BRAVE
Starring (voices): Kelly Macdonald, Emma Thompson,
Billy Connolly,
Julie Walters, Kevin McKidd, Craig Ferguson & Robbie
Coltrane
Directed by Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman for distribution
by Disney/Pixar
The Plot: The impetuous
daughter of royalty, a young princess and skilled archer breaks with tradition
and ends up embroiled in a quest to save her kingdom.
The Final Word: After taking a
detour with last year’s “Cars 2,” Pixar is back to doing what it does best;
original storytelling with heart. Along with another stellar voice cast
headlined by “Boardwalk Empire’s” Kelly MacDonald, “Brave” should re-elevate
Disney and Pixar back to the awards caliber level it was add coming off of “Toy
Story 3.”
ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER
Starring: Benjamin Walker, Dominic Cooper, Anthony
Mackie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead,
Jimmi Simpson, Robin McLeavy, Alan Tudyk & Rufus
Sewell
Directed by Timur Bekmambetov for distribution by 20th
Century Fox
The Plot: Upon finding
out vampires are planning on taking over the country, President Abraham Lincoln
sets out a mission to destroy the undead before they enact their plan.
The Final Word: Yes, we
actually just wrote the above! Based the very successful book by Seth
Grahame-Smith, this unique spin on America’s past has been slowly building up
buzz throughout the year. This will also mark director Timur Bekmambetov’s
first feature since his 2008 summer hit “Wanted,” which should also draw in
audiences.
SEEKING A FRIEND AT THE END OF THE WORLD
Starring: Steve Carell, Keira Knightley, Connie
Britton, Adam Brody,
Rob Corddry, Gillian Jacobs, Derek Luke, Melanie
Lynskey,
T.J. Miller, Mark Moses, Patton Oswalt & William
Petersen
Directed by Lorene Scafaria for distribution by Focus
Features
The Plot: With just weeks
until an asteroid crashes into the Earth, a jilted insurance salesman embarks
on quest to re-unite his high school sweetheart, along with help from his
extroverted wild child neighbor.
The Final Word: While Steve
Carell can clearly do slapstick style comedy, he has shown he also has the
ability to branch out as well (i.e. the underrated “Dan In Real Life”). This film falls in the latter category as it
comes from Lorene Scafaria, who wrote the brilliant screenplay for “Nick &
Nora’s Infinite Playlist.” If Scafaria, who is also making her directorial
debut on the project, can re-capture any of “Playlist’s” unique style, this
could be another well-received film. Unfortunately, these types of films, while
well done, don’t normally translate well at the box office.
