In actuality, the holiday cinema season begins this Friday with the one movie guaranteed not to get buried in all the hoopla surrounding the J.R.R. Tolkien and J.K. Rowling adaptations: Monsters, Inc., the one film I expect to earn even more than the highly anticipated magic shows.
In other cinematic news, several of our most durable stars -- Tom Hanks, Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson -- will be MIA this season, but other A-listers, like Tom Cruise, Julia Roberts and Jim Carrey, will be very much in the public spotlight. And then there are the double-dippers, actors each appearing in two of the upcoming titles: Gene Hackman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kristin Scott Thomas and Cate Blanchett are among those doubling their chances at grabbing Oscar nominations.
Speaking of Oscars, 'tis the season during which we can expect to see lots of contenders, movies on the order of The Shipping News, A Beautiful Mind and Vanilla Sky. Of course, as counter-programming to this sort of highfalutin' fare, expect to see a number of pure popcorn pictures like Black Knight, Not Another Teen Movie and the Charlotte-shot Shallow Hal.
Following is a roundup of 31 movies expected to open locally in the coming months, including the half-dozen slated to open here in 2002 after testing the year-end waters in New York and Los Angeles. And don't be surprised if some titles not on this list also turn up at your friendly neighborhood multiplex: Some films that have already opened elsewhere in the country (e.g., Waking Life, Liam, Fat Girl) will likely trickle into town over the course of the next few months.
NOVEMBER 2
DOMESTIC DISTURBANCEPlot: When a boy (Matthew O'Leary) known for telling lies insists that his new stepdad (Vince Vaughn) is a murderer, no one believes him except for his father (John Travolta).
The Good: Despite stumbling more often than a blind calf (in his career choices, that is), Travolta remains a highly charismatic actor, and playing an out-and-out hero might do wonders for his ailing image.
The Bad: As is too often the case these days, the preview reveals waaay too much. Are audiences ready to forgive Travolta for putting them through Swordfish, Lucky Numbers and Battlefield Earth during a 14-month span?
The Outlook: Thrillers, even good ones like Joy Ride, are no longer guaranteed money machines at the box office; still, if this can avoid getting torn asunder by the week's frightful competition, it should demonstrate that Travolta can still open a movie.
LIFE AS A HOUSE
Plot: After learning he's going to die, an architect (Kevin Kline) tries to make amends with his ex-wife (Kristin Scott Thomas) and his troubled teenage son (Hayden Christensen).
The Good: Kline and Thomas, of course. Christensen will be playing the teenage Anakin Skywalker in the next Star Wars film, so this allows audiences to get an early peek at him.
The Bad: Early reviews have run the gamut from one to four stars; if this pattern holds, New Line won't have the sort of unanimous raves this type of picture needs to survive.
The Outlook: A few discerning adults may turn out, but not enough to prevent this from collapsing. (See review in this issue's Film Clips section.)
MONSTERS, INC.
Plot: The truth about those creatures that hide in children's closets? They're actually more afraid of the kids than the kids are of them.
The Good: Based on the very funny preview, the Disney and Pixar studios may have another animated winner to go along with their Bug's Life and Toy Story triumphs. Among the funny folks providing voices are Billy Crystal, John Goodman and Steve Buscemi.
The Bad: The memorable monsters populating Shrek may have stolen some of this film's thunder.
The Outlook: A monster smash.
THE ONE
Plot: A man (Jet Li) learns that his alter ego from a parallel universe is trying to kill him.
The Good: James Wong (writer-director) and Glen Morgan (writer) are responsible for a number of popular X-Files episodes.
The Bad: After the dazzling stunts displayed in Iron Monkey, this has its work cut out for it in terms of being able to wow us with its moves.
The Outlook: By costing only $25 million apiece, Jet Li's last two films (Kiss of the Dragon and Romeo Must Die) both ended up in the black. With a reported gross of $70 million, The One won't be able to make that boast.
NOVEMBER 9
THE HEIST
Plot: A professional thief (Gene Hackman) must contend with a duplicitous partner (Danny DeVito) and an unfaithful wife (Rebecca Pidgeon).
The Good: Writer-director David Mamet appears to be in his element, and he's aided by a top-flight cast.
The Bad: After the disappointment of The Score, a movie about double-crossing career criminals doesn't sound so exciting anymore.
The Outlook: Unless he's working on a grand scale (say, penning The Untouchables), Mamet has always been an acquired taste; it's doubtful this will lead to his acceptance by the masses.
THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE
Plot: After learning that his wife (Frances McDormand) has been unfaithful, a small-town barber (Billy Bob Thornton) concocts a blackmail scheme that instead leads to murder.
The Good: This is the latest feature from the Coen Brothers, whose winning percentage remains higher than that of just about any other current filmmaker. For this movie, Joel Coen earned the Best Director award at the recent Cannes Film Festival (shared with David Lynch for Mulholland Drive).
The Bad: Neo-film noir may be on its way to becoming a burnt-out genre.
The Outlook: This won't match the grosses of O Brother, Where Art Thou? (the team's biggest hit to date), but it should draw those who consider themselves rabid Coenheads.
SHALLOW HAL
Plot: A dorky womanizer (Jack Black) who dates only perfect 10s undergoes hypnosis that makes him see the beauty beneath the physical exterior; under this spell, he falls for an incredibly overweight woman, seeing her as svelte (Gwyneth Paltrow) while everyone else merely sees the obesity (Paltrow in a fat suit).
The Good: After attaching their names to rancid fare like Say It Isn't So and Osmosis Jones, it's time for the Farrelly brothers (There's Something About Mary) to hit another one out of the park. Since this was filmed in Charlotte, local audiences will have plenty of opportunities to play spot-the-landmark.
The Bad: Jack Black is generally a scream in supporting roles (most notably High Fidelity), but will having him front-and-center for an entire picture be too much?
The Outlook: Any protests regarding the film's perceived insensitivity don't stand a chance in the wake of its hefty grosses.
NOVEMBER 16
HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE
Plot: An 11-year-old orphan (Daniel Radcliffe), upon learning that he's the son of two wizards, is sent to a special school to hone his own supernatural skills.
The Good: Take it with a grain of salt, but director Chris Columbus is reportedly very faithful to J.K. Rowling's best-selling novel, a tactic that pleased Rowling and should please the series' army of fans. The cast includes a number of terrific British vets, including Richard Harris, John Cleese, Robbie Coltrane and Maggie Smith.
The Bad: It's hard to forget that Columbus was responsible for those insufferable Home Alone flicks.
The Outlook: Next to Monsters, Inc., this should emerge as the season's biggest moneymaker.
NOVOCAINE
Plot: A dentist (Steve Martin) with a thriving business and a lovely fiancee (Laura Dern) jeopardizes everything after he falls for a sultry patient (Helena Bonham Carter).
The Good: This combines a hard-boiled plot with Martin's style of comedy -- a potent mixture.
The Bad: Having already seen this one, I can attest to some shaky plot contrivances.
The Outlook: Forget the novocaine: This film's producers will feel numb enough after watching their picture get zapped by the blockbusters.
NOVEMBER 21
AMELIE
Plot: A young woman (Audrey Tautou) anonymously transforms the lives of her neighbors (usually for the better), but her own life gets a makeover after she falls in love.
The Good: Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet is responsible for the delightfully loopy fantasy flicks Delicatessen and The City of Lost Children.
The Bad: This is going to require a marketing blitz on the order of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Life Is Beautiful to emerge from the art-house shadows.
The Outlook: Its mainstream acceptance is virtually nil, but if reviews are strong, this could earn a few million on the foreign film circuit.
BLACK KNIGHT
Plot: In the latest variation on A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur's Court, a present-day employee (Martin Lawrence) of a medieval theme park finds himself magically thrust back into the Middle Ages, whereupon he introduces funk to the locals, discovers that the king's daughter is a "freeak" in bed, and saves the kingdom from villainous forces.
The Good: The "fish out of water" concept usually yields a few laughs. Lawrence is often appealing even when his films are not.
The Bad: Lawrence's shameless mugging may be used ad nauseam to disguise the shallowness of the script.
The Outlook: Reviews won't matter to 20th Century Fox, since this high-concept pitch is guaranteed to earn around $100 million.
OUT COLD
Plot: A snowboarder's dream of opening his own snowboard park runs into some unexpected obstacles -- namely, the fact that a city slicker (Lee Majors) plans to turn the area into a ski resort for wealthy patrons.
The Good: If it's another mild winter in the South, the sight of all that snow might appease undemanding moviegoers.
The Bad: Disney added this comedy to the schedule at the last minute, apparently seeking to fill a hole I'm not sure exists.
The Outlook: A big chill at the box office.
SPY GAME
Plot: A CIA operative (Robert Redford) springs into action when he learns that his former friend and fellow agent (Brad Pitt) is being held prisoner in China.
The Good: When Redford directed Pitt in A River Runs Through It, everyone noted the similarities between the two golden boys; now, folks will be able to make side-by-side comparisons. Director Tony Scott helmed the smart thrillers Crimson Tide and Enemy of the State.
The Bad: Of course, Scott also directed the imbecilic thrillers The Fan and The Last Boy Scout. Redford will have to be more interesting than he is in the current The Last Castle to command our attention.
The Outlook: The dirty secret in Hollywood is that, despite his superstar status, Pitt's movies are rarely blockbusters and in fact are often box office underachievers. Having Redford along might help, but don't expect Seven-size numbers.
DECEMBER 7
OCEAN'S ELEVEN
Plot: A criminal mastermind (George Clooney) plots to simultaneously knock off three Las Vegas casinos with the help of his hand-picked crew.
The Good: Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle -- if this one fails, it won't be because of a lack of star wattage. Traffic's Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh is steering this ship. And let's face it: The 1960 Rat Pack original isn't much of a movie, so it won't be hard for this to top it.
The Bad: The presence of so many stars may mean that some will get the shaft in terms of meaningful screen time (also one of the problems with the original).
The Outlook: With an opening weekend all to itself, this will come out of the gate like a tidal wave. How quickly it subsides will depend largely on word-of-mouth.
DECEMBER 14
NOT ANOTHER TEEN MOVIE
Plot: Scores of teen-oriented flicks (The Breakfast Club, Never Been Kissed, Bring It On, etc.) get targeted in this irreverent satire.
The Good: As the amusing preview states, "If you liked Scary Movie... who gives a damn?" Actually, if you liked Scary Movie, you should find some belly laughs in this one as well.
The Bad: If genuine wit gives way to an avalanche of gross-out gags, then this will be just one more reason why the 2001 movie season will be designated as the Year of the Barf Bag.
The Outlook: As the holiday period's dum-dum comedy of choice, look for it to outgross much of the competition (perhaps in more ways than one).
VANILLA SKY
Plot: A hunky millionaire (Tom Cruise) finds his life drastically changed after he's disfigured in an auto accident.
The Good: Cruise re-teams with Jerry Maguire director Cameron Crowe, who's coming off a Best Original Screenplay Oscar victory for Almost Famous. The cast includes Cameron Diaz, Kurt Russell and Chasing Amy's Jason Lee.
The Bad: This is a remake of the superb Spanish film Open Your Eyes (from the writer-director who went on to make the sleeper hit The Others), and it's going to be hard for this to match that film's excellence. This co-stars Penelope Cruz, and the fact that she and Cruise began dating immediately after his divorce from Nicole Kidman has generated bad buzz that may hurt this film's appeal.
The Outlook: If they pull this off, look for a commercial champion and Academy Award contender.
DECEMBER 19
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING
Plot: Entrusted with the assignment of destroying a ring that contains extraordinary powers, a Hobbit named Frodo (Elijah Wood) sets out to complete his mission, aided in his efforts by other equally colorful characters.
The Good: After seeing (still)life as a dull-as-dirt animated feature in the late 70s, J.R.R. Tolkien's immortal epic comes to the screen in the sort of lavish production its fans have always felt it deserved. The few major British actors not in Harry Potter -- Ian McKellen, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee -- turn up here. Director Peter Jackson's previous credits include the critically acclaimed Heavenly Creatures and the cheeky cult gorefest Dead Alive.
The Bad: Harry Potter may steal some of this film's mojo. If this performs less than expected, New Line's in big trouble, since all three films in the trilogy were filmed simultaneously at a total cost that reportedly approached $300 million (The Two Towers will be released December 18, 2002, while The Return of the King will debut in December 2003).
The Outlook: A real question mark. There's no doubt it will open huge, but this will have to rate as a "must-see" outside of the Tolkien fan ring to emerge as a true blockbuster.
DECEMBER 21
JIMMY NEUTRON: BOY GENIUS
Plot: A clever kid and his robot dog save the earth from invading aliens in this animated feature.
The Good: Patrick Stewart provides one of the voices.
The Bad: After a flurry of computer-generated monsters and two high-profile fantasy flicks, little Jimmy may not seem like much of a big deal to engorged kids.
The Outlook: Jimmy Neutron gets neutralized at the box office.
JOE SOMEBODY
Plot: After he's embarrassed in front of his young daughter, a nerdy businessman (Tim Allen) reinvents his own image and unexpectedly finds success on both the personal and professional levels.
The Good: If handled properly, this might be a suitably heartwarming Christmas tale.
The Bad: Director John Pasquin's previous credits with Allen include the annoying Jungle 2 Jungle and the overrated The Santa Clause.
The Outlook: Say it ain't so, Joe: Look for this to be among the season's low grossers.
KATE & LEOPOLD
Plot: A 19th century duke (Hugh Jackman) somehow ends up transported to our modern times, whereupon he strikes up a romance with an ambitious businesswoman (Meg Ryan).
The Good: After getting buried in the brutality of Swordfish, rising star Jackman (X-Men, Someone Like You) gets to display his sensual side again. Director James Mangold has had success with various types of films (Copland, Girl, Interrupted, Heavy).
The Bad: Meg Ryan, a solid dramatic actress when she puts her mind to it, needs another romantic comedy about as much I need another inane Lethal Weapon sequel.
The Outlook: This Christmas' What Women Want -- i.e., the date movie of choice.
THE MAJESTIC
Plot: After losing his job due to the blacklist, a dejected Hollywood screenwriter (Jim Carrey) in the 1950s finds a new purpose to his life in a small town.
The Good: Carrey continues to test his acting range. The title refers to the town's local movie theater, which automatically stirs memories of the lovely Cinema Paradiso.
The Bad: Director Frank Darabont (The Green Mile, The Shawshank Redemption) isn't exactly subtle with the sentiment.
The Outlook: Carrey's fans may be disappointed with this change-of-pace role, resulting in subdued revenues. And if Carrey's sensational turn as Andy Kaufman in Man On the Moon couldn't garner him that long-sought-after Oscar nod, there's not much reason to think this will do the trick.
DECEMBER 25
ALI
Plot: The controversial boxer (Will Smith) who claimed he could "float like a butterfly and sting like a bee" faces a lifelong series of battles both inside and outside the ring.
The Good: Writer-director Michael Mann's previous film, 1999's The Insider, earned seven Academy Award nominations. The lively supporting cast includes Jon Voight as Howard Cosell and Mario Van Peebles as Malcolm X.
The Bad: It's going to be awfully hard to condense this extraordinary life into a normal feature-length film without angering those who insist on historical accuracy. Smith is going to have to deliver the performance of a career to convince people he's Muhammad Ali.
The Outlook: Biopics are always dicey, but between the popularity of Smith and the man he's playing, this could break away from the pack -- more so if it turns out to be a critical favorite.
THE SHIPPING NEWS
Plot: In this adaptation of Annie Proulx's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, a man (Kevin Spacey) coping with personal tragedy gets a new lease on life after he returns to his ancestral home in Newfoundland.
The Good: Besides Spacey, the grade-A cast includes Julianne Moore, Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett.
The Bad: The film's Oscar nods notwithstanding, director Lasse Hallstrom and scripter Robert Nelson Jacobs were criticized in some circles for melting Chocolat to the point of blandness.
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.
The Good: Bratt, best known for TV's Law & Order (and as Julia Roberts' ex-boyfriend), may finally have a role that will afford him some big-screen clout.
The Bad: Director Leon Ichaso's TV biopics about Muhammad Ali and Jimi Hendrix were indifferently received.
The Outlook: Last year's Before Night Falls, another film about a Hispanic writer who died of AIDS after coming to the US, earned rave reviews and an Oscar nomination for star Javier Bardem; this film's makers are obviously hoping lightning will strike twice.
THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS
Plot: The patriarch (Gene Hackman) of a family of geniuses ends up ruining the lives of his three successful children (Ben Stiller, Gwyneth Paltrow and Luke Wilson).
The Good: In addition to the aforementioned heavy-hitters, the cast also gives us Anjelica Huston, Danny Glover and Bill Murray. Writer-director Wes Anderson's previous film, 1998's Rushmore, has become something of a cult favorite -- and the perfect springboard for a breakout hit.
The Bad: This is being billed as a "dramatic comedy," and boy, are those hard to pull off.
The Outlook: Critical raves would certainly help, but this appears to be the type of film that lives or dies based on its word-of-mouth.
