Living & Arts

Cami’s top film picks for the winter holidays

In print | December 3, 2009

This holiday movie season features the usual animated movies, the feel-good Christmas tales and a slew of Oscar-worthy films. While there are many movies that are worth seeing, this is only a short guide to a few that stand out.

An Education
Sixteen-year-old Jenny (played beautifully by Carey Mulligan), bound for Oxford, meets the suave and older David (Peter Sarsgard). Her world of studying, straight As and playing the cello is now filled with beautiful clothes, clubs and trips to Paris. “An Education” is well done and Mulligan is garnering buzz about Oscar nods for her performance. Now playing.

Precious
Based on the novel “Push” by Sapphire, “Precious” follows a teenager, the title character played by Gabourey Sidibe, before the birth of her second child. Precious lives with her abusive mother (Mo’Nique) but attends an alternative school where her teacher (Paula Patton) encourages her to read. “Precious” received awards at Sundance and the Toronto International Film Festival and Sidibe, Mo’Nique and Mariah Carey (who plays Precious’ social worker) are receiving rave reviews. Now playing.

The Princess and the Frog
This film features Disney’s first black princess, with the New Orleans Jazz Age backdrop promising wonderful music from Randy Newman. The talented Anika Noni Rose voices Princess Tiana, who kisses a frog. Instead of a prince appearing, she herself turns into a frog. Though geared toward children, this movie has many elements that would entertain an adult crowd. Now playing.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon
I would not normally include this, but since it’s a “phenomenon” among certain girls and their mothers, I decided to put it on here. See it if you want bad writing, a sparkly Robert Pattinson and a constantly constipated-looking Kristen Stewart. Or see it if you’ve read the books and lOvE them! Now playing.

The Lovely Bones
After being murdered by her neighbor, Susie Salmon (Saoirse Ronan) must watch from heaven as her family and detectives back home search for her killer. Grappling with her desire for justice against her killer and for her family to heal, Susie learns to become an adult in an unfamiliar place. Based on Alice Sebold’s 2002 novel, this film adaptation is directed by Peter Jackson (of the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy). Opening December 18.

Avatar
Wheelchair-bound former marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) travels to the human station in the alien world, Pandora. A mineral that lies at the center of Pandora is essential to ending Earth’s energy crisis and the U.S. Army hopes to overthrow the alien population for the energy source. With an epic battle between human and alien, Cameron’s live-action film will entertain action-hungry moviegoers. Opening December 25.

Nine
Inspired by Federico Fellini’s “8 ½,” “Nine” features a powerhouse of a cast, including Daniel-Day Lewis, Nicole Kidman, Marion Cotillard, Kate Hudson and Sophia Loren. This musical is about Italian film director Guido Contini (Day-Lewis), who is trying to put together his latest movie while dealing with the many women in his life. Directed by Rob Marshall, the king of musicals, “Nine” includes songs from the 1982 play, and Fergie’s version of “Be Italian” in the trailer is a wonderful preview of the soundtrack. Opening December 25.

Sherlock Holmes
Directed by Guy Ritchie, “Sherlock Holmes” stars Robert Downey Jr. as Holmes, Jude Law as Watson, and Rachel McAdams as Irene Adler. The story is set in 1891 and follows Holmes and Watson as they try to thwart a conspiracy to destroy England. From the trailer, “Sherlock Holmes” promises to be fun and visually exciting, as Ritchie films often are. Opening December 25.