 Holiday films: The big 10By Charlie McCollum
San Jose Mercury News Posted: 11/19/2009 12:01:00 AM PST Updated: 11/20/2009 04:48:12 AM PST
Click photo to enlarge
With computer effects, Sam Worthington, left, and Zoe Saldana become aliens in James Cameron's "Avatar." (Fox/MCT)
 FOR MOST Americans, the next few weeks constitute the holiday season. In the land known as Hollywood, though, it's the Oscar season. While it's not a hard and fast rule, the studios launch most of the films they consider to be truly Oscar-worthy in the last two months of the year so they will be fresh in minds of Academy voters when it comes time to vote for the nominees. This year is no different, with only a handful of true contenders — Kathryn Bigelow's "The Hurt Locker," Pixar's "Up" — coming out relatively early in the year. So with that in mind — and to help you sort out what movies to catch at the multiplex during the holidays — here are 10 major films that have attracted at least some Oscar buzz. All dates are subject to change. 'The Road' Opens: Wednesday The story: This film version of Cormac McCarthy's bestselling, Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about a post-apocalyptic America has been a long time coming. (It was originally supposed to open last holiday season.) The story follows a father (Viggo Mortensen) and his son (Kodi Smit-McPhee) on a journey across a landscape ravaged by an unnamed cataclysm that destroyed all civilization and, apparently, most life on Earth. Just the thing for post-Thanksgiving dinner viewing. Oscar buzz: A lot early on, but it's died down considerably, except for Mortensen's lead performance.
Advertisement
Opens: Dec. 4 The story: Directed by Jason Reitman of "Juno" fame, this dark comedy follows a "human relations consultant" (George Clooney) who spends 325 days a year facilitating the layoffs of workers when the company involved doesn't have the guts to do its own downsizing. Then his whole way of life is threatened just as he meets the woman of his dreams. Oscar buzz: Thunderous. This may be the best American film this year and one sure to resonate in the current economic climate. Clooney and co-stars Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick all look Oscar-worthy, as does Reitman. And it's just dark enough that it shouldn't run into the problems Academy voters always seem to have with comedies come Oscar time. 'Invictus' Opens: Dec. 11 The story: Clint Eastwood — still going strong at age 79 — takes on the little-known true story of the relationship between South African President Nelson Mandela and a white South African rugby player who help bring the country together post-apartheid. Morgan Freeman plays Mandela, while Matt Damon takes on the role of the rugby player. Oscar buzz: Eastwood just keeps getting better; early word is that Freeman stands tall as Mandela and should get his third nomination for best actor. Plus the story is the kind of uplifting one that Academy voters love. 'A Single Man' Opens: Dec. 11 The story: Working from Christopher Isherwood's sensitive 1964 novel, fashion designer-turned-director Tom Ford tells the story of a middle-age gay college professor (Colin Firth) who loses his longtime partner at the height of the 1962 Cuban missile crisis. Julianne Moore co-stars as a fading British party girl. Oscar buzz: A bit of a sleeper. There's a lot of chatter about Firth's performance and even more about Moore's. 'The Princess and the Frog' Opens: Dec. 11 The story: Disney returns to its hand-drawn animation roots and puts a modern twist on a classic tale while moving it to New Orleans and adding music. Randy Newman provides the songs. Anika Noni Rose ("Dreamgirls") supplies the voice for Disney's first African-American heroine. Oscar buzz: Perhaps in the animation category but nothing major. Still, it looks like the one holiday movie aimed at kids that won't threaten adult brain cells. 'Avatar' Opens: Dec. 18 The story: The story may not be the most important thing about this film (it's kind of a sci-fi love story involving a human guy and a hot blue girl from another planet). What everyone will be talking about is the groundbreaking technology director James Cameron has poured into his first feature film since "Titanic." Recent reports put the price tag for the movie at close to $500 million — which means it better be a hit. Oscar buzz: Academy voters usually treat sci-fi films like the H1N1 flu virus. But this year, there will be 10 nominees for best film instead of five, so if the special effects don't completely overwhelm the story it might stand a chance. 'It's Complicated' Opens: Dec. 25 The story: Ah, a romantic comedy for adults. How quaint. Written and directed by Nancy Meyers ("Something's Gotta Give"), the film stars Meryl Streep as a divorcee choosing between romances with her ex-husband (Alec Baldwin) and her architect (Steve Martin). Oscar buzz: Oh, come on, it's Meryl Streep, so there's at least some (although she's far more likely to get nominated for her Julia Child take in "Julie & Julia"). Meyers has shown a deft touch with this kind of later-life romance, and Baldwin and Martin are always fun to have around. 'The Lovely Bones' Opens: Dec. 25 The story: Director Peter Jackson takes on an adaptation of Alice Sebold's riveting (and seemingly unfilmmable) 2002 novel about a girl who is raped and murdered but still watches over her family from the world beyond. Oscar buzz: Heavy. Jackson's visual flair looks undiminished in the promos for the film, and luminous Irish actress Saoirse Ronan (an Oscar nominee for 2007's "Atonement") plays murder victim Susie Salmon. Plus, Stanley Tucci is said to deliver one of his best performances as Susie's killer. 'Nine' Opens: Dec. 25 The story: Rob Marshall, who did so well with "Chicago" back in 2002, tries his hand at another edgy Broadway musical: "Nine," based on Frederico Fellini's "8½." Daniel Day-Lewis stars as the filmmaker who fears he's losing his inspiration, while a swarm of high-end actresses —including Nicole Kidman, Penélope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, Judi Dench and Sophia Loren — play the women in his life. Oscar buzz: Looks like a good bet, at least for best picture and best actor (Day-Lewis). And you have to like any musical that tosses Loren and Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas into the same mix. 'Sherlock Holmes' Opens: Dec. 25 The story: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's master detective on steroids. This is a more muscular, athletic and rather rumpled Holmes than we've seen in the past with Robert Downey Jr. taking on the iconic role, Jude Law as Dr. Watson and Rachel McAdams as con woman Irene Adler. Oscar buzz: Not a lot, but you can never count out Downey at Oscar time. | 
Font Resize
