GO! To the Movies: Christmas movie shows what it means to be a family
The holidays are a time for family to gather together to catch up and value what they have to be thankful for this year.
But for the family that is the center of the film “Almost Christmas,” in theaters this weekend, it will be a Christmas miracle if they make it to the holiday unscathed.
Walter (Danny Glover, “Lethal Weapon” and “The Color Purple”) wants his family to get along for the holidays since it is the first season they will be celebrating without their mother.
But for the family members played by Gabrielle Union (“Bad Boys II” and “10 Things I hate About You”), Mo’Nique (“Precious” and “Blackbird”), Jessie T. Usher (“Independence Day: Resurgence” and “When the Game Stands Tall”) and Nicole Ari Parker (“Boogie Nights” and “Remember the Titans”) this request might be too difficult to fulfill.
Writer and director David E. Talbert (“Baggage Claim” and “First Sunday”) directs the cast in numerous hi-jinks including dealing with divorce, burning the family dinner, decorating the house for Christmas and a comedic lovers’ spat involving a shotgun.
The film also promises to have heartwarming moments about the true meaning of the family and remembering those who have passed and keeping their memory alive during the holiday.
“Almost Christmas” is rated PG-13 for suggestive material, drug content and language.
Other films coming to theaters this weekend include:
n “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk” starring Kristen Stewart, Vin Diesel and Garrett Hedlund and directed by Ang Lee in this dramatic war film about a 19-year-old solider who is home for a victory tour after serving in Iraq.
The film shows flashbacks from his time in war in contrast with America’s perceptions of war.
The film is rated R for language throughout, some war violence, sexual content and brief drug use.
n “Arrival” starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner and Michael Stuhlbarg and directed by Denis Villeneuve in this sci-fi drama about a linguist who is called upon by the military to help translate alien communication.
The film is rated PG-13 for brief strong language.
n “Shut In” starring Naomi Watts, Charlie Heaton and Jacob Tremblay and directed by Farren Blackburn in this dramatic thriller about a child psychologist in rural New England who is caught in a winter storm where she must find a way to save a young boy before he disappears.
The film is rated PG-13 for terror and some violence/bloody images, nudity, thematic elements and brief strong language.