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Hits for the holidays
  
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By Sally M. Hill
Here are a few of the films opening between now and year’s end. Many films originally scheduled for holiday releases have been pushed back, including the latest “Harry Potter” film, Jamie Foxx in “The Soloist” and Viggo Mortensen in the adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s “The Road,” so some more dates could change.
This movie season doesn’t particularly excite, although there’s bound to be some winners here. Happy viewing.
“Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa”
More animated animal hi-jinks with the voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer and Bernie Mac.
“Soul Men”
Samuel L. Jackson and Bernie Mac play estranged members of a musical group who travel cross-country to do a tribute concert at the Apollo. There will be some sadness in this comedy since both Mac and Isaac Hayes died shortly after filming.
“Quantum of Solace”
Daniel Craig is back as Bond for the second time! “Solace” starts just hours after “Casino Royal” ended. Other films may open this week, but they don’t matter compared with Bond.
“Bolt”
John Travolta voices a pampered dog who learns real life is different than a TV show in this animated film with Miley Cyrus.
“Twilight”
Kristen Stewart is Bella and Robert Pattinson is Edward Cullen. If those names don’t mean anything to you, it’s because you’ve not read the smash good vs. evil vampire books that the character’s are based on. Me neither, and I can’t say the trailers thrill.
“Australia”
Baz Luhrmann’s epic about pre-WWII down under with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman herding cattle and falling in love. This appears to be a far cry from “Moulin Rouge!” Luhrmann usually is quite flashy, but that doesn’t seem to fit this piece. No matter, I’ll be there.
“Four Christmases”
Reece Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn play a married couple shamed into spending Christmas with each of their divorced parent’s families. It’s been reported that the two stars didn’t get along, so it should be interesting to see whether that acrimony shows up on screen or they act their way around their differences.
“Milk”
Gus Van Sant’s take on the actual events leading up to the assassination of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay politician. Sean Penn looks brilliant in the trailers and look for Josh Brolin to turn in another winning perf as Dan White.
“Transporter 3”
Jason Statham is back, supposedly for the last time, as Frank Martin the tough guy of few words who is really good at getting things from point A to point B and kicking butt. More of the same sounds good to me.
“Cadillac Records”
Beyoncé Knowles plays singer Etta James in this based-on-fact look at a record company in 1950s Chicago with Adrien Brody.
“The Day the Earth Stood Still”
Why tamper with perfection? Oh well, Keanu Reeves and Jennifer Connelly star in the remake of the 1951 sci-fi classic about an alien with an important message for earth.
“The Reader”
Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes star in this Oscar bait that has had a troubled history. It’s a romantic drama set in Germany with something about Nazis.
“Doubt”
An absolutely perfect play on Broadway, playwright John Patrick Shanley adapts and directs his work about a nun who suspects a priest of inappropriate behavior. Starring Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams. Expectations are high, hopefully not too.
“Seven Pounds”
Will Smith plays a suicidal man who finds hope and love with Rosario Dawson. Brought to you by the same director who made “Pursuit of Happiness.” Smith can seemingly do no wrong and may garner another Oscar nod.
“The Tale of Despereaux”
Something for the kids in a season with too few family films. Matthew Broderick is a plucky little mouse in what looks like an animated charmer.
“Yes Man”
“Liar, Liar” was 11 years ago, and now Jim Carrey is back in that form as a guy who might be able to lie but must always say yes, with Zooey Deschanel.
“The Wrestler”
Mickey Rourke – when was the last name you heard that name – is getting positive buzz in director Darren Aronofsky’s tale of a former wrestler returning to the ring.
“Christmas Bedtime Stories”
Stories come to life in this Disney film starring Adam Sandler and Keri Russell. Looks like typical Sandler silliness while also looking eerily like “Inkheart,” a film coming out in January.
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
Brad Pitt is the title character who was born old and gets younger, which causes complications in relationships in this romantic fantasy based on story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, directed by David Fincher with Cate Blanchett.
“Frost/Nixon”
Michael Sheen and Frank Langella as the title characters, respectively, in another Broadway hit brought to film. Directed by Ron Howard.
“Hurricane Season”
Inspirational sports film post-Katrina with Forest Whitaker and Bow Wow.
“Marley & Me”
The cute, but naughty dog movie with Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston.
“The Spirit”
Gabriel Macht is a cop who comes back from the dead to fight crime in the Frank Miller film, which means don’t bring the kids. Samuel L. Jackson and Scarlett Johansson also star.
“Valkyrie”
The controversial Tom Cruise movie filmed in Germany about a true assassination attempt on Hitler. Directed by Bryan Singer.
Will open somewhere, but not here until January
“Gran Torino”
Clint Eastwood’s back in front of the cameras for the first time since “Million Dollar Baby” four years ago. He’s behind the camera, too, as the director and he produces. He plays a tough, old coot (there’s a shocker) who confronts old prejudices when a youngster tries to steal his beloved car.
“Last Chance Harvey”
Looks like a real charmer with Dustin Hoffman as a guy having a bad day until he encounters and starts to romance Emma Thompson.
“Revolutionary Road”
Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet together again in this drama directed by Sam Mendes.
This movie season doesn’t particularly excite, although there’s bound to be some winners here. Happy viewing.
“Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa”
More animated animal hi-jinks with the voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer and Bernie Mac.
“Soul Men”
Samuel L. Jackson and Bernie Mac play estranged members of a musical group who travel cross-country to do a tribute concert at the Apollo. There will be some sadness in this comedy since both Mac and Isaac Hayes died shortly after filming.
“Quantum of Solace”
Daniel Craig is back as Bond for the second time! “Solace” starts just hours after “Casino Royal” ended. Other films may open this week, but they don’t matter compared with Bond.
“Bolt”
John Travolta voices a pampered dog who learns real life is different than a TV show in this animated film with Miley Cyrus.
“Twilight”
Kristen Stewart is Bella and Robert Pattinson is Edward Cullen. If those names don’t mean anything to you, it’s because you’ve not read the smash good vs. evil vampire books that the character’s are based on. Me neither, and I can’t say the trailers thrill.
“Australia”
Baz Luhrmann’s epic about pre-WWII down under with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman herding cattle and falling in love. This appears to be a far cry from “Moulin Rouge!” Luhrmann usually is quite flashy, but that doesn’t seem to fit this piece. No matter, I’ll be there.
“Four Christmases”
Reece Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn play a married couple shamed into spending Christmas with each of their divorced parent’s families. It’s been reported that the two stars didn’t get along, so it should be interesting to see whether that acrimony shows up on screen or they act their way around their differences.
“Milk”
Gus Van Sant’s take on the actual events leading up to the assassination of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay politician. Sean Penn looks brilliant in the trailers and look for Josh Brolin to turn in another winning perf as Dan White.
“Transporter 3”
Jason Statham is back, supposedly for the last time, as Frank Martin the tough guy of few words who is really good at getting things from point A to point B and kicking butt. More of the same sounds good to me.
“Cadillac Records”
Beyoncé Knowles plays singer Etta James in this based-on-fact look at a record company in 1950s Chicago with Adrien Brody.
“The Day the Earth Stood Still”
Why tamper with perfection? Oh well, Keanu Reeves and Jennifer Connelly star in the remake of the 1951 sci-fi classic about an alien with an important message for earth.
“The Reader”
Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes star in this Oscar bait that has had a troubled history. It’s a romantic drama set in Germany with something about Nazis.
“Doubt”
An absolutely perfect play on Broadway, playwright John Patrick Shanley adapts and directs his work about a nun who suspects a priest of inappropriate behavior. Starring Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams. Expectations are high, hopefully not too.
“Seven Pounds”
Will Smith plays a suicidal man who finds hope and love with Rosario Dawson. Brought to you by the same director who made “Pursuit of Happiness.” Smith can seemingly do no wrong and may garner another Oscar nod.
“The Tale of Despereaux”
Something for the kids in a season with too few family films. Matthew Broderick is a plucky little mouse in what looks like an animated charmer.
“Yes Man”
“Liar, Liar” was 11 years ago, and now Jim Carrey is back in that form as a guy who might be able to lie but must always say yes, with Zooey Deschanel.
“The Wrestler”
Mickey Rourke – when was the last name you heard that name – is getting positive buzz in director Darren Aronofsky’s tale of a former wrestler returning to the ring.
“Christmas Bedtime Stories”
Stories come to life in this Disney film starring Adam Sandler and Keri Russell. Looks like typical Sandler silliness while also looking eerily like “Inkheart,” a film coming out in January.
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
Brad Pitt is the title character who was born old and gets younger, which causes complications in relationships in this romantic fantasy based on story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, directed by David Fincher with Cate Blanchett.
“Frost/Nixon”
Michael Sheen and Frank Langella as the title characters, respectively, in another Broadway hit brought to film. Directed by Ron Howard.
“Hurricane Season”
Inspirational sports film post-Katrina with Forest Whitaker and Bow Wow.
“Marley & Me”
The cute, but naughty dog movie with Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston.
“The Spirit”
Gabriel Macht is a cop who comes back from the dead to fight crime in the Frank Miller film, which means don’t bring the kids. Samuel L. Jackson and Scarlett Johansson also star.
“Valkyrie”
The controversial Tom Cruise movie filmed in Germany about a true assassination attempt on Hitler. Directed by Bryan Singer.
Will open somewhere, but not here until January
“Gran Torino”
Clint Eastwood’s back in front of the cameras for the first time since “Million Dollar Baby” four years ago. He’s behind the camera, too, as the director and he produces. He plays a tough, old coot (there’s a shocker) who confronts old prejudices when a youngster tries to steal his beloved car.
“Last Chance Harvey”
Looks like a real charmer with Dustin Hoffman as a guy having a bad day until he encounters and starts to romance Emma Thompson.
“Revolutionary Road”
Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet together again in this drama directed by Sam Mendes.
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