HOLLYWOOD - As the holiday season reaches its cinematic crescendo, this weekend’s movie slate delivers a thrilling and eclectic mix of experiences for filmgoers of all tastes, from blockbuster worlds beyond our own to intimate human stories and faith-inspired epics. With several notable films debuting around December 19, now is the perfect moment to plan a theater outing that matches your mood and interests.
By Allan R. Ellenberger
Avatar: Fire and Ash is the main event of the weekend, as it opens in U.S. cinemas after a long-awaited release on December 19. The sequel to Avatar: The Way of Water and the fifth installment in James Cameron’s long-running science-fiction franchise is rated PG-13 and continues the adventures of the family of Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) as they mourn the loss of their son while a more-powerful Na’vi tribe, the Ash People, present a new threat. Avatar: Fire and Ash also sees the return of Sigourney Weaver, Kate Winslet and many others from the franchise while welcoming newcomers including Oona Chaplin, among others. Cameron’s return to Pandora is set to deliver another wide-screen immersion into its imagined ecosystem as well as all the special effects eye candy fans have come to expect. The movie is currently receiving generally positive reactions for its visuals and action set pieces, though the critical consensus is more mixed so far. It is tracking for a robust performance at the box office over the holidays, especially in the run-up to Christmas and New Year’s Day.
For something a bit lighter (and exponentially more cheerful), The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants also arrives in theaters today. The fourth feature film based on the long-running Nickelodeon cartoon follows SpongeBob (Bill Fagerbakke) as he sets out on a quest to demonstrate to Mr. Krabs (Clancy Brown) that he's not scared of anything, by chasing after the Flying Dutchman. Helmed by longtime SpongeBob creative hand Derek Drymon, the movie reunites the series' primary voice cast with a few special guests, including Mark Hamill and Ice Spice. Running just over an hour and a half, SpongeBob's new filmic misadventure is the sort of wholesome, feel-good animation both kids and their parents are sure to get a kick out of.
A drama for grown-ups, The Housemaid is an American psychological thriller directed by Paul Feig (featuring in the recently released Mariah Carey film). The December 19 film has been adapted from a best-selling novel of the same name by Freida McFadden and stars Sydney Sweeney (Betrayal) as the troubled Millie, who after some rocky choices takes on a live-in housemaid position for a wealthy, seemingly upper-class couple played by Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar. In this adaptation, what appears as a chance for stability and even luxury for the young woman is a house of secrets and a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse beyond the beautiful facade. An intriguing part of this limited release drama is that it is directed by the man most often associated with comedies and is one of this season’s more twisty adult dramas.
The film David, the faith-based animated epic from Angel Studios, opens in theaters this weekend. The biblical retelling of the story of King David will feature voice talent from Phil Wickham and Brandon Engman. The film weaves together heartfelt storytelling and an emotional musical soundtrack, chronicling the shepherd boy's humble beginnings as a shepherd and leading up to his epic battle with Goliath and his rise to becoming a great king. Portrayed as a story of bravery, faith and standing up to answer a greater calling, David is sure to find fans among families and other viewers who gravitate toward inspirational tales based in scripture, with the added bonus of utilizing vivid animation to bring the sights of the ancient story to life.
On a more serious note, Is This Thing On? is a refreshing change of pace from the other releases hitting the theaters. An R-rated comedy from director/co-writer Bradley Cooper (adapting a story he co-created with Will Arnett and Mark Chappell), it is a mature and heartfelt drama with strong adult appeal. In the film, Arnett and Laura Dern play a couple who have recently gone their separate ways, and in the midst of rediscovering his identity on his own for the first time in many years, the ex-boyfriend of Arnett’s character, Alex, finds solace in the art of stand-up comedy. Both the character and his journey through a stage of healing have been described by critics as being earnest and endearing, and the family and personal identity themes with which it tackles this material make Is This Thing On? a smart option for adults who are simply looking for something to break up the weekend’s blockbusters.
If it's giant gunfights on Pandora or ROARS under the sea you're after this weekend, wild mystery-thrillers or soul-searching stories with a twist of faith or drama, or anything in between, this weekend's new movie releases offer a diverse palette of movie magic and mayhem. Take a minute to celebrate the movies' range of emotions and your imagination during this holiday season. Enjoy the show!
Will you be seeing any of these films this weekend? Tell us what you thought. Please share your comments below.
Add comment
Comments