Wait. What's that smell?
It's not popcorn. That's a summertime scent. It's more like ... prestige.
It's holiday time, which means two things. Your brother-in-law is getting ready to drink all your scotch after dinner. And the movies will soon be worrying less about drawing hordes of teenagers than angling for Oscar glory.
Sure, you'll still find a few crowd pleasers tucked away amid the seriousness. But quality, or at least someone's idea thereof, is still at the center of the table. So are dreams of a little golden man, an inspiration (if not the inspiration) for much of the high-mindedness ahead. Yes, this is the time of year for which the expression "Oscar bait" was created. Not every winter release was made with awards in mind, but don't kid yourself into thinking studios, producers, filmmakers and stars aren't looking forward to springtime glory.
So what does Santa (or your nondenominational holiday standard-bearer of choice) have in store before the end of the year? Here's a little list. We even checked it twice.
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
Nov. 16
Naughty or Nice? Nice. Though the holidays aren't big on slam-bang action, they do tend to make room for a fair amount of family fare. This one fits the bill.
Dustin Hoffman stars as the title character, a charming eccentric who runs the world's wackiest toy store. He's been around since the 18th century, and he wants out. Will his assistant (Natalie Portman) take over the shop, or will the kids mourn? What do you think? As an ode to the imagination, Emporium could stay open for big family business.
Oscar hopes? Not so much. To be fair, it's one of the few films on this list that isn't angling for a statue.
Nov. 16
Focus Features
Ray Winstone and Angelina Jolie voice characters in
Beowulf Naughty or nice? Hard to say. Robert Zemeckis' effects-laden take on the Old English epic poem carries a PG-13 rating and has that hardy Anglo-Saxon stock going for it. It also has the promise of some gore – monsters must be slain and all – and a slithery Angelina Jolie as Grendel's big, bad mama. And it doesn't look like she's wearing much. Despite what Woody Allen said in Annie Hall, it should be worth a look.
Oscar hopes? The motion-capture technology has a shot for some visual-effects props. But despite some big names (Ms. Jolie, Anthony Hopkins), it doesn't look very actorly.
Nov. 21
Naughty or Nice? How about just weird? Todd Haynes' deconstruction of Bob Dylan's many personas stars Cate Blanchett, Richard Gere, Heath Ledger and others as characters representing various periods and elements of the mercurial legend's life. It's about as far from a conventional biopic as you can get, but the subject signed off and even gave Mr. Haynes access to his full catalog, used liberally throughout the film.
Oscar hopes? Ms. Blanchett's turn as the Blond on Blonde -era Dylan is getting raves and stands a fine chance in the supporting actress bracket.
Dec. 7
Naughty or Nice? Naughty, but deliciously so. Noah Baumbach ( The Squid and the Whale) delivers another jaundiced family comedy (that's about a family, not for the family), this one featuring Nicole Kidman and Jennifer Jason Leigh as sisters locking horns over an extended wedding weekend. Jack Black is the groom-to-be, and he goes way beyond his funny but standard mugging-for-the-camera routine.
Oscar hopes? Mr. Baumbach's screenplay is a firecracker, and both female stars could get some love.
Dec. 7
Focus Features
Keira Knightly and James McAvoy in
Atonement Naughty or Nice? Naughty, but prestigiously so. Based on Ian McEwan's acclaimed novel, Atonement tells the story of a 13-year-old girl who spreads dangerous lies about her sister's lover. It's an epic English period piece, which means it's Important. It also means ...
Oscar hopes? ... It might as well have a sign around its neck reading Give Me Statues. It's already getting Best Picture buzz that should also benefit the cast, including Keira Knightley, James McAvoy and Brenda Blethyn.
Dec. 14
Naughty or Nice? Nice, and inspirational. Marc Forster ( Monster's Ball) directs Khaled Hosseini's novel about pre-Taliban boyhood friends in Afghanistan whose lives take drastically different turns after a nightmarish incident. It's a moving story about individuals negotiating between two cultures, a la The Namesake.
Oscar hopes? Very possible. No names in the cast, but it's timely, redemptive and directed by an artiste. Could be a contender for best picture and director.
Dec. 14
Naughty or Nice? Well, it is about the lone survivor of post-apocalyptic New York, which doesn't sound all that nice. Then again, the survivor is played by Will Smith, who is very rarely naughty. With Mr. Smith in the lead, one thing is guaranteed to be nice: the box office totals.
Oscar hopes? Wouldn't seem likely. This looks like the kind of winter movie that would be quite comfy in summer temperatures. But you can never count the Fresh Prince out.
Dec. 21
Naughty or Nice? If a musical can be naughty, this is the one. Johnny Depp and Tim Burton team up (again) for the big screen adaptation of the Broadway smash, about a barber who takes more than a little bit off the top. Sacha Baron Cohen is also in da house, but don't expect any Borat-style punking.
Oscar hopes? The Chicago-spawned musical luster seems to have waned, but I wouldn't want to be the one to tell the Demon Barber he didn't make the cut.
Dec. 21
Naughty or Nice: Naughty but painfully real, not to mention funny. Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman play neurotic adult siblings facing the task of caring for their estranged, embittered papa (Philip Bosco) as he approaches death. You want sentimental? Look somewhere else.
Oscar hopes? Ms. Linney deserves a shot, and as one of the best around not to get a trinket she's a good bet to get another nod. Mr. Bosco is deserving but faces longer odds. It might be a little dark and un-Hollywood to nab big recognition.
Dec. 25
Universal Pictures
Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks in
Charlie Wilson's War Naughty or Nice? Renegade Texas congressman raising covert hell against the Soviets in Afghanistan? Sounds naughty. Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts? Not so naughty.
Oscar hopes? Wilson's only competition as overt Oscar bait on this list is Atonement. Hanks? Check. Roberts? Check. Mike Nichols directing? Check. Important subject matter? Yep. You couldn't design a better prototype of a December release.
Dec. 25
Naughty or Nice? Stand-up-and-cheer nice. At least that's the plan. Denzel Washington does double duty, directing himself as real-life Wily College professor Mel Tolson. He inspired the school's first debate team, which went on to challenge the Harvard blue bloods.
Oscar hopes? Mr. Washington has a better shot at a nod for American Gangster. But might he get some props for his directing chops?
Dec. 26 (tentative date)
Naughty or Nice? Naughty. Paul Thomas Anderson directs Daniel Day-Lewis as an obsessed, fire-spitting oilman in turn-of-the-century California. Paul Dano is a troubled preacher prone to unhinged fits. Unbridled greed vs. religious fervor. Feelings are hurt. Hell is paid. Look at the title.
Oscar hopes? Mr. Dano ensures his supporting actor nod with his first sermon. Mr. Day-Lewis is his usual intense self and stands a good chance in the lead category. Jonny Greenwood's score is out of this world.
Love in the Time of Cholera A broken-hearted Javier Bardem looks for love in all the wrong places in this big-screen version of the Gabriel García Márquez novel.
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead Philip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke attempt to rob their parents' jewelry store with disastrous results.
Finishing the Game Justin Lin's comedy about a studio looking for a replacement for Bruce Lee played at this year's Asian Film Festival of Dallas.
Redacted Brian De Palma directs this film that asks questions about how the war message is delivered from Iraq.
Mr. Untouchable Story follows the most infamous drug kingpin in New York's history.
Southland Tales L.A. sits on the brink of disaster on July 4, 2008.
August Rush A musically gifted orphan uses his talents to track down his parents.
Walt Disney Pictures
Amy Adams in
Enchanted Enchanted Amy Adam is Disney's latest princess in this half animated, half live-action fantasy.
Hitman The popular video game jumps to the big screen.
Stephen King's the Mist Small-town residents band together to fight off attacking creatures.
This Christmas A family gathers for the holidays for the first time in four years.
I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With Jeff Garlin (Curb Your Enthusiasm) wrote, directed and stars in this story of a guy who uses food to deal with life's problems.
The Christmas Cottage Drama gets behind the inspiration of Thomas Kincade's famous painting from the title.
Blade Runner: The Final Cut Ridley Scott tinkers again with this sci-fi thriller from 1982.
Awake A man finds that his anesthetic isn't working during a heart operation but is powerless to complain.
Romance & Cigarettes John Turturro directs this musical starring James Gandolfini, Susan Sarandon and Kate Winslet.
O, Jerusalem A Jewish man and an Arab man witness the creation of Israel.
The Golden Compass A youngster attempts to save other kids from being experimented on in this film starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig.
New Line Cinema
Dakota Blue Richards as Lyra in
The Golden Compass The Walker Woody Harrelson stars as an escort who gets tangled up in a murder investigation. Lauren Bacall also stars.
The Amateurs People living in a small town pool their resources to make an adult movie.
Grace Is Gone John Cusack struggles to tell his young daughters that their mother has been killed in Iraq.
Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten The late Clash frontman is paid tribute in documentary form.
Darfur Now Don Cheadle works to bring the genocide in Sudan to the masses in this documentary.
What Would Jesus Buy? Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me) produces this look at out-of-control consumerism at Christmastime.
The Perfect Holiday A girl asks a department store Santa to help her find a husband for her mother.
Alvin and the Chipmunks Alvin, Simon and Theodore are back to make Dave's life difficult.
Juno A young woman makes a bizarre choice when she learns she is pregnant.
Youth Without Youth Francis Ford Coppola returns after a 10-year absence in the director's chair to helm this pre-WWII mystery.
National Treasure: Book of Secrets Sequel to the surprise 2004 adventure hit starring Nicolas Cage.
P.S. I Love You Hilary Swank stars as a widow whose husband left her a few messages before dying.
Jimmy Carter Man From Plains Jonathan Demme directs this look at the 39th president.
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story If you liked John C. Reilly's comic turn in Talladega Nights, you'll get more of him here as a budding rock legend.
The Savages Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman play siblings caring for their deteriorating father.
Alien vs. Predator: Requiem The warring races square off again, this time in a small town.
The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep A boy discovers an egg that contains the title character
There Will Be Blood Paul Thomas Anderson directs Daniel Day-Lewis as an oil prospector looking to strike it rich.
The Great Debaters Denzel Washington directs and stars in this true story about a budding debate team at an all-black college.
Charlie Wilson's War Tom Hanks portrays the Texas congressman, who secretly helped Afghanistan beat back the Soviets in the 1980s.
The Diving Bell and The Butterfly True story of Elle editor Jean-Dominique Bauby's life after a paralyzing stroke.
Stephen Becker
