With the likelihood of January generating cold temperatures, one place to seek warmth is in your local movie theater. The movies of 2016 are risk-taking and electrifying. Here are just a few you and your family may appreciate.
The Forest
On Jan. 8, The Forest debuted, directed by Jason Zada and starring Natalie Dormer and Taylor Kinney. Rated PG-13, this movie will unquestionably thrill and scare you concurrently. When her twin sister goes missing in Japan, a resolute Sara (Dormer) travels there to probe what happened to her. The legendary Aokigahara Forest, where people go to end their lives, is the backdrop for this movie. Sara recruits the help of a guide (Kinney), and is cautioned that she must “stay on the path.”
Unsurprisingly, she doesn’t and the foreboding begins as the incensed souls of the dead go after her and anyone who helps her. This is the first real horror story of the New Year and it more than delivers.
13 hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi
Loosely based on the Benghazi crisis, 13 hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (R) hits theaters on Jan. 15. Directed by Michael Bay, who is celebrated for the Transformers franchise, Pearl Harbor and Armageddon, his latest film stars John Krasinski, Pablo Schreiber, James Badge Dale, Max Martini and Toby Stephens. When an American ambassador is killed as an attack takes place in Libya at the U.S. compound, six members of a special Annex Security team are secretly commissioned to defend the consulate.
The 5th Wave
Jan. 22 brings The 5th Wave, based on the novel of the same name by Rick Yancey. Rated PG-13, this is the first of a trilogy. J. Blakeson directs Chloe Grace Moretz, Nick Robinson, Liev Schreiber and Maika Monroe in the sci-fi thriller.
Aliens have begun attacking Earth in waves. Cassie (Moretz) has lost her mother in the third wave and her father in a refugee camp. Now, her younger brother has been taken to a military training camp. Cassie forges new relationships, which are not always as they seem, and sets out to rescue her brother before time runs out.
Kung Fu Panda 3
Jack Black is back as Po in Kung Fu Panda 3 (PG), which comes to theaters on Jan. 29. Directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson and Alessandro Carloni, the third installment of the hit film returns with the voices of Angelina Jolie, Bryan Cranston, Jackie Chan, Dustin Hoffman and J.K. Simmons.
Po is finally reunited with his biological father (Cranston), however, he now faces two new threats: one of the supernatural nature and the other from the villainous Kai (Simmons). He now finds himself in the role of instructor as he must train the village of awkward pandas to fight for their home. If you saw the other two films, you know that this one is a must see. Animated and fun for all ages.
The Finest Hours
Also debuting on Jan. 29, The Finest Hours hits theaters. Directed by Craig Gillespie and rated PG-13, the film is based on a true story.
On February 18, 1952, a storm of epic proportions hits as the SS Pendleton is out at sea. The ship splits in two, trapping dozens of sailors inside. The Coast Guard in Chatham, MA, gets wind of their peril, and sets out on a courageous rescue mission despite the merciless weather. This is an action packed, on the edge of your seat movie, starring Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster, Eric Bana and Holliday Grainger.
Avoid winter’s elements of January by grabbing some popcorn and candy as you sit back and
relax with a movie.
You won’t be disappointed.
