Looking for something to fill the empty hours in your school-free schedule over the holidays? Here are the top ten picks of the season’s most anticipated movies: the perfect post-exam treat to keep you relaxed and stress free—at least until the beginning of next semester.
Wreck-it Ralph- Nov. 2
You’re never too old to enjoy a heart-warming animated tale from Disney. The lovable hero of this story is an out-of-place arcade game villain who is tired of always being the bad-guy. He escapes from his game and embarks on a journey to find his place in the videogame universe, meeting new characters and making friends along the way.
What to expect: A family-friendly film that everyone can enjoy, with quirky humor and all-around cuteness.
Skyfall- Nov. 9
Bond is back… again. Fifty years and twenty-three movies later, James Bond is still invincible in the box office, grossing $87.8 million on opening weekend—a record for the franchise. The film has been hailed by critics as the best Bond movie yet. Starring three-time Bond-man Daniel Craig and Oscar-winner Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men) as his adversary, the film shows a different side of the gun-slinging, sleek and heroic Bond we’re used to.
What to Expect: Expensive cars, exotic locations, explosive fight sequences, and dry humor in an action-packed plot.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2- Nov. 15
Get ready for another round of Twilight-mania with the last installment of the popular series. As Bella adjusts to life as a vampire, drama and chaos ensue after the birth of her daughter. In a dramatic twist to the supposed end of a franchise, rumors have been floating around that Summit Entertainment is considering producing a spin-off series that goes beyond the scope of the books, much to the dismay of Twilight haters everywhere.
What to expect: Screaming fan-girls, a shirtless Taylor Lautner, and less-than-stellar acting from leading actors Kristin Stewart and Robert Pattinson.
Lincoln- Nov. 16
(Not to be confused with this summer’s Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.) In this biopic directed by Steven Spielberg and based on a book by acclaimed historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, Daniel Day-Lewis is Lincoln reincarnated. The film focuses on the politics of the latter part of the Civil War, and on through Lincoln’s assassination. Masterfully crafted, the film will capture your attention with its eloquent dialogue, sharp humor, and impeccable portrayals of the men who led America through its darkest hours.
What to expect: Oscar buzz for Daniel Day-Lewis, a Best Motion Picture nomination for the film itself, and a lack of vampires of any kind.
Silver Linings Playbook- Nov. 21
Starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence—need I go on? Cooper stars as a bipolar man trying to get back on his feet after spending a few months in a mental institution. The film had a disappointing opening weekend, even for an under-dog indie movie. The silver lining? It managed to generate Oscar buzz at the Toronto Film Festival.
What to Expect: Remarkable and subtle acting from Jennifer Lawrence, odd humor, and an uneasy-feel-good ending.
Life of Pi- Nov. 21
The beloved book has finally washed up in Hollywood. Four years and $100 million in the making, Pi Patel’s miraculous journey unfolds on the big screen in a big way. The lone survivor of a shipwreck, with only a giant tiger for company, Pi must battle not only the elements, but also his own despair as he struggles to hold on to his multiple faiths and find his way back to land.
What to expect: Stunning CGI and 3D visuals and (if you haven’t read the book) a shocking twist at the end.
The Hobbit– Dec. 14
In this three part prequel to the monumentally popular Lord of the Rings, Bilbo Baggins embarks on the journey that started it all. The movie itself is a foray in to technological innovations—it’s the first film to use high-frame-rate format (HFR), which enhances the clarity of every shot. Critics are split on HFR, with some saying its hyper-realistic images detract from the essence of the movie itself.
What to Expect: Everything you loved in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Zero Dark Thirty- Dec. 19
Seal Team 6 hits the big screen in a film that re-unites award winners Kathryn Bigelow and Mark Boal (The Hurt Locker) in a dramatized version of the events leading to the death of the most wanted criminal in the world, Osama bin Laden. The movie, dubbed “the greatest manhunt in history” may well earn a nomination for best picture at the Oscars.
What to Expect: An edge-of-your-seat thriller, diluted with dull military talk.
The Impossible- Dec. 21 (Limited)
This is the true story of one family’s unbelievable experience during the 2004 tsunami in South East Asia; it is a tale of endurance in the face of utter despair and destruction. Warmly received at the Toronto Film Festival, the film has high ratings among critics for its fast-paced plot and tasteful cinematography showcasing the graphic depictions of the tsunami.
What to Expect: A tear jerking and truly moving story that will leave you feeling as if you could have been in the middle of the tsunami too. (Remember to bring tissues.)
Les Misérables- Dec. 25
First it was a book. Then the world’s longest running musical. And now it’s one of winter’s most hyped about movies. Victor Hugo’s classic tale of love and redemption is getting the Hollywood treatment yet again. With Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech) directing and Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway singing, it’s the perfect Christmas Day present.
What to Expect: The perfect balance of drama, singing, and artistic cinematography.
