By David Seaman | Echo
What do a talking snowman, dwarves fighting for their birthright and a crazy news anchor have in common? They are characters on a journey, whether it's a comedy, a fantasy epic or an animated adventure. The next two months will be packed with film ranging from award-contenders to crowdpleasing blockbusters to ambitious remakes. Here are four films that have high expectations and should be hits-and will also give you a reason to pay $10 for a ticket.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Peter Jackson will unveil the second installment of his planned trilogy Dec. 2 in Los Angeles, with an American release Dec. 13. Despite a massive box-office return, the first "Hobbit" film received mediocre reviews from critics. Many commented on the overly stuffed plot and increased use of digital effects. The projection frame rate of 48 frames a second, which gave the film a hyper-realistic quality, also had a mixed response. Jackson knows the world of Middle-earth well, however, and judging by his "Lord of the Rings" films, he knows how to make superior sequels. Expect new characters, new thrills and a new nemesis in the menacing dragon Smaug, enjoyably voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch.
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
"He is my favorite character I've played, if I have to choose one," Will Ferrell said in "Entertainment Weekly" magazine about his role as Ron Burgundy, the obnoxious-but-hilarious news anchor in 2004's "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy." Ferrell finally returns to the beloved role in the sequel, due Dec. 20. After Burgundy and his former news crew hit rock bottom in the 1980s, they are recruited to join a 24-hour news channel. Ferrell is set to bring the laughs alongside returning cast members Christina Applegate, Steve Carell and Paul Rudd. Look out for some side-splitting cameos as well.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," which comes out this Christmas, could be a real wildcard for the season. It has the star power of Ben Stiller (in a dramatic role, no less) and an inventive spirit, but whether this is enough to bring in box-office dough is the question. Based on a short story by James Thurber and the subsequent 1947 film, "Walter Mitty" revolves around a daydreaming "Life" magazine worker who is looking for a missing picture needed for the final issue of the magazine. The film looks quirky and charming, with a real sense of visual magic-and Stiller has proven his dramatic chops before in films such as "Greenberg."
Frozen
Everything from the trailers suggests an icy "Tangled": cute nonhuman sidekicks, heartthrob male lead, an independent young princess dealing with magical villains. But the film, due out Nov. 27, seems to be more than that. Disney has been trying to make a movie based off Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen" since the 1940s and has finally succeeded. Kristen Bell voices Princess Anna, who teams up with a mountain man, his reindeer and a talking snowman. The quest: to find Anna's sister, whose powers over snow have caused eternal winter in the kingdom. Early reviews have been stellar, praising the animation, music and surprisingly well-developed characters. Disney certainly hasn't been slacking lately, and films like "Frozen" are giving the studio giant a great return to animation form.
