Well, the book has just about closed on yet another Hollywood summer. It was an interesting one to say the least. We had some hits (Super 8, Captain America), some misses (Tree of Life, Green Lantern, Cowboys & Aliens) and a few welcome surprises ( Midnight in Paris, Rise of the Planet of the Apes).
But now, as the days grow shorter, the kids head back to school and the sequels and superheroes are returned to the toy chest until next year, Hollywood takes off its beer-can-sipping hat, slips on its awards beret and begins a four-month-long process of trotting out a cavalcade of smaller, more original character-driven films that will hopefully translate into, fingers crossed, Oscar gold.
Nearly 100 films will jockey for your attention from now until the end of December. Below are five that look the most intriguing (at least to me).
The Big Year ( Oct 14) - Steve Martin, Owen Wilson and Jack Black star as participants in a cross-country rare-bird-spotting competition. The premise sounds like a snoozer, I know, but with these three involved it has that kind of Christopher Guest/Wes Anderson vibe I just can't resist.
J. Edgar ( Nov 9) - If you caught Leonardo DiCaprio's masterful portrayal of Howard Hughes in 2004's The Aviator, you know his turn as the legendary father of the FBI should be nothing short of mesmerizing. And with Clint Eastwood calling the shots, prepare to hear about this film until at least the end of February.
The Descendants ( Nov 23) - Alexander Payne's first film since 2004's Sideways stars George Clooney as a Hawaiian tycoon whose life begins to unravel after learning his coma-stricken wife was having an affair. Payne is a master of melding drama and comedy into truly original, unforgettable films. Can't wait.
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo ( Dec 21) - The trailer for David Fincher's adaptation of Stieg Larsson's worldwide bestseller is electrifying to say the least. That's good news as I found the novel's premise compelling but quickly grew tired of Larsson's laborious prose.
War Horse ( Dec 28 ) - A Spielberg-directed World War I drama featuring a John Williams score. Do you really need to know more?
Five more that look promising: Gavin O'Conner's Warrior ( Sept 9), Bennett Miller's Moneyball (Sept 23), George Clooney's The Ides of March (Oct 7), Martin Scorsese's Hugo (Nov 23) and Steven Spielberg's The Adventures of Tintin (Dec 23).
