A bountiful feast for moviegoers this Thanksgiving
From “Widows” to “The Grinch,” you’re bound to find a “Favourite” flick this holiday.
Reuniting with kin and friends only goes so far on Thanksgiving weekend. There is no safer haven from the eventual emerging family dysfunction than welcoming seats, a darkened room and a movie.
In the name of family peace, here’s our weekend movie guide to help make the right choice for every predicament or mood:
If you want to remember the glory days of Russian villains: ‘Creed II’
“Creed II” (opening Nov. 21) manages to merge two worlds with returning boxing hero Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) as the trainer for the youthful Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan). Major nostalgia points for bringing “Rocky IV” Russian nemesis Ivan Drago back, now as trainer to his brutal son, Viktor (Florian Munteanu). Yes, there is a training montage.
If you want to start finding the Christmas spirit (and grumpiness): ‘The Grinch’
Thanksgiving is the gateway holiday to Christmas. So it’s time to starting hating the commercialism before finding the season’s true meaning with the ultimate spirit guide. With Benedict Cumberbatch as the infamous Christmas-basher, it’s grumpy done right.
If you want to see if Viola Davis can get away with robbery: ‘Widows’
When Viola Davis was accepting her Oscar for “Fences” in 2017, you wouldn’t have expected next seeing the actress starring in a down and dirty heist film with fellow crime widows played by Michelle Rodriguez and Elizabeth Debicki. The women step up to take over a job after their criminal husbands are rubbed out in “Widows,” director Steve McQueen’s dramatic action-thriller.
If you want to hoist a few butterbeers: ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald’
For a legion of fans, winter is the time to tie on the Harry Potter scarf. J.K. Rowling continues building a new movie universe, writing the screenplay for the second “Fantastic Beasts” as Eddie Redmayne’s Newt Scamander battles the villainous Grindelwald (Johnny Depp). Not all critics are spellbound, but check out our ( review.
If you need everyone in a good mood, quick: ‘The Green Book’
Depressed over the news? Fighting with that one uncle too much? Choose “Green Book” as proof we can all rise above. In this 1960s comedy-drama based on a true story, Viggo Mortensen plays a street-smart Italian-American forced to bury his racism when a cash drought leads him to a job driving a world-class black pianist (Mahershala Ali) in the Deep South. It’s a flip on “Driving Miss Daisy” that will leave you on a high. Read our ( review.
If you need to take the kids but need adult laughs: ‘Ralph Breaks the Internet’
‘Wreck-It Ralph 2’ brings John C. Reilly’s softhearted protagonist back with Sarah Silverman’s Vanellope von Schweetz to explore the wild world of the internet. Vanellope’s hilarious lesson in comfortable clothes to a bevy of Disney Princesses shows that adults will have to plenty to laugh along with the kids. Read our ( review.
If you’re craving an edgy, R-rated take on a royal tale: ‘The Favourite’
Even if you think you know what you’re getting into with “The Favourite,” you’d still be way off. “The Lobster” director Yorgos Lanthimos dresses his ladies (Olivia Coleman as Queen Anne, Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone as her dueling ladies-in-waiting) in the politest of corsets, but savage wit and emotional terror rule the day. Get in on this Oscar favorite early. (But maybe leave your more prudish cousin at home.)
If broad comedy and big tears are your thing: ‘Instant Family’
Somehow, foul-mouthed families are so much more fun when Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne are involved, clumsily parenting three sibling foster children. “Family” will pull out any gag to make a family-friendly audience laugh and pluck every heartstring for the sniffles.
If you haven’t seen ‘A Star Is Born’ in a great theater, you should
Bradley Cooper’s critically lauded directorial debut continues to roll at the box office ($330 million worldwide). Even beyond Lady Gaga’s must-see breakout performance, “A Star Is Born” demands viewing on a big screen with great sound – all the better for big concert numbers featuring Cooper and Gaga. We’re going to be talking about this movie deep into awards season, so get in on the national conversation. Read our ( review.
If you want to see the ‘Gravity’ director back in orbit: ‘Roma’
After 2013’s “Gravity” netted seven Oscars, Alfonso Cuaron is back in rarefied air with “Roma.” The drama chronicling the life of a Mexico City family streams on Netflix Dec. 14. But “Roma” is in theaters starting Wednesday, and it deserves to be seen on the big screen. .
If you got gravy on your face, a big disgrace: ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’
Queen has transcended generations. “Bohemian” shows the magnetic power of Freddie Mercury (the critically lauded Rami Malek), who soared, then crashed – before leading a memorable Live Aid performance. Read our ( review.