Wednesday, December 2, 2015

A Reel Preview: The Year in Film 2015, Episode XII


 
The final month of 2015 brings with it the most anticipated movie of the year if not the last decade. And while all eyes may be turning towards that far, far away galaxy…there are still plenty of other Oscar contenders and notable films to pay attention to.

It all shakes out with…

MACBETH – William Shakespeare’s classic gets another shot at the big screen, with Michael Fassbender (SHAME, 12 YEARS A SLAVE), playing the role of Macbeth. He is joined by Marion Cotillard, Sean Harris, and David Thewlis.

KRAMPUS – Based on the ancient legend of a hoofed beast who steals naughty children from their beds on Christmas Eve, this black-comedy horror film stars Adam Scott, Toni Collette, and David Koechner.

IN THE HEART OF THE SEA – Director Ron Howard (APOLLO 13), adapts the book of the same name which tells the true story which inspired Herman Melville’s Moby Dick. Stars Chris Hemsworth (THOR), Benjamin Walker, Cillian Murphy, Tom Holland, Ben Wishaw, and Brendan Gleeson.

THE BIG SHORT – Also based on the book of the same name, Adam McKay (ANCHORMAN), moves over to drama with this story about the housing and credit crash in the 2000’s.  It has an all-star cast of Christian Bale (THE DARK KNIGHT), Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt, Karen Gillan, Melissa Leo, and Marisa Tomei.

STAR WARS: EPISODE VII – THE FORCE AWAKENS – Director JJ Abrams (STAR TREK) brings back the beloved franchise with an adventure taking place 30 years after the events of RETURN OF THE JEDI. The original cast of Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher reprise their roles as Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia…and they are joined by Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Max von Sydow, Peter Mayhew, and Anthony Daniels. The script is written by Lawrence Kasdan (THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK) and Michael Arndt (LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE).

JOY – Director David O’ Russell (AMERICAN HUSTLE, SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK) is back with his annual appearance with Jennifer Lawrence (AMERICAN HUSTLE, SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK), in this true story about the single mom who invented the miracle mop. Co-stars Robert De Niro and Bradley Cooper.

THE HATEFUL EIGHT – Quentin Tarantino (PULP FICTION, KILL BILL) returns to the Old West with this little yarn about a bounty hunter (Kurt Russell) who winds up in a cabin during a snowstorm surrounded by strangers. Co-stars Samuel L. Jackson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Walton Goggins, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Bruce Dern, James Parks, and Channing Tatum.

CONCUSSION – Based on a true story, Will Smith (MEN IN BLACK, ALI) plays the doctor who fought against efforts by the NFL to suppress his research on the brain damage suffered by football players. Co-stars Alec Baldwin, Arliss Howard, Luke Wilson, David Morse, and Albert Brooks.

THE REVENANT – Oscar winning director Alejandro G. Inarritu (BIRDMAN) takes his actors out into the frigid wilderness to film this true story about a man seeking revenge while battling the elements. Stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, and Domhnall Gleeson.

ANOMALISA – Charlie Kaufman (BEING JOHN MALKOVICH, ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND), directs this stop-motion film about a man and his inability to connect with people. It features the voice-talents of David Thewlis, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Tom Noonan.

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Next month, Episode I will preview the month of January.

 

 

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