awards and kudos too, we handicapped those that are likely to get some golden nods. But we also want to send you to some movies that won’t have to win awards to be, well, winning.
We haven’t mentioned every movie opening in the Denver area. And we’ve highlighted some that are set to open in New York and L.A. before year’s end so they can get Oscar consideration, but will not break into Denver until after New Year’s Day.
The Golden Tinsel
“Juno”: Juno MacGuff’s no Little Miss Sunshine. The 16-year-old invention of newcomer screenwriter Diablo Cody is a far bolder bolt of light. Director Jason Reitman joked at the Starz Denver Film Festival that this was his “pregnancy comedy,” and it is this year’s brightest indie comedy. Precocious but good of heart, Juno plans to give her baby to a
childless couple, played by Jason Bateman (walking a very fine line between winning and icky) and Jennifer Garner (emotionally armored but deeply vulnerable). Ellen Page delivers a breakout turn sure to be up for award consideration. Michael Cera is touching as the young man who did the deed; and J.K. Simmons and Allison Janney are a marvel of parental strength and concern. Cody, discovered on the blogosphere, is bound to receive nominations for her snappy screenplay. Dec. 5
“Atonement”: James McAvoy and Keira Knightley play lovers separated first by a lie, then by a war. Lush and tender, this adaptation of Ian McEwen’s novel, set before and during WWII, will resonate with the “English Patient” crowd. And for those who hanker for amazing tracking shots (“The Player” and “Goodfellas” come to mind), director Joe Wright delivers a stunner on the beach of Dunkirk. Dec. 7
“The Kite Runner”: The November release of Marc Forster’s version of Khaled Hosseini’s bestseller was postponed over concerns for the safety of the children who portray Amir and Hassan, two friends divided by tribal tensions in Afghanistan. Dec. 16
“Starting Out in the Evening”: A grad student persuades writer Leonard Schiller (Frank Langella) to become the subject of her thesis. Lili Taylor plays Schiller’s daughter. Lauren Ambrose (“Six Feet Under”) plays student Heather Wolfe. Does she prey on Schiller? You’ll have to decide. What isn’t up for debate: Langella delivers a powerful turn at once vulnerable and utterly controlled. Dec. 16
“The Great Debaters”: There will come a time when film scholars will look at Denzel Washington’s career and ponder the actor-director’s dark and light choices. He followed his brutal turn in “Training Day” with his directorial debut of the tough but hopeful “Antwone Fisher.” His “American Gangter” thug-in-a-suit may be triumphant now. But soon Frank Lucas will have an onscreen rival. Directed by Washington, the movie recounts the story of Melvin B. Tolson, the poet-educator who took Texas’ Wiley College debate team to the national championships – against Harvard. Washington and Forest Whitaker star. Dec. 25
“Charlie Wilson’s War”: Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts star. Gosh, that might be all you need to hear. But there’s more. Mike Nichols directs this film (based on George Crile’s book) about Texas congressman Charlie Wilson, who – with the help of an ultra-wealthy socialite (Roberts) – helped fund the Afghans’ defeat of the Russians. Philip Seymour Hoffman plays a CIA operative. Dec. 25
“There Will Be Blood”: Upton Sinclair’s muckraking novel “Oil!” – about a silver miner who heads West and becomes an oil tycoon – was published in 1927. Director Paul Thomas Anderson (“Boogie Nights”) adapts the tale of black gold and the volatile fever it brings with Daniel Day-Lewis as Daniel Plainview. Given our vexed relationship to the fossil brew, it’s hard not to look forward to the film as cautionary tale and eulogy. Dec. 26 in select cities, probably January in Denver
“Sweeney Todd”: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”: Garbo Talks! Depp Sings! It’s either admirably bold or box-office foolhardy. Because if trailers are any measure, Johnny Depp’s no Antonio Banderas. But the gifted actor is one of director Tim Burton’s muses. Their collaborations have been enduring: “Edward Scissorhands” “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” They’ve been intriguing, cultlike, or both: “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “Ed Wood,” “Sleepy Hollow.” Burton’s mate, Helena Bonham Carter, and Alan Rickman also star in this version of Stephen Sondheim’s musical of revenge, close shaves and meat pies. Dec. 21
“The Savages”: Holiday cheer isn’t quite what you’ll get from Tamara Jenkin’s savvy dramedy about two siblings ensconced in their own lives when a call forces them to take care of their aging father. Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman are spot-on as adults still trying to secure elevated places in their worlds as their father’s decay forces a reckoning with this mortal coil. Dec. 25
The Silver Tinsel
“Enchanted”: Memo to DreamWorks. From: Your pals at Disney Re: Any upcoming “Shrek” sequel. “Hey guys, you’ll start CGI’ing Giselle for your next fairy princess brigade.” Yes, that’s how confident the studio that brought us Snow White and Cinderella is that this new character will have legs, tie-ins and merchandise forever and ever. Castle Rock’s own trouper Amy Adams plays the maiden cast out of the storybook and into live-action Manhattan by a wicked witch (Susan Sarandon). Patrick Dempsey and James Marsden play Giselle’s suitors. (See an interview with Adams on 1F) Nov. 21
“The Golden Compass”: If controversy puts fannies in the multiplex seats, New Line can count their golden ducats for Chris Weitz’s adaptation of the first in Philip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials” trilogy. In parallel realms, a young girl (newcomer Dakota Blue Richards) fights for the survival of hers and our worlds. In this universe, some religious organizations have begun drafting their soldiers in a battle against the fantasy film, which, they contend, promotes atheism among children. Daniel Craig, Nicole Kidman and the wondrously resonant Sam Elliott star. Dec. 7
“I Am Legend”: Will Smith’s co-star in this post-Apocalypse flick set in the eerily emptied streets of New York City goes by one name: Abbie. But don’t hate her because she’s a beautiful German shepherd and she’s John Legend’s best – and only friend – once a virus wipes out the human race. Dec. 16
“The Water Horse: The Legend of the Deep”: A fast-growing beast and a whole lotta brogue distinguish this fantasy set in Scotland. Angus finds a strange object in a nearby Loch. The rock turns out to be an egg with a wondrously silvery creature inside. This tale about a boy and his Loch Ness monster comes with a fine family-film pedigree. Based on the book by Dick King-Smith (“Babe”), it’s directed by Jay Russell, who did a deft job of balancing childhood hopes with adult pain in “My Dog Skip.” Sturdy performers Emily Watson and Ben Chaplin star as Angus’ suspicious Mum and friend, who helps hide the creature Crusoe. Dec. 25
The Popcorn Strings
“This Christmas”: Loretta Devine stars in this “separate but …” home for the holidays flick. Ma’Dere (Devine) runs a dry cleaning biz that has allowed her brood of six to dream bigger. Delroy Lindo plays Joe Black, her pillar and man – but he’s not her children’s father. And her eldest won’t let him forget it. Secrets will be revealed. Folks will get caught in lies. And a whole lotta love will have its day. The set-up rips one too many pages from the holiday-movie playbook but the cast – including Chris Brown and Regina King – is full of personality. Nov. 21
“P.S., I Love You”: Two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank hasn’t done a pure romantic turn. Until now. In this story of love and loss, Holly’s husband Gerry (Gerard Butler) dies too young. But in hopes of helping his wife move on, he wrote a series of letters. Lisa Kudrow, Harry Connick Jr. and Kathy Bates fill out a promising cast. Dec. 21
“National Treasure: Book of Secrets”: Nicolas Cage’s unlikeliest franchise hero, Ben Gates, and the rest of the treasure-hunting crew are back for this sequel of 2004’s surprise hit that mixed lessons about cultural artifacts with Jerry Bruckheimer-style action. Ben is rattled to the core when a page from John Wilkes Booth’s diary suggests an ancestor was in on Lincoln’s assassination. National pleasures in their own right, Helen Mirren and Ed Harris join the cast. Dec. 21
“Walk Hard – The Dewey Cox Story”: Two words for you – Judd Apatow. The can-do-no-wrong director-writer-producer has become a brand name in the world of comedy. Along with director Jake Kasdan, he’s written this mock biopic that follows a C&W icon through his many phases. Croons Dewey (John C. Reilly): “Life’s a race and I’m in it to win it.” If it’s possible to execute a high-concept idea in a completely low-brow way, Apatow can. Or is it the other way around?
Dec. 21
The Lump o’ Coal
“Alien vs. Predator Requiem”: Christmas Day has become the date for a kind of counter-programming. You get your horror flicks, your slasher tricks, your poisonous mistletoe. No doubt this serves audiences happy to bah-humbug the season. And as the season tends toward the smug and greedy, it invites correctives. But this film poses a question: What greater greed is there than Hollywood’s love of the sequel? Dec. 25
Film critic Lisa Kennedy: 303-954-1567 or lkennedy@denverpost.com; also on blogs
denverpostcom/madmoviegoer
