Black Swan
Directed by: Darren Aronofsky
Virginal and vulnerable ballerina Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman, at her hottest if we may add) gets offered the role of the Swan Queen in her ballet company’s rendition of Swan Lake. She's perfect as white swan, but as the black swan? Not so. So she explores her dark side to get that black swan ball rolling. That's when things take an evil turn. As pressure from a doting mother and competition from a rival dancer named Lily (an equally hot Mila Kunis) mounts, Nina falls into a spiral of paranoia and insanity in the cusp of her dancing success.
Expect: Tutus, scary evil dancing swans, and avian metamorphosis
Why see it: Aside from the guaranteed girl-on-girl action between the two scorching actresses, this Darren Aronofsky (Requiem For A Dream, The Wrestler) directed film, set to be released in the country on February, spells psychological-thriller like never before and Portman just won the Golden Globe for the said film. Half Alfred Hitchcock and half David Cronenberg inspired, this unconventional take on the world of dance is a mind-fuck of psychosexual proportions. Plus, it’s better than having to sit through an actual ballet with your girl.
Check out the trailer of Black Swan here
True Grit
Directed by: The Coen Brothers
After Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) loses her father to the murderous Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin) she hires deadbeat US Marshall Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) along with a persistent Texas Ranger named LeBeouf (Matt Damon) to hunt down her father’s killer and claim justice. What ensues is a quirky Western that only genius brothers Joel and Ethan Coen (No Country for Old Men, Fargo) are capable of.
Expect: Vast landscapes, gun-slinging and witty dialogue that will have you rolling on the floor laughing.
Why see it: Also set to come out this February, this remake of the John Wayne classic is packaged for a more modern audience. Universal themes of redemption and perseverance will have you hopping on a horse and pursuing revenge grudges you’ve been holding on for too long. Packed with just enough sentiment and signature Coen violence that you won’t find yourself bored or leaving the theater.
Check out the trailer of True Grit here
Rabbit Hole
Directed by: John Cameron Mitchell
Becca and Howie (Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart) are the perfect young couple till they lose their son in an accident. They deal with their mourning in different ways: Becca befriends their son’s killer, Howie seeks comfort in a woman from a support group. They ultimately challenge the very foundation of their marriage as they try to cope with loss and sadness.
Expect: Explanations on the multiverse, domestic disturbance and a bitchy Nicole Kidman
Why see it: It is a film we highly recommend to people who have lost a loved one. The poignant portrait director John Cameron Mitchell paints of mourning together with the talents of Kidman and Eckhart is both honest and painful. Doesn’t get any more dramatic than that.
Check out the trailer of Rabbit Hole here
Never Let Me Go
Directed by: Mark Romanek
Mark Romanek’s sophomore film is an adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel Never Let Me Go (adapted by writer Alex Garland of The Beach fame). Kathy, Ruth and Tommy (Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightley and Andrew Garfield) are guinea pigs in an experiment where humans are created for the sole purpose of having their organs harvested for ill patients. Throw in a sticky love triangle, two hot properties like Knightley and Mulligan and you just might rethink skipping this one.
Expect: Stunning imagery, period scenery and maybe some catfights
Why see it: Because Romanek’s music video directing background only adds to the awesome factor of his films. His debut film One Hour Photo was dark and twisted and his work carries his signature style. Music videos by Romanek include Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson’s “Scream,” Fiona Apple’s “Criminal,” and Nine Inch Nails’ “The Perfect Drug.”
Check out the trailer of Never Let Me Go here
The Fighter
Directed by: David O. Russel
Yeah we know what you’re thinking, another movie about some underdog boxer. You’re right but the difference is you’ve got David O. Russel (Three Kings, I <3 Huckabees) manning the ship. Mark Wahlberg plays “Irish” Mickey Ward together with Christian Bale who plays his brother Dicky Ecklund. The biopic is not your typical inspirational sap but dwells on the grittier side of the Sweet Science.
Expect: Jabs, hooks and straights
Why see it: Christian Bale just nabbed the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor for his method acting madness. Tales of triumph and hard work: never a bad thing.
Check out the trailer of The Fighter here
Blue Valentine
Directed by: Derek Cianfrance
Acting prodigies Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams star as Dean and Cindy, a married couple caught in the travesties of their messed up relationship. The movie is told in a unique way where the timeline jumps from the couple’s moments of courtship till they realize their disillusionment. Everything turns to shit when they need to accept the fact that love isn’t always enough.
Expect: A killer soundtrack courtesy of Indie band Grizzly Bear, post-coital cuddling and bad breakups
Why see it: Your girl will get a kick out of is drama where she can swoon over Gosling and you can admire Williams, hey, it might even strengthen a thing or two in your fumbling relationship. You can both stare at the screen and say, “Are relationship isn’t that fucked up!”
Check out the trailer of Blue Valentine here
127 Hours
Directed by: Danny Boyle
Based on the life of hiker Aron Ralston (James Franco) whose thrill-seeking ways are put on halt when he is suddenly pinned to the side of a canyon by a boulder. Trapped, he must face the elements, hold on to his sanity and ultimately survive. Wait till the end and see where his perseverance eventually takes him.
Expect: Mountain Dew commercial gone horribly wrong, crushed limbs and edible hallucinations
Why see it: For a film with practically just one man in it Franco and Boyle do an amazing job of keeping you on the edge of your seat. Franco holds his own on screen like a veteran and Boyle’s quirky visual aesthetic will have you tripping like a hippie. There is one scene where Boyle uses the song “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers in a fit of irony that will make you appreciate life just that much more.
Check out the trailer of 127 here
Somewhere
Directed by: Sofia Coppola
Sofia Coppola’s latest endeavor is a tender look at celebrity, and who better to do this than the daughter of a famous director. Johnny Marco (Stephen Dorff I a comeback role since uhhh Blade?) is a famous actor who holes up at the Chateau Marmont. He is famous, wealthy, in demand–alone. Trapped in an existential rut, Marco must face his demons head-on when his 11 year-old daughter Cleo (Elle Fanning) comes to the hotel to show him a thing or two about coming to terms with life.
Expect: Hedonistic actors, some stripper action, and some father-daughter bonding
Why see it: It was unanimously awarded the Golden Lion Best Picture award at the Venice film festival. If Coppola’s work stay true its roots then Somewhere should be both pleasing on the eyes and resonating some moral message.
Check out the trailer of Somewhere here
