It’s time to make holiday family entertainment plans and see if the next two weeks’ 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 to Thursday, Jan. 5, 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
WAR HORSE” LoNDON PREMIERE To BENEFIT THE FOUNDATION OF PRINCE WILLIAM and PRINCE HARRY
War Horse, which is one of the most anticipated films of the holiday season, opens nationally on Christmas Day in the United States.
DreamWorks Pictures announced yesterday that the UK premier, which takes place on January 8, 2012 will benefit the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry.
Six hundred serving and ex-serving military personnel and their families have been invited to the Premiere, alongside beneficiaries of military charities, which the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry helps to support. The servicemen and women have been invited from The Duke of Cambridge’s regiments, including RAF Search and Rescue, Household Cavalry, Irish Guards, Royal Air Force Coningsby, Scotland Royal Naval Command and Submarines Royal Naval Command.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be in attendance, and will greet members of the cast and Director Steven Spielberg before watching the film.
War Horse, is the epic tale of loyalty, hope and tenacity set against a sweeping canvas of rural England and Europe during the First World War. Based on the best-selling book by Michael Morpurgo and the Tony Award®–winning stage play by Nick Stafford, War Horse is an incredible story of bravery and friendship, brought to the screen by one of the greatest directors in film history.
NEW TRAILERS FOR THE MOST ANTICIPATED UPCOMING FILMS
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
In a carefully controlled roll-out, the first official trailer for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey has been released.
This film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel, The Hobbit, is directed by Peter Jackson, and the footage is from first of this two-part series, which is a prequel to the famous The Lord of The Rings Trilogy.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is scheduled for national release, December 14, 2012.
The trailer is available in a private screening area at this link.
FILMS OPENING THIS WEEK AND NEXT
Opening December 25, 2011 The Darkest Hour– Action, Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller- PG-13- because of “sci-fi action violence and some language.”
Opened December 23, 2011 Don 2 – Action- NOT RATED- NOTE: In limited release.
Opening December 25, 2011 Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close– Drama- PG-13- because of “emotional thematic material, some disturbing images, and language.” NOTE: In limited release – opens wide on January 20, 2012.
Opened December 23, 2011 The Flowers of War – Drama, History- R- because of “strong violence including a sexual assault, disturbing images, and brief strong language.” NOTE: New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco only.
Opened December 23, 2011 In the Land of Blood and Honey – Drama, Romance, War-R- because of “war violence and atrocities including rape, sexuality, nudity and language.” NOTE: Los Angeles and New York City only.
Opened December 23, 2011 Miss Minoes – Comedy, Family, Fantasy - PG- because of “brief language, smoking and rude behavior.” NOTE: In limited release.
Opening December 30 2011 Newlyweds– NOT RATED-NOTE: Limited information at the time of this posting. Opening January 4, 2012 –Once Upon a Time in Anatolia-Drama- NOT RATED- NOTE: In limited release.
Opening December 28, 2011 Pariah– Drama- R- because of “sexual content and language.” NOTE:
Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York City only.
Opened December 23, 2011 Pina–Documentary, Musical- PG- because of “some sensuality/partial nudity and smoking.” NOTE: Los Angeles and New York City only.
Opening December 30, 2011 A Separation– Drama- PG-13- because of “mature thematic material.” NOTE: In limited release.
Opening December 25, 2011 War Horse – Drama, War-PG-13- because of “intense sequences of war violence.”
Opened December 23, 2011 We Bought a Zoo – Comedy, Drama, Family- PG- because of “language and some thematic elements.”
For information on films that opened December 16, 2011 which included: Addiction Incorporated; The Adventures of Tintin; Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked!; Carnage; Cook County; Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel; The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo; Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol, and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, please click on the link below.
The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies
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.
For information on films that opened May 20 to June 17, 2011, please click on the link below.
For information on films that opened April 1 to May 13, 2011, please click on the link below.
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:
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.
