Winter Movie Preview
2015 is about to end with a bang!
All the studios are looking to get your time and money during the holidays.
While certain big titles have been in full swing for quite a few months, other projects are starting to get a critical ‘lift’, which could only mean good things at the box office.
Here is Fusia’s DON’T MISS list.
The Big Short – Releasing December 2015
Stop me when you get casting fatigue here; Brad Pitt, Christian Bale, Steve Carrell, Ryan Gosling…just give these guys a Golden Globe and we can call it a night. The film tells the story of how 4 outsiders who predict the global economy melt down in 2005 are lead down a deep and dark path of confusion, betrayal and crime.
The book is a great read and I’m expecting the movie will be strong companion piece. Director Bennett Miller (Money Ball) can make any novel into an even better film. Don’t believe me? Try reading Money Ball: The Art of Winning and Unfair Game by: Michael Lewis it’s beyond boring, but the movie was awesome. However this movie succeeds from a box office perspective, I’m sure it will be one of those ensemble films that will have some sort of cult following, which can be a good and a bad thing.
Joy – Releasing December 2015
When David O’ Russell directs a movie people pay attention. Since his success in Silver Linings Playbook, Russell has shown diverse taste in scripts, stories and settings. Joy will be another gift from this talented director. Teaming up once again with Jennifer (I can’t make any bad choices) Lawrence, Joy tells the story of a fast talking, business savvy matriarch who has been scorned and how she manages to survive. While most films with this look and feel do the festival circuit, Russell is relying on pure merit to have this film find its’ audience. I think it’s a chance that will pay off and would not be surprised to see Jennifer nominated for a few trophies this ‘Awards Season’.
Concussion – Releasing December 2015
In Concussion, Will Smith plays Dr. Bennet Omalu, whose research on the brain damage suffered by professional football players rocked the National Football League (NFL). So here we have a Football film that may not be interesting to the wide audience who loves football? One thing is for sure; this film is how do they refer to it – Oh ‘Award’s Bait’ for actor Will Smith. If this performance is as impactful as any of the more serious characters he has played (no not Fresh Prince I mean more like Ali) this film will create the right conversation at the right time for the awards pundits to pay attention.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens– Releasing December 2015
2 things are about to happen in the world. All box office records in North America are about to be broken and a new generation of Jedis, Wookies and ‘Force’ users are about to emerge. The people at Disney have left no stone unturned when marketing this film and so beyond a world disaster taking away the planet’s attention, Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be the biggest movie of the year. The question will be how quickly will we see another?
Bollywood Bound
Bajirao Mastani – Releasing December 2015
While December has not traditionally been a hot release time of year for Bollywood films, times have changed immensely as a result of foreign markets. This will be a classic case of old school vs new school and while the story of Bajirao is based on a historical based romance, don’t count out legendary director Sanjay Leela Bhansali in this box office battle. Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padikuone star in the multi layered love affair that will no doubt have comparisons to the film ‘Ram Leela’ which they also starred in together, but at the end of the day this movie’s success will depend on music and visuals, which are the main ingredients to Bhansali’s career.
Diwale – Releasing December 2015
When Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol starred in the mega blockbuster DDLJ (which celebrates 20 years this year) no one could have predicted the way it would change Bollywood forever. Gone were the traditional family stories or pseudo violent good vs evil tales. Instead DDLJ ushered in a new generation of modern romantic love stories told from a worldly perspective. Although they’ve been in a few films together since, Diwale is blatantly trying to capitalize on the nostalgia of the DDLJ. While it’s a little uncertain what the actual story is, the movie is guaranteed to be a big box office draw in a Bollywood where both King Khan rules and his fans crave for everything he appears in and on. The movie is critic proof and will likely not be a unanimous hit – but who cares?
Follow Mohit Rajhans @mohitsmovies on twitter.