December is a big month for movies looking for Oscar glory. To increase their chances, a number of films are released in a limited amount of theaters and then slowly expanded out throughout the month. Since the release date will vary nationally, this entire first edition of the "Flicks Flashforward" will be just about those movies.
CORIOLANUS
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Gerard Butler, Vanessa
Redgrave,
Brian Cox, Jessica Chastain & James Nesbitt
Directed by Ralph Finnes for distribution by The
Weinstein Company
The Plot: A feared and
revered Roman emperor teams up with his nemesis with to extract revenge on the
city that spurned and then banished him.
The Final Word: This should be
interesting to say the least. Perianal Academy Award contender Ralph Finnes not
only stars in the picture but it will serve as his directorial debut. Looking
back at the plot, this really would seem to be a Finnes type picture. Backed by
a strong supporting cast including Gerald Butlet, Vanessa Redgrave and Brian
Cox, it will draw notice from Oscar voters, but some wonder if it can top some
of this year’s strong competitors.
SHAME
Starring: Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan, James
Badge Dale
Directed by Steve McQueen for distribution by Fox
Searchlight Pictures
The Plot: A New Yorker’s
sexual addiction is challenged when his sister drops by for a unannounced
visit.
The Final Word: Movies are all
about feeling a connection to the characters and honestly based on the plot and
poster, that feeling is “dirty;” which ironically is an Academy Award staple.
Like “Shame’s” star Michael Fassbender, the movie’s director Steve McQueen has
had a break-through year. His movie
“Drive” is also garnering significant buzz for his unflinching style of
filmmaking and “Shame” is going to garner the same time of headlines.
YOUNG ADULT
Starring: Charlize Theron, Patrick Wilson, Patton
Oswalt & Elizabeth Reaser
Directed by Jason Reitman for distribution by Paramount
The Plot: Following a
divorce, a writer returns to her small Minnesota hometown on a mission to
re-kindle a relationship with her ex-boyfriend; who just happens to now be
married with kids.
The Final Word: Jason Reitman
has had a lot of success with in recent years with “Juno” and “Up In The Air,”
but to be able to re-team with Diablo Cody on this new comedic drama can only
help make him more successful. The same goes for Theron who has not had a real
major hit since winning the Oscar for “Monster,” and with the streak of films
she had lined up for 2012 and beyond, don’t be shocked if this is the one turns
things around for her.
I MELT WITH YOU
Starring: Thomas Jane, Rob Lowe, Jeremy Piven, Sasha
Grey,
Zander Eckhouse, Abhi Sinha & Arielle Kebbel
Directed by Mark Pellington for distribution by Magnolia
Pictures
The Plot: Four
40-something college friends meet for their yearly reunion only to find a pact
they made as young men come back to haunt them and send their lives into a
spiral.
The Final Word: When you are
looking to cast four slightly older actors to play four men with a seriously
messed up past you’d be hard pressed to find a better group than that
consisting of Thomas Jane (“Hung”), Jeremy Piven (“Entourage”) and Rob
Lowe. Not sure you really need to know
more than that…
W.E.
Starring: Abbie Cornish, Oscar Isaac, James D'Arcy,
Andrea Riseborough,
Natalie Dormer, Richard Coyle, James Fox &
Laurence Fox
Directed by Madonna for distribution by The
Weinstein Company
The Plot: A look at
marriage and divorce as seen through the eyes of two couples including King
Edward VIII and the woman that caused him to abdicate the thrown.
The Final Word: Ever wonder
what happened to King Edward following the events of “The King’s Speech?” Well,
Madonna has you covered….and yes “that” Madonna.” The controversial material
girl returns for second time behind the camera in this drama loaded with a cast
dripping with Oscar-bait. Based on the success of the Best Picture winning
“Speech,” this could be a sleeper.
WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN
Starring: Tilda Swinton, John C. Reilly, Ezra Miller
Directed by Lynne Ramsay for distribution by Oscilloscope
Laboratories
The Plot: After her son
goes on a murderous shooting spree at his school, his mother is forced to deal
with her grief and feelings of guilt over the event.
The Final Word: Tilda Swinton
already has one Oscar and she could easily pick up another based on the early
buzz about this drama. Joining her as a solid contender is John C. Riley, who
is one of the most under-valued actors in the industry. Directed by Lynne
Ramsey (in her third and most high profile film to date), “Kevin” is going to
be the topic of much conversation this award season.
CARNAGE
Starring: Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph
Waltz, John C. Reilly
Directed by Roman Polanski for distribution by Sony
Pictures Classics
The Plot: Two very
different sets of parents meet to talk about an playground incident between
their sons.
The Final Word: Based on the
Tony award winning play “God of Carnage,” the movie has been adapted and
extended to fit the silver screen courtesy of original author Yasmina Reza and
director Roman Polanski (whose son plays one of the two boys at the center of
the plot). Audiences who were unable to get to New York to see the Broadway
version will be very excited to see this film version as it boasts just as
strong of a cast of actors as the ones that appeared on stage.
ALBERT NOBBS
Starring: Glenn Close, Mia Wasikowska, Aaron
Johnson, Brendan Gleeson,
Janet McTeer, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Pauline Collins
& Brenda Fricker
Directed by Rodrigo Garcia for distribution by Roadside
Attraction
The Plot: Desperate for
a job, a woman poses as a man to take a job as the butler to an influential
family only to find herself trapped leading a double life thirty years later.
The Final Word: Many critics
have this year’s Best Actress race as a dead heat between Close and Meryl
Streep, but that could also actually work against the pair as they could easily
also split the vote.
THE IRON LADY
Starring: Meryl Streep, Jim Broadbent, Alexandra
Roach, Harry Lloy,
Olivia Colman, Nicholas Farrell, Susan Brown, Roger
Allam & Anthony Head
Directed by Phyllida Lloyd for distribution by The
Weinstein Company
The Plot: The story of
former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and the cost she paid for her
historic rise to power.
The Final Word: Again, many
critics have this year’s Best Actress race as a neck and neck race between
Streep and Close. Although based on past voting patterns, Streep has an
advantage as she’s portraying a real person, which is something Oscar voters
always seem to love.
EXTREMELY LOUD & INCREDIBLY CLOSE
Starring: Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Thomas Horn,
James Gandolfini,
Zoe Caldwell, Viola Davis, Jeffrey Wright & Max
von Sydow
Directed by Stephen Daldry for distribution by
Warner Brothers
The Plot: A nine year
old searches the streets of New York for the lock that fits a key his late
father gave him prior to 9/11.
The Final Word: How’s this for
a stat? Stephen Daldry has directed three major motion pictures in his career
and he’s netted an Oscar nomination for each one (“Billy Elliot,” “The Hours,”
& “The Reader”). It looks like he’ll get a fourth and in the process secure
another nod for former winners Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock, while also
introducing the world to “Jeopardy” teen tournament winner Thomas Horn. Yeah,
this one has Oscar bait written all over it.
Previewed next week: New Year's Eve, The Sitter & Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
