What To Watch This Weekend: 'Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle,' More

Themes of love, survival and horror are all hitting the big screens near you this weekend. In " Mowgli: Legend Of The Jungle," Christian Bale and Benedict Cumberbatch star as two animals squaring off in the wilderness. Meanwhile, Nick Nolte plays a recent widower suffering from Alzheimer's in "Head Full of Honey."

A few films are also making a splash in the horror genre. "The Possession Of Hannah Grace" is about a shocking exorcism gone wrong, starring Kirby Johnson in the titular role of a young woman possessed by a ruthless demonic force. The second film is "Anna And The Apocalypse," starring Ella Hunt as a high school student battling the undead.

Here's what to see and what to skip this weekend:

Movies Out This Weekend

“Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle” — Rohand Chand, Benedict Cumberbatch, Christian Bale, directed by Andy Serkis

Andy Serkis’s sophomore feature is a new take on Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book,” a tale about survival and self-discovery.

At the center of the story is Mowgli (Rohand Chand), a young orphan who is left in the wilderness to die but is saved and raised by a pack of wolves. In the jungle, he grows up protected beyond measure by Baloo (Serkis) the bear, and Bagheera the black panther (Christian Bale).

However, when the nefarious tiger Shere Khan (Benedict Cumberbatch) plots to ruin the man-cub and his family, Mowgli is forced to embark on a journey back into human civilization. Along the way, danger looms ahead, including Shere Khan’s menacing wrath and terror.

See it. With awe-inspiring sound and character design, Serkis’s version, which is also slated as a Netflix release on Dec. 9, is worthwhile. However, be forewarned: It is PG-13 due to blood and violence.

Watch the trailer:

“Head Full of Honey” — Nick Nolte, Emily Mortimer, Matt Dillon, directed by Til Schweiger

Love, friendship, and family abound in Til Schweiger’s English-language directorial debut, a multi-generational drama about the life-altering onset of Alzheimer’s.

In the film, Nick Nolte plays Amadeus, a recent widower who’s struggling with the effects of Alzheimer’s. Unable to manage his life, he reluctantly moves in with his son Nick (Matt Dillon), Nick’s wife Sarah (Emily Mortimer), and the couple’s 10-year-old daughter Tilda (Sophia Lane Nolte) outside of London.

His presence causes chaos in the household — but despite it all, Amadeus and his granddaughter develop a strong, special bond. The pair embarks on an unpredictable road trip to revisit Amadeus’s favorite place in the world, Venice, Italy. Ultimately, their journey will change their lives forever, and those of the people around them.

See it. The chemistry between Nolte and his real-life daughter Sophia is amazing. Plus, the film will open your eyes on how to better navigate the world of Alzheimer’s.

Watch the trailer:

“The Possession of Hannah Grace” — Kirby Johnson, Shay Mitchell, Grey Damon, directed by Diederik Van Rooijen

The horror film tells the story of an exorcism gone wrong, claiming the life of a young woman named Hannah Grace (Kirby Johnson),whose body is possessed by a demonic force. Her burned, disfigured body is delivered to a Boston hospital, where Megan Reed (Shay Mitchell), a former cop-turned morgue employee, takes delivery. Soon, the ex-police officer begins to experience horrifying visions, which lead her to ruthless evil.

Note: This movie was not screened in advance for film critics, so we cannot provide a See/Skip verdict at the time of this guide's publication.

Watch the trailer:

“Anna And The Apocalypse” — Ella Hunt, Malcolm Cumming, directed by John McPhail

Horror and music merge in John McPhail’s latest film, a musical set against the backdrop of a zombie apocalypse.

In the movie, Ella Hunt (Anna) and her eccentric high school friends are suddenly thrust into an apocalyptic world, where hordes of zombies attack their sleepy town at Christmas. Before long, the best pals must fend for themselves against the undead who are hell-bent on killing them and their loved ones. Will they be able to survive the attack?

See it. While it’s entertaining, there are moments where the film overstays its welcome.

Watch the trailer:

Other entertainment news:

• What's New On Netflix: December 2018
• Netflix's Best Christmas Movies To Binge
• Reviews of 'Fantastic Beasts 2,' 'Widows,' 'Instant Family' And 'Green Book'
• Reviews of 'The Girl In The Spider's Web,' 'Overlord,' 'The Front Runner' And 'The Grinch'

Top Photo: (L-R) Andy Serkis, Rohan Chand and Christian Bale attend the premiere of Netflix's 'Mowgli' at ArcLight Hollywood on November 28, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Rachel Luna/Getty Images/Netflix)