It’s nearly the time to sum up the film year, but there are still some really exciting films coming to the cinema before the end of the year. These are the ones I’m most excited about:
‘Life of Pi‘ (USA)
Release date: 25.12
Directed by: Ang Lee
Genre: adventure/drama
Based on the allegedly “unfilmable” novel by Yann Martel, this is a story of a young man lost at sea and forced to share a lifeboat with a tiger. I watched (and posted) the trailer for this last week, which left me tremendously excited. So far, most critics seem to be blown away by it. I don’t know much about the story, but it looks absolutely stunning! My only worry is that it might pull a ‘The Tree of Life‘ and turn too spiritual for me to be able to connect. Still, in the relatively steady hands of Ang Lee, I am prepared to be amazed.
‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey‘ (USA/NZ)
Release date: 12.12
Directed by: Peter Jackson
Genre: Adventure/fantasy
Like just about everyone else I’m excited about being reunited with the LotR universe, and relieved to find it in the hands of Peter Jackson where it belongs. The thing about ‘The Hobbit‘: I don’t really like dwarves, and here’s a film featuring twelve of them. However, I do like the universe Jackson’s created and I’m thrilled about the perfectly cast Martin Freeman in the role of Bilbo Baggins, so I think this will be a proper treat!
‘Amour‘ (Austria/France/Germany)
Release date: 25.12
Directed by: Michael Haneke
Genre: Drama
Another film I’m very anxious to see. It won the Palme d’Or at Cannes Film Festival in May, and there is no end to the praise it has been given in the media ever since. Haneke is behind several highly acclaimed – yet controversial and in a few cases quite disturbing – films, such as ‘The White Ribbon’ (2009), ‘Funny Games’/’Funny Games US‘ (1997/2007) and ‘The Piano Teacher‘ (2001). ‘Amour’ is about an elderly married couple coping with the inevitability of old age. I expect it to be contemplative, uncomfortable, touching and really, really good.
‘Seven Psychopaths‘ (UK)
Release date: 25.12
Directed by: Martin McDonagh
Genre: Comedy/crime/drama
I loved the chaotic, crude and very quote-friendly ‘In Bruges‘ (2008), and I’m extremely excited to see what whackiness its creator Martin McDonagh has come up with this time. On the team with him again is Colin Farrell (whose well-deserved Golden Globe for ‘In Bruges‘ passed in virtual silence) and a pretty awesome cast, among them Sam Rockwell, Woody Harrelson and Christopher Walken. The trailer gives me a ‘Snatch‘ vibe, and it looks potentially disastrous, but it could be a hell of a ride!
‘Bully‘ (USA)
Release date: 07.12
Directed by: Lee Hirsch
Genre: Documentary
This award-winning documentary about peer-to-peer bullying was first showed in film festivals last year, and I’ve waited for it for quite some time. Perhaps because I have some personal experience on the subject, or because it is such a universal and massive societal issue, I believe documentaries on bullying may contribute to increased awareness of its impact. I imagine this will film be a really heavy watch.
Which movies are you looking forward to in December?