The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Look what’s ahead this movie season
Yes, we get the next ‘Star Wars’ saga film, but that’s just the big gift
Once again, the holiday movie season will be dominated by an adventure blasting through the stars a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away. ¶ Still, “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” is far from the only movie hitting theaters the next several weeks that’s enticing. After all, this is the time of year we get bombarded with family-friendly fare and, more importantly, many of the films that will be vying for Oscar gold in a few months. ¶ Here’s a look at what coming to a theater near you:
‘Coco’ (Nov. 22)
Celebrating the Mexican holiday Dia de Muertos, aka Day of the Dead, the latest adventure from Disney-owned Pixar Animation Studios follows young Miguel (voiced by Anthony Gonzalez) as he travels between the worlds of the living and the dead to try to solve a decades-old family mystery and pursue a career as a musician — something both his living and deceased family members forbid him to do. The film introduces more characters than it needs, but, ultimately, it’s a fun, colorful and rewarding adventure, directed by Northeast Ohio native and Pixar vet Lee Unkrich
‘Roman J. Israel, ESQ’ (Nov. 22)
Directed by Dan Gilroy (“Nightcrawler”), this legal drama is garnering Oscar buzz for star Denzel Washington. Washington’s titular character is a lawyer fighting the good fight. But when the leader of his firm has a heart attack, Roman is pushed into the role — and learns some things about the business he did not know. That will lead to some ethically challenging decisions for the man.
‘The Man Who Invented Christmas’ (Nov. 22)
This fanciful-looking film tells the tale of author Charles Dickens (Dan Stevens) conjuring up the idea for one of his best-known stories, “A Christmas Carol.” In the film, Scrooge is brought to life by Christopher Plummer.
‘Last Flag Flying’ (Nov. 22)
Actors Bryan Cranston, Laurence Fishburne
and Steve Carell make a terrific trio in this drama from director Richard Linklater (“Before Sunset,” “Boyhood”), who has a real knack from mining the humanity from situations.
The story follows three men who once served together in Vietnam and are brought back together after the death of one of their sons, who was serving in the Middle East.
‘The Disaster Artist’ (Dec. 8)
The 2003 romantic melodrama “The Room” has become a cult favorite for just how bad it’s generally thought to be. With “The Disaster Artist,” director and star James Franco sets out to capture how that movie came to be, ideally providing some laughs along the way with his co-star and brother, Dave. A trailer for the film — which also features James Franco’s regular partner in crime, Seth Rogen — is very funny.
‘Just Getting Started’
(Dec. 8)
The geriatric comedyadventure of the season features Morgan Freeman and Tommy Lee Jones as rivals in a posh retirement community, one of whose pasts could get them both in hot water with the mafia. The movie, directed by Ron Shelton (“Hollywood Homicide”), also boasts Rene Russo.
‘Ferdinand’ (Dec. 15)
In this animated film, pro wrestler and actor John Cena (“Trainwreck”) voices the title character, a big but friendly bull. The world sees Ferdinand as a beast made for fighting, but that doesn’t interest him. The movie’s voice talent also included the very talented Kate McKinnon (“Ghostbusters”) and former NFL star Peyton Manning.
‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ (Dec. 15)
Finally, Luke Skywalker is back. Oh, sure, we got a last-second peek at a cloaked-and-grizzled version of Mark Hamill’s iconic character in “The Force Awakens,” but we can expect him to carry much of the load in the follow-up to that 2015 smash, taking over for Harrison Ford’s Han Solo as the story’s sage. Still, though, if the main trailer for “The Last Jedi” is any indication, this is a story primarily about young Force wielders Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver). As the sequel trilogy’s version of “The Empire Strikes Back,” it’s hard to expect anything other than a big but dark tale. Thankfully, it’s in the competent hands of director Rian Johnson (“Looper”).
‘The Ballad of Lefty Brown’ (Dec. 15)
The underrated Bill Pullman (“Independence Day: Resurgence”) portrays the titular cowboy in this Western that sees his merciless cowboy out to avenge the murder of his partner. The cast also includes Jim Caviezel (“The Passion of the Christ”) and Peter Fonda.
‘Darkest Hour’ (Dec. 15)
It’s a good bet this drama about British Prime Minister Winston Churchill (Gary Oldman) during the rough early days of World War II will score a nomination for the best-picture Oscar. With the help of serious makeup and prosthetics, Oldman disappears into the role of Churchill and gives a towering performance, and, under the direction of Joe Wright (“Atonement”), the film visually is a beautiful shade of grim. With the Netflix series “The Crown” (John Lithgow) and the movie “Churchill” (Brian Cox), we’ve recently been treated to a couple of fascinating portrayals of this colorful historical figure, but Oldman’s is not to be missed.
‘Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle’ (Dec. 20)
The 1995 fantasy adventure “Jumanji,” which starred Robin Williams, gets a 2017 sequel in which the namesake board game is now a video game. The new big-budget adventure re-teams “Central Intelligence” stars Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart while also providing a big helping of Jack Black. Jake Kasdan (“Sex Tape”) directs.
‘The Greatest Showman’ (Dec. 20)
Big, shiny Oscar bait — that’s what this musical biography of circus pioneer P.T. Barnum looks to be. The proof will be in the cinematic pudding, but it boasts Hugh Jackman, a musical-theater veteran, as Barnum, as well as Zac Efron, Michelle Williams and Zendaya (“Spider-Man: Homecoming”). It does not have a big-name director in Michael Gracy, but it is co-written by Bill Condon (“Chicago,” “Dreamgirls”).
‘All the Money in the World’ (Dec. 22)
The latest film from workhorse director Ridley Scott (“Alien: Covenant”) — a dramatization of an event in the 1970s when an organized crime group abducted the grandson of wealthy industrialist J. Paul Getty and attempted to extort him for a big ransom — looks interesting. However, it is in the news because Kevin Spacey, embroiled in a scandal due to sexual-assault allegations made against him, is being replaced as Getty very late in the game by Christopher Plummer. Ridley and the studio plan on sticking to the Dec. 22 release, but that won’t be easy. The drama features Michelle Williams and Mark Wahlberg in lead roles.
‘Downsizing’ (Dec. 22)
It’s hard not to have up-sized expectations for “Downsizing,” in which a couple (portrayed by Matt Damon and Kristen Wiig) agree to undergo an irreversible procedure in which a person is miniaturized. This is a way to combat overpopulation, and those who shrink can kiss their financial problems goodbye. But, you know, they’re then tiny people forever. The film, which also features Christoph Waltz and Jason Sudeikis, is directed by the talented Alexander Payne (“The Descendants,” “Nebraska”).
‘Pitch Perfect 3’ (Dec. 22)
The Pitches are back — allegedly for the final time. Look for the trilogy to try to go out with an a capella bang as the Barden Bellas take their vocal show on the road to Europe, where they face some competition they weren’t expecting. Key players Anna Kendrick, Anna Camp, Rebel Wilson, Brittany Snow, Elizabeth Banks and John Michael Higgins return, and Trish Sie (“Step Up: All In”) is at the helm.
‘The Shape of Water’ (Dec. 22)
“Pan’s Labyrinth” director Guillermo del Toro was inspired to make this romantic fantasy horror film largely by a movie he adored as a child, 1954’s “Creature From the Black Lagoon.” “I thought it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen,” he told Entertainment Weekly. “And I innocently thought the monster and woman would end up together.” We’ll have to see if that’s somehow what happens for Sally Hawkins’ Elisa Esposito, a mute janitor working at research center in 1962, and a scarylooking creature thing by Doug Jones, who’s terrific on “Star Trek: Discovery.” The film, which, visually, looks to be dark and beautiful, also boasts performances by “Boardwalk Empire” alums Michael Shannon and Michael Stuhlbarg, Octavia Spencer (“Hidden Figures”) and Richard Jenkins (“The Visitor”).
‘Father Figures’ (Dec. 22)
Don’t pencil in any Academy Award nominations for this profanity-fueled comedy starring Owen Wilson and Ed Helms as fraternal twins who, upon learning their father did not die when they were young, search for him. Popping up in supporting roles are Glenn Close, as their mother, and Ving Rhames, Christopher Walken, J.K. Simmons and former NFL star Terry Bradshaw, as himself. Lawrence Sher, who has worked as a cinematographer on myriad comedies, including “The Hangover,” gets to try his hand at directing.
‘Phantom Thread’ (TBD)
Sure, the trailer of this film from Paul Thomas Anderson, which is about a famed dressmaker in 1950s London, has the power to seduce. However, if this truly is to be the last film of renowned actor Daniel Day-Lewis — who collaborated with the director on the violent 2007 drama “There Will Be Blood” — it becomes a must-see. (DayLewis, spectacular in films including “Gangs of New York” and “Lincoln,” has announced his retirement.)
‘The Post’ (Jan. 12)
It’s hard for a newspaper man to watch a trailer for this film — it is a dramatization of journalists’ battle with the government to publish the Pentagon Papers — and not hope it might sit alongside great movies about newspaper investigations “All the President’s Men” and “Spotlight.” The film certainly has the heavy hitters to get it done, with Meryl Streep portraying Katharine Graham, publisher of The Washington Post, and Tom Hanks as Ben Bradlee, a determined editor. And, oh by the way, Steven Spielberg directs.