Spend holidays with Hollywood

By Markus Stegers

Dec. 19 marks the end of the fall semester, and we start looking forward to five weeks of living in the “real” world as we rest our minds in preparation for what lies ahead. Between day jobs and the busy holiday season, one might want to relax by spending a couple of hours at the movie theater, whether it be funny, intense, scary or thought-provoking.

Without wasting any more time, it would be my pleasure to present to you some of the best offerings in the coming weeks.

Fans of the classic Rocky series can say that the holidays came early this year. Rocky Balboa, which hits theaters Dec. 20, marks Sylvester Stallone’s return to the boxing ring in the role of the cultural icon of the same title. Balboa decides to come out of retirement in order to fight reigning Heavyweight Champion Mason “The Line” Dixon, played by Anthony Tarver in his film debut. This movie makes one question the actor’s age and wonder if a classic might be ruined by an unnecessary sequel. Stallone, 60, is approaching elderly status, and it could be argued whether he can reprise his role as Rocky the way it should be done.

Another option that appeals to the lighter side of film is Night at the Museum, which will also be released on Dec. 22. This movie will make audiences laugh and imaginations run wild. Ben Stiller stars as a dim-witted security guard employed at the Museum of Natural History, who realizes that the job is more dangerous than he once thought. Humans and animals from various displays begin to come to life and run amok in a movie that will keep one guessing as to what will happen next.

Usually, the holidays are not synonymous with horror, but Black Christmas sets out to prove otherwise. For those looking for a jolly holiday movie, this movie is not for you. A remake of a 1974 horror movie of the same name, this film follows a group of sorority girls who are harassed, stalked by a stranger through chilling phone calls and slaughtered one by one all during Christmas break. The best time to see this flick, which comes out on Dec. 25, might be in January when everything has quieted down and all the holiday festivities have ended.

Movie lovers who want to see a more serious side to film can make it their New Year’s resolution to go see Home of the Brave, which arrives Jan. 5. For those who are interested in the aftermath of war, this movie could be for you. With a star-studded cast (Samuel L. Jackson, Jessica Biel and 50 Cent), big things are obviously expected in this movie that focuses on the difficulties associated with re-adjusting to home life after a lengthy and brutal stay in Iraq. It looks like a feel-good movie, since most people will agree that we like it when our soldiers return home. However, this movie promises a surprising twist that makes this flick unique when compared to other war movies.

Unwinding with Happily N’Ever After might be the perfect remedy to an exhausting holiday with the folks. An evil stepmother, voiced by Sigourney Weaver, leads a group of evil-doers in a plot to take over Fairy Tale Land, unless her stepdaughter Ella, voiced by Sarah Michelle Gellar, can stop them from ruining her storybook existence in this twisted animated version of Little Red Riding Hood. The film, released on Jan. 12, might take one’s mind off books and onto looks, if you catch my drift.

Finally, the heartwarming film Fast Track will hit theaters on Jan. 19, just in time for the end of the break. Zach Braff stars as a slacker who is forced to work for his father-in-law (Charles Grodin) after his pregnant wife (Amanda Peet) leaves her high-paying job. Braff is likely to pull off another great performance, making this a great way to end the break.