Must-See of the Month:
Summary:
James Bond is back. M’s past comes back to haunt her, testing 007’s
loyalty. Now, he must track down and end the threat, no matter the cost. Filmmakers: British auteur Sam Mendes may at first
seem like an odd choice to do a Bond film, being that he has never made an
action film; but exploring his filmography closer, it is clear that he is a
wonderful director (which trumps genre experience) and will make a great film
with strong characters and good performances. He is working with a great group
as well, including: screenwriter John
Logan (nominated for three writing Oscars, and just signed on to write the
next two Bond films), composer Thomas
Newman (who has scored three previous Mendes films, including great work on
American Beauty),
cinematographer Roger
Deakins (one of the absolute best working D.P.s today), and production
designer Dennis Gassner
(worked twice with Mendes before, and designer Quantum of Solace). Cast: Daniel
Craig is back for his third film (of reportedly five), and is joined by a
fantastic supporting group with Judi
Dench, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Berenice Marlohe, Albert Finney, Ben Whishaw, Rory Kinnear, and Helen McCrory. Expectations: Craig’s first two Bond films had
almost opposite reactions. Casino
Royale was a critical and commercial success making James Bond a viable
brand again (easily being the best Bond film since GoldenEye, and I might argue
since Goldfinger), while
Quantum of Solace came with a ton of expectation after Casino but was a big
disappointment. Thus, when Skyfall was announced, I like most was not overly
enthusiastic (but not dismissive either). Then, Mendes was hired to direct, and
my interest perked up. Then, Bardem and Fiennes joined the cast, and I have
been very excited to see this ever since (it is currently second of the list of
films I am most looking forward to in 2012, behind The Hobbit). Having premiered
in the U.K. already, the film is playing to universal critical acclaim,
completely rejuvenating the franchise again. It quite possibly could be the
best Bong film yet (it looks aesthetically brilliant from what I have seen as
well). Trailer: Here. Review: Here.
Worth Checking Out:
Summary:
As the Civil War continues to ravage and further divide the country,
President Abraham Lincoln struggles with the toll it is taking on the people
while also fighting to emancipate the slaves in the face of detractors even
within his own cabinet. Filmmakers: Director
Steven Spielberg might be the perfect auteur to take on the biography of Lincoln,
and the story seems to lend itself to his particular brand of nostalgia,
dramatic weight and genuine heroism without cynicism (see his films Schindler’s List and Saving Private Ryan). Spielberg
is working with his ‘A-team’ on the film including composer John Williams (Star Wars),
cinematographer Janusz Kaminski
(Munich) and production
designer Rick Carter (Jurassic Park). Cast: This is one of 2012’s greatest ensembles. Daniel Day-Lewis stars (Liam Neeson was originally
attached) with an incredible supporting cast, including: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, John Hawkes, Walton Goggins, Tommy Lee Jones, Jackie Earle Haley, Michael Stuhlbarg, Sally Field, James Spader, Jared Harris, Lee Pace, David Strathairn, Bruce McGill, David Oyelowo, Hal Holbrook, Tim Blake Nelson and David Costabile (Gale from Breaking Bad). Expectations: On
paper, Lincoln should rack up Oscar nominations (with Day-Lewis and Lee Jones
being favorites in the leading and supporting male categories, respectively).
It screened already for critics, and was met with praise. Spielberg is known
best for two kinds of films – his entertaining adventure blockbusters and his
(almost epic in scope and scale) powerful dramas; this should be among his best
in the latter (continuing his fascination with the unfortunate plight of
African-Americans in American History, following The Color Purple and Amistad). On a side note,
getting back to my ongoing fascination with how there always seem to be two
films related to a specific ‘it’ topic to come out in a certain year, in 2012
we have two Lincoln films that could not be more different. This is a
completely serious biopic/drama while Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
is a ridiculous throwaway horror action film. Trailer:
Here. Review: Here.
Summary:
An adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s classic novel – Anna Karenina is trapped in
a loveless marriage to a Russian aristocrat. She risks everything entering into
an affair with a man she truly loves, Count Vronsky. Filmmakers:
Director Joe Wright is perfectly fitted to adapt Tolstoy’s masterpiece
(having made two fantastic romance dramas and three great films in his first
four). He is working with his frequent collaborators composer Dario Marianelli (scoring three
previous Wright films), cinematographer Seamus McGarvey (shooting two
previous Wright films) and production designer Sarah Greenwood (designing all
previous Wright films). As a crew that works together a lot, they are one of
the best working right now. Tom
Stoppard wrote the script (he also wrote Brazil, Empire of the Sun and Shakespeare in Love). Cast: The cast is great. Keira
Knightley stars with a wonderful supporting group, including: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Kelly Macdonald, Jude Law, Matthew Macfadyen, Emily Watson, Michelle Dockery (who some will
know from Downton Abbey), Olivia Williams, Holliday Grainger, Shirley Henderson, Ruth Wilson (who is brilliant in
Luther), and Domhnall Gleeson. Expectations: Anna Karenina is the third
collaboration between Wright and Knightley. Their first two were both superb: Pride
& Prejudice and Atonement
(two of my favorite films). Wright is also coming off 2011’s cool action
thriller Hanna.
The film seems like a perfect third partnership between Wright and Knightley
(forth, if you count this
Chanel commercial). Plus, Wright has gone very ambitious with the visual
and narrative style, presenting it like a stage production. It looks very
impressive. Trailer: Here.
Summary:
Pat Solitano, a former teacher, just got out of a mental institution, serving a
short stint. Having moved back in with his parents, he looks to reconcile with
his ex-wife and get his life back on track. However, things get more
complicated when he meets Tiffany, a mysterious girl who also has mental
problems. Filmmakers: Writer-director David
O. Russell has another film ripe with critical acclaim following The
Fighter. He has a knack of getting the best from his actors. He is working
with a great group with composer Danny
Elfman (Dark
Shadows), cinematographer Masanobu
Takayanagi (Warrior) and
production designer Judy Becker
(Shame).
Cast: Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence star with Robert De Niro, Julia Stiles, Chris Tucker (good to see him
back in something), Shea Whigham,
Dash Mihok, Jacki Weaver, and John Ortiz in support. Expectations: Silver Linings Playbook is prominently
in the conversation for Best Picture and Jennifer Lawrence is the front runner for
Best Actress (right now). The film looks like a very good drama with some
comedic moments – built on great performances from both the leads and principal
supporting players. Trailer: Here.
Summary:
A mob-protected poker game is robbed. Jackie Cogan, a professional enforcer, is
brought in to investigate on behalf of the mob. Filmmakers:
Writer-director Andrew Dominik became one of the most exciting new
filmmakers (at least for me) after the release of his brilliant film The
Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. Killing Them Softly
is his follow-up (and third feature overall). Dominik is working again with
production designer Patricia
Norris, but with cinematographer Greig Fraser (Let
Me In) for the first time. Cast: Brad
Pitt stars (and is also producing), while Scoot McNairy, Ben Mendelsohn (who is great in Animal Kingdom), James Gandolfini, Vincent Curatola, Ray Liotta, Sam Shepard, Garret Dillahunt, Richard Jenkins, Slaine, and Bella Heathcote feature in
support. Expectations: Killing Them Softly
looks like a great stylized crime drama (reminding me a bit of a Coen Brothers’ film). It has a
fantastic cast, and Brad Pitt has been in top form lately (especially in
Dominik’s last film). This is a must see for fans of budding potential auteur
directors and good crime dramas. I think it is going to be very good indeed. Trailer: Here.
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