The Rest of 2011: Films you (Probably) Haven’t Heard of

The season of big-budget summer blockbusters is over and now we’re transitioning to the considerably less exciting (at least for me) award season where movies usually starring Meryl Streep, Kate Winslet, or Leonardo Dicaprio receive the critical stamp of approval. That means no more superhero films until February (Ghost Rider 2) and no good superhero films until May 4^th (The Avengers).  That’s an awfully long time to wait but after watching way too many trailers I found some interesting releases for the last three months of 2011.
Note: in order to avoid being repetitive I've left out films I talked about previously including Moneyball and 50/50.

The Rum Diary

The first three thoughts I had after that trailer are:

1. Where can I get a jewel-encrusted turtle?

2. One of the Ninja Turtles should be bedazzled, probably Michelangelo.

3.  Johnny Depp is good at acting like he enjoys rum.

Depp starred in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, the other film adaptation of a Hunter S. Thompson book, so it’s fitting that he star in The Rum Diary.  Also, not many other actors could pull off the role of an alcoholic journalist who watches his neighbor’s television with binoculars.   

Depp’s narration, the beautiful but reckless love interest, and the use of drugs all reminded me of 2001’s Blow.  The main character has a different role but the film appears to have many of the same themes including greed, jealousy, and the excess.  The overall feel of the trailer also seemed similar to the first half of Blow (the not depressing part). 

Bruce Robinson, The Rum Diary’s director, hasn’t directed anything since 1992’s Jennifer 8 (never heard of it) but  Johnny Depp, quirkiness, and rum are enough to grab my attention.

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

This film has all the makings of a Best Picture nominee.  A compelling Cold War setting and more intrigue in one trailer than most entire films are a great start.  Strong source material and Thomas Alfredson, the talented director of Let the Right One In, are even better.  What really seals the Oscar potential is the incredibly strong cast that includes Gary Oldman (Harry Potter, The Dark Knight), Colin Firth, (The King’s Speech),  Tom Hardy (Inception, The Dark Knight Rises), and Benedict Cumberbatch (I want his name).

J. Edgar

Prior to the release of this trailer, I heard quite a bit of buzz about J. Edgar and for good reason.  Eastwood has proven himself to be one of the most competent, consistent directors in Hollywood while DiCaprio proved his ability in Blood Diamond, The Aviator, and Gangs of New York.  The film’s established talent is bolstered by newcomers Armie Hammer (the Winklevoss twins in The Social Network ) and Ed Westwick (Chuck Bass from Gossip Girl, no homo).  Armie Hammer (short for Armand Hammer) in particular is about to catapult into Hollywood stardom.  In addition, J. Edgar Hoover’s status as one of the most enigmatic, powerful figures of the 20^th century increases my interest even further.   

Consider Gary Oldman and Leonardo DiCaprio early frontrunners for Best Actor while J. Edgar and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy are favorites for Best Picture. 

I wish I had time to talk about more of the interesting films releasing in the last few months of 2011 but I don’t want to drone on.  However, if you are interested in some unique/promising-looking films, click on the titles below.

The Whale

The Way

We Bought a Zoo

Father of Invention