Man Down
“Man Down” stars Shia LeBeouf as Gabriel Drummer, a Marine who is returning to his hometown after serving in Afghanistan. He quickly finds out, though, that his home isn’t as he remembers it, and his family is put in danger. With the help of a fellow war-hardened Marine, he does whatever it takes to ensure his family’s safety. “Man Down” is in theaters now.
La La Land
What better thing to do in Los Angeles than watch a movie about Los Angeles? An aspiring actress (Emma Stone) and a musician (Ryan Gosling) meet in the City of Angels and fall in love as they pursue their respective careers. However, as their careers begin to take off, it also threatens to tear their relationship apart. “La La Land” premieres Dec. 9.
Office Christmas
If comedy is more of your style, “Office Christmas” takes it up a notch this Christmas season. When a CEO (Jennifer Aniston) tries to close the branch of her party-loving brother (T.J. Miller), he must gather the employees of his branch to create the best office party to impress a potential client and close a sale that might just save their jobs. “Office Christmas” hits theaters Dec. 9.
Star Wars: Rogue One
Taking place between two trilogies of the franchise, “Star Wars: Rogue One” tells the story of a ragtag team of rebels united under the common goal of bringing down the Empire. The team has the daunting task of stealing the plans to the Empire’s super weapon, the Death Star, in order to give the rebellion a fighting chance against the Empire’s ever-growing tyranny. This chapter in the Star Wars story brings together a star-studded cast (Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Donnie Yen and Forest Whitaker), and is sure to be an action-packed film for both Star Wars lovers and moviegoers alike. The film hits theaters Dec. 16.
Collateral Beauty
Putting a modern twist on the classic Christmas carol story, “Collateral Beauty” stars Will Smith as a successful advertising executive that suffers a personal tragedy when his daughter dies. Asking the universe for answers, he is met by the personifications of love, time and death. Spurred on by his friends and through his encounters with death, time and love, Smith starts the journey to becoming whole again. “Collateral Beauty” debuts Dec. 16.
Passengers
If you’re fond of romance stories and science fiction, then “Passengers” will put a refreshing spin on the typical love story for you. Starring Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence, the story takes place in the not-so-distant future, when a ship with space travelers in “cryostasis” (deep space sleep) journeys to find a new habitable planet. Along the way, however, two sleeping pods malfunction and awaken two of the passengers (Pratt and Lawrence) 90 years before the set time. Now that they have ample time to get to know each other, Pratt and Lawrence begin to see each other as more than crew members. However, the safety of the ship is put into jeopardy, and they are the only ones who can save the fate of the ship and its crew. “Passengers” debuts Dec. 21.
Assassin’s Creed
Framing itself within the universe of the game franchise, “Assassin’s Creed” delves deeper into the mythos of the actual game and presents an original storyline that envelops history, science fiction and action. The main character, Callum Lynch (played by Michael Fassbender), is rescued from his own execution by an organization named Abstergo Industries, a modernized personification of the Templar Order (or Knights of the Templar). Indebted to the people who saved him, he is forced to participate in a project that makes him relive the memories of one of his ancestors, leading him to discover that he is descended from a member of the assassin order during the Spanish Inquisition. As the film continues, Fassbender’s character also finds out more about his present-day saviors and their secrets. “Assassin’s Creed” premieres Dec. 21.
Sing
Animated movies can provide the charm that fits perfectly with the Christmas season, and “Sing” seems to be just that animated movie. In the film, a koala in show business (voiced by Matthew McConaughey) tries to revive his struggling theater with what he says is his greatest idea: Holding the world’s greatest singing contest. Among the contestants of his show are a gorilla, pig, mouse, timid elephant and a punk-rock porcupine. “Sing” debuts Dec. 21.