Mark Vader Posted December 6, 2013 Posted December 6, 2013 This Holiday Season has made many movie studios happy with enormous box office receipts. Now as December rolls in, those studios will be expecting more big numbers. This month also marks the final time of the year for films to qualify for Oscar nominations. With the many critics circles giving out their year end prizes and the Golden Globe nominations soon to be announced, moviegoers will take notice. At first glance this month appears to have few offerings in terms of big name big budget movies. That's because most of them were released in November. A wise move on the part of those studios, as they were not going to dare open anywhere near the one big franchise in December. That franchise of course is the ongoing stories of Middle Earth, in "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug". The dwarves, along with Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf the Grey, continue their quest to reclaim Erebor, their homeland, from Smaug. Bilbo Baggins is in possession of a mysterious and magical ring. While the first Hobbit film received a different overall reception than "The Lord of the Rings" movies did, the excitement for this franchise is still very strong. The anticipation of finally seeing Smaug in his full glory on the big screen, is enough to make every fanboy and fangirl geek out. Starring Martin Freeman, Ian McKellan, Richard Armitage, Ken Stott, Graham McTavish, Luke Evans, Mikael Persbrandt, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Cate Blanchett & Benedict Cumberbatch. Director David O. Russell has once again put together a strong Oscar contender for best picture with "American Hustle". A con man, Irving Rosenfeld, along with his seductive British partner Sydney Prosser is forced to work for a wild FBI agent Richie DiMaso. DiMaso pushes them into a world of Jersey powerbrokers and mafia. The top notch cast includes, Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner & Jennifer Lawrence. Director Martin Scorsese has his own Oscar best picture hopeful released this month with "The Wolf of Wall Street". Based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, from his rise to a wealthy stockbroker living the high life to his fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matthew McConaughey, Jon Favreau, Jonah Hill, Spike Jonze, Margot Robbie, Cristin Milioti, and Jean Dujardin. Director Spike Jonze also has an Oscar hopeful with "Her". A lonely writer develops an unlikely relationship with his newly purchased operating system that's designed to meet his every need. Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Scarlett Johansson & Rooney Mara. Christian Bale stars in "Out of the Furnace". When Rodney Baze mysteriously disappears and law enforcement fails to follow through, his older brother, Russell, takes matters into his own hands to find justice. Also starring Woody Harrelson, Casey Affleck, Forest Whitaker, Willem Dafoe, Zoe Saldana & Sam Shepard. Tom Hanks & Emma Thompson star in "Saving Mr. Banks". Author P. L. Travers reflects on her difficult childhood while meeting with filmmaker Walt Disney during production for the adaptation of her novel, Mary Poppins. Also starring Annie Rose Buckley, Colin Farrell & Paul Giamatti. Ben Stiller directs and stars in "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty". A day-dreamer escapes his anonymous life by disappearing into a world of fantasies filled with heroism, romance and action. When his job along with that of his co-worker are threatened, he takes action in the real world embarking on a global journey that turns into an adventure more extraordinary than anything he could have ever imagined. Also starring Kristen Wiig & Adam Scott. 20th Century Fox presents "Walking With Dinosaurs 3D". See and feel what it was like when dinosaurs ruled the Earth, in a story where an underdog dino triumphs to become a hero for the ages. Starring the voices of John Leguizamo, Justin Long & Tiya Sircar. Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, Christina Applegate & David Koechner return in "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues". With the 70s behind him, San Diego's top rated newsman, Ron Burgundy, returns to take New York's first 24-hour news channel by storm. Also starring Harrison Ford, Kristen Wiig, Jim Carrey, Liam Neeson, Kirsten Dunst, Vince Vaughn, James Marsden, Tina Fey, Sacha Baron Cohen, Meagan Good, Greg Kinnear, Amy Poehler & John C. Reilly. Sylvester Stallone & Robert Deniro star in "Grudge Match". A pair of aging boxing rivals are coaxed out of retirement to fight one final bout -- 30 years after their last match. Also starring Kim Basinger & Alan Arkin. In "A Madea Christmas", Madea dispenses her unique form of holiday spirit on rural town when she's coaxed into helping a friend pay her daughter a surprise visit in the country for Christmas. Starring Tyler Perry, Tika Sumpter & Larry the Cable Guy. Finally, Keanu Reeves stars in "47 Ronin". A band of samurai set out to avenge the death and dishonor of their master at the hands of a ruthless shogun. Calendar with Trailers 12/6 "Out of the Furnace": http://outofthefurnacemovie.tumblr.com/ 12/13 "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug": http://www.thehobbit.com/ "A Madea Christmas": http://www.amadeachristmasmovie.com/ 12/18 "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues": http://www.anchormanmovie.com/ "Her": http://www.herthemovie.com/#/home 12/20 "Saving Mr. Banks": http://movies.disney.com/saving-mr-banks "Walking With Dinosaurs": http://www.walkingwithdinosaurs.com/movie/ 12/25 "American Hustle: http://www.americanhustle-movie.com/site/ "47 Ronin": http://www.47roninmovie.com/ "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty": http://www.waltermitty.com/ "The Wolf of Wall Street": http://www.thewolfofwallstreet.com/ "Grudge Match": http://www.grudgematchmovie.com/ That's all for now, I'll have the Independent Films posted later. Until then.....Enjoy!
shrader Posted December 6, 2013 Posted December 6, 2013 Is it bad that I want to see Out of the Furnace simply because of a song they used in the first trailer for the movie? Oh, the cast looks pretty damn good too, so at least I can fall back on that.
Mark Vader Posted December 6, 2013 Author Posted December 6, 2013 Is it bad that I want to see Out of the Furnace simply because of a song they used in the first trailer for the movie? Oh, the cast looks pretty damn good too, so at least I can fall back on that. Nothing wrong with that. Although the movie is not getting stellar reviews.
Mark Vader Posted December 7, 2013 Author Posted December 7, 2013 How long has Keanu Reeves been Japanese?
Mark Vader Posted December 18, 2013 Author Posted December 18, 2013 if any its the Hobbit. Saw "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" this past weekend, and absolutely loved it. Yes they have taken a lot of liberties with the book and made up a lot of stuff, but I personally don't care. Finally, we have a great dragon movie. Smaug is awesome and a great villain. All of you fantasy lovers and movie geeks and hobbit lovers have been waiting for this moment of all, and it does not disappoint. Bravo, Peter Jackson! Bring on the final film.
Lt. Dan's Revenge Posted December 18, 2013 Posted December 18, 2013 American Hustle and The Wolf of Wall Street both look really, really good. Anchorman 2 is also a must-see, of course.
Maury Ballstein Posted December 26, 2013 Posted December 26, 2013 Just saw American Hustle.....freaking awesome. Bale Renner and Adams absolutely crush it. Have the wolf of Wall Street as the next one to see.
Miyagi-Do Karate Posted December 26, 2013 Posted December 26, 2013 Just saw American hustle, as well. Pretty solid. The acting was top notch, and I bet jennifer Lawrence, bale, and Amy Adams all get strong Oscar consideration. The movie itself was solid, but I wouldn't consider it to be spectacular or memorable like goodfellas (which some compared it to).
Nanker Posted December 27, 2013 Posted December 27, 2013 Just got back from "Nebraska" - the movie, not the state. Some good acting and start visuals of the heartland.
Security Posted December 27, 2013 Posted December 27, 2013 Well, Frozen, I guess was released Novemebr 27, have not seen it, don't have kids, but people with kids have told me and my wife that it was awesome.
boyst Posted December 27, 2013 Posted December 27, 2013 Well, Frozen, I guess was released Novemebr 27, have not seen it, don't have kids, but people with kids have told me and my wife that it was awesome. Frozen is awesome. I thought Shrek was good (just the first one). I liked Toy Story, and all those. Tangled was a lot of fun, but Frozen is a lot better. I've seen it twice. I went with my brother and his family then my GF wanted to see it so we watched it. Just saw American Hustle.....freaking awesome. Bale Renner and Adams absolutely crush it. Have the wolf of Wall Street as the next one to see. Just saw American hustle, as well. Pretty solid. The acting was top notch, and I bet jennifer Lawrence, bale, and Amy Adams all get strong Oscar consideration. The movie itself was solid, but I wouldn't consider it to be spectacular or memorable like goodfellas (which some compared it to). I just can't get in wanting to see American Hustle. Knowing that Christian Bale is in it makes me more curious but the previews just look awful.
Lt. Dan's Revenge Posted December 27, 2013 Posted December 27, 2013 Just saw The Wolf of Wall Street. Very, very good. One of the more entertaining films I've seen in a quite a while. 3 hours long, so make sure you've cleared part of your day!
Security Posted December 27, 2013 Posted December 27, 2013 Just saw The Wolf of Wall Street. Very, very good. One of the more entertaining films I've seen in a quite a while. 3 hours long, so make sure you've cleared part of your day! Just can't do three hour movies at a theater, I have to pee at least twice
mrags Posted December 28, 2013 Posted December 28, 2013 Just got back from The Wolf of Wall Street. AMAZING!!! Was definitely R rated so don't think about bringing the kids but boy was it awesome. Last 2 days I've seen that an American Hustle. Both good in their own way but The Wolf takes it for me. If you liked Wall Street, Boiler Room, or Glen Gary Glen Ross, you will like this movie.
Mark Vader Posted December 28, 2013 Author Posted December 28, 2013 Sorry for the delay. Here are this month's Independent Films. From the Coen Brothers it's "Inside Llewyn Davis". A week in the life of a young singer as he navigates the Greenwich Village folk scene of 1961. Starring Oscar Issac, Carey Mulligan, John Goodman, Garrett Hedlund & Justin Timberlake. Mark Wahlberg stars in "Lone Survivor". Based on the failed June 28, 2005 mission "Operation Red Wings". Four members of SEAL Team 10 were tasked with the mission to capture or kill notorious Taliban leader Ahmad Shahd. Also starring Taylor Kitsch, Emile Hirsch & Ben Foster. In "August: Osage County", A look at the lives of the strong-willed women of the Weston family, whose paths have diverged until a family crisis brings them back to the Oklahoma house they grew up in, and to the dysfunctional woman who raised them. The ensemble cast includes: Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Ewen McGregor, Chris Cooper, Abigail Breslin, Benedict Cumberbatch, Juliette Lewis, Margo Martindale, Julianne Nicholson, Sam Shepard & Misty Upham. In "The Invisible Woman", At the height of his career, Charles Dickens meets a younger woman who becomes his secret lover until his death. Starring Ralph Fiennes, Felicity Jones, Kristin Scott Thomas & Tom Hollander. Kate Winslet & Josh Brolin star in "Labor Day", Depressed single mom Adele and her son Henry offer a wounded, fearsome man a ride. As police search town for the escaped convict, the mother and son gradually learn his true story as their options become increasingly limited. Also starring Gattlin Griffith. In "Hours", A father struggles to keep his infant daughter alive in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Starring Paul Walker, Genesis Rodriguez, Nancy Nave & Shane Jacobsen. In "The Last Days on Mars", A group of astronaut explorers succumb one by one to a mysterious and terrifying force while collecting specimens on Mars. Starring Liev Schreiber, Elias Koteas, Romola Garai & Olivia Williams. From France & Italy comes "The Past". An Iranian man deserts his French wife and two children to return to his homeland. Meanwhile, his wife starts up a new relationship, a reality her husband confronts upon his wife's request for a divorce. Starring Berenice Bejo, Tahar Rahim & Ali Mosaffa. Calendar with Trailers. Note: These dates are for Exclusive or Limited release. These films may appear in your area at a later date. 12/6 "Inside Llewyn Davis": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1427876121/ "The Last Days on Mars": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1046194457/ 12/13 "Hours": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2380834841/ 12/20 "The Past": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi893364249/ 12/25 "Labor Day": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1054189593/ "The Invisible Woman": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3466569753/ 12/27 "Lone Survivor": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1137158425/ "August: Osage County": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi4183598617/ That's it for now. I'll have the January movies up soon. Until then.....Enjoy!
Just Jack Posted December 29, 2013 Posted December 29, 2013 Anchorman 2 was awful. Oh good, so it's not just me that feels that way.
Dr. Fong Posted January 1, 2014 Posted January 1, 2014 Anchorman 2 was awful. Having seen Anchorman, what was it about two that fell short in your opinion? To me they were pretty much the same movie and I got just about what I expected out of it. BTW, I saw 47 Ronin as well. That movie is nowhere near as bad as the savaging it's getting from critics. If the trailer looks at all appealing to you I suggest you give it a chance. I was glad I disregarded all of the negativity and gave it a shot. It was an entertaining afternoon diversion.
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