“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”
Synopsis: A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, a ragtag group of rebels is brought together to steal the plans for a new galactic space weapon of the Empire that could spell devastation for billions.
What You Need To Know: After the triumphant, multi-billion dollar relaunch of the “Star Wars” universe with “The Force Awakens,” the series should have kept marching on with the first spin-off movie: it had a great cast, a cool premise (set immediately before the 1977 original, showing a very different side of Star Wars than we’ve seen before), and an enormously talented filmmaker in “Monsters” and “Godzilla” helmer Gareth Edwards. But there has been some bad buzz that’s decidedly not what Disney wanted: reports that the film wasn’t working, had never really been working in script form, and that extensive reshoots were taking place, with a new helmer, Tony Gilroy (who got paid a hefty sum to fix it up) coming in to direct much of them. We will know soon what the result is, but in the meantime, we hope that any bumps have been ironed out, and that Edwards’ vision for the movie isn’t being watered down, because it looked kind of great to us to begin with.
Release Date: December 16th
“Neruda”
Synopsis: When the Chilean Communist Party is banned by the government, poet Pablo Neruda goes on the run.
What You Need To Know: The arguments that 2016 is one of the worst years in movie history are persuasive, but we’d counter with one simple fact: we’re getting three movies by Pablo Larrain, one of the most exciting directors we have. The Chilean helmer saw his bleak drama “The Club” arrive earlier in the year, and his English-language debut “Jackie” is set for its Oscar qualifying run. And in between came “Neruda,” a highly unconventional biopic (an “ideological anti-biopic,” as Jess’s Cannes review put it) of the famous poet Pablo Neruda. Reuniting Larrain with Gael Garcia Bernal, who plays the cop pursuing Neruda, the film “takes flight into the stratosphere of the unexpected,” with the director using “stunning digital photography in immensely innovative ways,” with the movie ultimately proving to be “a dexterous, mischievous, almost incomprehensibly intelligent film.”
Release Date: December 16th (Limited)
“Julieta”
Synopsis: When she learns that her estranged daughter is living in Switzerland, Julieta attempts to reconnect with her, while recollecting her life as a young woman.
What You Need To Know: On the whole, Pedro Almodovar is one of the most reliable filmmakers out there, but his last film, ill-conceived sitcom-ish comedy “I’m So Excited,” was a rare misfire from one of our greatest living filmmakers. Fortunately, he’s right back on form with his latest, “Julieta,” a loose adaptation of some stories by Alice Munro. It’s not perfect — as Jess put it in her Cannes review, “it feels like a wild beast caged and grinding its teeth on too little meal,” and is a bit wispy by the standards of his best work. But it’s still Almodovar, and as such, has some top-flight performances from its leads, and “so much knotty pleasure” to be found, even if it’s a little more restrained than we’d like. Oh, and Alberto Iglesias’ score is one of the year’s best. Even if it’s not top-tier Almodovar, that still makes it a must-see.
Release Date: December 21st (Limited)
“Assassin’s Creed”
Synopsis: Death row inmate Callum Lynch is saved from execution by a mysterious corporation, who need him to relive the memories of his ancestors, members of a secret organization of assassins during the Spanish Inquisition.
What You Need To Know: With Duncan Jones’ “Warcraft” resolutely failing to be the first good video game movie, hopes now rest on this adaptation of the huge Ubisoft franchise. The series is among the more artful and interesting (albeit sometimes maddening) to have emerged from the game world in the last decade or so, and there’s reason to be hopeful here. Michael Fassbender’s been developing it as producer for years at this point, and is reteaming with the director of his striking “Macbeth,” Justin Kurzel, also bringing co-star Marion Cotillard along for the ride. The film isn’t a direct adaptation of a game — instead, it’s a spin-off of sorts, with the setting here being 15th Century Spain, but the trailer suggests that this is a relatively faithful take on what people love about it. Can they make it engaging as a story, though, particularly with apparently most of the film being set in the present day?… If so, a new franchise could be born.
Release Date: December 21st
“Silence”
Synopsis: Two 17th-century Jesuit priests face violent persecution when they travel to Japan to locate their mentor and to spread the gospel of Christianity.
What You Need To Know: We kind of love Martin Scorsese the most when he’s out of his comfort zone a little bit — with a “Kundun” or a “Age Of Innocence,” and while his last film “Wolf Of Wall Street,” was glorious on home ground, follow-up “Silence” definitely isn’t, at least on the surface, given that it’s about Portuguese missionaries in 17th century Japan. But at the same time, it tackles some of the director’s favorite themes — faith, violence, integrity — and as a long-time passion project of Scorsese that’s been in the works for 25 years, we’re thrilled that it’s finally arriving. The cast is different than once planned — Daniel Day-Lewis, Benicio Del Toro and Gael Garcia Bernal were originally attached — but Liam Neeson, Andrew Garfield, and Adam Driver hardly count as a downgrade. The only question right now is, well, is it any good? Here’s hoping we have an answer soon. Either way, new Scorsese is always must-see.
Release Date: December 23rd (Limited)
“I, Daniel Blake”
Synopsis: A middle aged carpenter who requires state welfare after injuring himself, is joined by a single mother in a similar scenario.
What You Need To Know: Sure, you might already know that Irish filmmaking legend Ken Loach‘s latest film “I, Daniel Blake” walked away from the Cannes Film Festival this spring with the Palme d’Or, but what you might not know is that it also earned the another illustrious prize on the Croisette: the Palm DogManitarian Award. The honor was bestowed on the picture “for showcasing a three-legged dog named Shae,” and that’s as good a reason to watch this movie as any. Starring Dave Johns and Haley Squires, the simple drama follows a widowed man who is suddenly forced to utilize welfare and social programs, and follows his maddening journey through the system. While the Cannes festival this past year was considered a strong one, most critics on the ground we’re surprised this won the big prize, but we look forward to seeing for ourselves.
Release Date: December 23rd (Limited)