2011 Holiday Movies

The last Thursday in November marks Thanksgiving in the U.S., a holiday first celebrated by colonists, commonly known as Pilgrims, at Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts in 1621. It was established as a national holiday in 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln. This is a day in which Americans gather with family and friends to give thanks and share a meal of, most likely, turkey. November also marks the start of the holiday movie season. Holiday movies can be animated, blockbusters, family fare that aims for the ol’heartstrings or anything else.  As you can guess, I’m going to spotlight some holiday movies that are either currently playing or will be released.

November
A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas
Our favorite escapees from Guantanamo Bay, Harold and Kumar, decide to celebrate Christmas in style. Unfortunately, they end up burning down Harold’s father-in-law’s Christmas tree. Uh-oh. Stars Kal Penn, John Cho, Neil Patrick Harris and it is currently in theaters.

Tower Heist
Working stiffs lose their pension because the boss was running a ponzi scheme. So, they decide to rob the boss. Yes, karma bites. Stars Eddie Murphy, Ben Stiller and Casey Affleck and it is currently in theaters.

J. Edgar
A bio-pic about  J.Edgar Hoover, the man who ran the Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.) for almost 50 years. The film has been getting some Oscar buzz and it was directed by Clint Eastwood. I still feel Eastwood should have gotten the Oscar for Hereafter. Let’s hope the Academy smiles on Eastwood this time around. Stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Armie Hammer and Naomi Watts and it is currently in theaters.

Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1
Vampires, vampires go away. Don’t come back any day (or night).

Oh, and by the way, Edward and Bella get married and they finally do it. Stars Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner and it is currently in theaters.

The Muppets
Kermit and Miss Piggy, now that’s one couple I want to see together. They and the other Muppets reunite to save their old theater from a greedy oil tycoon. (Is there any other kind?) Stars Amy Adams, Jason Segel, Chris Cooper, as well as Kermit, Miss Piggy and the rest of the Muppet crew. The film is currently playing in theaters.

December
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
Elementary my dear reader, this looks like this could be better than the 2009 release and I would be delighted if that were the case. Oh, and Holmes battles his nemesis, Professor Moriaty. Stars Robert Downey, Jr., Jude Law and Jared Harris and it will be released on December 16.

The Iron Lady
This is a bio-pic of Margaret Thatcher, prime minister of England in the 1980’s. It stars none other than Meryl Streep (Need an accent, call…) and will be released on December 16.

Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol
Does Tom Cruise still have it in him to carry a blockbuster? We’ll find out with MI 4. The movie will be released on December 21.

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Here is the American film version of the book of the same name by Stieg Larsson. The mystery involves a journalist who searches for a woman who has been missing for 40 years and he is helped by a computer hacker. Stars Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara and Stellan Skarsgard. The film will be released on December 21.

The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn
The holiday season Spielberg releases a movie, Part 1. This is a motion capture film, meaning that movement is recorded and then translated into a digital model. Another famous motion capture film is The Polar Express. This films deals with friends going off on an adventure to find treasure. Stars Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, Daniel Craig and will be released on December 21.

War Horse
The holiday season Spielberg releases a movie, Part 2 and this deals with a boy and his horse, during World War I. Stars Jeremy Irvine, Emily Watson and David Thewlis. It will be released on December 25.

Well there it is, some of this year’s holiday films. Which ones will hit it big and which ones will bomb? Your guess is as good as mine. Still, save me the middle seat in the middle of the theater.

Sources:
http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving/page2

http://www.cityoffilms.com/reel-news/the-city-of-films-fall-holiday-movie-guide-2011/3/

http://www.cityoffilms.com/reel-news/the-city-of-films-fall-holiday-movie-guide-2011/4/

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2010 Summer Movies

Yippee! It’s May and for the Northern Hemisphere that means summer isn’t far behind. As a child, there were many things I loved about summer. No school was tops on the list, hot weather and summer movies were next. Now that I’m an adult, I don’t have long blocks of free time, and I can’t enjoy the weather as much as I did as a child, but I can still go the movies. A full list of 2010 summer movie releases is available at:

http://www.movie-moron.com/?p=10562

Speaking of which, I want to highlight a few films that will be coming out this summer.

Robin Hood (Expected Release Date May 14, 2010)
Yet another film about that guy from Ye Olde England who steals from the rich and gives to the poor. This time Russell Crowe is the Prince of Thieves. Expect Crowe as Robin Hood to fight the good fight and woo the Lady Marion, not necessarily in that order.

The A-Team (Expected Release Date June 11, 2010)
Based on the television show from the 1980’s of the same name, the movie deals with four Army veterans from the Iraq War who were framed by the government for a crime they didn’t commit. Expect a lot of car crashing, guns shooting and B.A. Baracas saying “I pity the fool.”  For what it is worth, I didn’t watch The A-Team when it was on television, because I thought it was a dumb show. I don’t have high hopes for the movie version.

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (Expected Release Date June 30, 2010)
Read my entry Vampires Aren’t Sexy (https://justmovieposters09.wordpress.com/ 2009/12/11/vampires-aren’t-sexy/) and you will find out how much I am looking forward to this film.

Inception (Expected Release Date July 16, 2010)
An original summer movie—what a concept! This film is directed by Christopher Nolan, he’s the person who gave us Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, so it should be good. It stars Leonardo DiCaprio and the movie deals with being able to enter someone’s mind and steal information that exists only in that person’s memory. Cool.

The Other Guys (Expected Release Date August 6, 2010)
Yet another original summer movie. Two for two. Anyway, this film stars Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg as New York City cops who work in the forensic accounting department. They always wanted the chance to leave their desks and catch the bad guys themselves. Well, one day they get their chance—with comedic results, of course.

Will these films be blockbusters or busts? Movies that critics will praise or pan? Who knows? Still, summer movies are fun. That’s why so many people see them.

Sources:
http://www.movie-moron.com/?p=10562

http://www.movie-moron.com/?p=10562&page=2

http://www.movie-moron.com/?p=10562&page=3