The waiting, beginning in the summer months, building through repeated TV teaser ads… and now, finally… the Christmas Movie Season!!! Hurrah!!! Full of all the ripe promise of those summer trailers, American Thanksgiving happens now and with it come the delectables us movie whores have been panting for. While Fall as a movie season has not been a total washout, saved predominantly by Zombieland and Where The Wild Things Are (bless you Spike, bless you), Christmas movies hold a special rank in my hierarchy of films. We can be tempted to go arty, or just look for stuff that gets blown up. All tastes are welcome – you have the award season campaign launch, and everything else along the smorgasbord that leads to ‘something I can sit in a theatre and watch with a relative I have NOTHING to say to and we will call it family bonding time.’ Yeah, that’s right; I’m talking to you, Old Dogs.
This anticipation is equal to the buildup to Christmas morning in my house. You see, with the actual movie watching, you inevitably come across the ‘gift’ that has to be exchanged for something that DOESN’T suck, or the bloat of having too much of a good thing (no I have NOT watched a Harry Potter movie 4 times over Christmas…. ). Right now, there is the imagining of greatness without the sickly overeating feeling that inevitably accompanies my Christmas dinner meal.
For now, I relish the possibilities. Just like that time, oh so many (ten) years ago, when I sat in a theatre in May, watching that sparkly Lucasfilm logo shimmer across the screen… you know, that moment BEFORE Jar Jar opened his mouth and everything was ruined.
I am not going to debate the merits of movie trailer editing at this time, as that is a conversation for another day; I will say that less is more is a rule most studios should adopt.
Based on the trailers alone, I am eagerly anticipating the following films, for one reason or another, judge away on the validity or absurdity of such reasons at will:
The Fantastic Mr. Fox – not only one of my top 3 directors, Wes Anderson, but a film that looks unlike anything else. And I have seen a lot of movies - I have seen a lot of attempts to do something different. As a friend says, weird for the sake of being weird. I have faith in Wes though; I sat through a movie based on the pursuit of a rare fictional shark because Wes made it and I hate sharks. I think though, that there is no need to fear in this case. I can see only the potential for greatness.
Up in the Air – I am not so much eagerly anticipating this one as I am wondering how much of a story there is to this film other than what is shown in the trailer. I want to see where this story goes - if George Clooney wanted to make this film, there is probably something to it that I will like. While I am one of 8 women in the world who does NOT want to sleep with George, I definitely want to have a conversation with the guy. If he wasn’t so fricken interesting and cool, I wouldn’t give a crap about this movie. Unless Clive Owen was in it.
Sherlock Holmes - Oh please, Movie Gods PLEASE do not let this movie suck. There is such a titillating combination going on in these ads, I can only hope, hope, HOPE there isn’t a giant turd wrapped up behind all that slick promoting. I think it takes a skilled and/or crazy director to work with Robert Downey, Jr., and I think Guy Ritchie is going to fit that bill nicely. Other than Madonna, cough, I think Guy has solid taste in actresses, see Rocknrolla featuring Thandie Newton, and I was happy to see Rachel McAdams in this one – yay Canada! Mark Strong is quickly become my favorite ‘hey, THAT guy!’ and it’s fun to see him repeat with Guy Ritchie.
Brothers – or, as I am christening it, Tobey’s Oscar Push. I think you can make the argument that maybe it’s Jake’s Oscar Push, but Jack Twist, I swear, I really think this is meant to be Tobey’s pendulum swing away from Spidey. And yes, there is a high probability that one or both of them will have their shirts off, and since it is a military movie, and Jake’s been pumped for Prince of Persia … well, am I right ladies?
Avatar – James Freakin Cameron!!!!!!! WHEEEEEEEE!!!!! That’s it. That’s all.
The Road – if this film is half as terrifying, half as intelligent, half as ghostly and haunting as the book was, there is no competition in the category of what movie will make me lose my shit this year. When I first read that the film was being made, my thought was oh crap. And then I saw the trailer, and wow, it could be great. It could also be meh, and if that is the case, everyone, who has not already, should read the book. Not to get all Oprah on you.
Invictus – my white middle class guilt demands that I attend this movie. Matt Damon has been infused in to the story to make it comfortable to see a movie about South Africa . Don’t be afraid, white people, Matt will learn the lessons for you, you just have to watch.
9 – I am taking a BEATING on this one, lemme tell ya – I have be known, possibly even renowned, as the woman who will fight for the eradication of the Hollywood musical. My only defense? It just looks so freaking cool!!! The costumes, the actresses that have been cast, I will even tolerate Nicole Kidman… why? Because I trust in Daniel. I watched a 3 hour movie about dirt and oil because he was in it. I watched a movie about gay guys and a laundromat (and neither of them looked like Heath or Jake) because Daniel was in it. I did not enjoy Chicago , I fast forwarded through most of Sweeney Todd (gasp, no!), but I am going to give a musical one more try. Let us pray…
So, to all this holiday season, I wish you good luck, happy movie viewing, merry popcorn eating, and please, know your limit.
- written by jennifer le vecque
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