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It’s December, and that means Hollywood is pulling out its final big guns for the holiday season. This year is no exception, as you can expect both big-budget blockbusters like the long-awaited “Avatar: The Way of Water” and dramatic, probable Oscar contenders, such as Damien Chazelle’s “Babylon” and Sam Mendes’ “Empire of Light.” Will Smith makes his return to the public eye with “Emancipation.” Here’s the rundown on what’s coming.
‘Four Samosas’
Venk Potula and Karan Soni in ‘Four Samosas’
IFCThere have been some intriguing indie movies set in the world of young Indian Americans (or Desis) in the last couple of years, like the pandemic comedy “7 Days,” starring Karan Soni. Now comes “Four Samosas,” also featuring Soni, the go-to actor for indie Desi cinema, in a comedy about a layabout rapper and his three equally slacker friends who plan a heist of the store owned by an ex-girlfriend’s dad. The film, directed by actor Ravi Kapoor, was an awards nominee at the Tribeca Film Festival. Streaming on various platforms.
MORE FROM CARY DARLING: Like the Afrobeat on the ‘Wakanda Forever’ soundtrack? Here’s more African music to try.
‘Violent Night’
David Harbour in Violent Night, directed by Tommy Wirkola.
Allen Fraser/universalChristmas movies aren’t always about tidings of comfort and joy (“Bad Santa” anyone?), but “Violent Night” promises to take it to a whole new level. David Harbour (“Stranger Things”) is a Santa who slays in this dark comedy about the great gift-giver going up against a group of mercenaries. Norwegian director Tommy Wirkola (known for the Nazi-zombie film “Dead Snow”) directs, and that gives this one extra appeal. John Leguizamo and Cam Gigandet co-star. Opens in theaters.
‘All the Beauty and the Bloodshed’
Photographer and activist Nan Goldin speaks during a protest in front of the courthouse where the Purdue Pharma bankruptcy is taking place, in White Plains, N.Y., on Aug. 9, 2021. Goldin is the subject of the documentary “All the Beauty and the Bloodshed.”
Seth Wenig/Associated PressAcclaimed documentary filmmaker Laura Poitras (“Citizenfour”) returns with a look at the life of photographer/activist Nan Goldin, who has made it her mission to expose the Sacklers, the family that operates one of the country’s largest pharmaceutical companies. It won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. (Opens at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.)
‘Emancipation’
Will Smith, left, and Ben Foster in “Emancipation”
Quantrell Colbert/TNSA lot of eyes are on this one, as it features Will Smith’s first role since “slapgate” at this year’s Oscars. Beyond that, it is based on the true story of an enslaved man who escaped from bondage in Louisiana and became symbolic for the abolitionist movement. Ben Foster co-stars and Antoine Fuqua (“Training Day”) directs. AppleTV+
‘Empire of Light’
Micheal Ward and Olivia Colman in the film ‘Empire of Light’
Searchlight PicturesThis dramatic love story, set in 1980s England, is the latest from director Sam Mendes (“1917”) and features a cast that includes Olivia Colman, Colin Firth and Michael Ward (“Topboy”). This definitely could be an Oscar contender. Opens in theaters.
‘Spoiler Alert’
Ben Aldridge (left) and Jim Parsons in a still from “Spoiler Alert.”
Focus FeaturesHoustonian Jim Parsons stars in a drama about two men who find their love tested when one becomes terminally ill. Ben Aldridge and Sally Field co-star and Michael Showalter (“The Big Sick”) directs. Opens in theaters.
‘The Whale’
Brendan Fraser in a scene from “The Whale.”
Associated PressBrendan Fraser has been getting a ton of acclaim for his role as a reclusive, obese man who attempts to reconnect with his daughter. It is directed by Darren Aronofsky (“Requiem for a Dream”). Opens in theaters.
‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ (pictured above)
Does this one need an introduction? This is James Cameron’s long-awaited sequel to his mega-hit “Avatar” and could be the smash hit of the holiday season. Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Edie Falco, Giovanni Ribisi and Cliff Curtis star. Opens in theaters.
‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’
“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish”
DreamWorks Animation/Paramount PThis animated adventure features an all-star voice cast that includes Antonio Banderas, Olivia Colman, Salma Hayek, John Mulaney and Florence Pugh. Opens in theaters.
‘Babylon’
Margot Robbie in “Babylon.”
Paramount/Scott GarfieldThe latest release from director Damien Chazelle (“La La Land”) has love-it-or-hate-it written all over it. An extravagant comedic-drama set in the early days of Hollywood and starring Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie and Jean Smart, “Babylon” has polarized critics who’ve seen it. After “Avatar,” it’s sure to be the most-talked-about film of the holiday season. Opens in theaters.
‘Corsage’
Vicky Krieps in ‘Corsage’
IFCThis Cannes Film Festival Un Certain Regard winner, for actress Vicky Krieps, is a fictionalized version of the life of Austrian Empress Elisabeth who, upon turning 40 in 1877, has to revamp her public image now that others consider her old. Opens in theaters.
‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’
Naomie Ackie as Whitney Houston in “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.”
Sony Pictures Releasing/Emily AragonesActress Kasi Lemmons moves behind the camera to tell the life story of Whitney Houston. Naomi Ackie portrays Houston, with Stanley Tucci and Tamara Tunie co-starring. Opens in theaters.
‘A Man Called Otto’
Kailey Hyman and Tom Hanks in “A Man Called Otto.”
Sony Pictures/Niko TaverniseTom Hanks stars in this feel-good film, based on Fredrick Backman’s novel, about a bitter, reclusive widower whose worldview changes after an outgoing woman moves in next door. Opens in limited release in some markets on Christmas Day and wide release Jan. 13.
‘Matilda: The Musical’
Meesha Garbett, Charlie Hodson-Prior in “Matilda the Musical”
Dan Smith/NetflixThe award-winning stage musical, based on a book by Roald Dahl, becomes a family film starring Andrea Riseborough, Emma Thompson and Lashana Lynch. Netflix
‘White Noise’
This image released by Netflix shows Adam Driver, center, in a scene from “White Noise.”
Wilson Webb/Associated PressIndie favorite Noah Baumbach (“Marriage Story”) turns Don DeLillo’s novel, about the problems of a contemporary family, into a film starring Adam Driver, Greta Gerwig and Don Cheadle. Netflix
TBD
‘Women Talking’
Judith Ivey stars as Agata and Claire Foy as Salome in director Sarah Polley’s ‘Women Talking’
Michael Gibson/Orion Releasing L/Michael GibsonWomen in an ultra-fundamentalist religious sect discuss the merits of staying or going after being assaulted by men from their own community in Sarah Polley’s thought-provoking drama. Rooney Mara, Claire Foy and Jessie Buckley star. Opens in theaters.
cary.darling@houstonchronicle.com
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