It's going to be a quiet weekend for movie openings after the big Thanksgiving push, but here are five movies you should definitely check out.
Who: Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper — and all your Muppet favorites!What: With the help of three fans, The Muppets must reunite to save their old theater from a greedy oil tycoon.The felt puppet revival premiered to a solid $29.2 million last weekend and should hold its own this weekend, giving reigning box office champ "Twilight: Breaking Dawn, Part 1" a run for its money.
Who: Asa Butterfield, Chloë Grace Moretz, Ben Kingsley, Ray Winstone, Christopher Lee; directed by Martin ScorseseWhat: Set in 1930s Paris, an orphan who lives in the walls of a train station is wrapped up in a mystery involving his late father and an automaton.The fantastical film just picked up the Best Picture of the year award from the National Board of Review — giving it some serious Oscar buzz.
Who: Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo, John Goodman and James Cromwell; directed by Michel HazanaviciusWhat: This black and white silent throwback (yes, it's a silent film!) centers on a 1920s silent movie star George Valentin (Dujardin), who wonders if the arrival of talking pictures will cause him to fade into oblivion, while he sparks with Peppy Miller (Bejo), a young dancer set for a big break.Hollywood.com box office expert Paul Degarabedian told "Extra," "I think everyone should see 'The Artist.' It falls into an independent film specialized category. It's in black & white, a silent film — and there's even a dog that could win an Academy Award. It's an uplifting, great movie, incredible filmmaking."
Who: Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan; directed by Steve McQueenWhat: Brandon's carefully cultivated private life in Manhattan — which allows him to indulge his sexual addiction — is disrupted when his sister Cissy arrives unannounced for an indefinite stay.As another Oscar bait film and performance by Fassbender, the actor told "Extra" this about his character's issues: "Its like any addiction... the temptation's always there, it doesn't just cease to be, and I think that's what we see... where he's accepted it and he needs help."
Who: George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Amara Miller, Judy Greer; directed by Alexander Payne.What: A land baron living in Hawaii tries to re-connect with his two daughters after his wife suffers a boating accident.Clooney (Best Actor), Woodley (Best Supporting Actress) and Payne (Best Screenplay) also recently earned top awards from the National Board of Review, setting "The Descendants" on track to becoming a major Oscar contender.
