December 2015 Watchlist

Article by Gabe Zia
2015 is almost over, and it's time for the December 2015 Watchlist (or as I prefer to call it, Star Wars Episode VII and some lesser films). Now, as is the usual fashion for December, a good chunk of the films everyone else wants to see won't come out where I live until January. So, I'll be putting any limited release films, or films I'm not 100% sure will show here in the "limited release" sections.

December 11th

In the Heart of the Sea

This is one of stranger situations of the year involving a film being delayed. It was supposed to come out sometime in March, and until very recently I was under the impression it already came out. The film is supposedly based on a true story, specifically based on the true story that inspired the famous novel Moby Dick. Ron Howard directed this film, this being the second one in a row starring Chris Hemsworth, and from what I can tell it looks like it should be a fairly interesting movie.

The Big Short

Another film I've been interested in for most of the year, The Big Short seems to be about the housing crisis, and about how the banks responsible were a bunch of greedy scumbags. More specifically, it's about four guys who decided to go against the banks in some big way. The film has a great cast, Ryan Gosling, Christian Bale, Steve Carrell, and Brad Pitt, and from what I can guess the film will probably win a couple of awards.

December 18th

Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens

It's times like these I'm really glad I type these things out. A lot of critics would take to video, and if I were talking about Star Wars in video form, this section of the watchlist would essentially consist of me screaming with joy at the top of my lungs. I've been hyped for this movie all year, and most of the time, with any other movie, I'll usually try to keep myself distanced from any hype. However, here, I have no concerns, and I'm just freaking out about this, as I have been for years now.

December Limited Release Films

Macbeth

Macbeth is one of the more interesting Shakespeare plays, and although I've never been able to understand the way characters talk in Shakespeare (in fact I find it infuriating how they talk). However, regardless of that, this film still looks really cool, in that kind of "Game of Thrones" way. Not to mention, it's got two really talented actors in the leads, which is more than enough to be worth mentioning.

The Hateful Eight

Honestly, it really bugs me that this movie is only getting a limited release because it was filmed on 70mm film for... Some reason. Hopefully, I'll be able to get to Toronto or something in time to see the film, if it'll even show in Toronto. If not, don't expect my review until January 8th at the earliest. That being said, the name "Quentin Tarantino" will 100% of the time always be an easy sell for me.

Best of November 2015: Spotlight

I know I gave Creed a 5/5, but unfortunately I didn't see it by my cut-off date, which would make it (to me anyway) a December movie. However, Spotlight is by no means a bad film for a backup choice, in fact it's also one of the best movies of the year. Michael Keaton and Rachel McAdams are both fantastic in this film, the writing is really interesting, it follows a compelling and really dark true story, and it's a captivating film. It's one of the few dialogue oriented films where I never once wanted to check the time, or found myself bored with a scene. Spotlight is without a doubt one of the best of the year.