Skip to main content

December 2014

Books on Screen

December 2014

This December, celebrate the holidays by going on an adventure! You could join Bilbo and the gang as they battle for the ultimate fate of Middle Earth and defeat the dragon Smaug in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. Or follow the harrowing true story of Louie Zamperini, a World War II soldier who survives a plane crash, drifts on the sea for 47 days, then spends over two years as a prisoner of war in Unbroken.
 
Looking for something a little more musical? Check out the new modern-day version of Annie. Featuring some of your favorite songs from the classic musical, updated for a modern retelling. You’ll definitely be singing along to “It’s The Hard Knock Life!”
 
So get out there this December and see some of these great books on screen!
 
 
In Theaters:
 
 
Cast: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Cate Blanchett, Orland Bloom
Director: Peter Jackson
Distributor: Warner Bros
MPAA Rating:PG-13
Release Date:December 17, 2014
Based on: THE HOBBIT by J.R.R. Tolkien
 
Having reclaimed Erebor and a vast treasure from the dragon Smaug, Thorin Oakenshield sacrifices friendship and honor in his search for the Arkenstone, despite Smaug's fiery wrath and Bilbo's desperate attempts to make him see reason. Meanwhile, Sauron sends forth legions of Orcs in a sneak attack upon the Lonely Mountain. As the ultimate fate of Middle Earth hangs in the balance, the races of Men, Elves and Dwarves must decide whether to unite or die.
 
 
Cast: Quvenzhane Wallis, Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz
Director: Will Gluck
Distributor: ColumbiaPictures
MPAA Rating:PG
Release Date:December 19, 2014
Based on: Harold Gray’s LITTLE ORPHAN ANNIE comic
 
In modern-day New York City, Annie is an orphan/foster child living under the cruelty of Miss Hannigan. Originally left by her parents as a baby with the promise that they'd be back for her someday, it's been a hard knock life ever since. But everything's about to change when hard-nosed tycoon and New York mayoral candidate Will Stacks --- advised by his VP, Grace, and his shrewd and scheming campaign advisor, Guy --- makes a thinly-veiled campaign move and takes her in. Stacks believes he's her guardian angel, but Annie's self-assured nature and bright, sun-will-come-out-tomorrow outlook on life just might mean it's the other way around.
 
 
Cast: Jack O’Connell, Domhnall Gleeson, Garret Hedlund
Director: Angelina Jolie
Distributor: Universal Pictures
MPAA Rating:PG-13
Release Date:December 25, 2014
 
World War II hero Louis "Louie" Zamperini, a former Olympic track star, survives a plane crash in the Pacific, spends 47 days drifting on a raft, and then more than two and a half years living in several Japanese prisoner of war camps.
 
 
New on DVD:
 
 
Cast: Helen Mirren, Om Puri, Manish Dayal
Director: Lasse Halsstrom
Distributor: Walt Disney Studios
MPAA Rating:PG
Release Date:December 2, 2014
Based on: THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY by Richard C. Morais
 
The Kadam family leaves India for France where they open a restaurant directly across the road from Madame Mallory's Michelin-starred eatery. Drama, discovery, and delight ensue.
 
 
Cast: Christ Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Lee Pace
Director: James Gunn
Distributor: Walt Disney Studios
MPAA Rating:PG-13
Release Date:December 9, 2014
Based on: The Marvel comic books series of the same name
 
After stealing a mysterious orb in the far reaches of outer space, Peter Quill from Earth, is now the main target of a manhunt led by the villain known as Ronan the Accuser. To help fight Ronan and his team and save the galaxy from his power, Quill creates a team of space heroes known as the "Guardians of the Galaxy" to save the world.
 
 
Cast: Jim Caviezel, Laura Dern, Michael Chiklis
Director: Thomas Carter
Distributor: TriStar Pictures
MPAA Rating:PG
Release Date:December 9, 2014
Based on: WHEN THE GAME STANDS TALL by Neil Hayes
 
Based on a true story about the remarkable journey of legendary football coach Bob Ladouceur who took the De La Salle High School Spartans from obscurity to a 151-game winning streak that shattered all records for any American sport.
 
 
The Maze Runner
Cast: Dylan O’Brien, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Kaya Scodelario, Will Poulter
Director: Wes Ball
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Release Date: December 16, 2014 
Based On: THE MAZE RUNNER by James Dashner
 
Thomas is deposited in a community of boys after his memory is erased, soon learning they're all trapped in a maze that will require him to join forces with fellow "runners" for a shot at escape. Only by piecing together fragments of his past with clues he discovers in the maze can Thomas hope to uncover his true purpose