Star wars: Films stampede for Oscar glory
COMMENTARY a creature held in a classified government experiment. Critics have applauded the customary flourishes of del Toro (“Pan’s Labyrinth”) and the performances of Hawkins and Octavia Spencer. “The Shape of Water” will open Dec. 15 at Enzian in Maitland. “Call Me By Your Name,” set in Italy in 1983, explores the summer romance of a 17-year-old (Timothée Chalamet) and his father’s research assistant (Armie Hammer). The film’s sensual look dazzled critics, and so did the script by veteran filmmaker James Ivory.
There will be awards attention for the actors, including Michael Stuhlbarg, who gives a memorable speech as the teen’s father. The film is expected to open in Orlando in January.
More prestigious films on the calendar: “Darkest Hour,” with Gary Oldman’s jaw-dropping transformation into British leader Winston Churchill, opens Dec. 22. “Molly’s Game,” a factbased poker drama with Jessica Chastain, arrives Dec. 25. “West Wing” creator Aaron Sorkin makes his directing debut.
Other titles do not have local openings yet. “Phantom Thread,” a fashion drama, contains what Daniel Day-Lewis says is his final performance. “I, Tonya,” a docudrama about skater Tonya Harding, has generated buzz for the performances of Margot Robbie in the lead role and Allison Janney as her pushy mother.
Then there are crowd pleasers that may not be Oscar bait but will pull people to the multiplex. “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” opening Dec. 15, tops that list. “The Greatest Showman,” a musical with Hugh Jackman, arrives Dec. 20. “Downsizing,” a fantasy with a miniature Matt Damon, pops up Dec. 22.
“The Disaster Artist,” opening Dec. 8, presents James Franco depicting the making of “The Room,” often called the worst movie ever. In this instance, the worst could be Oscar bait and a crowd pleaser. Franco hosts “Saturday Night Live” on Dec. 9 to promote the film.
Get used to it. There will be a lot of promotion on the way to the Oscars, airing March 4 on ABC.