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War Horse
Michael Morpurgo (who I met when I was about nine) wrote a book about a young man who joins the army to follow his horse after it is sold to the cavalry. The book was adapted into an acclaimed stage show and is now a “major motion picture” directed by Stephen Spielberg that looks so epic, worthy and heart-warming I’m left completely numb.

Shame
Considering the amount of hits my discussion of this film has had from nudity seekers with poor Google skills, I think people may be expecting a sexy romp with nakedness aplenty. While the nudity quota certainly seems to be present, what we have here is a serious drama about a sex addict so may be more grim and less sexy than you expect. Go for the nudity and stay for the quality film-making. Probably one to take your “bit of stuff” to rather than your partner, or your gran. This is not a film about love and fidelity.

Margin Call
An impressive cast of TV faces and Kevin Spacey tell the story of the first 24 hours of the financial crisis. According to IMDb the film contains 85 swear words, but two of those are “ass” which hardly counts. Since first writing this dismissive summary I have heard lots of good feedback about this film, so give it a go if bleak sex and horse-love aren’t your cup of tea.

The Darkest Hour (limited release)
Remember how good Emile Hirsch was in Into the Wild and Milk? Well, hold onto those memories as now he is starring in a 3D film in which “five young people lead the charge against an alien race who have attacked Earth via our power supply.” Expect lots of frantic unplugging… IN 3D!!!

Tatsumi (limited release)
“A story based on the life and short stories of Yoshihiro Tatsumi, a mangaka known for his gekiga style of alternate Japanese manga.” I gave gekiga a tentative Google and apparently it just means “dramatic pictures” distinguishing them from other Manga or “irresponsible pictures”. Phew, no tentacles.

A Useful Life (limited release)
“A movie-theater employee adjusts to a new life after the cinema he worked at for over 25 years is forced to shut down.” Let’s hope he doesn’t go around killing people and stealing their ears as that would be surprisingly boring.

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The Iron Lady
Fact or fiction, this dramatisation of the life of Margaret Thatcher will draw attention simply from the powerful performance by Meryl Streep in the lead role. Whether the director of Mamma Mia can pull off a serious film is yet to be seen. Bonus points for having Anthony Stewart Head (Giles from Buffy) in a prominent role.

Goon
For something a little more lighthearted, Seann William Scott leads the cast in a sports comedy about a bouncer who joins a semi-pro hockey team. Expect blood on the ice and jokes about penises.

Mother and Child (limited release)
Emotions all over the place as big names (Naomi Watts, Samuel L. Jackson and Annette Bening) star in a “drama centered around three women: A 50-year-old woman, the daughter she gave up for adoption 35 years ago, and an African American woman looking to adopt a child of her own.”

Despair (limited release)
Re-release of 70′s drama involving Russians, Nazis and chocolate. A Russian goes insane and plans to disappear with the help of a life insurance policy and a laborer he falsely believes to be his double.

The Artist
Leave me alone, the mere sight of an ad for this film in Euston yesterday was enough to give me a shiver. Today The Artist moves from just one cinema to many more screens across the country. The best film of 2011 will be the most fun you have on the big screen in 2012. Not to be missed, and I’m talking directly to you. Take me with you, I can’t wait to see this again.

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The Lady
“The story of pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi and the academic and writer Michael Aris; a true story of love set against political turmoil.”

The Artist (Vue West End only)
The fact that this French silent film about Hollywood during the demise of the silent era is getting a UK-wide release is a testament to just how joyful it is. I loved it so much I gave it the “Best of the Fest” award at this year’s London Film Festival. You will leave the cinema with a huge grin on your face and won’t shut up about the experience at whatever New Years Eve party you attend. Opens nationwide next week.

Hannah and Her Sisters (BFI only)
The BFI begin their Woody Allen retrospective with this multi-Oscar winning comedy drama about one woman’s husbands and their love for her two sisters.

Zelig (BFI Only)
More Allen in the form of a faux-documentary about a human chameleon who can take on the appearance of anyone who is around him.

GO SEE THE ARTIST!!!

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The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Last year David Fincher directed my second favourite film of 2011, and this epic re-adaptation looks every bit as textured and stylish as The Social Network. Anyone unburdened by children this Boxing Day should go and see what promises to be the penultimate great film of 2011. Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara star in this adult thriller as a journalist teams up with a computer hacker to hunt down a woman who has been missing for forty years.

Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol
Ethan Hunt tries to act surprised when he is forced to go rogue after IMF is shut down after being implicated in a terrorist attack. The violence here will be much more family friendly, and it’s worth mentioning that Simon Pegg is involved… job done. Stephen saw it and loved it, so it has our seal of approval.

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Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
“Sherlock is back.” “Hurrah!” “No, not Cumberbatch.” “Oh.” “Precisely.” Ever since Steven Moffat showed us how good a Sherlock Holmes adaptation can be, and on a TV budget too, Guy Ritchie’s effort is looking less and less impressive. Still, this version has Stephen Fry and is perfect for a family trip to the cinema.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chip-Wrecked (limited release)
Precisely what no family should go and see together, it will insult the children’s intelligence and assault the parent’s senses. While on a cruise the chipmunks fall overboard and end up on a not-so-deserted island.

Dreams of a Life (limited release)
In 2006 the body of a young woman was found in her bedsit. She had died three years previously and had seemingly left this world without anyone taking notice. This documentary promises an intriguing look at how someone’s death can go unnoticed by everyone in their life. When was the last time you saw your neighbour?

Magic To Win (limited release)
According to a person on IMDb this is a “fitfully amusing reboot of the Happy Ghost series that is an unwieldy blend of the old-school humour of the series and modern-day fantasy elements à la Harry Potter”

Meet Me in St. Louis (limited release)
The BFI continue their re-release of classic MGM musicals with this Judy Garland vehicle about four sisters preparing to move to New York, singing songs and falling in love.

Wreckers (limited release)
Speaking of Benedict Cumberbatch, he co-stars in this romantic drama about trying to start a family while the husband deals with a troubled relationship between himself and his brother.

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