Now that all the union strikes are behind us (for now), let’s keep an eye on an eclectic mix of awards contenders and potential blockbusters this month, all of which are looking to keep the box office momentum going toward a profitable year for studios and movie-goers alike. There are quite a few noteworthy titles releasing in December, so without further ado, here’s what may be worth making the trip to our local Showplace Cinemas and AMC Theaters this holiday season. As always, check the showtimes before you head out the door!
Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé (Dec. 1) – Destined to become the second-biggest concert film of the year, Beyoncé and co-directors James B. Merryman and Mark Ritchie chronicle the behind-the-scenes efforts of The Renaissance Tour crew as they prepare and perform in this two-and-a-half-hour event. Also releasing on December 1st is Godzilla Minus One, the 37th entry in the longest-running series in cinema history. That would be an amazing double feature!
Poor Things (Dec. 8) – Five years after their Oscar-winning collaboration on The Favorite, star Emma Stone and director Yorgos Lanthimos bring us yet another delightfully twisted, surrealist tale. This time around, it’s a gothic retelling of the Frankenstein tale that co-stars Willem Dafoe, Mark Ruffalo, and Ramy Youssef. A critical success already on the festival circuit (Venice, New York FF), Searchlight Pictures is hoping for adventurous audiences to experience this on the big screen.
Wonka (Dec. 15) – Do we need another prequel to a popular, beloved film? Warner Bros. is hoping so! Enlisting the white-hot star power of Timothée Chalamet and the creative talents of director Paul King (Paddington 1 & 2, but sadly, not Paddington 3), everyone’s favorite unhinged purveyor of chocolate, treats, and imagination is shown at the beginning of his illustrious candy-making career. Throw in Hugh Grant as the iconic Oompa-Loompa and some dazzling special effects as the cherry on top of this would-be crowd-pleaser, and you have a recipe for fun in the theater!
The Iron Claw (Dec. 22) – Another critical darling of the fall festivals circuit is the tragic tale of the Von Erich brothers, a professional wrestling family in the 1980s that made history and headlines just as the sport fought its way into the mainstream. Written and directed by Sean Durkin (Martha Marcy May Marlene) and starring Zac Effron, Jeremy Allen White (TV’s The Bear), Harris Dickinson (Triangle of Sadness), and Lily James (Baby Driver), this A24 release has awards season written all over it.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (Dec. 22) – Now that we already know the fate of Jason Momoa playing the title role in future DCU films (he isn’t), will audiences skip seeing this in the theater, just like they did for The Flash and Blue Beetle? James Wan returns as writer/producer/director, assembling most of the cast from the first installment and adding Ben Affleck’s Bruce Wayne/Batman to the mix. Will the rumors of on-set clashes and reshoots add to the drama or send this sequel to a watery grave?
American Fiction (Dec. 22) – Winning the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival has guaranteed at least a Best Picture nomination at the Oscars every year since 2012. This year’s winner, written and directed by Cord Jefferson, stars Jeffrey Wright as a novelist who writes a popular novel that creates controversy within the African-American community. Wright is joined by Tracee Ellis Ross, Issa Rae, and Sterling K. Brown in this satirical dramedy.
Ferrari (Dec. 25) – Writer/Producer/Director Michael Mann returns to top form with this biopic on the charismatic and controversial luxury car and racing figure Enzo Ferrari. Starring Oscar-nominated actor Adam Driver in the title role, the film co-stars Penélope Cruz, Shailene Woodly, and People Magazine’s 2023 Sexiest Man Alive Patrick Dempsey. With a visual style that puts the viewer in the car and immerses them in the drama with the sound of roaring engines, this is one theatrical experience you won’t want to miss!
The Color Purple (Dec. 25) – Billing itself as a “Bold Take on the Beloved Classic,” the Broadway musical version of 1985’s Oscar-winning film based on Alice Walker’s iconic novel boasts a star-studded cast that includes stage, screen, and music stars. Veteran actors Taraji P. Henson (Hidden Figures), Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (King Richard, Ray), and Coleman Domingo (Rustin) are joined by Danielle Brooks (Orange is the New Black), Halle Bailey (The Little Mermaid) and Corey Hawkins (In the Heights). Star musicians include H.E.R., Ciara, Jon Batiste, and Fantasia Barrino.
Henderson resident McManus Woodend is an Assistant Professor of Digital Media at the University of Southern Indiana and has worked in film, television and commercials for more than 20 years. To see some of his work, visit www.mcmanuswoodend.com.
