'It's a Wrap!'

Palm Coast Observer
Neighbors

Hollywood releases the creme de la creme in anticipation of upcoming award ceremonies. Here is a breakdown of some attention-grabbers.

‘HOW DO YOU KNOW’
Three-time Oscar winner, writer-director James Brooks is, thankfully, back helming a film that he wrote specifically for Reese Witherspoon. She plays the apex in a love triangle that includes Owen Wilson and Paul Rudd. It gets better. Once again, Brooks casts his pal, Jack Nicholson, who’s always “as good as it gets” in anything.

‘RABBIT HOLE’
Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart play a grieving couple whose young son was killed less than a year ago. They each have their own way of dealing with the horrific loss. He insists on group therapy. She takes a passive-aggressive approach, unsure of where to place her anger. The two disconnect in this devastating and elegant film, directed by John Cameron Mitchell.

‘TRUE GRIT’
It’s not a remake but a kooky-cool Coen brothers’ adaptation of Charles Portis’ novel. Jeff Bridges (“The Dude”) re-teams with the brothers, portraying Rooster Cogburn (John Wayne’s role in the original). Bridges could quite likely make Oscar history by nabbing two in a row after having received it for Best Actor last year in “Crazy Heart.” This is rumored to be one of the most authentic Westerns ever made. It also stars Josh Brolin, Matt Damon and Hailee Steinfeld, in a breakout role already garnering Oscar attention.

‘BLACK SWAN’
Director Darren Aronofsky doesn’t make timid films (“The Wrestler”; “Requiem For a Dream”). Natalie Portman stars as a mentally-unstable ballerina in his latest exploration into the psyche of people who push themselves to extremes. He also delves into the emotional and physical violence lurking behind the “erotic mystique” of ballet. Vincent Cassel plays the devious and manipulative artistic director. It also stars Mila Kunis, Barbara Hershey and Winona Ryder.

‘THE KING’S SPEECH’
Is Colin Firth ever going to snag that elusive Oscar? Perhaps his best shot will be for his performance as King George VI, the monarch who was plagued by a crippling stutter. When his country needed him most, he sought the help of an Australian speech therapist (Geoffrey Rush) who made it possible for the king to rally his subjects and declare war on Hitler’s Germany. It’s powered by a dream cast, which also includes Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce and Michael Gambon.