Ryan ChartrandThis winter break is sure to be packed with good movies for viewers of all ages, but it is sure to have some bombs as well. The films set for December release range from romance to holiday fun, from blockbusters to independent films. The new films have been organized by genre so readers can easily decide how they will spend their $10.
The blockbusters:
“I Am Legend” is sure to be a hit this holiday season, although it isn’t a holiday movie. In theaters Dec. 14, “I Am Legend” is based on a novel of the same name by Richard Matheson about a brilliant scientist who could not contain a man-made virus that infected the human race. Robert Neville (Will Smith) is somehow immune as the last human survivor in New York City. But he is not alone. Directed by Francis Lawrence (“Constantine”), the film looks dark and compelling. To view the trailer, visit www.iamlegend.warnerbros.com.
If you’re looking for something a little different but just as incredible, “The Golden Compass” might be the movie to see. In theaters Dec. 7, the film is from the studio that made “The Lord of the Rings” films. “The Golden Compass” is sure to be an epic fantasy with talking animals, evil witches, fairies and more. The film is directed by Chris Weitz (“About A Boy”) and stars Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman (“Cold Mountain”), Daniel Craig (“Casino Royale”) and newcomer Dakota Blue Richards. To view the trailer, visit www.goldencompassmovie.com.
Inspirational films:
“Grace Is Gone” is an independent film about a man grieving the death of his soldier wife and facing the fact that he now has to raise his two daughters alone. This charming film has already won numerous awards, including the Audience Award for Drama at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. In theaters Dec. 7, the film stars John Cusack (“Identity” and “Serendipity”) as a father who doesn’t know how to tell his children that their mother is dead. It sounds like a depressing film, and it probably is, but this tearjerker is bound to be inspirational at the very least.
“The Great Debaters,” in theaters Christmas Day, is a film starring and directed by Academy Award Winner Denzel Washington (“American Gangster” and “Training Day”). Inspired by the true story of Melvin B. Tolson, a professor at Wiley College in Texas in the 1930s, this film is about the school’s first debate team, which went on to challenge Harvard in the national championship in 1935. Starring Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker and produced by Oprah Winfrey, this is a film about struggle and triumph that the whole family will enjoy. To view the trailer, visit www.thegreatdebatersmovie.com.
Romance films:
“Atonement,” based on a novel of the same name by Ian McEwan, is directed by Joe Wright (“Pride and Prejudice”) and stars Keira Knightley (“Pirates of the Caribbean”) and James McAvoy (“The Last King of Scotland”) as star-crossed lovers torn apart by a lie. Set in the shadow of World War II, the film will be in theaters Dec. 7. To view the trailer, visit www.theatonementmovie.com.
“P.S. I Love You,” in theaters Dec. 21, is a film about a grieving widow whose late husband leaves messages that are intended to ease her grief. Based on the best-selling novel by Cecelia Ahern, the film features Academy Award winner Hilary Swank (“Million Dollar Baby”) and Gerard Butler (“The Phantom of the Opera”). To view the trailer, visit www.psiloveyoumovie.warnerbros.com.
Family fun:
“Alvin and the Chipmunks” is a live-action, CGI movie for kids, starring Jason Lee (“My Name Is Earl”) as songwriter Dave Seville. In theaters Dec. 14, the film is based on the cartoon that spans generations. While the film looks funny, it might just be silly. Most likely, all of the best scenes are featured in the trailer, but this will still be a light-hearted movie. To view the trailer, visit www.alvinandthechipmunksmovie.com.
Other films:
“Charlie Wilson’s War,” in theaters Christmas Day and starring Academy Award winners Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Philip Seymour Hoffman, is the true story of how a congressman, a renegade CIA agent and a beautiful Houston socialite joined forces to lead the largest and most successful covert operation in history, contributing to the fall of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War. Directed by Mike Nichols (“Closer”), the film is sure to be nominated this award season.
“Sweeney Todd,” also in theaters Christmas Day, is the sinister story of a barber who seeks revenge on the men who sent him to prison. Based on the hit Broadway musical, the film stars Johnny Depp (“Pirates of the Caribbean”), Helena Bonham Carter (“Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”) and Alan Rickman (“Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”) and is directed by none other than Tim Burton. To view the trailer, visit www.sweeneytoddmovie.com.