The films on my radar this month…
We have all seen some awesome films in 2011, but the year is not over yet! Some eagerly anticipated movies have been saved for December; impossible missions, fascinating mysteries, and incredible animation are just some of what’s in store for us this month. Want to know more? Hit the link for 2011’s final ‘FILM WATCH’!
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Happy Feet 2 (Out Today)
Released in 2006, Happy Feet was a critical and commercial success, so it’s a little bit surprising that we’ve had to wait this long for a sequel. This time round, Mumble’s son Erik is the one struggling to conform as he cannot dance. Things get worse when a new danger threatens the Penguin’s future, causing Mumble to gather all Penguin nations together to save them. Great singing and dancing is to be expected, and with an all-star cast and fantastic-looking animation, odds are good that this will be the ultimate family film this Christmas.
Starring: Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, Pink, Hugo Weaving and Sofia Vergara.
Cert | U. Run Time | 103 mins.
Hugo (Out Today)
Asa Butterfield stars as Hugo in Martin Scorcese’s adaptation of Brian Selznik’s novel ‘The Invention of Hugo Cabaret’. Set in 1930’s Paris, the plot follows Hugo – an orphan who lives in the walls of a train station – as he gets caught up in a mystery trying to repair a mechanical man. Joining Butterfield is a very strong cast including Ben Kingsley, Jude Law and Sacha Baron Cohen, so the acting should be top notch. This one has already been getting a lot of praise from critics and audiences alike. Make sure you head to Yin & Yang for my unequivocal verdict when the film is released on December 2nd.
Starring: Asa Butterfield, Ben Kingsley, Jude Law, Sacha Baron Cohen, Christopher Lee, Chloe Moretz.
Cert | U. Run Time | 126 mins.
Puss in Boots (Out December 9th)
Puss in Boots quickly became a fan-favourite when he was introduced to the Shrek universe in 2004. Now he’s got his own film, in a story that takes place before he ever met up with the Ogre and his friends. Puss – once again voiced by Antonio Banderas – is on a mission to steal the famed goose that lays the Golden Eggs. Along the way, he crosses paths with mastermind Humpty Dumpty and street-savvy cat Kitty, voiced by smartly cast Salma Hayek. Having seen some 3D footage at EMPIRE’s big screen event in August, I can safely say that Puss has lost none of his flair, and this already looks to be an enjoyable return to the big screen for the legendary sword-fighting cat. Fear him, if you dare!
Starring: Antonio Banderas, Billy Bob Thornton, Salma Hayek, Zack Galifianakis, Guillermo Del Toro.
Cert | U. Run Time | 90 mins.
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (Out December 16th)
Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law are back as capable duo Holmes and Watson in the follow up to 2009’s Sherlock Holmes. ‘A Game of Shadows’ sees Holmes hot on the trail of arch-nemesis Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris) as he tries to uncover a plot that could destroy Western civilization. Like many others, I enjoyed Guy Ritchie’s reimagining of Sherlock Holmes and from the looks of things the British director has upped the ante for the follow-up with bigger explosions, even more outrageous disguises, and a big helping of banter between Holmes and Watson. Based on these clues, I deduce that Holmes 2.0 is going to be as entertaining as its predecessor. Once again, the game is afoot!
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Jared Harris, Noomi Rapace, Stephen Fry, Rachel McAdams.
Cert | 12A. Run Time | 129 mins.
Bob Marley: The Making of a Legend (Out December 17th)
The fact that Bob Marley’s music is still being played to this day is a testament to his legacy. With footage that was shot in the 1970’s, Jamaican director Esther Anderson takes us back to before Marley was famous. With scenes such as the Wailers’ first rehearsal, this promises to be an intriguing behind the scenes look at how the legend began.
Starring: Esther Anderson, Earl Lindo, Aston Barrett, Carlton Barrett. Cert | TBC. Run Time | 90 mins.
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (Out December 21st) *ONE TO WATCH*
Edging out Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows for the ‘One to Watch’ accolade this month is Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, the fourth in the popular series. Tom Cruise is back once again as IMF agent Ethan Hunt, and he is joined by Simon Pegg who returns as computer genius Benji Dunn, in demand actor Jeremy Renner as mysterious character Brandt, and the beautiful Paula Patton as Jane Carter. When the IMF is implicated after the Kremlin is bombed, Ethan and his team are forced to go on the run to clear their names. With insane stunts – that really is Tom Cruise jumping out of the the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world – and what sounds like an exciting plotline, this already promises to be a hell of a ride. Mission: Accepted.
Starring: Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Paula Patton, Jeremy Renner, Tom Wilkinson. Cert | TBC. Run Time | 130 mins.
Anybody else love that they used Eminem’s ‘Won’t back down’ for the trailer?! TUNE!
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Out December 26th)
Last but certainly not least this month is director David Fincher’s take on ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’, the first film in a planned three-picture adaptation of Steig Larsson’s popular book trilogy. Daniel Craig stars as disgraced journalist Mikael Blomkvist, who is hired by a reclusive industrialist to solve a long unanswered family disappearance. Aiding him in his investigation is Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara) and together they search for the truth. Not that you could tell all of that from the unique-looking trailer. If nothing else this looks intriguing, and having not read any of the books thus far, I’m unsure of what to expect. I will be approaching this one with a very open mind.
Starring: Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer. Cert | TBC. Run Time | TBC.
Told you we had some good stuff on the way! Be sure to let me know what you thought of any of these films by commenting below.
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