The Players: Director: Rupert Wyatt (Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes, The Escapist) Writer: William Monahan (The Departed, Sin City: A Dame To Kill For) Starring: Mark Wahlberg (The Departed, Lone Survivor), Brie Larson (Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, 21 Jump St), John Goodman (Argo, The Monuments Men), Jessica Lange (Grey Gardens, The Vow)
Synopsis: Jim Bennett (Academy Award (R)-nominee Mark Wahlberg) is a risk taker. Both an English professor and a high-stakes gambler, Bennett bets it all when he borrows from a gangster (Michael Kenneth Williams) and offers his own life as collateral. Always one step ahead, Bennett pits his creditor against the operator of a gambling ring (Alvin Ing) and leaves his dysfunctional relationship with his wealthy mother (Academy Award (R)-winner Jessica Lange) in his wake. He plays both sides, immersing himself in an illicit, underground world while garnering the attention of Frank (John Goodman), a loan shark with a paternal interest in Bennett's future. As his relationship with a student (Brie Larson) deepens, Bennett must take the ultimate risk for a second chance...
Why you should watch it: I love watching a plan come together... Red Dawn, Ocean's Eleven, The Purge: Anarchy are all examples of this and I have to imagine after watching the trailer that this will be along those same veins. The early reviews aren't great but this still looks like a fun ride.
4. Big Eyes
The Players: Director: Tim Burton (Sweeney Todd, Big Fish) Writer: Larry Karaszewski and Scott Alexander (Ed Wood, 1408) Starring: Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained, Inglorious Basterds), Amy Adams (American Hustle, Man Of Steel), Terrence Stamp (Superman II, Valkyrie)
Synopsis: Directed and produced by Tim Burton, BIG EYES is based on the true story of Walter Keane (Christoph Waltz), who was one of the most successful painters of the 1950s and early 1960s. The artist earned staggering notoriety by revolutionising the commercialisation and accessibility of popular art with his enigmatic paintings of waifs with big eyes. The truth would eventually be discovered though: Keane's art was actually not created by him at all, but by his wife, Margaret (Amy Adams). The Keanes, it seemed, had been living a lie that had grown to gigantic proportions. BIG EYES centres on Margaret's awakening as an artist, the phenomenal success of her paintings, and her tumultuous relationship with her husband, who was catapulted to international fame while taking credit for her work.
Why you should watch it: Every few years Tim Burton releases a film that everyone says "This'll get him his Oscar" it started with Ed Wood then Big Fish and most recently Sweeney Todd. Big Eyes appears to be this flavour du jour, the only problem is it's his riskiest flick ever made, even more so than Big Fish and the buzz is good but not great... Sorry Tim you may have to wait.
3. Into The Woods
The Players: Director: Rob Marshall (Chicago, Memoirs Of A Geisha) Writer: James Lapine (Sundays In The Park With George, Passion) Starring: Johnny Depp (Pirates Of The Caribbean, Alice In Wonderland), Meryl Streep (Mamma Mia, August: Osage County), Chris Pine (Star Trek, Horrible Bosses 2), Emily Blunt (Looper, Live. Die. Repeat. The Edge Of Tomorrow), Jake Gyllenhaal (Nightcrawler, Prisoners)
Synopsis: "Into the Woods" is a modern twist on several of the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales, intertwining the plots of a few choice stories and exploring the consequences of the characters' wishes and quests. This humorous and heartfelt musical follows the classic tales of Cinderella (Anna Kendrick), Little Red Riding Hood (Lilla Crawford), Jack and the Beanstalk (Daniel Huttlestone), and Rapunzel (MacKenzie Mauzy)-all tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife (James Corden & Emily Blunt), their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the witch (Meryl Streep) who has put a curse on them.
Why you should watch it: Even I'm not one for musicals... But that cast is spectacular and Kendrick has proved in the past her pipes can carry a movie.
2. The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies
The Players: Director: Peter Jackson (The Lord Of The Rings, King Kong) Writer: Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Phillipa Boyens (The Lord Of The Rings, The Lovely Bones) and Guillermo Del Toro (Lord Of The Rings, Hellboy II: The Golden Army) Starring: Martin Freeman (The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy, Hot Fuzz), Luke Evans (Dracula Untold, Fast & Furious 6), Ian McKellen (X-Men, Gods And Monsters), Richard Armitage (Captain America: The First Avenger, Into The Storm)
Synopsis: From Academy Award (R)-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies," the third in a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien. "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies" brings to an epic conclusion the adventures of Bilbo Baggins, Thorin Oakenshield and the Company of Dwarves. Having reclaimed their homeland from the Dragon Smaug, the Company has unwittingly unleashed a deadly force into the world. Enraged, Smaug rains his fiery wrath down upon the defenceless men, women and children of Lake-town. Obsessed above all else with his reclaimed treasure, Thorin sacrifices friendship and honor toward it as Bilbo's frantic attempts to make him see reason drive the Hobbit towards a desperate and dangerous choice. But there are even greater dangers ahead. Unseen by any but the Wizard Gandalf, the great enemy Sauron has sent forth legions of Orcs in a stealth attack upon the Lonely Mountain. As darkness converges on their escalating conflict, the races of Dwarves, Elves and Men must decide - unite or be destroyed. Bilbo finds himself fighting for his life and the lives of his friends in the epic Battle of the Five Armies, as the future of Middle-earth hangs in the balance.
Why you should watch it: I'm not foolish enough to think that this will be the last time we visit middle earth, LOTR has a rich history and although Tolkien's works will be covered there's still many more stories that can be told, all the same, it's nice to see a trilogy wrapped up, although I'm more curious to see how they make this instalment action packed considering at this point in the book not a whole lot happens.
1. Top Five
The Players: Director: Chris Rock (Head Of State, Madagascar) Writer: Chris Rock (Death At A Funeral, I Think I Love My Wife) Starring: Chris Rock (Grown Ups, Nurse Betty), Rosario Dawson (Clerks II, Unstoppable), Tracy Morgan (Cop Out, The Boxtrolls), Gabrielle Union (Think Like A Man, Love & Basketball)
Synopsis: Pulsing with the rhythm of his greatest stand-up, Chris Rock's TOP FIVE takes things to the next level, revelling in the high and the low, and blending a star-studded comedic romp with an irresistible romance. TOP FIVE digs under the surface of show business, politics, rap, and the exigencies of being black and famous today-holding it all up to the light in the way only Chris Rock can. Mingling echoes of Woody Allen and Dick Gregory with the energy of Kanye West and Jay Z, TOP FIVE is an original and radically new kind of American movie. Written, directed by, and starring Chris Rock, TOP FIVE tells the story of New York City comedian-turned-film star Andre Allen, whose unexpected encounter with a journalist (Rosario Dawson) forces him to confront the comedy career-and the past-that he's left behind. Starring Chris Rock, Rosario Dawson, Kevin Hart, Tracy Morgan, Cedric The Entertainer, J.B. Smoove, Sherri Shepherd, Anders Holm, Romany Malco, Leslie Jones, Michael Che, and Jay Pharoah. The film is produced by Scott Rudin and Eli Bush. The Co-Producers are Shawn "Jay Z" Carter and Kanye West; the Executive Music Producer is Questlove.
Why you should watch it: The movie is clearly a commentary on Chris's own life and generally when it gets this personal it becomes the best art outlet. The trailer looks funny and charming and the reviews are great. Rock clearly put his blood, sweat and tears into this and the results sure seem to be satisfying. Can't wait to find out for myself.
Honourable mentions: Annie, The Interview, Inherent Vice
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