The 11 Must-See Movies of December

Image courtesy of Lionsgate

Patriots Day (December 21st)

A recreation of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and the manhunt that ensued to find those responsible.

I can’t believe it’s been three years since the Boston Marathon bombing. With any movies focused on such prominent events the question always crops up, “Is it too soon?” I’d also ask the question of whether this is the right film. Director Peter Berg’s commonly known for big bombastic films, both in terms of budget (think Battleship) or in flagrant patriotism (Lone Survivor). Regardless, there will be a contingent of people who see Patriots Day and believe it’s a taste exploitative, a feeling that might not play well in a country already divided.

Patriots Day is gearing up an Oscar campaign similar to Clint Eastwood’s 2014 drama American Sniper, a film so potent many were sure it’d steal Best Picture. With patriotism so high right now, there’s no better time for a movie like Patriots Day. Mark Wahlberg stars and is pretty much the only bankable name in the cast – though John Goodman, Kevin Bacon and Supergirl star Melissa Benoist are all in the cast credits. If you haven’t gotten enough real-world drama in the last year, Patriots Day is for you. I can just see the think pieces praising and excoriating this upon release.

Next: Silence