During winter break, cozy up to these five upcoming films
“Ralph Breaks the Internet” (Nov. 21)
This year’s set of Thanksgiving weekend releases are a force to be reckoned with, with Disney’s sequel to “Wreck-It-Ralph” (2012) being highly anticipated. The original was a surprise hit for the studio, containing a number of recognizable characters along with a heartwarming tale of redemption and self-discovery that balanced itself out very nicely. The follow-up will hopefully be going in a similar direction, and it will be fun to see what the Disney crew does with the expansive world of the web. And let’s not lie, those princess scenes from the trailers have gotten us pretty pumped.
“Creed II” (Nov. 21)
Another knockout sequel making its way to theaters this Thanksgiving weekend is the newest installment in the legendary “Rocky” franchise, “Creed 2.” Ryan Coogler breathed life into the series with his riveting work on “Creed” back in 2015, so fans have found concern with him stepping down to allow up-and-coming director Steven Caple Jr. to take on the sequel. However, there is still plenty of promise this time around, with some raised stakes and the return of Ivan Drago that is sure to add a new level of depth to the franchise.
“Green Book” (Nov. 21)
While a number of the films on this list are connected to a popular filmmaker or franchise, “Green Book” is riding on its fascinating idea alone to deliver a powerful experience. Inspired by the true story of a Jamaican-American pianist who hires a white New York bouncer to be his chauffeur and security guard for a tour during the Jim Crow days, this is sure to be a hard-hitting and compelling journey. The film is also sure to contain some powerhouse performances, with Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen leading this ambitious project.
“If Beale Street Could Talk” (Nov. 30)
Following his rock solid work on 2016’s “Moonlight,” director Barry Jenkins returns to bring the words of James Baldwin to life with “If Beale Street Could Talk.” This intimate tale tells the story of a woman trying to free her wrongly convicted husband from jail while going through the struggles of pregnancy. With some colorful visuals and a rock-solid cast, it’s unlikely that this tale of corruption and family will disappoint.
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” (Dec. 14)
The other animated offering this holiday season has been wracking up hype for some time now. “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” is the first time our favorite webhead will be taken into the world of animation on the big screen and it seems like the folks at Sony Pictures Animation are taking full advantage of the medium. Featuring a heavily stylized world, exciting action pieces and a collection of beloved Spider-Man personas getting on-screen representation for the first time — it’s likely that this labor of love will have audiences swinging back to the theater over and over again.
