Here to take a look at the films coming out in wide and limited release this coming weekend. I’ll give you my thoughts to help you decide what’s worth checking out. Who else loves going to the movies on Christmas? It’s basically a tradition at this point. This year the options don’t seem as exciting as usual. There’s still a little bit of something for everyone depending on what you’re looking to see and who you’re going with.
- If you’re going with your mom, your aunt, your grandmother, etc:
Into the Woods – I’ll be seeing this with my own mother sometime soon. The concept of combining several of our well known fairy tales into one story definitely catches my attention. Anna Kendrick and Emily Blunt are also pulling me right in. I’m still fairly skeptical and keeping any expectations even, but I do hope that it turns out well. Then again, Nick did not like it at all and his negative review will be out tomorrow so you can see what he thought of it then. - If you’re going with your dad, your uncle, your grandfather, etc:
Unbroken – And I took my dad to this screener! He’s a vet and war buff and he dug it. I also thought it was pretty good, but doesn’t rise to the level of excellence that some had anticipated. I can see why it hasn’t been getting a ton of awards attention. It’s still pretty solid. It tells a pretty intense true life story and has some brutal POW camp scenes. I’ll have a full review up for this tomorrow. - If you’re going with your whole adult family and need a crowd pleaser… I guess:
The Gambler – I feel like this is the closest to an all around crowd pleaser this year… and it’s not even that close. And this is not suitable for kids (what actually is that’s releasing Christmas?). It’s crime drama about a professor with a gambling addiction. It’s might be a bummer but I also see the thriller genre tag being thrown around so maybe there’s some excitement too. It stars Mark Whalberg so that seems like the most crowd pleasing part about it. Geez, this is a dismal recommendation. The movie looks fine enough, but you’re destined to hear unfavorable comparisons to the 1974 original.
- If you’re looking for the best regarded film in theaters right now:
Selma – No kidding – this has a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes currently with 46 reviews. It’s also a huge Oscar watch, as this is looking to clean up many nominations including Best Picture, Best Actor for David Oyelowo who plays Martin Luther King, Jr and even Best Director for Ava DuVernay. It focuses on the legendary marches in Selma, Alabama. The trailer makes this film look like a very well made biopic/historical drama without feeling overtly Oscar bait-y (unlike you Unbroken, sorry). It’s hard to get very excited about something that looks so heart-wrenching but it feels like a must see.
See where it’s playing in select theaters here before its wide release on January 9. - If you’re going with a group of friends:
The Interview – Damn, so I guess America won this battle over the right to see Rogen/Franco stoner comedies. Point for the good guys! I’m glad this is getting out because the whole situation is just insane. I just kinda wish I had higher hopes for this. I like all their collaborations and most of the other comedies out there involving their cohort. I’ve usually still derived some pleasure from even the weaker comedies. So, I’m definitely planning to see this at some point even if this whole ordeal has seriously diminished my chances of seeing it on Christmas.
See where it’s playing in select theaters here. - If you’re looking for a movie that’s mostly going under the radar:
Big Eyes – This seems like an odd Christmas release. It didn’t get the big Tim Burton roll out to really feel like a huge deal or draw in those fans. I mean even Dark Shadows had decent box office success (even though not as great compared to his usual films). I feel like Big Eyes isn’t going to make a splash at all. Maybe the studio just didn’t know what to do with a film that wasn’t so blatantly Burton. It’s not intensely stylized with a huge budget. It’s actually much more appealing to me that it’s so different. I love Amy Adams, and here she’s playing the artist Margaret Keane who’s husband claimed her artwork.
See where it’s playing in select theaters here.
Also, American Sniper technically opens in 4 theaters in NY, LA, & Dallas but I will just go over that when it gets a wide release on January 16.
