Just like that, it’s December, end of year lists are being curated (if not already posted) and the Sundance Film Festival has released their lineup for the upcoming fest which will subsequently, technically, begin chatter for the 2018 Oscars.
There’s a lot going on at the end of the year and that’s not even when we account the personal stresses that come along with the holiday season. December is pretty light for the first two weeks with only really three films posed to make any sort of splash and then the latest in the “Star Wars” saga enters the race and obliterates its competition. Regardless of the operatic space adventure coming our way, there’s plenty to behold from art house dramas to spectacle to doomed romances at the tail end of the month, including actor Daniel Day Lewis‘s last performance ever. There’s a lot to catch up on, especially for those of us meticulous in seeing anything and everything before top ten lists are due.
“The Shape of Water”
Cast: Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, Doug Jones
Synopsis: Elisa is a mute, isolated woman who works as a cleaning lady in a hidden, high-security government laboratory in 1962 Baltimore. Her life changes forever when she discovers the lab’s classified secret — a mysterious, scaled creature from South America that lives in a water tank.
What You Need to Know: After what some may call “divisive” films with the bombastic science fiction film “Pacific Rim” and the gothic romance “Crimson Peak,” it was easy to feel the tide stirring in regards to Guillermo del Toro. When, we wondered, would he release a film that touched the calibre of his masterpiece “Pan’s Labyrinth?” Lucky for us, both those of whom who loved his last two films or gave them a hard pass, “The Shape of Water” is as close to that greatness as he’s come so far. With the colors, scenery and basic romantic throughline of a fairytale but with a backbone seeped in both surreal and arduous horror, “The Shape of Water” is a superb showcase for the always wonderful Sally Hawkins along with a demonstration of tonal excellence from del Toro.
Release Date: December 1st
“The Disaster Artist”
Cast: James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogen
Synopsis: Tommy Wiseau and Greg Sestero become friends after meeting each other in an acting class in San Francisco. Hoping to achieve Hollywood stardom, Sestero moves to Los Angeles and signs on to appear in his buddy’s project. Financed with his own money, Wiseau writes, directs and stars in “The Room,” a critically maligned movie that becomes a cult classic.
What You Need to Know: The biggest question going into James Franco’s loving homage to Tommy Wiseau’s infamous “The Room” is if people who haven’t seen the source material will be as taken with it. As one of those five people, “The Disaster Artist” at the very least looks like the most coherent and expertly put together film Franco has directed thus far and at the very best a detailed and comical look at a film that should never have been made. Franco reportedly is phenomenal as well in the leading role, with our critic saying “James Franco absolutely disappears into the role of Tommy to the point where it’s impossible to see where the makeup ends and any of the actor still remains.”
Release Date: December 1st
“I, Tonya”
Cast: Margot Robbie, Allison Janney, Sebastian Stan
Synopsis: Tonya Harding rises through the ranks of competitive figure skating only to find disgrace when her husband tries to eliminate her rival.
What You Need to Know: Your appreciation of “I, Tonya” is going to, in part, be effected by just how aware you were of Tonya Harding’s story in the first place — if you watched her saga unfold in real time or if you hastily Googled her name in preparation of seeing this film when the first news of Margot Robbie’s casting broke. Some are going to be unwilling to see her painted as anything other than the assailant, but her victimhood of circumstance and perpetually sustained and eventually normalized abuse is what allows her to be such a nuanced and tragic character. Robbie is phenomenal, breathing fire with every hardly restrained look and Allison Janney along with Sebastian Stan are allowed to sink their teeth into equally larger than life characters. It may not be the most polished film of the year, but it certainly is one of the most aggressively entertaining.
Release Date: December 8th
“Star Wars: The Last Jedi”
Cast: John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac
Synopsis: Rey develops her newly discovered abilities with the guidance of Luke Skywalker, who is unsettled by the strength of her powers. Meanwhile, the Resistance prepares to do battle with the First Order.
What You Need to Know: Let us not beat around the bush; “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” is going to be the biggest film of the year. No, it won’t necessarily be the best film, but its reach is going to undoubtedly be enormous. Rightly so, considering the anticipation that’s been built since we were first introduced to Rey, Finn and Poe. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” set the stage of the refreshed series, with director J.J. Abrams instilling a new sense of life into the film along with easy throwbacks to the original to appease to fans new and old. “Rogue One” divided fans but proved that the universe wasn’t afraid about going darker. With Rian Johnson (“Brick”, “Looper”), we’re set up for a mix of the two but with his particular visual stamp on it. Expectations are high with talent returning it’s difficult not to be swept up into the gleeful mayhem that a new “Star Wars” film stirs up.
Release Date: December 15th