The Top Five Films We’re Anticipating This Winter

By starrymag | November 21, 2017

By: Arlene Allen

 

 

 

The holidays are coming up and so are the big blockbuster winter movies and Oscar contenders! For moviegoers, this is the second best time of the year for all films geeky, musical and thought-provoking.  Here are five of the films we’re most excited about this holiday season:

 

 

The Shape of Water (releases December 8):

 

Guillermo del Toro is back with another tantalizing and fantastic endeavor about a lonely cleaning woman who falls in love with a creature from the deep trapped in a top-secret government lab awaiting experimentation. Set in 1962 Cold War America, this film stars Sally Hawkins, Octavia Spencer and Doug Jones. I’m a huge del Toro film fan and this unique love story is certainly near the top of my list this holiday season. Plus, Doug Jones is known for his ability to transform into any character through the use of CGI, prosthetics and movie makeup (check him out in del Toro’s film Hellboy). I’m bringing my box of tissues along for this one because it looks ever so romantic and heartbreaking. In addition to directing, del Toro co-wrote the screenplay based on an original idea by del Toro and Daniel Kraus.

 

Star Wars: The Last Jedi (releases December 15th):

 

I thought I’d include this one because anytime a Star Wars film releases it’s a worldwide phenomenon. People are buying their tickets now and I have no doubt there will be massive campouts opening day all around the world.  There’s no way to contain our excitement over this one – we have so many questions and concerns thanks to the oh-my-gosh-what-does-this-mean trailers!  Will Luke destroy the Jedi? Will Rei cross over to the Dark Side to be with Kylo Ren? Will Kylo kill his mother, too (will that ever be a heartbreaking sobfest; it’s not as if we’re all not going to cry seeing Carrie Fisher on the big screen for the last time)? Will be never stop squeeing over the cuteness that are Porgs?  I know I can’t wait for sure! I’ve got my Rei doll, my Leia earmuff wig and Star Wars t-shirt ready to go!

 

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (releases December 20):

 

I had a few misgivings about this one, having loved the original Jumanji both in book form and as the film starring Robin Williams.  But after seeing a few trailers, I’m all in for this action comedy about four teens who find an old video game and are zapped into the adult bodies of their avatars with hilarious results. Starring Dwayne Johnson, Karen Gillan, Jack Black, Rhys Darby and Missi Pyle along with a slew of other stellar actors, this film set out to parody all of the tropes of video gaming (including the ridiculously clad hot babe). Jumanji isn’t just a game though –  it’s not something you play – it’s something you have to survive. To beat the game and return to the real world, the kids have to go on the most dangerous adventure of their lives, discover what Alan Parrish left twenty years ago and change the way they think about themselves – or they’ll be stuck in the game forever. Can’t wait to see these hijinks!

 

The Greatest Showman (releases December 20):

 

Pardon me while I fangirl. To me, Hugh Jackman is the perfect man. He’s handsome, he can act in a multitude of roles and he sings. Oh can he sing! I also love musicals, circus stories and period pieces so you can bet I’m going to be first in line to see this film inspired the life of the great showman P.T. Barnum and the creation of show business. Jackman plays Barnum, a visionary who rose from nothing to create a spectacle that became a worldwide sensation. Co-starring an incredible cast including Zendaya, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams and Rebecca Ferguson and featuring historical figures such as singer Jenny Lind and Queen Victoria, this is going to be an extravaganza of epic proportions. I watch this trailer over and over and get chills every time. Directed by first timer Michael Gracey (a noted digital effects compositor and visual effects supervisor) and featuring songs by last year’s smash La La Land composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, this film tops my holiday must-see film list.

 

Downsizing (releases December 22):

 

I just saw a trailer for this highly imaginative and unusual film. Matt Damon plays a bored suburbanite businessman who shrinks himself down to five inches tall in order to live in a perfect miniature world called Leisureland – a place that offers an affluent lifestyle ($100,000 equals $12 million) while purporting to be energy efficient and good for the planet.  The procedure is irreversible and problems arise when Paul’s (Damon) wife Audrey (Kristin Wiig) has second thoughts about undergoing the process. But who wouldn’t want to live in a dollhouse? Satire, social commentary and hilarity abound in this film directed and co-written by Alexander Payne (of “Sideways,” “Election” and “The Descendants” fame). Would you downsize if it meant a luxurious home, jewels and perfect weather and clean energy?  I don’t know…I’m sure there’s a catch here somewhere. We’ll just have to wait until the film comes out!

 

Of course, there are way more than five awesome films coming out this Winter and I’d be remiss if I didn’t list a few of the other top contenders for major blockbuster in December: the animated take on the classic children’s book about a peaceful and flower loving bull, Ferdinand. There is The Disaster Artist with James Franco as Tommy Wiseau, director of the purported worst movie ever made. I, Tonya is based on the life and true antics of figure skater Tonya Harding (Margot Robbie). Look out for the thriller November Criminals starring Chloe Grace Moretz and Baby Driver star Ansel Elgort, which is about two high school students trying to solve the murder of their friend. Our favorite pitches return in Pitch Perfect 4 and then there is The Phantom Thread starring Daniel Day Lewis (supposedly in his last role before retirement) as a fashion meister at the center of British fashion – dressing royalty, movie stars, heiresses, socialites, debutantes and dames with the distinct style of The House of Woodcock.

 

I know we are all stoked about these awesome films heading our way!  The holidays are going to be brighter, merrier and full of stars as these films release in December! You can count on Starry Constellation Magazine to be there covering all of the thrills, the laughter, the tears, the drama and the music heading your way coming soon to theaters near you!