'The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies'
The final installment of Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit” is so close that you can almost feel the rumble of Smaug’s voice. At the end of “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” we watched as Thorin Oakenshield and his group of dwarves took back their treasure-filled mountain. In “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” we will see the consequences of their victory. The great dragon Smaug is free and terrifying the people of Lake-town, but Smaug could be the least of their worries when the Dark Lord Sauron returns to Middle Earth.
'Annie'
A modern-day, ethnic remake of the 1982 classic, “Annie” stars Quvenzhané Wallis as our wild-haired heroine. Annie is saved from the clutches of her mean foster mom, Miss Hannigan, when business tycoon, Will Stacks, takes her in as part of his campaign strategy for mayor of New York City. But what starts as a simple business move soon gets complicated as Annie starts to pull on Stacks’s heart strings and the problems of the original film unfold. It’s sure to give you lots of feels and flaunts a great soundtrack.
'Foxcatcher'
This is not your typical sports drama. This is not about a struggling team that must learn to work together to achieve greatness. These boys have already achieved greatness. “Foxcatcher” stars Channing Tatum as Mark Schultz, an Olympic gold-medalist in wrestling. When Mark is contacted by millionaire John du Pont, he jumps at the chance to train with him on Foxcatcher Farm. What ensues is a string of manipulation that leads to a great tragedy. “Foxcatcher” reveals a new side of Steve Carrell as he takes on the unstable role of John du Pont.
'Selma'
“Selma” delves into the story of Martin Luther King Jr. and the march he lead through Selma, Ala., during the Civil Rights Movement in 1965. The film will showcase the rocky relationship between King and the president as he attempts to end segregation in the south. It is also sure to give you feels, but for completely different reasons.
'Into the Woods'
Disney is taking its classic fairytales down a whole new path with “Into the Woods.” This musical combines the stories of “Cinderella,” “Rapunzel,” “Little Red Riding Hood” and “Jack and the Beanstalk” as a baker and his wife travel into each story to collect magical items on the orders of a witch. “Into the Woods” sports an all-star cast headed by Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine and Johnny Depp. And if you’re somehow not impressed by all that, then the stunning musical score by Stephen Sondheim is sure to wow you.
'The Interview'
If Middle Earth, musicals and sports dramas aren’t your cup of tea, “The Interview” might be your holiday savior. Comedy besties James Franco and Seth Rogen team up in “The Interview” as Dave Skylark, a tabloid TV show host, and Aaron Rapoport, Skylark’s producer. When they land an interview with Kim Jong-un they are contacted by the CIA and given a special task: Kill the leader of North Korea. It’s the most ridiculous plot Rogen has ever written and also the most likely to get us all killed.
'Big Eyes'
“Big Eyes” shares the story of Margaret Keane, a woman in the 1950s whose paintings gained popularity for their big, round eyes. But Margaret isn’t getting credit for the paintings — her husband, Walter is. When Margaret can’t take the lies anymore, she decides to come out as the real artist, at the risk of losing her perfect family and even all the money they’ve earned from her paintings. Tim Burton directs the story of the artist who inspired him.
'American Sniper'
After returning from Iraq, U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle became known as the most lethal sniper in U.S. history. People called him “Legend.” They had no idea he was also gaining a name for himself across enemy lines. “American Sniper” stars Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle and tells his story as a soldier, a target, a husband and a father. Clint Eastwood directs this dark and complicated tale.
