2014 Fall Movie Preview: December
2014 Fall Movie Preview: December

2014 Fall Movie Preview: December

Click on the month to read the previous previews for September, October, and November.

Wild

WILD

The Good: Reese Witherspoon really diving into a juicy role; nature is always pretty

The Bad: Screenplay/story reeks of manipulation

Prediction:

Witherspoon is the reason to see this; the story feels like a cheaper version of 127 Hours without Danny Boyle’s visual style and lower stakes.

 Inherent Vice

INHERENT VICE

The Good: Paul Thomas Anderson is a great director, Joaquin Phoenix is a great actor, really specific period piece, great supporting cast

The Bad: Anderson sometimes crosses the cerebral line like with The Master.

Prediction:

Anderson’s latest will be more Boogie Nights and less The Master because of the psychedelic novel it is based on.

Exodus Gods and Kings

EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS

The Good: The bible has a lot of compelling stuff, Ridley Scott directing a Gladiator time frame period piece, Christian Bale

The Bad: There are already 2 very good stories about Moses, The Joel “Brynner” Edgerton makeup

Prediction:

Should be cool to look at, but Scott hasn’t made a great film since Prometheus, and feels like he’s losing his touch.

Hobbit Battle of the Five Armies

THE HOBBIT: BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES

The Good: A movie long battle from the LOTR guy? Great idea.

The Bad: More LOTR tie ins to a story that has a different tone than the trilogy? Frustrating.

Prediction:

I’m out on the story at this point, but that battle is gonna be AMAZING to see. Plus Martin Freeman is just so charming.

Annie

ANNIE

The Good: For those of you that didn’t see Quevenzhane Wallis in Beasts of the Southern Wild, see Annie just for her. Such a charismatic little thing. Holiday pleasures in a holiday film.

The Bad: Cameron Diaz has a real shot at a Razzie if the trailer is any indication, and ENDLESS YEAR LONG publicity grows tiresome

Prediction:

I’d give the prediction 2 stars were it not for Wallace, who can do no wrong in my book. Expect smiles and a sweet Holiday story.

Night at the Museum Secret of the Tomb

NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB

The Good: Robin Williams in one of his last roles

The Bad: Boring director, lazy writing, wasted premise

Prediction:

If your family likes the first couple, then this one will be fine. Say Goodbye to Williams one last time.

The Interview

THE INTERVIEW

The Interview – Don’t know what Franco and Rogen are doing here, but it should be funny. If you’re a fan of them, go see it. Though this will end up being their Wedding Crashers probably (the movie that starts their downfall from the comedy troupe center stage: make way for the women).

The Good: Rogen and Franco are funny.

The Bad: Too self aware of a premise, unproven supporting comedic cast

Prediction:

Vince Vaughn and his comedy group (Wilsons, Will Ferrell) were on top of the world when Wedding Crashers came out. Immediately after, The 40 Year-Old Virgin supplanted their comedy troupe with the Apatow era. Similarly, Bridesmaids started the era of female comedy, and this movie will start the long descent of the nerd frat boys Seth Rogen and Co.

Into the Woods

INTO THE WOODS

The Good: Fun Holiday premise, Anna Kendrick and Meryl Streep, the director of Chicago

The Bad: Why release a fun holiday musical 6 days after Annie?

Prediction:

Will be writing about this movie being a box office flop, even though it will be charming family fun and riddled with cameos.

Hot Tub Time Machine 2

HOT TUB TIME MACHINE 2

The Good: Same funny braintrust who did the underrated first Hot Tub Time Machine

The Bad: Yet another comedy sequel, John Cusack opted out

Prediction:

Adam Scott for John Cusack is fine, but it ruins any emotional resonance of the first, which was shockingly emotional. Hopefully there is a running gag or two at least.

Unbroken

UNBROKEN

The Good: WWII story, crowd pleaser around Christmas

The Bad: No names for the leads, multiple writers, Angelina Jolie – director

Prediction:

Emotionally euphoric, but not very interesting.

 

Paddington

PADDINGTON

The Good: Kids stories are cute, CGI bears have a good track record, British

The Bad: Unknown director, pratfall based humor

Prediction:

Charming, but more for kids than adults. Hopefully some dry British humor livens up the story.

Mr. Turner

MR. TURNER

The Good: British Timothy Spall and his scowl, Class structure appalling behavior, great director

The Bad: Too British possibly, extremely low stakes

Prediction:

Spall’s scowl seizes superfluous story.

 

 

MUST SEEAnnie. Quevenzhane Wallis will warm your Scrooge-like heart.

MUST SKIPNight at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb. Just watch Robin William voice the Genie again.

MOST INTRIGUINGInherent Vice. It feels like the firecracker Motoring scene from Boogie Nights for an entire film.

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