Hello again, cinema fans and all who can’t figure out what to buy them for Christmas. Gildshire Goes to the Movies: Dec. 14-16 is here for you. We will take your mind off of the holiday muddle and give you some alternative activities. It’s movie time, people! Rotten Tomatoes has an unprecedented six new releases out this week, so everyone should be able to find something to see. Grab your planner and money for JuJubes. let’s get this party started! Dec. 14-16 can’t get here soon enough.
Spiderman is cool, but he isn’t allowed to wear a cool cape.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse, rated PG for frenetic sequences of animated action violence, thematic elements, and mild language.
If you believe in superheroes you must also believe that we are not alone in the universe. Enter, Spider-man, er Spider-men, er Spider…folks from different dimensions. That’s the premise for this animated work from the creative minds behind The Lego Movie. This movie will appeal to Spiderman fans of all ages, and appeal to the younger crowd, as well. It boasts a rich color palette that looks like a liquid transition from page to screen. It stars the voice talents of Shamiek Moore as Miles Morales, Jake Johnson as Peter Parker, Hailee Steinfeld as Gwen Stacy, and Mahershala Ali as Uncle Aaron. Rotten Tomatoes 98, Gildshire 3.7.
Lots of action, but can it become a franchise?
Mortal Engines, rated PG-13 for sequences of futuristic violence and action.
First there was Mad Max, fighting for the last drop of gas on Earth. Now, we have entire cities on wheels, going to war against one another. If nothing else, oil exploration techniques have improved. In this movie, London is the wheeled protagonist, taking no prisoners in its war against all-comers. There is enough slam-bang action in this film to satisfy 100 pre-teens with ADHD issues, but for those who like actual plot…It stars Hugo Weaving as Thaddeus Valentine, Hera Hilmar as Hester Shaw, Robert Sheehan as Tom Natsworthy, and Jihae as Anna Fang. Rotten Tomatoes 31, Gildshire 3.0.
Eastwood is going strong at 88, but is this his swan song?
The Mule, rated R (for language throughout and brief sexuality/nudity).
Saturday Night Live once did a routine starring Sean Connery in which three men tried to win a game show called “Who’s More Grizzled”? In this, the twilight of his career, Clint Eastwood wins hands-down. From Gran Torino to The Mule, Eastwood has been hard-bitten and mean, with only a touch of regretful humanity shining through. His fans will eat this up with a spoon, setting aside the political incorrectness of the main character. It co-stars Laurence Fishburne as DEA Special Agent, Michael Pena as Enforcer, and Dianne Wiest as Mary. Rotten Tomatoes 65, Gildshire 4.4
Matt Dillon is a fine actor, but can we just say this isn’t for everyone?
The House That Jack Built, rated R for strong disturbing violence/sadistic behavior, grisly images, language, and nudity.
Not since Dennis Hopper crawled in Blue Velvet has such a disturbing piece of work come to the screen. Matt Dillon plays Jack, who has no boundaries whatsoever. He slashes and burns through life, letting his every whim out for a day in the sun. Nightmare, thy name is Jack. It co-stars Bruno Ganz as Verge, Uma Thurman as Lady 1, Siobhan Fallon Hogan as Lady 2, and Sofie Grabol as Lady 3. Nothing dehumanizing in those credits? Rotten Tomatoes 60, Gildshire 2.0.
A story about love overcoming the odds sounds like a Christmas season award winner.
If Beale Street Could Talk, rated R for language and some sexual content.
Inspired by Jame Baldwin’s novel of the same name, this is a powerful love story about life in Harlem and the black experience there. Timeless in its crime and punishment missteps, it’s an inspiring piece that flies above the rest of the Holiday offerings. Therefore, it earns the Gildshire Movie of the Fortnight award. It stars KiKi Layne as Tish Rivers, Stephan James as Fonny, Regina King as Sharon, and Colman Domingo as Joseph Rivers. Rotten Tomatoes 93, Gildshire 4.5
We aren’t as young as we once were, but who wouldn’t fall for Linda Thorson in “The Second Time Around?”
The Second Time around, not rated.
Romance never dies. It doesn’t matter if you are 17 with raging hormones popping out of your pores, or 87 with a twinkle in your eye. That’s the premise behind this sweet movie that is taking the indie houses by storm. An elderly couple bond over a shared love of music. It may be the only thing they share, but it is not a spoiler to tell you that it is enough. (Of course, it’s a spoiler, but who didn’t know that this was how the ending would transpire?) It stars Linda Thorson as Katherine, Stuart Margolin as Isaac, Laura De Carteret as Helen, and Louis Del Grande as Charlie. Rotten Tomatoes 100, Gildshire 4.5.
That’s Gildshire Goes to the Movies: Dec. 14-16. Don’t forget, we’ll be back next week with our annual “The Three Movies Gildshire Will See Christmas Day edition. Until then, enjoy your loved ones, the Holiday season and the movies you will see Dec. 14-16.
