The Observer, December 1, 2006
Volume XXXIX, Issue 12
Baby Jesus, Rocky set to battle over holiday box office
The temperature is dropping and Case students are more than happy to bundle up inside with their textbooks and a healthy supply of caffeine in order to study for final exams. One goal seems to resonate throughout the campus: just make it to winter break. Freedom, happiness, and invaluable bliss will be had if you just don't snap and decide to stop caring before Dec. 20.
While there are certainly endless ways to spend your four weeks on break, perhaps one of the best is to head over to a local cinema on a frosty winter night and see the next Oscar contender. Production companies dish out their best during the holidays in order to leap ahead in the Oscar push come spring, and there are plenty of great movies to be seen this winter. If Oscar-caliber movies aren't your thing, there is a plethora of cute holiday flicks to round out a notable film season.
Plenty of buzz has surrounded the film of the Broadway musical Dreamgirls, the Tony Award-winning production version that follows the story of an African-American female singing trio known as The Dreams. Hollywood has hit it big with musicals in the past couple of years, most notably with the critically acclaimed and box-office hits Chicago and Moulin Rouge. Oscar-winning director Bill Condon of Chicago helms this can't-miss adaptation with Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé Knowles, and above all, Eddie Murphy in his first major film in years. Rumors have circled that Murphy has been demonstrating the same Oscar-worthy acting talent that made him a huge star in his early career and that Knowles is ready to blast onto screens as an A-list diva. Don't miss this foot-stomping, stand-up-and-cheer tale due to come out on Dec. 25.
Another big-name film that will raise a few eyebrows this winter is The Good Shepherd, directed by cinematic legend Robert DeNiro. DeNiro has gotten full billing in only his second directing gig, landing big names such as Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, and Forrest Gump screenwriter Eric Roth. The story revolves around the idealistic beginnings of America's CIA, which has become a huge player in today's political atmosphere. Joe Pesci of Goodfellas fame specifically came out of retirement to lend a hand to longtime buddy DeNiro, and all eyes will be trained on the Academy Award winner to see how he lives up to expectations. Give The Good Shepherd a chance on Dec. 22.
In perhaps the biggest head-scratching move in years, Columbia Pictures and MGM have decided to take on the wrath of millions of fans by adding another installment to the Rocky franchise with Sylvester Stallone reprising the role of the ultimate underdog at the ripe old age of sixty. Naturally, sportswriters and film fans are groaning in full force at Rocky Balboa, but curiosity is raised given the usage of real-life boxer Antonio Tarver as Mason "The Line" Dixon fighting an astonishingly ripped Stallone as out-of-retirement Balboa. Look for this movie to surprise many this holiday season and take in tons of the box office. It will definetly be interesting to see the current generation get a taste of American hero Rocky Balboa, albeit a little more wrinkly. This film punches into theatres on Dec. 22.
Not very well-publicized but certainly interesting is hard-knock street fable Freedom Writers, featuring none other than the biggest name on the screen these days. Angelina Jolie tag-along Brad Pitt, you say? Forget him. This film marks the major production debut of none other than Dr. McDreamy, otherwise known as Patrick Dempsey of smash small screen hit Grey's Anatomy. I for one am beyond giddy to see McDreamy on the big screen and I am certain thousands of adoring female fans will follow suit. The feel-good drama from Paramount Pictures follows the real-life story of high school teacher Erin Gruwell, who challenges her urban students with an ambitious writing project. Catch the heat this Jan.12.
There are many other movies to look forward to in the cold months ahead. Mel Gibson attacks current society in his Mayan language grunt-fest Apocalypto, a film that has already suffered from his actions in recent months. Originally set for release in August, Apocalypto was promptly dropped by several production companies, and its debut delayed while Gibson found a backer; but will it be worth the wait? Smokin' Aces, starring Ben Affleck, Andy Garcia, and underrated Ryan Reynolds will try to ride the slick, cool, stylistic wave still resonating from Sin City. Just in time for Christmas, The Nativity Story retells the story of the birth of Jesus, with Keisha Castle-Hughes (Whale Rider) as Mary. Somehow I don't feel that this will catch fire like The Passion Of The Christ. Look for Justin Timberlake's major film acting debut in Alpha Dog, a true-life kidnapping story that has gotten great buzz at film festivals world-wide.
So there you have it. As you cram that chemistry into your aching head over these next two weeks, just remember the feast of films that await your expert analysis this winter break. There certainly are some winners to choose from.
