2011 is coming to an end and we’ve brought you our favorite in cinema each month. With December upon us, expect to see a flurry of year-end wrap-ups across the net (including our own). But fret not, there are more than a few surprises left. We’ve got everything from massive blockbusters to indie films from Sundance finally arriving in theaters. Check them all out below and, as always, see your local theater listings to find out when they’ll arrive in your town.
10. Pariah (Dee Rees; Dec. 28th)
Synopsis: A Brooklyn teenager juggles conflicting identities and risks friendship, heartbreak and family in a desperate search for sexual expression.
Why You Should See It: Although it premiered at Sundance (where it won the Best Cinematography award), I didn’t have a chance to check out Dee Rees‘ excellent Pariah until Toronto this September. The director recently nabbed the Best Breakthrough trophy at the Gothams, just in time for this drama to hit theaters this month. It is a touching, effective coming-of-age tale and does everything right that Precious did wrong.
9. Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (Brad Bird; Dec. 16th)
Synopsis: The IMF is shut down when it’s implicated in the bombing of the Kremlin, causing Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his new team to go rogue to clear their organization’s name.
Why You Should See It: Brad Bird’s transition from Pixar classics (The Incredibles, Ratatouille) to live-action at least promises to be breathtaking on a technical level. It is the first feature to utilize IMAX camera like Christopher Nolan did back in 2008 (The Dark Knight Rises prologue is even attached in the format), and the trailers have been selling a high-caliber blockbuster dose of entertainment. We’ll also see if Jeremy Renner is up for taking over for Cruise and a little preview of what to expect in The Bourne Legacy, where he will continue as an action star.
8. Young Adult (Jason Reitman; Dec. 9th)
Synopsis: Soon after her divorce, a fiction writer returns to her home in small-town Minnesota, looking to rekindle a romance with her ex-boyfriend, who is now married with kids.
Why You Should See It: The idea of Jason Reitman reteaming with his Oscar-winning Juno writer Diablo Cody may turn some people off, but as a fan of that film, I’m eager to see this new drama collaboration. I’ve heard Charlize Theron and Patton Oswalt are fantastic and have always been fascinated by unlikable leads in major films.
7. The Adventures of Tintin (Steven Spielberg; Dec. 21st)
Synopsis: Tintin and Captain Haddock set off on a treasure hunt for a sunken ship commanded by Haddock’s ancestor. But someone else is in search of the ship.
Why You Should See It: We’re lucky to get one Steven Spielberg film in a year. In 2011, we have not only have two, but two in the same month. The first up is his long-in-the-making mo-cap adventure The Aventures of Tintin. Produced by Peter Jackson, our reviewer across the pond was mixed, but I’m still quite excited for the thrill ride.
6. We Need to Talk About Kevin (Lynne Ramsay; Dec. 9th)
Synopsis: The mother of a teenage boy who went on a high-school killing spree tries to deal with her grief – and feelings of responsibility for her child’s actions.
Why You Should See It: British filmmaker Lynne Ramsay (Morven Callar and Ratcatcher) returns this year with the thoroughly-haunting story featuring one of our finest actors, Tilda Swinton. Up-and-comer Ezra Miller co-stars in a film I’ve heard is best not knowing anything about before seeing.
5. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (Tomas Alfredson; Dec. 9th)
Synopsis: In the bleak days of the Cold War, espionage veteran George Smiley is forced from semi-retirement to uncover a Soviet agent within MI6’s echelons.
Why You Should See It: Alfredson’s follow-up to the excellent Let The Right One In is even more spare than that vampire flick. Featuring a who’s who of British names including Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy, Colin Firth, Mark Strong and Benedict Cumberbatch, this is a spy thriller that commands your attention at every turn. Check out our UK review here.
4. A Separation (Asghar Farhadi; Dec. 30th)
Synopsis: A married couple are faced with a difficult decision, to improve the life of their child by moving to another country or to stay in Iran and look after a deteriorating parent who has Alzheimers.
Why You Should See It: Since winning the Golden Bear at Berlin Film Festival earlier this year it has been nothing but rave reviews for this top Foreign Oscar contender, including our own. We said “A Separation can understandably be classified a detective story, a thriller, a divorce drama and an Iranian Rashomon, but I will always remember it as one of the most compelling coming-of-age films I’ve ever had the pleasure to see.”
3. War Horse (Steven Spielberg; Dec. 25th)
Synopsis: Follows a young man named Albert and his horse, Joey, and how their bond is broken when Joey is sold to the cavalry and sent to the trenches of World War One. Despite being too young to enlist, Albert heads to France to save his friend.
Why You Should See It: The other Spielberg film this month his is WWI adventure War Horse. From the hit play (which was based on a children’s novel), it sees the director return to his audience-friendly, sweeping epic mode. Expect heavy awards play for this emotionally grand tale.
2. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (David Fincher; Dec. 21st)
Synopsis: Journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) is aided in his search for a woman who has been missing for 40 years by Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara), a young computer hacker.
Why You Should See It: We’ve already read the books and seen the entire film trilogy, so many wondered why Fincher would take on this crime saga. Based on early buzz I’ve heard, you won’t have any questions after seeing this dark drama. He looks to be getting into his Se7en and Zodiac territory here, something I eagerly await. Add in Trent Reznor’s return after the Oscar-winning score for The Social Network and this will be a perfect adult treat this holiday season.
1. Shame (Steve McQueen; Dec. 2nd)
Synopsis: In New York City, Brandon’s carefully cultivated private life – which allows him to indulge his sexual addiction – is disrupted when his sister Cissy arrives unannounced for an indefinite stay.
Why You Should See It: Following up Hunger, Steve McQueen has created one of the most powerful dramas of the year with his sex addiction tale Shame. The gorgeously photographed New York-set tale sees Michael Fassbender command one of his best performances. Read our review here.
Check out the matinees to see on the next page >>
Matinee:
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (Stephen Daldry; Dec. 25th)
Synopsis: A nine-year-old amateur inventor, jewelry designer, astrophysicist, tambourine player, and pacifist searches New York for the lock that matches a mysterious key left by his father when he was killed in the September 11 attacks.
Why You Should See a Matinee: Stephen Daldry has never once missed out on a Best Director nomination and judging by Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, it looks like they trend will continue. I’m still weary if it will rise above the manipulative factor, but it seems like the kind of film the Academy will go ga-ga over. Lets hope it is deserved.
Outrage (Takeshi Kitano; Dec. 2nd)
Synopsis: The boss of a major crime syndicate orders his lieutenant to bring a rogue gang of drug traffickers in line, a job that gets passed on to his long-suffering subordinate.
Why You Should See a Matinee: To mix it up from the usual fare this month, we have a Japanese gangster film from one of the countries most celebrated directors. Reviews haven’t been over-the-moon, but it should prove to be a fun-enough diversion.
In the Land of Blood and Honey (Angelina Jolie; Dec. 23rd)
Synopsis: During the Bosnian War, Danijel, a soldier fighting for the Serbs, re-encounters Ajla, a Bosnian who’s now a captive in his camp he oversees. Their once promising connection has become ambiguous as their motives have changed.
Why You Should See a Matinee: Since being a mega-star isn’t enough, Angelina Jolie has gone into directing territory with her first feature. Instead of a simple American drama or a fluffy romance, she has opted for something a little more difficult with this Bosnian War drama. Early buzz is promising, so lets see if it follows through.
The Sitter (David Gordon Green; Dec. 9th)
Synopsis: A comedy about a college student on suspension who is coaxed into babysitting the kids next door, though he is fully unprepared for the wild night ahead of him.
Why You Should See a Matinee: I want to hold out some hope for David Gordon Green, but it is proving difficult. With his wonderful early films (from George Washington to All the Real Girls), he went ahead and succeeded in crafting the hilarious Pineapple Express. Continuing in the genre has not been kind, with the terrible Your Highness, and now The Sitter. The trailers have been rough, but I’ve heard strong things about the script (in a strictly comedic sense), so I hope this at least warrants a matinee.
Carnage (Roman Polanski; Dec. 16th)
Synopsis: Tells the story of two sets of parents who decide to have a cordial meeting after their sons are involved in a schoolyard brawl.
Why You Should See a Matinee: Confined to a single apartment, Polanski has adapted the stageplay God of Carnage for his latest project. It is fine acting showcase, with Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz and John C. Reilly, and despite being engaged, I was left unaffected by the story. It is still worthy of seeking out, but I hoped for better with this drama.
Knuckle (Ian Palmer; Dec. 2nd)
Synopsis: An epic 12-year journey into the brutal and secretive world of Irish Traveler bare-knuckle fighting. This film follows a history of violent feuding between rival clans.
Why You Should See a Matinee: It is getting a minuscule release, but it is worth noting one of the most-praised documentaries of the year. Like many, I’m sure you aren’t familiar with the underground world of bare-knuckle fighting. This gruesome doc is all you need.
We Bought a Zoo (Cameron Crowe; Dec. 23rd)
Synopsis: Set in Southern California, a father moves his young family to the countryside to renovate and re-open a struggling zoo.
Why You Should See a Matinee: Crowe’s return to filmmaking is full of problems, but it is a sweet-enough, positive tale to make a fine matinee this Christmas. Matt Damon carves out a nice lead performance amongst the bland supporting characters. Check out my early review here.
What films are you seeing this month?