‘Tis the season — the holiday movie season; a time when the studios leave the best for last leading up to the awards season. Local movie buffs are sure to be enjoying the end of the year with an eye-full of featured flicks, and will be on the lookout for familiar faces.
The celluloid extravaganza already got off to a good start with “Spectre,” the latest in the secret agent 007 department. Even though we miss the great Sean Connery and local Pierce Brosnan as Bond, James Bond, Daniel Craig seems to be keeping things quite well shaken and stirred. The flick had a jolly good finish at the box office, but there was more than just action.
A warm and fuzzy version of the “Peanuts” crowd came to life, delighting kids of all ages. Charles Schulz’s characters featured loveable Charlie Brown, talented dog Snoopy, Pigpen and Lucy all hitting the big screen.
Keep an eye out for more notable locals because “By the Sea” is making its way into movie theaters. Angelina Jolie Pitt writes, directs and is ready for her close-up as the star of the film, alongside hubby Brad Pitt who plays an American writer hoping to repair his failing marriage while on a little vacay break by a soothing water resort in France. It’s a blast to the past set in the 1970s.
Those who like a good white-knuckler will be turning to “Heist,” with one of my faves, Robert De Niro. The legendary star plays opposite Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Kate Bosworth and Mark-Paul Gosselaar in a casino robbery crime that goes all wrong. It all ends up with — what else? — a high-speed police pursuit.
Another Christmas theme comes in the form of “Love the Coopers,” with the impressive line-up of vet Alan Arkin, comedian John Goodman, “The Daily Show” alum Ed Helms, “Annie Hall’s” Diane Keaton and the always popular Olivia Wilde.
As I consider Venice, Italy my second home and might very well be there on my annual birthday trek, there’s a more obscure, but fascinating pick, which I will be looking into. It’s called “Peggy Guggenheim: Art Addict.” The documentary profiles the quirky heiress and her discerning eye for modern art, which led to a revolution in the way we see modern art, serving as cheerleader for well-known names like Marcel Duchamp, Max Ernst, Alexander Calder and Jackson Pollock.
For a racier point of view, check out “Steve McQueen: The Man and LeMans.”
This is another intriguing doc that takes a look behind the scenes as the late local film icon works on his hot-wheeled project of passion.
All in all, it’s a merry, merry, dramatic and laugh-out-loud setup for the next batch of movies to come. So pass the stuffing and leftovers, and enjoy.