New Releases for the week of December 1 - 7
The Goldfinch
At the age of 13, Theodore Decker's (Fegley) life is changed forever while attending the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art in New York City. While attending an exhibit, the museum is attacked by terrorists, and Theodore's mother is killed. In the chaos of the bombing and its aftermath, Theodore takes a painting entitled "The Goldfinch," by Dutch painter Carel Fabritius. Having no other relatives, Theo is placed with the family of an estranged friend, whose mother, Samantha (Kidman), encourages his interest in art and antiques. After returning to New York City as an adult, Theo (Elgort) continues to process the trauma of his loss that began many years ago.
Director: John Crowley. Stars: Oakes Fegley, Ansel Elgort, Nicole Kidman, Jeffrey Wright, Luke Wilson, Sarah Paulson, Willa Fitzgerald, Finn Wolfhard, Aneurin Barnard. 2019. 149 mins. Drama.
Ready or Not
Estranged for many years, Alex Le Domas (O'Brien) begrudgingly returns to his family's homestead with his future wife, Grace (Weaving), for their impending nuptials. After the ceremony, the family's attitude towards Grace shifts, as she is asked to perform one last ritual before she can officially join the family. Instructed to pick one card from a mysterious wooden box, Grace reveals a card reading "hide and seek." Believing the game to be harmless, Grace innocently takes refuge in a dumbwaiter. Unbeknownst to Grace, while she is hiding, the Le Domas family is arming themselves with various antique weaponry to fulfill a generations-long tradition. When a Le Domas maid is accidently killed with a shotgun, newlywed Grace must escape the Le Domas mansion, and her in-laws.
Directors: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett. Stars: Samara Weaving, Adam Brody, Mark O'Brien, Henry Czerny, Andie MacDowell, Melanie Scrofano, Kristian Bruun. 2019. 95 mins. Comedy.
Killerman
When Moe Diamond (Hemsworth) and his partner in crime, Bobby "Skunk" Santos (Cohen), are left holding on to $2 million after a gig is put on hold, Bobby convinces Moe to make an arrangement to finance a drug deal. When the drug deal falls apart and leads to a high-speed car crash, Moe is left with amnesia. Without his memories, Moe's moral compass is tested, and he begins to second guess his illicit lifestyle.
Director: Malik Bader. Stars: Liam Hemsworth, Emory Cohen, Diane Guerrero, Zlatko Buric, Suraj Sharma, Nickola Shreli, Mike Moh. 2019. 112 mins. Action.
Late Laughs for the week of December 1 - 7, 2019
A Little Late With Lilly Singh
Let's be honest, everyone loves animals! If you don't believe me, think about how "Game of Thrones" had so many major characters getting stabbed to death and the one thing everyone talked about on Monday morning was how Jon Snow didn't say goodbye to his wolf.
Run, run: 'Gingerbread Showdown' returns on Food Network
Mary Berg, Adam Young, Paige Davis and Maneet Chauhan as seen in "Holiday Gingerbread Showdown"
If December makes you feel like Cookie Monster from "Sesame Street," you're not alone. With all the bake sales and parties going on this month, the cookie has become the ubiquitous holiday goodie (sorry, fruitcake), and gingerbread still reigns supreme.
Perkins returns to prime time: 'Weeds' actress stars in 'The Moodys'
Elizabeth Perkins stars in "The Moodys"
Perkins in prime time: Christmas has come early -- literally -- for actress Elizabeth Perkins ("Sharp Objects"), who will be celebrating the holidays on-screen this week.
Robbie the Reindeer, on CBS
Robbie the Reindeer sets out to find a mythical lost tribe of Viking warriors in the exciting animated holiday special. He wants them to help him save his friends from another dastardly plot devised by the evil Blitzen and his partner, the White Rabbit.
Q: Why did they never make a sequel to "The Talented Mr. Ripley"? I know there were more books in the series.
It depends on the "they" you mean here, but some people did make a sequel.
Matt Damon portrayed the brilliant, psychopathic liar Tom Ripley in 1999's "The Talented Mr. Ripley," produced on a $40-million budget and nominated for five Oscars. It was based, as you point out, on a novel of the same name by Patricia Highsmith, the first of five novels she wrote featuring the Ripley character.
The Polar Express, on AMC
When a little boy starts to doubt that Santa exists, he’s whisked away to the North Pole on a magical train. Based on Chris Van Allsburg’s 1985 children’s book of the same name, the computer-animated film features Tom Hanks in six different roles.
Festive fun: Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman turn on the charm in 'Making It'
Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman host "Making It"
Festive fun: Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman turn on the charm in 'Making It'
Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman host "Making It"