This week has something for everything—from a grown up Tim Burton flick, a fantastical Disney movie with Oscar-winning actors; plus tawdry tales of gambling and art thievery.
Into the Woods
A trippy take on Brothers Grimm fairy tales with an all-star cast, Into the Woods, has bits of Hansel and Gretel, Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Little Red Riding Hood woven into it. Starring Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Johnny Depp, Chris Pine, Emily Blunt and directed by Rob Marshall.
Perfect For: Well, this is a family film for the holidays if we’ve ever seen one.
What the Critics Say: Pretty darn good. Writes the Hollywood Reporter: “This twisty fairy-tale mash-up shows an appreciation for the virtues of old-fashioned storytelling, along with a welcome dash of subversive wit.”
Our Take: High-caliber cast, high-caliber director, and the best childhood stories, make it a go.
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Unbroken
Angelina Jolie’s directorial debut is getting raves. The film is based on the best-selling nonfiction book of the same name by Laura Hillenbrand, and tells the story of Olympian, war hero Louis "Louie" Zamperini and his survival of an epic WWII plane crash and subsequent capture by the Japanese army. Can you say Oscar bait? (Did we mention the Coen brothers are cowriters of the screenplay?)
Perfect For: Fans of Serious Dramas and historical nonfiction; war movies.
What the Critics Say: It’s serviceable but not as amazing as the story it’s trying to tell. Writes the Christian Science Monitor: “Zamperini's life story is genuinely inspirational, but the movie seems fashioned as a standard-issue profile in courage.”
Our Take: Read the book instead.
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Big Eyes
The true story of artist Margaret Keane who created those iconic painting of girls with doll like large eyes that became popular in the 60s—and how her husband Walter took credit for her work as it sold more and became more popular than ever. Starring Academy Award winner Christoph Waltz and Academy Award nominee Amy Adams, and directed by Tim Burton.
Perfect For: You like good dramas and true-life tales. Also, Amy Adams is awesome.
What the Critics Say: Good, not great. Writes USA Today: “Fascinating, nimbly acted and, an er, eye-opening look at the culture of male dominance of a couple generations past.”
Our Take: We love Adams and the story is too juicy to turn down.
Watch the Trailer:
The Gambler
Mark Walhberg stars as a guy living a crazy double life—by day he’s an English professor. By night, he’s a high-stakes gambler, making bets with his life with baddies played by John Goodman (going way against type). The remake also stars Jessica Lange as his off-kilter, corrupt mother. Totally warm and fuzzy Christmas material.
Perfect For: You like Scorsese-esque dramas.
What the Critics Say: Unfortunately, the filmmakers gambled and lost on this remake. (Couldn’t help it). Writes the New York Daily News: “Whether Wahlberg's been miscast or misdirected, we never buy him as a desperate addict. Still, the movie is so quick and cool that for much of the time, we barely notice how little is actually at stake.”
Our Take: Seems like a drag. Skip.
Watch the Trailer:
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