You are done with finals and done with the stress of the semester! Now what!? You may not know what to do with yourself! Here are a few ideas of things to watch to escape the cold over Winter Break!
1. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
If you haven’t seen it already, this is a definite to put on the list. Better than the first movie and possibly even better than the book, Catching Fire is a must-see over winter break.
Release date: November 22nd
Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks
2. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
The Desolation of Smaug picks up where The Unexpected Journey left off and continues the dwarves’ journey with Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf the Gray to reclaim their homeland Erebor. The second film in the Hobbit trilogy, The Desolation of Smaug is a must-see for LOTR fans.
Release Date: December 13th
Cast: Martin Freeman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Ian McKellan, Orlando Bloom, Cate Blanchett
3. Delivery Man
If dystopian and/or fantasy films aren’t really your style, then the comedy Delivery Man may be for you. This film, about an underachiever discovers that he has fathered 533 children because of a mistake of a sperm bank, is sure to be filled with awkward hilariousness.
Release Date: November 22nd
Cast: Vince Vaughn, Chris Pratt, Cobie Smulders
4. Inside Llewyn Davis
On a more serious note, this new film by the Cohen brothers (who brought us the likes of No Country for Old Men, The Big Lebowski, and Fargo) is already being pegged for Oscar season. Depicting a week in the life of a folk singer in 1961 Greenwich Village, Inside Llewyn Davis is already receiving rave reviews, and has a killer soundtrack.
Release Date: December 20th
Cast: Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, John Goodman, Garrett Hedlund, Justin Timberlake
5. About Time
Even though it came out a little while ago, we thought it still deserves your attention. This romantic comedy comes from the same man who directed Love Actually, a holiday classic. If it’s still playing in a theater near you, this film about a man who discovers he can travel in time is really about family dynamics, and is a sweet escape from all the holiday bustle.
Release Date: November 8th
Cast: Rachel McAdams, Domhnall Gleeson, Bill Nighy
1. Doctor Who, Christmas Episode
Following the 50th Anniversary special that aired on November 23rd, this next episode, “The Time of the Doctor,” will signal the return of the Doctor’s worst enemies as his eleventh life comes to a close and his twelfth life begins.
Air Date: December 25th (on the BBC)
Cast: Matt Smith, Jenna Coleman, Peter Capaldi
2. Sherlock Premier
Finally the wait is almost over! It seems like forever since new episodes of Sherlock have been on, but this winter break we will finally have our questions answered and hopefully (it better be) the reuniting of Sherlock and Watson.
3. Downton Abbey Christmas Special
After last season, it was a struggle for me to watch Downton again, but I convinced myself to do it clearly out of curiosity. (I cheated and watched season 4 early online). So, with the Christmas special, I’m hoping for some answers and some redemption so that I can finally make up my mind about the fate of this show.
Air Date: December 25th on ITV1 (Season 4 premiers on PBS on January 5th)
Cast: Michelle Dockery, Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Phyllis Logan, Dame Maggie Smith