The multiplex will be crowded with films this holiday season.
But will they also be crowded with patrons?
At least seven films will open in Milwaukee on Christmas Day including female-centric Oscar wannabe’s “Carol,” a lesbian melodrama; the transgender drama “The Danish Girl”; and David O. Russell’s “Joy.”
The Quentin Tarantino Western “The Hateful Eight” and the football injury biopic “Concussion” are also on tap Dec. 25.
There is even a movie about an Oscar winner: “Trumbo,” with Bryan Cranston as the blacklisted screenwriter. The Oscar race gets serious starting Friday with the clerical abuse drama “Spotlight” a certain best picture nominee.
Releases include:
Nov. 20
–“Secret in Their Eyes” Remake of Oscar-winning foreign language film from Argentina is a revenge thriller with Julia Roberts as a cop whose daughter is murdered. With Chiwetel Ejiofor, Nicole Kidman.
“The Night Before” Three friends, two of whom are Jewish, seek out the ultimate Christmas party. With Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen.
–“Spotlight” Story of Boston Globe 2002 expose of clerical sexual abuse. With Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton. See review.
Nov. 25
–“Trumbo” Bryan Cranston as Dalton Trumbo, the Oscar-winning blacklisted screenwriter.
–“Creed” Early reviews are positive for this seventh film in the “Rocky” series, with Michael B. Jordan as the son of boxer Apollo Creed, and Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa. By Bryan Coogler, who directed Jordan in “Fruitvale Station.”
“The Good Dinosaur” The Pixar animated film asks: What if dinosaurs were not extinct.
“Brooklyn” Soarise Ronan is an Irish immigrant in the 1950s torn between her new country and her homeland. Based on the novel by Colm Tobin.
“Victor Frankenstein” Another retelling of Mary Shelley tale told from the perspective of Igor, played by Daniel Radcliffe. With James McAvoy,
Dec. 4
“Christmas Eve” After a power shortage strangers are stuck in elevators together all over the city, on Christmas Eve. Ensemble film with a faith-based subtext. With Patrick Stewart.
Dec. 6
“Hamlet” Benedict Cumberbatch as the melancholy Dane. In a production staged by the National Theater. One showing only, 11 a.m., Oriental Theater.
Dec. 11
“The Big Short” Retelling of the 2005 financial crisis written and directed by “Anchorman” director Adam McKay. With Brad Pitt, Steve Carell, Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling.
“In the Heart of the Sea” Account of the real life disaster at sea that inspired “Moby Dick.” With Chris Hemsworth. Directed by Ron Howard.
Dec. 18
“Sisters” Amy Poehler and Tina Fey as sisters who throw one last party before their parents sell their home. By “Saturday Night Live” writer Paula Pell.
“Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens” Set 30-years after events in “Return of the Jedi.”
Dec. 23
“Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Road Chip” Animated
Dec. 25
“Carol” Lesbian melodrama by Todd Haynes, based on the novel by Patricia Highsmith. With Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara.
“Concussion” Will Smith as the neurologist who discovered football related brain trauma.
“Youth” Series of observational non sequiturs and elliptical conversations by a melancholy composer and conductor played by Michael Caine and a director, played by Harvey Keitel, working a screenplay and stuck on a character’s dying words. Tale of aging and regret by Paolo Sorentino, director of “The Great Beauty.”
“The Hateful Eight” Quentin Tarantino western about bounty hunters trapped during a blizzard. With Jennifer Jason Leigh, Channing Tatum, Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell.
“The Danish Girl” Story of transgender pioneer Einar Wegener / Lilli Elbe. With Eddie Redmayne.
“Point Break” FBI agent infiltrates a group of extreme sport athletes. Remake of 1991 film.
“Joy” Life story of single mother and entrepreneur Joy Mangano, played by Jennifer Lawrence. By “American Hustle” director David O. Russell.
Tags: Carol, Danish Girl, Hateful Eight, Joy, Spotlight, Trumbo Posted by