This is one crowded December weekend, which has a mix of holiday tentpoles, prestigious awards players, and everything in between. Keep reading to know more.
Jumanji: The Next Level
Directed by: Jake Kasdan
With: Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, and Karen Gillan
What is it about: The gang is back but the game has changed. As they return to rescue one of their own, the players will have to brave parts unknown from arid deserts to snowy mountains, to escape the world’s most dangerous game.
Heads Up: The follow-up to the smash hit 2017’s Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (which in itself a sequel to the 1995’s beloved hit Jumanji) is expected to be a big box-office player in the holidays season. The gang’s back together and the trailers promises more Jumanji challenges, laughs, and other shenanigans. I don’t know about you, but I would be happy even if they only offer me more of the same.
Judy
Directed by: Rupert Goold
With: Renée Zellweger, Jessie Buckley, Finn Wittrock, and Michael Gambon
What is it about: In Jumanji: The Next Level, the gang is back but the game has changed. As they return to rescue one of their own, the players will have to brave parts unknown from arid deserts to snowy mountains, to escape the world’s most dangerous game.
Heads Up: This biographical drama about the legendary Judy Garland gave Renée Zellweger a big comeback and a strong chance for nabbing a second Oscar. The mostly positive reviews agree that Zellweger knocks it out of the park. So even if biographical films are not your thing, you might give this one a look.
The Peanut Butter Falcon
Directed by: Tyler Nilson, Michael Schwartz
With: Shia LaBeouf, Dakota Johnson, Zack Gottsagen, and John Hawkes
What is it about: Zak runs away from his care home to make his dream of becoming a wrestler come true.
Heads Up: This acclaimed drama has became the highest grossing independent film of 2019. It looks sweet and uplifting, and for me this is the movie of the week.
Black Christmas
Directed by: Sophia Takal
With: Imogen Poots, Aleyse Shannon, Brittany O’Grady, Lily Donoghue, and Cary Elwes
What is it about: A group of female students are stalked by a stranger during their Christmas break. That is until the young sorority pledges discover that the killer is part of an underground college conspiracy.
Heads Up: This slasher horror film is the second remake of the 1974’s cult classic with the same name, which considered one of the first slasher horror genre, and an inspiration for films like Halloween. I have hopes for this one because it’s a Blumhouse prodcution, but in the same time I am keeping my expectations in check.
Mardaani 2
Directed by: Gopi Puthran
With: Rani Mukerji, Vishal Jethwa, Vikram Singh Chauhan, Shruti Bapna, and Rajesh Sharma
What is it about: Shivani Shivaji Roy locks horns with the devil incarnate, a young & remorseless serial killer who is raping & murdering young women.
Heads Up: This crime thriller is the sequel for 2014’s Mardaani a film that ended up with some decent reviews and an OK box-office returns. I personally did not see anything intriguing in the trailer that we haven’t seen before, and as much as I love Rani Mukerji, I don’t know whether she is reason enough for me to go and see this one.
Mamangam
Directed by: M. Padmakumar
With: Mammootty, Unni Mukunthan, Neeraj Madhav, and Prachi Tehian
What is it about: During the Mamankam festival held at the banks of Bharathapuzha in Tirunavaya, where warriors known as Chaaverukal plots against the Zamorin rulers to overthrow them.
Heads Up: This Malayalam language film is a big budgeted period piece starting superstar Mammootty. You might wanna check it out if you are a fan of action/war films.
