Time for that beloved annual question: Which comes earlier, holiday decorations at the department stores or Hollywood’s declaration that the Christmas movie season has begun?
Close call. All I know is that the new 3-D version of “A Christmas Carol” opened on Nov. 6. I still had half my candy corn from Halloween, people.
What is it that Scrooge fellow says? Oh yes, “Bah, humbug.” But if you were a Hollywood studio executive, you’d know that along with the summer season, the eight weeks of Christmas are a ticket-selling bonanza for the movies. This year is no exception.
Dozens of new titles are spilling out of the gate. And not just money but prestige is at stake at this time of year. You’ll probably see ads for movies that will open in New York and L.A. before Dec. 31 in order to qualify for awards and such; they’ll be released in the rest of the country in 2010.
Along with “A Christmas Carol,” other big-ticket items are out. “2012,” a movie that destroys the entire world in time for the holidays, jumped to a robust haul. “The Men Who Stare at Goats” is doing about right for satire — even if it does star George Clooney. Big season for Mr. Clooney: He’s in two more titles listed in our holiday grab bag below.
And the King of the World is back: James Cameron, the man behind biggest-movie-of-all-time, “Titanic.” He has directed his first feature in more than a decade.
Look for the possible Oscar bait. Sensitive and prestigious best-selling novel adaptation? Check. Emily Blunt as British royalty? Check. Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela? Double check.
We’re midway through a weeklong gorge of new arrivals. Friday saw a big slate open, led by the guaranteed box-office monster “The Twilight Saga: New Moon,” in which the vampires of Stephenie Meyer’s literary saga continue to make mischief in Forks.
We also saw the bow of awards hopeful “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire.”
Even more daunting is the
list of movies opening Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving. You’d better plan to eat the turkey early, because this is a serious multiplex glut we’re facing. But that’s why we look ahead in articles like this (with the proviso that dates and titles can shift at the last minute).
So put down the drumstick and sift through these contenders.
Nov. 25
“Fantastic Mr. Fox”: Unusual mix as indie hero Wes Anderson (“Rushmore”) directs a stop-motion animation version of a Roald Dahl kiddie book. A talented voice cast (led by Clooney and Meryl Streep) added to Anderson’s whimsical approach makes this a totally typical Wes Anderson picture.
“The Messenger”: An intense look at two soldiers (Ben Foster and Woody Harrelson) from Fort Dix who work in the bereavement notification unit — telling the next of kin their military loved ones have been killed in action. The movie doesn’t give much perspective outside the guys’ hothouse world, but maybe that’s its strength. With Samantha Morton.
“The Road”: As though “2012” hadn’t done the job already, this bleak-sounding adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s novel places a gritty survivor and his son in a post-apocalyptic landscape. Viggo Mortensen leads the cast, or what’s left of them.
“Red Cliff”: John Woo directs his first Asian film in many years, and it’s a doozy: a massive account of warfare in ancient China. Loads of computer-generated armies, but also some cool strategies involved.
“Old Dogs”: John Travolta and Robin Williams try to get some laughs as friends taking care of twins. Director Walt Backer did Travolta’s “Road Hogs,” which cleaned up despite critics’ complaints.
“Ninja Assassin”: The sensitive tale of a teenage pregnancy in today’s urban nightmare — no, not really. Action flick featuring the Korean star Rain in his first big Hollywood role.
Dec. 4
“Armored”: Action exercise surrounding an armored-car robbery, with Matt Dillon and Laurence Fishburne leading a real manly-man cast.
“Everybody’s Fine”: Oh, Robert De Niro, will you ever be cuddly? This movie gives it a shot: The Oscar-winner plays a widower who tries to reconnect with his children (Drew Barrymore, Sam Rockwell and Kate Beckinsale).
“Brothers”: Tobey Maguire and Jake Gyllenhaal star as siblings whose lives, and shared love interest (Natalie Portman), are affected by the “war on terror.” It’s a remake of a Danish film.
“The Maid”: A Chilean film about the power balance between a longtime household maid and her employers. This one’s gotten some indie-award attention.
“Rashomon”: Amid the new titles, how about a revival? Akira Kurosawa’s classic 1950 puzzle film is the granddaddy of whippersnappers like “Memento.”
Dec. 11
“The Lovely Bones”: Peter Jackson directs this adaptation of Alice Sebold’s best-selling novel, a harrowing story of what occurs between heaven and Earth. Rachel Weisz and Mark Wahlberg are the main names, although “Atonement” star Saorise Ronan has been getting the buzz.
“Up in the Air”: George Clooney stars as a corporate hatchet man whose life consists of flying from one destination to the next. “Juno” director Jason Reitman’s new film has garnered advance raves.
“Me and Orson Welles”: A young man (Zac Efron) gets caught in the vortex surrounding new Broadway phenomenon Orson Welles in 1937. Sounds like a fun idea for a movie, and has the smart Richard Linklater directing.
“The Princess and the Frog”: Disney hops back on the hand-drawn animation lily pad, with a Grimm’s fairy tale transplanted to 1920s New Orleans. Kudos for the black heroine and the old-school style of cartooning.
“Invictus”: Unusual approach to telling a story about Nelson Mandela (played by Morgan Freeman): This film focuses on South Africa’s 1995 rugby team. Matt Damon stars as a coach; Clint Eastwood, who guided Freeman in “Unforgiven,” directs.
“Sonicsgate”: A locally made documentary about the nefarious, underhanded methods used by the corporate buccaneers from Oklahoma who stole the Seattle Sonics away from the city.
“The Slammin’ Salmon”: The Broken Lizard comedy group, whose “Super Troopers” is still their best hour, comes back with a comedy set in a restaurant owned by a very large former prizefighter (Michael Clarke Duncan).
“The Private Lives of Pippa Lee”: A really impressive cast fills out Rebecca Miller’s film about a woman (Robin Wright Penn) going through a midlife crisis; Blake Lively plays the character as a teenager.
“Serious Moonlight”: A black comedy with Meg Ryan and Kristen Bell, based on a script by the late Adrienne Shelly, the actress/filmmaker who was murdered a couple of years ago.
“It’s a Wonderful Life”: You’ve heard of this one, haven’t you? Frank Capra’s classic slice of Americana returns for its annual big-screen run at the Grand Illusion theater, a tradition that dates back to the 1970s.
Dec. 18
“Avatar”: The most eagerly awaited movie of the season brings James Cameron back to the director’s chair for a sci-fi fable that contains some supposedly mind-blowing 3-D technology. The story’s about Earthlings battling on a distant planet, or something.
“Did You Hear About the Morgans?” This is called counter-programming; nobody wants to go head-to-head with “Avatar.” Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker are paired as estranged marrieds abruptly conscripted into the witness protection program.
Dec. 23
“Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel”: Apparently some people think giving helium to chipmunks so they speak in high-pitched voices is funny. Wait, you say the chipmunks are animated? Never mind.
Dec. 25
“Sherlock Holmes”: Robert Downey Jr. is Holmes and Jude Law is Watson. No problem with that, but the impression is that Guy Ritchie has turned the venerable stories into an action movie, which sounds alarming.
“It’s Complicated”: Meryl Streep is a divorcee unexpectedly enjoying attention from her ex (Alec Baldwin) and her architect (Steve Martin), the two men who happen to be the hosts of next year’s Oscars. Coincidence or conspiracy? Nancy Meyers directs.
“A Single Man”: Strong early reviews are trailing after this study of a professor (Colin Firth) who tries to connect with life after the death of his longtime companion. It’s the first film directed by fashion magnate Tom Ford.
“The Young Victoria”: That would be Queen Victoria. Emily Blunt plays the title role, before Victoria got all plump and statue-ready; Rupert Friend plays Prince Albert, before he was put in a can.
“Broken Embraces”: Latest picture from Spanish Oscar-winner Pedro Almodovar, having something to do with a blind author-filmmaker sorting through his past. Penelope Cruz stars in her native language.
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