Weekend Releases-12/13/24
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After a little bit of a slower week last week, we are back into blockbuster territory with two new big releases. I don’t think either of them will have the same impact as Wicked, Gladiator II, or Moana 2, but as people have probably been to see those if they are going to go, it’s time to infuse some new big titles into the box office mix.
Kraven the Hunter
The final Marvel film of the year arrives this weekend, and the third from the Spider-Man villain-verse (is that what we’re supposed to call it?) in the form of Kraven the Hunter. Like Deadpool & Wolverine, it will be rated R. Unlike D & W, I don’t think this is going to break box office records for R-rated films. Aaron Taylor-Johnson is a solid star taking on the lead role (yet another in the long line of actors who played two Marvel characters) and a supporting cast that includes Russell Crowe and Ariana DeBose doesn’t hurt, but this film has been delayed so much, I’m not sure it’s going to make much of an impact.
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim
The Lord of the Rings universe is becoming increasingly populated on film and television. Amazon released the second season of Rings of Power earlier this fall, and now we get an animated story that is set before both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. The War of the Rohirrim tells the story of Helm Hammerhand (voiced by the incredible Brian Cox) and has been using footage from the original LOTR trilogy in the marketing materials. Peter Jackson is involved so I have high hopes for this outing, though it will likely be mainly for the diehard Ring heads and not live up to the lofty box office expectations of The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films.
Oscar Contenders
As we near the end of the release window for films to be eligible for the 97th Oscars in March, several are still hitting limited release this week with hopes of getting those elusive nominations.
Nickel Boys
Two boys become friends when they meet at a reform school called Nickel Academy in the Jim Crow South. Brandon Wilson and Ethan Herisse star with a supporting cast that includes Academy Award nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Hamilton star Daveed Diggs.
September 5
Originally slated for a wide release this weekend and now pushing that to mid-January, September 5 tells the story of a group of American sports journalists in Munich to cover the 1972 Olympics who are thrust into the middle of covering the unfolding hostage crisis involving Israeli athletes.
The Last Showgirl
Director Gia Coppola is looking to do better than her grandfather did this year in theaters with her latest feature, The Last Showgirl. Starring Pamela Anderson as a seasoned showgirl who much plan her future after her show abruptly closes, the film co-stars Academy Award winner Jamie Lee Curtis and Dave Bautista.
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
Everyone’s favorite claymation duo are back for another feature film, and this time they are facing off against a “smart gnome” of Wallace’s own invention. The film debuts in select theaters this weekend before arriving on Netflix early in January and is a solid bet to garner a nomination for Best Animated Feature Film.
White Christmas
This is obviously NOT a new release, but since we are just under two weeks out from Christmas, I thought it appropriate to include this special engagement release from Fathom Events on Sunday the 15th. If you’re looking for a diversion from making Christmas cookies or want a break from shopping, take a gander at this Irving Berlin classic on the big screen.