Now, I realize it is only November, but its never too early to take a look at upcoming films. Besides, in the spirit of the holidays, I only see it fit that I familiarize you with what is coming out during the rest of the winter season. And with that, I pick up where I left off last week with the November line-up and introduce you to the awards-heavy, family-friendly month of December.

In order to live up to my duty as film enthusiast, it seems only logical that I begin with those films destined to make a splash at the box office–in other words, with you. The Golden Compass, (Dec. 7) starring Daniel Craig, Nicole Kidman and newcomer Dakota Blue Richards, looks to be a combination of “Lord of the Rings,” “Harry Potter” and “The Chronicles of Narnia.” The first of three planned adaptations of Philip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials” trilogy, the question is whether this franchise upstart, which I must admit looks tantalizing, can gain traction in the midst of all the aforementioned fantasy monopolies. 

Also in the fantasy/sci-fi genre is I am Legend, (Dec. 14) the third filmic adaptation of Richard Matheson’s 1954 novel of the same name, stars Will Smith as a scientist who finds himself the last man alive in New York City (and possibly the world) after a deadly, manmade virus wipes out the rest of the population. However, as Smith and the audience find out through his character’s fighting off the “infected,” and as the clever marketing campaign declares, “the last man on earth…is not alone.”

Perhaps less traditional blockbuster fare, but no less legitimate, is Tim Burton’s newest Johnny Depp vehicle, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Dec.21). Depp stars as the titular Todd, a transformed and vengeful barber who, after being unjustly imprisoned and losing his family, swears revenge on the corrupt Judge Turpin (Alan Rickman) and all others who have crossed him with the help of Mrs. Lovett, an eccentric neighbor with a penchant for baking pies of questionable contents (i.e. people!). An added bonus? Sacha Baron Cohen, otherwise known to the world as Borat, stars as rival barber Alfonso Pirelli.

On the awards front, December offers a healthy sampling of some of the most anticipated and lauded films of the year. Atonement, (Dec. 7) a film many view as the frontrunner for Best Picture, reunites Keira Knightley with her “Pride & Prejudice” director Joe Wright in this tale, based on Ian McEwan’s novel, of cross-class love in pre- and post-World War II England. Starring with Knightley is fellow upcoming Brit thesp James McAvoy, as well as three actresses (newcomer Saoirse Ronan, upcoming Romola Garai, and legend Vanessa Redgrave) getting raves for playing Knightley’s ill-karma’d sister in the film.

Charlie Wilson’s War, (Dec. 25) Mike Nichols’ latest film, stars Tom Hanks as a frivolous congressman, Julia Roberts as a Texas socialite and Philip Seymour Hoffman as a renegade CIA agent in this true story of the most successful undercover operative in history, one that ultimately led to the downfall of the Soviet Union.

Denzel Washington’s second bid this year at an Oscar (after “American Gangster”) comes in the form of his second career directorial effort with The Great Debaters (Dec. 25). This based-on-fact film follows Melvin B. Tolson (Washington), a professor at Wiley College in Texas who forms the school’s first debate team which rises to the top to face Harvard in the national championship.

Juno, (Dec. 5) a film which looks to be this year’s critics’ darling, follows a teenage girl (the raved-about Ellen Page) who has to deal with unprepared-for experiences in pregnancy and growing up. The film costars Jason Bateman, Jennifer Garner, Rainn Wilson, J.K. Simmons and “Superbad’s” Michael Cera.

There Will Be Blood (Dec. 26) witnesses one of the most surprising and anticipated pairings of the year as director P.T. Anderson adapts Upton Sinclair’s novel “Oil!” with actor Daniel Day-Lewis in the lead role. Anderson, who has directed such critical and cult classics as “Boogie Nights,” “Magnolia” and “Punch-Drunk Love,” goes where most other modern auteurs, including Wes Anderson and Guy Ritchie, have not–a serious adaptation. Day-Lewis (“Gangs of New York”) is said to command the screen in a performance ranking among the best of his career. The combination of these two reclusive stars is said to have created one of the most ambitious films in the last 20 years, a film which is already being compared in early reviews to–get this!–“Citizen Kane.”

However, even among all of these films, the one garnering the most controversy this holiday season is Marc’s Forster’s The Kite Runner (Dec. 14). Most amazingly, to begin, is Forster’s ability to diversify his craft as he has directed, in addition to this film, the erotic drama “Monster’s Ball,” the family-friendly and touching “Finding Neverland,” the mind-bending dramedy “Stranger Than Fiction,” and the upcoming and as-yet-untitled 22nd James Bond installment. This Forster flick, which stars unknown actors and features two different subtitled dialects of Afghanistan, is based on the novel of the same name. The plot follows two childhood friends who are separated when one moves to the United States in the late 1970s. The expatriated friend returns to his home country, now run by the Taliban, when he receives a letter from his recently deceased friend asking him to find and care for his son. The controversy? The film features a rape scene which has put the young actor and his family in danger in their home country. The film has been delayed until the family can be relocated to the United Arab Emirates.

And a final film that adds some diversity to this year’s winter line-up, The Orphanage is a Spanish-language horror film/ghost story produced by master Guillermo Del Toro and directed by Juan Antonio Bayona. The film centers around a woman who purchases her childhood orphanage with the dream of helping children like herself, but finds that the orphanage might not be quite the same place after her son begins experiencing the paranormal.

Other films:

            Grace is Gone (Dec. 7) stars John Cusack in an Oscar bid as a father who can’t bear to tell his daughters that their mother has died in Iraq. Youth Without Youth (Dec. 14) witnesses Francis Ford’s Coppola’s return to the big screen after a 10 year hiatus with this story of a professor in pre-World War II Germany who begins to age backwards. Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (Dec. 21) stars John C. Reilly in this farce of troubled-singer biopics produced by comedy king Judd Apatow (“Knocked Up,” “Superbad”). Woody Allen’s newest flick, Cassandra’s Dream (Dec. 28), looks like “Match Point” territory in this tale of two brothers (Ewan McGregor and Colin Farrell) looking to better their lives. P.S. I Love You (Dec. 21) stars Hilary Swank and “300’s” Gerard Butler in this “Ghost” knock-off of love after death. The Perfect Holiday (Dec. 12) is billing itself as “the first African American ensemble comedy for the Christmas season.” Hate to break it to you, but I’m pretty sure “This Christmas” shares that same description, if not the same plot, and comes out over two weeks before you. National Treasure: Book of Secrets (Dec. 21) finds Nicolas Cage back at work in this unneeded sequel that is sure to rake in the dough. Alvin and the Chipmunks (Dec. 14)…’nuff said. Alien vs. Predator: Requiem (Dec. 25) ventures into the unneeded sequel realm as well. Very unneeded. Indescribably and unforgivably unneeded. Merry frickin’ Christmas to you, too, Paul W.S. Anderson. How about for next Christmas, you make a good movie.

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