Our guide to the most intriguing movies opening in UK/ROI cinemas in December.
Words by Eric Hillis
Star Wars may have nabbed the Xmas number one spot for the next who knows how many years, but there are plenty of other tasty looking movies heading to UK/ROI cinemas in December.
Most Beautiful Island
Ana Asensio writes, directs and stars in this tale of a day in the life of an undocumented immigrant struggling to escape a troubled past while fashioning a new life in New York. Premiering at SXSW earlier this year, the film was one of the most acclaimed to come out of the US festival circuit.
In cinemas December 1st.
The Disaster Artist
James Franco directs and stars as cult filmmaker Tommy Wiseau in this backstage drama that documents the making of Wiseau's The Room, a movie regularly named as one of the worst ever made. Franco's film is based on the warts and all book by actor Greg Sestero (played here by Franco's brother Dave), which is an essential read for lovers of bad cinema.
In cinemas December 6th.
Better Watch Out
The release of a seasonal themed horror movie has become a December tradition, and this year's is a real gem. This US set but Aussie made thriller is a timely takedown of male entitlement anchored by a skin-crawling performance from Pan star Levi Miller as a pubescent sociopath disturbingly obsessed with his babysitter.
Blade of the Immortal
Ultra prolific director Takashi Miike returns with one of his largest scaled productions, an adaptation of a popular Manga comic. Blade of the Immortal follows a seemingly immortal samurai who vows to help a young woman avenge her parents' murder. Expect blood spray. Lots and lots of blood spray.
In cinemas December 8th.
Menashe
Set in the milieu of New York's Hasidic Jewish community and playing out in the Yiddish dialect, director Joshua Z Weinstein's Menashe follows a widower who attempts to regain custody of his 10-year-old son. The obstacle in his path is the red tape of Hasidic tradition, with his Rabbi insisting a child be raised in a two-parent home. The film is loosely based on the real life of its star, Menashe Lustig.
In cinemas December 8th.
Stronger
Before taking on the Halloween franchise, David Gordon Green directed this true story based on the experiences of Boston resident Jeff Bauman, who lost both his legs in that city's infamous 2013 marathon bombing. As Bauman, Jake Gyllenhaal will be the main draw, but it's Tatiana Maslany who has won most of the plaudits in the role of his supportive girlfriend Erin.
The Dinner
Director Oren Moverman has assembled a formidable acting quartet - Richard Gere, Rebecca Hall, Laura Linney, Steve Coogan - for this intimate drama. The four stars play two sets of parents who meet over dinner to discuss a crime committed by their children. The film has received mixed reviews in the US, but given the talent involved, it should be worth taking a seat at this table.
In cinemas December 8th.
The Unseen
This UK indie focusses on a married couple in the aftermath of the accidental death of their son. Husband Will believes he can hear his son's voice while wife Gemma begins to suffer from temporary blindness. Accepting a stranger's offer to stay at a rural retreat only to find their host may have ulterior motives for inviting the pair.
In cinemas December 15th.
Les hommes du feu
Veteran French filmmaker Pierre Jolivet's latest follows the travails of a rookie firefighter (Emilie Dequenne) traumatised when an error on her part leads to a car crash victim ending up in a comatose state. With many supporting characters played by real life firefighters, expect a realistic French take on an occupation often heavily dramatised by Hollywood.
In cinemas December 8th.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Following a blink and you'll miss him cameo at the end of The Force Awakens, it's time for Mark Hamill's Luke Skywalker to take centre stage in the eighth episode of the saga that will likely never end. We've been left cold by the rejuvenated Star Wars franchise thus far, so fingers crossed writer-director Rian Johnson can pull us back in from the dark side.
In cinemas December 14th.