L-R: Bryan Cranston, Megan Mullally and James Franco in “Why Him?”; Scott Garfield/Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation — There are plenty of films opening this week to take in over the Christmas holiday weekend. Opening Friday:
* Why Him? — Bryan Cranston stars as a dad visiting his daughter, played by Zoey Deutch, in this holiday-themed comedy. Things go awry when he learns her socially awkward billionaire boyfriend, portrayed by James Franco, is planning to pop the question. Cedric the Entertainer and Megan Mullally also star. Rated R.
Opening in limited release:
* A Monster Calls — Liam Neeson and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story‘s Felicity Jones star in this tale of a monster who comes to the aid of a boy trying to cope with his mother’s terminal illness. Sigourney Weaver also stars. Rated PG-13.
* Silence — Adam Driver and Andrew Garfield play couple of 17th Century Portuguese priests who embark on a dangerous mission to Japan to locate their mentor, played by Liam Neeson, and spread Christianity in this film from director Martin Scorsese. Rated R.
Expanding to wide release:
* Fences — An African-American father, played by Denzel Washington, comes to terms with the events of his life as he struggles with race relations and raising a family 1950s America, in this film based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning August Wilson play. Viola Davis also stars.Rated PG-13.
Now playing:
* Assassin’s Creed — In the fantasy based on the video game franchise, Michael Fassbender stars as career criminal Callum Lynch, who uses a new technology to travel back in time to 15th century Spain and acquire the skills of his ancestor, a master assassin. Marion Cotillard and Jeremy Irons also star. Rated PG-13.
* Passengers — Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt leave Earth behind to journey 120 years into the future for life on a new planet in this sci-fi thriller. However, the pair wake up from suspended animation 90 years too soon, and the mission appears to be doomed. Michael Sheen, Laurence Fishburne and Andy Garcia also star. Rated PG-13.
* Sing — A koala named Buster Moon, voiced by Matthew McConaughey, tries to return his once grand theater to its original glory by producing the world’s greatest singing competition in this animated musical with an all-star voice cast that includes Reese Witherspoon, Seth McFarlane and Scarlett Johansson. Rated PG.
Now playing in limited release:
* Patriots Day — Mark Wahlberg stars as police Sgt. Tommy Saunders in this thriller about first-responders racing against time to in the wake of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings to locate the terrorists behind it. Rated R.
Copyright © 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
