Kam Williams Reviews Movies Opening Dec. 25, 2015

BIG BUDGET FILMS

Concussion (PG-13 for profanity, mature themes and disturbing images) David vs. Goliath saga about the National Football League's attempt to discredit the forensic pathologist (Will Smith) whose research established a link between hits to the head and the early onset of a host of neurological disorders in football players. Cast includes Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Alec Baldwin, Albert Brooks, Hill Harper, Richard T. Jones, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje and Eddie Marsan. Read Kam's full film review of Concussion here.

Daddy's Home (PG-13 for profanity, crude humor, suggestive material and mature themes) Dysfunctional family dramedy about the competition between a resurfacing biological father (Mark Wahlberg) and his ex-wife's (Linda Cardellini) new husband (Will Ferrell) for the affection of the kids (Scarlett Estevez and Owen Vaccaro) from the first marriage. With Thomas Haden Church, Alessandra Ambrosio and Cedric Yarbrough.

The Hateful Eight (R for profanity, frontal nudity, graphic gore and a scene of eroticized violence) Quentin Tarantino directed this post-Civil War saga set in Wyoming revolving around a bounty hunter (Kurt Russell) whose stagecoach runs into trouble while bringing an apprehended fugitive (Jennifer Jason Leigh) to justice. Featuring Samuel L. Jackson, Channing Tatum, Michael Madsen, Bruce Dern, Tim Roth and Zoe Bell.

Joy (PG-13 for brief profanity) David O. Russell wrote and directed this fact-based drama about the cash-strapped single-mom (Jennifer Lawrence) who turned her family's fortunes around by inventing the Miracle Mop. Ensemble cast includes Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro, Isabella Rossellini, Virginia Madsen, Edgar Ramirez, Diane Ladd, Melissa Rivers, Susan Lucci and Drena De Niro.

Point Break (PG-13 for violence, profanity, sexuality, mature themes and drug use) Remake of the 1991 thriller about an FBI Agent (Luke Bracey) who infiltrates a gang of globe-trotting, extreme sports daredevils suspected of staging a string of daring, financial market heists. With Edgar Ramirez, Teresa Palmer and Ray Winstone.

The Revenant (R for profanity, graphic violence, gory images, brief nudity and a rape) Adaptation of Michael Punke's tale of survival, set in Wyoming in 1823, about a frontiersman's harrowing ordeal after being mauled by a bear and left to die in the wilderness by members of his hunting party. Support cast includes Tom Hardy, Domnhall Gleeson and Will Poulter. (In English, French and Native American dialects with subtitles)

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

45 Years (R for profanity and brief sexuality) Marital crisis drama about a couple (Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay) whose 45th anniversary party plans are jeopardized by the discovery of the corpse of his girlfriend missing more than a half-century. With Geraldine James, Dolly Wells and Hannah Chalmers.

TransFatty Lives (Unrated) Bittersweet biopic featuring writer/director Patrick O'Brien filming himself after being diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease.

Yellow Day (PG for mature themes) Faith-based feature chronicling a day-in-the-life of a sensitive young man (Drew Seeley) searching for spirituality, hope and love. With Lindsey Shaw, Ashley Boettcher and Akeem Smith.