October is nearly over, yet there are so many good movies still to look forward to, and I’m not just talking about the relaunch of the Star Wars franchise (although that is completely exciting). From finales of series to remakes of classics, there are a host of winter 2015 movies that are clamoring for time and money. I’ve pulled together a list of the ones that my teens and I are the most interested in which are coming out in November and December below. What are you most excited for?
Spectre: While my teens and I are hoping that when Daniel Craig retires as 007 the producers will cast a POC for the main role, we can’t wait for Spectre. The insane stunts, the twists and turns, and the new M add up to delicious fun. In addition, I’m a huge fan of Christopher Waltz (The Green Hornet, Inglorius Bastards), Naomie Harris (Moneypenny), and Andrew Scott (Moriarty on Sherlock) among others. Spectre opens November 4.
Mockingjay, Part 2: Let’s see, the final part of The Hunger Games saga, and they ended the last one with Peeta crazy and attacking everyone. Can’t imagine why anyone would want to see the last part of it. Mockingjay, Part 2 opens November 20, the beginning of most school districts’ “fall break” or Thanksgiving week.
Creed: Yes, on its face it’s another Rocky movie but my teens and I are really interested in the twist. In this one, the son of Apollo Creed gets the eye of Rocky and becomes Adonis’ trainer and mentor. They’re going to have to do a lot of backpedaling unless he’s the last of Apollo’s children, because the only mention of Apollo’s kids is in Rocky II back in 1979, which would make Adonis at least 39-40 (as the kids are running through the house playing). However, I’m excited that they’re featuring Apollo’s family and I love that they’ve cast Michael B. Jordan (LOVE HIM) and that Phylicia Reed is playing Mary Ann Creed. Creed comes out November 25, just in time for Thanksgiving.
Victor Frankenstein: So often when we get a “frankenstein” movie we get the monster and the horde and “arrrr.” In this one, we’re going to get a two-fold origin story- both Igor’s (Daniel Radcliff) and Viktor Von Frankenstein’s (James McAvoy), from before medical school to after the monster and beyond. Victor Frankenstein comes out Thanksgiving, giving you a sci-fi horror option for your post-turkey bliss.
MacBeth: I know, I know, WHY on earth are you excited about this?!??! A. It’s Shakespeare, and more Shakespeare available on film is a good thing; B. Lady MacBeth is Marion Cotillard (Miranda from The Dark Knight Rises); C. Lady MacDuff is Elizabeth Debicki (Victoria from The Man from U.N.C.L.E.); D. death and destruction and the witches!!! MacBeth comes out December 4.
Hateful Eight: I go back and forth on Tarintino’s work, but my teens absolutely love it. With the Hateful Eight I am captured by the cast and the trailer has me hooked so far. And, I’m a sucker for anything that has Samuel L. Jackson in it. Plot: Eight bounty hunters in post-Civil War Wyoming take shelter from a blizzard, and get embroiled in betrayal and deception. Can anyone survive? The Hateful Eight opens December 25 to help everyone celebrate a family friendly holiday.
Concussion: I heard about Concussion online, and tracked down the trailer, and I am definitely hoping that it does really well. Being a librarian who works closely with youth, and in a state who swears by football, the fact that it’s only been recently that they’ve started studying what concussions do to your brain during sports in general and football specifically is scary. Plot: the incredible true David vs. Goliath story of Dr. Bennet Omalu, the brilliant forensic neuropathologist who made the first discovery of CTE, a football-related brain trauma, in a pro player. Concussion releases December 25.
2016 BONUSES
The 5th Wave: Based on the first of the YA series (and the first of the planned movie saga), four waves have left Earth’s population decimated. The first was the EMP. The Second was the oceans rising. The Third was the plague. The Fourth are the Silencers- assassins waiting to pick off survivors. And the fifth is coming- January 15, 2016.
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: I have a confession. I can’t get through a Jane Austin novel. I just can’t. I’ve tried- in high school, in college, and after, because it’s one of those things you’re supposed to love if you’re in librarianship, right? This version, however, is something I can get behind. Take Jane Austin, throw in zombies and have the sisters be trained in zombie-killing martial arts, and you get the idea. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies opens February 5, just in time for romantic intentions.
Hey, I like the Hunger games and I can’t wait for the second half of Mockingjay. Lots of people are looking forward to this.