Holiday Movie Guide: 'Pitch Perfect 3,' 'Jumanji' And More

As if New Year's Eve doesn't make this weekend exciting enough, there's also a ton of new movies hitting theaters across almost every genre imaginable.

Those in the mood for comedy can watch Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson put their a cappella skills to the test once again in "Pitch Perfect 3." "Downsizing" -- a film starring Matt Damon and Kristin Wiig as a couple deciding whether they want to undergo a shrinking process to become five inches tall -- is also full of laughs.

On the more serious side, "The Post" stars Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks as dedicated journalists who must report on thousands of classified records about the Vietnam War after they are leaked to the press, while “All The Money In The World” tells the true story of the 1973 kidnapping of John Paul Getty III, whose life was put at risk after his billionaire grandfather refuses to pay his ransom.

Meanwhile, adventure junkies will love "Jumanji: Return To The Jungle," Western film "Hostiles" and “The Greatest Showman,” a film about the legendary P.T. Barnum.

Here's what to see and what to skip this holiday weekend.

Movies Out This Weekend

“Film Stars Don’t Die In Liverpool” — Annette Bening, Jamie Bell, directed by Paul McGuigan

Based on Peter Turner’s memoir, the movie centers around the passionate relationship between Turner (Jamie Bell), a young up-and-coming actor, and his much older flame, Academy Award winning actress Gloria Grahame (Annette Bening). The movie depicts their passion and lust for life and their undying commitment to each other, even in times of sorrow and pain.

See it. Despite a meandering direction, the movie is buoyed by Bening’s outstanding performance.

“Pitch Perfect 3” — Anna Kendrick, Hailee Steinfeld, Ruby Rose, directed by Trish Sie

The franchise that made a capella a mainstream thing in 2012 returns for the final chapter of its trilogy in “Pitch Perfect 3.” This time around, the all-girl superstars of Barden University, “The Bellas,” are past their college days and stuck in dead-end jobs. Feeling trapped in a life of drudgery, they re-unite for one last singing competition at a European USO tour.

Thanks to the performance gravitas of the stars (particularly Anna Kendrick, Hailee Steinfeld and Rebel Wilson) and the movie's infectious sound track, it's enthralling despite its underwhelming screenplay with three meandering subplots.

See it. It’s not the best of the bunch; but still, there are no “aca-excuses” to miss this film. As the movie poster says, “Last Call, Pitches.”

Watch: Pitch Perfect 3 stars sing aca-fantastic mashup with The Voice top 12

“The Greatest Showman” — Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams, Zac Efron, directed by Michael Gracey

An ode to dreams with larger-than-life inspirations, the musical reverie pays tribute to America’s original pop-culture impresario, P.T. Barnum (Hugh Jackman), who rose from poverty to become a legendary trailblazer in the entertainment industry.

Set in the 1870s post-Civil War Gilded Age, Michael Gracey’s first directorial feature comes to life in its electrifying splendor, with original contemporary tunes and glamorous dances to celebrate showmanship and showbiz.

Joining Jackman in this musical extravaganza are Michelle Williams as Barnum’s wife; Zac Efron as Barnum’s business partner; Rebecca Ferguson as a Swedish superstar; and Zendaya as a trapeze artist.

See it. “The Greatest Showman” is infectious and inspirational. By the end, you’ll feel renewed with vigor to go after your big dreams in life — including your New Year’s resolutions ahead in 2018!

“Downsizing” — Matt Damon, Hong Chau, directed by Alexander Payne

In this movie, Norwegian scientists discover how to shrink humans to five inches tall and subsequently propose the “downsizing” technique as a solution to overpopulation.

As their scientific revelation spreads around the world, people soon learn about the fantastic perks that the miniature world offers, including a luxurious lifestyle in an elegant setting. Realizing how much further money goes in a “downsized world,” Paul (Matt Damon) and his wife Audrey (Kristen Wiig) decide to leave their stressful lives in Omaha to embark on a life-altering adventure. But then Audrey gets cold feet, since “downsizing” is permanent and irreversible.

See it. Notwithstanding a lackluster third act, the adventure movie is brilliant, funny, and thought-provoking. Hong Chau is simply amazing in her breakout performance as a Vietnamese political dissident, earning her first Golden Globe and SAG nominations.

“The Post” — Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, directed by Steven Spielberg

Set in the early '70s, the biopic is based on the true events that unfolded when thousands of classified official records of the Vietnam War were leaked to the press. The revelations of a massive cover-up of government secrets spanning three decades and four U.S. presidents were especially explosive at a time when American soldiers were still in mortal danger.

At the center of the controversy were dedicated journalists who risked their livelihood and reputation to get the Pentagon papers into the public eye. Two of them held key positions at the Washington Post: the pioneering but inexperienced publisher Katharine Graham (Meryl Streep) and hard-nosed news editor Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks).

See it. Steven Spielberg’s masterful craftsmanship is once again in full display as he braids the strands of the high-wire drama into an intense, gripping thriller. Streep and Hanks shine with their Oscar-caliber performances.

“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” — Dwayne Johnson, Karen Gillan, Kevin Hart, directed by Jake Kasdan

In this sequel to 1995’s “Jumanji,” four teenagers in detention suddenly come across an old Nintendo player and a cartridge from a board game called Jumanji. Out of curiosity they turn it on, only to discover that they have been transported magically into the game’s jungle universe where nerd Spencer (Alex Wolff) becomes archaeologist Dr. Smolder Bravestone (Dwayne Johnson); Fridge (Ser’Darius Blain) surfaces as zoologist Franklin “Moose” Finbar (Kevin Hart); Bethany (Madison Iseman) transforms to a middle-aged male professor named Sheldon Oberon (Jack Black); and Martha (Morgan Turner) becomes fearless warrior Ruby Roundhouse (Karen Gillan).

Their challenge in this game world? To survive a death-defying adventure to return to the real world.

See it. Despite some shallow humor, it is highly entertaining. Black shines the most with his outstanding hairpin comedic timing and funny hysterics.

“All the Money in the World” — Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Williams, Christopher Plummer, directed by Ridley Scott

A film adaptation of John Pearson’s book on the Getty family, “All the Money in the World” depicts the 1973 kidnapping of John Paul Getty III (Charlie Plummer), the grandson of the billionaire Jean Paul Getty (Christopher Plummer). The grandfather is not willing to pay the ransom of $17 million, despite a desperate plea from the child’s devoted mother, Gail (Michelle Williams). As Gail becomes increasingly frantic, she works alongside Getty’s advisor Fletcher (Mark Wahlberg) to save the boy’s life.

Directed with brilliance by Ridley Scott, the thriller drama is not your typical ransom movie. Rather, it takes a closer look at Getty’s business acumen, miserliness and fickle nature.

See it. Christopher Plummer is magnificent and may have just clinched another Oscar nomination for his supporting role.

“Hostiles” — Christian Bale, Rosamund Pike, Wes Studi, directed by Scott Cooper

Set in 1892 at the cusp of the Industrial Revolution, the frontier saga explores the intricate nature of the Native American conflict while paying homage to the Western film genre's themes of reconciliation, healing and inclusion.

“Hostiles” follows the story of two bitter adversaries of the Indian Wars: Army Captain Joseph Blocker (Christian Bale), a former war-hero-turned jailer, and Northern Cheyenne war chief Yellow Hawk (Wes Studi), now his prisoner. Threatened with court-martial, Blocker must escort the dying chief and his family from imprisonment at Fort Berringer in New Mexico territory to their tribal lands in Montana.

While riding through the rugged western wilderness, the pair discovers grief-stricken Rosalee Quaid (Rosamund Pike), a traumatized survivor of a Comanche massacre who reluctantly joins the group. Along the way, the three must unite and respect each other in order to survive their 1,000-mile journey towards Montana.

See it. Cooper’s effective direction along with beautiful Western imagery and the stars’ compelling performances compensate for the film’s sluggishness at times.

“Molly’s Game” — Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, directed by Aaron Sorkin

Based on real life events, “Molly’s Game” tells the story of former Olympic-hopeful skier Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain). Bloom caught the media's attention after she was exposed by FBI as one of the masterminds behind the world’s most exclusive high-stakes poker game in Hollywood. The charismatic Bloom ran the operation for a decade before her arrest, after which her only ally was her criminal defense lawyer Charlie Jaffey (Idris Elba).

See it. Aaron Sorkin’s film is clever, engaging and thrilling. Plus, Jessica Chastain will charm audiences with her impeccably exquisite performance.

“Phantom Thread,” Daniel Day-Lewis, Vicky Krieps, directed by Paul Thomas-Anderson

Set in 1955 as London is emerging from the rubbles of World War II, the movie tells the story of Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day Lewis), a British fashion designer who dresses the upper crust of society. His distinct label, “The House of Woodcock,” is worn by princesses, movie stars and grand dames alike.

The bachelor’s life is consumed by his work as he strives to ensure that his business is running smoothly — that is, until he meets a young Eastern European immigrant named Alma (Vicky Krieps) and becomes smitten with her. Can he resist the power and intimacy of falling in love, and is Alma worth it?

See it. The film is sexy, intoxicating and undeniably beautiful, anchored by Day-Lewis’s nuanced performance, Thomas-Anderson’s stylish direction and a riveting screenplay.

“Father Figures” — Owen Wilson, Ed Helms, J.K. Simmons, directed by Lawrence Sher

Owen Wilson and Ed Helms star in Lawrence Sher’s directorial debut about a life-changing odyssey of disaster and discovery that explores themes of relationships and family ties.

The comedy centers around a pair of fraternal twins who are at odds in every possible way. Kyle (Wilson) is perpetually optimistic whereas his brother, Peter, a "glass half empty" kind of guy. After the twins learn that their eccentric mother (Glenn Close) has been lying to them all these years about their father’s identity, they set off on a road trip to search for their long lost dad.

Skip it. Sadly, despite the stars' utmost comedic efforts to make "Father Figures" exciting, the movie's overall comedic pacing is off.

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