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From ‘Frost/Nixon' to ‘Marley & Me,' the holiday season serves up a plethora of flicks

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Working to prepare my readers for the barrage of films hitting theaters on Christmas Day, I have double-timed my film-watching efforts as much as humanly possible. After watching screeners at home for review and award consideration, sitting for hours (after my day job) in dark theaters and hitting the cinema on weekends like a layperson, I will now attempt to offer an “overview review” of films opening on or around Christmas. Among the contenders are “Frost/Nixon,” “Valkyrie,” “Seven Pounds,” “Marley & Me,” “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “The Wrestler” and more! This amazing array of films provides tears, cheers, sneers and jeers for the holidays.

What a daunting task! Still, Hollywood shows no mercy at this time of year. After summer blockbusters and a short lull, moviegoers are inundated with film choices for the holiday season. Movies vary wildly in content, genre and theme and, for the most part, do offer choices for all ages - but are these films good? My grades are as varied as the films themselves.

I'll begin with a war film based on actual events - great Christmas fare - “Valkyrie,” starring Tom Cruise as Claus von Stauffenberg, a man intent on killing Adolf Hitler. Since we know Hitler committed suicide, the film's ending is all too clear, offering a well-filmed, marvelously-acted, but highly-depressing film. And one of my peeves lies in accents and “Valkyrie's” cast - mainly British actors, a few Americans and an odd German or two - does nothing to offer authentic German enunciation. Overall, the film excels in many ways, but the word “uplifting” does not apply. I found it fascinating that a plot to kill Hitler existed and found it comforting to know that even his own men thought him a complete nutter; still, this is not the stuff of holiday films, so I am placing a C+ in my gradebook. That said, I am not certain I would rate it higher during a different release time frame, given my appreciation for realistic accents and the disheartening subjective matter.

Moving on, I look at Will Smith's “Seven Pounds,” another film about a man on a mission - one which I won't share, but I will say that the title is an allusion to Shakespeare's “The Merchant of Venice” in which Shylock, a central character, famously demands a pound of flesh from the title character in payment for a loan - hint, hint. It is the fact that I figured out the film's premise within the first 20 minutes that made the majority of the film drag on for me - making it feel more like seven hours, not seven pounds. The final scene offers a decent enough payoff, causing some to sniffle, but getting there is a long, arduous journey. Smith's performance is marvelous, as is the supporting cast and the story has its unique - albeit ludicrous - attributes. Still, I can offer no more than a C+.

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” is where I go next. Starring Brad Pitt and Kate Blanchett, this film offers a curious premise indeed. Benjamin (Pitt) comes into the world an infant, but one who ages backwards. Beginning life as an old-man baby, growing less old, but bigger and then reverse-aging until he is once again a child, Benjamin Button lives a remarkable existence - a Forrest Gump-like life. His rare perspective on things gives him unusual opportunities for adventure, and as he grows younger, the world and people around him grow older. Remarkable cinematography, brilliant acting across the board, an excellent soundtrack and a unique storyline make “Benjamin Button” worth a look. I am placing a B+/A- in my gradebook. It runs a bit long.

As for “Marley & Me,” I went into the theater with skepticism. I had overheard several people at a previous screening calling Owen Wilson “the kiss of death” for a film, and he has made a few poor choices, so I was pleasantly surprised by both him and Jennifer Aniston. I do wonder why lesser-known actors weren't used, given that it is a film about a dog, but I enjoyed it very much in spite of the name cast; besides, I like Aniston. My mother, who read the book, loved the film and audibly expressed all the pleasure, joy and sadness warranted of such a story. I am putting a B in my gradebook. A few errors in consistency (of dog actors) bothered me a bit, but Mother told me not to talk about it, so I won't and I'll jump right back in and say I am placing a B- in my gradebook.

Finally, I take on “The Wrestler,” starring Mickey Rourke in his comeback role as Randy “The Ram” Robinson, a 1980s-era pro wrestler, now a burnt-out, near-death shell of a man who still dreams of being a pro, but resorts to working in a deli to pay for his run-down motor home and '80s van. He longs to have just one more super battle and resents getting old. Amazing acting from Rourke (and the impressive supporting cast), brilliant direction, an excellent soundtrack and wonderfully realistic cinematography make “The Wrestler” a must-see, but its hyper-depressing subject matter might possibly make it a hard sell. I give it a solid A. It is certainly not an uplifting Christmas film.

I realize several other films are opening Christmas Day, but space keeps me reined in. Check out www.trueviewre views.net for more reviews and chances to win screening passes and prizes. I will finish by saying to positively see “Frost/Nixon” (especially history buffs), but avoid the “The Spirit” (as suggested by a friend of mine). “Last Chance Harvey” with Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson offers a decent romance for the middle set, and I have no advance information on “Bedtime Stories.” When a family gets cabin fever, a good place to escape is the cinema. Happy holidays!

Coker's weekly movie reviews can be read in the Friday Weekender, but there is no Weekender edition this week.

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