2017 Holiday Movie Round-up
With the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays soon upon us, the movie studios are pulling out what they consider to be their best festive treats. Here is a look at what will be playing in theaters during November and December 2017. (Click on the title’s link for more content details and reviews.)
Wednesday, November 1, 2017
A BAD MOMS CHRISTMAS
Aiming to be on the naughty list, this R-rated comedy is targeting women who are tired of carrying the responsibilities of making Christmas a merry occasion. Starring: Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn
Friday, November 3, 2017
THOR: RAGNAROK
The Marvel Superhero tries to save his home planet from destruction in this PG-13-rated action adventure. Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Cate Blanchett
Friday, November 10, 2017
DADDY’S HOME 2
The best intentions of some dysfunctional dads and grandpas turn the holiday season into the worst of times in this family comedy. Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Mel Gibson, Will Ferrell, John Lithgow
MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS (2017)
Agatha Christie makes good murder mystery, and this latest adaptation of her classic novel will likely be a treat to all of her fans. Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Daisy Ridley.
Friday, November 17, 2017
JUSTICE LEAGUE
Not to be outdone by Marvel’s Avengers, the DC Comics’ Superheroes team up to stop a power-hungry villain intent on world domination. Starring: Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa.
THE STAR
The nativity story comes to life in this colorful, comical animation. This time it is the animal’s perspective that leads the narration of the first Christmas. Starring the voice talents of Gina Rodriguez, Keegan-Michael Key, Zachary Levi.
WONDER
A young boy with a disfigured face tries to find his place in a new school where is peers are not as friendly as his family. This movie is an inspirational look at the wonder of kindness. Starring: Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, Jacob Tremblay.
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
COCO (2017)
This Disney/Pixar animation offers a lively look at the Land of the Dead after a young boy accidentally crosses over on Dia de los Muertos—the day Mexican families celebrate their ancestors. Starring the voice talents of Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Edward James Olmos, Alanna Ubach, Benjamin Bratt.
DARKEST HOUR (2017)
This bio-drama depicts Sir Winston Churchill who takes over as Prime Minister during Britian’s darkest hours during World war II. Starring: Gary Oldman, John Hurt, Lily James, Ben Mendelsohn, Kristin Scott Thomas.
THE MAN WHO INVENTED CHRISTMAS
Charles Dickens didn’t really invent Christmas, but the British novelist did pen one of the most famous stories associated with the holiday season. This movie provides a fictionalized version of how A Christmas Carol came to be written.Starring: Dan Stevens, Christopher Plummer, Jonathan Pryce, Ian McNeice.
Friday, December 8, 2017
JUST GETTING STARTED
Forget how old theses retirement residents may look. When it comes to zany adventures, they are just getting started – although the crimes of the past may also be coming back to haunt them. This comedy is targeting adult viewers. Starring: Morgan Freeman, Tommy Lee Jones, Rene Russo.
Friday, December 15, 2017
FERDINAND
He’s a lover, not a fighter – even though he is a bull. In this comedic animation, Ferdinand tries to escape a fate in the ring so he can enjoy a life as a house pet… a really big house pet! Starring the voice talent of John Cena.
STAR WARS EPISODE VIII: THE LAST JEDI
One of the most highly anticipated movies of the year, this latest episode of the Star Wars saga promised to reveal the parentage of the orphan Rey, the secret seclusion of Luke Skywalker and the destiny of The Force. Starring: Daisy Ridley, John Bodega, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, Mark Hamill.
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE
It has taken 20 years for the movie Jumanji to get the sequel treatment. In this incarnation of the tale, the board game that has the ability to draw players right into the action, morphs into a video game with even greater power over those foolish enough to pick up a joystick. Starring: Karen Gillan, Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black.
The life of circus creator P.T. Barnum comes to life in this musical that attempts to present production numbers worthy of the claim “Greatest Show on Earth”. Starring: Hugh Jackman.
Friday, December 22, 2017
PITCH PERFECT 3
This is the third (and supposedly final) performance of the singing group, the Bellas. These former collage gals tossed around a few crude remarks in their past movies, so expect more of the same. Starring: Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow, Anna Camp, Hana Mae Lee, Hailee Steinfeld, Alexis Knapp, Kelley Jakle, Rebel Wilson.
FATHER FIGURES
The R-rating on this film should warn family viewers that this is not a kid-friendly ride, even though the adult brothers depicted are on a road trip trying and track down their true parentage. Starring: Owen Wilson, Ed Helms, Glenn Close.
DOWNSIZING
When life’s problems become too big to handle, a couple decides to downsize – literally. But a miniature lifestyle doesn’t guarantee minuscule troubles. Starring: Matt Damon, Christoph Waltz, Hong Chau.
ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD
This bio-drama depicts the 1973 kidnapping of John Paul Getty III, and the reluctance of his wealthy grandfather to pay his captors their ransom demands. Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Williams, Christopher Plummer.
THE POST
Adult audiences will undoubtedly notice the comparisons of past and present in this period picture that depicts a newspaper editor defending her right to print stories that don’t meet with the approval of the government. The script is “inspired” by true events that occurred in America a few decades ago. Starring: Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks. Directed by Steven Spielberg.
Monday, December 25, 2017
MOLLY’S GAME This bio-drama follows the business affairs of Molly Bloom, who hosted high-stakes poker games for the rich and famous before the FBI charged her with connections to Russian mobsters. Starring: Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba.
