Merry Christmas. Welcome to Align Movie Guide, an easy-to-understand guide to movies that are worth your hard earned money.
For Thanksgiving, hungry movie fans were treated to a veritable big-screen buffet, with “Wicked,” “Moana 2” and “Gladiator II” on the menu.
Families eager to get outside responded to $400 million in ticket sales, making it the highest-grossing Turkey Day weekend in Hollywood history.
Will the studio end the year with some crowd-pleasing Christmas cheer? Let's take a look.
“Mufasa: The Lion King” | December 20 | Disney
“Hakuna Matata” is a phrase you don't often hear in Disney these days. After a series of misfires, studios are struggling to regain public trust. This prequel to the 2019 “live-action” remake probably won't do anything to change the direction.
“Mufasa: The Lion King” tells the origin story of Mufasa and his wayward brother Scar. The film also sees the return of Timon, Pumbaa, Rafiki, Simba, Nala, and Simba's daughter Kiara (who hasn't appeared since The Lion King II: Simba's Pride).
The first trailer for the movie had an Oblivion-heavy feel to it.fans criticized the bland visual effects carried over from the 2019 film. Others were unimpressed that the film ignored the established lore of Mufasa's rise to power, returning to see him as an orphan this time around.
On the plus side, the real Lin-Manuel Miranda is writing new songs for the movie, so those who were annoyed by the “Lin-Manuel knock-off” in Moana 2 will be satisfied. It should be. Can a movie released on the same day beat the box office gross of The Blue Hedgehog?
“Sonic the Hedgehog 3” | December 20th | Paramount
The Sonic the Hedgehog series has been a gift that keeps on giving for Paramount, despite some horrible character designs that initially screamed “game over.” Sometimes it's beneficial to listen to your audience.
The latest installment features fan-favorite nemesis Shadow (Keanu Reeves). His powers are so great that Sonic (Ben Schwartz) and his friend Tails (Colleen O'Shaughnessy) must form an unlikely alliance with Sonic's archenemy Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) . ) and his grandfather (also played by Carrey).
Two Jim Carreys in one movie? For me it's an easy yes. Disney may be the king of the complex jungle, but this fuzzy blue upstart may have what it takes to steal the crown. Which will you see on December 20th?
“The Lord of the Rings: Rohirrim War” | December 13 | Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. returns to Middle-earth with this animated blockbuster, the first of many new “Lord of the Rings” films to be released by the studio. “Battle of the Rohirrim” takes place 200 years before Frodo brings the Ring back to Mordor, as Hela (Gaia Wise) and her father, King Helm Hammerhand (Brian Cox) of Rohan, take part in a daring battle in an ancient fortress. Depicts a person making a last stand. A battle with the enemy led by Wolf (Luca Pasqualino), the lord of Dunlending in Hornburg Castle.
Directed by anime veteran Kenji Kamiyama (Blade Runner: Black Lotus), the film stars Eowyn (Miranda Otto) from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. and Saruman the White (the late Christopher) are also returning. Lee, using archived audio from previous films).
Let's hope that Hela's recent complaints about “female bosses” are exaggerated and that this new movie helps people forget about Amazon's abominable “The Ring of Power.”
“Completely Unknown” | December 25th | Searchlight Photo
After the disappointment of Indiana Jones and the Dead, James Mangold mines America's rock and roll past with the Bob Dylan biopic Complete Unknown. Timothée Chalamet plays Robert Zimmerman, a Minnesota native who conquered the New York folk scene but left everything behind when he brought his electric guitar to Newport.
Based on “Dylan Goes Electric! Newport, Seeger, Dylan, and the Night That Divided the '60s,'' “Completely Unknown'' stars Edward Norton as Pete Seeger and Elle as Sylvie Russo.・A gorgeous cast including Fanning and Monica Barbaro appear. Joan Baez, Scoot McNairy as Woody Guthrie, Dan Fogler as Albert Grossman, Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash.
With a soundtrack featuring some of the most beloved songs of the 1960s, early buzz for Elle Fanning's performance, and talk of an Academy Award for Best Picture, stars are making the perfect package for the holiday season.・It seems that they are preparing “Complete Unknown''. seasonal entertainment.
Nosferatu December 25 | Featured Features
A good remake requires a delicate balance. Directors have to respect the source material, but they also have to take the risk of doing something new with it. Early signs suggest Robert Eggers is hitting the sweet spot with the upcoming version of striker Murnau's silent classic.
In 1838 Germany, Ellen Hitter (Lily-Rose Depp) is stalked by Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård), an ancient Transylvanian vampire. As her interest turns into an obsession, she opens the door to untold horror for herself and her loved ones. Eggers' Nosferatu has already been hailed as a true Gothic horror film, the likes of which have not been seen in a long time.
Anyone familiar with the director's previous work will expect a rich, cinematic story. Horror may not be fun for everyone during the holidays, but anyone brave enough to succumb to it
“Nosferatu'' may be richly rewarded.
“Kraven the Hunter” | December 12 | Sony
'Venom', 'Madame Web' and 'Mobius' had mixed results,” Sony is about to release the third Spider-Man movie (without Spider-Man), “Kraven the Hunter.” Based on the popular Spider-Man comic book villain, the film follows Kraven (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) as he exacts bloody revenge against his mob boss father (Russell Crowe) and Rhino (Alessandro Nivola). Draw a trajectory.
Word on the street is that this movie will be closer to “Venom: The Last Dance'' (October 25th) than “Madame Web'' (which approaches “Was it real or did I make it?'') It is said that the film may be closer to the box office revenue (which has been approaching $500 million since its release). Do you dream? “status).
The R rating bodes well for an faithful portrayal of the notoriously violent Kraven, but the frantic marketing campaign (the first eight minutes of the film was released online) is questionable . Similarly, Taylor-Johnson has publicly implored audiences to give the film a chance. Sony's extra-long holiday may turn out to be nothing more than a lump of coal.
“Homestead” | December 20th | Angel Studio
Want to avoid rooting for Hollywood all at once? Angel Studios presents the family-friendly post-apocalyptic thriller “Homestead.”
When a bomb explodes in Los Angeles, a former Green Beret and other survivors seek refuge from the ensuing social collapse in an eccentric reservist's mountain fortress. The group must overcome the threat of violence and scarce resources to protect what is theirs.
Neal McDonough has just directed Angel Studios' last film, The Shift, leading a cast that includes Dawn Olivieri, Bailey Chase, and Olivia Sanabia. “Homestead,” which will be spun off as a series on Angel Studios' streaming service, continues the studio's tradition of wholesome, well-crafted entertainment for those tired of mainstream excesses.
It may not be the most sacred and cheerful film to hit theaters, but with the extraordinary talent involved, it should be a quirky Christmas treat.
Here are some lesser-known titles to keep an eye on this Christmas.
“That Christmas” | December 4 | Netflix
Based on the book by Richard Curtis: When a snowstorm hits a seaside town, an intertwined story of family, friends, love and loneliness begins, and Santa makes a big mistake. Starring Bill Nighy, Gus Kahn, Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker, and Brian Cox as Santa. Directed by Simon Otto.
“Werewolf” | December 6 | Briarcliff Entertainment
Two scientists set out to stop a mutation that would turn people exposed to a supermoon in the previous year into werewolves. Starring Frank Grillo, Katrina Law, Lou Diamond Phillips, Ifenesh Hadera. Directed by Stephen C. Miller.
'Night Bitch' | December 6th | Searchlight Photo
An artist who put her career on hold to become a stay-at-home mom explores a new chapter in her life, and just when her night routine takes an unrealistic turn and her maternal instincts begin to manifest in the form of a dog, Encounter the moment. Starring Amy Adams, Scoot McNairy, Zoe Chao, Mary Holland, and Jessica Harper. Directed by Mariel Heller.
“Order” | December 6 | Vertical Entertainment
A series of violent robberies in the Pacific Northwest leads veteran FBI agent Terry Husk (Jude Law) to a white supremacist group bent on overthrowing the federal government. Also starring Nicholas Hoult, Jurnee Smollett, Tye Sheridan, Alison Oliver, and Marc Maron. Directed by Justin Kurzel.
“The Return” | December 6 | Bleecker Street Media
A retelling of Homer's “Odyssey”: Twenty years later, Odysseus (Ralph Fiennes) washes ashore on the shores of Ithaca, emaciated and unrecognizable. The king noticed that much had changed since he went to war in Troy. His beloved wife Penelope (Juliette Binoche) is a prisoner in her home and is forced to choose a new husband. Their son meets death at the hands of suitors who see him as an obstacle in their pursuit of Penelope and the kingdom. Although Odysseus is no longer remembered as the mighty warrior that his people remember, he must face his past in order to save his family. Also starring Charlie Plummer, Amir Wilson, Jaz Hutchins, Tom Rhys Harries, and Marwan Kenzari. The director is Uberto Pasolini.
'Y2K' | December 6th | A24
On the last night of 1999, two high school seniors attend a New Year's Eve party and find themselves fighting for their lives when Y2K becomes a reality. Starring Jaeden Martell, Rachel Zegler, Julian Dennison, Kyle Mooney (who also directed), Alicia Silverstone, and Fred Durst.
'Mary' | December 6 | Netflix
A story depicting the life of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the birth of Jesus Christ. In this timeless coming-of-age story, Mary is shunned by otherworldly visions and forced to flee as Herod's insatiable thirst for power ignites a murderous pursuit of the newborn. Starring Noah Cohen, Ido Tako, Stephanie Noor, Miri Avital, and Anthony Hopkins as King Herod. Directed by DJ Caruso.
'Maria' | December 11 | Netflix
Famous opera singer Maria Callas (Angelina Jolie) retires to Paris in the 1970s after a glamorous but turbulent life in the public eye. Hulk Bilginer, Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher, Valeria Golino, and Kaspar Phillipson star as John F. Kennedy. The director is Pablo Larrain.
'Carry On' | December 13th | Netflix
A mysterious traveler blackmails young TSA agent Ethan Kopech into letting him slip a dangerous package through security and onto a Christmas Day flight. But Ethan won't be able to stop the traveler's evil vacation plans. Starring Taron Egerton, Jason Bateman, Logan Marshall-Green, Sofia Carson, Theo Rossi, and Dean Norris. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra.
'Baby Girl' | December 25th | A24
A powerful CEO begins a violent affair with a much younger intern, putting her career and family at risk. Starring Nicole Kidman, Harris Dickinson, Antonio Banderas, and Sophie Wilde. Directed by Halina Lane.
Complete list by date:
- “That Christmas” | December 4th
- “Werewolf” | December 6th
- “Night Bitch” | December 6th
- “Order” | December 6th
- “The Return” | December 6th
- “Y2K” | December 6th
- “Mary” | December 6th
- “Maria” | December 11th
- “Kraven the Hunter” | December 12th
- “The Lord of the Rings: Rohirrim War” | December 13th
- “Carry On” | December 13th
- “Mufasa: The Lion King” | December 20th
- “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” | December 20th
- “Homestead” | December 20th
- “Nosferatu” | December 25th
- “Baby Girl” | December 25th
- “Completely unknown” | December 25th
