Top 5 Films of the Holiday Season

I thought I would try something new here and give my opinion as to what I think are the Top 5 films to see this holiday season. While New Moon and The Blind Side are simple and conventional choices for the modern moviegoer, the greatest thing about the cinema is its ability to transcend beyond the realm of entertainment. Moviegoers are able to build their sense of awareness and heighten their own perception by choosing films that replenish the mind as well as the heart. All the best movies are released during the Christmas season in order to achieve greater Oscar consideration. And for moviegoers yearning for some kind of connection and feeling with the movies they see, it certainly is the most wonderful time of the year. Without further adieu, I present to you the Top 5 films to see this holiday season.

#5 Up in the Air

Up in the Air is the new film from Jason Reitman, the Oscar-nominated director of Thank You for Smoking and Juno. And in case you couldn't tell, it also stars George Clooney. Clooney plays a guy whose job is to fly all over the country and layoff people for top-tier companies. Along the way, he is set up with a partner (played by Anna Kendrick) and also encounters a woman (played by Vera Farmiga) whom he may or may not be interested in. What Reitman explores with this film is the power and necessity of forming close relationships, particularly how we choose to give ourselves to someone both physically and emotionally and how we establish connections in order to ensure a thriving legacy. Sounds like a handful, right? But what makes Reitman a good filmmaker is his ability to balance a heartfelt drama with subtle comedic timing. And in my opinion, Reitman is well on his way to becoming the next Billy Wilder or Frank Capra simply because he is such a great storyteller. This is a film that will play well to audiences and will most likely be recognized come Oscar night.

#4 Invictus

Clint Eastwood's latest film about the 1995 South African rugby team that won the World Cup. Starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon, Eastwood tells the story of how Nelson Mandela collaborated with Francois Pienaar in order to bring South Africa together after the apartheid era. This probably won't be as dark as some of Eastwood's most recent work but expect strong performances from Freeman (who I think is perfectly cast as Nelson Mandela) and Damon in a film that appears destined for Oscar glory. Eastwood has been the director of the decade. Let's see if his hot streak continues.

#3 The Lovely Bones

Peter Jackson's adaptation of the best-selling novel by Alice Sebold. Look for something that is visually stunning and emotionally captivating much in the same way that Jackson's last four efforts have been. The Lord of the Rings trilogy and King Kong were certainly four of the best films of the decade visually. But the thing that made those films successful was how there were characters through which the audience could develop a strong emotional attachment with. Look for the same kind of angle with The Lovely Bones. Jackson will not only hope to give us an awe-inspiring visual effort, but will also look to tug at the heartstrings a little bit. Early buzz indicates that there are strong performances from Saoirse Ronan and Stanley Tucci as the film's main protagonists. There are also indications that the film is impressive visually, which doesn't surprise me at all. I expect nothing less than a great piece of entertainment with this film.

#2 Nine

A new musical from Rob Marshall, the Oscar-nominated director of Chicago. A film that pays tribute to the neorealist cinema of the 1960's and Italian director Federico Fellini. Featuring an all-star cast in Daniel Day-Lewis, Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, Kate Hudson, Fergie, and Sophia Loren. I mean, come on now. Need I say more to make you want to see this film? Nine tells the story of Guido Contini, a renowned film director who is having trouble coming up with a story for his latest picture. Contini turns to the many women in his life for inspiration, looking to find a solution to the creative block in his mind and make a film worthy of recognition. The film is actually autobiographical because it is based on the life of Federico Fellini so it is indeed a must-see for any true cinephile. Expect a visually lush film from Rob Marshall; something that will certainly dazzle the eyes if nothing else. And expect many many Oscar nods as well.

#1 Avatar

A sci-fi epic from Oscar-winning director James Cameron, who hasn't made a feature length film in 12 years. Avatar is a film that Cameron has been developing for a very long time. He had the screenplay ready to go before Titanic was released in 1997 and intended to make Avatar as his follow-up film. However, Cameron decided to shelve the project until cinematic technology caught up with his own ambitions. It is now 12 years later, and the world is waiting for what Cameron has come up with. Avatar was shot using 40% live action and 60% CGI, with Cameron inventing new kinds of 3D technology that will apparently revolutionize the film industry forever. That's right, you have to wear the funky glasses if you want to get the most out of Cameron's latest adventure. The key to the film's success will be if the story can match the visual innovations that Cameron has created. On a recent 60 minutes interview, Cameron asserted that the story is still the most important component in creating a film. This of course led him to talking about the 3D technology he developed for Avatar, which leaves me to wonder if indeed the story will be the most important component for this film. There is so much hype and excitement surrounding this film that it's not even funny. And I'm hoping that Cameron delivers once more like he has always done in the past.

So there you have it, my Top 5 films that everyone should see this holiday season. I hope you look for them in a theater near you.