What else you should watch in the coming weeks…

About two weeks ago, it was officially established that 2009 has been Hollywood’s highest grossing year to date (despite, or thanks to, the recession). And that was before Avatar’s expected enormous contribution. With 86% at Rotten Tomatoes and surprising Golden Globes nominations for best film and best director (all of that before the movie was even released!), its prospects look good.

With all the buzz around Avatar, which some say is once again going to change filmmaking as we know it (just like James Cameron’s groundbreaking Terminator 2), there are still other movies out there, releasing this month, waiting for their share of attention…

Hence, our challenge with this post is not to say one more word about Avatar, and convince you to choose one of the following three films as your next cinematic experience, based on their fail-proof ingredients (or are they?).

I. Masterminded by Clint Eastwood - Invictus (already in theaters)

Clint Eastwood’s  new movie is an unusual mix of politics, racism and sports drama. Not Gandhi, not The Blind Side - and about rugby, which is not really football. It’s achieved moderate box office success until now (Clint, maybe some 3D game scenes could have helped – next time, consult Cameron…). Still the movie gets good reviews from audiences and critics, and is nominated for 3 Golden Globes, including for Eastwood, Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon – just another ordinary day at the office for Eastwood…

If that’s not enough for you to go and see Invictus, then here are Eastwood’s top five movies as director, to remind you how powerful and rewarding his works are (and any of his collaborations with Morgan Freeman). Looking at this top five, it seems that Clint only gets better and better with the years. Maybe he’ll make his best movie, the masterpiece that will establish him as the greatest director ever, at the tender age of 119…

5. The Outlaw Josey Wales

Critics did not take this movie seriously in 1976. Today, many consider it one of the greatest Westerns. Here the West is an ugly and brutal place, as in Sergio Leone’s films, but with a different Eastwood hero. He has a name, a sense of humor, and a heart. Next to Unforgiven, this is the most sweeping and emotionally complex of Eastwood’s Westerns.

4. Unforgiven

In this Oscar-winning, atmospheric Western masterpiece, a sadistic sheriff (Gene Hackman) enforces his own brand of due process. Hired to confront him is a reformed gunslinger, who must contend with his new moral code in the face of revisiting the life he left behind.

3. Mystic River

In another Oscar-winning work, a murder mystery unites three childhood friends who have drifted apart due to a disturbing episode in their past. Powerful performances from character actors, gritty photography, an exceptionally emotional script, and a convincing working-class Boston setting make this one of Eastwood’s most penetrating works.

2. Million Dollar Baby

Once again taking home the Oscars, this is Eastwood’s first unusual mix of plots – sports with a medical drama. With all due respect to Hillary Swank’s powerful performance, it’s the two old-timers, Eastwood and Morgan Freeman, who make this film, with masterfully understated performances as a couple of men teetering on the brink of failure.

1. Gran Torino

Some describe this film as Dirty Harry: The Pension Years. I think it’s terrific and it’s a shame it didn’t win deserved Oscars. In what he declared to be his last acting role, Eastwood plays a retired, racist war vet, who becomes a reluctant hero when he stands up to protect an Asian teen – and an unlikely friendship ensues.

II. All-Star Cast - Nine (releasing this weekend)

Nine is a new musical from Chicago’s director Rob Marshall. A homage, or remake if you will, of Fellini’s classic 8 1/2. Despite not-too-flattering reviews so far, it has Oscar buzz, and 5 Golden Globes nominations, including best film. So with no decisive conclusion per its quality, let’s examine if an all-star cast will do the work of bringing in the masses. Nine includes (take a deep breath): Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz (all 3 nominated for Golden Globe), Nicole Kidman, Judi Dench, Kate Hudson, Sophia Loren and Fergie.

5. The Batman Franchise

Batman Forever (1995)

-Or-

Batman & Robin (1997)

The all-star cast worked great for the third installment but couldn’t prevent the catastrophe of the fourth, which practically killed the Batman franchise until Chris Nolan’s reboot in 2005.

4. Historical Epics

Troy (2004)

-Or-

Alexander (2004)

Troy was a hit with Pitt, Bana & co. On the other hand, even Angelina Jolie’s star power couldn’t help Alexander. Let’s face it - when a movie is THAT long and boring, no star’s gonna help…

3. Stylish Neo-Noir

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004)

-Or-

Sin City (2005)

Is Angelina Jolie a jinx? Sky Captain’s failure was even worse than Alexander’s (a shame, as unlike former failures, this movie is quite interesting). A year later, it seemed that even extras had star power in the acclaimed and successful Sin City. A sequel is scheduled to start shooting next year.

2. Ben Stiller Comedies

The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

-Or-

Tropic Thunder (2008)

The Royal Tenenbaums would’ve probably gained much less success without it’s big names, being the small, offbeat comedy that it is. Tropic Thunder also benefited, as Stiller, who also directed and cast his comedian friends alongside more “serious” actors in surprising humorous performances.

1. Rob Marshall Musicals

Chicago (2002)

-Or-

Nine (2009)

In a few days we’ll have the opportunity to see if all-star cast works twice for the same director, in the same genre. Chicago rocked the box offices, amazed the critics and won six Oscars. Will Marshall reprise these achievements?

III. Riddles and Clues – Sherlock Holmes (releasing next week)

The most famous fictitious detective gets an intriguing new cinematic adaptation from no other than Guy Ritchie. From the trailer, it does seem to have Snatch’s energy, action, humor and fast pace. With Robert Downey Jr. as Holmes (nominated for Golden Globe), Jude Law as Watson, and Rachel McAdams as Holmes’ love interest, does this one need our help encouraging moviegoers to go and see it? In normal times no, but facing Avatar (oops, we promised not to mention it), maybe it needs a little extra push. So let’s remember why we love this type of story so much, by taking a look at some of the best puzzle solvers in cinema and television.

5. Murder She Wrote (1984) - The Old(er) Woman

Despite the formulaic structure, the pleasure of watching one of the most successful mystery TV shows of all time came from Angela Lansbury’s charming portrayal of an amateur sleuth - a widowed mystery writer who stumbles across a murder in each episode, and cleverly deduces who the criminal is before anyone else can. Lansbury was nominated for an astonishing twelve Emmys for her role.

4. A Touch of Frost (1992) - The Mustache

This long-running Brit series stars David Jason as scruffy police detective Jack Frost. Tracking down wrongdoers in the fictitious town of Denton, England, Frost solves cases with a healthy dose of humor and an unconventional style that puts him at odds with both criminals and his own police force.

3. Cracker (1993) - The Flawed Brit

Robbie Coltrane stars in another British TV masterpiece, a brilliant character study about a forensic psychologist with a knack for getting inside the criminal mind. Perhaps his addictions to sex, gambling, and booze put him the in the right mindset, but they also ruin his relationships with co-workers and family.

2. Columbo (1971) - The Just One More Thing…

With his trademark raincoat and cigar, Columbo (Peter Falk) is one of TV’s most popular private investigators. He appears to be a quiet man who only grasps rudimentary facts. Actually he’s brilliant, always able to ask the one question no one else thought of -leading to a string of successful cases, while keeping viewers second-guessing until the final moments of the show.

1. House M.D. (2004) - The Doctor Detective

Part E.R. part C.S.I., House is a medical mystery TV show that appeals with interesting characters, lively interactions, and fast-paced, twisting plotlines. Dr. House is a brilliant medical professional whose abrasive manner and bitterness often alienate his patients and co-workers. Each episode he’s faced with unusual symptoms, and must identify the patient’s illness - before it’s too late!

So are these any good? Are they better than Avatar? Comment and let us know what you think! And watch out for the Top 10 End-of-the-Decade Poll, coming soon to a blog near you…

Technorati Tags: Avatar, Invictus, Nine, Sherlock Holmes

Popularity: 7% [?]