If summer is the time for popcorn films and the equinox seasons are when the studios dump their dross, then winter is the prestige season, when potential award winners compete with literary blockbusters (ie. adapted from a word book as opposed to a picture book). So what do we have to look forward to for the next three months of glacial darkness?
The Master (Out now)
Paul Thomas Anderson, now effectively established as contemporary cinema’s great director, has fashioned an epic analysis of the power of cults, as shown through the eyes of a WWII veteran (Joaquin Phoenix) living in Steinbeck’s America. Probably the best film released this year.
The Hobbit (13/12)
Although it’s been beleaguered by animal rights complaints, a filming method that apparently makes it look like a TV show and a lack of editing that has stretched it to three films, it’s Peter Jackson going back to Middle Earth – unless he’s somehow caught George Lucas disease, this’ll be aces.
Life of Pi (20/12)
Based on Vann Martel’s Booker Prize winner, the Ang Lee-directed film looks lush and early word sounds promising, though it remains to be seen whether the story of a boy’s voyage across the waters with a tiger will retain the book’s darker elements.
Django Unchained (18/1)
Tarantino’s decided to follow Inglorious Basterds with the only other event in history (shy of the crucifixion) as controversial as the Holocaust by setting a revenge western in the days of slavery. Stars Di Caprio, Jamie Foxx, Christophe Waltz and Samuel L Jackson, almost starred Will Smith and Kevin Costner. If only.
Lincoln (25/1)
A period biopic of America’s most celebrated president by a director and star with four Oscars between them that’s based on one of the most prestigious history books of the last decade – this is awards season gold. Could be a bit dry in practice but its pedigree is impeccable.
Zero Dark Thirty (25/1)
Kathryn Bigelow leaves her Point Break days far behind and follows up her Oscar win for Hurt Locker by chronicling the Bin Laden killing. Expect gritty but tasteless action movie propaganda, tons of cyan and orange, and a host of familiar faces from HBO.
This Is 40 (14/2)
Judd Apatow’s return to directing focuses on the supporting cast of Knocked Up a few years afterwards, and features a sparkling array of comic talent headed up by Paul Rudd and half the cast of Bridesmaids. Likely to be nearly every thirty-something’s date film for a solid month.
Les Misérables (11/1)
It’s Les Miz featuring the likes of Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway singing, and being directed by the guy who did the King’s Speech. Signs indicate that it’ll be more action-packed than Oklahoma but less fun than Rocky Horror Picture Show (unless it’s really bad, which is always a possibility with these).
Hyde Park on Hudson (1/2)
It’s basically the King’s Speech, but with Roosevelt tagging along. Probably not Bill Murray’s finest hour, despite him shilling for the Academy by ticking both the historical figure and disability boxes.
