It’s a packed slate of film releases this week, including not one but two appearances from popular comic-book characters. So let’s get right to it.
Here’s your rundown.
“Once Upon a Deadpool”: Ryan Reynolds offers up some holiday cheer with this seasonal offering that is essentially a toned-down, PG-13 version of “Deadpool 2,” with a Fred Savage/”Princess Bride” side story tossed in for good measure. Opened Dec. 12.
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”: Spidey is receiving some of his most glowing reviews yet (and rightly so) for this inventive, funny and thoroughly entertaining animated foray written by one of the creators of “The Lego Movie.” In it, Miles (voice of Shameik Moore) gets bit by a spider and then discovers alternate versions of the popular webslinger. It’s a blast.
“Mary Queen of Scots”: Oscar nominees Saoirse Ronan (“Lady Bird”) and Margot Robbie (“I, Tonya”) star in this historical epic about the titular Mary Stuart (Ronan) and her cousin Elizabeth I (Robbie) who find themselves in a power struggle. Acclaimed stage director Josie Rourke brings her thespian gifts to the cinematic table.
“Ben is Back”: Director/screenwriter Peter Hedges (“Pieces of April”) shifts from Thanksgiving to Christmas for this intense family drama starring this year’s acting MVP Lucas Hedges as well as Julia Roberts. When Ben (Hedges) unexpectedly returns home for the holiday, his mother (Roberts) is happy but worried since he’s in rehab. So this momma bear will do everything in her power to prevent him from relapsing. It’s an acting tour de force for both.
“The Mule”: Clint Eastwood directs and stars as unlikely drug runner in a based- on-a-true story that’s scripted by Nick Schenk, the writer Eastwood teamed up with for “Gran Torino.”
“Bird Box”: Sandra Bullock stars in this doomsday thriller from Netflix that co-stars Sarah Paulson, Trevante Rhodes and John Malkovich. It’s based on the praised novel by Josh Malerman and is receiving a very limited theatrical release before streaming Dec. 21 on Netflix.
“Mortal Engines”: A popular dystopian YA series gets the “Hunger Games” film treatment. Peter Jackson co-wrote the screenplay. But will it turn into a franchise?
“The Quake”: Some families deserve a break In the intense 2016 disaster import from Norway, “The Wave,” the Jones clan contended with a tsunami and now in this hyper-suspenseful entry they contend with a massive quake. It’s a nerve wracker and will make you want to update your earthquake kit.
“Bathtubs Over Broadway”: Musical fans won’t want to miss this documentary chronicling a quest by Steve Young (the writer, not the quarterback) to pinpoint obscure recordings of full-blown musicals created to market big-name-name companies. We’re there.
