New Releases for the week of December 22 - December 28
Insidious: Chapter 2
Not long ago, Renai Lambert discovered that her son, Dalton, was capable of “astral projections,” outer-body experiences that allow him to travel into different spiritual worlds while asleep. But when Dalton ventures too far into the spirit world, also known as “the Further,” he gets lost and enters into a comatose state while tormented souls and a malevolent demon fight for control of his lifeless body. With the help of Elise, a paranormal investigator, Renai learns that her husband, Josh, is also capable of “astral projection,” and she begs him to use his ability to find their young son before his body is taken over. Josh successfully enters “the Further,” where he retrieves his son but not without paying a price. His time spent in the spirit world has made him vulnerable to possession, and his body is taken over by the spirit of an old woman, who strangles Elise to death before vanishing. With her husband now accused of murdering Elise, and a vicious force terrorizing her and her family, Renai seeks out the reasons her family has become dangerously connected to the spirit world, while the real Josh fights for his life in “the Further.”
Director: James Wan. Stars: Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Barbara Hershey, Ty Simpkins, Lin Shaye, Steve Coulter, Leigh Whannell, Andrew Astor. 2013. 106 min. Horror.
The Berlin File
When the illegal arms deal he was involved in is disrupted by unknown attackers and his identity as a double agent is revealed, a North Korean “ghost” agent, Pyo Jong-Seong, finds himself caught up in a vast international conspiracy. While he and his wife try to evade capture by North and South Korean operatives, Jong-Seong must try to piece together clues to figure out who betrayed him and why.
Director: Seung-wan Ryoo. Stars: Jung-woo Ha, Suk-kyu Han, Seung-beom Ryu, Gianna Jun. 2013. 120 min. Action.
Milestone moments: Lidia Bastianich's celebration continues
Lidia Bastianich as seen in "Lidia Celebrates America: Life's Milestones"
In the land of America's northern neighbors, the day after Christmas is its own special holiday.
I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown, on ABC
Hoping his canine pal can help him get into the Christmas spirit, Rerun turns to Snoopy in this animated special. Unfortunately, Snoopy has other plans so Rerun decides to invite Snoopy's brother Spike for a visit, with hilarious results.
The I Love Lucy Christmas Special, on CBS
Get a blast of Christmas past as Lucy (Lucille Ball) and the gang return to the airwaves for a little holiday hijinks. The program features colourized versions of two of the show's classic episodes: "The Christmas Episode" and "Lucy's Italian Movie."
The X Factor, on Fox
The moment of truth arrives for the performers as host Mario Lopez announces this season's winner in this special two-hour finale. The series travelled the country looking for talented singers and vocal acts who competed for a recording contract.
Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating People, on ABC
In what has become an annual tradition, Barbara Walters interviews this year's headline makers, celebrities and more. Over the years, the legendary broadcast journalist has interviewed Hillary Rodham Clinton, Nelson Mandela and Tom Cruise.
The Voice, on NBC
After weeks of intense competition, inspiring triumphs and heartbreaking eliminations the remaining vocalists find out who will walk away a winner in this two-hour season finale. One singer will be awarded this year's title.
Mom, on CBS Citytv
When Bonnie (Allison Janney) and Chef Rudy (French Stewart) start dating, Christy (Anna Faris) gets stuck in the middle in this new episode. "Two and a Half Men" star Jon Cryer stepped behind the camera to direct this instalment.
Survivor: Blood vs. Water, on CBS Global
As the battle between former players and their loved ones comes to a conclusion, this season's Sole Survivor is crowned. Following the big reveal, Jeff Probst hosts a live, one-hour reunion show during which the players talk about the season.
New Releases for the week of December 14 - December 21
Elysium
In the distant future, the extremely wealthy have moved to a pristine manmade space station called Elysium while the rest of humanity is left to fight for survival on the now-overpopulated and dilapidated planet Earth. Government officials have put in place strict anti-immigration laws to preserve the luxurious lifestyle of the citizens of Elysium, denying the citizens of earth the same level of medical care. When factory worker Max Da Costa is exposed to radiation and offered a prognosis of less than a week, he knows his only chance for survival lies on the forbidden space station and he enlists the help of a smuggler. Faced with certain death, Max agrees to take on a daunting mission that will not only save his life, but could better the lives of those left on Earth.
Director: Neill Blomkamp Stars: Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Sharlto Copley. 2013. 109 min. Action.
Kick-Ass 2
After the death of his father, Red Mist – who has taken on a new identity – puts an evil plan into motion to make Kick-Ass and Hit Girl pay, putting them and their loved ones in peril. Meanwhile, the teenage vigilantes have been trying to navigate high school as normal kids, and a new wave of self-made superheroes have joined the fight.
Director: Jeff Wadlow. Stars: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloë Grace Moretz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse. 2013. 103 min. Action.
Prisoners
While attending dinner at a neighbour’s, Keller Dover’s six-year-old daughter and her friend disappear. The only lead is a rundown RV that had been parked outside earlier, but with little evidence to hold the driver, police are forced to let him go. Knowing that every passing minute puts his daughter’s life further in danger, Keller decides to take matters into his own hands while the police continue to pursue multiple leads. Desperate and running out of time, Keller is willing to do anything to reach the girls.
Director: Denis Villeneuve. Stars: Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Maria Bello, Terrence Howard. 2013. 153 min. Crime.
Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters
When Camp Half-Blood is attacked and its protection compromised, Percy and his group of friends set off on a dangerous mission. They must recover the Golden Fleece from the Sea of Monsters in order to save their safe haven and stop an ancient evil from rising.
Director: Thor Freudenthal. Stars: Logan Lerman, Alexandra Daddario, Brandon T. Jackson. 2013. 106 min. Adventure.