The year of movies ends strong, as there is a bevy of films that are award-nomination worthy. Narrow your December queue to these end-of-the-year hits. From redemption stories to arguably the biggest release in recent memory, take a moment away from gift wrapping, sift through our December picks, and grab a bag of popcorn.
In the Heart of the Sea (December 11)
This movie has star power written all over it as Director Ron Howard and actor Chris Hemsworth (Thor) reunite to take on the life story that inspired the legendary classic, Moby Dick. The movie’s special effects look fantastic, as you’re taken through the harrowing journey of a whaling ship suddenly attacked at sea. Based on the 1820 event, the crewmen team together to find any way to band together to survive, and hunt that which hunts them on the open sea.
The Revenant (December 25)
Academy Award winner Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu follows Birdman with The Revenant, starring Leonardo Dicaprio and Tom Hardy as two men in an expedition to America’s uncharted wilderness. Hugh Glass (Dicaprio) finds himself viciously savaged by a bear and left to die by his men. Undeterred Glass musters every ounce of energy into attempting to survive the wilderness and all its terrors, and longs to survive just long enough to see his family once again.
Joy (December 25)
David O. Russell and Jennifer Lawrence’s followup to American Hustle and Silver Lining Playbook comes Joy, a mixture of comedy and drama that shows a woman trying to find herself in the world and make her mark it in. Jennifer Lawrence brings her A-game again as she vies for another Academy Award Nomination. The story is focused as a family story that stretches across generations. A David O. Russell movie shouldn’t be missed, so make time to see this tour de force during the holiday season.
Pick of the Month:
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (December 18)
Admittedly, little is known about this small indie movie that ended up launching the biggest franchise saga to date. Director JJ Abrams unites an all-star cast including Oscar Isaac and Harrison Ford to bring the next chapter in the Star Wars Universe. If anything is known, it’s that this movie is as “must-see” as you can find, and its box office may end up bringing it to being a top-five earner of all time. The quality seems fantastic, and the nostalgia appears ready to grasp an entirely new generation of people. This may end up being the biggest and best movie of the year!
David Postma runs the website www.filmtakeout.com. He works in financing and producing and writes for various feature films and television projects.
