Thanksgiving Weekend Movies: Lots to be Thankful For

Even though a couple of new movies debut wide during the Thanksgiving holiday, you should really be paying attention to the titles that are expanding from limited release.

In his latest action flick, ‘Homefront‘, Jason Statham plays a DEA agent who moves his family to a seemingly-safe small town, only to learn that he’s neighbors with a dangerous meth maker (James Franco). I’m certain that Franco isn’t as menacing as Heisenberg, but I’d still like to see him in the role opposite Statham. Also of note, the screenplay was adapted by Sylvester Stallone.

Have you even heard of the second wide release of the week? ‘Black Nativity‘ is a family-friendly Christmas musical. Filled with the season’s expected inspiration, the film follows a teen who leaves Baltimore for the holiday to visit his extended family in New York City. The cast includes Forest Whitaker, Angela Bassett, Jennifer Hudson and Mary J. Blige.

Technically, Disney’s animated princess musical ‘Frozen‘ opened on one screen in Los Angeles last week. Now, Disney is rolling it out to more than 3,700. This is bound to be a major hit with families over the holiday weekend.

Also expanding to more screens are Fox’s superb World War II drama ‘The Book Thief‘ and Stephen Frears’ ‘Philomena‘.

However, the limited release that I’m most excited for (and most disappointed about because it’s not showing on a single screen in the state if Utah) is Spike Lee’s new film – not “joint” this time – the American remake of ‘Oldboy‘. Based on the brutal South Korean thriller of the same title, the movie stars Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Olsen, Samuel L. Jackson and Sharlto Copley. It opens on 583 screens across the nation. I’m hoping that some of our readers will see it and report back in the Comments with your opinions.

4 comments

  1. William Henley

    May catch The Book Theif. Only a few theaters in my area seem to be picking it up, but luckily one of those theaters is only about 10 minutes away.

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