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Movie Maniac

The Eagle's Rod Pocowatchit's musings on the screen scene

Posted on Sun, Nov. 08, 2009

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Heroes and heartache

There's nothing like disaster to ring in the holidays at the box office.

So you can bet that audiences will flock to see the world explode in the special-effects spectacle "2012."

And doesn't the bleak, postapocalyptic tale "The Road" just scream joy? It does to rabid fans of the book.

And poor Bella of the "Twilight" saga. In this next installment, she gets her heart broken. Sigh. But she seeks solace with her Native American pal and things get hairier than she thought — literally.

Speaking of warm and fuzzy, Hollywood does have some feel-good fare on the list, too. The holiday movie season officially kicked off Friday with "A Christmas Carol," so let's see what the Ghost of Christmas Future holds in store for us. Release dates are subject to change.

Friday

"2012"

Director Roland Emmerich knows a thing or two about demolishing landmarks from "The Day After Tomorrow," so he should put that skill to good use in this epic adventure about a global cataclysm that brings an end to the world. John Cusack turns action star and saves the day — er, date.

"Fantastic Mr. Fox"

Quirky director Wes Anderson brings his playful visual style to this stop-motion animated tale based on the popular children's book by Roald Dahl ("Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"), about a staid family man (voiced by George Clooney) who indulges his wild side by returning to a life of stealing chickens. Ah, the glory days.

"Pirate Radio"

No, it's not a Disney kiddie flick, but a comedy from writer/director Richard Curtis ("Love, Actually") about an illegal radio station aboard a ship sailing in the North Sea during the tumultuous and rebellious 1960s.

Nov. 20

"The Blind Side"

Based on the true story of a homeless, overweight African-American teenager in Memphis who is taken in by a wealthy white couple (Sandra Bullock — with disturbingly big, blond hair — and Tim McGraw), who groom him athletically and academically to eventually become one of the top NFL prospects in the country.

"Planet 51"

Animated sci-fi tale set on a remote planet whose green, Shrek-like inhabitants live in fear of an "alien" invasion. Their paranoia is realized when an astronaut arrives from the strange planet Earth. Starring the voices of Dwayne Johnson and Jessica Biel.

"The Twilight Saga: New Moon"

Second film based on the best-selling teen vampire romance novels, with Bella (Kristen Stewart) devastated by the abrupt departure of her vampire love, Edward (Robert Pattinson). But her spirit is rekindled by a growing friendship with Jacob (Taylor Lautner), who she finds out — spoiler alert (not really, because it's in all the trailers) —is a werewolf! What's a girl to do?

Nov. 25

"The Road"

Based on the harrowing but emotional book by Cormac McCarthy. Viggo Mortensen stars as a man struggling to transport his son to safety following an apocalyptic event, as they battle starving stragglers and marauding cannibals along the way. The film was pushed back from its initial release date a year ago, so JUST PLAY THE THING, ALREADY. I mean, fans of the book are more than excited to see the movie.

"The Princess and the Frog"

Disney returns to hand-drawn animation with this musical that takes place in New Orleans, following a girl and a frog prince who desperately wants to be human again. Smooch!

"Old Dogs"

Two friends and business partners — one unlucky-in-love divorcee (Robin Williams) and a fun-loving bachelor (John Travolta) —find their lives turned upside down when they are placed in the care of 7-year-old twins.

Dec. 4

"Brothers"

Directed by Jim Sheridan, who guided Daniel Day-Lewis to an Oscar in "My Left Foot," this drama is the tale of a Marine (Tobey Maguire) who goes missing in Afghanistan and is presumed dead by his family. His drifter brother (Jake Gyllenhaal) finally assumes responsibility by taking care of his brother's wife (Natalie Portman) and children — until the Marine is found and comes home to find things are not the same.

"Everybody's Fine"

Comedy about a widower (Robert De Niro) who realizes his only connection to his family was through his wife, so he sets off on an impromptu road trip to reunite with each of his grown children (Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale and Sam Rockwell).

"Transylmania"

Raunchy horror spoof in which a group of college kids do a semester abroad in Romania and realize that if the partying doesn't kill them, the vampires just might.

Dec. 11

"Invictus"

Clint Eastwood directs this biopic of Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) after the fall of apartheid in South Africa during his first term as president when he campaigned to host the 1995 Rugby World Cup event, hoping to unite his countrymen.

Dec. 18

"Avatar"

In his first feature since that infamous boat ride in "Titanic," director James Cameron returns with this big-budget 3-D spectacle about a band of humans who are pitted in a battle against a distant planet's indigenous population. With Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez, and Wes Studi.

"Did you Hear About the Morgans?"

Comedy about an estranged New York City couple (Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker) who witness a murder and are relocated to small-town Wyoming as part of a witness-protection program. Yeah, 'cause no one knows where Wyoming is.

"Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"

This Sundance Film Festival award-winner follows an overweight, illiterate Harlem teen, pregnant with her second child from her abusive father, who is invited to enroll in an alternative school in hopes that her life can head in a new direction. Early buzz is saying Mo'Nique, who plays the girl's equally abusive mother, will win an Oscar.

Dec. 25

"Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel"

I'd tell you the plot, but I refuse to do the chipmunk voice.

"It's Complicated"

Writer/director Nancy Meyers ("Something's Gotta Give," "The Holiday") directs Meryl Streep, Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin in a romantic comedy about, well, complicated relationships.

"Nine"

Directed by Rob Marshall (who helmed the Oscar-winning "Chicago"), this long-awaited adaptation of the Broadway musical boasts a stellar cast — and Daniel Day-Lewis singing! He plays a famous, womanizing film director in the middle of a creative and personal crisis while trying to juggle the women in his life. Also starring Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Kate Hudson, Nicole Kidman, Sophia Loren and Judi Dench.

"Sherlock Holmes"

Ex-Mr. Madonna Guy Ritchie ("Snatch") puts his twitchy spin on this modern update of the beloved Arthur Conan Doyle detective (Robert Downey Jr.) and his stalwart partner Watson (Jude Law) as they engage in a battle of wits and brawn with a nemesis whose plot is a threat to all of England.

"Up in the Air"

Director Jason Reitman follows "Juno" with this adaptation of Walter Kirn's book, as George Clooney plays an unapologetic corporate downsizer whose untethered life is consumed by proudly collecting air miles — until his company grounds him.