This weekend is filled with holiday and family themed films, but that doesn’t mean adult viewers are left out. Keep reading:
Daddy’s Home 2
Directed by: Sean Anders
With: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, John Lithgow, and Mel Gibson
What is it about? Having finally gotten used to each other’s existence, Brad and Dusty must now deal with their intrusive fathers during the holidays.
Heads Up: Despite the appealing two stars, who are joined in this sequel by Mel Gibson and John Lithgow, this formulaic broad comedy is brutalized by the critics even more than the original which was not exactly a good movie itself. I’d recommend seeking out The Other Guys which featured Ferrell and Wahlberg teaming up in a much better movie.
The Mountain Between Us
Directed by: Hany Abu-Assad
With: Idris Elba, Kate Winslet, and Beau Bridges
What is it about? Stranded after a tragic plane crash, two strangers must forge a connection to survive the extreme elements of a remote snow-covered mountain. When they realize help is not coming, they embark on a perilous journey across the wilderness.
Heads Up: Acclaimed Palestinian director Hany Abu-Assad (Paradise Now, Omar, The Idol) is the director of two Oscar nominated films. This film is his foray into Hollywood, but unfortunately it was a misfire commercially and critically. That said, the two leads are so mesmerizing that it might be worth your while.
Wonderstruck
Directed by: Todd Haynes
With: Millicent Simmonds, Oakes Fegley, Julianne Moore, and Michelle Williams
What is it about? The story of a young boy in the Midwest is told simultaneously with a tale about a young girl in New York from fifty years ago as they both seek the same mysterious connection.
Heads Up: Based on a bestselling book by the same name, director Todd Haynes (Far from Heaven, I’m Not There, Carol) is veering off his usual adult themed film and made a family drama with a PG rating. By all accounts this still carries his visual touch as his films are usually very beautiful and unique. This is my recommendation for the week, especially since you can take the whole family to watch it. (Editor’s note: Probably not your 5-year old though. Take the child for Paddington 2 instead!)
Paddington 2
Directed by: Paul King
With: Ben Whishaw, Hugh Grant, Hugh Bonneville, and Sally Hawkins
What is it about? Paddington, now happily settled with the Brown family and a popular member of the local community, picks up a series of odd jobs to buy the perfect present for his Aunt Lucy’s 100th birthday, only for the gift to be stolen.
Heads Up: The sequel for the surprise 2014’s hit Paddington is enjoying even stronger reviews than its predecessor. This is another family film that opens this weekend and would be a perfect fit for a family outing.
Better Watch Out
Directed by: Chris Peckover
With: Olivia DeJonge, Levi Miller, Ed Oxenbould, and Virginia Madsen
What is it about? On a quiet suburban street, a babysitter must defend a twelve-year-old boy from intruders, only to discover it’s far from a normal home invasion.
Heads Up: A late entry to the horror scene long after Halloween, but it seems like a welcomed one. The reviews are excellent, and our own Lloyd Bayer is very high on this one. In his 4/5 stars review he wrote: “For horror fans who like it dark, clever and twisted, this is the ultimate year-end treat at the cinema whether you’ve been naughty or nice“.
Brad’s Status
Directed by: Mike White
With: Ben Stiller, Austin Abrams, and Jenna Fischer
What is it about? A father takes his son to tour colleges on the East Coast and meets up with an old friend who makes him feel inferior about his life’s choices.
Heads Up: This dramedy from writer director Mike White has been received well by critics earlier this summer, commending it for “transcending its familiar premise with insightful observations and affecting interplay between stars Ben Stiller and Austin Abrams“. It’s a movie for adult audience, and it offers Ben Stiller a chance to flex his acting muscles.
