December’s Top 10 Must Watch Movies

500 Days Of Film Reviews The Films To Watch This December

Looking back over November 2018, I have noticed two things. One, the month was filled with superb movies and, two, I haven’t seen nearly enough of these films. The reason for these gaps? Film distribution. 

Sadly so many movies just don’t make it to screens near me (but I can watch Bohemian Rhapsody all the livelong day). As a result, I have yet to watch Wildlife, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, The Workshop, Bros: After The Screaming Stops, Assassination Nation and Shoplifters.

Some omissions are entirely my fault… I just wasn’t able to catch Juliet, Naked or Overlord. Finally, I am looking forward to watching Creed 2, Wreck-It Ralph 2 (Ralph Breaks The Internet), Anna and the Apocalypse, Disobedience and Three Identical Strangers very soon.

I can, however, thoroughly recommend these five movies released in November (in the UK):

Widows

The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs (Netflix)

Suspiria

Outlaw King (Netflix)

They Shall Not Grow Old

Looking ahead, December is full of exciting films… here are (distribution allowing) the films I plan to watch:

Sorry To Bother You 

Director: Boots Riley 

Starring: Lakeith Stanfield, Tessa Thompson, Jermaine Fowler

I would highly recommend Sorry To Bother You. Yes it is an utterly bizarre cinematic experience but Boots Riley’s debut feature is also darkly funny and brilliantly thought-provoking. One of the most inventive films of the year. Here's my review.

The Old Man & The Gun 

Director: David Lowery 

Starring: Robert Redford, Casey Affleck, Danny Glover, Tika Sumpter with Tom Waits and Sissy Spacek

Robert Redford’s retirement plans may be unclear but one thing is certain - I cannot wait to see David Lowery’s next film. Check out that cast… 

Aquaman 

Director: James Wan 

Starring: Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Willem Dafoe, Patrick Wilson, Dolph Lundgren, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Nicole Kidman, Ludi Lin, Temuera Morrison

Okay, so I am not sure about Aquaman. James Wan’s film could easily go either way. However, I’m keeping an open mind.

Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse

Directors:  Bob Persichetti and Peter Ramsey

Starring (the voices of):  Hailee Steinfeld, Nicolas Cage, Mahershala Ali, Lily Tomlin, Jake Johnson, Liev Schreiber, Brian Tyree Henry

This film looks brilliant and a lot of fun…

Free Solo 

Director: Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi

This breathtaking documentary looks likely to dominate the Oscar race for best documentary feature. I cannot wait to watch… may just have to remind myself to breathe.

Roma

Director: Alfonso Cuarón

Starring: Yalitza Aparicio, Marina de Tavira, Diego Cortina Autrey

I cannot wait to watch Roma when it is released (I'll probably see it on Netflix). It looks stunning.

Lizzie 

Director: Craig William Macneill 

Starring: Chloe Sevigny, Kristen Stewart, Jamey Sheridan, Kim Dickens, Denis O'Hare, Fiona Shaw, Jeff Perry

I am unlikely to see this film on the big screen - it looks set to have a limited theatrical release. However, this psychological thriller (based on the infamous 1892 murders of the Borden family) is on my must-watch list.

Mortal Engines 

Director: Christian Rivers 

Starring: Hugo Weaving, Stephen Lang, Robert Sheehan

I’ll admit that I do not know much about Mortal Engines. However, based on the best selling book by Philip Reeve with a screenplay written by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and Peter Jackson, it looks like an entertaining family adventure.

The House That Jack Built 

Director: Lars Von Trier 

Starring: Matt Dillon, Bruno Ganz, Riley Keough, Uma Thurman, Siobhan Fallon Hogan, Sofie Gråbøl

Again, a limited distribution may mean I am unable to watch this latest film from divisive director, Lars Von Trier, at the cinema. However, for better or worse, I will catch up with The House That Jack Built…

Mary Poppins Returns 

Director: Rob Marshall 

Starring: Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Whishaw, Emily Mortimer, Lulie Walters, Pixie Davies, Nathanael Saleh

We will have to wait to see if Mary Poppins Returns is practically perfect in every way. However, regardless, this is a must see pre-Christmas movie.

Bumblebee 

Director: Travis Knight 

Starring: Hailee Steinfeld, John Cena, Pamela Adlon

Kubo And The Two Strings is one of my favourite animated movies. As a result, I am eager to see what director Travis Knight will do with a Transformers tale. They can’t get any worse can they…

What films have you enjoyed in November? What movies are you most looking forward to watching in December? Let me know in the comments section below or over on Twitter. You can find me @500DaysOfFilm.