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The Outlook: With Martin Scorsese's Gangs of New York postponed until next year, Miramax is pinning its Oscar hopes on this one. Given its pedigree -- the director, the writer, the producer and five of its stars are all Oscar winners or nominees -- I wouldn't bet against its chances.
DECEMBER 26
HOW HIGH
Plot: Two slackers (rap superstars Method Man and Redman) smoke some wacky weed that magically increases their brain power; they manage to get into Harvard, only to find that their stash has been depleted and they're now required to think on their own.
The Good: One of the producers is Danny DeVito, whose track record in that capacity is above average (Erin Brockovich, Man On the Moon, Get Shorty).
The Bad: This sounds dopey rather than dope.
The Outlook: Releasing this the day after Christmas makes one wonder what they're smoking in the studio conference rooms.
DECEMBER 28
CHARLOTTE GRAY
Plot: During World War II, a Scottish woman (Cate Blanchett) joins the French resistance and forges a friendship with a freedom fighter (Billy Crudup).
The Good: Gillian Armstrong, who directed the lovely 1994 version of Little Women, returns to film after a four-year hiatus. Blanchett, who starred in Armstrong's 1997 Oscar & Lucinda, should work wonders with this role.
The Bad: Added to Warner Bros.'s schedule at a late date, this looks like an attempt to build buzz for an Oscar nom for Blanchett; if the campaign fails, this will probably sink like a stone.
The Outlook: Critics may dig it, but audiences won't know Charlotte Gray from Joel Grey.
LIMITED RELEASE
THE AFFAIR OF THE NECKLACE
Plot: At the dawn of the French Revolution, an orphan girl (Hilary Swank) who manages to work her way into the royal court seeks to reclaim a valuable necklace that once belonged to her family.
The Good: After faring well in a small role in The Gift, Oscar winner Swank (Boys Don't Cry) gets to demonstrate her range -- and in a period piece, to boot. The strong supporting cast includes Christopher Walken -- not our first choice for a movie set in 18th century France, but an intriguing pick nonetheless.
The Bad: Director Charles Shyer's entire career has been spent crafting shiny, contemporary comedies (Baby Boom, the Father of the Bride remake); can he gracefully make the switch to a long-ago world of bodices and beheadings?
The Outlook: Critics may find this an Affair to remember, but audiences tend to avoid historical dramas that don't star Mel Gibson.
A BEAUTIFUL MIND
Plot: After suffering from paranoid schizophrenia for much of his life, mathematical genius John Forbes Nash Jr. (Russell Crowe) finally triumphed over his affliction and went on to win the Nobel Prize.
The Good: Crowe gets to build on his Gladiator Oscar win with a role that should allow him lots of showboating opportunities. The always watchable Ed Harris co-stars.
The Bad: Will director Ron Howard, known for sunny-side-up features, be able to effectively examine the demons that tormented Nash?
The Outlook: As one of the few year-end titles to open in limited release before expanding in 2002, this should own the month of January -- and quite possibly keep pumping through February's Oscar nomination announcement.
GOSFORD PARK
Plot: In 1932, an English country estate becomes a hotbed of comedic happenstance, sexual shenanigans, personal intrigue, and even murder.
The Good: Robert Altman seeks to shake up the Merchant-Ivory set with his latest cinematic tapestry. The massive cast includes Kristin Scott Thomas, Emily Watson, Helen Mirren and Croupier's Clive Owen.
The Bad: Recent Altman titles like Dr. T & The Women and Ready to Wear (Pret-a-Porter) have suggested that the director may be slipping.
The Outlook: Audiences won't care less, meaning this film's fate will be as a critical darling or a critical bust.
IN THE BEDROOM
Plot: A Maine couple (Sissy Spacek and Tom Wilkinson) worry about the future of their college-age son (Nick Stahl), who's embroiled in a relationship with an older single mom (Marisa Tomei) with a notable lack of ambition.
The Good: Spacek and Wilkinson earned a special award for their performances at last January's Sundance Film Festival.
The Bad: Reportedly a real downer, this might not be what filmgoers still in a festive mood might be seeking for a cheery night out.
The Outlook: The box office might be minimal, but with the Miramax marketing machine behind it, this could pick up some notable Oscar nods.
PINERO
Plot: Before dying of AIDS in the late 80s, Miguel Pinero (Benjamin Bratt) made his mark on Broadway, on TV, in the movies, in print, and in prison.