By Keith Walther | Rose Law Group Reporter
Hollywood must be feeling very generous this holiday season with a wide variety of films from all genres. There will be lions and hedgehogs, werewolves and vampires, a return to Middle Earth and a movie simply called “The Return,” and then topped off with a little Bob Dylan. So, no matter what you’re in the mood for, December will have you covered. Let’s take a look at this jam-packed slate of films.
December 6th
The month begins with a tale that predates the Bible. “The Return” is adapted from a piece of Homer’s “The Odyssey,” and stars Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche. These two outstanding talents starred together in 1997’s “The English Patient,” which earned Ralph an Oscar nomination and Juliette an Oscar victory. However, early returns from its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival have been mixed, so this may not be the Oscar contender they’re hoping it to be.
Six-time Oscar nominee Amy Adams returns to the big screen after a brief hiatus to star in “Nightbitch,” a dark comedy from Marielle Heller, who did a terrific job with the Mr. Rogers story in 2019, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.” Don’t be surprised if this becomes another nice notch in Adams’ illustrious career. Although, this has also had mixed reviews after its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival so remain cautious.
Next up is a crime thriller set in the Pacific Northwest. “The Order” is based on a true story from the 1980s and is a compelling watch. Starring Jude Law, Nicholas Hoult, and Tye Sheridan, this may be the more entertaining film to be released this week. This “Heat” flavored film is powered by riveting performances and clever writing. My review will be coming soon, but this is one to see.
Taking a wild left turn from these awards season hopefuls is a monster horror flick entitled “Werewolves.” Starring Frank Grillo (“Captain America: The Winter Soldier”), this is sure to be an over-the-top bloody violent spectacle, but whether that will translate into quality entertainment remains to be seen. One thing is certain, if you’re looking for a movie to turn your brain off, then this is the pick of the week.
December 13th
What happens when you combine “The Lord of the Rings” with Japanese anime? Legendary anime director Kenji Kamiyama helms “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim,” which is a prequel type of backstory regarding Helm’s Deep history. If you’re a LOTR fan, then this movie is for you, and if you happen to also enjoy anime, then this movie may be the one you’ve been waiting for all year. Otherwise, this doesn’t seem to have wider appeal, especially since the biggest name among the voice cast is Brian Cox.
It wouldn’t be a normal December without a comic book themed film. “Kraven the Hunter” is the latest from Sony Pictures and is a part of their Spider-Man Universe (SSU). They apparently haven’t learned their lesson from their last three dreadful releases, “Morbius,” “Madame Web,” and “Venom: The Last Dance.” Despite this recent history of failure, there are some hopeful signs like J.C. Chandor directing, who previously helmed “A Most Violent Year,” and Aaron Taylor-Johnson (“Kick-Ass”) playing the title role. Still, best to sit this one out, unless you hear a surprising consensus of rave reviews, which is very doubtful.
December 20th
Since 1934, there have been at least 29 film adaptations of “The Count of Monte Cristo,” but this looks to be the most promising version yet. This is a French made film with a French cast, so subtitles may deter some viewers from watching. However, if you can tolerate the dialogue reading, you may be treated to an Oscar contender for Best International Feature Film. At the very least, it should be significantly better than the 2002 American made version featuring Jim Caviezel and Guy Pearce.
Disney is back at it trying to continue their unapologetic cash grab off of their previous animated successes. “Mufasa: The Lion King” is a prequel that focuses on the life of Mufasa, while still returning the familiar characters of Timon, Pumbaa, and Rafiki. Much like the 2019 reboot, it is live action with a heavy use of CGI. At this point, Disney’s ability to create quality and creative entertainment is in question, so don’t expect too much from this release.
Furiously spinning his way back into theaters to battle Disney for that family cinema dollar is “Sonic the Hedgehog 3.” The familiar faces of James Marsden and Jim Carrey return along with the familiar voices of Ben Schwartz and Idris Elba. New to the cast is Keanu Reeves, who voices Sonic’s newest enemy, Shadow. Jeff Fowler, who directed the first two Sonic movies, also returns to oversee this production, so count on a basic formula of family fun action, comedic one-liners, and physical comedy from Jim Carrey, no more no less.
Looking for more of an action/drama that isn’t subtitled? “Homestead” is the latest entry from Angel Studios and is a departure from their usual focus of remarkable true stories. This is a fictional story based on a book series called “Black Autumn,” which portrays the collapse of society after a nuclear detonation in Los Angeles. If done well, it could be a terrifyingly realistic film in the same vein of “Civil War.” On the other hand, a lack of talent on both sides of the camera could be the film’s undoing.
December 25th
Nothing says Christmas cheer better than “Nosferatu.” That’s right, a reimagination of the 1922 film adaptation of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” releases on Christmas Day. This comes from the warped mind of Robert Eggers, whose unique vision is responsible for “The Witch,” “The Lighthouse,” and “The Northman.” Eggers’ unorthodox imagination is not for everyone, but it’s hard to imagine a cast consisting of Emma Corrin, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Bill Skarsgard, Nicholas Hoult, and Willem Dafoe will result in anything less than a great film.
If horror is not your ideal way of spending the holiday, how about an erotic thriller? “Babygirl” stars Nicole Kidman as a CEO who finds herself in a scandalous affair with her significantly younger intern. Kidman is one of the most overrated actresses in the business so her ability to develop believable chemistry with her costar is a big question mark. Although, A24 is the production company behind this movie and they’re in the habit of producing legitimate Oscar contenders.
The month and the year finish with as close to a sure thing as you’ll find. “A Complete Unknown” is the biopic of Bob Dylan featuring Oscar nominee Timothee Chalamet in the lead role. With James Mangold (“Walk the Line”) writing and directing, this has Oscar written all over it. Don’t walk to the theater, run, you won’t want to miss this one.
