5) The Fighter (David O. Russell) – Released: 04/02/11
Who’s in it?
Christian Bale, Mark Wahlberg, Amy Adams
What’s it about?
Boxer "Irish" Micky Ward's (Wahlberg) unlikely road to the world light welterweight title. His Rocky-like rise was shepherded by half-brother Dicky (Bale), a boxer-turned-trainer who rebounded in life after nearly being KO'd by drugs and crime.
Why should you see it?
Christian Bale takes on another challenging role requiring him to lose a huge amount of weight to get into character. Though not quite as extreme as his preparation for The Machinist, his role as Dicky gives him another chance to show why he is considered one of modern cinemas greatest actors and may well see him get his long over-due first Academy Award nomination for best supporting male. It’s testament to Bale that he could have played both roles convincingly but Wahlberg does look great as “The Fighter”. Plus who doesn’t love a good boxing drama?
4) Tron Legacy (Joseph Kosinski) – Released: 17/12/10
Who’s in it?
Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Michael Sheen, Olivia Wilde
What’s it about?
Sam Flynn (Hedlund), the tech-savvy 27-year-old son of Kevin Flynn (Bridges), looks into his father's disappearance and finds himself pulled into the same world of fierce programs and gladiatorial games where his father has been living for 20 years. Along with Kevin's loyal confidant, father and son embark on a life-and-death journey across a visually-stunning cyber universe that has become far more advanced and exceedingly dangerous. Sequel to/re-imagining of Tron (1982).
Why should you see it?
It will be visually stunning, this year’s Avatar in terms of spectacle. It will also sound incredible; French electronic duo Daft Punk have recorded the soundtrack for the film. On top of this it is great to see Bridges returning nearly 30 years after the original to keep continuity and add a much needed level of authenticity to a movie that will be a little distant from reality for some. Destined to be the Christmas family blockbuster that Disney are hoping for and don’t be surprised to see all the franchise tie-ins you would expect with such a release, including the possibility of a ride at a Disney park in the not too distant future.
3) Morning Glory (Roger Michell) – Released: 21/01/11
Who’s in it?
Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton, Jeff Goldblum
What’s it about?
An upstart television producer accepts the challenge of reviving a struggling morning show program with warring co-hosts. Think Anchorman with slightly more maturity.
Why should you see it?
Watch the trailer and you’ll agree; Harrison Ford was made for this role. It’s directed by the man behind Notting Hill and Changing Lanes and written by the writer of The Devil Wears Prada. It has an excellent cast and it just looks like a lot of fun. McAdams will probably get an Oscar nod for her role as Becky but don’t expect her to win; you have to be a woman on the edge of a breakdown, struggling for survival and shed an abundance of tears to land the Best Actress award these days.
2) The Beaver (Jodie Foster) – Released: 11/02/11
Who’s in it?
Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, Anton Yelchin
What’s it about?
Dark comedy about a troubled husband and toy company executive (Gibson) who adopts a beaver hand-puppet as his sole means of communicating with his wife (Foster) and two sons (Yelchin, Riley Thomas Stewart).
Why should you see it?
I’ll start at the beginning; the script by Kyle Killen topped the 2008 Blacklist, a list of the very best unproduced screenplays in Hollywood, and by all accounts is pretty damn good. It got picked up by production company Anonymous Content (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Babel) and marks the first real opportunity for Jodie Foster to show if she has what it takes as a director. As well as featuring Foster and Gibson who have both been missing from the big screen for far too long, it stars Anton Yelchin who after Terminator Salvation and Star Trek has proven himself quite a talent. It wrapped filming in November 2009 but has been in limbo due to Gibson’s recent public controversy.
The Beaver currently has a tentative UK release date of February 2011. If Gibson has pulled this role off (which he is fully capable of doing) it could go a long way to brushing some of his past misdemeanours under the carpet.
Trailer N/A
1) 127 Hours (Danny Boyle) – Released: 05/01/11
Who’s in it?
James Franco, Kate Mara, Amber Tamblyn
What’s it about?
The true story of mountain climber Aron Ralston's (Franco) remarkable adventure to save himself after a fallen boulder crushes his arm and traps him in an isolated Utah canyon. Over the next five days Ralston examines his life and survives the elements to finally discover he has the courage and the wherewithal to extricate himself by any means necessary.
Why should you see it?
Danny Boyle has long been one of my favourite directors, 28 Days Later and Slumdog Millionaire are two of my all time favourite films. I think it’s safe to say that 127 Hours will be joining them; the trailer alone packs more emotion than the majority of films I have watched this past year. The main thrust of the story isn’t what interests me, anyone who follows the news will know how Ralston escaped, its how Boyle deals with the moments of isolation in which Ralston reflects on his life that I’m excited about. There are brief glimpses in the trailer of the artistry that has gone into making this film and even though it is predominately centred around one man who’s story is well documented, I have absolutely no doubt it will be entirely gripping and engaging.
I have mentioned possible Academy Award nominees a few times in this preview but if you had to put your money where your mouth is I think you could do a lot worse than banking on James Franco to take home the Best Actor Award next March. His portrayal of Ralston has been gaining rave reviews in the US, as has the film in general. 127 Hours looks set to kick of 2011 in style and is my number one most anticipated film of the next three months, go see it!
