On the Horizon: May-July

Even with the release of Fast Five this weekend, the summer movie season doesn't officially kick off until next weekend with the first week of May. However, it's understandable as to why Hollywood would want to gets things started a week early. An unusually large number of buzzed about/heavily publicized big-budget studio fare is coming our way over the next three months, in addition to a handful of smaller films to act as counterweights. In addition to sequels and superheroes, we also get auteur offerings from the likes of Allen and Malick, along with small films from indie hopefuls. So, here's a glimpse at 15 reasons to stay out of the summer sun

15. Green Lantern, dir. Martin Campbell [June 17 - Wide]

As far as superheroes go, I've always been surprised that it took so long for the Green Lantern to make it to the big screen. While not quite as prominent as Batman or Spiderman, he's certainly a prominent and beloved character with a complicated universe that has the potential for many, many sequels. Regardless, the wait is almost over, and despite so initial bad buzz, it looks halfway decent. I'm still not sold on Blake Lively as the love interest (how flat are her line readings in the trailer?), but Reynolds seems convincing, and the action should have plenty of diversity, given the endless possibilities of the Green Lantern's weapon. What's truly worrying, though, are the effects. The Green Lantern suit is completely CGI, and parts of it fail to look completely seamless in the footage released so far. Post-production work has become such a hassle that Warner Bros. has given the film an extra $9 million to get it all done on time.

14. Cowboys and Aliens, dir. Jon Favreau [July 29 - Wide]

No, that's not a joke, or the name of the latest MST3K spoof. Jon Favreau's (Iron Man) latest, is a legitimate action/adventure, where the Old West meets outer space. Despite the giggle-inducing title, it does look like fun (plus, you'll get to see Olivia Wilde naked, albeit with PG-13 restrictions). The cast is solid (Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Olivia Wilde), the effects look slick, and the action looks intense. The only thing that could hold it back is tone. Will it be too serious, too silly, or an awkward mix of both?

13. Transformers: Dark of the Moon, dir. Michael Bay [July 1 - Wide]

Damn you, Michael Bay, for once again making me want to see your latest explosion orgy. After that heinous sequel two years ago, I thought I was done with this franchise. And then, with the release of the first theatrical trailer, I'm intrigued all over again. And honestly, it does look like an improvement. The action sequences look less frenetically edited (that clip of Bumblebee dodging, climbing, and catching Sam was only one shot; not a single cut), and the robot design slightly less busy (which often made them hard to distinguish as well as hard to look at). One thing I will say, though (and never thought I would), is that I miss Megan Fox. Her replacement, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, has one expression, and it's completely blank. To counterbalance, however, we have Frances McDormand as a bitchy government agent, which is oddly inspired. I never thought I'd live to see Marge Gunderson talking to Optimus Prime. First Turturro, and now McDormand? Apparently Mr. Bay has decided that the best way to fill his ensembles is with members of the Coen brothers' roster.

12. Captain America, dir. Joe Johnston [July 22 - Wide]

It's about time the good Captain got a second shot at the silver screen. His previous endeavor was in 1990, and it didn't exactly go well. Considerably more enticing is the latest entry in the build up to 2012's The Avengers movie, starring Chris Evans as the most patriotic superhero, well, ever. The set up, with its ahead-of-its-time science, pulpy style, and Nazi villains has something of an Indiana Jones feel to it in the best way possible. The production values look gorgeous, and the cast is filled with talent, including the underrated Hugo Weaving as arch-nemesis Red Skull. The only question mark is director Joe Johnston, whose last film, The Wolfman, wasn't exactly a big success.

11. Submarine, dir. Richard Ayoade [June 3 - Limited]

And now it's time for something completely different. Having already earned good reviews in Europe, Richard Ayoade's adaptation of Joe Dunthorne's coming-of-age novel finally hits US markets this summer, and it looks like a nice break from all of the superheroes and explosions. The main plot, a young teen's quest to lose his virginity, has been done before, but Dunthorne's acclaimed source material seems to have transfered nicely to the screen, with a nice mix of humor and drama. The young actors seem engaging, and the adult cast (Sally Hawkins and Paddy Considine) is only another reason to give this British indie a look.

10. Another Earth, dir. Mike Cahill [July 20 - Limited]

If you're looking for a mix of independent cinema and sci-fi, look no further than this Sundance entry. Like Moon or the upcoming Melancholia, Another Earth's goal is to take sci-fi elements (in this case, the discovery of a duplicate earth), and use them for something other than disaster sequences or alien invasions. Reviews have been decent, though not spectacular, but the premise is certainly intriguing. Some of the imagery is really striking, and despite the indie roots, it feels convincing.

09. The Beaver, dir. Jodie Foster [May 20 - Wide]

As easy as it is to make fun of/despise Mel Gibson, it's hard for me to deny that I'm really interested in his latest cinematic outing. Walter (Gibson), divorced and down on his luck, turns his life around when he begins to treat himself with a puppet, with whom he has conversations about his life. The premise always seemed iffy, and potentially laughable, but the trailer has me mostly convinced. The film seems to have a balance of humor and drama, which should keep it from becoming nothing more than a concept movie (imagine the same thing, but strictly as a comedy and starring Jim Carrey...not a pretty sight). Reviews out of Sundance were mostly positive, though some have questioned Foster's handling of the script's tonal shifts. Still, it's hard for me to deny that Gibson's performance looks engaging and riveting, perhaps even enough to forget all of his recent scandals.

08. Midnight in Paris, dir. Woody Allen [May 20 - Limited]

For our annual dose of Allen, the prolific director has returned to Paris with this Cannes opener. Despite the enticing cast (Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Michael Sheen, Kathy Bates), the trailer was lacking, and made the film seem goofy without actually being funny. So why is it up at number 8? Because it's Woody Allen, and even though he's been extremely hit/miss lately, when he's on form, he's spectacular. There's even been some very limited/low-key whispers that the trailer misrepresents the film, and that it's actually one of his best efforts in recent years (maybe those scantly-teased midnight sequences are really something...). And, to be fair, the trailer isn't a complete disappointment; Michael Sheen's role (a pompous pseudo-intellectual) looks like a blast, and as usual, the ensemble is terrific (at least on paper).

07. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, dir. Rob Marshall [May 20 - Wide]

I was never completely thrilled at the prospect of a fourth 'Pirates' film, but I can't deny that I do want it to be good. Keira and Orlando may be gone, but Penelope Cruz and Ian McShane are in, which gives me hope. And of course there's Depp and Geoffrey Rush, back in action and chewing the scenery up in the best sense of the term. I'm not terribly excited about the likely doomed romance subplot between a young sailor (Sam Claflin) and a mermaid (Astrid Berges-Frisbey), but hopefully it will only be a minor distraction. And even though Rob Marshall's had a rough few years, this lighter fare could potentially pay off in spades for him. There's also been hints that, if the 3D trailer was any indication, this is one of the best uses of post-conversion 3D work to date.

06. X-Men: First Class, dir. Matthew Vaughn [June 3 - Wide]

Though Captain America will take us back to the 1940s, you'll have a chance to enter the 1960s one month earlier in Matthew Vaughn's (Kick Ass) prequel. The story isn't the most enticing, as we know that a good number of the major characters will survive. The real draw here is the cast, even if it is Jackman-free. Led by James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender, the film is rounded out with the likes of Jennifer Lawrence, Rose Byrne, Kevin Bacon, and January Jones. The story could also prove more interesting than other superhero flicks, because it has more to focus on than simple The (Lone) Hero's Journey. Watching McAvoy and Fassbender go from friends to archenemies should be great fun. There's always the chance that this will be a disaster, but it's hard to believe it will be anything other than an improvement over Wolverine.

05. Crazy, Stupid, Love, dirs. Glenn Ficarra & John Requa [July 29 - Wide]

Mainstream romantic comedies are in a dire state right now, which is why I'm hoping that Crazy, Stupid, Love will prove to be an exception. Story-wise, there's nothing noteworthy; man with broken marriage gets his groove back from hot ladies man. The draw here, like the previous entry, is the cast. Steve Carrell and Ryan Gosling are our male leads, with Julianne Moore and Emma Stone as their respective interests, along with Marissa Tomei as a woman the newly single Carrell falls for. And it's not just the cast that's impressive; the trailer feels legitimately funny (hopefully it's not a case of the best bits all being used up in the promos), especially Moore's killer delivery on that Twilight joke. And best of all, Katherine Heigl and Jennifer Aniston are nowhere in sight.

04. Thor, dir. Kenneth Branagh [May 6 - Wide]

Look for the god of thunder to take the box office by storm upon its debut. The latest superhero adaptation from Marvel Studios, and one of the first major summer blockbuster hopefuls, is following in the footsteps of Iron Man, in that it's earning surprisingly strong reviews (currently sitting at 94% on RottenTomatoes). Not that the film wasn't going to make solid money anyway, but such strong early press can only help. Apparently unknown leading man Chris Hemsworth gives a star-making performance, while Kat Dennings steals the show as the film's comic relief. In essence, it's the ideal summer movie: big, loud, and flashy, but also engaging and with the right amount of humor to keep it from becoming laughably self-serious.

03. Super 8, dir. JJ Abrams [June 10 - Wide]

The teases began just shy of a year ago. A truck slid onto train tracks, a train derailed, and a tightly locked steel door burst open before the screen cut to black. Since then, we've been given significantly more information, although master of mystery Abrams has yet to give us even the tiniest glimpse of whatever 'it' is. Instead of looking like a run of the mill monster tale, though, Abrams' latest has a magical quality to it, suggesting a darker and grittier E.T. for the 2010s. The use of young kids (including Elle Fanning), who happen to be aspiring movie makers, as protagonists only heightens the sense of adventure and wonder that Abrams is clearly striving for. Consider me sold.

2. The Tree of Life, dir. Terrence Malick [May 27 - Limited]

In a career spanning almost 40 years, The Tree of Life marks Terrence Malick's fifth feature film. And, by the looks of it, it promises to be his biggest and grandest. A fan of evocative imagery, narration, and simplistic narratives, Malick's style can be a turn off for many. I'll admit, I don't really care for Days of Heaven or The New World (as gorgeous as they are). Still, I love Badlands and The Thin Red Line, and I can't deny that Malick is a visionary, even if I don't always agree with his stylistic choices. The Tree of Life, as vague as the title seems (in regards to the trailer, at least) conjures up images of the mysterious and mythical, and considering the tremendous amounts of buzz about the film (those loose 2001 comparisons are a huge draw, to say the least. Also, dinosaurs...), I have a hard time finding a reason not to go. The whole thing just looks so epic and haunting, simple and complicated, and I can't wait to see how Malick's latest work of visual poetry turns out. The only reason this isn't number one on my list is because of...

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2, dir. David Yates [July 15 - Wide]

If ever a film earned the right to call itself "the motion picture event of a generation," this is it. It's been an incredible ride, regardless of whatever bumps there were along the way. As much as I hate to officially bid the series good-bye, I also can't wait for the end, and to see the book's action-packed second half (the Gringotts dragon!) come to life. Whereas 'Part 1' was full of character development and slow in pace (at times too slow), 'Part 2' looks like a massive, gorgeous adrenaline rush. It's the culmination of 10 years of film making, and I can't place this anywhere else but at number 1.

On the Horizon: Notables for early 2011

Having been so busy (or just tired) the past two months or so, I've realized that I failed to make my quarterly Season Preview post for the first three months of the new year. And while January and February haven't exactly offered much (though I did see unintentional howler The Room Mate), March and beyond have plenty of new and "old" films to look forward to. And now that I've finally decompressed from Oscar Season, it's time to start looking forward in 2011, because there are a surprisingly large group of films that appear worthwhile. For the sake of this post, I'll only be covering March and April (with one exception), albeit excluding some films which have already opened (Rango and The Adjustment Bureau, which I do plan on seeing). Even though the first two months of 2011 have provided little of interest, March and April are filled to the brim with potential:

Of Gods and Men [February 25 - Limited]In addition to the haunting trailer, this real-life religious drama picked up the Grand Prix Award at Cannes. Reception has been strong, though some have faulted the film for being overly pious. Still, it looks very mature in its treatment of the story, and refreshingly hysteria-free in its presentation of religious conflict.

Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives [March 2 - NYC]Speaking of Cannes, here's the film that beat Of Gods and Men for the Palme D'Or last may. Apichatpong Weerasethakul's latest film is said to be a hypnotic and mesmerizing modern ghost story. Judging from the trailer (and previous footage), it's easy to understand why the Tim Burton-led Cannes jury picked this for the top prize.

Certified Copy [March 11 - NYC]Another Cannes favorite, this one from Abbass Kiarostami, has been noted mainly for its acclaimed performance from leading lady Juliette Binoche. It looks like a slightly more melancholic Before Sunrise/Before Sunset, though that's certainly not a bad thing. Oh, and the promotional posters are absolutely gorgeous.

Red Riding Hood [March 11 - Wide]Alright, onto something more mainstream. Despite my general hatred for all things Twilight, this film from Catherine Hardwicke (who directed the first TW film) does look interesting, and not just because of its cast (Amanda Seyfried, Gary Oldman, Julie Christie, some guys with faux hawks). In addition to some striking visuals (the red cape on the snow), this reinvention of the Red Riding Hood legend may have some real merit to it; the script was placed on the 2009 Blacklist, which highlights the best unproduced screenplays in a given year.

Battle: Los Angeles [March 11 - Wide]We need another alien invasion movie like we need another romantic comedy with Katherine Heigl, so credit my interest in Battle: LA to the film's strong marketing. The film's whole look boasts a more gritty, dirty look to it, and it looks like an intense, non-stop thrill ride. And unlike Skyline, which was made by two VFX artists who broke off of Battle: LA, this film won't be about a bunch of idiot 30 somethings arguing in an apartment for most of the run time.

Jane Eyre [March 11 - Limited]Probably the last thing anyone was expecting from Cary Fukunaga (director of border thriller Sin Nombre) was a take on Bronte's classic novel. Starring rising actress Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender, Fukunaga's film looks grim and Gothic, and could prove to be an invigorating look at a story that has been adapted countless times for the screen.

Win Win [March 18 - Limited]The latest from Thomas McCarthy (The Visitor and The Station Agent) tells the story of a high school wrestling coach who finds a surprise star athlete and takes him under his wing, only to have his mother come into the picture and threaten everything. I wasn't in love with The Visitor, but I adore The Station Agent, and the cast (Paul Giamatti, Amy Ryan, Melanie Lynsky) is to die for. Early reviews have been extremely positive, which means this could be one of the first winners (no pun intended) of the year.

Paul [March 18 - Wide]Director Greg Mottola has been on a winning streak (Superbad and Adventureland), which makes me hopeful for this sci fi/road trip comedy. I like Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, and it will be interesting to see how the pair work with a different director (instead of usual collaborator Edgar Wright), and the ensemble is filled with talented and funny people. While there's sure to be a handful of gross-out jokes, Pegg and Frost generally forgo cheap gags in favor of funny word play, which gives me hope.

Sucker Punch [March 25 - Wide]If you've been waiting for the next green screen action orgy from Zack Snyder (300), fear not, because it's almost here. Based on the graphic novel of the same name, Snyder's latest venture into the land of over-saturated colors tells the story of "Baby Doll," (Emily "I was almost Lisbeth Salander" Browning), a young girl forced into a mental institution. There, she and the other girls free themselves through batshit insane fantasies that will likely feature bloodshed and eyeliner in equal amounts. It'll have as much substance as a stick of Trident, but it looks like fun...and there's a dragon, which helps considerably. P.S., Abbie Cornish, you're better than this.

Source Code [April 1 - Wide]The real draw here isn't the talented cast (Jake Gyllenhaal, Vera Farmiga, Michelle Monaghan), rather it's the director, Duncan Jones, whose debut was the excellent Moon. Strip away Jones, and what you're left with is a pseudo-high concept thriller that will either be surprisingly strong, or a rehash of similarly themed thrillers that are unique in concept, but unfortunately ordinary in execution.

Your Highness [April 8 - Wide]The likely of result of what would happen if you smoked pot while playing Dungeons and Dragons, and that's not a bad thing. The (R-rated) trailer looks absolutely loopy, with a fun cast, including Natalie Portman and James Franco running around medieval sets, slaying dragons, and getting high with...whatever that purple creature is.

Hanna [April 8 - Wide]You can't accuse Joe Wright of making the same movie twice. After classy period adaptations (Pride and Prejudice and Atonement) and a modern drama (The Soloist), Wright is back with this teenage assassin tale. Reuniting with Atonement star Saoirse Ronan, along with Eric Bana and Cate Blanchett, the film certainly looks gritty and intense (I never thought I'd see Ronan snap someone's neck). Of course, the whole teenage assassin angle is bound to cause some level of controversy, and the handling of the material could prove problematic (will it be cartoony? Graphic? Both?). But if Wright and co. pull it off, we could have something special on our hands.

Meek's Cutoff [April 8 - Limited]Kelly Reichardt's latest, which premiered to generally strong reviews at Toronto last year, is finally making its way to US theaters. The film centers on a group of travelers in the mid-1800s, who become stranded in the desert. Led by a strong cast (Michelle Williams, Bruce Greenwood, Zoe Kazan, and Paul Dano), this ensemble piece will likely be hit or miss, depending on how you take to Reichardt's preference for long silent stretches. Still, the trailer makes it look quietly intense, and some of the landscape shots are starkly beautiful.

Scream 4 [April 15 - Wide]It's been 10 years since Scream 3, but Wes Craven is finally back after a string of failures with a fourth installment of his meta-slasher series. In addition to old cast members (Neve Campell, Courtney Cox), 4 also boasts a host of new faces, all of whom will likely end of meeting grisly deaths. Frankly, I'll see any film if there's a chance that I'll get to see Anna Paquin bite it. Personally, I'm just looking forward to seeing how Allison Brie (NBC's Community and AMC's Mad Men) fits into it all. Guilty pleasure of the year? Signs point to YES.

4th Quarter Preview: October, November, December - Part 2/2

4th Quarter Preview: Part II

09. 127 Hours dir. Danny Boyle - November 5 [Limited/Wide?]

Why?:

• Based on the reviews out of TIFF and Telluride, Danny Boyle and screenwriter Simon Beaufoy have turned hours of James Franco stuck between some rocks into a compelling and engaging piece of work.
• Reviews claim that Franco gives an astonishing, career-best performance.
• Parts are so intense, one festival audience member fainted. Now that sounds like strong film making right there.

Why Not?:

• We already know how the story ends, more or less. Will that kill some of the dramatic tension?
• Will Boyle's somewhat hyperactive style be too much when the main character is rendered virtually immobile?

08. Biutiful dir. Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu - November or December

Why?:

• Generally good reviews out of Cannes.
• Great reviews for Javier Bardem, back in a front-and-center leading role.
• Inarritu knows how to tell emotionally powerful, gritty stories.
• Mexico officially chose it as their Foreign Language Film entry.

Why Not?:

• Inarritu's first time working without a script from Guillermo Arriaga after their personal falling out.
• Some find Inarritu's films to be to reliant on contrivance to create overly wrenching drama, and this one, though linear, seems pretty stacked with unrelenting misery.

07. The Way Back dir. Peter Weir - December 3 [Limited]/January 21 [Wide]

Why?:

• An allegedly triumphant comeback for director Peter Weir.
• Strong reviews for the cast, which includes Colin Farrell, Jim Sturgess, Ed Harris, and Saoirse Ronan
• Even with its tough subject matter, Weir has apparently refrained from sugar-coating anything. It may not all be 100% historically accurate, but it will still be gritty.
• Strong reviews for the cinematography and use of landscape photography.

Why Not?:

• Reviews have been kinder to the first half, and some say the second grows repetitive.
• Is it too bleak for its own good?

06. Another Year dir. Mike Leigh - December 31 [Limited]

Why?:

• Rave reviews out of Cannes for the celebrated writer/director's latest, especially for star Lesley Manville.
• The lovely trailer gives the impression that this is serious, mature, limited, and understated film making at its finest.

Why Not?:

• Leigh simply isn't for everyone, and I have no doubt that this will rub some the wrong way.

05. Somewhere dir. Sofia Coppola - December 22 [Limited]

Why?:

• Coppola returns to more familiar territory after her not-as-warmly-received departure (Marie Antoinette).
• Generally strong reviews which have called it subtle, smart, and beautifully acted.
• A comeback for Stephen Dorff, and a breakthrough for Elle Fanning, younger sister of Dakota.
• Oh, and it kind of won the Golden Lion in Venice last month.

Why Not?:

• Like Mike Leigh, Coppola is divisive. Some either find her work totally empty and pretentious, or simply "good but not that good."

04. The King's Speech dir. Tom Hooper - November 26 [Limited]

Why?:

• Raves out of Toronto and Telluride, including a handful of standing ovations for Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush.
• Last year, we saw Colin Firth make his first run at an Oscar. This year he's back and really gunning for it, and is pretty much the front-runner (along with Franco).
• A very good cast, a respected director, and interesting subject matter.

Why Not?:

• Have the festivals overrated it?
• It could be a very limited performance showcase with little else to offer other than acting.

03. True Grit dir. Joel and Ethan Coen - December 25 [Wide?]

Why?:

• That gorgeous, haunting trailer.
• The Coens reportedly stayed closer to Charles Portis' novel than to the John Wayne-led original.
• The Coens usually inject a healthy does of ironic nihilism into their films, usually treating people and events with a wink. But when they want to be serious (No Country for Old Men), they can be brilliant at it, and True Grit certainly looks quite serious.
• Hailee Stanfield, in the trailer at least, seems like a good, grounded casting choice for Mattie Ross.

Why Not?:

• Will the Coen's style mix as well with Portiss' work as it did with Cormac McCarthy's?

02. Black Swan dir. Darren Aronofsky - December 1 [Limited]

Why?:

• Have you seen the so-insane-it's-good trailer. If not, treat yourself.
• Strong reviews out of Venice and subsequent festival screenings.
• Career-best reviews for Natalie Portman.
• Said to contain a unique way of photographing its thrilling dance sequences.
• Compared to classic women-going-mad flicks like Repulsion and Rosemary's Baby.
• Natalie Portman pulls a feather out of her arm. Let me say that again: Natalie Portman PULLS A FEATHER out of her arm.
• Clint Mansell's score is based on part of the Swan Lake score.

Why Not?:

• There's a small minority who aren't impressed, and label it a piece of Grand Guignol nonsense.

01. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I dir. David Yates - November 19 [Wide]

Why?:

• The beginning of the end is here.
• David Yates helped the series really grow up, so it's fitting that he gets to take the series through its often dark finale.
• Two great trailers showcasing appropriately grown-up, dark, and grim footage.
• Warner Brothers seems to have pulled out all of the stops for this one, and with good reason; the source material has plenty of full-blown EPIC moments, and it seems that most of them have been preserved.
• It's better than Twilight.

Why Not?:

• If you've never been a Potter fan, don't expect this one to change your mind.
• Remember, after those credits roll, we still have to wait EIGHT MONTHS to see the full completion of this film series. Couldn't they have just put Part II in December to totally dominate the Christmas market?

4th Quarter Preview: October, November, December - Part 1/2

We're down to the last three months of the year, and as such it's time to take a look at what will (hopefully) be worth a visit to the theater as we move through changing leaves, Halloween, Thanksgiving, exams, and of course, the dreaded wave of critics awards that will kill any chance of a surprise on Oscar night. Now, since two of the movies on this list opened yesterday, and I've already seen one, I'll condense their entries and keep their placement separate of the main list. And as much as I hate to do it, I'll be cutting down on anticipated foreign titles, if only because it can become difficult to determine where their releases/Oscar eligibility lie. For example, Palme D'Or winner Uncle Boonmee... might be eligible for Oscar consideration, but it won't be hitting normal-people theaters until March of 2011, which is after the ceremony as currently scheduled (late February). So, with that out of the way, here are the top ___ reasons to give your money to those who already have far too much of it over the remainder of the year:

The Social Network and Let Me In - October 1 [Wide]: I've already given my review of The Social Network (go HERE), but Let Me In is one I haven't gotten around to see that has my interest peaked:

Why?:

• Surprisingly good reviews considering it's a remake of a beloved Swedish film
• Praise for both of the child performances, which is absolutely key to this story
• Vampires actually acting like vampires (no sparkling necessary)

Why Not?:

• If you've seen and love the original, do you really need to bother?
• Amped up blood and gore in spots might not do service to the story

And now for your feature presentation...

2010 4th Quarter Preview Part I:

18. The Tourist dir. Florian Henkel von Donnersmarck - December 10 [Wide]

Why?:

• The first pairing of mega stars Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp working with the director of The Lives of Others.
• Um...it's set in Venice?

Why Not?:

• The unimpressive trailer and poster. The studio seems to think that slapping Depp and Jolie's names on it are all it takes. Audiences like to see EFFORT.
• Angelina's doing a foreign accent. God help us all.
• No, the film doesn't need to be Oscar-worthy to be good, but it wouldn't hurt if there was something really intriguing about this. So far? Eh...

17. TRON: Legacy dir. Joseph Kosinski - December 17 [Wide]

Why?:

• For those who have seen the original, a chance to see the story continued. For those who haven't? Cool special effects and Oliva Wilde in a tight black suit with asymmetrical hair.
• Special effects have finally advanced enough to catch up with what the makers of the original probably wish they could have done.
• The film can't afford to be to much of a insider's film if it wants to make money (the original flopped), so no risk of being super confused by what went on in TRON.

Why Not?:

• It didn't really suck audiences into its world the first time around. Why should the sequel be any different?

16. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest dir. Daniel Alfredson - October 29 [Limited]

Why?:

• The conclusion of the hugely (and not entirely deservedly) successful Swedish adaptations of Stieg Larrson's trilogy.
• The last chance to see the perfectly cast Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth, in full-blown mohawk, no less.

Why Not?:

• The last installment, also directed by Alfredson, was a disaster.
• The continuing blandness of Michael Nyqvist.

15. Miral dir. Julian Schnabel - December 3 [Limited]

Why?:

• Interesting, timely subject matter (Israel/Palestine conflict).
• Talented cast including burgeoning (stateside) star Hiam Abbass, who has been really strong in films like The Visitor and Lemon Tree.

Why Not?:

• The less than kind reception at Venice.
• Generally unkind reviews for star Freida Pinto's performance.

14. The Fighter dir. David O. Russell - December 10 [Limited]

Why?:

• Strong cast featuring Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, and Melissa Leo.
• Small-but-early buzz is fantastic.
• A chance to see Amy Adams in a tougher, grittier role.

Why Not?:

• The trailer makes it feel like just another sport-triumph-of-the-will story.
• O. Russell isn't exactly a film maker for everyone (I Heart Huckabees, anyone?)

13. The Tempest dir. Julie Taymor - December 10 [Limited]

Why?:

• An absolutely phenomenal, eclectic cast headlined by the likes of Helen Mirren, Chris Cooper, and Alfred Molina.
• Julie Taymor made her mark on film with a vivid Shakespeare adaptation (1999's fabulous Titus), so working on the Bard again should be grounds for quality work.

Why Not?:

• The extremely mixed reactions out of Venice and New York.
• Apparently Taymor wasn't as wild in her mix of time periods this time around, which was one of Titus' strong suits.

12. RED dir. Robert Schwentke - October 15 [Wide]

Why?:

• A fun concept led by a wonderful cast of older actors including Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, and John Malkovich.
• Early reactions have said that the film is very fun and engaging.

Why Not?:

• It could just be a throwaway shoot-em-up.

11. Blue Valentine dir. Derek Cianfrance - December 31 [Limited]

Why?:

• Very strong reviews out of Sundance and additional festivals.
• After several years of wandering, Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling could be back in the Oscar race.
• The film was snatched up by the Weinsteins, and with Miral not looking good, they'll need a performance piece to drive them through the coming months.

Why Not?:

• Some say it's unbalanced and unfairly slanted against Williams' character.
• An entire film about two people in love? Sounds like Before Sunrise/Before Sunset, right? Yes, only this time it's all really, really bleak.

10. Rabbit Hole dir. John Cameron Mitchell - December 17 [Limited]

Why?:

• Apparently it's the end of Nicole Kidman's MEH streak of mixed and badly reviewed films, and frankly, it's about damn time.
• Rave reviews for the performances, especially Kidman and Dianne Wiest.
• Mitchell has been praised for expanding the film enough to eliminate any staginess, which is always a big nitpicking point for stage-to-screen translations.

Why Not?:

• Grim subject matter (though there is apparently some humor) that is discussed almost constantly.
• This road (coping with a child's death) has been covered so many times before. What else can it bring to the sub-genre aside from some great performances (not to discount this, btw)?

Well, that's all for now. Part II will be up tomorrow, with some evaluations more along the lines of Rabbit Hole and Blue Valentine, and less along the lines of the likes of Miral.