"We're not critics. We're professional fan-girls." --- This blog is dedicated to movies and the entertainment industry. We use random selection to bring into light the best and worst of streaming films and entertainment news.
Streaming
Services: Hulu Movie
Name/Year: 12
Pups of Christmas (2019) Genre: Romance Length: 85 minutes Rating: NR Production/Distribution: Feifer Worldwide, MarVista
Entertainment Director: Michael Feifer Writer: Michael Feifer Actors: Charlotte Sullivan, Donny
Boaz, Elizabeth Small, Philip Boyd, Jen Nikolaisen, Jeremy Ray Valdez, Kat
Marie, April Hobson, Caia Coley, Thomas Bell, Kiana Tavasti Blurb
from IMDb: Recently
single and starting a new job in a different city, Erin, a canine therapist, is
getting a fresh start. But just when she thought her new life would be the
reset she needed, her self-centered boss, Martin, tasks Erin with finding homes
for 12 puppies who were left behind after a photo shoot for his struggling GPS
locator company - and all before Christmas. As they work together, Erin
realizes Martin may not be so bad after all, and her take-charge attitude not
only helps Martin save his company, but also reveals a calmer, better self that
opens them both up to the idea of love.
Selina’s
Point of View: I firmly believe
that this may be the worst movie we’ve seen in the history of our ‘Tis the
Season series. I’ll grant you
that most Hallmark and Lifetime films can wind up being repetitive and boring.
A lot of them can become guilty pleasures, though. The characters are usually
relatable and they make you feel good. None of them re-invent the wheel, but
that’s not what you expect from them anyway. We’ve covered a
lot of that type of film during our holiday season, and we know what to expect
from them. The worst of them are usually still watchable, even if they’re not
winning any awards. That’s all I
expected from 12 Pups of Christmas. It’s not like this was a case of seeming
worse because it didn’t fit my expectations. I have seen movies
that are trying to be bad that have better acting, and a better script, than
this one did.
It was difficult
to watch. It was cringy, overdone, badly directed, and I’m pretty sure the
writer learned how to craft a script from watching only the worst B-movies out
there.
There were only
two good things about 12 Pups of Christmas. First of all,
dogs. The dogs were adorable. I’m a dog person. That’s always a bonus. They
were used less than you would expect, though. They took a backseat to the unbelievable
human connections that the writer/director tried to force down our throats. There was, however,
the soundtrack. Due to the fact
that this wasn’t a big-budget production, they didn’t have access to the most
popularly used, and mostly overdone, Christmas songs. That means they inserted
much less used holiday songs that felt fresh. Unfortunately, the movie itself
didn’t live up to any of it. I cannot
recommend 12 Pups of Christmas.
Cat’s
Point of View: Tis the season
for Christmas movies again! It’s one of my very favorite holidays, and I
usually go all-out with decorations and the like during this time of year.
(Have I mentioned before I have two entire closets full of Christmas décor, and
then some?) I say usually
because, well… it’s 2020 and it hasn’t FELT like December. My husband and I
were just discussing our holiday budget earlier today and it didn’t really hit
home how close the date is approaching until right then. So many plans have
changed or been placed on hold due to various challenges this past year has
brought – both COVID related and not. Since
everything’s been crazy, I’ve found it harder to get in the mood. I’m hoping
that our usual round of holiday movies this month will be able to help turn
that around. That being said,
let’s get into 12 Pups of Christmas, shall we? I’m conflicted
about this movie, and I’m not sure if it’s my general mood that’s made me
Grinchy or if it’s the film, itself, that’s causing the issue.
It was hard to
get into. Things felt so strained and awkward. Part of it felt like the acting,
but then the situation was a bit on the wonky side, too. I was holding out hope
that everything would smooth out. One has to expect a few bumps in the road in
a made-for-TV holiday rom-com, right? Unfortunately, things didn’t start
picking up for me until closer to the end. Don’t get me
wrong – I don’t want to throw rotten tomatoes at anyone over this movie… but I
can tell you I wouldn’t go out of my way to watch it again. I do always try
to find some positive in everything we watch, however. In the case of 12
Pups of Christmas, I’d have to say that it’s absolutely the set department
and cinematography that wins the kudos from me. Some of the shots of New York
City lit up for the holidays, and the obligatory skyline scenes were
breathtaking. All of the staged set pieces that had Christmas decorations were
straight out of my wildest decorating hopes and dreams. I loved it – and it was
over the top in a very tasteful way. Nothing felt tacky or too contrived. The
puppies were also pretty adorable. All told, this
wasn’t a bad start to get our feet wet while jumping into the festive season –
it just wasn’t the best. So many of the movies we’ve watched in the past have
set the bar rather high so this one fell a bit short.
Rotten
Tomatoes Critic Score – None Rotten
Tomatoes Audience Score – None Metascore – None Metacritic
User Score – None IMDB
Score – 4.3/10 Trust
the Dice: Selina’s Rating – 1.5/5 Trust
the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 1.5/5 Trust the Dice
Parental Advisory Rating: PG Movie
Trailer:
We keep hearing that theaters are going to reopen and then finding out there’s been another postponement. (Wear your damn masks!) We’re going to be optimistic and keep to our original format for the Top 20. We’re considering all films coming out – whether digital, straight to DVD, or in theaters – as eligible for this list. However, we felt the need to still include a disclaimer. (Once theaters are fully opened, this disclaimer will no longer be used.)
There are certain states that meet all the requirements to reopen, and are doing well. In those states, we absolutely support people going to the movies, as long as they remain cautious, and the theaters are following all safety precautions. However, a lot of states in the USA are opening before medical experts believe they should. If you live in one of those states, especially those with rising COVID-19 cases, we urge you to stay home. There are a lot of great movies that continue to be released digitally, and we hope you stick with those. We understand that cabin fever is setting in with everyone right now, we’re not immune to it, but put your health and safety – and the health and safety of your family – first. That said, all the release dates mentioned are tentative. Revisit this article throughout the month, we'll post small updates about postponed films as we are alerted to the delays. Thank you for sticking with us through these strange times
The world is a scary, surreal, and strange place right now.
COVID-19 cases are on the rise, and some European countries are locking down
again. While nothing has been announced regarding unilateral nation-wide changes
in the U.S., some states are changing phases and beginning to scale back in the
hopes of curbing this second wave. As a result, this has caused some prospects for movie
releasing to remain uncertain. Unfortunately, the movies Free Guy and Death on the Nile, both under Disney control, have become the latest high-profile
victims of these schedule-shuffling changes. Rather than scheduling another
future date in the hopes that theaters will be open; it seems that, as of early
November industry reporting, these two films are on indefinite hold. While we don’t have a lot of details as to why Free Guy has fallen into this category
specifically, it seems that merger stipulations between Disney and Fox are
impacting Death on the Nile; as it's been reported the agreement requires that they pursue a theatrical release. We were really looking forward to these productions
releasing in December, and likely would have listed them within our Top 10.
Alas, we can only give them Honorable Mention until their fate is sorted out at
a later time.
20 - The Santa Squad (12/8)
Production/Distribution:
CME Autum Productions, Champlain Media, Reel One Entertainment, Reel One
International Director: John
Bradshaw Writer: Mark
Valenti Actors: Armando
Alera, Aaron Ashmore, Rebecca Dalton, Jayne Eastwood, John Flanagan, James
Kall, Hattie Kragten, Molly Lewis, Chris Sandiford, Michael Therriault, Paniz
Zade Genre: Romance,
Holiday Rated: Unrated Length: 91 minutes IMDb Blurb: An
unemployed art teacher accepts a job with the Santa Squad to help lift the
spirits of a wealthy widower Gordon (Aaron Ashmore) and his two adorable
daughters. As she helps the broken family rediscover the magic of Christmas,
she finds something she didn't expect: True love.
As I was putting my movie list together this month, I had to
pause and re-evaluate for a moment. I realized that I didn’t have a single Christmas
movie on the list! While I understand not everyone celebrates the holiday, it’s
always been one of my very favorites. I couldn’t justify to myself making a
list of movies for December that didn’t include at least one. Thus, here it is.
Santa’s Squad
certainly isn’t the only Christmas movie available this month. There were even
a couple mentioned on November’s list. This is just the movie I am most likely
to go out of my way to watch among the titles premiering in December. It’s not
often that a Lifetime Channel movie makes the official Top 20 – but this one
looked cute enough that it squeaked by in making the cut.
I expect it to be entirely predictable as it follows the
holiday romance recipe. In fact, I anticipate that the trailer outlines most of
the plot already. Be that as it may, it still looks cute and like it will be a
lot of fun. I also enjoy the art teacher element of the story. Who knows, I
might get some crafty ideas! I like the
cast, as well. I don’t believe this title is available On-Demand or on DVD at
this time, so if you’re interested, be sure to set your DVR!
19 - Wild Mountain
Thyme (12/11)
Production/Distribution:
Amasia Entertainment, Aperture Media Partners, Likely Story, Mar-Key Pictures,
Port Pictures, Sea Around Us, GEM Entertainment, Bleecker Street Media,
Elevation Pictures, Lionsgate UK, Front Row Filmed Entertainment, Madman
Entertainment Director: John
Patrick Shanley Writer: John
Patrick Shanley Actors: Emily
Blunt, Jamie Dornan, Jon Hamm, Christopher Walken, Jon Tenney, Danielle Ryan,
Lydia McGuinness, Dearbhla Molloy, Darragh O'Kane, Abigail Coburn, Martin F
Ward Genre: Drama,
Romance Rated: PG-13 Length: 102 minutes IMDb Blurb: A
pair of star-crossed lovers in Ireland get caught up in their family's land
dispute.
With the world a bit crazy and off-kilter at the moment, I’ve
found that I’ve been less interested in heavy dramas. You’ll find the majority
of this month’s list are productions geared towards good old-fashioned
escapism. In the case of Wild
Mountain Thyme, it’s a romance – but the trailer promises a lot more than
just that. There’s wit and heart, and let’s not forget the Irish setting. That’s
a big sell for me, really. I’m a sucker for an Irish-set film. I don’t even
care that the Irish press has been calling the movie out for the horrible Irish
accents that some of the cast use. A genuine Irish accent is something of beauty. I could
listen to the lilting burr of it all day – even if someone was reading a phone
book. I can forgive faulty accent attempts, however, considering the caliber of
the cast in general. I’d probably watch anything with Christopher Walken (Seven Psychopaths, Father Figures, The War
with Grandpa) in it. It’s going to be amusing listening to his
line-delivery with or without the accent. Emily Blunt (Edge of Tomorrow, A Quiet Place, Mary Poppins Returns) and John
Hamm (Bad Times at the El Royale, Good
Omens, Richard Jewell) are also impressive additions to the film – though,
I don’t believe Hamm’s role calls for him to try to pass for Irish. Another point in this movie’s favor is that it allows Jamie
Dornan (Anthropoid, A Private War,
Synchronic) to explore another aspect of his range. This isn’t a big action
film, nor is it requiring him to be a sex symbol. He gets to be a bit of a
doofus here. We shouldn’t have any problems with his accent, though, as he is
decidedly Irish. I’m really looking forward to the warm-fuzzies and laughs
this movie should bring.
18 - Sister of the
Groom (12/18)
Production/Distribution:
Mandorla Productions, Saban Films, Premiere Entertainment Group, Signature
Entertainment Director: Amy
Miller Gross Writer: Amy
Miller Gross Actors: Alicia
Silverstone, Tom Everett Scott, Mathilde Ollivier, Mark Blum, Abigail Marlowe,
Julie Engelbrecht, Charlie Bewley, Jake Hoffman, Ronald Guttman, Noah Silver,
Jamie Choi, Michael Bernardi, Guyviaud Joseph, Adam Griffith, Kenneth Maharaj,
Nicole Tio, Richaud Valls, Tony Costa, Adrienne Ellis, Jean-François Ogoubiyi,
Lee Reitelman, Claudja Bicalho, Deeva Green Genre: Comedy,
Drama, Romance Rated: R Length: 92 minutes IMDb Blurb: Liam
is set to wed a younger French girl, Clemence, in the Hamptons. His sister,
Audrey, and her husband, Ethan, drive to attend, yet Audrey's motives are
likely to stop the wedding. Audrey and Clemence do not get along, as Clemence,
a perfect gorgeous French woman, reminds Audrey of her own imperfections.
Feelings of jealousy due to her own lost opportunities, uncertainty of herself
and 40 years of lifetime choices could explode and scorch her new sister-in-law.
This is the first of 2 wedding-themed movies on this month’s
list. What I love about both is that they’re comedies, and not just steeped in
romance. If the trailer is a good indication, Sister of the Groom is giving off a lot of vibes similar to The Hangover (2009) but without the
lost-friend mystery element. I found it hilarious, and I sincerely hope that
the bits contained in the trailer aren’t the only good ones in the movie. The
note I wrote as I watched the teaser was ‘wedding shenanigans.’ I’m always down
for that. Another of the main points attracting me to this film is the
cast. Alicia Silverstone (King Cobra,
Book Club, The Lodge) is perfect for this sort of comedy, and Tom Everett
Scott (Mars Needs Moms, La La Land, 13
Reasons Why) won me over back in the 90s with his performances in American Werewolf in Paris (1997) and Dead Man on Campus (1998). I’m really anticipating comedic gold here, and can’t wait to
watch.
17 - Love, Weddings
& Other Disasters (12/4)
Production/Distribution:
Align, Construction Film, Convergent Media, Fortitude International, GEM
Entertainment, Just Film Distribution, Saban Films Director: Dennis
Dugan Writers: Eileen
Conn, Dennis Dugan, Larry Miller Actors: Maggie
Grace, Diane Keaton, Jeremy Irons, Andrew Bachelor, Todd Stashwick, Diego
Boneta, Jesse McCartney, Dennis Dugan, Chandra West, Richard Kline, Veronica
Ferres, Caroline Portu, Melinda Hill, Ava Gaudet, Levon Panek, William Xifaras,
Andy Goldenberg, Rob Norton, Dennis Staroselsky, Gail Bennington, Sally Meehan,
Abbey Dubin, Tarek Moussa, Natalia K. Grace, Jonathan De Azevedo, Jaison
Hunter, Rachel Wirtz, Mark Lainer, Becky Bass, Paul Melendy, Kevin Wiles Jr.,
Pesach Pesach Genre: Comedy,
Romance Rated: PG-13 Length: 90 minutes IMDbBlurb: It is a multi-story romantic
comedy about the people who work on weddings to create the perfect day for a
loving couple - while their own relationships are outlandish, odd, crazy and
far from perfect.
As I mentioned before, this is the 2nd wedding-related
movie on my list this month. Not only is this a rom-com with couples spanning
multiple generations, it looks like there’s going to be a diverse range of
comedic offerings as well – from wit to physical comedy. This is also another movie where I’m smitten with the cast.
I have long been a fan of Jeremy Irons (Assassin's
Creed, Justice League, Watchmen) and Diane Keaton (Finding Dory, Poms, Green Eggs and Ham). I’ve also really come to
appreciate the work of Maggie Grace (The
Choice, The Hurricane Heist, Fear the Walking Dead), Diego Boneta (Rock of Ages, Before I Fall, Terminator:
Dark Fate), and Andrew Bachelor (The
Babysitter, Rim of the World, Holidate) in the last decade. Each has
something special to bring to the table, and I think they’ll really shine here.
16 – Parallel (12/11)
Production/Distribution:
BRON Studios, Creative Wealth Media Finance, The Realm Films, Vertical
Entertainment, Entermode, Front Row Filmed Entertainment Director: Isaac
Ezban Writer: Scott
Blaszak Actors: Georgia
King, Kathleen Quinlan, Alyssa Diaz, Martin Wallström, Mark O'Brien, Shannon
Chan-Kent, Aml Ameen, Carmel Amit, Carrie Genzel, Eileen Pedde, Josh Blacker,
Jana Berengel, Samantha Hodhod, Izabel Pearce, Cassidy Alexa Genre: Drama,
Thriller, Sci-Fi Rated: Unrated Length: 104 minutes IMDb Blurb: A
group of friends stumble upon a mirror that serves as a portal to a
"multiverse", but soon discover that importing knowledge from the
other side in order to better their lives brings increasingly dangerous
consequences.
Unlike most of the other movies on this list, this film
doesn’t include any particular cast members that draw me into this production.
This time, it’s the story that has me captivated. Science is currently exploring the possibility of parallel
universes or worlds, though I doubt that any sort of reality ties such research
to a mirror portal. All the same, it’s an interesting concept that takes the ‘through
the looking glass’ idea quite literally. Sci-Fi fans are generally well versed in the hazards of time
travel due to paradox. We don’t, however, have a guide as to the ‘do’s and don’ts’
of multiverse travel. I’m intrigued by the premise of this film and my
curiosity is piqued to find out what hazards await the friends that loot the
other dimensions for their own gain. I’m excited about the number of science fiction offerings
hitting screens this month. This movie is just the tip of the iceberg.
15 - Greenland (12/18)
Production/Distribution:
STX Films, Anton, Thunder Road Pictures, G-BASE, Riverstone Pictures, Film
& TV House, GEM Entertainment, CatchPlay, Cinépolis Distribución, Diamond
Films, Elevation Pictures, Golden Village Pictures, Impuls Pictures,
Joyncontents Group, Kinomania, Metropolitan Filmexport, Roadshow Film
Distributors, Roadshow Films, STX International, Spentzos Films, Square Box
Pictures, TGV Pictures, TOBIS Film, The Searchers, Top Film, Vertical
Entertainment, Amazon Prime Video, Cinemundo, Encore Films, Home Box Office, JL
Vision Film, The Filmbridge Director: Ric
Roman Waugh Writer: Chris
Sparling Actors: Gerard
Butler, Morena Baccarin, Roger Dale Floyd, Scott Glenn, Randal Gonzalez, Scott
Poythress, Claire Bronson, Madison Johnson, Gary Weeks, Tracey Bonner, Merrin
Dungey, Mike Senior, Hope Davis, David Denman, Andrew Bachelor, Joshua Mikel,
James Logan, Randall Archer, Suehyla El-Attar, Al Mitchell, Marc Gowan, Carlos
Lopez Genre: Action,
Drama, Thriller Rated: PG-13 Length: 119 minutes IMDb Blurb: A
family struggles for survival in the face of a cataclysmic natural disaster.
If you look at this title and feel a little déjà vu, you’re
not wrong. We don’t generally repeat a listing once it’s already appeared on a
Top 20, but 2020 has been crazy enough that this film deserves another mention.
We originally listed Greenland in our
September article; however, due to the pandemic, the release date for the film
has been changed several times.
Finally, the distribution has settled on skipping theaters
in the U.S. all-together and sending the movie direct to On-Demand streaming.
This film will be available for $19.99 for a 48 hour rental during its initial release
period, then will become available to HBOMax subscribers in 2021.
There’s quite a bit to like about Greenland, and I’ve been eagerly anticipating its release for
months now. I absolutely adore Gerard Butler (Den of Thieves, Geostorm, London Has Fallen) and Morena Baccarin (V, Deadpool, Homeland) so it’s exciting
to see them share the screen. In addition to the cast, the action and effects
seem to be really well done. I’m a sucker for a good disaster movie. I don’t
mind at all if they’re generally predictable. This one promises to be an
outstanding addition to the genre.
14 - The Midnight Sky
(12/23)
Production/Distribution:
Anonymous Content, Netflix, Smokehouse Pictures, Syndicate Entertainment,
Truenorth Productions, The Searchers, Netflix Director: George
Clooney Writers: Lily
Brooks-Dalton, Mark L. Smith Actors: George
Clooney, Felicity Jones, Sophie Rundle, Kyle Chandler, Ethan Peck, David
Oyelowo, Demián Bichir, Tim Russ, Miriam Shor, Tiffany Boone, Edan Hayhurst,
Lilja Nótt Þórarinsdóttir, Grant Crookes, Caoilinn Springall, Atli Oskar
Fjalarsson, Natasha Jenssen, Bharat Mistri, Tia Bannon, Kishore Bhatt, Jill
Buchanan, Olivia Noyce Genre: Drama,
Fantasy, Sci-Fi Rated: PG-13 Length: 122 minutes IMDb Blurb: This
post-apocalyptic tale follows Augustine, a lonely scientist in the Arctic, as
he races to stop Sully and her fellow astronauts from returning home to a
mysterious global catastrophe.
As I’ve mentioned before, I love a good disaster movie. Pair
that with my adoration of Sci-Fi and space; and then toss in a measure of Felicity
Jones (Inferno, Rogue One: A Star Wars
Story, On the Basis of Sex) and George Clooney (The Monuments Men, Hail Caesar!, Money Monster), and you’ve got a
recipe for something special. Clooney has been said to compare The Midnight Sky to a mashup of Gravity
(2013) and The Revenant (2015). Based
on the trailer, I can see where he’s coming from. That sort of combination is
intriguing and I’m definitely interested in exploring the comparison in more
detail. Even without that bit of trivia, the trailer piqued my curiosity
on several levels. What has happened to Earth that Clooney’s character needs to
warn the ship in space about? Why is there an elementary-school-aged little
girl in residence at a remote arctic observatory? Between the cast, the story, and the stunning visuals – The Midnight Sky is a must-watch for me.
13 – Monsters of Man (12/8)
Production/Distribution:
MRT Films Pty Ltd, Hanuman Films, 11:11 Entertainment Director: Mark
Toia Writer: Mark Toia Actors: Neal
McDonough, Brett Tutor, Jose Rosete, David Haverty, Paul Haapaniemi, Ryan
Hough, Ly Ty, Ma Rynet, Kayli Tran, Jessica Blackmore, Jordy Tulleners, Tatjana
Marjanovic, Conrad K. Pratt, David Samartin, Trong Kam, Taylor Leigh Edwards Genre: Sci-Fi Rated: Unrated Length: 131 minutes IMDb Blurb: A
robotics company teams up with a corrupt CIA agent undergoing an illegal,
unsanctioned military operation. Dropping four prototype robots into a
suspected drug manufacturing camp in the Golden triangle that no one will miss.
The mission is to prove the robotics company is worthy of winning a lucrative
military contract. Six doctors on a good cause witness the brutal slaughter of
an innocent village and are forced into a deadly game of cat and mouse as they
become the new targets.
The trailer for Monsters
of Man caught my attention when it first appeared on my YouTube homepage as
a suggested video. I remember getting chills the first time I watched it.
Situations become scarier when they’re remotely plausible. With the advances in
robotics and AI in the real world today, something along the lines of this
movie’s premise isn’t really too far-fetched. There are definitely shady enough
people and organizations out there grasping for the almighty dollar that wouldn’t
be above stooping to similar tactics. While I don’t feel that I recognize most of the cast, one
person stands out that was an absolute deciding factor in placing this movie on
the list - Neal McDonough (1922, DC's
Legends of Tomorrow, Yellowstone). McDonough has played both good and bad
guys over the years, along with plenty that skate through that gray area in the
middle. In this case, it’s a pretty sure bet that his character decidedly falls
on the ‘bad’ end of the spectrum. Those are, quite frankly, the types of roles
that he excels in. It’s actually quite scary when he turns on that cold
ruthless confidence.
Of course, the cool robotics effects that remind me a bit of
the shock troops in Code 8 (2019) are
an excellent bonus for viewers. I can’t wait to see how this one plays out.
12 - Skylines (12/18)
Production/Distribution:
Mirabelle Pictures Productions, Artbox, Fasten Films, Media Finance Capital,
Blue Swan Entertainment Director: Liam
O'Donnell Writer: Matthew
E. Chausse, Joshua Cordes, Liam O'Donnell Actors: Lindsey
Morgan, Rhona Mitra, James Cosmo, Alexander Siddig, Daniel Bernhardt, Yayan
Ruhian, Jonathan Howard, Ieva Andrejevaite, Samantha Jean, Jeremy Fitzgerald,
Cha-Lee Yoon, Giedre Mockeliunaite, Phong Giang, Naomi Tankel Genre: Action,
Adventure, Sci-Fi Rated: R Length: 110 minutes IMDb Blurb: When
a virus threatens to turn the now earth-dwelling friendly alien hybrids against
humans, Captain Rose Corley must lead a team of elite mercenaries on a mission
to the alien world in order to save what's left of humanity.
I have been geeking out since I saw Skylines announced some time ago. I am a huge fan of the Skyline (2010) movies, so it’s a no-brainer that I am eagerly anticipating the last installment of this trilogy.
At least, I’m under the impression that this is a trilogy. Depending on how
this particular film ends, I’m curious if there’s room for more. That being
said, pushing a franchise to stretch the content is not always the best play. I’ve
seen Skylines billed as the end-cap
of the trilogy so that’s what we’ll run with here. Aside from a story that I’m already invested in, there’s another
big draw to this movie for me is cast. Even if I’m unsure about a production,
if there’s a cast member I recognize and follow, I’ll likely give it a shot
just based on their involvement. In this case, I’m super excited that Lindsey
Morgan (General Hospital, ETXR, The 100)
and Alexander Siddig (Submergence,
Gotham, 21 Bridges) are on board with this movie. Morgan has proved to be a real badass in her work on The CW
series The 100 (2014-2020) and so I’m
really jazzed that she’s getting more attention in a big screen Sci-Fi feature.
Of course, most everyone has seen something that Siddig has been a part of, if
you’re a fan of Sci-Fi or even fantasy. I’ve enjoyed his work dating back to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993-1999).
He’s definitely one of those ‘hey, I know that guy!’ actors that pop up now
and again and slays whatever part he’s inhabiting at the moment. My fangirling aside, I can’t wait to see how this story arc
concludes.
11 - Hunter Hunter (12/18)
Production/Distribution:
Julijette, MarVista Entertainment, Particular Crowd, IFC Midnight Director: Shawn
Linden Writer: Shawn
Linden Actors: Camille
Sullivan, Summer H. Howell, Devon Sawa, Nick Stahl, Gabriel Daniels, Lauren
Cochrane, Jade Michael, Erik Athavale, Karl Thordarson, Blake Taylor Genre: Horror,
Thriller Rated: Unrated Length: 94 minutes IMDb Blurb: Joseph
and his family live in the remote wilderness as fur trappers, but their
tranquility is threatened when they think they are being hunted by the return
of a rogue wolf, and Joseph leaves them behind to track it.
I like the play on words in the title of Hunter Hunter. It’s clever and gives you
a clear idea of the movie’s plot without having to read a synopsis. A hunter is
clearly hunting another hunter – or is being hunted by one. Once upon a time, I was a real outdoorsy person. I loved
camping and the like. Honestly, I still do – it just doesn’t love me back
anymore with some of my physical limitations. Having a cabin in the woods
sounds like an idyllic way of life. I always enjoy watching productions that
have off-grid living situations because I get a slice of living vicariously
through that on-screen experience. That’s one of the draws of this movie for
me. Of course, the cast is another. Devon Sawa (Nikita, Punk's Dead: SLC Punk 2, The Fanatic)
and Camille Sullivan (Dead Rising:
Endgame, The Man in the High Castle, A Dog's Way Home) are solid and both
have a lot of experience with the horror and thriller genres. I’m also looking
forward to seeing Summer H. Howell (The
Midnight Man, Cult of Chucky, Channel Zero) in this film. While young, her
resume thus far already includes multiple horror titles. Most of those projects
could be considered relatively B-movie camp, however, so I’m interested in
seeing how she does with a story that has real teeth (couldn't resist). I’m also curious as to how this story plays out. I plan on
streaming this one as soon as I’m able.
10 - The Comeback
Trail (12/18)
Production/Distribution:
StoryBoard Media, Alla Prima Productions, Don Kee Productions, Ingenious Media,
Living the Dream Films, Lucky 13 Productions, March On Productions, Rapid Farms
Productions, Scoring Berlin, Sprockefeller Pictures, Cloudburst Entertainment,
Dutch FilmWorks, Eagle Films, NOS Audiovisuais, Originals Factory, VVS Films Director: George
Gallo Writers: George
Gallo, Josh Posner, Harry Hurwitz Actors: Robert De
Niro, Morgan Freeman, Tommy Lee Jones, Emile Hirsch, Zach Braff, Patrick
Muldoon, Malcolm Barrett, Natalie Burn, Eddie Griffin, Kate Katzman, Vincent
Spano, Ekaterina Baker, Leslie Stratton, Nick Vallelonga, Michelle Maylene,
Julie Lott, Josefine Lindegaard, Chris Mullinax, Joel Michaely, Blerim Destani,
Jermaine ashington, Melissa Greenspan, Jake Hunter, Paul Witten, Bill Luckett,
Danno Hanks, Desiree Geraldine, Aighleann McKiernan, Erik Sahlein, Leonard
Waldner, Kiersten Dolbec, Bob Knowlton Genre: Action,
Comedy Rated: R Length: 104 minutes IMDb Blurb: Two
movie producers who owe money to the mob set up their aging movie star for an
insurance scam to try and save themselves. But they wind up getting more than
they ever imagined.
There are three reasons I am fairly chomping at the bit to
see this movie. The first is, obviously, the cast. I’ll watch just about
anything with Robert De Niro (The Intern,
Joy, The Irishman) and Morgan Freeman (Lucy,
Going in Style, Angel Has Fallen) in it. Freeman’s in that category of
those I could just listen to all day, even if he was reading the driest and
boring dissertation on earth. I digress… In addition to those two cinema
powerhouses, you’ve also got Tommy Lee Jones (Hope Springs, The Homesman, Ad Astra) playing this wild
over-the-hill stuntman that seems to have a death-wish that the film’s main
character desperately wants to grant.
When you add the comedic elements from the likes of Eddie Griffin (How Sweet it Is, American Hero, A Star is
Born) and Zach Braff (Scrubs, Oz the
Great and Powerful, The Disaster Artist) there are going to be some
guaranteed laughs – and some awkward moments. Beyond the cast, the story itself is interesting and looks
like it will be a lot of fun. Jones’ character reminds me of a song I learned
ages ago at camp about ‘the cat came back the very next day’ after ‘they
thought he was a goner.’ The premise is odd, a bit dark, but absolutely
hilarious. The trailer had me in stitches. Finally, I am curious as to how many precarious situations
Jones’ character will be put in and how everything ultimately works out. Will
the aged stunt-man actually die in one of the rigged incidents or will he defy
all expectations and survive? Will the gangsters come after De Niro’s character
or will something work out in a clutch moment? My curiosity is killing me, and
I’m happy that the journey to the answers looks to be an enjoyable one.
9 - Songbird (12/11)
Production/Distribution:
STX Films, Invisible Narratives, Platinum Dunes, Catchlight Films, Leonine
Distribution Director: Adam
Mason Writers: Adam
Mason, Simon Boyes Actors: K.J. Apa,
Sofia Carson, Craig Robinson, Bradley Whitford, Alexandra Daddario, Peter
Stormare, Paul Walter Hauser, Demi Moore, Jenna Ortega, Lia McHugh, Michole
Briana White, Burak Agan, Paul Sloan, Carol Abney, Ethan Josh Lee Genre: Thriller,
Drama, Romance Rated: PG-13 Length: Unknown IMDb Blurb: In
2022 a pandemic ravages the world and its cities. Centering on a handful of
people as they navigate the obstacles currently hindering society: disease,
martial law, quarantine, and vigilantes.
I debated for quite a while as to whether or not to include
this movie on my list. The story here hits a little too close to home. While
the world is reeling from the current COVID-19 pandemic, this film depicts a
dystopian and near post-apocalyptic future where a COVID-23 virus has turned
the world on its head. It’s a worst-case scenario nightmare-scape in a
fast-forward from where we are right now. Things are always scarier when they could plausibly be real. I felt anxiety rising just watching the trailer for Songbird. My heart was in my throat in a
few moments. Even so, I don’t think enough people are taking the current
virus seriously. Perhaps a look at what ‘could be’ might scare more people into
more careful precautions. I’m not really advocating this film as a soapbox,
though. The story looks good, if dark and likely sad. The cast is
also well-chosen. I instantly believed the on-screen chemistry between K.J. Apa
(The Hate U Give, Dead Reckoning,
Riverdale) and Sofia Carson (Descendants,
Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists, Feel the Beat). I’m already
invested and want to see how things turn out for their characters. Then, of course, you have Peter Stormare (John Wick: Chapter 2, The Poison Rose, American
Gods). Some of the characters he’s played over the years have given me
chills because of his intensity playing these psychotic and homicidal
characters. He performs with such style that sometimes he can get you laughing
even when you’re outright terrified of him.
8 - Godmothered (12/4)
Production/Distribution:
The Montecito Picture Company, Walt Disney Pictures, Disney+ Director: Sharon
Maguire Writers: Kari
Granlund, Melissa Stack Actors: Isla
Fisher, Jillian Bell, Santiago Cabrera, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, June Squibb,
Utkarsh Ambudkar, Jane Curtin, Stephnie Weir, Artemis Pebdani, Jillian Shea
Spaeder, Janelle Feigley, Rafael Silva, Willa Skye, Olga Merediz, Nelson
Ascencio, Kayla Rose Petruccelli, Erica Parks, Kevin Daigneault, Ken Kansky,
Robert Najarian Genre: Comedy,
Fantasy Rated: PG Length: 110 minutes IMDb Blurb: A
young and unskilled fairy godmother that ventures out on her own to prove her
worth by tracking down a young girl whose request for help was ignored.
There are a lot of dark movies coming out this December. For
that reason, I wanted to have some balance with more light-hearted films as
well. This is certainly one of them. Who wouldn’t want a visit from a fairy godmother? Of course,
it would help if they were competent. The fact that the one in this tale is a
little off and quirky is just icing on the cake. I loved the trailer and can’t
wait to see what sort of hilarious shenanigans happen as the bumbling fairy
tries to help her adult charge. I’m excited that Godmothered is releasing directly to
Disney+ without any additional cost to subscribers. You can bet I’ll be watching this with my
family the same day.
7 - Breach (12/18)
Production/Distribution:
308 Ent, Almost Never Films Inc., Aloe Entertainment, Film Mode Entertainment,
Dutch FilmWorks, Saban Films, Signature Entertainment, Storm Pictures Korea Director: John
Suits Writer: Edward
Drake, Corey Large Actors: Cody
Kearsley, Bruce Willis, Rachel Nichols, Kassandra Clementi, Johnny Messner,
Corey Large, Callan Mulvey, Timothy V. Murphy, Johann Urb, Ralf Moeller, Thomas
Jane, Angie Pack, Swen Temmel, Elicia Davies, Alexander Kane, Robert Laenen,
Adam Huel Potter, Mitchell Baker Genre: Action,
Sci-Fi Rated: R Length: 89 minutes IMDb Blurb: On
the cusp of fatherhood, a junior mechanic aboard an interstellar ark to New
Earth must outwit a malevolent cosmic terror intent on using the spaceship as a
weapon.
The trailer for Breach gave me a vibe that this movie will
be something like a mash-up between Alien
(1979) and the TV series Helix
(2014-2015). I love Sci-Fi, space operas, action, and creature features.
It looks like Breach is going to check all those boxes – and it also has Bruce
Willis (Glass, Trauma Center, Hard Kill). This one falls into that ‘shut up and take my money’
category. It probably won’t be an award contender but it looks like one hell of
a ride.
6 - News of the World
(12/25)
Production/Distribution:
Perfect World Pictures, Playtone, Pretty Pictures, Universal Pictures, United
International Pictures, Universal Pictures Argentina, Universal Pictures
International Director: Paul
Greengrass Writers: Paul
Greengrass, Luke Davies, Paulette Jiles Actors: Tom
Hanks, Ray McKinnon, Elizabeth Marvel, Mare Winningham, Helena Zengel, Michael
Angelo Covino, Neil Sandilands, Chukwudi Iwuji, Thomas Francis Murphy,
Christopher Hagen, Stafford Douglas, Fred Hechinger, Winsome Brown Genre: Action,
Adventure, Drama Rated: PG-13 Length: Unknown IMDb Blurb: A
Civil War veteran agrees to deliver a girl, taken by the Kiowa people years
ago, to her aunt and uncle, against her will. They travel hundreds of miles and
face grave dangers as they search for a place that either can call home.
As I watched the trailer for News of the World, I got a
rather distinct nostalgic feeling that reminded me a lot of Dances With Wolves (1990), and also The Postman (1997) at the same time. Of
course, this is not tied to either and features Tom Hanks (A Hologram for the King, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Greyhound)
in his first western role. Hanks is a national treasure – and for that reason alone,
this movie is worth watching. However, the plot does look interesting. I want
to know if the little girl makes it to her family in one piece or not. Though, this film certainly isn’t helping the meme lore that
is circling the internet -- it is dangerous to travel with Tom Hanks.
5 - Wonder Woman 1984
(12/25)
Production/Distribution:
Atlas Entertainment, DC Comics, DC Entertainment, The Stone Quarry, Warner
Bros., Karo Premiere, Kinomania, Vertical Entertainment, Warner Bros. Pictures,
Warner Bros. Singapore, HBO Max, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Director: Patty
Jenkins Writers: Geoff
Johns, Patty Jenkins, Dave Callaham, William Moulton Marston Actors: Pedro
Pascal, Gal Gadot, Connie Nielsen, Robin Wright, Chris Pine, Kristen Wiig,
Gabriella Wilde, Kristoffer Polaha, Lyon Beckwith, Ravi Patel, Kelvin Yu,
Natasha Rothwell, Lilly Aspell, Ed Birch, Oakley Bull, Tessa Bonham Jones,
Jonathan Ajayi, Pedro Leandro, Lucian Perez, Danny Morgan, Becki Hayes, Sarah
Barlondo, Derek Larthey, Orlando James, Mike D. Anderson Genre: Action,
Adventure, Fantasy Rated: PG-13 Length: 151
minutes IMDb Blurb: Fast
forward to the 1980s as Wonder Woman's next big screen adventure finds her
facing two all-new foes: Max Lord and The Cheetah.
Do I really need to give a reason for this movie on the
list? It’s a comic book superhero movie in the DC universe. It’s a must-see. The only reason it hasn’t landed higher on this list for December
is that I’ve been waiting so long for this movie to release that I almost don’t
trust that it will actually finally be available to stream. It’s also got some
stiff competition for my attention. Rest assured, however, that it’s been officially announced
that Wonder Woman 1984 will be
available to HBOMax subscribers the very same day that it opens in theaters.
4 - Ma Rainey’s Black
Bottom (12/18)
Production/Distribution:
Netflix Director: George
C. Wolfe Writers: Ruben
Santiago-Hudson, August Wilson Actors: Chadwick
Boseman, Viola Davis, Glynn Turman, Jeremy Shamos, Colman Domingo, Taylour
Paige, Jonny Coyne, Michael Potts, Dusan Brown Genre: Drama,
Music Rated: R Length: 94 minutes IMDb Blurb: Chicago,
1927. A recording session. Tensions rise between Ma Rainey, her ambitious horn
player and the white management determined to control the uncontrollable
"Mother of the Blues". Based on Pulitzer Prize winner August Wilson's
play.
There’s only one reason I need to want to watch this movie: Chadwick
Boseman’s (Get On Up, Black Panther, 21
Bridges) final performance. I started getting misty-eyed as I watched the trailer. If you need another incentive to watch, for some odd reason,
then consider Viola Davis (Lila &
Eve, Fences, Troop Zero) is playing the title character. The combination of
these two icons is going to be something to behold. I am going to have to steel
myself before pulling it up on Netflix, though. I’m not going to lie. I still
get weepy now and again over Boseman’s passing.
3 - Archenemy (12/11)
Production/Distribution:
SpectreVision, ead Gear Films, Legion M, Metrol Technology, 3:59, Almost Never
Films Inc., RLJE Films, Altitude Films, Front Row Filmed Entertainment, Voltage
Pictures Director: Adam
Egypt Mortimer Writers: Adam
Egypt Mortimer, Luke Passmore Actors: Joe
Manganiello, Luis Kelly-Duarte, Skylan Brooks, Zolee Griggs, Paul Scheer, Mac
Brandt, Kieran Gallagher, Amy Seimetz, Joseph D. Reitman, Glenn Howerton, Amje
Elharden, Christopher Guyton Genre: Action,
Adventure Rated: Unrated Length: 90 minutes IMDb Blurb: Max
Fist, who claims to be a hero from another dimension who fell through time and
space to earth, where he has no powers.No one believes his stories except for a
local teen named Hamster.
Finally! For those, like me, that are impatiently waiting to
see Joe Manganiello (Rampage, Jay and
Silent Bob Reboot, The Sleepover) bring a comic hero (or anti-hero) to life
– this is your movie. Sure, he’s announced as the actor to play Deathstroke in
the upcoming DC universe movies – but that feels like it’s going to take
forever to get here, especially with pandemic delays. This should be a fun action movie with heart. I’m hoping
that it lives up to my expectations; though, if the trailer wasn’t misleading,
this should be pretty good.
2 - Soul (12/25)
Production/Distribution:
Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar Animation Studios, Disney+, Forum Hungary,
Kinomania, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Argentina, Walt Disney Studios
Motion Pictures Germany, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Walt Disney
Studios Sony Pictures Releasing, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment Directors: Pete
Docter, Kemp Powers Writers: Pete
Docter, Mike Jones, Kemp Powers Actors: Jamie
Foxx, Tina Fey, Graham Norton, Rachel House, Alice Braga, Richard Ayoade,
Phylicia Rashad, Donnell Rawlings, Quest Love, Angela Bassett, Cora
Champommier, Margo Hall, Daveed Diggs, Rhodessa Jones, Wes Studi, Sakina
Jaffrey, Fortune Feimster, Calum Grant, Laura Mooney, Peggy Flood, Zenobia
Shroff, June Squibb, Ochuwa Oghie, Jeannie Tirado, Cathy Cavadini, Dorian
Lockett, Doris Burke, Ronnie Del Carmen, Esther Chae, Elisapie Isaac, Marcus
Shelby, Jason Pace, Avery Kidd Waddell, John Ratzenberger Genre: Animation,
Adventure, Comedy Rated: PG Length: 100 minutes IMDb Blurb: A
musician who has lost his passion for music is transported out of his body and
must find his way back with the help of an infant soul learning about herself.
Some of the best news I’ve heard recently is that Soul is going to be released directly to
Disney+ on Christmas Day. This would be the perfect movie to gather the family
around and enjoy the day together while staying home. What’s better? Unlike Mulan
(2020), there will not be any additional charge for subscribers to stream this
film. If you don’t already have a subscription, now would be the
time to get it. Who would want to miss Jamie Foxx (Django Unchained, Baby Driver, Project Power) and Tina Fey (Muppets Most Wanted, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot,
Saturday Night Live) in a Disney Pixar animated movie?!
1 - Monster Hunter (12/25)
Production/Distribution:
Constantin Film, Impact Pictures, Capcom Company, Tencent Pictures, Toho
Company, China Film Group Corporation, Constantin Film Verleih,
Constantin-Film, Screen Gems, Sony Pictures Releasing Argentina, Sony Pictures
Releasing, Towa Pictures, United International Pictures, Universal Pictures
International Director: Paul
W.S. Anderson Writers: Paul
W.S. Anderson, Kaname Fujioka Actors: Milla
Jovovich, Tony Jaa, T.I., Meagan Good, Diego Boneta, Josh Helman, Jin Au-Yeung, Ron Perlman, Jannik
Schümann, Hirona Yamazaki, Nic Rasenti, Nanda Costa, Aaron Beelner, Schelaine
Bennett, Adrián Muñoz Genre: Action,
Adventure, Fantasy Rated: PG-13 Length: 99 minutes IMDb Blurb: When
Lt. Artemis and her loyal soldiers are transported to a new world, they engage
in a desperate battle for survival against enormous enemies with incredible
powers. Feature film based on the video game by Capcom.
The trailer for Monster Hunter absolutely blew me away. I’ve
been excitedly anticipating this video game adaptation since its announcement –
especially with names such as Milla Jovovich (Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, Future World, Hellboy) and Ron
Perlman (Sons of Anarchy, Pacific Rim,
The Big Ugly) attached. The graphics shown in the trailer were absolutely
breathtaking. This is going to be one hell of an action movie full of both
Sci-Fi and fantasy elements. I can’t wait. I wouldn’t mind paying for a rental
as soon as it’s available on streaming. I’d buy a ticket to watch it on the big
screen if I could – alas, the pandemic prevents me. I’ll be over here bouncing in my seat waiting to hit the ‘order’
button On-Demand.
