Annie

The news that music megastar Jay-Z and action-man/rapper Will Smith were teaming up as producers had us anticipating a grandiose Hip Hop collaboration, perhaps with something of Smith's 90's throwback flavor. Enter a little girl with curly hair. Yes, Z (real name Shawn Carter) and Smith bring us their contemporary adaptation of the Tony award winning 1977 musical Annie this Boxing Day, in a family film that promises to be as fresh as the Prince of Bel Air.
Helmed by these super-star producers, it's no surprise that Annie's all singing, all-dancing cast is bursting with talent. Bearing the title role on her tiny shoulders is Quvenzhane Wallis, otherwise known as the youngest ever Best Actress nominee (she was up for the Academy award at the grand age of 8 for last year's indie hit Beasts of the Southern Wild). She's in good company, with the multi-talented Jamie Foxx filling the slacks of billionaire Will Stacks (formerly known as Daddy Warbucks). After winning best actor for his magnetic performance as Ray Charles in biopic Ray, Fox, alongside Hugh Jackman, represents a throwback to the charismatic entertainers of Classical Hollywood cinema. Plus, he's been described by his young co-star as 'funny, handsome and really nice' – as glowing a review as any adult could hope for from a 10 year old.
Then there's Cameron Diaz, stepping into the conniving heels of Miss Hannigan. Diaz is such a familiar actress; it's almost difficult to imagine her surprising the audience, but her we're eager to see her rise to the challenge of pantomime villain in her musical debut.
Director Will Gluck (Easy A and Friends with Benefits) has described the core of Annie as being about 'finding your family'. He co-wrote the script with (another!) Oscar winner, Emma Thompson, a pro at cross-generational entertainment if the success of her family franchise Nanny Mcphee is anything to go by. Judging by the trailer, Gluck and Thompson have exuberated in the heartfelt, joyous nature of the original material.
The film is likely to be a bright spark of entertainment that will alleviate boxing days blues; a nostalgic joy for children and adults alike.