As the onslaught of finals and term papers signals the end of the semester, it also signals the beginning of a monthlong hiatus for this column. This is a shame, because late December is the best time of the year for films, as studios release their Oscar contenders to keep them fresh in voters' minds. Because I won't be publishing another column until late January, a mere two weeks before the Oscar ceremony, I'm going to discuss some of the films which are generating the most Oscar buzz and films you should consider checking out over the long winter break.
Revolutionary Road:"" Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet reuniting for the first time since ""Titanic?"" Good. The film being directed by Winslet's husband Sam Mendes, of ""American Beauty"" fame? Better. Expect this 1950s ""American dream gone bad"" story to be a top contender for every major category (best picture, actor, actress and director.)
""The Curious Case of Benjamin Button:"" Brad Pitt has been on the Oscar radar for years now, and already garnered praise this year for his performance in the Coen Brothers' ""Burn After Reading."" Now, Pitt reunites with ""Reading"" costar Tilda Swinton and director David Fincher (""Se7en,"" ""Fight Club"") in an adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's short story about a man who ages backwards.
""Milk:"" Sean Penn disappears into his role as Harvey Milk, California's first openly gay man elected to office. Directed by Gus Van Sant (""Good Will Hunting""), the film also features Josh Brolin, Emile Hirsch and James Franco, and apparently wowed audiences at the Toronto Film Festival. It has even already won an award for Brolin from the National Board of Review.
""The Wrestler:"" Director Darren Aronofsky has achieved critical success with such indie films as ""Pi"" and ""Requiem for a Dream."" Here, Mickey Rourke plays an aged wrestler still trying to hang on, and rumor has it his performance is amazing. Given the Academy's penchant for nominatimg gritty boxing performances (""Raging Bull,"" ""Ali,"" ""Million Dollar Baby""), ""The Wrestler"" has a very good chance of snagging a nomination.
""Seven Pounds:"" Simply put, Will Smith is the biggest star in Hollywood today. He is the highest paid-actor, his films are almost always commercial successes, and his dramatic roles usually garner nominations. Here, Smith is reunited with ""Pursuit of Happyness"" director Gabriele Muccino and plays an IRS agent unhappy with his life. He falls for a terminally ill woman (Rosario Dawson) and permanently impacts the lives of seven people around him. Think of it as ""Pay it Forward"" sans Haley Joel Osment.
Along with the aforementioned films, there are a few performances from previously released films which seem destined for nominations. Keira Knightley playing a Victorian-era woman has been a pattern for success so far (""Pride and Prejudice,"" ""Atonement""), and her performance in ""The Duchess"" was lauded by critics. Finally, it would be an almost inconceivable oversight by the Academy if Heath Ledger weren't nominated for his performance in ""The Dark Knight."" The campaign to award Ledger a posthumous Oscar for his brilliant performance as The Joker has been one of the largest and longest-running this year, and it seems unlikely he will be shut out.
Although any of these films could be buried by critics once they are released, these are some of the biggest buzz films of the upcoming month. So until we've all returned from home back to Madison for the new semester, I wish you all a relaxing break, and a happy Oscar season.
Think Kevin missed the film that will sweep the Oscars? E-mail him at kevslane@gmail.com.
