The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week's movies with ratings and trailers

‘Popcorn’ photo by Petr Kratochvil

It’s time to make weekend family entertainment plans and see if this week’s current crop of films will be part of your schedule. The following report covers motion picture theatrical releases opening nationwide beginning Friday, Dec. 16, 2011 along with current film industry news.

The movies listed below have a rating, which has been established by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and have been provided with an italicized commentary from the Classification and Ratings Administration (CARA).

If a film has not been provided with an official rating, additional information may, or may not be provided.

If a film is designated NC-17, very limited information may be furnished.

For your convenience, each film title links directly to the Internet Movie Data Base, which provides the most comprehensive listing about the movie’s storyline, and includes a trailer, cast and crew information, initial audience reaction (if prior screenings have taken place) and parent advisories when available.

As always, you are the single best judge for determining your child’s choice of entertainment.

NEWS

On November 27, 2011, one of the most anticipated films for the holiday season, WAR HORSE, was presented in an advanced screening in New York City by DreamWorks Pictures.

The event, offered fans from around the globe the opportunity to submit questions to WAR HORSE director Steven Spielberg, and the 54-minute video below gives an in-depth look into this upcoming film and one of the greatest directors of all time.

WAR HORSE opens in theaters nationwide, Sunday, December 25, 2011

FILMS OPENING THIS WEEK

Opened December 15, 2011 Addiction Incorporated – Documentary, Biography- PG-13- because of “brief language.” NOTE: New York City only.

Opening December 21, 2011 The Adventures of Tintin– Animation, Action, Adventure, Family, Mystery-PG- because of “adventure action violence, some drunkenness and brief smoking.”

Opened December 16, 2011 Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked! – Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Music- G- Suitable for all audiences.

Opened December 16, 2011 Carnage – Comedy, Drama- R- because of “language.”

Opened December 16, 2011 Cook County–Drama- R- NOTE: Reason for MPAA rating not available at the time of publication.

Opened December 16, 2011 Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel – Documentary - R- because of “some violent images, nudity and language.”

Opening December 20, 2011 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo –Drama, Thriller- R- because of “brutal violent content including rape and torture, strong sexuality, graphic nudity, and language.”

Opening December 21, 2011 Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol – Action, Adventure, Thriller-PG-13- because of “sequences of intense action and violence disturbing violence and behavior, some sexuality and language.” NOTE: Opening in wide release on this date (limited release on 12/15 and selected IMAX theaters on 12/16).

Opened December 16, 2011 Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows– Action, Adventure, Crime, Mystery, Thriller- PG-13- because of “intense sequences of violence and action, and some drug material.”

For information on films that opened December 9, 2011 which included:  I Melt with You;    Knuckle:    New Year’s Eve;    The Sitter;    Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy;    W.E.;    We Need to Talk About Kevin,  and Young Adult, please click on the link below.
The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies


For information on films that opened December 2, 2011 which included:  Answers to Nothing;    Coriolanus;    Kinyarwanda;    Outrage;  Pastorela;….Shame, and  Sleeping Beauty, please click on the link below.
The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened November 18, 2011 through November 25, 2011 (Thanksgiving Week Report) which included:  Another Happy Day;    The Artist;    Arthur Christmas;    A Dangerous Method;    The Descendants;    Happy Two Feet;    Hugo;    The Lie;    The Muppets;    My Week with Marilyn;    Tomboy;    The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1  and  Tyrannosaur, please click on the link below.

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened November 11, 2011, which included:  11-11-11;    The Greening of Whitney Brown;    Immortals;    Into the Abyss - A Tale of Death, a Tale of Life;    J. Edgar;    Jack and Jill;    London Boulevard;    Melancholia  and  Tropa de Elite 2 – O Inimigo Agora E (Elite Squad: The Enemy Within), please click on the link below.

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened November 4, 2011, which included:  A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas;    Killing Bono;    The Son of No One and  Tower Heist, please click on the link below.

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened September 23 to October 28, 2011, please click on the link below.

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies


For information on films that opened August 19, 2011 to September 16, 2011, please click on the link below.
The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened June 24, 2011 to August 12, 2011.

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened May 20 to June 17, 2011, please click on the link below.

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened April 1 to May 13, 2011, please click on the link below.

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened the weeks of Friday, February 4 to Friday March 25, 2011 please click on the link below, where you will also find previous listings and links for prior weeks in January, as well as films that opened in 2010:

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

G GENERAL AUDIENCES (All Ages Admitted) PG PARENTAL GUIDANCE SUGGESTED (Some Material May Not Be Suitable for Children) PG-13 PARENTS STRONGLY CAUTIONED (Some Material May Be Inappropriate for Children Under 13) R RESTRICTED (Under 17 Requires Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian) NC-17 NO ONE 17 AND UNDER ADMITTED – As determined by the Rating Board/Motion Picture Association of America.