Let It Snow Indie – Top 10

Now that summer is about to end I thought I’d start compiling my list for the next season in movies,  2011 Fall/Holiday Season. With Entertainment Weekly release of the new season preview, why don’t you take a look at my list and decide what you want to see. So without further ado, here is my Top 10 Fall/Holiday Indie picks.

*Click the title for summary; Click the poster for the trailer

 

 

10. “We Need To Talk About Kevin” – Out December 2nd (Limited) TRAILER
Kevin is a troubled boy, who has be disconnected from his mother practically since birth. As he goes on a rampage at his school, his mother is left trying to figure out what went wrong. From what I hear this is Tilda Swinton’s best performance of her career, and that is saying a lot as she is already a fantastic actress. I’m curious to see how well Ezra Miller does as Kevin, from the trailer he looks as demonic as his character sounds.

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9. “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” – Out December 9th
“Tinker Tailor Solider Spy” looks to not only be a great thriller, but also to have a top notch cast. It is based off the 1974 novel of the same name that was later turned into a mini-series in 1979, this is the first film adaptation. As it is a story about spies, I expect there to be many twist and turns, which will make it all the more fun. Check out my review of “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”.

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8. “My Week With Marilyn” – Out November 23th
{Re-Written 10/5/11} The allusive entity that is Marilyn Monroe, some got the chance to glimpse her in person, while other have only gotten to see her through her various films. This film though is the account of Colin Clark (who’s book of the same name is used for this adaptation) who spend a week with Marilyn during the 6 month production of “The Prince and the Showgirl”. From the trailer it seems we get to see a rare look at Marilyn and the pressers she is overwhelmed with her entire life, in some scenes we see her outside her Monroe personality almost like that blonde beauty was an permanent act she could never escape from, although we see her instantly putting it on anytime she was in the public eye. It seems Michele Williams was the perfect choice to play Monroe, although no one can really ever fit her shoes, she seems to be doing a great job. The same can be said for the rest of the cast that seem to portray their characters well. I hope this is as good and well put together as the trailer suggest, but only time will tell. Check out my review of “My Week With Marilyn”.

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7. “Straw Dogs” – Out September 16th
This remake of the 1971 film, both based off the novel “The Siege of Trencher’s Farm” by Gordon Williams, looks to be filled with more action then the original. Although the original was ok, it took a long time for the movie to get moving, hopefully this one is more thrilling as it looks to be in the trailer, however it still seems to follow the 1971 film in the same way with maybe a few differences. Hoffman was pretty good in the original and I feel that Marsden can hold his own in this version. Check out my review of “Straw Dogs”.

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6. “Like Crazy” – Out October 28th (Limited)  TRAILER
A love story that shies away from typical mainstream ones, although it does have some of the same elements. What’s interesting about this is how even though they want to be together, they can not. The story follows as these two meet and fall in love, the girl must go back to the UK as her visa has run out, after disobeying she is now forced to go back and can not return. Now as the two are forced to attempt a long distance relationship things get harder, so they decide to see other people, but they just seem numb without one another. This looks to have great performances not only by the always reliable Anton Yelchin but also Felicity Jones.

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5. “The Descendants” – Out November 16th
After his wife his hospitalized he is out traveling around the area telling family members what’s going on. But after a conversation with his daughter he finds out his wife has been cheating on him, now he is just trying to get through it all and reconnect with is daughters. Alexander Payne (“Sideways” & “Election”) has brought us another great looking movie, and if it’s anything like the trailer suggest, it’s going to be a touching movie, with great performances all around especially by George Clooney. Check out my review of “The Descendants”.

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4. “Carnage” – Out December 16th TRAILER
Based on the play of the same name, “Carnage” deals with two families coming together to discus their children who have just fought. This looks like a fun chaotic ride, with it going from family against family to at times spouse against spouse. The comedy looks to be spot on, and it looks like they picked the right people for the roles. It’s a bit different than what Polanski has done lately with this being part comedy, but it looks to be done with the same sophistication his film tend to have.

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3. “Restless” – Out September 16th
Originally this was suppose to have come out back in January, but after being pulled it finally showed itself at Cannes. The story sounds like a nice dramatic movie, although there is a chance that it will be predictable, I look forward to see the hopefully strong performances by Henry Hopper (son of the late Dennis Hopper) in his first leading role, Mia Wasikowska, and the little seen more heard Schuyler Fisk. Directed by Gus Van Sant. Check out my review of “Restless”.

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2. “Drive” – Out September 16th
This looks to be a great action film, with excellent performances. The buzz around this film is definite that it was made well and delivers a awesome and entertaining time at the movies. A story about a part-time stunt driver who moonlights as a wheelman gets caught up in contract that leads to a heist gone wrong. The style of the film looks great and I can’t wait to see what it has in store. Check out my review of “Drive”.

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1. “The Artist” – Out November 23rd
After hearing the buzz surrounding this film at this years Cannes Film Festival, I had to find out more about it, and after watching the trailer, I was hooked. A film not only in black & white but also silent, wow! That is something we haven’t had in my lifetime. Although there was an entire period in film history that was like this, the idea of doing a movie that way again is just Brilliant! This looks like it might start having early Oscar buzz and if the film is as wonderful as it seems in the trailer, then I wouldn’t doubt that this might end up being this years Best Picture Winner. Check out my review of “The Artist”.

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So what are your Indie picks to see this Fall/Holiday Season, are they on this list? Either why tell me about them in the comments below. And make sure to check out my list of Top 10 Mainstream for this season as well.