CLICK HERE if you are having trouble viewing these photos on a mobile device.
From a political satire on a controversial former vice president to a DC superhero who prefers to swim with the fishes, Hollywood is making certain that all film tastes get something to savor over the holidays. Here are the major movies opening around the Bay Area this week and Christmas Day.
Opened Wednesday, Dec. 19
“Mary Poppins Returns”: Emily Blunt parasols in as the magically inclined nanny in Rob Marshall’s tuneful family treat co-starring “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and Meryl Streep. (See the film review here).
Opening Friday, Dec. 21
“Aquaman”: Advance buzz is good for this latest DC comic-book adaptation. Jason Momoa (“Game of Thrones”) stars as the super-buff character who connects to the marine world in director James Wan’s special-effects bonanza. Nicole Kidman and Willem Dafoe co-star.
“Second Act”: J-Lo returns to a genre that has served her well — the romantic comedy. Here, she plays a mother who liberally gussies up a resume and then — uh-oh — lands a big corporate gig.
“Bumblebee”: Michael Bay surrenders directing reins to Travis Knight, the talented creator of the animated fable “Kubo and the Two Strings.” The result? Some of the best reviews yet for a “Transformers” title. Hailee Steinfeld and John Cena star.
“Welcome to Marwen”: Steve Carell portrays an introverted man who finds refuge by creating an imaginative, full-blown world using miniatures. It’s based on the excellent documentary, “Marwencol.”
“Capernaum”: In Nadine Labaki’s wrenching drama, a young Lebanese boy flees his abusive household and then later sues his parents.
“Swing Kids”: In this musical, soldiers at a POW Korean War camp help put on a dance production involving prisoners.
“Zero”: A once luckless in love man finds he’s torn between his feelings for two women — one a scientist with cerebral palsy and another who is a pop star. It’s a highly anticipated Bollywood production with dancing and music, of course.
Opening Tuesday, Dec. 25
“Vice”: Former Vice President Dick Cheney’s odyssey to becoming a major global power player is the subject of Adam MacKay’s latest outraged and witty satire. Although his “The Big Short” stuck together better, this effort is still entertaining and sassy. Amy Adams is terrific as Lynne Cheney, but it is Christian Bale who couldn’t be better. Expect some Oscar nominations here.
“Holmes & Watson”: The comedy duo of Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly reunite to play a variation of the iconic detective team. This time, the bumbling sleuths are out to foil a plot to get rid of the queen.
“If Beale Street Could Talk”: Barry Jenkins follows up his Oscar-winning “Moonlight” with this lyrical adaptation of a James Baldwin novel. It’s about a couple — and their families — impacted by a racial injustice.
“On the Basis of Sex”: Felicity Jones impresses (again) as a young Ruth Bader Ginsburg defending a groundbreaking sexual discrimination case. Armie Hammer co-stars as her husband.
