Having just suffered through one of the most appalling movie summers in memory, you are no doubt looking with longing and excitement toward the cooler months. It is often the case that the oncoming winter winds drive moviegoers into the warmth of (ugh) multiplexes, where, to their delight, the best films of the year are to be found. Since Jaws was released in 1975 and Star Wars two years later, summertime has been the season of the mindless blockbuster. Fall and winter, however, have seen a disproportionate number of Oscar winners, as most studios now prefer to release their “serious” fare close to Christmas. So, here are some promising films for your consideration.
Mulholland Drive. Director: David Lynch (Blue Velvet).
Originally filmed and subsequently scrapped as a TV pilot in the Twin Peaks vein, Mulholland has been expanded to feature-length. Concerning an amnesia stricken woman who enlists a stranger to help discover her past, one can be sure that like much of Lynch’s work, there’s going to be some scary, trippy stuff going down. Word has it that the last quarter of the film takes a wide tonal shift that depicts surrealistic images not likely to be seen elsewhere. Oct. 12.
From Hell. Directors: The Hughes Brothers (Menace II Society).
The Hughes Brothers escape their previous locale of the L.A. inner city to present a different sort of urban film. Set in turn of the century London, this film adaptation of an Alan Moore graphic novel stars Johnny Depp as a psychic detective investigating the Jack the Ripper murders. Jack is a popular movie subject, and I hope the Hughes Brothers take the mythology in a new direction. Oct. 19.
Waking Life. Director: Richard Linklater (Dazed and Confused, Slacker).
This movie has a way-cool idea, so listen here! The story follows a young man through a day’s many random encounters with people philosophising about life. What makes it so interesting, though, is the film’s extended use of “interpolated rotoscoping,” in which the live-action footage is digitally painted over?producing a whacked-out cartoon feel. While it may turn out to be gimmicky, this sure is an adventurous departure from mainstream fare. Oct. 19.
The Man Who Wasn’t There. Directors: The Coen Brothers (Fargo, The Big Lebowski).
This movie, from America’s most consistently intelligent filmmakers, was filmed in color and transferred to black and white, producing what appears to be an extremely lush picture quality. Billy Bob Thornton plays a barber who discovers his wife (Frances McDormand) is an adulterer. He then embarks on a blackmailing scheme that puts him way over his head. I must also mention that the man with whom his wife is doing the nasty is played by Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini). That should be enough to get you into the theatre. Regardless, expect top-notch dialogue and acting. Nov. 2.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Director: Chris Columbus (Home Alone).
You make fun of those who have read at least one or more of the Potter books. Yet, in your intellectual arrogance, have you ever taken time to read any Harry Potter books? If you had, you would realize just how unapologetically fun they are. Furthermore, you would be jumping in anticipation for this movie. There are tons of Hoya Muggles who absolutely pine to see a game of Quidditch and will go on at length about You-Know-Who. Wanna know why? Read the book; see the movie; do both. You’ll find yourself pleasantly regressing to the simple joys of childhood, if only for a bit. Nov. 16.
Ocean’s Eleven. Director: Steven Soderbergh (Traffic, Out of Sight).
Fun, fun, fun! That’s all I can think of when I see this dream cast of George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon and Don Cheadle directed by Tinseltown’s indie-turned-mainstream wonder boy. Remaking the Rat Pack film of the same name, Clooney takes over for Frank Sinatra as he tries to organize the simultaneous heist of three Las Vegas casinos. No doubt about it, this movie is going to be pure entertainment. Dec. 7.
Vanilla Sky. Director: Cameron Crowe (Almost Famous, Jerry Maguire).
Another remake, this time of Alejandro Amen?bar’s Abre Los Ojos. Starring Tom Cruise and Penelope Cruz, Vanilla Sky finds Cruise playing a rich bachelor who survives a disfiguring car crash only to have his life take an unexpected turn of events. This reunion of the director and star of Jerry Maguire is sure to be well-received, for the plain fact that Cameron Crowe is one of the most emotionally honest and engaging directors today. Dec. 14.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. Director: Peter Jackson.
This J.R.R. Tolkien trilogy is one of the most popular literary series of all time. Now that Hollywood has finally achieved the level of technology necessary to film a live-action version, the first movie comes with an unprecedented level of expectation placed upon it. The three films were shot simultaneously and will be released in consecutive Decembers. Along with Harry Potter, this resurgence of fantasy films is enough to spark anyone’s imagination. Dec. 19.
Gangs of New York. Director: Martin Scorsese (Goodfellas).
It has been a while since a great Scorsese film, but Gangs of New York could break that trend. Leo Dicaprio and Daniel Day-Lewis star as heads of opposing immigrant gangs in 19th century New York. With the famed auteur nursing this story for more than 25 years, we can be assured that he is putting everything into it. Dec. 21.
2001: A Space Odyssey. Director: Stanley Kubrick (Dr. Strangelove, A Clockwork Orange).
Variety magazine has reported that December will see the limited re-release of a new 70 mm print of 2001: A Space Odyssey at D.C’s Uptown. Whoever misses the opportunity to see this on the big screen should be banned from ever being able to see a movie again. Don’t miss it, whatever you do.
And there you have it. Sadly, the list is pretty light on indie fare. For that, you will have to be adventurous and try to find some small gems on your own. Maybe watching a couple of these will even help you to push Tomb Raider out of your memory. We should only be so lucky.
