Movies Not to Miss: December 2017

Writer: Casey Lee

Which of these are you going to watch?

As the last month to end 2017, December has a release schedule that looks like the year is not ready to end.

While there is the annual event of a Star Wars movie that would have fans out in droves, there are some major blockbusters that should belong in the summer, but will be warming seats in cinemas for the continuing of the fall months.

August Pullman is an 11-year-old boy with Treacher Collins syndrome who has been home schooled all his life. When his parents decide to send him to a school, Auggie will have to overcome his social anxiety due to his condition, but also live in the wonderment of life. Based on the novel by R.J. Palacio, this adaptation of an extraordinary boy is made extra extraordinary with the casting of Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson. But it gets even more extraordinary when it is directed by Stephen Chbosky, for his second directorial feature, since his uplifting adaptation of his own novel "Perks of Being a Wallflower".

General Release Date: 14 December

Star Wars fans are back for another annual pilgrimage to cinemas in costumes, this time for a sequel to the new trilogy since 2015's "The Force Awakens". With little to go on as to what will happen in Episode 8, much has happened behind the making of this, which sadly includes the passing of Carrie Fisher. This would be her final appearance on film and the franchise, as producers have agreed to not use her digital likeness in future installments. Returning with full force is John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, and Oscar Issac as the leading characters in this new trilogy, Mark Hamill finally answers what will happen to the last Jedi, while Benicio del Toro has an undisclosed role that could shake things up a bit for the galaxy. This would be the first "Star Wars" directed by director Rian Johnson, who is now making it in the big leagues since 2012's "Looper", and we will finally get to see the Star Wars that he had envisioned.

General Release Date: 14 December

After 20 years since the boardgame adventure was brought to life, this may fall under one of the sequels no one asked for, especially since the death of Robin Williams. Not a direct sequel to the 1995 classic with no reprising characters, it still shares the same premise of a group of teenagers getting sucked into the world of Jumanji, this time through a video game. It's clear that they are trying to update the premise with more focus on the comedy, by having "Sex Tape" and "Bad Teacher" director Jake Kasdan at the helm, but we would take any excuse to see Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart team up again. Just as long as we don't end up eating any cake.

General Release Date: 21 December

What started as an unexpected hit back in 2012 is now coming to an end with the Barden Bellas making their last call. After graduating from college, the girls are struggling to fit in with their jobs and adult lives. When Aubrey proposes for the Bellas to reunite and go on tour for the US troops stationed in Europe, the acapella queens are about to face some stiff competition from bands who perform with actual instruments. While all the ladies of the Barden Bellas are in for their final romp to finish things acapella style, Elizabeth Banks is passing on her directing duties to Trish Sie who last did "Step Up All In", with Kay Cannon taking a crack on the third script of the series. This will be last time we might see acapella with an attitude, so get ready to aca-see this in cinemas for your musical dose.

General Release Date: 28 December

There are many Christmas traditions; decorated trees, Christmas presents, family gatherings and a dazzling musical. If musicals to you meant grand sets, ensemble choreographies, and a powerful singing voice with romantic lyrics, then you are probably not getting any of that in "Pitch Perfect 3". Luckily Christmas is not ruined, because there's "The Greatest Showman", which is based on the story of P.T Barnum, who founded the Barnum & Bailey Circus. Announced since 2009, it has taken this long for the studios to take a gamble on an original musical. This would be the directorial debut of visual effects artists Michael Gracey, which will foreshadow how he will do as the director for the live action adaptation of "Naruto". Other than that, "The Greatest Showman" seems to have the best singing voices from Zac Efron ("High School Musical"), Zendaya ("Spider-man: Homecoming") to Hugh Jackman ("Les Miserables"), who will be singing off lines by "La La Land" lyricists Pasek and Paul, and music provided by composer John Debney.

General Release Date: 28 December