(First of two parts)
LOS ANGELES—Another “Star Wars” film, a clashing Batman and Superman, sucking-in-their-cheeks models Derek and Hansen of “Zoolander,” Tarzan, Bridget Jones and those “Absolutely Fabulous” Edina and Patsy are coming to your cineplex galaxy this 2016.
Here are some of the films that we hope will make you laugh, cry, cheer and applaud—and will keep your faith in the magic of cinema to transport you to different worlds and eras. The synopses were supplied by the studios or culled from IMDb. See you at the movies!
A Bigger Splash
In “A Bigger Splash,” the lives of a high-profile couple, a famous rock star and a filmmaker (Matthias Schoenaerts and Tilda Swinton), vacationing and recovering on the idyllic sun-drenched and remote Italian island of Pantelleria, are disrupted by the unexpected visit of an old friend and his daughter (Ralph Fiennes and Dakota Johnson)—creating a whirlwind of jealousy, passion and, ultimately, danger for everyone involved!
“About Ray” tells the stirring story of three generations of a family living under one roof in New York as they deal with a life-changing transformation that ultimately affects them all.
Ray (Elle Fanning) is a teenager who has decided to transition from female to male. His single mother, Maggie (Naomi Watts), must track down Ray’s biological father (Tate Donovan) to get his legal consent to allow Ray’s transition.
Dolly (Susan Sarandon), Ray’s lesbian grandmother, is having a hard time accepting that she now has a grandson. They must confront their own identities and learn to embrace change and their strength as a family to ultimately find acceptance and understanding.
Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie
Appropriate for their big-screen debut, Edina (Jennifer Saunders) and Patsy (Joanna Lumley) are still oozing glitz and glamour, living the high life they’re accustomed to—shopping, drinking and clubbing their way around London’s trendiest hotspots.
Blamed for a major incident at an uber fashionable launch party, they become entangled in a media storm and are relentlessly pursued by the paparazzi. Fleeing penniless to the glamorous playground of the super-rich, the French Riviera, they hatch a plan to make their escape permanent—and live the high life forever more!
“ALICE Through the Looking Glass”
AliceThrough the Looking Glass
In Disney’s “Alice Through the Looking Glass,” an all-new spectacular adventure featuring the unforgettable characters from Lewis Carroll’s beloved stories, Alice returns to the whimsical world of Underland and travels back in time to save the Mad Hatter. Tim Burton serves as one of the producers.
It stars Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska, Rhys Ifans, Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen. Voice cast: Alan Rickman, Stephen Fry, Michael Sheen and Timothy Spall.
Assassin’sCreed
When Callum Lynch (Michael Fassbender) explores the memories of his ancestor, Aguilar, and gains the skills of a Master Assassin, he discovers he is a descendant of the secret Assassins society.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
Fearing the actions of Superman (Henry Cavill) left unchecked, Gotham City’s own formidable, forceful vigilante Batman (Ben Affleck) takes on Metropolis’ most revered, modern-day savior, while the world wrestles with what sort of hero it really needs.
And with Batman and Superman at war with one another, a new threat (Doomsday) quickly arises, putting mankind in greater danger than it’s ever known before.
Ben Hur
A falsely accused nobleman (Jack Huston) survives years of slavery to take vengeance on his best friend who betrayed him.
The BFG
A girl named Sophie encounters the Big Friendly Giant who, despite his intimidating appearance, turns out to be a kindhearted soul who is considered an outcast by the other giants because unlike his peers, he refuses to eat boys and girls. Steven Spielberg directs.
Bridget Jones’s Baby
Renée Zellweger and Colin Firth reprise their roles in the next chapter of the world’s favorite singleton in “Bridget Jones’s Baby.” Directed by Sharon Maguire (“Bridget Jones’s Diary”), the new film in the beloved comedy series based on creator Helen Fielding’s heroine finds Bridget unexpectedly expecting. Patrick Dempsey joins the cast for the third installment.
MARVEL’S Captain America: Civil War (L -R): Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) and Steve Rogers/Captain America (Chris Evans) Zade Rosenthal© Marvel 2016
Captain America: Civil War
Political interference in the Avenger’s activities causes a rift between former allies, Captain America and Iron Man. It’s a star-studded cast that includes Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Robert Downey Jr., Paul Rudd, Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie.
Demolition
A successful investment banker struggles after losing his wife in a tragic car crash. Jake Gyllenhaal and Naomi Watts star.
The Divergent Series: Allegiant
Beatrice Prior and Tobias Eaton venture into the world outside of the fence and are taken into protective custody by a mysterious agency known as the Bureau of Genetic Welfare.
Cast features Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Naomi Watts (seems like she’ll be seen on screens year-round), Miles Teller, Ansel Elgort, Maggie Q and Johnny Weston.
Doctor Strange
After his career is destroyed, a brilliant but arrogant surgeon, Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) gets a new lease on life when a sorcerer takes him under his wing and trains him to defend the world against evil.
Eddie the Eagle
Hugh Jackman and Taron Egerton headline the story of Great Britain’s first ski jumper to enter the Winter Olympics.
Everybody Wants Some
Richard Linklater writes and directs this comedy about a group of college baseball players who navigate their way through unsupervised adulthood.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
The film follows the adventures of writer Newt Scamander in New York’s secret community of witches and wizards 70 years before Harry Potter reads his book in school. David Yates directs from JK Rowling’s script, with a cast led by Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller and Colin Farrell.
“FINDING Dory”
Finding Dory
Disney-Pixar’s “Finding Dory” reunites everyone’s favorite forgetful blue tang, Dory, with her friends, Nemo and Marlin, on a search for answers about her past. What can she remember? Who are her parents? And where did she learn to speak Whale?
Directed by Andrew Stanton (“Finding Nemo,” “WALL•E”), the film features the voices of Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O’Neill, Ty Burrell, Eugene Levy and Diane Keaton.
The Finest Hours
A heroic action-thriller, “The Finest Hours” is based on the extraordinary true story of the greatest small boat rescue in America’s Coast Guard history. Presented in Digital 3D and IMAX 3D, the film transports audiences to the heart of the action, creating a fully immersive cinematic experience on an epic scale.
Directed by Craig Gillespie, “The Finest Hours” stars Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster, Holliday Grainger and Eric Bana.
The Founder
“The Founder” is a drama that tells the true story of how Ray Kroc (Michael Keaton), a salesman from Illinois, met Mac and Dick McDonald, who were running a burger operation in 1950s Southern California.
Kroc was impressed by the brothers’ speedy system of making the food and saw franchise potential. He maneuvered himself into a position to be able to pull the company from the brothers and create a billion-dollar empire.
Ghostbusters
“Ghostbusters” champions girl power in Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, Kristen Wiig and Leslie Jones. Chris Hemsworth, Charles Dance and Michael Kenneth Williams also star.
The Girl on the Train
This mystery-thriller follows the story of a woman named Rachel (Emily Blunt), who goes on a train to London. She witnesses the “perfect” couple, Scott and Megan (Luke Evans and Haley Bennett). But one day, havoc ensues. Rachel becomes involved in the drama/murder mystery of Megan.
Gold
Set in Indonesia, “Gold” is the story of Kenny Wells (Matthew McConaughey), a modern-day prospector, hustler and dreamer, desperate for a lucky break. Left with few options, Wells teams up with an equally luckless geologist (Edgar Ramirez) to execute a grandiose, last-ditch effort: to find gold deep in uncharted jungles.
Hail, Caesar!
Joel and Ethan Coen write and direct “Hail, Caesar!,” an all-star comedy set during the latter years of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Starring Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Alden Ehrenreich, Ralph Fiennes, Jonah Hill, Scarlett Johansson, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton and Channing Tatum, “Hail, Caesar!” follows a single day in the life of a studio fixer who is presented with plenty of problems to fix.
To be concluded tomorrow
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