From 'Star Wars' to 'Mockingjay,' it's holiday film time 

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From \'Star Wars\' to \'Mockingjay,\' it\'s holiday film time

Hollywood\'s mad scramble for box-office gold and Oscar respect is the gift that keeps on giving to movie fans.

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From 'Star Wars' to 'Mockingjay,' it's holiday film time

Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press 10:55 p.m. EST November 7, 2015

Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) with Stormtroopers in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."

A long time ago, in a holiday season far, far away, watching a movie with friends and family meant curling up in front of a wood-paneled cathode ray tube box for the umpteenth rerun of “The Sound of Music.”

Not any more. From now until New Year’s Eve, it will take a light saber to fight your way through the lines for the major films on the way. The list is dominated by “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” the continuation of the George Lucas epic under the watchful eye of J.J. Abrams.

Also stirring radical urges to go to the multiplex is “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2,” the final installment of the franchise pitting rebel heroine Katniss Everdeen against a totalitarian regime. But this is also Oscar bait time for prestige projects, which means there’s a new Brangelina movie arriving soon, plus a monster whale, a great recession and a heroic newspaper team.

Since there obviously won’t be any time left for actual gift shopping, this year, give the gift of taking your loved ones to the movies. That way, you’ll kill two Jar Jar Binks with one stone. We’ve wrapped up this list of 20 suggestions, because you’ll need to choose wisely.

After all, you can’t go to the store and exchange two hours spent with trapped Chilean miners or a blacklisted screenwriter.

Antonio Banderas leads this retelling of the 2010 story that united the world around the two-month-plus attempt to rescue miners in Chile. The true story was so unforgettable that the challenge here will be to equal it. In that regard, "The 33" will focus on the miners and the family members trapped in their own way in an excruciating waiting game. (PG-13; Nov. 13)

From left: Lou Diamond Phillips, Jacob Vargas, Marco Trevino, Mario Casas, Alejandro Goic, Antonio Banderas, Tenoch Huerta and Oscar Nunez in "The 33."

 Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Liev Schreiber and Rachel McAdams lead a strong ensemble that turns old-school journalism into gripping drama. It’s based on the real Boston Globe investigation that exposed a cover-up by the Catholic Church of child sexual abuse by priests, a story that still reverberates today. As patiently and confidently directed by Tom McCarthy, the film captures the age-old struggle to speak truth to power, no matter how cherished the institution. You just may want to hug an endangered print reporter after you see it. (R; Nov. 20)

'Spotlight' tells the true story of how the Boston Globe worked to uncover the scandal of child molestation, and subsequent cover-up, within the local Catholic Archdiocese.

Remember those moody ‘70s European movies about troubled lovers that you saw in college? Angelina Jolie, who wrote, directed and produced this character study, evokes that style here and reunites on the big screen with her husband and "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" costar, Brad Pitt. They play an American author and his wife on vacation to coastal France whose relationship is in worse shape than a tourist wearing black socks with sandals. It’s a cinematic trip likely to include more existential musing than beach time. (R; Nov. 20)

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in "By the Sea."

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie play a husband and wife on-screen in "By the Sea." Set in France during the 1970s, the pair travel the country together, stopping in a quiet, seaside town.

“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2”

Finally, it ends. The franchise that made Jennifer Lawrence an international star concludes with Panem in civil war and rebel teen Katniss Everdeen and her squad on a mission targeting the dictatorial President Snow (Donald Sutherland). Lawrence has said that Katniss inspired her to speak out recently against gender inequality in Hollywood salaries. Man, we\'re going to miss that character. (PG-13; Nov. 20)

Katniss and her district engage in a revolution against the Capitol in 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2.'

This is not, repeat not, "A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas." It\'s a whole different take on friends out to have one final adventure before they leave behind childish ways. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen and Anthony Mackie are buddies who\'ve been running wild on Christmas Eve since they were kids. Now, with adult responsibilities encroaching, they want to have the best night ever. Apparently, this means a hilarity-spawning search for a party called the Nutcracka Ball. (R; Nov. 20)

From left, Seth Rogen, Anthony Mackie and Joseph Gordon-Levitt "The Night Before."

Bryan Cranston has a knack for portraying strong, complicated iconoclasts: meth king Walter White of "Breaking Bad" on TV, LBJ on Broadway and, now, screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, an important figure in the sorry history of Hollywood blacklisting. When the House Un-American Activities Committee conducted a witch hunt for Communists in the 1940s and 1950s, Trumbo risked his career to stand up to the authority figures trying to encroach on basic freedoms. Added bonus? Helen Mirren plays legendary gossip columnist Hedda Hopper. (R; Nov. 20)

Diane Lane as Cleo Trumbo and Bryan Cranston as Dalton Trumbo in "Trumbo."

 (Photo: Hilary Bronwyn Gail, Bleecker Street)

In 'Trumbo' Bryan Cranston stars as Dalton Trumbo, a screenwriter who was blacklisted in Hollywood for being a Communist.

 Michael B. Jordan and his "Fruitvale Station" director Ryan Coogler team up again for this "Rocky" for millennials that captures the heart and intensity of the 1976 model. This time, Jordan is the underdog, Adonis Johnson, whose boxing icon dad, Apollo Creed, died before he was born. Haunted by the father he never had and out to prove himself, Adonis seeks out Creed\'s former friend and rival, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), to train him for a chance to be a champion. How many "Rocky"-themed films can we take? With these players, definitely one more. (PG-13; Nov. 25)

Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone star in 'Creed.' Warner Bros. Pictures

Disney-Pixar created sheer magic with "Inside Out." Will its follow-up scale the same popularity heights? Well, dinosaurs are a pretty safe bet (see "Jurassic World" ... oh, never mind, you probably did three times already). In this animated tale, Arlo, an 11-year-old Apatosaurus, becomes lost. Hungry and lonely, he crosses paths with a human boy named Spot. The trailer is solid proof that Arlo is adorable and that this ride will be emotionally meaningful. (PG; Nov. 25)

Arlo, an Apatosaurus, encounters a human named Spot in "The Good Dinosaur."

Teaser trailer for the upcoming Disney/Pixar movie 'The Good Dinosaur.' Pixar

The financial machinations that spurred a global recession seem more like investigative documentary fodder than feature film fare. But this adaptation of Michael Lewis\'s best-selling nonfiction book tackles concepts like the credit and housing bubbles, mortgage bundling and house-of-cards profits for Wall Street. The cast includes Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Brad Pitt. Like the wheeling and dealing that put the economy in peril, such combined star power ought to be illegal. (Not yet rated; Dec. 11 limited, Dec. 23 wide release)

Ron Howard helms this rugged adventure about the New England whalers of 1820 who faced the beast that helped prompt Herman Melville to write "Moby Dick." It\'s a survival story that makes the reality TV genre of dangerous commercial fishing seem tame by comparison. Chris Hemsworth stars in a role that gives him a chance to put down Thor\'s hammer and exercise a different set of acting muscles. (PG-13; Dec. 11)

"In the Heart of the Sea" tells the story of the whale that inspired the novel "Moby Dick."

Inspired by the story of 'Moby Dick,' a whaling ship becomes stranded at sea for 90 days in the movie 'In the Heart of the Sea.'

 Tina and Amy, together again. The amazing Ms. Fey and Ms. Poehler, who brought poignant ribaldry to biological clocks with "Baby Mama," examine sibling bonds in their comedy costarring Maya Rudolph, Ike Barinholtz, John Cena and more. The "Saturday Night Live" alums are siblings here who, in the midst of their childhood home going up for sale, work through their old baggage — the psychological sort — by throwing a big party. (R; Dec. 18)

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler play sisters who decide to host one last epic hurrah in their childhood home.

Plugging in to the cultural moment that\'s under way for transgender awareness and understanding, this drama goes back in time 80 years to tell the story of the pioneering life of a transgender woman, who\'s played by Eddie Redmayne. He won the best actor Oscar last year for "The Theory of Everything," and given the early buzz for his sensitive performance here, he may need more statuette shelf space. (R; Dec. 18)

Eddie Redmayne stars as Lili Elbe in Tom Hooper's "The Danish Girl."

Are you sitting down? Taking deep breaths? Holding the hand of someone who will understand if you freak out? The time is coming for the unveiling of the biggest cinematic event in recent memory, the passing of the "Star Wars" reins from original visionary George Lucas to millennial-minded reboot maestro J.J. Abrams. As an event movie, you can\'t beat reuniting Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill from the first installments and introducing a new group of galactic characters played by John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac and more. Honestly, it\'s off the OMG meter. (Not yet rated; Dec. 18)

Millions joyful over new ‘Star Wars’ trailer

Will Smith pours his star power into the role of the Dr. Bennet Omalu, whose work on football and brain trauma raised an issue that could no longer be ignored. Such an important topic, and the inherent drama of one man facing off against the resources of professional sports, should make this a must-see for a football-happy nation. (PG-13; Dec. 25)

Will Smith tells the story of Dr. Bennet Omalu, a neuropathology doctor under pressure from the NFL to hide the truth about concussions after discovering football-related brain trauma in a player.

The latest from Quentin Tarantino is set in the thick of winter in post-Civil War Wyoming, where a bounty hunter (Kurt Russell), a fugitive (Jennifer Jason Leigh), a Union war vet (Samuel L. Jackson) and a sheriff from the South (Walton Goggins) are four of eight characters sheltered in a stagecoach stop. Will they be able to weather a snowstorm and the bad feelings swirling inside what’s supposed to be a safe haven? (Not yet rated; Dec. 25)

The Weinstein Company and director Quentin Tarantino give movie fans another taste of 'The Hateful Eight,' which opens nationwide on Jan. 8, following a special 70mm release on Christmas Day. The Weinstein Company

Auteur Alejandro Inarritu trades the anxious intimacy of "Birdman" for the vast wilderness in this survival epic about an 1800s explorer abandoned by his party and left to die. You could think of it as "The Martian" in a brutal earthy landscape, or "Jeremiah Jones" 2.0 with even more hazards. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Hugh Glass, who\'s determined to stay alive, no matter what happens. (Not yet rated; Dec. 25 limited, Jan. 8 wide release)

Tom Hardy (foreground) and Will Poulter hunt for the person they had left for dead, in ."The Revenant."

Jennifer Lawrence struck Oscar gold for "Silver Linings Playbook" and was nominated for "American Hustle," both from director David O. Russell. Is three times another charm? Russell\'s "Joy" charts a self-made businesswoman\'s rise over time. Russell has a way of making movies that don\'t disclose much from their subject matter. Consider how little the political corruption storyline of "American Hustle" revealed its true self. P.S.: Among those joining Lawrence onscreen are Russell alums Robert De Niro and Bradley Cooper. (Not yet rated; Dec. 25)

David O. Russell's 'Joy' will be in theaters this Christmas and stars Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper.

We just saw the trailer and we\'re still gasping. This remake of the Keanu Reeves-Patrick Swayze 1991 adventure pairs Luke Bracey as FBI agent Johnny Utah, who goes undercover with the athletic posse of Bodhi (Edgar Ramirez), who\'s being investigated for elaborate heists. There\'s a Robin Hood aspect to the action, but it\'s the stupendous, logic-defying stunts that grab the spotlight.  (PG-13; Dec. 25)

A federal agent infiltrates a gang of thieves who participate in extreme sports.

Director Todd Haynes of the retro-riffic "Far From Heaven" and the Bob Dylan biographical experiment "I\'m Not There" is guiding this love story between a young shop girl (Rooney Mara) and a well-heeled matron (Cate Blanchett) whose secure place in society and motherhood is threatened by her feelings for another woman. The previews are so stunningly beautiful and the subject matter so interesting, "Carol" could be a red carpet favorite come 2016. (R; Dec. 25)

Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara star in a 1950s New York-based drama where a young department-store clerk life falls for an older, married woman.

Charlie Kaufman is the screenwriter of "Being John Malkovich" and "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," which is all you need to know. He wrote and codirected "Anomalisa," which is better seen than described. Suffice it to say there\'s a romance and a meditation on the meaning of life. But the surprise here is that the film is done in stop-motion animation, an unexpected choice for some quite serious intellectual grappling. The movie asks, "What is it to be human? What is it to ache? What is it to be alive?" Talk about year-end reflection. (R; Dec. 30 limited, wide release to be announced)

Contact Detroit Free Press writer Julie Hinds: 313-222-6427 or jhinds@freepress.com.

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