It's almost Thanksgiving, and aside from the turkey and long-awaited vacation time, Street is looking forward to Oscar season, that month-long period from Thanksgiving to Christmas chock-full of impressive cinema. To those who plan to spend the rest of their semester at Ritz Five, here's a go-to guide for November and December films worth seeing:
The Departed (Out now)
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon
Why it's worthy: Scorsese's big comeback (did he ever leave?). This remake of Hong Kong's Infernal Affairs has all the drama of his previous films (it's about mobsters and cops in present-day Boston) plus a whole lotta pizazz. Street called it "a remake that trumps the original in all respects . the year's most exciting cinematic experience."
Little Children (Out now)
Starring: Kate Winslet, Patrick Wilson, Jennifer Connelly
Why it's worthy: A New York Times Critics' Pick, Todd Field's Little Children is a dark look at the lives of lonely suburbanites who cross paths at their kids' playground. Clever screenwriting in conjunction with stellar acting will earn Children big points come Oscar time; Street said, "Children is a quiet yet deeply unsettling film about the human condition."
Babel (Out now)
Starring: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Gael Garc¡a Bernal
Why it's worthy: Under the direction of Amores Perros' Alejandro González I¤árritu, Babel describes the ordeals befalling a group of American travelers and those around them, all of which seem to arise from misunderstandings and miscommunication. Rife with colorful cinematography, Babel conveys the importance of listening, and everyone's taking notice; Regis Philbin predicted that the film would take Best Picture! "Anyone seeking a film of high artistic quality will be extremely pleased," Street wrote.
Rocky Balboa (December 22)
Starring: Sylvester Stallone
Why it's worthy: Okay, so this film has about as much chance of winning an Oscar as Robocop III, but it does come out at Christmas, which is a good sign. The original Rocky won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1977, and if Sly can get his act together 30 years later, we'll be rooting for him. Plus, as Philadelphians, we should at least support the few movies filmed on our home turf.
The Painted Veil (December 15)
Starring: Naomi Watts, Edward Norton, Liev Schreiber
Why it's worthy: Just look at the cast: have you ever seen more Oscar nominees in a single production? Probably not. Based on the W. Somerset Maugham novel, and a remake of the 1934 Greta Garbo film of the same title, Veil deals with the relationship of a wealthy English couple in the 1920s who hastily marry and move to Hong Kong. After the wife cheats on her husband, he hastily moves her to a cholera-ridden Shanghai. Spiteful!
Dreamgirls
(December 15)
Starring: Beyonc‚ Knowles, Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy
Why it's worthy: Written and directed by Chicago scribe Bill Condon, Dreamgirls brings another Broadway musical to the screen, this time about the trials and tribulations of a Motown trio and their manager. Will these Dreamettes achieve fame and fortune, or crash and burn like Right Said Fred? Either way, see it just to get a glimpse of Beyonc‚ shakin' her tailfeather.
The Good German (December 15)
Starring: George Clooney, Cate Blanchett, Tobey Maguire
Why it's worthy: Along with the stellar cast, The Good German has all the makings of an Oscar film. Shot in black-and-white and based on a German novel, the film recounts the story of Jake Geismar (George Clooney), an American journalist uncovering a murder mystery in postwar Berlin. Of course, the victim happens to be his ex-lover's ex-husband. After Good Night, and Good Luck., Clooney's outings deserve a look, but whether this German is good, bad or ugly remains to be seen.
Perfume: Story of a Murderer
(December 27)
Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Alan Rickman
Why it's worthy: Oscar's dark horse candidate, this psychological drama - directed by Tom Tykwer of Run Lola Run fame - tells the story of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, a man born with no sense of smell. After developing one, he finds himself hunting down people by scent and killing them to make perfumes. Disturbing and intriguing; leave the underclassmen at home.
