The holiday season is only a few days away! The end of the year looks like it’s packed with heavy hitting movies, both emotionally and visually. It looks as if there is something for everyone this year, from the usual Oscar contenders like ‘The King’s Speech,’ to 3-D thrill rides like ‘TRON: Legacy’ to family adventures like ‘The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader’; It looks as if it’s going to be a good year, and if these movies are as good as they sound, then 2010′s holiday season is definitely going to be one to remember.
After the jump, check out these movies that is a must see on our list.
Burlesque
Release Date: Nov. 24
Thoughts: Christina Aguilera looks to become the next Barbra Streisand with her debut performance in ‘Burlesque,’ in which she plays a small-town singer who moves to Los Angeles with dreams of becoming a big star. If that wasn’t enough to get you in theaters, ‘Burlesque’ also features a rare turn by Cher, in her first movie performance in — wait for it — seven years.
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‘Faster’
Release Date: Nov. 24
Thoughts: Out of prison and on a path of revenge against the men that murdered his brother, Dwayne Johnson stars in his most adult role since he’s began doing movies. Fans have been waiting for the wrestler-turned-actor to live up to his action-star potential, and this gritty flick is his best shot.
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‘Love and Other Drugs’
Release Date: Nov. 24
Thoughts: Since five years ago, ‘Brokeback Mountain’ co-stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway are reunited in this enjoyable romcom, about a pharmaceutical sales rep (Gyllenhaal) who falls for a woman with Parkinson’s disease (Hathaway). Gyllenhaal’s womanizing performance should get laughs from the men, while the film’s romance will have women reaching for their tissues. As for the film’s steamy sex scenes, well, that’s for everyone to enjoy.
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‘The Nutcracker in 3-D’
Release Date: Nov. 24
Thoughts: A three-dimensional re-telling of the classic Christmas tale from the director of ‘Tango & Cash’ and starring Nathan Lane, Richard E. Grant, John Turturro and Elle Fanning. And helmed by acclaimed director Andrey Konchalovskiy. Looks like it may be one to look out for.
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‘Tangled’
Release Date: Nov. 24
Thoughts: Disney had never tackled the story of Rapunzel, until now! Naturally the fairy tale gets an upgrade, with the long-haired, teenaged heroine (Mandy Moore) wanting to do more than just sit in her tower and sulk. She manages to escape and see the world with the help of charming thief Flynn (Zachary Levi) — but if you think this lively retelling is your standard “hero rescues the damsel in distress” scenario, then think again.
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‘The King’s Speech’
Release Date: Nov. 26
Thoughts: Colin Firth is generating a lot of Oscar buzz for his performance in ‘The King’s Speech,’ which chronicles King George VI’s struggle to overcome his stammer. Advance word for this crowd-pleaser is strong, with additional praise for Geoffrey Rush’s performance as George’s speech therapist, Lionel. Those who enjoy Firth’s movies or historical dramas should expect the royal treatment from this one.
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‘Black Swan’
Release Date: Dec. 3
Thoughts: Darren Aronofksy (‘The Wrestler’) directs Natalie Portman in this trippy, head-scratching thriller about competing ballerinas vying for the starring role of ‘Swan Lake.’ Portman’s bi-polar performance — revealing both innocently timid and aggressively sensual behavior — has already made her an Oscar frontrunner for Best Actress.
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‘I Love You Phillip Morris’
Release Date: Dec. 3
Thoughts: The oddball comedy-drama starring Jim Carrey as a gay prisoner who constantly schemes to break out of jail to be with his partner, played by Ewan McGregor, is based on a true story, and has been the victim of constant big-screen rescheduling. Luckily, it landed a release date (Dec. 3). Now, everyone can finally see what all the fuss is about.
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‘The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader’
Release Date: Dec. 10
Thoughts: The third installment in C.S. Lewis’ classic fantasy series hits theaters in 3-D. Tilda Swinton returns as the White Witch — just in time for winter — along with Aslan the lion, on a high-seas adventure filled with dazzling visual effects and creature creations.
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‘The Company Men’
Release Date: Dec. 10
Thoughts: Prolific TV producer John Wells makes his feature film debut with this tale of three disparate (and desperate) men who suffer through a harrowing series of corporate downsizings. Stars include Ben Affleck, Kevin Costner, Chris Cooper, Tommy Lee Jones, Maria Bello and the great Craig T. Nelson. With a cast like that, we’re in. This one could be seen as an unofficial sequel to ‘Boiler Room’.
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‘The Fighter’
Release Date: Dec. 10
Thoughts: David O. Russell directs this fact-based boxing story with Mark Wahlberg as the titular character and Christian Bale as his law-breaking troublemaker of a brother. Seems like one of those sports movies in which we already know the destination, but it’s the journey (and the characters) that actually matters. Plus there’s nothing wrong with a good rah-rah sports drama.
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‘The Tourist’
Release Date: Dec. 10
Thoughts: Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie team for this sexy action-thriller, about an American tourist (Depp) who finds himself caught in a game of cat and mouse after he shacks up with a female Interpol agent (Jolie). The film is a remake of the 2005 French movie ‘Anthony Zimmer.’ But will this American reboot actually out-do its predecessor? With Depp and Jolie on the screen, and their talents and hotness, I think it will.
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‘Frankie & Alice’
Release Date: Dec. 10
Thoughts: Halle Berry is looking to make a serious dramatic comeback this year in ‘Frankie and Alice,’ in which she plays a woman with multiple personality disorder. The film — which is getting a last-minute Oscar qualifying run in December — could make Berry an awards contender again and, if we’re lucky, erase those memories we still have of ‘Gothika’ and ‘Catwoman.’
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‘How Do You Know’
Release Date: Dec. 17
Thoughts: Reese Witherspoon gets caught in a tricky love triangle when she runs into an old friend (Paul Rudd) and starts to question her relationship with her boyfriend, a star athlete (Owen Wilson). For nostalgia’s sake, ‘How Do You Know’ marks Oscar-winning writer-director James L. Brooks’ first movie in six years, and marks an overdue reunion with his ‘Terms of Endearment’ and ‘As Good as It Gets’ co-star Jack Nicholson.
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‘Rabbit Hole’
Release Date: Dec. 17
Thoughts: Director John Cameron Mitchell throws us a curve ball in this adaptation of David Lindsay-Abaire’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, in which Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart play parents grieving the loss of their child. Sure, it may be more of a traditional movie than, say, ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch,’ but Mitchell appears to be handling things just fine: The film was well-received at the Toronto International Film Festival and was quickly snatched up by Lionsgate, which gave it a prime December release date.
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‘TRON: Legacy’
Release Date: Dec. 17
Thoughts: In this somewhat unexpected sequel to the 1982 cult hit, a son (Garrett Hedlund) enters the world of Tron in search of his missing father (Jeff Bridges). From then on, audiences will be treated to dazzling visual effects, eye-popping 3-D and a fascinating turn by original ‘Tron’ star Bridges, who was digitally de-aged for the sequel. The trailers look amazing and the soundtrack done by Daft Punk seem to do us no wrong.
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‘Yogi Bear’
Release Date: Dec. 17
Thoughts: Yogi Bear will make his big-screen debut in this live-action/CGI comedy, in which Yogi and Boo-Boo run the risk of becoming homeless. Featuring voice talent by Dan Aykroyd and ‘The Social Network’ co-star Justin Timberlake, the film sets out to prove that great things really do come in bears.
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‘Country Strong’
Release Date: Dec. 22
Thoughts: Gwyneth Paltrow stars in this musical drama about a down-and-out country singer who attempts to reboot her career after a stint in rehab. The film also features performances by Tim McGraw (‘The Blind Side’), Garrett Hedlund (‘TRON: Legacy’) and ‘Gossip Girl’ beauty Leighton Meester, who plays Paltrow’s up-and-coming rival. Having already witnessed her live performance at the CMAs, we expect Paltrow to hit the right notes.
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‘Gulliver’s Travels’
Release Date: Dec. 22
Thoughts: Funnyman Jack Black goes for big laughs in this 3-D adventure, in which he plays a magazine mailroom clerk who talks his way into writing a piece on the Bermuda Triangle. During his travels, he gets sucked into a mysterious world — called Lilliput — where he encounters a number of charming — and much smaller — citizens. With supporting performances by Jason Segel and Emily Blunt, among others, ‘Gulliver’s Travels’ should give audiences a hilarious update on a classic tale.
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‘Little Fockers’
Release Date: Dec. 22
Thoughts: Nothing says “family comedy” like everyone chuckling along at the name Focker, so let’s all dig in for a third portion of broad silliness. The whole gang is back, including Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Barbra Streisand, Blythe Danner, Teri Polo and Owen Wilson (along with franchise newcomers Jessica Alba and Harvey Keitel), and the plot is this: There’s a birthday party for the Little Fockers, meanwhile Jack and Greg butt heads repeatedly over wacky things. Paul Weitz (‘In Good Company’) takes over the directorial reins from Jay Roach.
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‘Somewhere’
Release Date: Dec. 22
Thoughts: Sofia Coppola’s first film since 2006′s ‘Marie Antoinette’ stars Stephen Dorff as a notorious Hollywood bad boy, living it up at the Chateau Marmont, who’s suddenly forced to take care of his 11-year-old daughter (Elle Fanning). Will there be fights, bonding and life-changing moments? Of course … but with the visually creative Sofia Coppola at the helm, this is hardly your typical heartwarming affair. ‘Somewhere’ won the Golden Lion for Best Picture at the 2010 Venice International Film Festival.
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‘True Grit’
Release Date: Dec. 22
Thoughts: This remake of the well-regarded 1969 John Wayne western arrives with some pretty impressive baggage: The stars are Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon and Josh Brolin … oh, and the directors are Joel and Ethan Coen. (Thought that’d sweeten the deal a little bit.) The plot focuses on two lawmen and a young woman on the hunt for a brutal murderer.
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‘The Illusionist’
Release Date: Dec. 25
Thoughts: The director of ‘The Triplets of Belleville,’ Sylvain Chomet, brings more lavish animation to film with this tender story of an unemployed magician and the young woman who believes his magic is real. The story is based on an un-produced screenplay from the French comic legend Jacques Tati — and apparently deals with the bittersweet relationship he had with his own daughter.
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‘The Way Back’
Release Date: Dec. 29
Thoughts: It’s always good news when Peter Weir (‘Witness’, ‘Fearless’, ‘The Truman Show’) has a new film on the way, and this one — a fact-based tale of wartime prison escape — sounds pretty darn excellent. Colin Farrell is the star, and he’ll be backed by the likes of Mark Strong, Ed Harris, Jim Sturgess and Saoirse Ronan. Early reviews seem to like this one.
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‘Blue Valentine’
Release Date: Dec. 31
Thoughts: ‘Blue Valentine’ made headlines recently when the MPAA slapped it with a surprising NC-17 rating. Regardless, most seem to agree that the performances by Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams — who play a married couple who fall in and out of love over the course of five years — are worth the price of admission alone.
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