Back on the Wagon

Silencing a ringing phone, deleting an inane email, and ignoring idle chatter are all acceptable forms of neglect. Turning a blind eye to the many movies that come out during the holiday season, unpardonable. With that knowledge I vow to get back on the movie picking wagon.


Let's jump into what is currently available at your local multiplex.

1. Avatar

US Opening: December 16, 2009

In case you missed it, Avatar is a huge, major, colossal hit. Worldwide box office intake is already in the billions of dollars. It's got four Golden Globe nominations. Buzz on the street is that it has, and I'm quoting directly from a conversation I heard on the street, "changed movies forever." It's probably worth a trip to the theater. I am, for some inexplicable reason, reluctant to see it. Sure, it's going to loud and flashy and maybe even exciting. I think it's the whole, visual effects situation that's turning me off. If the movie is about the effects, then where does the story fit in? Call me old-fashioned but I'd rather see a visually simple film with a compelling and well-told story than any green-screened after-affected mutation thereof. As always, I'm willing to admit my wrongs, and when I am inevitably dragged to this movie, I'll keep and open mind and try to achieve the level of amazement that has afflicted everyone else, but at the end of the hype, this is going to be a film that is hugely referenced among the comic-con set and vaguely remembered by everyone else. Many (note gross understatement) will buy the DVD and it will sit, unwatched for years until we move on to the next generation of home entertainment technology. Then everyone will buy the new "remastered" version, watch it once, and put it back on the shelf. So, congratulations George Lucas, woops- I mean James Cameron, you've given the world one more thing to dust.

2. Sherlock Holmes

US Opening: December 25, 2009

Guy Ritchie's gift to the world is shirtless RDJ with Jude Law as a stocking stuffer. Thank you Mr. Ritchie. As is the case with all the movies on this list, this is a film not yet seen by this blogger, but I do fully and excitedly intend to see it. It's a Guy Ritchie movie. It's Robert Downey Jr. movie. It's a Jude Law movie. Any of those three statements are enough to compel me to go to the theater. All three together- whew! What slightly scares me is that fact that Mr. Ritchie has turned Mr. Holmes into an action hero. It could be good. It could be bad. It will be interesting. This, unlike the above mentioned blockbuster, will certainly be worth a rental even if I don't make it to the theater and there's a good chance that it will be worth the purchase if I do.

3. Alvin & the Chipmuncks: The Squeakquel

US Opening: December 23, 2009

You don't need my opinion here. If your kids want to see it, take them. Then reward yourself with a bottle of wine when they go to sleep. You've done your good deed for the day.

4. It's Complicated

US Opening: December 25, 2009

It's simple, I want to see this movie. Admittedly, I may have fallen victim to the massive marketing blast, but the cast is stellar, Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin, and the Writer/Producer/Director Nancy Meyers has given me some of my favorite Saturday afternoon movies: Something's Gotta Give, The Holiday, What Women Want, so I feel confident in this choice. At the very worst, you will be entertained in a lighthearted, upbeat, happy ending guaranteed kind of way for 118 minutes. Bottom line, based on star power alone, this movie is worth the one trip to the theater and the many many viewings on basic cable.

Much more to come, but until next time, happy movie watching!