With the help of ASB president Rod Bridges, Movie reviewer Mary Moses Hitt takes a look at winter break’s upcoming films.
Awards season is upon us. If you have any money left at this point in the semester, be sure to set some aside to buy tickets for the year’s most promising films that will premiere over our lengthy Christmas break in their pursuit of Oscar gold.
The Epic: In the Heart of the Sea
Release Date: December 11
Why You Should See It: The year was 1820, the ship’s name was Essex, and the protagonist was the whale that caused the demise of the now infamous ship that served as the inspiration for one of America’s most beloved (and lengthy) novels, “Moby Dick.” Nathaniel Philbrick brought Herman Melville’s creative process to life with his book by the same name, which won the National Book Award for Nonfiction in 2000, and now Oscar-winning director Ron Howard (A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13) is at the helm of adapting this fascinating true story. “In the Heart of the Sea” is a movie audiences should get on board for, even if it’s just for Chris Hemsworth and some extremely trippy colors and cinematography.
The Star-Studded Cast: The Big Short
Release Date: December 11
Why You Should See It: Boasting actors Brad Pitt, Christian Bale, Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling, “The Big Short” has arguably the greatest cast of all the Oscar-hungry movies coming out this season. If you’ve seen the trailer, you understand why the work of this male-dominant cast is worth the price of admission and has already earned an impressive 92 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. Adapted from the book written by Michael Lewis, author of crowd-favorites The Blind Side and Moneyball, the film focuses on key players and Wall Street firms in the 2008 U.S. financial crisis. However, don’t let the plot of the movie (or Steve Carell’s toupee) intimidate you. Directing this film is Adam McKay, known for his frequent collaboration with Will Ferrell on films like “Anchorman,” so we know there will be dark humor to a story that is, unfortunately, not comical at all.
The Moneymaker: Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Release Date: December 18
Why You Should See It: The cult following of George Lucas’ iconic Star Wars trilogy has caused the franchise’s second resurgence. Fans seems way more optimistic about the quality of “The Force Awakens” over its predecessors Episodes 1-3, and many of them (myself included) have already purchased their tickets in advance for the movie’s premiere. To the ecstasy of the generations of Star Wars lovers, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) and Han Solo (Harrison Ford) are making their return in this seventh installation of the franchise. New characters will be introduced along with them as Disney and director J.J. Abrams, who is no stranger to sci-fi, create a new future for Star Wars in that same galaxy far, far away.
The Comedy Choice: Sisters
Release Date: December 18
Why You Should Be Excited: The mourning period of the end of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler’s three year reign as hosts of the Golden Globes is over. These leading ladies of comedy are back by popular demand to star in their third feature film together, and this time, as the title suggests, they’re playing sisters. Fey and Poehler are literally bringing the party to the big screen in this entertainment-driven movie, as these two sisters throw one last party at their childhood home before their parents sell it. The good times and laughs are certain to be plentiful.
The Period Piece: Son of Saul
Release Date: December 18
Why You Should Go See It: No words — only haunting images and powerful music— is what the trailer for “Son of Saul” gives us. This film unearths the evils of the Auschwitz concentration camp during WWII through one prisoner’s moral dilemma over burning the dead bodies of his fellow prisoners when he discovers that one of the bodies belongs to his son. As one critic put it, this “journey through hell” has already earned a 91 Metascore and 95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, so, if you can stomach it, we recommend that you see it.
The Biopic: Joy
Release Date: December 25
Why You Should See It: For those who enjoyed “Silver Linings Playbook” and “American Hustle,” this is the movie for you. The Oscar-winning films of director David O. Russell and actors Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro are giving audiences their third collaboration for Christmas this year. J-Law is our leading lady and will be bringing to life the true story of Joy Mangano, whose successful inventions embody the “American Dream” story that audiences love watching.
The Modern Western: The Hateful Eight
Release Date: December 25
Why You Should See It: Whether it’s a tribute to the plot or the fact that this is his eighth film, Quentin Tarantino’s newest film is appropriately named “The Hateful Eight.” Being a Tarantino film is enough to get some people to the movie theater, but for those needing more reassurance, Tarantino has cast Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Bruce Dern, Tim Roth and Michael Madsen as the outlaws who turn on in each other in this modern western. Expect absurd action, intriguingly witty dialogue, and an awesome soundtrack. If Django Unchained is anything to go by, we might suggest waiting until after Christmas Day to watch this (not-so-family-friendly) film.
The Sports Film: Concussion
Release Date: December 25
Why You Should See It: We all know America’s pastime isn’t really baseball — it’s football. “Concussion” is not the typical “Remember the Titans” or “Hoosiers” sports film that we all know and love. Rather than chronicling an athlete’s or team’s motivational story, this movie follows the immigrant doctor Bennett Omalu (Will Smith), who first discovered chronic traumatic encephalopathy caused by playing football, and his journey to bring his discovery to the public. His number one enemy? The NFL.
The Brutal Man v. Nature Film: The Revenant
Release Date: January 8
Why You Should See It: Leonardo DiCaprio recently told media outlets that “The Revenant” was the most physically and psychologically demanding film of his career. Sleeping in animal carcasses, battling hypothermia, shooting scenes for only 90 minutes a day to capture consistent “natural lighting,” and using complex 360-degree shots contributed to the intensity and sheer scope of the film. Set in the early 1800s, this harrowing true story is about Hugh Glass, a fur trapper, who is left for dead in the wilderness by the men of his team (led by actor Tom Hardy). In typical revenge-tale fashion, Leo’s character vows to return the favor, facing the environment and wildlife along the way. Word on the street is that early screenings have caused viewers to walk out due to the intense gore and violence. Maybe the vibes of director Alejandro González Iñárritu’s multiple Oscar wins for Birdman will rub off on poor Leo as he hopes to finally receive that little gold statue.
