Fall Movie Preview (December)

CARNAGE (December 16)
Plot: Set in contemporary Brooklyn, New York, "Carnage" centers on two pairs of parents one of whose child has hurt the other at a public park, who meet to discuss the matter in a civilized manner. However, as the evening goes on, the parents become increasingly childish, resulting in the evening devolving into chaos.

Quick thoughts: The story may be simplistic, but that's because of it being adapted from the stage. What it lacks it setting, is more than made up for in the acting talent. With four supremely talented actors working off of each other in a very dark comedic story, I'll be very interested to see if director Roman Polanski can successfully turn this into an engaging film.


SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS (December 16)
Plot: When the Crown Prince of Austria is found dead, the evidence, as construed by Inspector Lestrade (Eddie Marsan), points to suicide. But Sherlock Holmes deduces that the prince has been the victim of murder, a murder that is only one piece of a larger and much more portentous puzzle, designed by Professor Moriarty. The cunning Moriarty is always one step ahead of Holmes as he spins a web of death and destruction, all part of a greater plan that, if he succeeds, will change the course of history.

Quick thoughts: I absolutely loved the first venture into this franchise by Downey and co. so I am immediately on board for a second go-round. The fact that this one will feature Holmes' greatest nemesis, Professor Moriarty, only sweeteneds the deals. Let's just hope than unlike some of this year's sequels, this one is able to still feel fresh on its own.


THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO (December 21)
Plot: "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" is the first film in Columbia Pictures' three-picture adaptation of Stieg Larsson's literary blockbuster "The Millennium Trilogy." Directed by David Fincher and starring Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara, the film is based on the first novel in the trilogy, which altogether have sold 50 million copies in 46 countries and become a worldwide phenomenon. The screenplay is by Steven Zaillian.

Quick thoughts: I'll be honest - I haven't read these books and I really don't know too much about what the plot involves. Having said that, the fact that it stars Daniel Craig and is being directed by David Fincher, who has made some of my favorite films in the past five years is enough of an incentive for me to at least give this (anticipated) trilogy a look.


MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - GHOST PROTOCOL (December 21)
Plot: The IMF is shut down when it's implicated in the bombing of the Kremlin, causing Ethan Hunt and his new team to go rogue to clear their organization's name.

Quick thoughts: Unlike so many people, I really enjoyed the third entry in this franchise. And while J.J. Abrams isn't directing this one, he's still worked on it and left the director's chair in good hands with Brad Bird (who directed The Incredibles). In amongst all of the films vying for an Oscar, this will serve as a nice entertainment diversion come the Christmas season.


WE BOUGHT A ZOO (December 23)
Plot: "We Bought a Zoo," a memoir by Benjamin Mee, tells the true account of how the author and his family used their life savings to buy a dilapidated zoo, replete with 200 exotic animals facing destruction, in the English countryside. Mee, along with his children, had to balance caring for his wife, who was dying of brain cancer, with dealing with escaped tigers, raising endangered animals, working with an eclectic skeleton crew and readying the zoo for a reopening.

Quick thoughts: In the past, I've never really been a big fan of director Cameron Crowe's work, but they've been undeniably successful, especially come awards season. This one intrigues me mainly because of a solid cast (Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson) and a story that is true and hasn't been done a thousand times before. I have a feeling this will be infinitely better than The Zookeeper.


OTHER POSSIBLE FILMS OF INTEREST:
The Sitter (December 9)
Young Adult (December 9)
The Iron Lady (December 16)
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (December 23)