 "Photo: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox")
This is not an Oscar prediction. Many of the heaviest contenders have yet to enter the ring.
But, as the end of the year approaches, these contenders will collide to create some of the best film-watching months of the year.
And even for those uninterested in the pretentious, award-chasing films, Thanksgiving and Christmas releases provide more accessible fare, as well.
Here are some films to watch for as the year comes to a close.
First, Peter Jackson’s adaptation of “The Lovely Bones” looks to capitalize on the best-selling novel by Alice Sebold.
The story of an adolescent girl who, after being raped and murdered by a neighbor, watches her family from heaven, has been on many cinephiles’ radars ever since Jackson signed on to direct.
From the look of the trailer, the film will be visually stunning, at least.
A musical adaptation of the Federico Fellini Classic, “8 ½”, titled “Nine,” is also causing a stir.
With Daniel Day-Lewis, Penélope Cruz, Nicole Kidman and Marion Cotillard starring and veteran musical director Rob Marshall (“Chicago”) at the helm, “Nine” has assembled one of the most impressive rosters in recent history.
Can they sing? Who knows. But with a cast like this, anything short of fantastic will be a bust.
Though both trailers have received lukewarm receptions, anyone counting out James Cameron’s “Avatar” probably hasn’t been to the theater in the past 20 years.
The man behind the “Terminator” series, “Aliens” and “Titanic” has wanted to make this film for 15 years and has been less than subtle about calling its use of 3D filmmaking a cinematic revolution.
Whether it lives up to Cameron’s hype remains to be seen, but regardless, “Avatar” will be one to watch for.
Previous adaptations of Pulitzer Prize-winning novels like “Gone with the Wind,” “Grapes of Wrath,” “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “The Color Purple” and “The Hours” rank among some of the most-loved films in history.
It gives the coming adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s “The Road” a lot to live up to, but it gives us a lot to look forward to.
Critics have assailed Wes Anderson for many things. They say he is more interested in quirky characterizations than character depth. They say he is past his prime, but no one has ever accused him of creating an uninspired visual atmosphere. And from the trailer for the stop-motion “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” it looks like no one ever will.
Adapting Roald Dahl’s much-loved children’s novel of the same name, Anderson looks to have a hit on his hands, and early reviews have already claimed that Anderson is back to “Royal Tenenbaums” form.
If that is the case, “Fantastic Mr. Fox” will be a must-see this Thanksgiving.
So save up your pocket money, and check out your theater listings. The best of 2009 are on their way.
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