For films hoping to do well in the upcoming movie award season, the most coveted release dates are the weekends in November-January. If you have any money left at the end of the semester, be sure to set some aside for buying tickets for the year’s more promising films that will premiere over our lengthy Christmas break.
These are some top genre picks for the movies coming out during the break.
Drama with strong female heroine:
“Wild” – Dec. 5
Voted: Most likely to inspire your New Year’s resolution of “self-betterment”
Rated: R Reviews: 75 Metascore; 87% Rotten Tomatoes
Based on the memoir of Cheryl Strayed, this film chronicles the 1,100 mile hike Strayed (Reese Witherspoon) made to leave behind years of self-destructive behavior. Oscar buzz is circulating about Witherspoon’s performance, which she stated in an interview, “was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life” including some raunchy scenes you can expect in this film.
Comedy choice:
“Top Five” – Dec. 12
Voted: Most likely to make you wonder why Chris Rock made a movie as horrible as “Grown Ups 2”
Rated: R Reviews: 93 Metascore; 92% Rotten Tomatoes
Comedian Andre Allen (Chris Rock) wants to reinvent himself as a “serious” actor, but unfortunately his upcoming wedding to reality star Erica Long (Gabrielle Union) is getting more attention than his movies. Written and directed by Chris Rock, “Top Five” will undoubtedly be hilarious, but its cast and reviews promise that it will also be a great movie.
For the fictional book lovers:
“The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” – Dec. 17
Voted: Most likely to cause heated arguments among its fandom members
Rated: Unrated Reviews: Unavailable
With Erebor reclaimed, men, elves and dwarfs must unite and fight to save Middle Earth in this third and final installment of the beloved book-turned-movie-trilogy. The trailer’s chilling music gets me pumped and hopeful that this film will not upset as many fans as the previous two have, and I expect to see my fellow Tolkienites at the midnight premiere.
Family choice (not “Wolf of Wall Street”):
“Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb” – Dec. 19
Voted: Most likely to make you miss Robin Williams
Rated: PG Reviews: Unavailable
Museum night guard Larry (Ben Stiller) is uniting museums across countries in the third “Night at the Museum” movie to preserve the magic that enables the displays to come alive each night. Enjoy this quirky movie plot one last time while celebrating the last on-screen roles played by the late and beloved Robin Williams and Mickey Rooney.
For the Broadway fanatics:
“Into the Woods” – Dec. 25
Voted: Most likely to get an annoyingly catchy song stuck in your head
Rated: PG Reviews: Unavailable
Characters from Grimm fairytales intertwine in this musical about the Baker (James Corden) and his wife’s (Emily Blunt) mission to break a curse placed on them by the Witch (Meryl Streep). This darker take on the fairytales has meaningful lessons behind it and a star-studded cast to deliver an excellent film.
Inspirational nonfiction:
“Unbroken” – Dec. 25
Voted: Most likely to cause you to question what you’ve been doing with your life
Rated: PG-13 Reviews: Unavailable
“Unbroken” tells the story of Louis Zamperini (Jack O’Connell), a U.S. Olympic runner and WWII veteran, who spent 47 days stranded on a raft and over 2 years as a POW. Still not convinced this is worth your money? Well, the Coen brothers wrote the screenplay, which means I’ll be there on opening day.
Independent mystery:
“Inherent Vice” – Jan. 9
Voted: Most likely to not be on moviegoers’ list
Rated: R Reviews: 84 Metascore; 71% Rotten Tomatoes
Based on the novel set in the 1970s, Doc Sportello (Joaquin Phoenix) investigates his ex-girlfriend’s claim that her billionaire boyfriend’s wife and boyfriend are going to kidnap the billionaire. While that is confusing, it’s not confusing that you should see this movie because Paul Thomas Anderson directed it and wrote the screenplay. If that’s not enough for you, the cast includes Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Josh Brolin, Benicio Del Toro, Jena Malone, Owen Wilson and Maya Rudolph.
Critics’ choice:
“Selma” – Jan. 9
Voted: Most likely to inspire you to make a difference in the world
Rated: Unrated Reviews: 98 Metascore; 100% Rotten Tomatoes
This Civil Rights movie centers on Martin Luther King Jr.’s march in Selma, Alabama, which resulted in the chaos that changed the United States. Even if this isn’t your favorite genre, the reviews are too good for this movie to not be well-made.
Action:
“American Sniper” – Jan. 16
Voted: Most likely to not have a girl in the audience
Rated: R Reviews: 62 Metascore; 75% Rotten Tomatoes
Real life Navy S.E.A.L Chris Kyle (Bradley Cooper) finished his military career with over 150 confirmed kills, making him the most lethal sniper in American history. War movie lovers will be pleased with this adaption directed by Clint Eastwood that explores the psychological effects war had on this lethal sniper.
