Holiday Movie Season Begins

The Holiday movie season began last week. Second only to the summer blockbuster season, this is Hollywood's last chance for some big numbers at the box office, while also offering award winning prestige pictures for your consideration.

The big film this season will be part one of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hollows. As the last chapter in the Harry Potter saga, this film has been as highly anticipated as the book was in 2007. But no matter how well it does, it will not match the box office clout of last year's billion dollar film Avatar. To date Avatar has taken in 2.7 billion dollars in worldwide ticket sales, with $760 million at American box offices. Last years' Harry Potter adventure, The Half Blood Prince, only took in $301 million in domestic ticket sales. We can probably expect HP7 to take in about $350 million based on the level of buzz. When HP7: Part 2 appears next July both films combined will come close to matching Avatar's two billion dollars. There has been plenty of marketing for HP7 and I really liked how the teaser poster referenced the original poster for HP1 way back in 2001. Release date November 19th

Teaser poster for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows

Teaser poster for the 2001 release of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Another big hit will be Dreamworks animated super-hero comedy Megamind in 3D. Megamind features Will Ferrel and Brad Pitt as two Superman like supermen who come to earth as babies. One grows up to become Metro Man the hero of humanity and the other becomes Megamind, his arch nemesis and evil villain. The two battle it out over Metro City while news reporter Roxanne Ritchi (Tina Fey) reports. Dreamworks has high hopes for the film and the early box office returns of $52 Million look promising. This is Dreamworks third animated entry this year after Shrek and Despicable Me. The folks at Dreamworks should have a very nice Christmas this year. Release date November 5th

Next up is Disney's Tangled. Originally planned as Rapunzel, a 2-D hand drawn film to follow in the footsteps of The Princess and the Frog, the film went back to the drawing boards and was made as a computer generated 3D pic after the frog's disappointing box office (it only made $104 million). The studio also felt that Princess and the Frog failed to find an audience with young boys, so the Rapunzel title was dropped and the film was renamed Tangled, and most of the advance marketing has been focused on the action scenes and the male hero in the film. For this film to be considered successful it will need to beat the box office of the Dreamworks entries. Release date November 24th

Next up is the 20th Century Fox's picture, The Chronicles Of Narnia: the Voyage of the Dawn Trader. When this franchise began in December 2005 it was projected to be one of the most successful film franchises of all time. And the first film, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe was quite successful with $291 million in U.S. ticket sales. But in 2008 Disney tried to position the second film, Prince Caspian, as a summer blockbuster and scheduled it two weeks after Iron Man and only six days before Indiana Jones 4 was released. The film failed to find the same audience and only made $141 million at the box office. This was enough for Disney to abandon the franchise. 20th Century Fox has picked it up and the film needs to bring back the magic of the first film: hence all the marketing with the lion; and rake in some big bucks for the series to continue. Release date December 10

The film most highly anticipated by the fanboys is Disney's Tron: Legacy. This follow up to the 1982 cult classic features Jeff Bridges returning to the Tron Universe. Bruce Boxenleiter also reprises his role from the original. The first Tron film was before it's time, with it's unique computer generated effects. The film struggled to find an audience in theatres, but found a cult following on home video. The studio hopes Tron: Legacy will live up to the promise of the 1982 original. So do I. 

Release date December 17th

The Holiday Season is not all about big budget family films. There are some serious films and adult styled comedies coming your way. Going into Oscar season there are no films carrying early Oscar buzz like there were last years, so expect a few of the films being released in the next 8 weeks to break out from the pack and capture the spotlight.

Many familiar faces will be returning to the big screen this season. We can expect films from Johnny Depp, Angela Jolie, Dwayne Johnson, Colin Firth, Natalie Portman, Jack Nicholson, Jim Carrey, Ewan McGregor, Helen Mirren, Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones, Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Ben Stiller, Robert DeNiro, Dustin Hoffman, Barbra Streisand, Matt Damon, Jack Black, Gwyneth Paltrow, Halle Berry, Denzel Washington, Jeff Bridges, Justin Timberlake, Robert Downey, Jr., Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd, Ryan Gosling, Kirsten Dunst, Nicole Kidman, Kevin Spacey, Cher, Liam Neeson, James Franco, Sean Penn, Whoopi Goldberg, Janet Jackson, Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton, Russell Crowe, Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway and most surprising of all, Eliot Spitzer

Not to be out done by these returning stars, you will see some famous director's getting behind the camera again; Danny Boyle, his first effort since Slumdog Millionaire, Edward Zwick, Paul Haggis, David Yates, Tyler Perry, Darren Aronofsky, Julie Taymor, Micheal Apted, Sofia Coppola, Joel and Ethan Coen, James Cameron Mitchell, James L. Brooks, David O. Russell and John Wells.

Directed Danny Boyle and starring James Franco, 127 hours is based on the true story of Aron Ralston who was trapped under a boulder. Looks like a straight forward drama. 11/5

Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifankis are an odd couple forced to travel cross country together. Brings back memories of Trains, Planes and Automobiles. The film hopes to appeal to the same audience that loved The Hangover 11/5

Sean Penn and Naomi Watts star in this drama about the Valerie Plame affair. The trailer attempts to make the film look like a thriller. The American public was bored with this story when it was in the news so I question if this film will find an audience. 11/5

Tyler Perry directs an all star cast of African American women in this drama about a group of black woman whose lives intersect. 11/5

Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton and Rachel McAdams team up for a comedy about the morning new biz. Directed by Roger Mitchell (Notting Hill) the film holds out hope for a witty adult comedy. 11/10

Unstoppable is a film about a runaway train. I believe they already made a film about a runaway train called Runaway Train. They also made another film about a runaway train called Silver Streak. Oh yes, there was also Atomic Train! I'm not sure what Tony Scott and Denzel Washington can bring to this tired genre. 11/12

After Independence Day, District 9 and the multiple incarnations of television's V are audiences ready for another giant alien ship attacks the earth movie? The trailer looks like fun so I'll line up. 11/12

Eliot Spitzer participates in a documentary about his rise and fall in politics. 11/12

Paul Haggis directs Russell Crowe in this thriller about a man who decides to break his wife out of prison. In a counter-programming move, the film is opening opposite Harry Potter, hoping to capture an adult audience for the weekend. It will definitely be number two at the box office. 11/19

Ever since 2002 Hollywood has turned out a big musical during the holidays. We've had Sweeney Todd, The Producers, Phantom, and Dreamgirls among others. Burlesque marks the return of Cher to the big screen after a seven year absence. The question is will this film follow in the footsteps of Chicago or will it join other camp classics such as Xanadu, Glitter and Can't Stop The Music. I'll know on November 17th since I have been invited to an advanced screening. Opening date 11/24.

The romantic comedy Love and Other Drugs, directed by Edward Zwick (Glory, Legends of the Fall, Blood Diamond, Last Samurai) and starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway already has a lot of buzz and momentum going into the holiday season. We will see if it lives up to the hype. 11/24

Dwayne Johnson drops the kid friendly roles (The Tooth Fairy, Escape To Witch Mountain) and returns to playing a bad-ass ex-con out to avenge his brother's death. The Rock is back!! 11/24

This European produced 3D version of The Nutcracker has been looking for an American distributor since last year. The film was made by Russian film and theatre director Andrei Konchalovsky (he directed 1984's Runaway Train. Do you think he will go see Unstoppable?). And stars Elle Fanning, Nathan Lane and John Turturro. From the trailer it appears to be a mash-up of The Nutcracker ballet and fantasy action movies such as Golden Compass and The Chronicles Of Narnia. It has played in Europe to very good reviews so we shall see how it does here. It is one of the few Christmas themed movies this year. 11/24

The King's Speech is one film that has been getting Oscar buzz for months. Tom Hooper (John Adams) directs Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush in this royal drama. Firth may receive his second best acting nomination. 11/26

Coming in December

The other film with all the Oscar buzz. Natalie Portman starts in this dark tale about the world of ballet. I saw the trailer and I'm going to see this movie. 12/3

Even the star power of Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor couldn't help this gay themed comedy find a distributor. It premiered at Sundance in 2009 to great reviews, but not a single mainstream studio would touch it. Consolidated pictures group snapped it up but it has been bouncing around the calendar looking for a release date. It finally landed on December 3rd. 

Martial arts action film starring Danny Boyle, Kate Bosworth, Geoffrey Rush and Dong-gun Jang. A lone warrior-assassin hides out in a small American western town. Definitely an action popcorn flick.12/3

Johnny Depp, Angela Jolie, Paul Bettany and the city of Venice star in this Hitchcock like thriller about a tourist who gets mixed up with dangerous criminals. The trailer looked great. 12/10

Helen Mirren and Julie Taymor doing Shakespeare! If The warrior way is sold out you can go see The Tempest. Definitely for the literate crowd. This will not take away from Harry Potter ticket sales. 12/10

Another film about the economy. It has been compared to last year's Up In The Air. A solid cast and a debut film for director John Wells who is known for his television creations ER and The West Wing.

12/10

David O. Russel directs Wahlberg and Bale in this true story about pro boxer Mickey Ward. Amy Adams also stars. I saw the trailer yesterday and felt like it was a cross between The Wrestler and Rocky. 12/10

James L. brooks returns to direct an all star cast including Jack Nicholson; he worked with Brooks on Terms Of Endearment, Broadcast News and As Good As It gets; Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd and Owen Wilson. Brooks also wrote the screenplay. 12/17

Hey there it's Yogi Bear! Yogi has finally made it to the big screen long after other cartoon characters from the 60's such as The Flintstones, The Jetsons and Scooby Doo have had their big screen debut. Yogi follows in the computer animated footsteps of Alvin and the Chipmunks who have had two successful films with a combined gross of $804 million dollars. Warner Bros. is hoping they can have as big a hit with Yogi. The movie seems perfectly cast with Dan Ackroyd as Yogi and Justin Timberlake as Boo-Boo. Tom Cavanaugh has the unfortunate role of Ranger  Smith who must play straight man to an animated bear. The jury is out on this one, but somehow I don't thing audiences will find Yogi as adorable as three little chipmunks. But Boo-Boo is kind of cute. 12/17

Gosling and Dunst star in this Oscar bait thriller. Gosling has multiple strong performances this season and is sure to earn a nomination for Best Actor. Limited release 12/17. 

Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart in this Oscar bait family drama. Limited release 12/17

Kevin Spacey stars in this Oscar bait political drama about super lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Limited release 12/17

Ten years after Meet The Parents Ben Stiller and gang return in Little Fockers for more hilarity and mayhem. This time a baby is on the way. This film was originally scheduled for a summer release. it was smart move by Universal to put it back in the holiday season where it belongs. There is nothing like fighting amongst families to put you in the Christmas spirit. How many times can you say Fockers before it stops being funny? 12/22

Joel and Ethan Coen took on an icon when they chose to remake this John Wayne classic. Buzz is they went back to the original book for their source material. Fresh off his Oscar win Jeff Bridges seems the perfect choice to fill the Dukes boots (not that anyone can really fill them). With True Grit and 

Tron: Legacy, Jeff Bridges will be having a busy Christmas. 12/22

Sofia Coppola returns to directing after a 4 year lay off. Another piece of juicy Oscar bait. Limited release 12/22

A modern updating of Gulliver's Travels might be a great idea. Unfortunately 20th Century Fox turned the film over to Jack Black and added his modern comedic sensibility. I saw the trailer and thought "this looks stupid".  Last year Universal lost a bundle on Land of the Lost. This year it's Fox's turn with Gulliver.

Gwyneth Paltrow plays a fallen country music star who plans a come back with rising star Garrett Hedlund. This Oscar bait with overtones of A Star is Born opens in limited release 12/22.

And finally closing out the season is the Sundance Film Festival sensation Blue Valentine. This grueling drama stars Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams. It opens in limited release on 12/29.

All in all it looks to be an excellent holiday season for movie goers.