The end is nigh for the year in film that is 2004, and as you might expect, Hollywood’s brightest stars are ready to shine in theaters across the land. December brings us several sequels, along with some intriguing original fare.
Brad, George and Julia are back in the much-anticipated follow-up to Steven Soderbergh’s crime caper, “Ocean’s Eleven,” while Wesley Snipes has got himself a new “Blade” and is sharpening his teeth for a box-office battle. Leo and Marty reunite aboard a Spruce Goose; DeNiro has a couple of new Fockers to keep his eye on. The Phantom of the Opera will be haunting movie theaters, and Kevin Bacon is just plain haunting in the chiller “The Woodsman.” The year ends with John Travolta, the latest septuagenarian star to be paired with young Scarlett Johansson. Here’s a preview of what to expect: THE MOVIE: Ocean’s Twelve (opens Dec. 10).
THE STARS: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Bernie Mac, Don Cheadle, Andy Garcia.
THE DRAW: See THE STARS. OK, and the director is pretty good, too. Word around town — Tinseltown, that is — is that Steven Soderbergh has upped the ante with this follow-up to his successful 2001 casino caper. The set was rumored to be party central for Clooney and the boys, and all their mirth-making should translate into some serious onscreen fun.
THE VERDICT: As “can’t miss hits” go, this one’s the safest bet of the season. “Ocean’s Twelve” boasts an ensemble cast for the ages.
THE MOVIE: Blade: Trinity (opens Dec. 10).
THE STARS: Wesley Snipes, Parker Posey, Kris Kristofferson, Ryan Reynolds, Jessica Biel, HHH.
THE DRAW: The first two “Blade” flicks were big hits, and this one — purportedly Snipes’ swan song in the series — ought to draw some box-office blood as well. Director David S. Goyer has surrounded his star with an intriguing cast of supporting players, and sources tell us that Posey and wrestler HHH, in particular, generate plenty of yukks. A chance to see a leather-clad Jessica Biel slay the undead should put plenty of male butts in the seats.
THE VERDICT: Don’t always bet on black. Even with the super-cool Snipes on board, it’s doubtful this warmed-over fare is really worth sinking your teeth into.
THE MOVIE: The Aviator (opens Dec. 17).
THE STARS: Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale, Adam Scott, Alec Baldwin, Gwen Stefani.
THE DRAW: No doubt there’s plenty to like about this cast, and kudos to director Martin Scorsese for casting eye-pleasing crooner Gwen Stefani as Jean Harlow. In a year heavy on biopics, it’ll be interesting to see whether audiences are up for a lengthy recap of the life and times of Howard Hughes — after all, the material has already been covered extensively in the cinema. Both star and director are looking to rebound after their rather shaky collaboration in “Gangs of New York.”
THE VERDICT: How can you not give Scorsese the benefit of the doubt? This Christmas, Howard Hughes will fly high again.
THE MOVIE: Meet the Fockers (opens Dec. 22).
THE STARS: Ben Stiller, Robbert DeNiro, Terri Polo, Blythe Danner, Dustin Hoffman, Barbra Streisand.
THE DRAW: Much ado is being made about Streisand’s return to the screen after an eight-year sabbatical seemingly spent irking conservatives. She and Hoffman make for a powerhouse duo with the potential to steal the show. Despite some recent flops, Stiller remains one of the funniest guys in show business.
THE VERDICT: “Meet the Parents” was a hoot, though Stiller and DeNiro’s incessant head-butting got dull by the end. Expect more of the same here.
THE MOVIE: The Phantom of the Opera (opens Dec. 22) THE STARS: Gerard Butler, Emmy Rossum, Patrick Wilson, Miranda Richardson, Minnie Driver.
THE DRAW: The trailer looks great, and director Joel Shumacher has made some pretty good films in the past (“A Time to Kill,” “Tigerland”). Though not a household name (yet), Gerard Butler reportedly does a fantastic job with the lead role.
THE VERDICT: Shumacher also helmed the bombs “Batman Returns,” “Bad Company” and “D.C. Cab” with Mr.T. And it’s not a good sign when Minnie Driver is the most recognizable name on the marquee (Mr. T was busy, perhaps?) There is a built-in audience for “Phantom” but, really, how many Andrew Lloyd Webber fans can reasonably be expected to show up at the multiplex?
THE MOVIE: The Woodsman (opens Dec. 24).
THE STARS: Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, Mos Def, Benjamin Bratt, David Alan Grier.
THE DRAW: Bacon is generating Oscar buzz for his fearless performance as a paroled pedophile who returns home and tries to rebuild his life. The film drew rave reviews from critics and audiences at Sundance this year. On the strength of this stellar debut, writer-director Nicole Kassell is currently one of Hollywood’s most sought-after filmmakers.
THE VERDICT: The film’s unsettling subject matter will scare off some, but this is a movie destined to make some noise at the box office and at the big award ceremonies.
THE MOVIE: A Love Song for Bobby Long (opens Dec. 29).
THE STARS: Scarlett Johansson, John Travolta, Gabriel Macht.
THE DRAW: Most everyone who’s seen the film compares it to a Steinbeck novel, and most of those are pretty darn good. Macht showed promise in a supporting role in “The Recruit,” and he gets a chance here to match skills with the talented Johansson and legendary Travolta.
THE VERDICT: Johnny T has been known to mail it in those cheesy action flicks he does for the big paydays, but when called upon to work-out with weighty material, he usually steps up his game.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 26, 2004. Read the original PDF.