This is tough time of year for movie lovers. Thanks to an idiotic policy by the major studios, the market is flooded with too many interesting movies. The trouble is that with the holidays, family obligations, seasonal illnesses and holiday depression, no one has the time or inclination to go to that many movies.
I would like to help a bit, although I’m not sure how much weight you should give my opinions. But for what they’re worth, here are my suggestions as to what you might want to see, and what you might want to avoid, in the coming days.
“Charlie Wilson’s War” - Any movie with Philip Seymour Hoffman is worth seeing. Any movie with Amy Adams is worth seeing. Oh, this movie also has Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts. It’s a lot of fun and, unlike most other movies this holiday, it doesn’t leave you depressed.
“The Savages” - This might depress you, but once again, this is a movie with the aforementioned Mr. Hoffman. And throw in Laura Linney, one of my favorite actresses, and this is worth seeing for serious movie-goers.
“The Great Debaters” - Denzel Washington directed and stars in this inspirational movie based on real events (Washington has played fast and loose with some of the facts, but has kept to the spirit of the story). Worth seeing. Take the family.
“The Bucket List” - A lot of laughs but be forewarned that it is about two terminally ill men so it’s not all fun and games. But how can you go wrong with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman?
“Sweeney Todd” - Looks beautiful. Excessively bloody. Too much singing by less-than-Broadway-caliber singers. Johnny Depp is not enough of a reason to see it.
“National Treasure: Book of Secrets” - Entertaining, but not a great movie. More complicated than it needs to be.
“I Am Legend” - A lot of fun, and even scary in parts.
“The Kite Runner” - One of my favorite movies of the year. Not a comedy.
“Atonement” - An excellent movie with an ending that I found disappointing. Therefore, falls short of greatness.
“There Will Be Blood” - Epic in scope and length. One of the year’s best. Not a laugh riot.
“Juno” - Although serious subject matter (teen pregnancy), this movie is a hoot. Watch a star being born (Ellen Page).
