MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: GHOST PROTOCOL
Starring: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg,
Paula Patton, Josh Holloway,
Michael Nyqvist, Vladimir Mashkov, Lea Seydoux &
Anil Kapoor
Directed by Brad Bird for distribution by Paramount
Pictures
The Plot: Framed for an
international incident, the "IMF" team is disbanded and forced to find the real
culprit while on the run from the authorities.
The Final Word: Following the
success of the “Mission: Impossible 3,” a fourth installment in the action
franchise was really an easy decision even if it did take five years to hit
theaters. Helmed by Brad Bird in his live-action directorial debut, the film (based
on the long-running TV series) reunites audiences with Ethan Hunt and his
ever-changing team, including a new character played by Jeremy Renner who is
rumored to be taking over the franchise from Cruise going forward.
THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN
Starring: Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, Daniel Craig,
Simon Pegg, Nick Frost,
Gad Elmaleh, Toby Jones & Mackenzie Crook
Directed by Steven Spielberg for distribution by
Paramount
The Plot: An intrepid
reporter and his dog join a sea captain in a quest for a sunken treasure ship’s
haul.
The Final Word: Already a hit
internationally, the movie opens in the USA this week with a built in audience familiar
with the animated character’s adventures. Although while Tintin has always been
a hit overseas, he’s not as big domestically, but with Spielberg and “Lord of
the Rings” guru Peter Jackson running the show, Paramount is going to give this
every chance to succeed.
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO
Starring: Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher
Plummer, Stellan Skarsgård,
Steven Berkoff, Robin Wright, Yorick van Wageningen
& Joely Richardson
Directed by David Fincher for distribution by
Columbia
The Plot: A journalist
enlists a disturbed computer hacker to help him solve the mysterious
disappearance of a long-missing heiress.
The Final Word: Based on the
best-selling novels that have taken the world by storm, the David Fincher
directed adaptation is finally ready to unspool in theaters. Truthfully, if you
aren’t already aware of the buzz behind the film, you probably aren’t going to
see it, no matter what is written about it.
IN THE LAND OF BLOOD & HONEY
Starring: Zana Marjanović, Goran Kostić, Rade
Šerbedžija,
Vanesa Glodjo & Nikola Djurićko
Directed by Angelina Jolie for distribution by
FilmDistrict
The Plot: The
relationship between a Bosnian solider and a female prisoner of war plays out
during the deadly Balken conflict of the 1990’s.
The Final Word: While the
Oscar winning Angelina Jolie isn’t starring in the pic, she is making her directorial
debut with it and that’s a story within itself The vastly talented actress hasn’t
definitely not gone for an easy project her first time out of the gate, but she
has gone for one with a plot she’s passionate about, given her long-standing
charity work with the war torn area from which the movie takes place.
WE BOUGHT A ZOO
Starring: Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Thomas
Haden Church,
Patrick Fugit, Elle Fanning & John Michael
Higgins
Directed by Cameron Crowe for distribution by 20th
Century Fox
The Plot: A single
father buys a zoo in a desperate attempt to shake up his and his family’s life.
The Final Word: Cameron Crowe
broke through in 1996 with “Jerry Maguire” and he’s been unable to launch a
similarly successful blockbuster since that time. While he’s had a few solid
hits, he hasn’t been able to match “Maguire’s” pop culture appeal, but some
believe “Zoo” could be that vehicle. Based on a true story, the movie has been
generating Oscar buzz for Damon and may be just the picture Johansson has been
looking for to re-start her momentum going into next year’s “Avengers.”
THE DARKEST HOUR
Starring: Emile Hirsch, Olivia Thirlby, Max
Minghella
Rachael Taylor & Joel Kinnaman
Directed by Chris Gorak for distribution by Summit
Entertainment
The Plot: Five youths
find themselves fighting for their lives when they become stranded in Moscow
following a devastating alien attack.
The Final Word: Because nothing
says holidays like an internationally set battle again aliens in 3D. Not sure
much more needs to be said on this one.
WAR HORSE
Starring: Emily Watson, David Thewlis, Peter Mullan,
Niels Arestrup,
Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irvine, Benedict Cumberbatch
& Toby Kebbell
Directed by Steven Spielberg for distribution by
DreamWorks
The Plot: Forcibly
separated from his owner, a horse ends up on a harrowing journey across Europe
during World War I.
The Final Word: Every few
years Steven Spielberg breaks away from the world of fantasy and adventure that
he undisputedly owns, to make a film dripping in Oscar-bait. Adapted from the Tony
winning play, which itself was adapted from a very successful book, “Horse” is
the type of movie Academy voters dream about rewarding, which means you are
going to hear a lot about it for the next three months.
