Here it is. Probably the most exciting day of releases since I have become a serious film reviewer. I can't remember a day where so many of the Oscar favourites, no scrap that, so many genuinely good films (and films I am eager to see) are released on the same day. I am lucky enough to have seen two of them already, otherwise I would have been going nuts trying to squeeze them in as quickly as possible. Here's a crazy statistic. Today, the Director's Guild of America nominated five directors for their Best Director award. Three of the directors recognised have their films released on Thursday - Alexander Payne for
The Descendants, Martin Scorsese for
Hugo and David Fincher for
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. The other two films released are
The Muppets (which is wonderful and almost impossible not to enjoy in some way or another) and
The Secret World of Arrietty, the new Studio Ghibli film. Here is a quick run-down about each film, but honestly, if you haven't heard about these films already (with the exception of
Arrietty) you must have been living under a rock.
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo - The first in Columbia Pictures' three-picture adaptation of Stieg Larsson's literary blockbuster
The Millenium Trilogy. Many would claim that this American re-adaptation has been made too soon, and it runs the risk of failing to engage with viewers who still have the Swedish version in their memory. But if there is anyone capable of adapting this compelling crime thriller it is David Fincher (
Se7en and
Zodiac). The film will undoubtedly look and sound great (the score is amazing) and featuring a cast headlined by Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara (nominated for a Golden Globe) the pieces are all there for it to be a great film. But will loyalty to the source material, which plagued the first adaption, prove to be an issue again? The guilds don't think so - with the PGA, WGA and DGA honouring the film with nominations, all-but securing it Best Picture spot for next month's Academy Awards. It's 86% Rotten Tomatoes score is the lowest amongst the week's releases, but is still very solid. I had issues with the first film, convinced that a better film could be made. I hope this is the one.
Hugo - Throughout his extraordinary career, Academy Award-winning director Martin Scorsese has brought his unique vision and dazzling gifts to life in a series of unforgettable films. This holiday season the legendary storyteller invites viewers of all ages on a thrilling journey to a magical world with his first-ever 3D film, based on Brian Selznick's award-winning, imaginative New York Times Best Seller, "The Invention of Hugo Cabret".
Hugo is the astonishing adventure of a wily and resourceful boy named Hugo whose quest to unlock a secret left to him by his father will transform him and all those around him, and reveal a safe and loving place he can call home.
Hugo is right there alongside
The Artist as one of the Oscar favourites, with Scorsese picking up a number of Best Director awards.
Hugo has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 94% (8.4) and has appeared on many critics' Top 10 lists. It is playing in cinemas in 2D, but I believe it has been specifically made to be seen in 3D - so be sure to check it out that way if you can.