New in Theaters for December

A lot of movies are premiering in December, but only a few of them interest me. This is why they might be worth watching... or avoiding. It's certainly a sci-fi heavy month.

WATCHING

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (December 16, 2016) 
The first Stars Wars film that isn't a numbered chapter in it's quest to become an ever expanding franchise. It's got the name, it's got the stars, and it will get the fans on that alone. It's Star Wars, I'll be watching it. Will it match The Force Awakens?

Silence (December 23, 2016)  Martin Scorsese directs, enough said. In the 17th century, two priests face persecution as Christians in Japan. Starring Andrew Garfield, Liam Neeson, and Adam Driver.

La La Land (December 9, 2016)  Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone star in Damien Chazelle's latest film where a jazz pianist falls for an aspiring actress. Chazelle's previous film Whiplash was amazing (read my review), so this gets a watch.

Passengers (December 23, 2016)  I'm hoping for something like Pandorum (2009) or Moon (2009), but with big names like Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt, my concern is there purpose is to hide the lack of story.
They are two passengers that wake up 90 years early on space flight.

The Space Between Us (December 16, 2016)  The first human born on Mars journeys to Earth, but his body isn't made to with stand the planet. I can't pass up a sci-fi film.

Gold (December 30, 2016) 
I'm torn. I've enjoyed the McConaissance, but McConaughey's previous films about gold, Fool's Gold (2008) and Sahara (2005) didn't pan out. I'm hoping he can break the curse with this film.

AVOIDING

Office Christmas Party (December 9, 2016) 
With the office on the verge of being shut down, the manager throws an epic party. This hits that vertex of uninspired party movie and trope filled Christmas flick.

Assassin's Creed (December 23, 2016)  Video game movies have a terrible track record. Is Michael Fassbender in this to showcase his talent or for the big fat check? He's done both.
The main character is able to relive memories of his ancient ancestors who are part of a lineage of assassins.

Solace (December 16, 2016)  A psyhic works with the FBI to track down a killer. While Anthony Hopkins isn't the killer this time, I'm betting this movie is still trying to ride the coat tails of Silence of the Lambs (1991). Want to take bets on whether there is a twist?

Live By Night (December 30, 2016)  A prohibition era film? It's difficult to make an organized crime film stand out when The Godfather is in the same genre. Can Ben Affleck make this a 1920's version of The Town? This one might be a miss.