Now that everyone has had their fill of turkey and pumpkin pie, it’s time to leap into the Christmas season. Here are some promising films to see during the holiday season.
Opening December 6
“Out of the Furnace” directed by Scott Cooper and starring Christian Bale as Russell. Russell’s brother, Rodney (Casey Affleck) after serving as a soldier in Iraq becomes involved in a vicious crime ring and one day goes missing. The police are slow in their progress to find him and Russell goes through dangerous lengths to be reunited with his brother again.
“Inside Llewyn Davis” directed by Joel and Ethan Coen is based on the life of Dave van Ronk’s life, a 60’s folk musician in Greenwich village. The film stars Oscar Isaac as Llewyn Davis and others stars such as Justin Timberlake, Carey Mulligan and John Goodman. The inimitable Coen brothers hope to sweep the Oscars again.
Opening December 13
“The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug”, directed by Peter Jackson is bound to be a box office smash. Set in Middle Earth, Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) is set on a quest with Gandalf the Grey to take back the Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor that was conquered long ago by the dragon Smaug.
“American Hustle” directed by David O. Russell.The film takes place in the 1980s where Christian Bale plays a con man during the FBI’s Abscam investigation. Bradley Cooper plays an FBI agent caught in the middle of the Jersey mob. With Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence.
“Saving Mr. Banks” follows Walt Disney’s (Tom Hanks) 20-year struggle to obtain the rights of “Mary Poppins” from its creator P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson), played by Tom Hanks. Travers’ hesitance springs from her unsuccessful relationship with her father, played by Colin Farrell. Also with Paul Giamatti and Jason Schwartzman. Directed by John Lee Hancock.
Opening December 18
“Her” directed by Spike Jonze stars Joaquin Phoenix as an introverted greeting card writer who falls in love with the voice of his computer’s operating system, Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johansson). “Her” is written and includes Amy Adams, Rooney Mara and Olivia Wilde.
Opening December 20
“Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues” Will Ferrell returns as the arrogant, conceited and of course hilarious news anchor, Ron Burgundy, with his 2004 cast: Steve Carell, Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd and David Koechner. The news team takes New York by storm with a 24-hour newscast, a new boss and possible love interest, played by Meagan Good. Directed by Adam Mckay and written by Will Ferrell and Mckay.
Opening December 25, “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” starring and directed by Ben Stiller.. It is the tale of an ordinary man whose life is immersed in his vivid fantasies of heroism and romance. One day his career along with his coworker Cheryl’s, played by Kristen Wiig, are jeopardized and Mitty plunges into a real-life journey across the world.
“The Wolf of Wall Street’, the life story of corrupt banker Jordan Belfort, played by Leonardo DiCaprio whose story made headlines in the 1990s. Directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Jordan Belfort and Terence Winter, the film also includes Jonah Hill, Kyle Chandler and Matthew McConaughey.
