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Winter movies roll in like a 800-lb. gorilla
“The Matador”
Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Greg Kinnear, Hope Davis, Philip Baker Hall, Adam Scott, Dylan Baker
Director: Richard Shepard
Story: Brosnan stars as an aging hitman who meets up with an ordinary American businessman (Kinnear) in this dark comedy. When the lonely Brosnan tries to connect with Kinnear by telling him what he does for a living, he finds him both fascinated and appalled. Brosnan ends up enlisting Kinnear in one of his capers. Davis co-stars as Kinnear’s faithful wife Bean.
Buzz: Brosnan told Entertainment Weekly that this movie was like “the worst day in James Bond’s life.” It should be a good departure for the retiring 007. The Hollywood Reporter reviewed this film when it played at Sundance and though reviewer Kirk Honeycutt praised the chemistry between Kinnear and Brosnan, he went on to say that the film struggles to find its story.
Web site: http://www.miramax.com/matador/
“Munich”
Starring: Eric Bana, Daniel Craig, Geoffrey Rush, Mathieu Kassovitz, Hanns Zischler, Ciaran Hinds
Director: Steven Spielberg
Story: Set in the aftermath of the 1972 massacre of 11 Israeli hostages at the Munich Olympics, this film tells the story of a secret Israeli squad who sets out to kill the 11 Palestinians believed to be behind the Olympic plot. Eric Bana plays the Mossad agent charged with leading the group.
Buzz: The big question about this film is whether it will be ready in time. The film started shooting on July 1 — that’s a pretty quick turnaround to get it into theaters by Dec. 23. Even unseen, it’s hard not to see this as an Oscar favorite. If Spielberg can reign in his sentimental side, he will deliver a powerful film. Anyone who thinks that Bana is limited to playing cartoon characters like “The Hulk” should really check out one of his early films, “Chopper.” He’s a definite threat for a best actor nomination. The new 007, Craig, also looks to make his dramatic mark here. Tony Kushner (“Angels in America”) wrote the screenplay, which should be interesting considering his pro-Palestinian views.
Web site: http://www.munichmovie.com/
“The Ringer”
Starring: Johnny Knoxville, Brian Cox, Katherine Heigl, Zen Gesner, John Taylor, Jed Rees
Director: Barry W. Blaustein
Story: Johnny Knoxville stars as a man who pretends to be mentally challenged in order to fix the special Olympics. But he finds that not only is he outclassed as an athlete, his competitors are also simply better people.
Buzz: Um, yuck. Really what more is there to say, except, why isn’t this movie being released in the junkyard that is better known as January and February? For that matter, why is it being released at all?
Web site: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/theringer/
“Casanova”
Starring: Heath Ledger, Jeremy Irons, Lauren Cohan, Charlie Cox, Christopher Egan, Tommy Körberg, Sienna Miller, Lena Olin, Oliver Platt
Director: Lasse Hallström
Story: Ledger stars as the world’s most notorious seducer of women. Until now, he’s been able to resist the draw of just one woman, but Francesca (Miller) may be the woman who could change that. She gets his attention by refusing his charms and he employs various disguises to get closer to her. Irons co-stars as Bishop Pucci, who hopes to catch Casanova in an illicit seduction in order to disgrace him. Oliver Platt is Francesca’s fiancé.
Buzz: Director Hallström’s films (“Cider House Rules,” “Chocolat”) always remind me a bit of eating M&Ms. While they have a delicate candy coating that surrounds a sweet treat, ultimately, they’re really not a satisfying meal. Still, this could be more promising than many contemporary-set romantic comedies you’ll see. Ledger (“Knights Tale”) stretched this year with his role in “Brokeback Mountain,” but goes back to his swashbuckling ways here. Miller (“Alfie”) needs to prove herself as more than just Jude Law’s former arm candy.
Web site: http://touchstone.movies.go.com/index.html?dlink=casanova
“Match Point”
Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Emily Mortimer, Matthew Goode, Brian Cox, Penelope Wilton
Director: Woody Allen
Story: Set in present day London, Rhys-Meyers stars as a tennis instructor who romances and marries the sister (Mortimer) of one of his wealthy students (Goode). But then he also becomes involved with Goode’s American fiancée (Johansson), a struggling actress who wants him to leave Mortimer.
Buzz: This film made a splash at the Cannes Film Festival. Jeffrey Wells of “Hollywood Elsewhere,” wrote, “Woody Allen's ‘Match Point’ is his darkest and strongest film — certainly his most moralistically bitter and ironic — since 1989's ‘Crimes and Misdemeanors’.” Johansson seems to have taken the role (after Diane Keaton and Mia Farrow) as Allen’s latest muse; she’s also set to star in his 2006 film, “Scoop.” Mortimer (“Lovely & Amazing”) is a great actress (who deserves more good roles) who could be a supporting actress Oscar threat.
Web site: http://www.matchpoint.dreamworks.com/
“The New World”
Starring: Colin Farrell, Christopher Plummer, Christian Bale, August Schellenberg, Wes Studi, David Thewlis, Yorick van Wageningen, Q'orianka Kilcher, Will Wallace
Director: Terrence Malick
Story: Farrell stars as explorer John Smith and newcomer Kilcher co-stars as Pocahontas in this epic adventure about the clash between Native Americans and English settlers set in 17th century Jamestown, Virginia. Bale (“Batman Begins”) co-stars as English tobacco farmer John Rolfe. Plummer plays the colony’s first governor.
Buzz: This is only Malick’s (“Badlands,” “Thin Red Line”) fourth film, and with his singular vision it’s hard not to get excited about it. Malick is known for creating incredible visuals (rent “Days of Heaven” for incredible cinematography by Néstor Almendros). They primarily used natural light to film scenes in “The New World” and completely rebuilt replicas of the original ships and James Fort. On the bad news side, Farrell is an actor with a lot of baggage. Between starring in the bomb “Alexander” and trying to suppress his sex tape, it’s hard to take Farrell that seriously these days. Of course, this movie could change that. We could see newcomer Kilcher’s name in the best-actress category come Oscar time.
Web site: http://www.thenewworldmovie.com/
“Rumor Has It”
Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Costner, Shirley MacLaine, Mark Ruffalo, Richard Jenkins, Mena Suvari
Director: Rob Reiner
Story: Aniston plays Sarah Huttinger, an obituary columnist who is about to marry her boyfriend (Ruffalo) but is confused about what she really wants. When she goes to attend her sister’s (Suvari) wedding, she comes across a family secret — that both her mom and grandmother (MacLaine) have slept with the same man (Costner), whom she now finds herself drawn to. Could her family be the inspiration for the film “The Graduate”?
Buzz: Reiner definitely needs a hit. His last two films (“Alex & Emma” and “The Story of Us”) were complete letdowns, not to mention box office bombs. Screenwriter Ted Griffin is the man behind “Matchstick Men” and “Oceans’ Eleven” — which bodes well for a quick-witted script. Costner, who did really good work earlier this year in “Upside of Anger,” works best when paired opposite a strong female co-star (“Bull Durham”). We shall see if Aniston is up to the task. The “Friends” star still needs to prove she can carry (not to mention open) a film.
Web site: http://rumorhasitmovie.warnerbros.com/
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