Major Theatrical Releases November 2016

Major Theatrical Releases November 2016

November looks to be a promising month for movies.  Marvel returns, as does a few war films, some horror, some Oscar-worthy dramas, Disney, and of course a certain "fantastic" movie many people are eagerly anticipating.

Here are the major theatrical movies being released in November 2016.
(Dates are subject to change)

November 4

Doctor Strange

The Sorcerer Supreme gets the Marvel Cinematic Universe treatment with the arrival of "Doctor Strange," which already looks like it will be something totally different from other Marvel movies, mostly because it centers around alternate worlds, magic, and the supernatural arts.  The previews make it look like "Inception," and that's probably an apt comparison because it will most likely be the most cerebral Marvel story of them all.  Benedict Cumberbatch exudes Dr. Stephen Strange and there's no better actor for the role, and when you have an Oscar winner (Tilda Swinton) and nominee (Rachel McAdams) as supporting actors, you've got the A-list acting quality to propel this film to the top.

Hacksaw Ridge

 Say what you will about Mel Gibson, but he's a genius behind the camera.  He returns to directing with this highly anticipated true-life war movie that centers around Army Medic Desmond T. Doss (Andrew Garfield, in what should be an Oscar-nominated role), who became the first Conscientious Objector to be awarded the Medal of Honor for saving over seventy of his fallen comrades on the battlefield of Okinawa - all without carrying a weapon.  This is going to easily be a moving, emotional tale on the level of "Saving Private Ryan."

Trolls

Growing up I remember Treasure Trolls, those little devils with the huge hair.  To hear that they're finally making a movie out of them made me laugh, since it was way past their expiration date.  However, as much as I hate to admit it, this looks like a good movie.  The animation is beautiful, lush and vibrant, and when you have the naturally charismatic Justin Timberlake as the lead (not to mention Anna Kendrick, Zooey Deschanel, Russell Brand and Gwen Stefani), there's no doubt this film will be a hit for young and old alike.

November 11

Arrival

Amy Adams plays a professional linguist who is recruited by the government to try and communicate with a strange alien race that has landed on Earth.  Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker round out the cast for a movie that shows a whole lot of promise, seemingly combining "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" with "Contact" to make a thrilling sci-fi drama.

Almost Christmas

There's certain movies out there that seem to repeat themselves.  Typically this occurs during the holidays, when you only have a small window of options you can choose from.  While this looks funny, and has a stellar cast, "Almost Christmas" seems like one of those movies you've seen before.  Maybe it'll be better than that, but I'm not too hyped about it.

All Eyez On Me

When "Straight Outta Compton" scored big with both the box office and critics, it was announced that a biopic about Tupac Shakur was in the works, and "All Eyez On Me" is the finished product.  It looks like it will do as well as "Compton," and it features a top-notch collection of actors including Danai "Michonne" Gurira and newcomer Demetrius Shipp Jr. as Tupac himself, who appears as a dead ringer for the deceased rapper.

Shut In

Although it's a too late for Halloween, "Shut In" looks absolutely terrifying.  Naomi Watts stars as a widowed child psychologist who finds herself shut in during a terrible winter storm, and is forced to alone protect a young boy.  Lovable Jacob Tremblay - who burst into the scene in last year's terrific "Room" - co-stars in this pulse-pounding psychological thriller.

Loving

Say hello to one of the first major Oscar-bait films of the season.  "Loving" is the true-life story of Richard and Mildred Loving, an interracial couple who got married in Virginia in 1958 and were put in prison for it, because marrying outside your race was illegal in those days.  With a strong cast, a compelling tale and a moving story, you've easily got a film with Oscar written all over it, and rightfully so.

Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk

Ang Lee is a prolific director who's brought some of the beautiful and controversial tales to the big screen, and it seems like "Billy Lynn" is supposed to be some revolutionary story that has never been seen before - or at least that's what the trailer advertises.  Personally I don't see how it could be done differently than any other war movie before, and with such a disjointed cast (Kristen Stewart?!?! Vin Diesel?!?!?!?!  Steve Martin?!?!?!?!?! CHRIS TUCKER?  He's alive?!) as well as a relative newcomer in the title role, and it looks like it'll be hit-or-miss, but this is one I'll probably miss.

November 18

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

"Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling and director David Yates (who directed four of the "Harry Potter" films) invites audiences to once again return to the world of wizards with "Fantastic Beasts," which chronicles the story of writer Newt Scamander (Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne), who accidentally unleashes fantastic, mythical beasts in New York City seventy years before Harry Potter read about his exploits.  There's no doubt this will be one major blockbuster, as already pre-ticket sales have reached almost $100 million, and buzz has been generating for at least a year.  Will it be on-par with the "Harry Potter" series?  Only time will tell.  Still, it looks like an amazing adventure.

Friend Request

I saw this last year.  It was called "Unfriended" and it wasn't very good.  Ditto for this one, yet it also seems to add "The Ring" aspect to it by having a supernatural video uploaded to a girl's Facebook page.  Would've done well on Halloween, but it's a little too late for it.  Not to mention it seems to typecast today's generation as kids obsessed with having Facebook friends, and seems like an insult to them.

The Edge of Seventeen

Whereas "Friend Request" dumbs down today's generation, "The Edge of Seventeen" seems to really treat adolescence with dignity and sophistication, showing how youth struggle with identity and acceptance - in a downright hilarious and witty manner.  Showcasing Oscar-nominees Hailee Steinfeld and Woody Harrelson and you've got a coming-of-age film for today's generation, told with wit, humor and heart.

Bleed for This

Miles Teller is a criminally underrated actor (just look at his role in "Whiplash" and tell me he didn't deserve at least an Oscar nomination, I dare you).  This could be the role that propels him to leading man status as he tells the true-life story of World Champion Boxer Vinny Pazienza, who was at the top of his game before he was involved in a near fatal car crash that left him paralyzed, but he didn't let that deter him from making a tremendous comeback.  This movie has it all - an underdog tale, a compelling story, highly capable actors - and hopefully will also be an Oscar contender.

November 23

Allied

Known moreso for the drama that happened behind the scenes than the movie itself, "Allied" looks like a compelling World War II tale of a couple tested by war.  The film stars Oscar winner Marion Cotillard and Oscar-nominee Brad Pitt in what seems to be "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" in WWII.  Ironically that comparison is more then apt because rumors have spread that the breakup between Pitt and Angelina Jolie was due to in part to him possibly having an affair with Cotillard on set, which is what caused him to split from Jennifer Aniston when he did that with Jolie when they were filming "Mr. and Mrs. Smith."

Moana

Disney introduces us to their newest "princess" in Moana, a girl who goes on a oceanic adventure with demi-god Maui (voiced by - and looks incredibly a lot like - Dwayne Johnson).  Previews seems to focus more on Maui than Moana, and I hope that's not the case, as Disney makes its bread and butter from creating strong, independent women.  There's surprisingly not a lot of advertisement for this yet, and I hope it will pick up soon, because it looks like a beautiful, action-packed adventure for all ages.

Bad Santa 2

Continuing with the 2016 tradition of bringing back sequels long after the originals' expiration date, "Bad Santa 2" comes to us thirteen years after the original, but at least this one looks somewhat decent.  Billy Bob Thornton returns as everyone's lovable drunk Santa along with his little person sidekick Marcus to knock off a Chicago charity for Christmas Eve.  Throw in Kathy Bates and you've got comedy gold, and hopefully this sequel will be golden.

Rules Don't Apply

From the director of "Bulworth," "Dick Tracy" and "Reds," Warren Beatty returns as director, writer and star of the film noir dramedy "Rules Don't Apply," centering around an unconventional love story between an aspiring actress (Lily Collins), her determined driver (Alden Ehrenreich) and eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes (Beatty).  The film looks lavish and classic Hollywood, and will surely be talked about for awhile.

November 25

Miss Sloane

 Oscar-nominee Jessica Chastain stars as Elizabeth Sloane, a brilliant and ruthless lobbyist whose talent is unparalleled and her desire to succeed at any cost puts her career in jeopardy.  This looks like it'll be an intriguing tale, thanks in most part to Chastain's natural acting ability.

So there are the films being released in November 2016. 

Here is a list in order from what I think will be the best, to the worst.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Doctor Strange
Hacksaw Ridge
Arrival
Bleed for This
Bad Santa 2
Loving
The Edge of Seventeen
All Eyez on Me
Moana
Rules Don't Apply
Allied
Shut In
Trolls
Miss Sloane
Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk
Almost Christmas
Friend Request