The best season of the year for movies has finally arrived, and in a year that has not been great for film, it’s more than welcome. With less than two months until Oscar nominations are announced, a wide variety of films will hit movie theaters over the next month. With this in mind, The Pioneer provides you with a list of five December releases to check in theaters over winter break.
“Somewhere”: Director Sofia Coppola (“Lost in Translation” and “The Virgin Suicides”) is quickly establishing herself as one of the strongest and most unique directors currently working today. Coppola’s most recent film “Somewhere” premiered at the Venice International Film Festival where it won The Golden Lion, the festival’s top prize. Set at the Chateau Marmont (a famous Hollywood hotel for stars), “Somewhere” follows the character of actor Johnny Marko (Stephen Dorff) as he starts to re-examine his life after he is asked to take care of his 11 year old daughter (Elle Fanning) for a while. Like Coppola’s “Lost in Translation,” “Somewhere” is propelled by the examination of a relationship rather than a heavy plot. However, if Coppola’s past films are any indication, “Somewhere” will be just as engrossing as any plot-driven blockbuster due to its strong atmosphere, beautiful soundtrack and emotionally interesting characters. The film opens in major cities on December 22.
“TRON: Legacy”: In 1982, Disney released “TRON” a sci-fi film about a video game designer Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) who is sucked into the virtual world of a video game. The film was a huge flop. Almost three decades later, Disney is estimated to have spent over 200 million dollars on “TRON: Legacy,” a sequel that the studio hopes will launch a highly profitable franchise. And with good reason: “TRON: Legacy” looks absolutely awesome. The story follows a grown-up Sam Flynn, who is also sucked into the virtual world of a video game when investigating the disappearance of his father (played by Bridges, who will reprise his role). With its original Daft Punk soundtrack, beautiful production design, groundbreaking special-effect and a costly marketing campaign, “TRON: Legacy” has even 3-D skeptics (such as myself) more than ready to pay that extra cash in order to be emerged in the 3-D world of Tron when it hits theaters on December 17.
“Blue Valentine”: This polar opposite of “TRON: Legacy,” “Blue Valentine” is a relationship drama shot on a grainy hand held 16-mm film over only 30 days for eight million dollars. Starring Michelle Williams (“Brokeback Mountain”) and Ryan Gosling (“Half Nelson”), “Blue Valentine” follows a couple’s relationship over a number of years in a non-linear fashion, cross-cutting from the euphoria of first-love to the couple’s marriage falling apart. The film premiered last January at Sundance, where it received raves from critics who praised the Oscar-worthy performances from both Gosling and Williams. Be warned though: the film is not only said to be heartbreaking but also quite painful to watch. However, if you are up to see what will likely be one of the best films of the year, “Blue Valentine” opens in major cities on December 31.
“True Grit“: Coming off of the success of “No Country for Old Men,” and “A Serious Man,” the Coen Brothers have chosen to take a stab at making a Western – a genre which Hollywood has regarded as dead for quite some time. The Coen’s “True Grit” is an adaptation of the novel of the same title, which had previously been adapted into a 1969 John Wayne film. Focusing on the same themes as most of the Coen’s work, “True Grit” tells the story of a 14-year-old girl who, after the murder of her father, convinces U.S. Marshall Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) to assist her in tracking down her father’s murderer (Josh Brolin). The film co-stars Matt Damon. So far, pre-screenings of “True Grit” have received positive feedback and the film is currently a likely contender for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. “True Grit” opens in theaters nationwide on December 22.
“Black Swan”: Director Darren Aronofsky’s latest film appears to be a combination of his past decade of work. With the psychological darkness of “Requiem for a Dream,” the supernatural qualities of “The Fountain” and the realism of “The Wrestler,” “Black Swan” is one of the most unique films to hit theaters this year, though whether or not this is a good thing is for the audience to decide. The film provides a look into the competitive and cutthroat world of ballet as veteran ballerina Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman) forms an unstable and unhealthy relationship with a rival dancer (Mila Kunis) that sends her into a psychological tailspin as she tries desperately to obtain a leading role in the show “Swan Lake.” With both Aronofsky and Portman at the top of their game, this unusual psychological thriller is not to be missed. “Black Swan” is not currently playing in Walla Walla, but the film opened nationwide on December 3.
