This weekend, we have nothing but a great slate of movies being dished up! That’s right, TV shows have to take a back seat for a few days while we get served one thrilling film after another. We have two Christmas movies, a concert film, everyone’s favorite giant monster, and a deeply strange Natalie Portman movie. What else could you possibly need to get into the holiday spirit?! Up first is Silent Night, a Christmas-themed revenge film from legendary action filmmaker John Woo that stars Joel Kinnaman. Then, Beyoncé is going to bring the house down with her new concert film, Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé. Everyone knows that Beyoncé is a cultural titan, but even someone as great as her wouldn’t stand a chance in a duel with Godzilla, who is back in the Toho-produced film Godzilla Minus One.
Over in the world of streaming services, we have two movies that couldn’t be any more different from each other. Todd Haynes’ latest thriller, May December, starring Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman, arrives on Netflix. Meanwhile, over on Amazon Prime Video, Eddie Murphy strikes back in the holiday-themed comedy Candy Cane Lane.
Here’s a closer look at five exciting titles to check out this weekend!
Silent Night
Where to Watch: In movie theaters everywhere
John Woo has been highly regarded as one of the best living action filmmakers for decades now, and this weekend, he’s making his return to North American cinema with Silent Night. The film follows Brian Godluck (Kinnaman), a father who ventures into the criminal underworld to avenge the death of his son on Christmas Eve. It looks like an absolute blast, and at an hour and a half long, it appears as though Woo is delivering a quick and thrilling ride. This might not be It’s a Wonderful Life or The Grinch, but hey, why not take a wild action movie set during Christmas? Aside from Kinnaman, Silent Night stars Scott Mescudi, Harold Torres, and Catalina Sandina Moreno.
While speaking with Collider’s Editor-in-Chief, Steve Weintraub, Silent Night’s producer, Erica Lee, expressed her excitement about the film’s lack of dialogue by saying, «It really has no dialogue. It was another spec script that I was given and read, and I was like, «This is either going to be a genius move or a disaster, there’s no in between.» It’s execution dependent for sure. I mean, John Woo kills it. Joel Kinnaman is the star and really delivers. I mean, there’s some ambient noise and background and chatter like radio and stuff like that. But, yeah, it’s awesome. I can’t wait for you to see it.»
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Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé
Where to Watch: In movie theaters everywhere
There is no denying that Beyoncé is one of the most popular and acclaimed musical artists on the planet. So, when Taylor Swift released a hughly successful Eras Tour film this fall, Beyoncé clearly took the hint. The result is Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé, a concert movie that documents several shows from her recent and enormous Renaissance tour. That record captured the feelings of longing that Beyoncé experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. In turn, when it came time to hit the road and perform these songs for massive audiences, she busted out the cameras and decided to make concert-movie history. With a nearly three-hour runtime, you can plan on this concert film being truly epic. Taylor Swift might be the most popular musician on the planet right now, but she ain’t Beyoncé. It’s just the truth, folks. I don’t make the rules.
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Godzilla Minus One
Where to Watch: In movie theaters everywhere
With their 33rd Godzilla film, it seems as though Toho is taking things back to basics. Godzilla Minus One is one of those movies in this franchise that loudly proclaims, «No, seriously, Godzilla is the villain in this one!» Minus One is taking things so far back to basics that it even takes place at the end of World War II. So, in Godzilla Minus One, we find a post-war Japan in crisis after Godzilla emerges in the wake of the atom bomb. Yup, that sounds like a Godzilla movie, but this one specifically seems to be calling back to the original movie, which is still arguably the best. Whether you like your Godzillas mean or friendly, it doesn’t matter. He’s stomping into theaters this weekend and there’s nothing that we can do about it! Godzilla Minus One is directed by Takashi Yamazaki and stars Ryunosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe, and Yuki Yamada.
Collider’s Chase Hutchinson raved about his enjoyment for Godzilla’s latest outing, writing in his review, «Every sequence with Godzilla, while often sparing, as is a common complaint of the series that will likely arise with this one, hits hard for those patient enough for them. You feel every thundering step crashing into the ground as he makes his way through a crowded city that is struck with terrifying awe when he begins to build up his explosive power. The film isn’t quite as strong without him, feeling a bit lost in the middle and in some elements of the end, though the monster at the core is enough of the main attraction to smooth over any such flaws. When it all comes down to it and the door potentially left open for more, Godzilla Minus One more than carves out its place among the best entries of this long-running series.»
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May December
Where to Watch: Streaming on Netflix
When Todd Haynes puts out a new movie, it’s not exactly a «stop everything you’re doing and get hyped up» kind of situation, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pay attention. Haynes’ movies may not be the cheeriest, as they often chronicle the stories of troubled individuals. With May December, that trend of difficult characters continues. The film follows an actress (Portman) who travels to Georgia to meet and observe the life of a controversial woman (Moore) that she is set to play in a film. The controversy stems from the fact that she’s married to a 23-year-old man (Charles Melton) whom she met when he was a minor. Knowing the man behind the lens, this movie is bound to be a deeply considered and well-crafted piece of art. Just don’t expect an easy watch.
Collider’s Therese Lacson expressed her disappointment with Haynes’ latest by saying, «At the end, May December is only a glimpse into a moment in time. As we watch Elizabeth play Gracie, we see the culmination of her work visiting Gracie and her family. Whether or not her impression is accurate or exaggerated is for you to decide. While Haynes isn’t at his best with May December, a talented cast and an intriguing story make the film an entertaining exercise all the same.»
WATCH IT ON NETFLIX
Candy Cane Lane
Where to Watch: Streaming on Amazon Prime Video
Eddie Murphy is ready to help usher in the holiday spitit this week by starring in Amazon’s latest original comedy, Candy Cane Lane. This Christmas-themed family film follows a man (Murphy) who is determined to win his neighborhood’s Christmas decorating contest, all with the help of a magical elf. In turn, the elf casts a spell that brings the 12 days of Christmas to life, which brings a wave of chaos onto their town. If you’re looking for something to watch with the family this weekend, it sounds like you could do worse than firing up Candy Cane Lane.
Director Reginald Hudlin was particularly looking forward to working with Murphy once again, saying, «Now, we are family guys living in Los Angeles, and we both love Christmas, so once again, we are making a movie that truly reflects where we are in our lives, and it shows in the work.»
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Other Releases
TV
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