Once the wrapping paper is strewn all across the living room floor, and the sink has been filled with dishes that still carry remnants of cranberry sauce or, perhaps, Chinese take-out, you may find yourself in need of some excitement to coax you out of a food-induced coma. Here are three flicks premiering today on Christmas to keep the good times rolling.
War Horse
Steven Spielberg’s return to live-action blockbusters since 2005’s Munich and his second directorial effort this year (the first being the magically captivating Adventures of Tintin). War Horse is a throwback to the earlier adventure films of Spielberg’s career; this movie depicts the story of Albert Narracott and his beloved cavalry horse, Joey, as he fights during WWII for the Germans and the British before finding himself in “no man’s land” lost and with no hope but that of his companion. A technical triumph as well as an old-fashioned tale of friendship, War Horse will pull at the heartstrings and awaken the soul.
This movie is rated PG-13.
The Darkest Hour
Though not the greatest demonstration of modern science fiction, or thrillers for that matter, The Darkest Hour is a wild ride that enjoyable and enough for anyone looking for a good scare for the holidays. Emile Hirsch and Max Minghella open this film with terrific (enough) acting, and the plot is a paint-by-numbers alien invasion flick that will certainly leave you satisfied.
This movie is rated PG-13.
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
In a quest to discover the meaning of a mysterious key left by his deceased father, 10-year-old Oskar Schell scrambles around New York in search of clues and some inkling of the truth. Based on the novel of the same name by Jonathan Safran Foer, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close stars Thomas Horn as the young protagonist, who just might also be 2011’s young break-out star. Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot, The Hours) directs with the same masterful eye that brought the 2010 Academy Award nominee The Reader, and an ensemble cast including Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, John Goodman, Max von Sydow and James Gandolfini is packed to the rafters with all-star performances. In a world scored by hysteria and paranoia, young Oskar wants nothing more than a telltale sign, and so too will the audience want him to find it.
This movie is rated PG-13.
Kyle Dunn / Editor in Chief
i saw the movie war horse on christams day and personally, as a huge fan of steven speilberg and his movies, i thought war horse has been one of his best works as a director. it was inspiring and filled with action, suspense, and a little bit of a romance between human and horse.
“a little bit of a romance between human and horse.”
Lol, what?
this ********** confused cause you just went full dubs, mayne. also, not gonna lie, but donkey hotay was the best book of da millenium
No amount of aliases will keep us from knowing it’s you, Kyle.
The intent of the article was clearly to highlight movies premiering the day of Christmas for those families wishing to see something new on Christmas evening. And you’ve brought up a valid point in citing the article’s title. “A VERY CINEMATIC CHRISTMAS” would imply (despite the subsequent explanation for your convenience) the inclusion of movies coming out on Christmas.
Should the writer include all holiday movies, he might have titled this article something more inclusive or vaguely broad, perhaps: “MOVIES FOR THE HOLIDAYS,” “HOLIDAY MOVIES COMING OUT ON THE HOLIDAYS,” “NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS, BUT FOR ALL THOSE CELEBRATORY MOMENTS COMING UP IN THE NEAR FUTURE”.
“… premiering today on Christmas …”
They can only write it. It’s up to you to do the reading.
It’s only my opinion that the title of “A VERY CINEMATIC CHRISTMAS” should include a range of all movies playing during the holidays.
“… the title of ‘A VERY CINEMATIC CHRISTMAS’ should include a range of all movies playing during the holidays.”
Since we’re on the topic of inclusion and specificity, it would seem as though you’re asking that the writer include movies coming out during Christmas, Halloween, President’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Armistice Day, Potato Famine Remembrance Month, et al
I agree with the above statement and I believe that this assertion is one that only a true man can make
“Since we’re on the topic of inclusion and specificity.”
You’ve seemed to miss my statement that it is “only my opinion”. Quite simple really…
Sir, opinions do not exempt you from the rules of logic.
“Sir,”… I am very much a woman.
Rather than trying to reason with you, I still stand with my opinion originally stated.
But you’ve not attempted reason whatsoever—alas!—you’ve cast all reason aside as has been pointed out. Your opinion has been heard, and it has not been compromised just because you were mistaken in your critique. Sadly, though, being mistaken is not very easy for anyone (especially myself; I don’t wish to patronize you) to accept that their message has been ill-cast. You clearly have a great taste in movies (save for Alvin) but your judgments are (well-intended) poorly made.
As for your gender: well, the Internet—with its talent for anonymity—has made androgynes of us all.
To aleceiffel: You seem to have to nailed this issue on the head in words I could not express or say myself. I agree entirely with what you have said.
Although I see nothing wrong with stating my opinion, I also believe that I misread this article to begin with.
Unfortunately this article has missed the main cinematic movies of the holiday. Such as:
-Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol. 93% liked
-Sherlock Homes (A Game of Shadows) 59% liked
-Alvin and the Chipmunks (Chipmunks Chipwrecked) 13% liked
-The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. 85% liked
AND JUST OPENING:
-Pariah (With the 3rd best review of the December releases at 94%)