Upcoming Releases — December


Sigh... 2012 is almost over. And, hey, if the Mayans were right, the world's almost over too. Which means I won't get to see the film I'm most excited for this upcoming month, Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained," which opens Christmas Day. I guess we'll see...

Friday, December 7:
Playing For Keeps — A romantic comedy about soccer starring Jessica Biel (Timberlake) and Gerard Butler. I'm not sold, and that might be an understatement. This looks like a walking cliche, but, hey, not everything can be heavy and full of gravitas in December.

Hyde Park on Hudson (Limited) — Hard to say how wide a release this will get, or how soon we'll actually get to see it, but this looks like an indie charmer. I love Bill Murray, and I'm curious to see how he does as FDR.

Lay The Favorite — This film has a cookie-cutter sounding plot, but it has Bruce Willis and it's directed by Stephen Frears, who did "The Queen." So, it will be interesting to see what it turns out like.

Friday, December 14:
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey — J.R.R. Tolkien's first book in the Middle Earth world gets the big screen, live-action treatment. This one book is being split into three movies (of course, there have been elements added to it), the first of which bows here. Peter Jackson — who gave us the excellent "Lord of the Rings" films — returns to direct this. Ian McKellen is also back, and Martin Freeman looks nifty as Bilbo. I'm excited, and I'm sure I'm not alone.

Wednesday, December 19:
Zero Dark Thirty (Limited) — Another of these holiday releases that may or may not get to us before 2013. This one tells the story of the hunting and killing of Osama Bin Laden. It's got a great cast, and it comes from Kathryn Bigelow, the director of "The Hurt Locker." I didn't LOVE "The Hurt Locker," but I thought it was a good film. This reminds me more of a cinematic "Homeland," which has me excited. Either way, Oscars here we come.

The Guilt Trip — I guess I wouldn't naturally think of a comedy starring Seth Rogen and Barbara Streisand. That seems like an odd pairing. And yet, the trailer for this actually made me laugh. It also made my wife laugh, so I  know I WILL be seeing it. Let's hope it lives up to the hype!

Friday, December 21:
This Is 40 — When I saw "Knocked Up," I couldn't help but think Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann were the best part of the film. Apparently I wasn't alone. This film focuses on their characters from "Knocked Up" without a hint of Rogen or the ungrateful Katherine Heigl. And the trailer looks hilarious. I am excited to see this new comedy.

The Impossible — This film, based on a real life family caught up in the Tsunami in 2004, looks incredible. It is drawing incredible buzz for awards season, and even the trailer is a tear-jerker. This looks like a great film for the end of the year.

Jack Reacher — Tom Cruise once again looks to headline and action film franchise, despite the fact that fans of the book are irate at his casting. This trailer doesn't do a lot for me, and it's hard to see this as anything other than "Mission Impossible" lite.

Monsters, Inc. 3D — Because what the world needs more of is previously cinematic hits being re-released in 3D.

Cirque De Soleil: World's Away — I have seen a Cirque de Soleil show live, and it is incredible. It is fascinating, beautiful, visually stunning, and unlike anything I'd seen before. It's hard to see how that translates to a movie screen...

Tuesday, December 25:
Django Unchained — Provided the world doesn't end on December 21, there is little that could prevent me from seeing this film. I appreciate Tarantino's unique style and voice, and it all appears to be clicking with this film. It's got a great cast — Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, and Leonardo DiCaprio — and looks to have a wicked sense of humor. It may not be Christmasy, but it should be fun.

Les Miserables — Another holiday treat. The trailers for this film look epic, the songs sound great, and it has an inspired cast. Tom Hooper did a great job with "The King's Speech," and this looks like a great followup.

Parental Guidance — This looks like it could be interesting and funny, but Billy Crystal and Bette Middler aren't the draw in 2012 that they were in 1999. In such a crowded marketplace, you have to wonder if this will be able to find an audience.

Friday, December 28:
Promised Land (Limited) — Likely this won't be seen until 2013, but this film looks pretty solid. Co-written by Matt Damon and John Krasinski, who star in the film, this looks like a poignant and moving film for our times.

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