With box office receipts sagging and more people waiting to watch DVDs in the comfort of their own homes, it's no secret that Hollywood is ready to do anything to bolster ticket sales.
Anything, that is, so long as it's exactly what they've done every year before—that is, release a bevy of movies during the holiday season in an attempt to lure people from the warmth of their homes and into the theaters. This year's selection is little different, running the gamut of family-friendly films to big budget special effects extravaganzas and down to high drama with the Oscars in mind. Adaptations of books (or shows, in the case of Aeon Flux, and a Broadway show when it comes to Rent) abound, begging the question of whether or not the best material has all been done before.
The real question is this, however: with months of high gas prices behind us and the cold winter months settling in with no relief in sight on energy costs, how hard a blow will Hollywood—and the rest of the economy that depends on holiday consumers—take? Will the lure of King Kong and Johnny Cash be enough to bring people to the theater?
We'll find out. Here's a look at some (note: some) of the forthcoming releases:
Chicken Little (Nov. 4)
Disney's first attempt at a CG film without Pixar may hold the future of the company's animated films in its little chicken hand. With voice talent like Zach Braff, Steve Zahn, and John Cusack, it may be enough, but if this film doesn't pull in the numbers, the future of Disney animation may be sketchy. It seems a lot to risk on the story of one wolf-crying (or not, in this tale?) chicken.
Jarhead (Nov. 4)
The first of the major adaptations to debut this year, Jarhead seems like a risky proposition considering the ongoing situation in Iraq. The book, by Anthony Swofford, takes a nihilistic look at the brutality of war, and soldiers, and may well tank for that reason despite two Oscar winners (Jamie Foxx and Chris Cooper) supporting Jake Gyllenhaal in a role for which he is pitch perfect. For anyone willing to take a long hard look at war, this will probably pay off. I loved the book too much to hope for the best, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed behind my back.
Shopgirl (Nov. 4)
Adapted from a novella by Steve Martin and starring the same, along with Claire Danes and Jason Schwartzman, the buzz for this little film is surprisingly strong. Critics hearken back to Danes in My So-Called Life, the show in which Danes starred when she was only 15. But it's an old story—younger woman, older man, and for all the good words, this one is not going to get the play of some of the bigger films.
Nine Lives (Nov. 4)
Oscar does love an ensemble cast, and many are wondering if this film will fulfill the promise of director Rodrigo Garcia (son of Gabriel Garcia Marquez) that was hinted at in Mi Vida Loca, his 1993 look at Latina gangsters. Garcia has been quiet since the late '90s, though after a segment in Four Rooms and the acclaimed Gia, he seemed poised for great things. With a cast that boasts Holly Hunter, Glenn Close, and young darling Dakota Fanning, perhaps these nine vignettes, already being touted as a love song to the strength of women, will finally push him firmly into the spotlight.
Article comments
1 - Sterfish
Great preview. There are really more films I am looking forward to this holiday season then there were during the summer. The only one I am definitely seeing is Harry Potter, but I hope to catch Chicken Little, King Kong, and The Producers. Even though I saw (and for the most part enjoyed) Rent when it was touring, I don't think the film will be very good.
2 - ss
Heavenly Creatures was great, and, judging by the trailers I've seen so far, I'm going to see King Kong based on the way the guy who made Heavenly Creatures has envisioned Skull Island.
I have to say, though, my feel for the audience right now is people want 5 things:
1) Old jokes with a new spin
2) New faces
3) Action based special effects that suprise them (the way Twister and Jurassic Park did), or a story that suprises (the way Pulp Fiction and Silence of the Lambs did.)
Basicly just about any suprise EXCEPT the visual artistry of the back drop setting
4) A hot 20 yr old nibblet and the guy from American Pie and/or Jackass
5) Cheaper tickets and a ride to the theater.
I'm not sure Jack Black and the CGI I saw in the trailer can deliver in the suprises/new faces dept's, though if Jackson's got a nymph and some old jokes up his sleeve, this may still turn out to be J.B.'s big break yet.
3 - LegendaryMonkey
I hope so... I was VERY excited to see Jack Black cast in the role of the director. He's incredibly talented and I hope this helps him to branch out a little.
4 - Joanie
Will Sean Penn overact? I've been laughing for hours over that one.
And, there's absolutely no way that a new version of The Producers can be better than the original.
5 - LegendaryMonkey
Well, y'know, Joanie... he does have that habit. I was a non-fan of Mystic River for a couple of reasons (I mean, it was okay....) because, damn, Sean Penn can just really... overdo it.
I am ellipsis girl! Rawr!
About The Producers, no, of course not. But people have been pissing themselves over the new Broadway show for the last several years so you KNOW this one is going to be popular.
6 - DJRadiohead
LM, Jack Black? Incredibly Talented? wincing Wow. OK. He will be the reason my wife has to watch King Kong with her twin sister instead of me.
I liked the novel too much to spoil it watching the movie. Sean Penn. Rubbish.
Harry Potter has me pumped. I want to see Shopgirl because I love Steve Martin. I liked "The Corpse Bride." I think that's about it.
7 - LegendaryMonkey
Awwwww... the DJ is hating on Jack Black. We'll just have to agree to disagree, because I love me some Jack Black. Especially High Fidelity.
I love Harry Potter. I would also like to see Shopgirl for the same reason, but will probably wait for video. Same for Corpse Bride. It takes something pretty momentous to get me out to the theater. This is probably because my husband splurged before we were married and we have one of those ridiculous televisions. ;)
8 - DJRadiohead
Yeah, we'll leave the JackBlack talk alone.
I probably will only go to the theater twice more this year. Seeing Harry Potter twice. The theater experience has become nearly intolerable for me so I have to REALLY want to see the movie. Otherwise, I wait for DVD.
My wife hasn't consented to the ridiculous TV but we have a pretty solid sound system...
9 - LegendaryMonkey
Hubby had one... but we had to sell it when we moved in together. Large floor speakers + cats = bad.
They're on our list of things to replace. We're going to get some wall mounts.
10 - DJRadiohead
The kids (our cats) think it's great fun to knock my speakers off their stands. They don't do it real often but you can practically see the smile on their faces when their goal is achieved.
The problem is living in an apartment I can't really let my system loose (although if I get woken up one more time by Kanye West or Wu-Tang by our neighbors I might revisit this....).
11 - LegendaryMonkey
Ohhhh, I can't tell you how happy I was to move out of an apartment and into a house for just that reason.
Maybe you can have a movie vs. Kanye West speaker fight some night, though. Comedy. Gold.