As we come in the month of festivals and lights, it is also important to take care of yourself and relax after a long year of hard work. With that being said, going out to the cinema with your friends and family is the perfect time to unwind and enjoy some of the most exciting movies coming to theaters this December. You may all remember the craze surrounding the recently released The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. The public’s reaction to movies such as that helps us realize the power that visual art has in terms of creating connections with others, reflecting on important world ideals, and representing some of the greatest works of fiction on the big screen. Thus, here is a list of movies in December that you should definitely check out!
The Boy and the Heron
Fans of Studio Ghibli will be thrilled to know that director Hayao Miyazaki has created another masterpiece filled with creative world-building and intriguing metaphors. The movie centers around the experiences of 12-year-old Mahito Maki, who is coping with the emotions associated with his mother’s death and the changes in his life when his father re-marries his mother’s younger sister. Set in Japan during the Pacific War, Mahito encounters a grey heron, Iago, who eventually descends him into an eccentric fantastical world. Filled with planes, a reference many other Studio Ghibli movies also have, thought-provoking narratives, and mystical characters such as a wizard and Parakeet King, this is a well-crafted coming-of-age movie riddled with the impacts of loss on an individual’s perception.
Wonka
One of my favorite childhood activities was re-watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory during winter break with my sister. From Willy Wonka’s mysterious origins to the Oompa Loompas’ catchy songs, being immersed in this storyline was always a magical experience. Regardless of which movie version of this story you enjoy, the recently released Wonka stars Timothée Chalamet, Hugh Grant, and others to tell you the backstory behind Willy Wonka’s career. Wonka presents a different side to Willy Wonka by depicting him as a young, sweet, and imaginative individual ready to conquer the chocolate empire, rather than the “mad-hatter” style person other versions show. Therefore, consider checking out this creative film if you would like to see the events leading up to Willy Wonka’s memorable personality and business endeavors!
The Colour Purple (2023)
Coming to theatres on December 25th, The Colour Purple is a profound musical about love and the hardships endured by African-American women in the South in the 1900s. It also comments on the importance of sisterhood and individuals’ journeys to independence. Based on the novel, The Colour Purple by Alice Walker is a powerful story that reveals harmful constructs in society and overcoming oppression.
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