Here we look at the upcoming month’s offerings.

December 4, 2020

All My Life

Premise: From IMDb: “A couple’s wedding plans are thrown off course when the groom is diagnosed with liver cancer.”
Box Office Prospects: $5 M
Expectations: Weak. The premise doesn’t sound like something holiday audiences will want to catch at the box office, but a weepy might find some small audience. It’s just not certain.
Oscar Prospects: None.
Cinema Sight Preview: See my preview of this title here.

I’m Your Woman (Limited)

Premise: From IMDb: “In this 1970s set crime drama, a woman is forced to go on the run after her husband betrays his partners, sending her and her baby on a dangerous journey.”
Box Office Prospects: $0.5 M
Expectations: Uncertain. This limited release film looks better than expected in the trailer, but I’m not so sure it can strike out in a depressed box office season.
Oscar Prospects: None.
Cinema Sight Preview: See my preview of this title here.

Nomadland (Limited)

Premise: From IMDb: “Follows a woman in her sixties who, after losing everything in the Great Recession, embarks on a journey through the American West, living as a van-dwelling modern-day nomad.”
Box Office Prospects: $2 M
Expectations: Uncertain. While this limited release will be a major Oscar player. Cineastes are also more likely to observe pandemic guidelines and while the pandemic may be well under control by the time the Oscar rolls around, it might end its box office run early. That said, big wins could bolster its chances at a post-pandemic box office.
Oscar Prospects: Excellent. Frances McDormand’s wandering drama has gotten terrific early reviews and she’s certain to be nominated for Best Actress and the film is one of a handful competing for a Best Picture and Best Directing slot.
Cinema Sight Preview: See my preview of this title here.

December 18, 2020

The Father (Limited)

Premise: From IMDb: “A man refuses all assistance from his daughter as he ages. As he tries to make sense of his changing circumstances, he begins to doubt his loved ones, his own mind and even the fabric of his reality.”
Box Office Prospects: $0.5 M
Expectations: Uncertain. Even an acclaimed film will have a hard time drawing cautious audiences to the theater, even with the popular Anthony Hopkins in it.
Oscar Prospects: Good. Hopkins and Olivia Colman are both in contention for Oscar nominations with this Alzheimer’s drama. Anything beyond those two is questionable.
Cinema Sight Preview: See my preview of this title here.

December 25, 2020

News of the World

Premise: From IMDb: “A widowed Civil War veteran agrees to deliver a girl, taken by the Kiowa people years ago, to her aunt and uncle, against her will. They travel hundreds of miles and face grave dangers as they search for a place that either can call home.”
Box Office Prospects: $20 M
Expectations: Uncertain. Tom Hanks has had a lot of box office hits in his career and this film looks like it could be a big seller in small towns across the U.S.
Oscar Prospects: Good. Paul Greengrass and Hanks are a compelling combination when pushing towards the Oscars with a high quality western, which is a genre that Hollywood has been infrequent to recognize. Still, this looks to be one of the few major contenders this year.
Cinema Sight Preview: See my preview of this title here.

Promising Young Woman

Premise: From IMDb: “A young woman, traumatized by a tragic event in her past, seeks out vengeance against men who cross her path.”
Box Office Prospects: $5 M
Expectations: Uncertain. The premise might not be the kind that draws broad audiences to the theater, but good reviews could bolster its potential.
Oscar Prospects: Good. Carey Mulligan looks amazing in the film and if nothing else, she’ll be in the hunt for a nomination for the film.
Cinema Sight Preview: See my preview of this title here.

Wonder Woman 1984

Premise: From IMDb: “Fast forward to the 1980s as Wonder Woman’s next big screen adventure finds her facing two all-new foes: Max Lord and The Cheetah.”
Box Office Prospects: $50 M
Expectations: Good. If the film release, and right now that’s a HUGE if, it will do box office akin to Tenet‘s unimpressive $56 million (and rising). That said, the prospects of a weak showing may ultimately be what dooms the film to a streaming release as Warner Bros. is currently threatening.
Oscar Prospects: Good. There aren’t a lot of big budget blockbusters this year, which could give the film a chance to stand out at the Oscars. However, the problem is that depends on whether Warners pushes it to 2021 or streams it at this point since an actual holiday release is seeming rather remote right now.
Cinema Sight Preview: See my preview of this title here.

December 30, 2020

Monster Hunter

Premise: From IMDb: “When Lt. Artemis and her loyal soldiers are transported to a new world, they engage in a desperate battle for survival against enormous enemies with incredible powers. Feature film based on the video game by Capcom.”
Box Office Prospects: $10 M
Expectations: Uncertain. When was the last time Milla Jovovich had a genuine box office hit? The Resident Evil franchise has been a middling performer and even her breakthrough hit The Fifth Element only made a scant $65 million. At a pandemic box office, even her best is a pipe dream.
Oscar Prospects: None.
Cinema Sight Preview: See my preview of this title here.