We’ve arrived at December, and that means it’s time for all the awards-bait movies (and a little something called Star Wars: The Force Awakens). But before we get into all of those, I thought I’d clear the slate and tell you what I thought of the movies I’ve seen in recent weeks since my last collection of reviews — many of which, appropriately enough, were turkeys.
As always, numbers refer to the total number of movies I’ve seen this year. And no, I didn’t see The Hunger Games. Haven’t seen a single movie in that entire series.
70. Love the Coopers. This movie’s tagline is “You can’t regift family.” I wish someone would regift the two hours I spent watching the movie. D
71. Trumbo. If this was an HBO movie, it would win all the Emmys. Alas … B
72. Brooklyn. A perfectly lovely tale of an Irish immigrant to New York caught between her old world and her new one. Total awards bait that would be just an average film outside of awards season. B
73. Creed. (Saw it 2x) Excellent relaunch of the Rocky franchise starring Michael B. Jordan as Apollo Creed’s son. Writer/director Ryan Coogler revisits many of the same familiar tropes from the original Rocky movie, but to satisfying effect, imbuing this new story with heart and emotion, and making the next generation as worth rooting for as the first one was. There’s an impressive fight scene that was filmed in one single take. And Sylvester Stallone is heartbreaking (dare I say Oscar-worthy?) as the elder statesman of the boxing ring, broken down but with some fight still in him. B+
74. The Night Before. Underwhelming holiday “comedy.” Oh well. C+
75. Legend. Tom Hardy is great as both of the Kray brothers, but the movie’s too long and isn’t as compelling as the star is. B
What movies are YOU looking forward to this holiday season? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Martin's Musings 
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