Entertainment /
Get Reel: December’s Must-See Movies
_c88.jpg)
Of course we all know that Star Wars is set to be released tomorrow but there are other quality flicks that we feel you need to check out as well.
In Theatres
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (December 18, Disney)
This one could set a new box-office record, so if you’re planning to see it, stop reading this and go get in line . . . like, now. Luckily, there’s plenty of reason to think that this return to a galaxy far, far away will be a creative as well as commercial smash. For one, there’s geek director extraordinaire J.J. Abrams — who’s already turned around Star Trek’s big-screen fortunes.
Then there’s the fact that before filming began, Disney took over the reins from original producers LucasFilm, which should go a long way to sidestepping the letdown of the last three Star Wars flicks. Finally, there’s the return of Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford, reprising their career-making roles. It’s still not clear exactly what kind of adventure Abrams has lined up for them — but we do know it will introduce a slew of younger characters, including a Luke Skywalker-ish desert wanderer named Rey (Daisy Ridley), reformed Storm Trooper-turned-budding-Jedi Finn (John Boyega), X-Wing fighter pilot Poe (Oscar Isaac) and Darth Vader-worshipping baddie Kylo (Adam Driver).
Sisters (December 18, Universal)
One of the films with the misfortune of going to battle against Luke, Leia et al. is this R-rated laugher — but like a scrappy Rebel alliance, it should hold its own against the bigger, badder competition over the coming months, thanks to the not-inconsiderable appeal of former SNL cast mates Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, not to mention stellar reviews. Fey and Poehler play two siblings (the former a party girl, the latter a strait-laced professional) who reunite to clean out their childhood home and decide to make like it’s high school and throw one last barnburner before mom and dad sell the place. Comedic chaos ensues.
The Big Short (December 29, Paramount)
Photo Credit: Paramount/businessinsider.com
Director Adam McKay takes a break from off-the-wall laughers like Anchorman to adapt Moneyball author Michael Lewis’s fascinating account of how a group of savvy Wall Street types bet against the conventional market wisdom during the financial crisis of 2007 and managed to turn a tidy profit while pushing the banks who had instigated the collapse into financial ruin. It may sound kind of dry, but McKay and his extravagantly wigged all-star cast, including Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Brad Pitt, have earned raves and Oscar buzz for crafting an equal parts funny and infuriating take on one of the defining events in modern world history.
On Blu-ray
He Named Me Malala (Now available, Fox)
Photo Credit: Toronto International Film Festival
Oscar-winning documentarian Davis Guggenheim takes on the story of pint-sized Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai, from
her fiery advocacy for women’s rights to her near-assassination by the Taliban to her current life, exiled in the U.K., splitting her time between addressing world leaders and Googling pictures of her favourite footballers. Focusing in on her relationship with her equally outspoken father, the director paints an artful, intimate portrait of both an inspiring global icon and a regular teen girl.
her fiery advocacy for women’s rights to her near-assassination by the Taliban to her current life, exiled in the U.K., splitting her time between addressing world leaders and Googling pictures of her favourite footballers. Focusing in on her relationship with her equally outspoken father, the director paints an artful, intimate portrait of both an inspiring global icon and a regular teen girl.
Bone Tomahawk (December 29, Image Entertainment)
A wholly unique mash-up of classic Western and horror, this buried treasure features an eclectic cast of A-list character actors, including Kurt Russell, Matthew Fox, Richard Jenkins and Patrick Wilson, who are forced to embark on a dark journey into the desert after the latter’s wife (Lili Simmons) is kidnapped by a vicious clan of cannibals. Gunplay, dark humour and a few moments of utterly unforgettable body horror await.
Pawn Sacrifice (December 29, Universal)
Tobey Maguire takes on the juicy role of American chess wizard Bobby Fischer, who turned the sport of kings into a public obsession back in the ’60s and ’70s, particularly when he challenged Soviet champ Boris Spassky to a match at the height of the Cold War, making it far more than a simple game of chess. Beyond his unparalleled talent, Fischer was a fascinatingly complex figure, prone to paranoia, outspoken racism and flat out delusion, which would eventually consume him.
Main Image Photo Credit: Disney
Matthew Currie
Author
A long-standing entertainment journalist, Currie is a graduate of the Professional Writing program at Toronto’s York University. He has spent the past number of years working as a freelancer for ANOKHI and for diverse publications such as Sharp, TV Week, CAA’s Westworld and BC Business. Currie ...
COMMENTS
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
-
Must-Watch or Pass? Your Definitive Guide to the Upcoming Bollywood Films This Winter
-
How PBS Series 'Renegades' Celebrates American History's Most Badass Disabled Changemakers
-
14 Bollywood Remakes Vs. Their Hollywood Originals - Who Did It Better?
-
Catch Pakistan's 1st Ever Hand-Drawn Animated Film 'The Glassworker' & Other South Asian Films At Reel Asian Festival
-
World Mental Health Day: How Bollywood Has Used Its Power Of Storytelling To Address Mental Health Stigmas
-
Highlights Of Archie Panjabi, Neeru Bajwa & Iman Vellani At iSAFF2024
-
3x Emmy-Nominated Television Host & Producer Rasha Goel Launches New Podcast "Beyond the Glam" - Premiering Today!
-
Does Bollywood Accurately Portray Financial Struggles of India's Working Class?
-
Canada’s International South Asian Film Festival (iSAFF) Triumphantly Unveils Its Thrilling 2024 Lineup!
-
TIFF 2024: Our Chat With Writer-Director-Star Srinivas Krishna On The 4K Restoration Of His Hidden Canadian Classic ‘Masala’
-
TIFF 2024: First-Time Filmmaker Lakshmipriya Devi Dishes On ‘Boong,’ Her Funny & Profound Modern-Day Folk Tale Told From A Child's Point Of View
-
Nepotism Or Repetitive Content - What's Causing Bollywood's Slump Versus Punjabi & South Indian Cinema's Surge
-
Must-Watch Patriotic Films From India & Pakistan For Your Independence Day Celebrations
-
Villainous Vixens: How Bollywood's Leading Ladies Are Redefining Cinema's Most Memorable Antagonists
-
'Girls Will Be Girls' Wins Big At The 2024 Indian Film Festival Of Los Angeles (IFFLA)
-
OTT Revolution: How Streaming Platforms Are Transforming Indian Cinema
-
A Train Bloodbath With A 90% On Rotten Tomatoes - Why You Should Watch TIFF-Acclaimed Indian Action Flick 'Kill'
-
The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) Celebrates Its 22nd Edition June 27-30 With An Incredible Lineup Of 21 Films
-
Pride Month & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Representation in South Asian Cinema
-
From Stoic Protectors to Emotional Anchors: A Father’s Day Tribute Through Hindi Cinema
-
Exploring South Asian Intergenerational Sacrifice With 'The Wrong Bashir', Now Playing In Toronto
-
Bollywood & Beyond: Must-Watch Films for Vibrant Insight Into Muslim Cultures
-
Over 50 Films From 9 Countries At The Eclectic South Asian Film Festival Montreal (May 24 - June 3)
-
Mother's Day Special: How Bollywood & Hollywood Super Moms Show Us Women Can Have It All!
-
Emerging Talents and Established Icons: Celebrate South Asian Heritage Month with Us!
-
Revealing Truths: South Asian Cinema's Contribution to Earth Day Awareness
-
Review: Monkey Man - Dev Patel Sets the Screen Ablaze with Electrifying Action
-
Exclusive Q&A With Diljit Dosanjh on the Dil-Luminati Tour and the Exciting Simplii Collaboration!
-
12 South Asian Female Artists Who Are Changing Hollywood's Landscape
-
Transitional Representation of South Asian Women in The World of Entertainment
-
Hot February 2024 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
How Jesse "Punjabi Timbit" Singh Explores Emotional Healing Through His Comedy
-
Rukus Avenue Radio, The World's #1 South Asian Radio Station, Joins The iHeartRadio App
-
From Silent Frames To Global Fame: Key Moments That Shaped Bollywood
-
Hot January 2024 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
Kerala Actor Santhy Balachandran Celebrates Her Three Incredible Releases In 2023
-
Hot December 2023 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
The Real Reason Why Bollywood Directors Love English In Their Titles
-
Diwali Dance Fest Makes History at Walt Disney World® Resort!
-
TIFF 2023: Deepa Mehta and Sirat Taneja Share Why 'I Am Sirat’ Is The Transgender Story To Be Told
-
The International South Asian Film Festival 2023 (iSAFF) Wraps With A Celebration Of Outstanding Global South Asian Pathbreakers
-
TIFF 2023: 'We Grown Now' Director Minhal Baig Shares With Us Why Neighbourhood Stories Should Be Told
-
Event Alert: BMO International Film Festival Of South Asia Toronto (IFFSA) Is Every Filmi Lover's Dream
-
TIFF 2023: ‘The Queen of My Dreams’ Reigns Over TIFF With Style, Wit And Heart
-
The 21st Indian Film Festival Of Los Angeles (IFFLA) Returns With A Bang!
-
Brendan D'Souza Will Never Cheat On Their One True Love (Stand Up!)
-
Event Alert: South Asian Global Cinema Takes Centre Stage At The International South Asian Film Festival
-
Diwali Comes Alive At Walt Disney World With The First Ever Diwali Dance Fest
-
TIFF 2023: 11 South Asian Films Coming To The Toronto International Film Festival
-
Hot September 2023 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
Singers Karan Aujla & Jonita Gandhi Sign On To Warner Music Canada/India's Label '91 North Records'
-
4 Ways Alia Bhatt Steals The Show In The Hot Netflix Film "Heart Of Stone"
-
Priyanka And Nick Jonas Get Ready For The Jonas Brothers' Tour At Yankee Stadium!
-
Hot August 2023 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
5 Reasons Why You Should Watch “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani”
-
JFL Exclusive: How Comedian Zarna Garg Showed Kevin Hart That Brown Women Can Be Funny Too
-
JFL Exclusive: Award-Winning Podcast Comedian Maddy Kelly Is The Next Gen Star
-
Hot July 2023 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
Event Alert: “Mughal-E-Azam: The Musical" Kicks Off Canadian Tour With Upcoming Toronto Stop
-
#ANOKHI20: The ANOKHI Emerald Ball Was The Perfect Grand Finale To ANOKHI’s 20th Anniversary Celebrations