Big screen still has gifts for holidays
The holiday season always offers a slew of blockbuster and Oscar-worthy films. So make time for the these upcoming movies. Release dates are projected and may change.
Dec. 13
>> “The Aeronauts”: Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones, of “The Theory of Everything,” re-team to play a meteorologist and a balloon pilot, respectively, who undertake a dangerous mission in 1862. Reports that Jones’ character is based on a man — professional balloonist Henry Coxwell — had caused some controversy.
>> “Richard Jewell”: Inspired by the true story of a security guard (Paul Walter Hauser) who discovered a bomb at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, only to become portrayed as a potential suspect. With Sam Rockwell and Olivia Wilde. Directed by Clint Eastwood.
>> “Jumanji: The Next Level”: This follow-up to the 2017 hit “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” reunites Dwayne Johnson, Karen Gillan, Kevin Hart and Jack Black as video-game avatars — this time with rather different personalities. Also starring Danny DeVito and Danny Glover.
>> “Black Christmas”: A new version of the 1974 cult favorite about a serial killer who stalks sorority girls. With Imogen Poots. Directed by Sophia Takal.
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>> “Bombshell”: How Fox News anchors Megyn Kelly (Charlize Theron) and Gretchen Carlson (Nicole Kidman) brought down network chief Roger Ailes (John Lithgow) on charges of sexual misconduct.
>> “Uncut Gems:” Adam Sandler has earned early raves for his performance as Howard Ratner, a gambling addict operating in New York City’s Diamond District, in this drama from the Safdie Brothers (“Good Time”). Also with Idina Menzel.
>> “A Hidden Life”: The story of Franz Jägerstätter (August Diehl), an Austrian farmer and Catholic who refused to fight for the Nazis during World War II. Terrence Malick, of “The Tree of Life,” wrote and directed.
Dec. 20
>> “Cats”: The Broadway smash inspired by T.S. Eliot’s poems gets the Hollywood treatment. With James Corden, Judi Dench, Idris Elba, Jennifer Hudson and Taylor Swift. Tom Hooper, of “The King’s Speech,” co-wrote and directed.
>> “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”: The ninth and final film in the main “Star Wars” series reunites the original cast — Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega and others — and brings back director J.J. Abrams (“Star Wars: The Force Awakens”). The late Carrie Fisher, as Leia Organa, will also appear. Disney recently announced a “hiatus” on any new “Star Wars” films.
Dec. 25
>> “Little Women”: Writer-director Greta Gerwig adapts Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 novel. Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan plays the ambitious Jo March. Also with Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Timothée Chalamet and Meryl Streep.
>> “Spies in Disguise”: An animated comedy in which a secret agent (the voice of Will Smith) is transformed into a pigeon. Also with Tom Holland, Rashida Jones and Ben Mendelsohn (of “Captain Marvel”).
>> “Just Mercy”: Michael B. Jordan (“Black Panther”) plays a lawyer trying to free a man wrongfully convicted of murder (Jamie Foxx). Based on a true story.
>> “1917”: During World War I, two young British soldiers must deliver a message that will stop a deadly attack. With Dean-Charles Chapman and George MacKay. Sam Mendes, of “Skyfall,” co-wrote and directed.
Dec. 27
>> “Clemency”: In the wake of a botched execution, prison warden Bernadine Williams (Alfre Woodard) begins questioning her commitment to the death penalty.