Oracle Online

Speaking of Oscar epics, Brokeback’s primary early competitor for Best Picture looks to be Steven Spielberg’s latest drama Munich a tale of the 1972 Olympics where eleven Israeli Olympians were taken hostage and killed by Palestinian terrorists. Not much has leaked out about the film’s content (Spielberg’s trailers typically don’t fall into the trap of telling every facet of the plot), but word on it is superb. The cast features a slew of brilliant character actors, including Oscar-winner Geoffrey Rush and future James Bond Daniel Craig, though it is headed by Eric Bana, whose collective filmography of The Hulk and Troy leaves something to be desired.

Peter Jackson, however, doesn’t have to worry about his rÄsumÄ, as his last three flicks are among the best of all time, setting the bar for the King Kong remake even higher (not that expectations were ever low for the retelling of the 1933 classic). The previews for this are extraordinary, with Kong a technological marvel (portrayed by Andy Serkis, who brought unheard of depth to Gollum in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy). Jack Black makes an attempt at the serious with this, and is joined by Naomi Watts and Adrien Brody. It looks to be that rare blockbuster of quality (something we need after the disastrous Revenge of the Sith and The Island this past summer).

Chronicles of Narnia is also hoping for some of that Lord of the Rings magic. It is the retelling of a classic fantasy book series as well, and the previews show that it may just deliver. The books have a built-in audience (including myself, who grew up with these books and often spent a sunny afternoon trying to find Narnia in my own wardrobes), and the snowy landscape and menacing White Queen appear to be plucked straight from the pages of C.S. Lewis’s tales.

Finally, for those who’d like a bit of comedy this Christmas (after finals week, we’ll need something to laugh about as we nervously await grades), two romances should prove that the season can be jolly. Diane Keaton and Sarah Jessica Parker will be heading an all-star cast in The Family Stone, which looks
like a fun family clash over a favorite son’s engagement to a woman who doesn’t fit in with the Stones.
Keaton looks likely to gain an Oscar nod for her latest eccentric take on the modern woman. And Jennifer
Aniston, who has owned 2005 in the press, will be hoping to translate this popularity into box office success with Rumor Has It, a film about a woman who finds out her family was the inspiration for The Graduate.

So, light your chestnuts and menorahs, hit the malls and make your New Year’s resolutions, but don’t forget that at your cineplexes there’s a whole lot of holiday entertainment to be had.