Woody Allen, sci-fi, art, technology …for Christmas

If there are some films which you´ve been meaning to watch for a while, these days you have the opportunity of catching up with the films which have been released lately. If you´re fond of Woody Allen, you shouldn´t miss Magic in the Moonlight which stars Colin Firth and Emma Stone. In his last film, the prolific film-maker draws attention to the world of magicians and psychic mediums in the late twenties: magicians, comedy and mystery are ingredients which have already appeared in some of his films but he manages to combine them in a different way on this occasion: a witty dialogue, the perfect chemistry between the main actors and a swindle which must be discovered turn Magic in the Moonlight into an easily recognisable Woody Allen film.

If you´re into sci-fi, you can watch Mockingjay 1 starring Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen in the last part of the trilogy which started with The Hunger Games. The last book of the trilogy by Suzanne Collins has been divided into two parts in its cinematic format so we´ll have to wait if we wish to watch the end of this futuristic story on the big screen. The film also gives us the opportunity of enjoying one of the last performances of Philip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch Heavensbee, a character that appeared previously in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Once more, that´s the magic of cinema: even if this talented actor died some months ago, we still feel that he´s alive thanks to his work.

What about watching Mr. Turner if you are keen on art? This film offers us a glimpse of the life of the British painter J.M.W. Turner (1775-1851), whose paintings reflected his fascination with nature: landscapes, maritime scenes, shipwrecks, storms, the effect of light and colour but also the presence of the machines of the industrial revolution. Turner – a contemporary of John Constable whose works are currently on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London – was considered to be a forerunner of the Impressionist movement.

Rain, Steam and Speed – The Great Western Railway is displayed at the National Gallery in London.

If you´re interested in technology and the way it is influencing our lives and our family relationships, why not watch Men, Women & Children? The film has been directed by Jason Reitman, a director who is also known for films such as Up in the Air or Juno.

 Jennifer Garner plays the part of a mother who is very concerned about her teenage daughter.

                           This is the original poster of the film Men, Women & Children.
 

These are just some of the films which are on at cinema these days but of course, there is a wide range of possibilities so as usual it all comes down to your tastes. As the song says “have yourself a merry little Christmas”, find out what´s on and go to the cinema because that´s undoubtedly one of the best ways of spending Christmastime!!

What do you want for Christmas? Make a list of the films you would like to watch and the Three Wise Men may bring you a couple of tickets for some of the performances at your local cinema or if you get lucky, some DVDs, just make a wish!!