Eight movies to see this Thanksgiving instead of talking to your family
First rule of Thanksgiving: It's okay to be filled up on turkey. It's even more okay to be done talking afterwards and hit the movie theater.
That's why Thanksgiving movies have turned into a bonanza of family (and extended family) escapism. The pickings have never been better than this year.
Here's what is featured on the movie menu, starting with the new releases:
Creed
There is no better way to take out post Turkey-day dining frustration than a movie with boxing at its core. And just when you thought Sylvester Stallone's Rocky Balboa had ridden off into the sunset, he's back with new blood in the form of Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan), son of original Rocky rival Apollo Creed. Directed by Ryan Coogler (who wowed with Jordan in Fruitvale Station) this will please nostalgia fans and those folks who just want to ruuuuummmble.
Read about Rocky's screen return here.
The Good Dinosaur
You know its a magical year when we all get an extra helping of Pixar after this summer's smash Inside Out. The Good Dinosaur imagines a world where dinosaurs were not destroyed by that killer asteroid and allows for a buddy story between an Apatosaurus and a little cave kid. Prepare to have your cave person heart touched.
Read our review of The Good Dinosaur here.
Victor Frankenstein
This rompy re-telling of the classic Frankenstein story is not setting the world on fire in terms of pre-release buzz. But Frankenstein never liked fire. And this tale pairs beloved Brits James McAvoy (as Victor Frankenstein) and Daniel Radcliffe (as his assistant Igor). You'll come for the bromance and stay for the monster. But, no matter what, leave the torches at home.
Read about the McAvoy, Radcliffe pairing here.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2
The final Hunger Games opened huge last weekend and its a natural must-see post stuffing oneself on Thanksgiving. You might even feel like a member of the gluttonous Capitol watching the rebellion explode onscreen safely from a movie seat. It's Jennifer Lawrence's last turn as rebel symbol Katniss Everdeen in the uber-franchise.
Read about Jennifer Lawrence's impact here.
The Peanuts Movie
The Peanuts gang have pretty much ruled the big holidays, from Halloween's TV special It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown to A Charlie Brown Christmas (celebrating its 50th year on air). The Peanuts Movie is the first screen offering in 35 years, a 3-D box office hit and a nostalgic romp suitable for the season.
Read about Snoopy's return to the screen here.
Spotlight
Director Tom McCarthy gives a look inside The Boston Globe's investigative team's expose on child abuse by priests, and the church cover-up that followed. Spotlight is receiving big time awards buzz for its ensemble cast (Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Liev Schreiber). Over Thanksgiving weekend, the critically-acclaimed drama continues to expand across the country.
Read about Mark Ruffalo's journalism turn here:
Brooklyn
Two awards-caliber films open limited over Thanksgiving weekend — Eddie Redmayne in The Danish Girl and Tom Hardy in Legend. Other awards buzzy films continue to open wider across the country, including Brooklyn, which steps up to its widest national release over Thanksgiving weekend.
This 1950s tale of an Irish immigrant (Saoirse Ronan, try saying that with a mouth full of mashed potatoes) finding love and life in a new land promises to be an awards season player.
Learn how to say Saoirse Ronan here.
Room
Director Lenny Abrahamson's drama centered on a mother and her five-year-old son held captive in a single room is far from feel-good holiday fare. But the ultimately uplifting tale features stunning performances from Brie Larson (Ma) and newcomer Jacob Tremblay (Jack). Room continues to open wide in all major cities this weekend.
Watch Brie Larson talk about her character here.