Dec 9, 2011 By Lou Gaul calkins Media Film Critic 3 min read

An ensemble tale (“New Year’s Eve”), an intense story (“Shame”), a broad romp (“The Sitter”) and a romantic drama (“Young Goethe in Love”) are among the releases arriving for this second weekend of December.

The films scheduled to arrive are:

“New Year’s Eve,” with Sarah Jessica Parker, Halle Berry, Sofia Vergara, Jessica Biel, Ashton Kutcher, Robert De Niro, Carla Gugino, Katherine Heigl, Zac Efron, Jon Bon Jovi, Ryan Seacrest, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Josh Duhamel, Hilary Swank, Michelle Pfeiffer and Alyssa Milano in an ensemble comedy. The PG-13 picture follows numerous couples on the biggest party night of the year. Garry Marshall (“Pretty Woman”) directed.

“Shame,” with Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan in a raw NC-17 drama about a New York sex addict who sidesteps intimacy and seeks constant cheap thrills. The film has generated controversy due to its intense sexual elements. British filmmaker Steve McQueen (“Hunger”) directed.

“The Sitter,” with Jonah Hill, Sam Rockwell, Ari Graynor and Method Man in a crude R-rated comedy about a suspended college student who takes an extended baby-sitting job even though he has no idea how to deal with children. David Gordon Green (“Pineapple Express”) directed.

“Tomboy,” with Zoe Heran in a heartfelt drama about a 10-year-old girl who moves to a new neighborhood and is mistaken for a boy. She then pretends to be a person of another gender. The unrated film won best feature from the Philadelphia QFest. Celine Sciamma (“Water Lilies”) directed.

“A Warrior’s Heart,” with Kellan Lutz, Gabrielle Anwar and Adam Beach in a PG-rated family drama about a high school lacrosse player who’s emotionally shattered after the death of his Marine father. To help her son, his mother enlists him in a lacrosse camp run by his father’s combat buddy, and he explains the game’s Native American roots to the troubled young man. Mike Sears made his directing debut.

“Young Goethe in Love,” with Alexander Fehling and Miriam Stein in an unrated romantic drama about a young law student romantically drawn to a beautiful woman whose father has promised her hand in marriage to a wealthy suitor. Philipp Stolzl (“North Face”) directed.

 

At the Buck$ Office

“Twilight” dawned as the weekend’s top-grossing film for the third week in a row.

“The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1” easily took the No. 1 position last weekend, taking in $16.9 million. In three weeks, the franchise title, starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner, has grossed a whopping $247.3 million.

“The Muppets” didn’t prove to have much staying power.

The highly anticipated PG-rated family film, which features the big-screen return of Kermit, Miss Piggy and Fozzie Bear, stumbled in its second week of release, grossing just $11.2 million. That’s a 61.7 percent drop from the previous week.

In two weeks, “The Muppets” has grossed $56.1 million and probably doesn’t have a chance of passing the $100 million mark.

According to Box Office Mojo, the top 10 films last weekend were:

1. “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn” ($16.9 million)

2. “The Muppets” ($11.2 million)

3. “Hugo” ($7.6 million)

4. “Arthur Christmas” ($7.3 million)

5. “Happy Feet Two” ($6 million)

6. “Jack and Jill” ($5.5 million)

7. “The Descendants” ($5.2 million)

8. “Immortals” ($4.3 million)

9. “Tower Heist” ($4.1 million)

10. “Puss in Boots” ($3 million)

 

Gaul on the Web

My film reviews, features and columns can be found under entertainment/movies on our website, www.phillyBurbs.com.