The holidays are approaching like some kind of festive juggernaut, and while families are out representing consumerism, the Hollywood marketing machine likes to capitalize on this wanton spending by releasing their last wave of films for the year. So while you’re procrastinating and not buying gifts for your loved ones, a number of excellent films are usually released.
Here is a short list of a few of them:
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (Friday, December 9)
Tomas Alfredson, the director of the breakout film Let the Right One In, is trying his hand at the spy genre by tackling what’s arguably the most famous cold war spy novel of all time. John LeCarre’s 1974 classic British spy novel isn’t easy material to adapt, but it’s been called Gary Oldman’s best-ever performance-and with a career like his, that makes this film important. Spoiler alert: it will be slow. It’s a cold war spy movie.
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (Friday, December 16)
It was only a matter of time before Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law were going to reprise their roles as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous characters. Guy Richie’s 2009 Sherlock Holmes was a smash hit and more fun than it had any right to be; it was kinetically charged and just plain good times. This one should be no different (in theory). No word yet on whether or not Downey Jr. and Law will finally make out.
The Adventures of Tintin (Wednesday, December 21)
Hergé’s classic character Tintin is finally making it to the big screen, and in a fully 3D, computer-generated film directed by Steven Spielberg, and produced by Spielberg and Peter Jackson, no less. I predict this film will be wildly successful worldwide, and if the talent involved is any indication this is sure to be the family event of the winter.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Wednesday, December 21)
No, this isn’t another re-release of the 2009 film, it’s Hollywood’s millionth remake of an independent movie, but this time one of the most talented directors of this generation is at the helm. David Fincher, who brought audiences last year’s critically acclaimed The Social Network, is promising “the feel bad movie of the year” – and considering the source material, it will be. Also of note is that the score once again teams Fincher up with Oscar-winner Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails.
Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol (Sunday, December 25)
Brad Bird, who directed The Incredibles, Ratatouille, and The Iron Giant, is trying his hand at his first live-action film. The early word is that it’s awesome and, if the trailer is any indication (and it usually isn’t), it’ll be just that. Tom Cruise actually filmed on the Burj Dubai – the tallest skyscraper in the world – and with IMAX cameras to boot! Those scenes are going to be awesome.