NOVEMBER
8 Mile (Nov. 8) – Yes, this is the Eminem semi-biopic. Director Curtis Hanson has talent (“L.A. Confidential”), but whether Em will be able to parlay his success onto the screen is uncertain. Either way, it should prove to be interesting. Maybe if they had gotten Elton John to co-star….
Far From Heaven (Nov. 8) – Todd Haynes is one of the more interesting American filmmakers out there, and here he reunites with his “Safe” star, Julianne Moore. Dennis Quaid and Dennis Haysbert co-star in this story about sexual and racial tensions in 1950s suburbia.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Nov. 15) – The first movie brought even more fans into the Harry Potter fold, and like the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, there are no signs that the sequels should disappoint.
Die Another Day (Nov. 22) – The latest installment in the James Bond franchise does little to add to the formula: the sexy Bond girl (Halle Berry, fresh off an Oscar win), the exotic locations, the megalomaniacal villain, the Aston Martins the gadgets, and the fast-paced action are all still here. The most that can be hoped for is a new twist on familiar elements-and with “XXX”‘s strong showing at the box office, maybe Bond can still pull some tricks out of his tuxedo sleeve, even 40 years after “Dr. No.”
Talk to Her (Nov. 22) – Pedro Almodovar’s latest involves two men who form a bond over their love for two women in comas. Almodovar rarely disappoints, and coming fresh off an Oscar for “All About My Mother,” it appears he’s in store for at least another nomination.
Solaris (Nov. 27) – Directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring George Clooney, this is the second time the cult novel by Stanislaw Lem has been adapted to film; the first, made in 1972 by Andrei Tarkovsky, is considered by some to be a masterpiece, and by others to be too long and artsy. Soderbergh is capable of both banal art-house pretension (“Full Frontal”) and simpler, more crowd-pleasing fare (“Ocean’s Eleven”), so the success of “Solaris” may depend on where it falls between these two extremes.
Treasure Planet (Nov. 27) – Animated Disney movie that basically just transplants “Treasure Island” to space. This continues in the trend of Disney animated features getting away from musical elements and is also the first film to open in regular theaters and in IMAX at the same time.
DECEMBER
Star Trek: Nemesis (Dec. 13) – The latest–and perhaps the last—installment in the “Star Trek” series pits Capt. Picard and company against the Romulans. Most Trekkies will tell you the even-numbered films are the good ones, and since this is the tenth, it at least has fate on its side.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Dec. 18) – What else is there to say? The first one just plain rocked, and by all accounts, so will the sequels.
About Schmidt (Dec. 20) – Jack Nicholson has drawn some strong early Oscar buzz in this film from “Election” director Alexander Payne.
Catch Me If You Can (Dec. 25) – Based on the true story of con artist Frank Abagnale, the youngest man to make it onto the FBI’s Most Wanted list, this is directed by Steven Spielberg and stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. Bonus points for having Christopher Walken (as Leo’s dad!) Members of the Academy are probably already salivating.
Gangs of New York (Dec. 25) – We’ve waited a long time for this one. Pushed back a full year because of post-Sept. 11 concerns, this is the film that Martin Scorsese has wanted to make for two decades now—and it’s finally here, complete with starring turns from Leonardo DiCaprio and Daniel Day-Lewis (where have they been, anyway?) The buzz at Cannes was very good, and the fact that perhaps the greatest American director to ever live is at the helm doesn’t hurt matters, eitoy puppet seems a bit far-fetched, but within the film’s fantasy context, it might just work.
Chicago (Dec. 27) – The long-awaited adaptation of Bob Fosse’s highly successful Broadway musical, starring Renee Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones, and with everyone from John C. Reilly to Queen Latifah in supporting roles. This is Miramax’s annual bid for a spot in the Best Picture race, so it could be really good—but, then, how many people really liked “Chocolat?”
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (Dec. 27) – The directorial debut of George Clooney, written by Charlie Kaufman. Sam Rockwell gets the plum role of Chuck Barris, the “Gong Show” host who supposedly led a secret life as a government assassin. Intriguing premise, but the biggest question might be whether Clooney can downsize his ego enough to pull everything together behind the camera.
The Hours (Dec. 27) – The stories of three different women in different times, all having something to do with author Virginia Woolf. With good buzz about the performances—the star-studded cast includes Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, and Julianne Moore—this one looks likely to garner recognition come Oscar time.
Max (Dec. 27) – Did John Cusack cause the Holocaust? In this piece of historical fiction, Cusack plays a Jewish art teacher who develops a strange relationship with a young artist named Adolf Hitler. As Hitler grows increasingly frustrated with his craft, however, his sights turn elsewhere. This is a tough role for Cusack, but if he pulls it off, it may be enough to get him an Oscar nomination.
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