Moviefone Editorial

Tag: Violent Night

Best Christmas Movies Ever

1965’s ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas.’ Photo: CBS.

Christmas is finally here again, which means it’s time to watch lots and lots of holiday movies including classics like ‘It’s a Wonderful Life‘, ‘Elf‘, and of course, ‘Die Hard‘!
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While there are many great theatrical and made-for-TV movies to choose from this holiday season, Moviefone has assembled a collection of fun, unique and beloved Christmas classics to make sure you add to your annual holiday watchlist, including a few that were just released this year.

Let’s begin and Merry Christmas!

Related Article: Michelle Pfeiffer and Felicity Jones Talk Holiday Comedy ‘Oh. What. Fun.’

35. ‘Tinsel Town‘ (2025)

(L to R) Kiefer Sutherland and Rebel Wilson in ‘Tinsel Town’. Photo: Brainstorm Media.

A washed-up Hollywood action hero (Kiefer Sutherland) is tricked into starring in a small English town’s chaotic Christmas pantomime, where a straight-talking dance instructor and his estranged daughter just might help him rediscover the magic of the season.
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34. ‘Silent Night‘ (2023)

Joel Kinnaman as Godlock in ‘Silent Night’. Photo Credit: Carlos Latapi.

From legendary director John Woo and the producer of ‘John Wick‘ comes this gritty revenge tale of a tormented father (Joel Kinnaman) who witnesses his young son die when caught in a gang’s crossfire on Christmas Eve. While recovering from a wound that costs him his voice, he makes vengeance his life’s mission and embarks on a punishing training regimen in order to avenge his son’s death. Full of Woo’s signature style, Silent Night redefines the action genre with visceral, thrill-a-minute storytelling.
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33. ‘Spirited‘ (2022)

(L to R) Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell in ‘Spirited,’ premiering November 18, 2022 on Apple TV+.

In ‘Spirited,’ Will Ferrell plays Christmas Present, who is considering retirement after the holidays but chooses to haunt Clint Briggs (Ryan Reynolds), an arrogant public relations executive who is completely aware of Charles Dickens’ famous story and that Present is trying to teach him about the true meaning of Christmas. The result is a fun twist on ‘A Christmas Carol,’ with fantastic musical numbers created by ‘La La Land’s Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.
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32. ‘The Polar Express‘ (2004)

2004’s ‘The Polar Express.’ Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.

No matter where you come down on the “creepy or cute” debate over this film’s CGI characters, Robert Zemeckis’ first animated holiday film has a surprisingly tender and important message for audiences of all ages as a young boy goes on an odyssey to prove that he can hold onto his Christmas spirit in the face of too many reasons not to believe.
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31. ‘The Night Before‘ (2015)

(L to R) Seth Rogen, Anthony Mackie, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt in ‘The Night Before.’ Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.

As quite possibly the only Jewish-themed Christmas movie (at least on this list), Jonathan Levine’s story of three friends (Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Anthony Mackie) searching for the ultimate Christmas party offers tons of laughs but also some surprisingly mature messages, all anchored by an unexpectedly delightful turn by Michael Shannon as the trio’s would-be guardian angel.
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30. ‘Merv‘ (2025)

(L to R) Zooey Deschanel and Gus in ‘Merv’. Photo Credit: Wilson Webb/Prime Video. © Amazon Content Services LLC.

When their beloved dog Merv loses his spark after their split, Anna (Zooey Deschanel) and Russ (Charlie Cox) are forced into the world’s most awkward co-parenting arrangement. Hoping to shake Merv out of his funk, Russ takes him to Florida for a much-needed getaway-only for Anna to show up unexpectedly. As Merv slowly gets his groove back, turns out fixing their dog’s broken heart may lead to a few sparks of their own.
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29. ‘Trading Places‘ (1983)

Dan Aykroyd as Louis Winthorpe III in ‘Trading Places.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.

A snobbish investor (Dan Aykroyd) and a wily street con-artist (Eddie Murphy) find their positions reversed as part of a bet by two callous millionaires.
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28. ‘Oh. What. Fun.‘ (2025)

Michelle Pfeiffer in ‘Oh. What. Fun.’ Photo: Prime Video.

Claire Clauster (Michelle Pfeiffer) is the glue that holds her chaotic, lovable family together at the holidays. But this year, after planning a special outing for them, they make a crucial mistake and leave her home alone. Fed up and feeling under appreciated, she sets off on an impromptu adventure of her own. As her family scrambles to find her, Claire discovers the unexpected magic of a Christmas gone off-script.
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27. ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas‘ (2000)

(Left) Jim Carrey as the Grinch in ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas.’ Photo: Universal Pictures.

This Ron Howard directed live-action remake of the beloved 1966 animated Dr. Seuss TV movie stars Jim Carrey in the title role and was an instant Christmas classic when it was released in 2000.
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26. ‘The Santa Clause‘ (1994)

Tim Allen as Scott Calvin / Santa Claus in ‘The Santa Clause.’ Photo: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.

Tim Allen’s 1990s hot streak continued with this story of a man who inadvertently inherits the mantle of Santa Claus and must adjust – and adjust his wardrobe – to accommodate the demands of one of the world’s most important jobs.
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25. ‘Die Hard 2‘ (1990)

Bruce Willis as John McClane in ‘Die Hard 2.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox.

Off-duty cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) is gripped with a feeling of déjà vu when, on a snowy Christmas Eve in the nation’s capital, terrorists seize a major international airport, holding thousands of holiday travelers hostage. Renegade military commandos led by a murderous rogue officer plot to rescue a drug lord from justice and are prepared for every contingency except one: McClane’s smart-mouthed heroics.
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24. ‘Arthur Christmas‘ (2011)

2011’s ‘Arthur Christmas.’ Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.

If the movies teach us anything it’s that Santa has a lot of family members – but this might be the first time he not only has kids, but a father of his own. In this delightful animated film, Santa’s son and old, OLD Saint Nick team up to deliver a lost gift to a young girl in time for Christmas.
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23. ‘Lethal Weapon‘ (1987)

(L to R) Danny Glover and Mel Gibson in ‘Lethal Weapon’. Photo: Warner Bros.

You may not remember, but ‘Lethal Weapon’ is totally a Christmas movie as it takes place over the holiday. On the eve of retirement, veteran LAPD detective Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) is assigned a new partner, Vietnam veteran Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson), a recent widower with suicidal tendencies. After initially bumping heads, the two come together to solve a homicide, bring down a group of heroin smugglers, and rescue Murtaugh’s family.
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22. ‘Bad Santa‘ (2003)

Billy Bob Thornton as Willie T. Soke in ‘Bad Santa.’ Photo: Miramax Films.

Terry Zwigoff’s midnight-black comedy offers a rejoinder to the notion that Christmas stories must be cheerful and bright, as alcoholic safe-cracker Willie Soke (Billy Bob Thornton) eats and drinks his way through the holiday season, holing up in the house of an outcast kid name Thurman who think he’s the real article as his partner Marcus tries to keep him in check (and sober enough to complete their annual Christmas Eve heist).
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21. ‘That Christmas‘ (2024)

‘That Christmas’. Photo: Netflix.

It’s an unforgettable Christmas for the townsfolk of Wellington-on-Sea when the worst snowstorm in history alters everyone’s plans — including Santa’s.
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20. ‘Miracle on 34th Street‘ (1947)

1947’s ‘Miracle on 34th Street.’ Photo: 20th Century-Fox.

The best holiday stories are those that remind you what it was like to be a kid – or at least that there’s some magic in the world – and this one is no exception: when a man dressed as Santa Claus and claiming to be him gets institutionalized, a young lawyer sets out to prove that he’s the real thing.
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19. ‘Gremlins‘ (1984)

1984’s ‘Gremlins.’ Photo: Warner Bros.

Joe Dante created this mischievous romp about a mysterious little creature and the trouble caused when his owner (Zach Galligan) fails to obey the very simple and strict rules for taking care of him. Featuring a cavalcade of manic, menacing, oddball creatures and plenty of Dante’s own impish creativity, it’s a highly unconventional holiday film that has earned its place in the canon.
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18. ‘How The Grinch Stole Christmas!‘ (1966)

1966’s ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas!’ Photo: MGM Animation/Visual Arts.

At 26 minutes and using only hand-drawn animation, this television special might lack some of the pizazz of the live-action and computer-animated versions that followed. But its adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ classic children’s book gets all of the details the most right, and features the immortal Boris Karloff as narrator, lending the character’s journey from crank to Christmas superfan a theatrical elegance that’s never been matched.
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17. ‘A Christmas Story‘ (1983)

Peter Billingsley as Ralphie Parker in 1983’s ‘A Christmas Story.’ Photo: MGM/UA Entertainment Co.

Bob Clark’s adaptation of Jean Shepherd’s “In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash” skillfully pays tribute to a bygone era of childhood fantasy and hilariously exposes the simple truth that it never really existed. Peter Billingsley is so good as the kid who wants nothing as much as a Red Ryder BB gun and will engage in any and all subterfuge to obtain one – and protect it even after his parents’ worst fears come true.
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16. ‘Candy Cane Lane‘ (2023)

Eddie Murphy as Chris Carver in ‘Candy Cane Lane.’ Photo: Claudette Barius. © AMAZON CONTENT SERVICES LLC.

A man (Eddie Murphy) is determined to win the neighborhood’s annual Christmas decorating contest. After making a pact with an elf (Jillian Bell) to help him win, the elf casts a spell bringing the 12 days of Christmas to life and unexpectedly bringing chaos to town.
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15. ‘The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special‘ (2022)

Chris Pratt as Peter Quill / Star-Lord in Marvel Studio’s ‘The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special.’

Written and directed by ‘Guardians of the Galaxy‘ James Gunn, the movie follows Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista) and Mantis (Pom Klementieff) as they set out to give Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) the best Christmas ever, after discovering that Yondu (Michael Rooker) ruined the holiday for him as a child. So, the two Guardians travel to Earth to kidnap Peter’s childhood hero, the ‘Footloose’ actor Kevin Bacon (playing himself), as the ultimate gift for Peter.
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14. ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas‘ (1965)

1965’s ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas.’ Photo: CBS.

This would make the list on the strength of Vince Guaraldi’s music alone, but this animated special qualifies as Charles Schulz’ magnum opus, as his beleaguered title character tries to find the true meaning of Christmas in a landscape marred by rampant commercialism.
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13. ‘The Holiday‘ (2006)

(L to R) Cameron Diaz and Jude Law in ‘The Holiday’. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.

Two women, one from the United States (Cameron Diaz) and one from the United Kingdom (Kate Winslet), swap homes at Christmas time after bad breakups with their boyfriends. Each woman finds romance with a local man but realizes that the imminent return home may end the relationship.
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12. ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas‘ (1993)

1993’s ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas.’ Photo: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.

Tim Burton combines the best of two holidays with this stop-motion animated film about Jack Skellington (Danny Elfman), an authority on all things Halloween who decides to turn his macabre creativity loose on Santa’s favorite day of the year.
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11. ‘Violent Night‘ (2022)

(L to R) Alexis Louder, and David Harbour in ‘Violent Night.’ © Universal Studios.

Asking the age old question: “What would Santa Clause do if he was in ‘Die Hard?’” ‘Violent Night’ stars David Harbour as Father Christmas, who has lost faith in mankind. While delivering gifts to a wealthy family on Christmas Eve, he discovers a group of criminals have taken the family hostage, and its up to Santa to save the day and rescue a little girl and her family, who teaches him that some people still believe in Christmas miracles.
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10. ‘Elf‘ (2003)

(Right) Will Ferrell in ‘Elf.’ Photo: New Line Cinema.

Jon Favreau’s comedic chops balance perfectly with Will Ferrell’s wholesome, silly enthusiasm in this endlessly entertaining story of a human raised at the North Pole who treks to civilization and reconnect with his father, a cynical workaholic book publisher played to perfection by James Caan.
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9. ‘Home Alone‘ (1990)

Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister in ‘Home Alone.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox.

John Hughes transitioned into decidedly more family-friendly territory with this script about a kid who gets left behind while the rest of his family heads out for their Christmas vacation. Macaulay Culkin became a star overnight as the precocious preteen who fends off burglars and holiday loneliness in Chris Columbus’ monster hit film.
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8. ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation‘ (1989)

Chevy Chase in 1989’s ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.’ Photo: Warner Bros.

Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo come clashing back together as Clark Griswold and his loving, long-suffering wife Ellen, this time trying to survive the holiday season that much like every other Clark family gathering seems destined for disaster.
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7. ‘Scrooged‘ (1988)

Bill Murray as Frank Cross in ‘Scrooged.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.

There have been a lot of great versions of Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol,’ but Bill Murray makes his version of Scrooge one of the wildest, this time a television executive who loses his way in a cutthroat industry and gets visited by three ghosts unafraid to beat him (literally) into a Christmas morning epiphany.
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6. ‘It’s a Wonderful Life‘ (1946)

(Center) James Stewart as George Bailey in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’ Photo: RKO Radio Pictures.

Frank Capra’s 1946 film initially achieved ubiquitousness by virtue of endless syndicated showings on television, but it became a classic on the strength of its story – a portrait of sacrifice and generosity – as well as a performance by Jimmy Stewart that utilized both his fragile desperation and scrappy determination.
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5. ‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang‘ (2005)

(L to R) Val Kilmer and Robert Downey Jr. in ‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.’ Photo: Warner Bros.

A petty thief (Robert Downey Jr.) posing as an actor is brought to Los Angeles for an unlikely audition and finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation along with his high school dream girl (Michelle Monaghan) and a detective (Val Kilmer) who’s been training him for his upcoming role.
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4. ‘The Holdovers‘ (2023)

(L to R) Dominic Sessa stars as Angus Tully and Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham in director Alexander Payne’s ‘The Holdovers,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of FOCUS FEATURES / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC.

From acclaimed director Alexander Payne, ‘The Holdovers’ follows a curmudgeonly instructor (Paul Giamatti) at a New England prep school who is forced to remain on campus during Christmas break to babysit the handful of students with nowhere to go. Eventually he forms an unlikely bond with one of them — a damaged, brainy troublemaker (newcomer Dominic Sessa) — and with the school’s head cook, who has just lost a son in Vietnam (Da’Vine Joy Randolph).
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3. ‘Love Actually‘ (2003)

(L to R) Emma Thompson as Karen and Alan Rickman as Harry in ‘Love Actually.’ Photo: United International Pictures.

Richard Curtis’ enchanting tapestry of relationships in the days and weeks leading up to Christmas continues to inspire debates about exactly how healthy the behavior some of its cast of characters are, but that’s sort of the point of the movie itself: what we all want, what we’re pursuing, and at what cost all connects through love, even if in some cases that means the fractured relationship between a husband (Alan Rickman) and wife (Emma Thompson), and others, the recognition of a soul mate in a long-suffering tour manager (Gregor Fisher) and his unpredictable rock-star client (Bill Nighy).
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2. ‘The Muppet Christmas Carol‘ (1992)

1992’s ‘The Muppet Christmas Carol.’ Photo: Walt Disney Pictures.

This “Christmas Carol” adaptation has largely been reduced by the internet to a meme of its Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine) dancing along with one of Jim Henson’s human-sized puppets, but the film remains one of the most magical – and emotional – versions of the story ever told, thanks to a Bob Cratchit, played by Kermit the Frog, who irresistibly embodies the everyman everyone loves.
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1. ‘Die Hard‘ (1988)

Bruce Willis as John McClane in ‘Die Hard.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox.

Before John McClane became a superhero and Bruce Willis descended into super-stardom, his performance in this iconic original installment oozed with everyman charm as the New York cop loses his shoes, battles a skyscraper full of terrorists, and tries to make peace with his estranged wife (Bonnie Bedelia).
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December 24, 2025
Kristen Bell and Daniela Melchior Join ‘Violent Night 2’
(Left) Kristen Bell as Joanne in episode 101 of ‘Nobody Wants This’. Photo: Stefania Rosini/Netflix © 2024. (Right) Daniela Melchior stars in ‘Road House.’ Photo: Laura Radford. Copyright: © Amazon Content Services LLC.

Preview:
- Kristen Bell and Daniela Melchior are joining ‘Violent Night 2’.
- David Harbour returns as a Santa.
- Tommy Wirkola is directing once more.
You better watch out, you better not cry, better not pout… I’m telling you why: as we learned way back in January 2023, a sequel to 2022’s festive themed action comedy ‘Violent Night’ was reported as in development.

The creative team have certainly taken their time, but things are clearly moving forward as Deadline reports that Kristen Bell (‘Frozen’) and Daniela Melchior (‘The Suicide Squad’) are joining a returning David Harbour to lead the cast.
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Harbour, of course, returns as the grumpy Santa Claus who has a propensity for dishing out a little of the ol’ ultraviolence to anyone who makes his naughty list.

Tommy Wirkola (‘Dead Snow’) is back calling the shots (and punches, and hits to the baubles), while the sequel’s script comes from the writers of the original, Pat Casey and Josh Miller.

Related Article: David Harbour’s Santa will be Back for More Christmas Action in ‘Violent Night’ Sequel

What was the story of ‘Violent Night’?

(L to R) Alexis Louder, and David Harbour in ‘Violent Night.’ © Universal Studios.

‘Violent Night’ starred Harbour as a version of Santa who is feeling a little jaded about the whole Christmas thing after centuries of delivering presents to increasingly ungrateful kids.

A Norse warrior lord before he was tapped to don the red suit and bring joy to the world, he’s tired of lists asking for cash or video games, and of competing with Amazon. Plus, the genuine “thank yous” are few and far between.

So when he stumbles into a hostage situation at the Lightstone family compound, where the wealthy Gertrude (Beverly D’Angelo) and her grown kids, in-laws and grandchildren have gathered to celebrate a typically passive-aggressive Christmas, he’s initially more concerned with raiding the liquor cabinet than helping out, he’s moved by young Trudy Lightstone (Leah Brady) to take down the villain known as Scrooge (John Leguizamo) and his goons.

There are zero details on what the sequel will feature, besides presumably Harbour’s less-than-Jolly Old Saint Nick putting a beat down on some new threats.

They’re not the only new recruits –– Deadline reports that Jared Harris and Joe Pantoliano are also aboard the film, in unknown roles.

Will Bell be a villain? Someone Santa has to save? And what of Melchior (who, after all, shares a name with a Biblical wise man associated with Christmas)? Looks like we’ll all have to act like kids on Christmas Eve and wait to see what this new cine-gift has to offer.

Where else can we see Kristen Bell and Daniela Melchior?

Kristen Bell in 2014’s ‘Veronica Mars’. Photo: Warner Bros.

Bell popped up in a cameo as herself in the most recent season of ‘Hacks’, but beyond that was the star of Netflix comedy drama series ‘Nobody Wants This’ in 2024. The show returns to the streaming service for Season 2 on October 23rd this year.

She’ll also reprise the key role of Anna in ‘Frozen III’, due in theaters on November 24th, 2027.

As for Melchior, she’s been seen in the likes of ‘Road House’ and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ and will next be among the leads for social media thriller ‘American Sweatshop’, headed to screens on September 19th.

When will ‘Violent Night 2’ be on screens?

Universal has confirmed that the sequel will be in cinemas on December 4th, 2026. It’ll be the fight before Christmas!

(L to R) Director Tommy Wirkola and David Harbour on the set of ‘Violent Night.’ © Universal Studios.

List of Movies and TV Featuring Kristen Bell:

‘Spartan’ (2004)
‘Veronica Mars’ (2004)
‘Pulse’ (2006)
‘Gossip Girl’ (2007)
‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’ (2008)
‘Fanboys’ (2009)
‘Party Down’ (2009)
‘Couples Retreat’ (2009)
‘When in Rome’ (2010)
‘You Again’ (2010)
‘Burlesque’ (2010)
‘Scream 4’ (2011)
‘Safety Not Guaranteed’ (2012)
‘Big Miracle’ (2012)
‘House of Lies’ (2012)
‘Frozen’ (2013)
‘The Boss’ (2016)
‘Bad Moms’ (2016)
‘Nobody Wants This’ (2024)

Buy Kristen Bell Movies and TV on Amazon
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September 4, 2025
Every David Leitch Movie, Ranked

David Leitch in Paris for ‘Bullet Train.’ Credit: Oliver Vigerie/Sony Pictures.

David Leitch is one of the most popular action directors working today.

After beginning his career as a stunt performer and coordinator, Leitch’s first move behind the camera was as an unofficial co-director with Chad Stahelski on ‘John Wick‘. Eventually, he would go on to direct such popular films as ‘Atomic Blonde,’ ‘Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw,’ ‘Deadpool 2,’ and ‘Bullet Train,’ not to mention producing ‘Nobody‘ and ‘Violent Night.’

His new movie, ‘The Fall Guy,’ which is an adaption of the 1980’s TV series and stars Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, opens in theaters on May 3rd.

In honor of the new film, Moviefone is counting down every movie David Leitch has ever directed or produced, including his latest.

Let’s begin!

8. ‘Bullet Train‘ (2022)

(L to R) Brad Pitt and Aaron Taylor-Johnson in Sony’s ‘Bullet Train.’ Photo: Scott Garfield.

Unlucky assassin Ladybug (Brad Pitt) is determined to do his job peacefully after one too many gigs gone off the rails. Fate, however, may have other plans, as Ladybug’s latest mission puts him on a collision course with lethal adversaries from around the globe—all with connected, yet conflicting, objectives—on the world’s fastest train.
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7. ‘Violent Night‘ (2022)

(L to R) Alexis Louder, and David Harbour in ‘Violent Night.’ © Universal Studios.

When a team of mercenaries breaks into a wealthy family compound on Christmas Eve, taking everyone inside hostage, the team isn’t prepared for a surprise combatant: Santa Claus (David Harbour) is on the grounds, and he’s about to show why this Nick is no saint.
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6. ‘Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw‘ (2019)

(L to R) Jason Statham and Dwayne Johnson in ‘Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw.’ Photo: Universal Pictures.

Ever since US Diplomatic Security Service Agent Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and lawless outcast Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) first faced off, they just have traded smack talk and body blows. But when cyber-genetically enhanced anarchist Brixton’s ruthless actions threaten the future of humanity, they join forces to defeat him.
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5. ‘Nobody‘ (2021)

Bob Odenkirk in ‘Nobody.’ Photo: Universal Pictures.

Hutch Mansell (Bob Odenkirk), is an underestimated and overlooked dad and husband, taking life’™s indignities on the chin and never pushing back. A nobody. When two thieves break into his suburban home one night, Hutch declines to defend himself or his family, hoping to prevent serious violence. His teenage son, Blake (Gage Munroe), is disappointed in him and his wife, Becca (Connie Nielsen), seems to pull only further away. The aftermath of the incident strikes a match to Hutch’s long-simmering rage, triggering dormant instincts and propelling him on a brutal path that will surface dark secrets and lethal skills. In a barrage of fists, gunfire and squealing tires, Hutch must save his family from a dangerous adversary (Alexey Serebryakov) and ensure that he will never be underestimated as a nobody again.
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4. ‘Atomic Blonde‘ (2017)

Charlize Theron in 2017’s ‘Atomic Blonde.’

An undercover MI6 agent (Charlize Theron) is sent to Berlin during the Cold War to investigate the murder of a fellow agent and recover a missing list of double agents.
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3. ‘The Fall Guy‘ (2024)

Ryan Gosling is Colt Seavers in ‘The Fall Guy,’ directed by David Leitch. © Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

He’s a stuntman (Ryan Gosling), and like everyone in the stunt community, he gets blown up, shot, crashed, thrown through windows and dropped from the highest of heights, all for our entertainment. And now, fresh off an almost career-ending accident, this working-class hero has to track down a missing movie star (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), solve a conspiracy and try to win back the love of his life (Emily Blunt) while still doing his day job. What could possibly go right?
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2. ‘John Wick‘ (2014)

Keanu Reeves as John Wick in 2014’s ‘John Wick.’

Ex-hitman John Wick (Keanu Reeves) comes out of retirement to track down the gangsters that took everything from him.
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1. ‘Deadpool 2‘ (2018)

(L to R) Zazie Beetz, Bill Skarsgård, Ryan Reynolds, Lewis Tan, and Terry Crews in ‘Deadpool 2.’

Wisecracking mercenary Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) battles the evil and powerful Cable (Josh Brolin) and other bad guys to save a boy’s life.
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May 1, 2024
‘Violent Night 2’ in the Works

(L to R) Director Tommy Wirkola and David Harbour on the set of ‘Violent Night.’ © Universal Studios.

‘Violent Night’ was a surprising burst of manic fun late last year, a cocktail of ‘Die Hard’, ‘Home Alone’ and, to some degree ‘Santa Claus: The Movie’ which saw David Harbour’s not-so-jolly old Saint Nick taking out criminals who took a wealthy family hostage.

The Universal movie was a box office hit, earning more than $75 million worldwide (with more coming from its digital home entertainment release) off the back of a $20 million budget.

Now, according to director Tommy Wirkola (talking to The Wrap), the pieces are falling into place for a follow-up. “We’re talking about it and we’re just making deals and getting everything in order.”

In case you were a Grinch and skipped it, ‘Violent Night’ starred Harbour as a version of Santa who is feeling a little jaded about the whole Christmas thing after centuries of delivering presents to increasingly ungrateful kids.

A Norse warrior lord before he was tapped to don the red suit and bring joy to the world, he’s tired of lists asking for cash or video games, and of competing with Amazon. Plus, the genuine “thank yous” are few and far between.

(L to R) Jason (Alex Hassell), Gertrude (Beverly D’Angelo), Alva (Edi Patterson), Linda (Alexis Louder), Trudy (Leah Brady) and Santa (David Harbour) in ‘Violent Night,’ directed by Tommy Wirkola.

So when he stumbles into a hostage situation at the Lightstone family compound, where the wealthy Gertrude (Beverly D’Angelo) and her grown kids, in-laws and grandchildren have gathered to celebrate a typically passive-aggressive Christmas, he’s initially more concerned with raiding the liquor cabinet than helping out, he’s moved by young Trudy Lightstone (Leah Brady) to take down the villain known as Scrooge (John Leguizamo) and his goons.

Written by ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ duo Pat Casey and Josh Miller and produced by David Leitch’s action-orientated 87North company, the film is a winning blend of laughs and kick-ass set pieces.

According to Wirkola, who was out promoting the Blu-ray release, the team will not be rushing to make the follow-up, so don’t go looking under the cinematic tree this year. “We have time to really crack the script and figure out the story,” Wirkola says. “And we have some ideas, me and Pat and Josh and the producers, we’ve been talking about where we want to take it and what we want to see.”

Of course, there are no details on what the story might be yet, besides Harbour’s Santa facing another situation. But Wirkola and co. know what they have left to play with.

“There’s stuff we left on the floor like the North Pole, Mrs. Claus, the elves,” Wirkola adds. “But story-wise I think we have a really, really cool idea that expands on the world and scope, but still keeping that tone that we love from the first one.”

As long as it’s full of Harbour dealing rough justice to those on the naughty list, it could be another winner.

(L to R) Alexis Louder, and David Harbour in ‘Violent Night.’ © Universal Studios.
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January 23, 2023
Movie Review: ‘Violent Night’

(L to R) Leah Brady, and David Harbour in ‘Violent Night.’ © Universal Studios.

Punching into theaters on December 2nd, ‘Violent Night’ represents the sort of Christmas movie that is certainly not festive fun for the whole family. But for those whose tastes run more towards the more brutally entertaining likes of ‘Atomic Blonde’ or ‘Bullet Train’, it’s got some fun lurking in Santa’s sack.

Father Christmas in this case is played by ‘Stranger Things’ David Harbour as a grizzled, jaded sort introduced drowning his sorrows at a pub in England between “shifts” delivering presents to the ungrateful spawn of the world. A Nordic warrior who has been handing out presents for more than 1100 years now, he’s seen it all.

And as the world has moved on from more traditional Christmases towards cash gifts, Amazon deliveries and video games, he’s become increasingly disillusioned, ranting about kids who “want, crave and consume”. The movie’s cynically playful tone is set early on when the barkeep, concerned that the sozzled Santa has headed to the roof, is overjoyed to discover him flying away on the traditional reindeer-pulled sleigh, only to be drenched in vomit by the overindulging Claus.

So what can help Santa regain the joy and belief in himself if fewer and fewer are believing in him? Tommy Wirkola’s new film, written by ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ script duo Pat Casey and Josh Miller, posits that what he needs is a ferocious encounter with thieves who are looking to rob a wealthy family.

(L to R) Stephanie Sy, John Leguizamo, and André Eriksen in ‘Violent Night,’ directed by Tommy Wirkola. © Universal Studios.

Led by John Leguizamo’s Scrooge – his code name – this bunch of Naughty List-dwelling robbers have finagled their way into the swanky, well-defended Lightstone compound posing as caterers and entertainers. Before long, the squabbling brood overseen by Beverly D’Angelo’s Gertrude Lightstone (who is much more a female Logan Roy from ‘Succession’ than ‘National Lampoon’s sweet Ellen Griswold) are being held at gunpoint while the gang look to raid their vault.

Of course, Santa shows up to deliver gifts (and sample some expensive whiskey) and has to help save these largely irredeemable types from the even nastier threat that has invaded their home. His real motivation, though, is young Trudy Lightstone (Leah Brady), a sweet-natured girl who just wants her parents Jason (Alex Hassell) and Linda (Alexis Louder) to reconcile.

It’s a set up that promises plenty of opportunities, but the movie tends to squander them with first-draft family dynamics and mugging from some of the cast (though others, such as ‘The Righteous Gemstones’ Edi Patterson grab the chance to be despicable and run with it).

When the saccharine stuff eventually creeps in, it’s largely manageable and not too sickly, largely balanced by the violence that has been perpetrated before.

(L to R) Director Tommy Wirkola and David Harbour on the set of ‘Violent Night.’ © Universal Studios.

While the story can’t quite hold everything together, the set-pieces have much more value. Which is perhaps not surprising given both director Wirkola’s past movies such as ‘Dead Snow’ and ‘Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters’ and the team from 87North.

Spawned from the stunt training facility co-founded by David Leitch (who produces here) and Chad Stahelski after their days working on the original ‘Matrix’ trilogy, it has since become one of the go-to destinations for actors looking to whip themselves into fighting shape. And to design memorable action moments for both the founders and other filmmakers.

Here, the focus is on inventive ways to off nameless (or codenamed) goons with different takes on Christmas staples or other items. So Harbour’s Santa battles armed thieves with a stocking full of pool balls, festive decorations and, in one particularly stabby/slashy moment, an ice skate.

And there is the most inventive, splashy use of Santa’s chimney transport trick to murder someone that we’ve seen in the cinema. Which shouldn’t be surprising, as Santas outside of the odd horror movie don’t generally go on killing sprees.

(L to R) Alexis Louder, and David Harbour in ‘Violent Night.’ © Universal Studios.

Harbour absolutely commits to the role of a Santa Claus who used to spend his days smashing heads with a hammer, and despite being tired from years of Christmas duty, still relishes the chance to punish the naughty with more than just coal. Cue lots of spins on Christmas song lyrics turned into catchphrases.

‘Violent Night’ also tips its hat early on to its big influences – ‘Die Hard’, obviously, with Harbour’s character having more than a little John McClane about him – world-weary protagonist dropped into a tough situation who often has to stitch himself up. And then there’s Trudy trying out some ‘Home Alone’ booby traps against the baddies with less cartoony results than Kevin McCallister ever dreamed of.

Forced to do a lot of the heavy lifting, the fight scenes don’t always balance out the fact that the plot is thin and the characters less than stimulating. The baddies are mostly just stock criminals waiting for Santa to kill them off. There are times when it all feels like a video game as Harbour ploughs through the different level of challenges, which is somehow fitting given the writers’ ‘Sonic’ experience.

Yet even Leguizamo, bringing a welcome cocktail of rage and humor to the main villain, can’t quite make it all hang together, leaving the story to droop like an old Christmas tree.

(L to R) Mitra Suri and John Leguizamo in ‘Violent Night,’ directed by Tommy Wirkola. © Universal Studios.

Plus the twists and turns are entirely predictable, leaving Santa as the main reason to keep watching. Wirkola has some fun with the situation, and the needle drops feature some more eclectic choices alongside the standards, it’s just disappointing that the movie doesn’t do more with what it has.

Yet like a slightly overdone gingerbread cookie, it still has its pleasures, mostly whenever Harbour is on screen. Or when a nativity scene is utilized to take out some villains in a way that would probably give the Pope a conniption fit.

It could certainly benefit from a little more of the Christmas magic that Santa keeps talking about, but ‘Violent Night’ is worth unwrapping at the cinema if you ever wondered what ‘John Wick’ at Yule would look like.

‘Violent Night receives 3.5 out of 5 stars.

David Harbour in ‘Violent Night,’ directed by Tommy Wirkola.
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December 3, 2022
‘Violent Night’ Interview: David Harbour

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Opening in theaters on December 2nd is the new Christmas action/comedy film entitled ‘Violent Night,’ which was directed by Tommy Wirkola (‘Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters’).

The new movie is basically Santa Claus in ‘Die Hard’ with elements of ‘Home Alone’ and ‘Bad Santa’ thrown in for good measure.

On Christmas Eve, when a wealthy family is held hostage in their home by mercenaries led by Mr. Scrooge (John Leguizamo), the real Santa Claus (David Harbour), who has lost the Christmas spirit must summon his strength to defeat the bad guys and save the family including a young girl named Trudy (Leah Brady), who still believes in the magic of Christmas and Santa Claus.

In addition to Harbour, Leguizamo, and Brady, the cast also includes Cam Gigandet, Alex Hassell, Alexis Louder, Edi Patterson, Andre Eriksen, and Beverly D’Angelo (‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’).

Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with David Harbour about his work on ‘Violent Night,’ the unusual screenplay, his version of Santa Clause, and shooting the incredible action sequences.

(L to R) Alexis Louder, and David Harbour in ‘Violent Night.’ © Universal Studios.

You can read our full interview with David Harbour below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Harbour, John Leguizamo, and director Tommy Wirkola.

Moviefone: To begin with, what was your first reaction this screenplay and it’s “Santa Claus in ‘Die Hard’” concept?

David Harbour: I mean, before they even gave me the script, they sort of pitched me the idea and I was initially like, “This is insane, no thank you.” They were like, “No, no, no. The director and the producer would really like to talk to you about it, and we’d really like to send you the script,” and they did.

Tommy, the director, is this kind of childlike, Norwegian elfish weirdo who just loves Christmas, and David Leitch has done incredible action movies. They sent me this script and it had such a unique blend of this ‘John Wick’ action, which I love and have always wanted to do.

I saw Charlize Theron in ‘Atomic Blonde’ and I was like, “Oh, I want to be doing that. I want to be the guy doing the choreography.” On top of that, it’s like ‘Miracle on 34th Street,’ where it really does have a Christmas heart beating at the center of it, about a little girl who wants to believe in Santa Claus. The fact that those two things were together, it was such a unique thing. I’d never seen it before, and I got really excited about it.

MF: What was your approach to playing this exaggerated version of Santa Claus?

DH: I mean, what I was curious about is we have this mythological figure that we lie to our kids about. We say he’s real and he’s delivering presents to you, which by the way, I think is fantastic. It’s hilarious that we all just lie to children, I think it’s great. But we don’t really know much about him, except he’s a big fat guy in a red suit who delivers presents to nice, and not to naughty kids.

So, I wanted to have the image of the “Coca-Cola Santa” in the beginning with the little glasses and the curly white beard, but then as the movie goes on, I wanted to see who’s underneath that mask?

(L to R) Jason (Alex Hassell), Gertrude (Beverly D’Angelo), Alva (Edi Patterson), Linda (Alexis Louder), Trudy (Leah Brady) and Santa (David Harbour) in ‘Violent Night,’ directed by Tommy Wirkola.

10,000 years ago, there was a guy in Christian mythology called St. Nicholas, who he’s based on. There’s other traditions, Germany has a guy called Weihnachtsmann, and different cultures have different versions of this guy. So, my interest was, who really is this guy? I think as the movie goes on, we sort of peel back that he wasn’t always such a jolly, fat guy, that there’s some complexity there, and that really interested me in going deep into who that guy was specifically.

MF: Finally, can you talk about your preparation for the action sequences and what it was like shooting those scenes?

DH: It was brutal and great. I mean, I have gotten into a little bit of the fight world through ‘Stranger Things,’ and through the Marvel series (‘Black Widow’ and the upcoming ‘Thunderbolts’), but I’d never done anything as intense as this.

The guys who did this are the stunt guys that do the ‘John Wick’ movies, which are known for their incredible action sequences. They trained me for a couple months in Jujutsu, and Greco-Roman wrestling, and I was working with a couple stunt guys who I got to know their rhythm very well.

But that choreography, it’s just a lot of training. You’re just training and tired all day long, but it’s so exciting to be able to represent what that can be. It was a lot of fun, but it’s really hard work. I mean, watching those fights on UFC and stuff, I have a newfound respect for the guys that do that discipline. It really is exhausting.

David Harbour stars as Santa Claus in Universal Pictures’ ‘Violent Night.’
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November 29, 2022
‘Violent Night’ Trailer Features Santa Vs. Baddies

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As the song goes, “You better watch out. You better not cry. You better not pout…” We’re telling you why – Santa Claus is not just coming to town. He’s going to town battling baddies who decide to take hostage and rob a wealthy family.

That’s the basic concept for ‘Violent Night’, the new film from ‘Dead Snow’ and ‘Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters’ director Tommy Wirkola.

‘Stranger Things’ David Harbour stars here as Father Christmas, who when we first meet him in the trailer, is drowning his sorrows. He’s the OG Santa, and has been at this game a long time, starting to lose some self-belief.

What could restore his Christmas spirit? Try showing up at the home of young Trudy Lightstone (Leah Brady), whose wealthy family have gathered at their remote compound to celebrate the season.

(L to R) Jason (Alex Hassell), Gertrude (Beverly D’Angelo), Alva (Edi Patterson), Linda (Alexis Louder), Trudy (Leah Brady) and Santa (David Harbour) in ‘Violent Night,’ directed by Tommy Wirkola.

Yet when their party is rudely interrupted by a group of mercenaries led by John Leguizamo’s Ben – a gang who want to rob the family of the $300 million sitting in their vault – Santa will have to dish out some season’s beatings.

Expect a lot of Christmas puns in this one, which comes across as ‘Die Hard’ meets ‘Bad Santa’. While Harbour’s take on the character isn’t as badly behaved as Billy Bob Thornton’s, he’s certainly not your average, jolly Kris Kringle. This Santa knows how to fight.

With David Leitch – who became friends with Wirkola after running second unit and stunts for him on ‘Hansel & Gretel’ – producing alongside his partner Kelly McCormick and their 87North company, you know the combat scenes are going to be intense and inventive.

Boasting a host of Christmas decorations around to use as weapons, Santa will be dishing out rough justice to all those the naughty list, and even swapping out the usual lump of coal for a grenade down someone’s pants. Christmas lights, decorations and candy canes are all utilized to take out the baddies.

David Harbour in ‘Violent Night,’ directed by Tommy Wirkola.

The cast for ‘Violent Night’ also includes Cam Gigandet, Alex Hassell, Alexis Louder, Edi Patterson, and, because Wirkola is a big fan of ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’, Beverly D’Angelo, here playing a much frostier character than her beloved, easygoing Ellen Griswold.

Expect a load of references and Easter Eggs – though perhaps that should be Christmas baubles – to other festive films here, including ‘Home Alone’ and as mentioned above, ‘Die Hard’.

The tone is silly fun with a side order of furious chaos; after all, how many other films have Santa beating someone up with a sock filled with pool balls and then a joke about stepping in reindeer poop? You know what you did, Prancer.

With a script by ‘Sonic The Hedgehog’ franchise veterans Pat Casey and Josh Miller, ‘Violent Night’ will be in theaters on December 2nd. Always bet on red…

(L to R) David Harbour and director Tommy Wirkola on the set of ‘Violent Night.’

(L to R) David Harbour and John Leguizamo on the set of ‘Violent Night.’
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October 5, 2022
Universal Brings New ‘Nope’ Footage and More to CinemaCon

Daniel Kaluuya in ‘Nope,’ written and directed by Jordan Peele. © 2022 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Universal talked a big game at its CinemaCon presentation on Wednesday afternoon – and specifically about big numbers in terms of releases.

The studio has more than 20 movies scheduled for release this year (yes, even more than production powerhouse Disney), and was ready to sell that idea to the assembled theater owners in the audience.

Pairing on-stage filmmaking talent with workers from the boots-on-the-ground cinema world, Universal kicked things off with Jordan Peele’s anticipated next horror, ‘Nope’.

Taking part in a Q&A with Anthony Fykes, co-owner of Next Act Cinema, the first-Black owned cinema in the Baltimore area, Peele outlined his movie-making policy. “I’m always attracted by my favorite movie I haven’t seen before,” said Peele. “My plan is to bring these new ideas and nightmares to the big screen.”

And about his latest? “This is definitely a ride. I like titles that are into how the audience is feeling and reflect on what they are thinking and feeling in the theater,” Peele told the crowd. “I’m going to personally thrive on the amount of times that we hear ‘Nope’ in the theater.”

Despite comically answering “nope” to the question of whether he’d brought footage, he did unveil a new trailer for the movie – which stars Daniel Kaluuya (from Peele’s ‘Get Out’), Keke Palmer, Steven Yeun, Barbie Ferreira, Brandon Perea, and Michael Wincott.

Peele did ask that the audience not give away anything about the new teaser (which won’t be shown to regular audiences for a few weeks) but so far the story appears to involve workers at a ranch that caters to Hollywood productions being bothered by threats from the sky. Peele revealed that he’d been using new IMAX techniques to bring to the screen shots that no one has seen before.

Somewhere, you can just hear James Cameron muttering, “challenge: accepted!”

‘Nope’ is scheduled to land in theaters on July 2nd.
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Next up was Jamie Lee Curtis, there to promote ‘Halloween Ends’, and from the sounds of her comments, it’s also the big finale for her performance as victim-turned-badass Laurie Strode.

Yet before all of that, Curtis displayed her trademark sense of humor. “Two people got up?! Okay, whatever, it’s only been 44 f*****g years. I’m fine. I’m secure. Its’ fine. It’s really nice to be here again,” she announced upon arriving on stage (to a huge cheer and warm reaction from the audience).

Curtis went on to describe ‘Halloween Ends’, once again directed by David Gordon Green– as “Laurie Strode’s last stand.” The movie stars Curtis and Andi Matichak as Laurie’s granddaughter, Alysson, with the two working to stop stalking killer Michael Myers for good. It’ll wrap up the trilogy kicked off by Green in 2018’s ‘Halloween’ and continued via last year’s ‘Halloween Kills’.

Curtis visibly welled up as she confessed that, “It’s been the ride of my life to portray Laurie Strode,” adding that she knows now why horror movies matter: “Horror lets us confront what we can’t control.”

‘Halloween Ends’ stalks into theaters on October 14th, just in time for… well, you know the holiday it’s named for.
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The horror vibes continued with techno terror ‘M3GAN,’ which like, the recent ‘Halloween’ movies is a Blumhouse production.

Produced by James Wan and directed by ‘Housebound’s Gerard Johnstone, it stars Allison Williams as Gemma, a brilliant roboticist working at a toy company who creates a lifelike doll. When she gains custody of her orphaned niece, she uses the prototype of the doll with unimaginable consequences.

Williams was on stage to introduce the footage – which, somewhat predictably shows the doll reacting badly when someone in the family starts tries to shut it down when it begins behaving oddly – and admitted that despite starring in the likes of this and ‘Get Out’, “I’m genuinely too scared to watch 99 percent of the films in the genre.”

‘M3GAN’ will find its way into theaters on January 13th next year.
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Baltasar Kormakur’s latest, ‘Beast’, stars Idris Elba, and while it had a more muted presentation – really just a trailer – the footage showed Elba’s Dr. Nate Samuels on an African adventure with his wife and daughters when the situation turns desperate, and they are hunted by a lion. Samuels will have to survive and fight back to save his family.

‘Beast’ will stalk to theaters on August 19th.
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Keeping up with the terror vibe was the first trailer for André Øvredal’s ‘Last Voyage of the Demeter’, which adapts the chapter from Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’ entitled ‘Captain’s Log’.

The movie stars David Dastmalchian, Aisling Franciosi, Liam Cunningham, Corey Hawkins, Javier Botet, Jon Briones and more in the story which follows the merchant ship Demeter on a voyage from Carpathia to London. Strange events befall the doomed crew as they attempt to survive the ocean voyage. Probably because a certain vampire is aboard, and takes a liking to some of his fellow passengers…

‘Last Voyage of the Demeter’ sails in on January 27th next year.
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The terror levels decreased significantly (well, depending on how you view stressful family gatherings) thanks to star and executive producer Jo Koy introducing ‘Easter Sunday’.

Bringing the laughs (and making references to Jamie Lee Curtis’ sweary schtick), Koy explained how he planned his outfit – he was clad in his 18-year-old son’s pants to be fashion forward. “But I don’t have my son’s balls. I have 50-year-old balls.”

He continues by saying that Steven Spielberg first caught his stand-up act, and invited the comedian in to pitch his story, a universal one (he’s at the right studio, then). “We all laugh at the same shit,” Koy explained.

After Koy threw sweatshirts out to the crowd, he cued the trailer, which draws from his own life experiences and shows his chaotic Filipino family around the dinner table. The movie, despite its seemingly seasonal title, will be out on August 5, directed by Jay Chandrasekhar.
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Koy was followed by ‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’ voice star Steve Carell, there to promote the latest chapter of the ever-expanding ‘Despicable Me’ franchise. He joked around with a cinema owner, who he challenged to mimic Gru and then introduced a clip from the movie, which arrives on July 1st after being pushed back more than once by pandemic concerns.

Animation was also represented by ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’. Introduced by one of the movie’s voice stars, Harvey Guillen (he’s Perro, a new character, who happens to be a chatty chihuahua), the story follows Puss’ (Antonio Banderas) attempts to secure more lives for himself after all his various scrapes. A new trailer was shown for the ‘toon, which debuts on December 21st.

Billy Eichner was on predictably comic form, arriving at CinemaCon for ‘Bros’, the rom com he wrote and stars in alongside Luke Macfarlane.

As is usual for the event, Eichner brought a clip from the movie, which showed Eichner as a podcast host who gets hired by a movie studio to write a gay romantic comedy in a very meta idea. Eichner’s character lays out his mission statement: “I don’t want any Hollywood bullshit, no scenes where two gay guys are about to hook up and all of a sudden the camera conveniently pulls away.”

‘Bros’ breaks new ground by featuring an all-LGBTQ+ cast, which Eichner talked about on stage. “You don’t believe a gay man can play straight but you suspend disbelief for Chewbacca,” he quipped, touting ‘Bros’ as the first gay rom-com ever to come from a major studio, adding he’s “not talking about the new Buzz Lightyear movie.”

Directed by Nicholas Stoller, ‘Bros’ will be out in theaters on September 30.
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Despite a comparative lack of star power on stage, ‘Ticket to Paradise’ boasts plenty of it on screen, with George Clooney and Julia Roberts as a divorced couple that reunites and travels to Bali to stop their daughter (Kaitlyn Dever), from making the same mistake they think they made 25 years ago by marrying someone she just met. Billie Lourd, Lucas Bravo, Amanda O’Dempsey, Rowan Chapman, Murran Kain and Vanessa Everett round out the cast for that one, which travels to theaters on October 21st.

On a more serious note, that was followed by the first look at ‘She Said’, the drama about the investigative reporters at the New York Times who helped to break the Harvey Weinstein story that kicked off the #MeToo movement.

Stars Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan, who play reporters Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor respectively, were on hand to introduce the film’s trailer, and they talked up the importance of the behind-the-scenes story and Kantor and Twohey’s book on which the film is based.

The trailer showed Twohey and Kantor starting small in trying to peel back the layers on harassment, only to go deeper down the rabbit hole and finding people unwilling to say anything on the record as it turned to accusations about Weinstein.

“The only way these women are going to go on the record,” Kantor says in the trailer, “Is if they all jump together,” Twohey responds.

Maria Schrader directs, with the screenplay by Rebecca Lenkiewicz. The film opens in theaters from Universal on November 18th.
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Universal’s Focus Features had its own section, to debut looks at several of its movies. They included ‘Downton Abbey: A New Era’, due on May 20th, heartwarming comedy ‘Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris’ (July 15th), and ‘Little Children’ director Todd Field’s first film in 15 years, ‘Tár’, set in the world of classical music, starring Cate Blanchett as a conductor. ‘Tár’ will be in theaters on October 15th.

James Gray’s ‘Armageddon Time’ also received a first look of its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. The coming-of-age story about the strength of family and the generational pursuit of the American Dream showcases a cast led by Anthony Hopkins, Jeremy Strong and Anne Hathaway. It has yet to score a general release date.

Following the relatively low-key, prestige Focus offerings, it was back to action chaos for ‘Violent Night’, introduced by star (and ‘Stranger Things’ regular) David Harbour.

‘Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters’ director Tommy Wirkola’s latest stars Harbour as a weapon-toting, butt-kicking Santa, who must recuse a household taken hostage by a John Leguizamo’s villain.

Harbour raved about the experience of playing a hammer-swinging Santa who swears up a storm. The tone appeared to be a blend of ‘Die Hard’ and ‘John Wick’ and the movie arrives down theater chimneys on December 2nd.

Ignoring the elephant in the room – as in the sudden directorial vacancy for ‘Fast X’ – Universal chose to close its presentation with other big creatures: the dinosaurs of ‘Jurassic World Dominion’.

Bryce Dallas Howard in Universal Pictures’ ‘Jurassic World: Dominion’

Bryce Dallas Howard and Jeff Goldblum were brought on stage to unleash some new footage, which sees the legacy likes of Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Goldblum teaming up with Howard and Chris Pratt to find a missing baby raptor.

“We are genuinely very enthused, we are crazed about this movie,” Goldblum told the crowd, revealing that this will be the first movie his kids see in theaters.

And of course, there was room for a little banter after Goldblum mentioned his character Ian Malcolm’s warnings about messing with nature in the original ‘Jurassic Park’. “That wisdom was ignored through subsequent movies,” he pointed out. Said Howard, “What would these moves be if people made the right choices?”

Retorted Goldblum, “You may be on to something. Maybe that’s been the message all this time, that dinosaurs are clever and homo sapiens are ignoramuses, or is it ignorami?”

‘Jurassic World Dominion’ roars into theaters on June 10th.
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April 28, 2022