Wonder Woman 1984

raditionally , December is one of the biggest months for blockbuster releases and huge box office . But with theaters nationwide closed due to the surging coronavirus pandemic , most films are now opting for a hybrid release via streaming services and VOD , in addition to theatrical showings where possible . It ’ s been a long , hard year for all of us , and theaters , live music venues , and collateral entertainment businesses have fared none too well during the massive shutdowns . But , the prospects of having

By Lori Vernon

grown-ups back in the White House - and a new vaccine - have given us hope . We happily say goodbye and good riddance to 2020 . Here is a selection of new films to help get you through the holiday season and what ’ s left of this Annus horribilis .

Wonder Woman 1984

Directed by Patty Jenkins Rated PG-13 • December 25th - HBO Max & In Theaters

Gal Gadot is back as a wiser , more mature Diana Prince in the biggest and

most anticipated movie of the year . The sequel jumps forward to 1984 , and the immortal Princess , having lost many friends over the years , is still doing her thing with the Cold War in full swing . Diana comes into conflict with two formidable foes — media businessman Maxwell Lord ( Pedro Pascal ) and friend-turned-enemy Barbara Ann Minerva AKA Cheetah , while also reuniting with her presumed-dead love interest Steve Trevor ( Chris Pine ). The film debut simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max for one month only .

Mank

Directed by David Fincher Rated R • December 4th - Netflix

David Fincher ’ s Old Hollywood biographical drama follows screenwriter Herman J . Mankiewicz ' s ( Gary Oldman ) tumultuous journey as he writes the script for Orson Welles ’ ( Tom Burke ) epic 1941 masterpiece , Citizen Kane . Filmed entirely in black & white , Amanda Seyfried stars as Marion Davies , Arliss Howard is Louis B . Mayer , and Tom Pelphrey plays Joseph L . Mankiewicz . Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross composed the music .

Sound of Metal

Directed by Darius Marder Rated PG-13 December 4th - Amazon Prime

During a series of adrenaline-fueled one-night gigs , itinerant punk-metal drummer Ruben ( Riz Ahmed ) begins to experience intermittent hearing loss . When a specialist tells him his condition

will rapidly worsen , he thinks his music career — and his life — is over . His bandmate and girlfriend Lou ( Olivia Cooke ) checks the recovering heroin addict into a secluded sober house for the deaf in hopes it will prevent relapse and help him learn to adapt to his new situation . But after being welcomed into a community that accepts him just as he is , Ruben has to choose between his equilibrium and the drive to reclaim the life he once knew .

Wild Mountain Thyme

Directed by John Patrick Shanley Rated PG-13 December 11th - In Theaters & VOD

Headstrong Irish farmer Rosemary Muldoon ( Emily Blunt ) has her heart set on winning the love of her neighbor Anthony Reilly ( Jamie Dornan ). The problem is Anthony seems to have inherited a family curse and remains oblivious to his beautiful admirer . Stung by his father Tony ' s ( Christopher Walken ) plans to sell the family farm to his American nephew ( Jon Hamm ), Anthony is jolted into pursuing his dreams in this comedic , moving film .

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