Big movies coming from Hollywood in December
Dec. 8 “Just Getting Started”: Action comedy from Ron Shelton (”Tin Cup,” “Bull Durham”) about an ex-FBI agent (Tommy Lee Jones) and an ex-mob lawyer in the witness protection program (Morgan Freeman) fending off a mob hit at a luxury Palm Springs resort.
“The Disaster Artist”: James Franco directed, produced and stars in this comedy-drama film based on Greg Sestero and Tom Bissell’s nonfiction book of the same name chronicling the making of Tommy Wiseau’s 2003 cult film “The Room.” With Dave Franco, Seth Rogen, Alison Brie. Dec. 15 “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”: In this second film in the Star Wars sequel trilogy (a follow-up to 2015’s “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”) Rey (Daisy Ridley) joins Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) on an adventure to unlock mysteries of the Force and secrets of the past.
“Ferdinand”: David Tennant and Kate McKinnon provide the voices for this animated film about a bull with a big heart trying to get back to his family. Dec. 20 “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle”: Dwayne Johnson, Karen Gillan and Kevin Hart star in this action-adventure about four teenagers who discover an old video game console and become avatars in a jungle game.
“The Greatest Showman”: Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron and Michelle Williams star in this musical drama based on the story on how P. T. Barnum started the Barnum & Bailey Circus. Dec. 22 “Father Figures”: Ed Helms and Owen Wilson are brothers seeking out the father that their eccentric mother (Glenn Close) raised them to believe was dead. J.K. Simmons, Katt Williams, Terry Bradshaw and Christopher Walken also turn up in this comedy formerly called “Bastards.”
“Downsizing”: Matt Damon and Kristen Wiig are an Omaha couple that chooses to downsize — as in shrink down to 5 inches tall to help with the problem of global overpopulation.
“Pitch Perfect 3”: The Bellas reunite for one last singing competition at an overseas USO tour against a group that uses instruments. With Anna Kendrick, Elizabeth Banks, Ruby Rose.
“Darkest Hour”: Gary Oldman stars as Winston Churchill facing the decision of whether to explore peace with Nazi Germany or fight for the nation’s ideals.
“All the Money in the World”: Ridley Scott directs this true crime drama about J. Paul Getty’s refusal to cooperate with the extortion demands of a group of kidnappers who abducted his 16-year-old grandson John Paul Getty III in the 1970s. Michelle Williams, Mark Wahlberg and Christopher Plummer (who replaced Kevin Spacey) star. Dec. 25 “Molly’s Game”: Jessica Chastain plays the title character in this drama directed by Aaron Sorkin based on the Molly Bloom memoir “Molly’s Game: From Hollywood’s Elite to Wall Street’s Billionaire Boys Club, My High-Stakes Adventure in the World of Underground Poker.” With Idris Elba, Kevin Costner, Michael Cera. January Among the 2017 films coming in January:
“The Post” (Jan. 12): Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks star in this drama about the struggle between journalists from The Washington Post and The New York Times and the government over the leaked Pentagon Papers involving the Vietnam War.
“The Shape of Water”: Set against the backdrop of Cold War-era America, circa 1962, co-workers Elisa (Sally Hawkins) and Zelda (Octavia Spencer) discover a secret classified experiment in a high-security government laboratory.
“Phantom Thread”: Paul Thomas Anderson’s costume drama stars Daniel Day-Lewis as a renowned dressmaker in 1950s London whose fastidious life is disrupted by a young, strong-willed woman.
“Call Me By Your Name”: Coming-ofage drama set in Italy in 1983 chronicles the romance between a 17-year-old ItalianAmerican (Timothee Chalamet) and his father’s American student (Armie Hammer).
“Wonder Wheel”: This Woody Allen drama-thriller set in 1950s Coney Island spins a tale of a middle-aged carousel operator, his estranged daughter and beleaguered wife. With Jim Belushi, Kate Winslet, Juno Temple, Justin Timberlake.