A-List: Anticipated Fall Movies
By Josh Spiegel
October 7, 2010
BoxOfficeProphets.com
Now that it’s the fall, we can also prepare to hear about Oscar contenders. Yes, The Social Network has truly kick-started the Oscar season, and if you’re not happy about such an early start to the race, get out of the way. A few of the films on this week’s list will be serious Oscar contenders; all of them should get nominations, but not all of them could get onto this year’s Best Picture list. Right now, there are a few sure things, but only a few of the films waiting to arrive in theaters nationwide are worth getting excited about, let alone nominating. There are, of course, a few films not on the list (Due Date comes to mind), and just remember: I’m not saying I’m not excited about them, just that I’m not THAT excited. On to the list.
127 Hours
I am not a fan of Slumdog Millionaire. I have made this clear in the past, and I still harbor much distaste that the film won for Best Picture at the Oscars. That Danny Boyle’s follow-up still excites me is a big step for me. The trailer that’s been released, coupled with the mostly ecstatic praise from critics who saw the films at festivals last month, have upped the ante. That said, the story’s not without potential pitfalls. 127 Hours has a very simple premise, based on a true story: a man is scaling a mountain when he slips, falls, and his arm is pinned under a rock. The title refers to the amount of time the man stays under these conditions before, to put it lightly, he takes matters into his own hands (pun intended).
Starring James Franco (and featuring Amber Tamblyn and Kate Mara in small roles), 127 Hours could be a spectacular achievement or disaster. We’ve seen directors make compelling drama from a man in solitude, but what if that solitude is also confinement? The recent film Buried, starring Ryan Reynolds, probably is more extreme (the entire film is set in a coffin), but even though Boyle’s a very visual director, how exciting could a man trapped under a rock be? Again, the reviews have been very positive, though critics don’t seem as crazy about this one as they did for Slumdog Millionaire, even though both films are noted for their visual flair. Franco’s been waiting for a huge performance, however, and 127 Hours seems to be the movie that will help make him the star those who’ve seen his talent since Freaks and Geeks have wanted him to be.
Black Swan
Who’s ready for some ballet? Hey, get back here. I wanted to drop the boom on you first before you freaked out. Yes, Black Swan, another darling of recent film festivals, is set in the world of ballet in New York City, but if you’ve seen the trailer for the film (I would suggest it unless you’re too concerned that it may ruin your experience), you know that Black Swan isn’t austere, low-key, or boring. If anything, Black Swan may be a ballet film filtered through Requiem for a Dream. Of course, this is no surprise, as the film’s director is Darren Aronofsky. Aronofsky’s name is automatically a reason to get excited, but the cast also seems intriguing, if not worthy of excitement. In the lead, as a fragile ballerina who’s given a shot at stardom, is Natalie Portman. She’s supported by Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, and Barbara Hershey.
The movie seems to have a supernatural bent (or the main character’s wacked out of her mind), what with images of Portman, red-eyed, pulling metallic spines out of her skin. This isn’t exactly what you think of when you think of ballet, but continuing in the tradition of such great directors as Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger, and Robert Altman is a daring enough choice. Aronofsky’s visual prowess appears to be on display here, and Portman’s performance has been hailed by many critics, who are hoping for an Oscar nomination for the young actress. I’ve already crowed about Kunis as a performer, so I’m hoping that the film lives up to expectations. Because of the daring presentation of the material, the prognosticators aren’t yet swayed to the film being an Oscar favorite, but who cares? Aronofsky and Portman are enough to get me in the theater.
True Grit
Let’s see how far you get into this paragraph before you realize that, OF COURSE, True Grit is one of the most exciting-sounding movies you’ve heard about in a while. On the one hand, yes, it’s a remake of the 1969 Western starring John Wayne as an eye-patched cowboy. So there’s that against it. But here’s what’s on the other hand: True Grit was written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. Rooster Cogburn is being portrayed by Jeff Bridges, which will be awesome for a number of reasons, chief among them that the Dude is reuniting with the Coens. The film also stars Josh Brolin, formerly of No Country For Old Men, and Matt Damon, continuing the Coens’ strategy of having everyone from Ocean’s Eleven star in their films. Have I gotten your attention yet? If not, check out the teaser or full trailer for the film.
You’re salivating now, right? And why wouldn’t you be? Even though their track record isn’t flawless, a new film from Joel and Ethan Coen should always be an event for any film buff. And putting these two back with one of their best leading men, fresh off an Oscar win, should get butts in the seats. I can’t say there was an audible response to the trailer as it played in front of The Social Network, but there’s no question that the footage has not disappointed yet. Though I’m not the biggest fan of Westerns, as I’ve mentioned in the past here, any Coen film is a film I’m going to see. What’s more, they succeeded at making a postmodern Western, so I’m curious to see their take on something more potentially old-fashioned. Christmas Day is for many things, but this year, it’s for True Grit.
Tron: Legacy
Speaking of Jeff Bridges and returning, also in December, we have Tron: Legacy. Walt Disney Pictures is putting every ounce of marketing energy it has behind this movie, and it has worked so far. Here’s an example. This is one of my top five anticipated movies of the last three months of the year. I have never seen Tron. I know barely what the original is about, and I’m taking a wild guess that I don’t need to see it before I watch the sequel. And yet, the footage has done its job. I want to see this movie. Why? It looks cool, and the kind of cool that I can get behind. Some people - none I know, granted - think Michael Bay movies are cool. Though it’s an opinion, I would consider those people a bit too nutty for my tastes. Tron: Legacy, on the other hand, just looks cool.
The special effects, for the most part, seem seamless and eye-popping. Based on the full trailer from a few months back, the only glaring issue is…well, a potentially big one. Whatever plot the film has involves the son of Jeff Bridges’ character from the original being transported to the world of Tron and encountering someone who looks like his dad, circa 1982. The effect should be amazing, but it put me in mind of The Polar Express and Beowulf. I’ve never been one to be creeped out by this kind of effect, but in the trailer, that’s how I felt. Of course, it’s a small issue and I’m sincerely hoping that it’s not a problem. What’s more, I’m hoping the rumors of the male lead, Garret Hedlund, not being up to snuff are wrong. It’s been a few years since there was a great crowd-pleasing Christmas movie, but Tron: Legacy could very well fit the bill.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part One
How could I not include this film? In the same way that its conclusion, coming in July of 2011, will be on any summer movie list, this movie has to show up on year-end excitements. If you, like me and a lot of other people, have read the final book in the series, you may be confused or baffled at how the full-length trailer almost delights in giving away a lot of the final 200 pages of the book (and for those of you who have managed to stay spoiler-free, I’d seriously suggest you avoid the trailer). Why not highlight some of the big action set pieces from the first half of the book, whether it’s an early chase on brooms or an infiltration of the Ministry of Magic? That aside, it’s hard to argue with the footage, because of how cool it looks.
As always, one of the best reasons to be excited for a Harry Potter movie is the expansive cast. Of course, the old favorites are back from the kids (Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint) to the professors (Alan Rickman, David Thewlis, Emma Thompson), and there are new actors including Bill Nighy and Rhys Ifans. Though it’s clearly being done to make money, I can’t fault Warner Bros. too much for wanting to split the final book into two movies, as there’s so much left, even if you’re not a big fan of all the fighting between Harry, Hermione, and Ron. The films are always visually exciting, and previous helmer David Yates is back for the final two films, making him the man who’s directed the most of the series. Each of the films has improved on its predecessors, to me, so I’ve got very high hopes for this one.