With the snow falling almost endlessly, it is no wonder the fall movie season has drawn to a close. And with that, this past weekend marked the initiation of the 2000 holiday film season.
Opening impressively as the second-highest grossing opener this year, making a whopping $55.1 million in just a few days, was a film that could be called the season’s leader, Ron Howard’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
However, with the fall season’s films straggling behind in the box office, ready to go straight to video, it is time to make way for the new. And, although abundance may overshadow some, this season is full of stars.
Wednesday
“Unbreakable”
This film may prove that, despite P.T. Anderson’s successful hurried return to the screen with “Magnolia,” his follow up to “Boogie Nights,” some writer/directors just can’t hack a fast production. However, it seems, M. Night Shyamalan was the one working diligently on this even during the release of his last monster hit, “The Sixth Sense.”
The film, which reteams Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson (“Die Hard With A Vengeance”), is a return to the supernatural thriller-style that made his past work so popular.
The plot follows Willis’ character after he survives a train wreck completely unscathed. He is the only survivor and seems practically indestructible. Enter Jackson as a man suffering from a brittle bone disease. The rest is unclear, just as Shyamalan wants, but it does look to be good. However, can it surpass the success of “The Sixth Sense”? Probably not.
“102 Dalmatians”
Glenn Close returns in Kevin Lima’s film continuing the story of the puppy crusade. Apparently, the story follows the prison break of the infamous Cruella DeVil and her attempts to once again go after the dozens of little doggies.
Sure to be big with families during the Thanksgiving weekend, but probably won’t beat out “The Grinch” even in its second week of release.
Dec. 6
“Finding Forrester”
This marks the return of director Gus Van Sant, who made the 1998 remake of Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho.” The film introduces Robert Brown, a student actor who hasn’t acted a day in his life. Also starring are award-winning actors Sean Connery and F. Murray Abraham, as well as Busta Rhymes and Joey Buttafuoco.
This film looks to be a good drama, worthy of comparison to the likes of “Searching for Bobby Fischer” and “Good Will Hunting.”
Dec. 8
“Vertical Limit”
The next “Cliffhanger”? Probably not. This action flick looks to have a bit more class, even if it is more or less the same premise. Starring Chris O’Donnell, Bill Paxton and Robin Tunney, “Vertical Limit” appears to give itself a lot of credit in the trailers.
The plot focuses on O’Donnell’s character and his attempts to save his sister and her team atop K2, one of the largest mountains in the world. Typical action flick problems and accidents assume their role and make the climb harder than expected.
However, audiences shouldn’t expect the typical action film from director Martin Campbell (“The Mask of Zorro,” “Goldeneye”).
“Dungeons & Dragons”
This movie looks to be more than just the game. It’s a special effects extravaganza that stars Jeremy Irons as a evil tyrant intent on overthrowing the peace of a kingdom.
And who is there to stop the madman? None other than Justin Whalin (“Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman”) and Marlon Wayans (“Scary Movie”). With a PG-13 rating, this may prove to be a hit with more than just game fanatics.
“Proof of Life”
Director Taylor Hackford had it good when he released his 1997 hit “The Devil’s Advocate.” He is here to try it again with a new team, consisting of Russell Crowe (“Gladiator”), Meg Ryan (“You’ve Got Mail”) and David Morse (“The Green Mile”).
The plot centers in on Ryan’s character when she hires professional negotiator Terry Thorne (Crowe) to find and obtain the release of her husband, who has been kidnapped by guerillas in South America.
