Must See: Buzz-Worthy Movies of December

In the midst of the busy holiday season, December looks to be delivering some of the most exciting and unique films of the year. Below is a list of upcoming movies to see in between your festivities to escape some of the holiday chaos.

“Exodus: Gods and Kings“ – Dec. 12

Plot:

Moses (Christian Bale) must go against Ramses (Joel Edgerton) to battle out the fate of the slaves in Egypt. Moses goes through many of the classic scenarios from the Old Testament Book of Exodus, including the Burning Bush, crossing of the Red Sea and the Plague of Locusts.

The Buzz:

Ridley Scott has shown that he has mastered the stylistic “sword and sandal” genre as a director through his masterful work in “Gladiator.” “Exodus: Gods and Kings” looks like it has potential to be one of his most epic films yet, with both Christian Bale and Joel Edgerton playing unique roles we don’t typically see them in. But it’s the visuals and the storyline that are going to attract audiences to this massive blockbuster.

“The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies“ – Dec. 12

Plot:

This film is the epic conclusion to Peter Jackson’s, “The Hobbit Trilogy,” which takes audiences to the end of Bilbo Baggins’ adventure as he teams up with warriors, elves and dwarfs to save Middle Earth.

The Buzz:

As this is the final movie that is released for “The Hobbit,” it is sadly the end of a very prosperous and entertaining franchise. Peter Jackson has worked very hard in his career, delivering some of the best films in history with “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy and now “The Hobbit” trilogy.

Jackson has not shown any interest in making more films based on J.R.R. Tolkein’s books, so this is looking to be the last chance for audiences to take one final trip back to Middle Earth on the big screen. “The Hobbit” is one of the premiere franchises that is locked in the history books of cinema, and audiences will surely not want to miss what Jackson has in store for this conclusion.

“Big Eyes“ – Dec. 25

Plot:

Directed by Tim Burton, “Big Eyes” centers on the famous American artist Margaret Keane (Amy Adams) and the struggle she has with her husband Walter Keane (Christoph Waltz). The issue of betrayal runs rampant in this plot line, as Walter takes credit for each of Margaret’s famous paintings – keeping her quiet in the background.

The Buzz:

Five-time Academy Award nominee Amy Adams is generating buzz for her portrayal of Margaret Keane and has yet to win an Oscar. Could this be the year that this overdue actress gets her statue? It is a definite possibility.

Christoph Waltz is also receiving a lot of attention for his villainous role as Walter Keane. Even though it’s a crowded year in the Best Supporting Actor category, Waltz has proven that he is an Academy favorite by being undefeated at the Oscars. He could snag some nominations for “Big Eyes” this season based on his reputation alone.

“The Interview“ – Dec. 25

Plot:

Seth Rogen and James Franco are teaming up for “The Interview,” which stars the actors as a famous talk show host and his producer who land an interview with Kim Jong-un. But while preparing to travel to North Korea, the two are approached by the CIA, who wants them to assassinate Jong-un while they are there.

The Buzz:

This marks the fifth on-screen collaboration between Rogen and Franco, who have been part of some of the most memorable comedies in the last decade, including “Pineapple Expres”s and “This is the End.” “The Interview” seems like one of the most ambitious and wild ideas to come to the big screen, and it definitely looks like a contender for top comedy of the year.

The film has received a good amount of buzz due to the criticism of the film from different North Korean officials, which included one official calling the film “an act of war.”

Most recently, Sony Pictures Entertainment experienced a massive cyber invasion, in which a handful of their upcoming movies were illegally released online. Sony is currently investigating to see whether or not North Korea was involved in response to this film.

“Into the Woods“ – Dec. 25

Plot:

Based on the Tony-Award winning musical, “Into the Woods” this film centers on a baker and his wife, who get cursed by a witch and must venture out into a world full of various fairy tale characters, such as Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel, to help find the way to break the curse.

The Buzz:

Director Rob Marshall has given us some of the most artistic and entertaining films throughout his career (“Chicago” and “Memoirs of a Geisha”), and just judging by the trailer, “Into the Woods” looks to be one of his most creative films to date. With an all-star cast that includes Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Anna Kendrick and Johnny Depp, it’s clear that both the on-screen talent and off-screen talent will be at the top of their game.