December is always jam-packed with movies. Not only are studios catering for the Holiday season, but they’re squeezing in every Oscar hopeful they have before the end of the year. Even though this month is full of movies, a lot of them are actually good ones. Can’t complain about having too many great options, right?
Friday, December 7th
Playing for Keeps – Watch the trailer – I know I’m in the minority but I sort of hate when Gerard Butler makes romantic comedies. Playing for Keeps is like just another typical one, but worse. It somehow managed to get actors, in addition to Butler, Uma Thurman and Catherine Zeta-Jones. I saw this movie yesterday and well.. just wait a couple days for my review. It makes the list because it’s the only new major release for this weekend. (Wide)
Hyde Park on Hudson – Watch the trailer – I love Bill Murray, but this movie about FDR’s short affair with his distant cousin (Laura Linney) doesn’t interest me much. I will be seeing it though, so count on a review close to its release date. (Limited)
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Friday, December 14th
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey – Watch the trailer – With Peter Jackson back at the helm, I’m super excited for The Hobbit. The LotR nerd in me is rejoicing. From the trailer and its presentation at Comic Con, it looks amazing and my expectations are high. (Wide; in 3D, IMAX, 48fps)
Save the Date – Watch the trailer – I love Lizzy Caplan and for the most part have enjoyed her recent indie films. Therefore, I’m looking forward to Save the Date, which could be one of those rom-coms that won’t make me want to bang my head against the wall repeatedly. (Limited; Available on VOD – iTunes, Amazon, etc. – now)
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Wednesday, December 19th
Zero Dark Thirty – Watch the trailer – I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS MOVIE. Whew! Had to get that out first! Moving on, Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow is back, and her new film looks fantastic. Early reviews have started to come in, and they’re praising Zero Dark Thirty as being as good as or even better than her last film, The Hurt Locker. I dare you to watch the trailer and tell me you aren’t intrigued. (Limited; Nationwide on January 11th)
The Guilt Trip – Watch the trailer – In this comedy, Barbra Streisand and Seth Rogen star as a mother and son who go on a week-long road trip. The trailer looks funny, and I love Streisand so I’ll probably give it a chance just for her. (Wide)
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Monsters Inc. in 3D – Watch the trailer – Pixar is re-releasing one of my favorite movies in 3D. It’s a great chance for people and especially kids to check out this gem on the big screen. It will also help amp up audiences for the upcoming prequel, Monster’s University. (Wide)
Amour – Watch the trailer – A big winner at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, Amour is a movie I’ve been waiting months to see. It’s a story about when an old couple’s bond of love is severely tested. (Limited; French with English subtitles)
Friday, December 21st
Jack Reacher – Watch the trailer – If there’s something I can count Tom Cruise on, it’s delivering an entertaining action movie. (Wide)
This Is 40 – Watch the trailer – I may be in the minority by saying this: I’m not much of a fan of Judd Apatow’s films. The only reason I’m interested in This Is 40 is because I love Paul Rudd. (Wide)
The Impossible – Watch the trailer – From director Juan Antonio Bayona, Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor star in this true story about a family who survived the 2004 tsunami that hit South Asia. The early buzz is saying that this movie is incredible. (Limited)
Not Fade Away – Watch the trailer – This movie is about a group of friends who form a rock band and try to become famous. Not Fade Away comes from David Chase (the guy behind HBO’s The Sopranos) and stars Jack Huston (Boardwalk Empire) and James Gandolfini. (Limited)
Tuesday, December 25th – Merry Christmas!
Les Miserables – Watch the trailer – This may be one of the most anticipated movies of the year. The Oscar-winning director of The King’s Speech brings one of the most famous musicals to the big screen. Hugh Jackman stars as Jean Vajean, along with actors Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried, Helena Bonham Carter and more. Lots and lots of awards buzz circling this one, I can’t wait! (Wide)
Django Unchained – Watch the trailer – I’m always up for a new Quentin Tarantino movie, and Django looks to be one of his best! It stars Jamie Foxx and Christopher Waltz, whose characters go head-to-head with Leonardo DiCaprio’s villainous character. I was impressed by the footage I saw at Django’s Comic Con presentation, so I’m sure the movie will live up to the hype. (Wide)
West of Memphis – Watch the trailer – This documentary has been gaining a lot of buzz throughout the year. It’s about the West Memphis Three, when three Arkansas teens were convicted in 1994 of murdering three young boys. The documentary explores the injustice of that conviction, especially with all the conflicting evidence proving they may have been innocent. (Limited)
Friday, December 28th
Promised Land – Watch the trailer – Gus Van Sant’s latest film stars Matt Damon and John Kransinski. The story is about a man trying to get oil drilling rights for small town’s land. The movie itself looks like it can be interesting, but the lead actors are totally main factors to see it. (Limited; Nationwide on January 4th)
Quartet – Watch the trailer – I adore Maggie Smith and will pretty much watch anything she’s in. Quartet is directed by Dustin Hoffman and is about a musicians retirement home. It looks sweet and heartwarming, if a little cliché, but a pleasant way to end the year in movies. (Limited)
More December releases:
- Lay the Favorite – 12/7 (Limited)
- Any Day Now – 12/14 (Limited)
- Cirque Du Soleil: Worlds Away – 12/21 (Limited)
- On The Road – 12/21 (Limited)
- Parental Guidance – 12/25 (Wide)
- LUV – 12/28 (Limited)
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