The holiday season is one of the most active movie release times of the year. 2013 is no exception. From super-promoted sequels to iconic biopics, this winter break there is a movie for everyone. These are just a few of the many films coming out post-finals.
One of the most anticipated movies of the year, “Catching Fire,” is the second in “The Hunger Games” series. Jennifer Lawrence (“Silver Linings Playbook”), Josh Hutcherson (“Bridge to Terabithia”) and Liam Hemsworth (“The Expendable 2”) star in this blockbuster sequel to last year’s critically acclaimed film. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Suzanne Collins and follows Katniss Everdeen as she returns to fight in the games. This film is one of the few must-see films coming out this winter. “Catching Fire” comes out Friday, Nov. 22.
Another of the high-profile films this winter is the second installment of Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit” trilogy. With the success of the first movie last year, “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” continues where the previous one left off as Bilbo Baggins, played by Martin Freeman (“Hot Fuzz”), continues his journey to help Thorin Oakenshield, played by Richard Armitage (“Captain America: The First Avenger”), and his dwarven brethren reclaim their mountain kingdom from the dragon, Smaug, played by Benedict Cumberbatch (“Star Trek Into Darkness”). Though some fans were disappointed by the first film, the second contains some of the most exciting parts of J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic book. “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” will be released Friday, Dec. 13.
One of the more profound movies coming out over break is Justin Chadwick’s Nelson Mandela biopic, “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.” Idris Elba (“Prometheus”) stars as the anti-apartheid activist as the film follows him from childhood in a rural South African village until he becomes the first democratically elected president of the country. Based on the autobiography of the same name, the film also stars Naomie Harris (“Skyfall”) and Terry Pheto (“Tsotsi”). Look for “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,” on Wednesday, Nov. 27.
One of the most hyped comedies of the holiday season, “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues” is the long-awaited sequel to one of Will Ferrell’s (“Step Brothers”) funniest films. Set nearly a decade after the end of the previous film, “Anchorman 2” follows Ron Burgundy’s news team as they are reunited in New York City. The all-star cast includes Steve Carell (“The Office”), Paul Rudd (“Role Models”), Vince Vaughn (“Dodgeball”), Luke Wilson (“Old School”) and Christina Applegate (“Up All Night”), among others. “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues” is released on Friday, Dec. 20.
For those interested in a more thrilling movie this winter, “Out of the Furnace” follows the tale of Russell Blaze, played by Christian Bale (“The Dark Knight”), as he tries to rescue his brother, played by Casey Affleck (“Gone Baby Gone”). Blaze must decide between saving his brother and his own freedom. Ridley Scott and Leonardo DiCaprio are producing, with big names such as Woody Harrelson (“No Country for Old Men”), Forest Whitaker (“Platoon”) and Willem Dafoe (“Spider-Man”) rounding out the cast. Though it lacks the publicity of some of the bigger films, “Out of the Furnace” could be one of the sleeper hits of the year. “Out of the Furnace” comes out on Friday, Dec. 6.
These are just several of many highly publicised movies this break. Others include “The Wolf of Wall Street” starring Leonardo DiCaprio (“Inception”), released Christmas Day, “Saving Mr. Banks” starring Tom Hanks (“The Da Vinci Code”), released Dec. 20, and “Frozen” an animated film featuring the voice of Kristen Bell (“Veronica Mars”), released Nov. 27. No matter what type of movie you are interested in, there is a film worth seeing for you this break.
