‘Specialty’ films promise to warm up winter’s dank months for movie lovers
BY DENNIS KING
They used to call them “indie” films, but that seems passé. Some have called them “art” films, but that sounds elitist. Now those movies produced on modest budgets, with strong themes, story-driven narratives and actors instead of stars (small-scaled dramas and comedies, documentaries and foreign releases) are generally referred to as “specialty” films.
Whatever you call them, they’ve come on strong in the final weeks of 2010 and are now poised to filter out into heartland theaters to warm the gloomy, chilly winter movie landscape. Several will also figure strongly in the upcoming Oscar races.
Over the first few months of 2011, look for this cool dozen “specialty” films to gladden the hearts of movie lovers:
“Blue Valentine” – A dramatic look at the happy-go-lucky past and troubled present of working-class couple Dean (Ryan Gosling) and Cindy (Michelle Williams).
“Barney’s Version” – Paul Giamatti takes the lead in this prickly tale about irascible TV-show producer Barney Panofsky, who reflects upon his life’s successes, failures and its greatest mystery, the unsolved disappearance of his best friend, Boogie (Scott Speedman).
“Another Year” – British director Mike Leigh (“Life Is Sweet”) shows us four seasons in the lives of a happily married couple (Jim Broadbent and Ruth Sheen), and their relationships with family and friends – who all have personal demons to battle.
“I Love You Phillip Morris” – Serving his second prison term, scam artist Steven Russell (Jim Carrey) concocts an elaborate con in order to escape and win the heart of Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor), with whom he fell in love during his first stretch behind bars.
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