MoviefiedNYC Opening in December

Santa,  Can I see finally go see Star Wars: The Force Awakens?

Yes, Davidcito you can!

With the juggernaut that is Star Wars VII opening this month it is almost easy to miss other movies, that are no slouches by the way, also opening in December. Studios deliver their films with anticipation of discovering which are serious Oscar contenders (Joy, The Revenant and Concussion), surprises like Anomalisa and Youth, and not to mention a few we are looking forward ( The Big Short, Chi-Raq and The World of Kanako).  So whether you choose to checkout that indie movie you’ve heard so much about, or the latest big studio release, don’t forget to click on the movie title below to view the trailer. We want to make sure you know what you are getting into before you head to the theater.
-Myrna E. Duarte

December 4

Krampus

Stars: Adam Scott, Toni Collette, David Koechner |

Directed By: Michael Dougherty

Synopsis: A boy who has a bad Christmas ends up accidentally summoning a Christmas demon to his family home.

Our Two Cents: Fun! A little horror for the “most wonderful time of the year” .

Chi-Raq (Limited)

Stars: Nick Cannon, Teyonah Parris, Wesley Snipes |

Directed By: Spike Lee

Synopsis: A modern day adaptation of the ancient Greek play Lysistrata by Aristophanes, set against the backdrop of gang violence in Chicago.

Our Two Cents: Described as a modern adaptation of the ancient Greek play “Lysistrata” by Aristophanes, but it’s actually a look at the violence and murders in Chicago.  I’m there Mr. Lee!

The Lady in the Van (Limited)

Stars: Maggie Smith, Alex Jennings, Dominic Cooper

Directed By: Nicholas Hytner

Synopsis: A man forms an unexpected bond with a transient woman living in her car that’s parked in his driveway.

Our Two Cents: Looks charming and life-affirming.

Life (Limited)

Stars: Robert Pattinson, Dane DeHaan, Peter Lucas

Directed By: Anton Corbijn

Synopsis: A photographer for Life Magazine is assigned to shoot pictures of James Dean.

Our Two Cents: Gotta say the trailer did not grab me. Looked a bit lifeless.

Macbeth (Limited)

Stars: Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Jack Madigan

Directed By: Justin Kurzel

Synopsis: Macbeth, a Thane of Scotland, receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife, Macbeth murders his king and takes the throne for himself.

Our Two Cents:  Macbeth looks like my kind of Shakespeare movie. Dark, gritty, and captivating.

The World of Kanako (Limited)

Stars: Kôji Yakusho, Nana Komatsu, Satoshi Tsumabuki

Directed By: Tetsuya Nakashima

Synopsis: As former detective Akikazu searches for his missing daughter, Kanako, he soon learns she has a mysterious secret life.

Our Two Cents: This ultra violent Japanese thriller is definitely bringing something fresh and new to the genre.  

Youth (Limited)

Stars: Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel, Rachel Weisz |

Directed By: Paolo Sorrentino

Synopsis: A retired orchestra conductor is on holiday with his daughter and his film director best friend in the Alps when he receives an invitation from Queen Elizabeth II to perform for Prince Philip’s birthday.

Our Two Cents: From the director of The Great Beauty, this trailer starts out looking like a fun indie comedy, then becomes something very poetic in the second half. I can’t wait to see it!

December 11

In the Heart of the Sea

Stars: Chris Hemsworth, Cillian Murphy, Brendan Gleeson 

Directed By: Ron Howard

Synopsis: Based on the 1820 event, a whaling ship is preyed upon by a sperm whale, stranding its crew at sea for 90 days, thousands of miles from home.

Our Two Cents: Hemsworth vs the legendary white whale,  I am curious to see how he does.

American Hero (Limited)

Stars: Stephen Dorff, Eddie Griffin, Bill Billions 

Directed By: Nick Love

Synopsis: Melvin, a reluctant Superhero, lives only for crime, women and drugs – until he realizes that the only way he will ever get to see his estranged son is to go straight and fulfill his potential as a crime fighter.

Our Two Cents: Hancock? Super?  Chronicle?

The Big Short (Limited)

Stars: Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling 

Directed By: Adam McKay

Synopsis: Four outsiders in the world of high-finance who predicted the credit and housing bubble collapse of the mid-2000s decide to take on the big banks for their lack of foresight and greed.

Our Two Cents: Looks like it might be a fun sort of caper movie.

The Dark Horse (Limited)

Stars: Cliff Curtis, James Rolleston, Kirk Torrance 

Directed By: James Napier Robertson

Synopsis: An emotionally charged and inspiring drama about a man who searches for the courage to lead, despite his own adversities – finding purpose and hope in passing on his gift to the children in his community.

Our Two Cents: Looks beautiful and touching.

Don Verdean (Limited)

Stars: Sam Rockwell, Amy Ryan, Jemaine Clement

Directed By: Jared Hess

Synopsis: A self-professed biblical archaeologist who has fallen on hard times starts to bend the truth in order to continue inspiring the faithful.

Our Two Cents: Not sure about this, though I do always enjoy a Sam Rockwell performance.

December 18

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip

Stars: Christina Applegate, Kaley Cuoco, Anna Faris

Directed By: Walt Becker

Synopsis: Through a series of misunderstandings, Alvin, Simon and Theodore come to believe that Dave is going to propose to his new girlfriend in Miami…and dump them. They have three days to get to him and stop the proposal, saving themselves not only from losing Dave but possibly from gaining a terrible stepbrother.

Our Two Cents: AAAALVIN!

Sisters

Stars:  Amy Poehler, John Cena, Madison Davenport

Directed By: James Moore

Synopsis: Two sisters decide to throw one last house party before their parents sell their family home.

Our Two Cents: Poehler and Fey together is always hopeful but this just doesn’t look that good at all.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (3D)

Stars: Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher

Directed By: J.J. Abrams

Synopsis: A continuation of the saga created by George Lucas and set thirty years after Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi

Our Two Cents: What can I say about the most anticipated film of the last year or more…I’m in! 

Son of Saul (Limited)

Stars: Géza Röhrig, Levente Molnár, Urs Rechn

Directed By: László Nemes

Synopsis: In the horror of 1944 Auschwitz, a prisoner forced to burn the corpses of his own people finds moral survival upon trying to salvage from the flames the body of a boy he takes for his son.

Our Two Cents: Compelling.

December 23 (Wednesday)

45 Years (Limited)

Stars:  Charlotte Rampling, Tom Courtenay, Geraldine James

Directed By: Andrew Haigh

Synopsis: In the week leading up to their 45th wedding anniversary, a couple receive an unexpected letter which contains potentially life changing news.

Our Two Cents: The trailer alone delivers powerhouse performances.

Where to Invade Next (Limited)

Stars: Krista Kiuru, Michael Moore, Tim Walker |

Directed By: Michael Moore

Synopsis: To learn what the USA can gain from other nations, Michael Moore playfully “invades” them to see what they have to offer.

Our Two Cents: I’m looking forward to this, always down for a good Michael Moore doc.

December 25 (Christmas)

Concussion

Stars: Will Smith, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Alec Baldwin 

Directed By: Peter Landseman

Synopsis: In Pittsburgh, accomplished pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu uncovers the truth about brain damage in football players who suffer repeated concussions in the course of normal play.

Our Two Cents:  Looking forward to seeing Smith bring his A game.

Daddy’s Home

Stars:  Linda Cardellini, Mark Wahlberg, Will Ferrell

Directed By: Sean Anders

Synopsis: A mild-mannered radio executive strives to become the best stepdad to his wife’s two children, but complications ensue when their freewheeling and freeloading real father arrives, forcing him to compete for the affection of the kids.

Our Two Cents: Not even the trailer looks funny.

Joy

Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro 

Directed By: David O. Russell

Synopsis: Joy is the story of a family across four generations and the woman who rises to become founder and matriarch of a powerful family business dynasty.

Our Two Cents: Lawrence plays Joy Mangano, a young single mother of three who becomes a successful businesswoman after inventing the Miracle Mop. This looks like it may even be better than David O. Russell’s past few films, I’m in. 

Point Break

Stars: Teresa Palmer, Luke Bracey, Édgar Ramírez

Directed By: Ericson Core

Synopsis: A young FBI agent infiltrates an extraordinary team of extreme sports athletes he suspects of masterminding a string of unprecedented, sophisticated corporate heists. Point Break is inspired by the classic 1991 hit.

Our Two Cents: Can’t I just watch the original Point Break?

The Hateful Eight (Limited)

Stars: Channing Tatum, Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell

Directed By: Quentin Tarantino

Synopsis: In post-Civil War Wyoming, bounty hunters try to find shelter during a blizzard but get involved in a plot of betrayal and deception. Will they survive?

Our Two Cents: Excited to find out what tricks Tarantino has up his sleeve.

The Revenant (Limited)

 

Stars: Tom Hardy, Leonardo DiCaprio, Domhnall Gleeson

Directed By: Alejandro González Iñárritu

Synopsis: In the 1820s, a frontiersman, Hugh Glass, sets out on a path of vengeance against those who left him for dead after a bear mauling.

Our Two Cents:  This trailer looks stellar! Don’t miss this.

December 30 (Wednesday)

Anomalisa (Limited)

Stars: David Thewlis, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tom Noonan

Directed By: Duke Johnson, Charlie Kaufman

Synopsis: A man crippled by the mundanity of his life experiences something out of the ordinary.

Our Two Cents: Anomalisa is a stop-motion animated film co-directed by the genius Charlie Kaufman and animator Duke Johnson and looks absolutely delicious to me.