Movie Muse Holiday 2024 Movie Preview

Can you believe that it is November already? I’m actually typing this on Halloween (Oct 31), and it feels like Thanksgiving is tomorrow, Christmas is next week, and then 2025 will be here! It’s just flying by so fast. But there are still plenty of interesting films waiting in the wings to keep us busy (busier!) during the last few weeks of the year.

As a quick aside, some of you may remember that our nearby theater is closing. It never really bounced back after the pandemic, and the (immensely valuable) land it sits on has been purchased to build an apartment complex (just like the other 15 or so already on that same access road), so there is no saving it. We were originally told that they would be closing in October, but from speaking with the staff in the last couple of weeks, it sounds like it will be sometime in January instead. We have been trying to see as many films as we can while the opportunity to do so is only 1.5 miles away, and we will continue to do so through the holiday season.

The next closest Regal Cinema locations (where we have a monthly subscription pass) are 10-20 miles (15-35 km) away and are certainly NOT convenient to try to get to on a weekday evening. Several times in the last few weeks, for films like The Critic and Goodrich, our theater was THE ONLY ONE showing those movies anywhere in the metro area. I hope another Regal – maybe Atlantic Station? – will be able to pick up those showings. Even inconvenient locations are better than not showing them at all. I foresee a lot more driving and “double features” for our 2025 theater visits.

Anyway, here is what I’m looking forward to seeing in the next couple of months. As always, it is not my intention to list every film coming out, only to spotlight the ones I think I’ll actually see, those I’m considering seeing, or those that are “worth mentioning” (in my opinion) for various reasons.

The Must See Picks

• Here (Nov 1) – First of its kind “fixed camera” movie, where the story is told – quite literally – from a single point of view. For the entirety of the film, the camera doesn’t move, and the action that takes place in front of/around that view as time passes, from dinosaurs to modern day. I’ve been hearing about this movie for quite a while, and I’m so excited that it’s finally here (no pun intended). Starring Tom Hanks and Robin Wright, and directed by Robert Zemeckis
• Red One (Nov 15) – I’m pretty sure that this is my gift from Santa this year! At least I hope so. I mean, come on; Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans in the *same* movie, plus J.K. Simmons? Every single time I see the preview, the same refrain repeats over and over in my head: “Please be good, please be good, please please please please PLEEEEEASE BE GOOD!!!” Actually, it doesn’t need to be “good,” it just needs to be fun and enjoyable. There is hope! They’ve got all the right piece parts, including the director of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (one of my favorite movies ever) and the writer for Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (one of my guilty pleasures; hey, just discovered he wrote Cellular, too, which is an early Chris Evans film with Kim Bassinger; we actually saw in the theater back in 2004 and it was much better than we expected). Please be good, please be good, please please please…. Starring Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, Lucy Liu, and J.K. Simmons
• Wicked (Nov 22) – Musical “prequel” to The Wizard of Oz, featuring Elphaba (not yet “wicked”) and Glinda (is she really good?) as schoolmates. Adapted from the Broadway play that defined the early 2000s, this is arguably THE movie of the season, and it’s even rated PG, so it’s (mostly) for everyone. Fun fact: the singing was recorded live during filming (similar to Les Misérables with Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway), not lip synced to a recording. I’ve heard the most common selections from the original Broadway cast recording, so I’m somewhat familiar with the music and the general set up. With absolutely no disrespect intended towards Idina Menzel who originated the role of Elphaba, Cynthia Erivo – star of the 2015 Broadway revival – is beyond spectacular in the bits and pieces I’ve heard. I get chills from her singing every time I see the trailer. Every. Single. Time!! I can’t wait. One more thing: this is only part one! They haven’t really advertised that fact much. Looks like you’ll have to wait a whole year for Wicked – Part Two, which is slated for November 21, 2025. Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Marissa Bode, Ethan Slater, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum
• Gladiator II (Nov 22) – Because of course you should book the other major film of the holiday season on THE SAME WEEKEND as Wicked. That makes sense, right? I mean, I understand counter-programming, but wow, you couldn’t spread these out a bit? Especially with December looking a little thin on options. I’d say the premise here is obvious: after leaving Rome for a quieter life, Lucius returns to Rome after the current regime destroys his world. I like the original Gladiator movie fine, and Ridley Scott is back as director. I’m impressed with the cast and the scale/scope of the sequel. But did Gladiator really need a sequel? I mean, the ending was pretty… definitive. And I understand that Maximus does not return (thank goodness, or I would NOT be seeing it), but unless the preview I saw was being purposefully misleading (which is always a possibility), I have a HUGE issue with one of the choices they made for (unnecessary, IMO) additional backstory. But I can’t elaborate without spoilers for the first film and possibly this one. I hope they have made something worthy of the original. They have the right pieces and players, but I’m still a bit concerned. Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, Joseph Quinn, and Denzel Washington
• Moana 2 (Nov 27) – I can’t say that the previews have been very helpful for the actual plot of this film, and honestly, it probably doesn’t matter. Disney + sequel to a largely beloved film = big box office (most likely), even if no one has any idea what the movie is actually about, because that isn’t really the point. It’s worth nothing, though, that Lin-Manuel Miranda is not involved this time. Instead, it is a duo from TikTok (no, I’m not joking; I’m not saying this is a bad thing, it’s just highly unusual). I like the original Moana fine, but I wasn’t wowed by it. I think I’ve only seen it twice, maybe? So while I’m not super excited about it, I’m sure we’ll still see it. And I know people with “littles” are grateful to have a few options available in theaters for the holidays. Starring Dwayne Johnson, Auli’i Cravalho, and Alan Tudyk
• A Complete Unknown (Dec 25) – Biopic of the rise of Bob Dylan on both the folk and rock scene. Let me start by saying that I am not a particular fan of Bob Dylan. I appreciate his music, but I sure wish someone else was singing it! LOL But I am a huge fan of Timothée Chalamet (though his legendary cheekbones are largely missing here), and the cast looks stellar. After being introduced to Woody Guthrie and Leadbelly by my American History teacher in high school, the music of this era holds a special place in my heart, so I’ll most likely be seeing this one. Starring Timothée Chalamet, Elle Fanning, Edward Norton, and Monica Barbaro

The Maybes and Notables

• Juror #2 (Nov 1) – I’m not always a fan off Clint Eastwood’s films, but this looks both excellent and gut-wrenching. Nicholas Hoult’s character gets called for jury duty and realizes that he has key information that could free the defendant, but it would cost him everything. Starring Nicholas Hoult, Zoey Deutch, J.K. Simmons, Toni Collette and Kiefer Sutherland, and directed by Clint Eastwood
• A Real Pain (Nov 1) – “Odd couple” travel movie about cousins that were close as children but have grown apart as adults, who visit their late grandmother’s homeland in Poland. I am very hit and miss with Jesse Eisenberg under the best of circumstances, and letting him just… be Jesse Eisenberg might be more than I can handle. He’s fiercely witty, but it is also so acidic and sharp that I can’t often take much of it unless it is under controlled circumstances, and I highly doubt a film that he both wrote and directed qualifies. But the film definitely seems to have it’s heart on its sleeve and (more or less) in the right place. If you’re an Eisenberg fan, then this is probably very much up your alley. Starring Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg, and directed (and written) by Jesse Eisenberg
• Blitz (Nov 1) – Follows the stories of several people – particularly a mother and son who are separated – during the bombing of London in WWII. It certainly will not be an easy movie to watch (McQueen’s films rarely are), but I have no doubt it will be powerful (McQueen’s films usually are). An Apple TV film, so the theatrical release will be short and limited. It will be available via streaming on November 22. Starring Saoirse Ronan, Harris Dickinson, and Elliott Heffernan, and directed by Steve McQueen
• Hitpig (Nov 1) – This movie looks sweet but completely psychotic! SOOO much chaos in just the trailer! (I am clearly getting old.) Bounty hunter Hitpig is hired to find a missing elephant, only to discover that she is being mistreated by her owner. I’m sure all know exactly how the story is going to go, but if you need some family entertainment option, this one looks okay. Starring Jason Sudeikis, Likky Singh, Anitta, RuPaul, and Rainn Wilson
• Weekend in Taipei (Nov 8) – We saw the preview for this movie in front of Goodrich. Though not a comedy per se, this is not a serious film in any way, nor is it trying to be. “From the creators of Taken and The Transporter“; that should tell you everything you need to know: absurd but impressive action with some tidbits of witty banter. Starring Luke Evans, Sung Kang, Gwei Lun-Mei, and Wyatt Yang
• Bogart: Life Comes in Flashes (Nov 15) – Documentary of the iconic star, featuring some of his own photos and home movies, and “narrated” by the man himself using recordings from various interviews. What can I say, I’m a sucker for a Hollywood documentary! This one is only on the “maybe list” because I’m not sure it will be released into enough theaters to make it to Atlanta. If it’s here at a reasonable place to catch it, we will.
• Armor (Nov 22) – Father and son security guards are trapped on a bridge as they try to protect an armored vehicle’s cargo and occupants. I’m guessing this is the typical “big on action, short on dialog” type film, but if it’s done right, I actually like those. Not sure if we’ll be able to fit it in with everything else going on in November and December, but I’m sure we’ll see it at some point, even if it’s at home. Starring Sylvester Stallone and Jason Patrick
• The Order (Dec 5) – Based on a true story from the early 1980s about the rise of a white supremacist/Aryan nation group in Idaho. It will undoubtedly be difficult and terrifying to watch, made all the more because it is extremely topical for modern times. Starring Jude Law, Nicholas Hoult, Tye Sheridan, and Jurnee Smollett
• Nightb*tch (Dec 6) – I’m mentioning this movie only because the premise is truly bizarre! Seriously, go watch the (NOT safe for work) preview right now with no additional context (like I did). I’ll wait. [hums Jeopardy theme] Okay, are you back? Believe me, I had *exactly* the same WTH look on my face after watching it that you undoubtedly do right now, and no, repeat viewings won’t help (I tried it so you don’t have to). Don’t care to watch? Here’s a quick synopsis: A former artist turned stay-at-home mom begins to believe she is turning into a dog at night. Yes, that is really what the preview shows; no, I’m not making this up. I’m pretty sure I couldn’t make up something that absurd. I don’t know if this is a drama or a comedy or social commentary or a horror film. I also don’t know if the “turning into a dog” parts are in her imagination (like the movie version of Chicago, where the musical numbers were mostly in Roxy’s head), or if she really is changing forms. The preview wasn’t very helpful in trying to figure out either aspect. And maybe that’s part of the point, to keep it ambiguous to get you into the theater? Unless this movie gets an amazing recommendation for me personally from someone I deeply trust, this one will be a no for me, but it was just too weird not to mention. Title is “bleeped” here by me so it (hopefully) won’t trip any Net Nanny or email filters. Starring Amy Adams and Scoot McNairy (and it is Scoot, not Scott; I double checked)
• The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim (Dec 13) – Set almost 200 years before the events of the live action films, this animated feature tells the backstory of the fortress that would come to be known as Helm’s Deep and the battle between kingdoms that assured it legendary status. I honestly can’t decide whether or not I want to see it. In spite of being animated, this movie is NOT for kids. The final rating is PG-13, but there was some concern that it may become the first R-rated Lord of the Rings film because it is so violent (I believe “blood soaked” was the term used), so please keep that in mind before taking your children to see it. Starring Luke Pasqualino, Brian Cox, Gaia Wise, and Miranda Otto
• Mufasa: The Lion King (Dec 20) – Y’all, these live action Disney remakes, prequels, and sequels are just not for me, especially when the cast is mostly (or entirely) animals. I just cannot get into them, and believe me, I’ve tried several. If someone I trust tells me it’s worth it, then I’ll reconsider, otherwise that’s going to have to be a no for me. Philosophical aside: at what point are these films considered animated? I mean, those aren’t real animals! They look like real animals (or they’re trying real hard to do so), but they’re not. I know other films fall into this category as well, like Avatar, but there are at least a few humans here or there in those films, but (presumably) not in this one. Starring Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Seth Rogen, Bily Eichner, John Kani, Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, and Keith David, plus a couple of others that I’m not going to give away here, in case you like to be surprised
• Nosferatu (Dec 25) – Another film I’ve been hearing about for quite some time now, though based on the previews, it seems that they have crossed over from PG-13 “gothic horror” to something much more intense, so I probably will not be seeing it. Starring Emma Corrin, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Bill Skarsgård, Willem Dafoe, Lily-Rose Depp, and Nicholas Hoult (he seems to be everywhere right now! not that I’m complaining)

The Honorable Mention