DVD Outlook: December 2017

What's been a surprisingly slow transition from the fall to winter months is sure to pick up in theaters with Oscar players like The Shape of Water and Spielberg's The Post joining what may end up being this year's box office champion in The Last Jedi arriving shortly. However, in the meantime, there are a few notable films finding a December release on DVD, Blu-Ray and streaming that you may want to consider adding to your Christmas or holiday gift list (November's suggestions). So here's a look at what's new this December.




Dunkirk - 3 stars out of 4 - (Read my full review here)

Christopher Nolan's hypnotizing and intense war epic, Dunkirk, may not carry the same bravado as it does in a big-theater IMAX setting, yet that won't stop it from remaining as one of the year's finest achievements and a strong Best Picture candidate when all is said and done. Nolan's film highlights three phases of war, namely on the ground, in the air and by the sea, as everything must come together perfectly in order to rescue the hundreds of thousands of soldiers pushed to the shorelines of Dunkirk, France by German forces during the early stages of World War II. This tense journey sadly misses out completely on profound elements character building, but it does paint a harrowing picture of the true atrocities of war that many everyday people take for granted. Dunkirk is a clear testament to Nolan's towering directorial efforts and is an experience like none other. (December 19th)




Stronger - 3 stars out of 4 - (Read my rapid review here)

Where Nolan's Dunkirk completely ignores character development, David Gordon Green flips the script completely and almost solely relies on that element of storytelling in his extremely well made drama, Stronger. Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Jeff Bauman, a severely injured bystander from the tragic 2013 Boston Marathon bombing who lost both of his legs and experienced immense psychological anguish in the aftermath as he was heralded as a hero despite feeling otherwise. Gyllenhaal's superb on-screen work brandishes a deep and layered character who's both heartbreaking and fascinating. And while Gyllenhaal's talents have been long documented by a career filled with exceptional performances, he's equally matched by the outstanding supporting turn from co-star Tatiana Maslany. Stronger is worthy of a viewing for its acting alone, as evident by Gyllenhaal's presumed awards season recognition in the near future, but the film offers so much more than just great performances. (December 19th)




Detroit - Not Rated - (No review available)

It's a rarity, but occasionally I'm forced to toss a movie I haven't seen myself into my top suggestions of the month. While a few of the honorable mention picks listed below may feel more appealing to you, whether it be for political reasons or just personal taste, it's difficult to ignore a critically acclaimed film by an Oscar winning director. Kathryn Bigelow's Detroit tells the controversial true story of a 1967 violent and deadly police raid that resulted in one of the largest riots in U.S. history. While the work has been self-labeled as "fact-based", it's important to recognize this as a dramatized interpretation of historical events. Yet, no matter where you views and opinions reside on this matter, Detroit has clearly been lauded for its entertaining and compelling story that's won over audiences and critics alike. This is one film I plan to check out once it becomes available on Blu-Ray. (December 12th)


Honorable Mention: Along with Detroit (mentioned above), there are a few other movies I'm interested in finally seeing like the sequel Kingsman: The Golden Circle (12/12), historical drama Victoria and Abdul (12/19), and holiday horror flick Better Watch Out (12/5). Family films Despicable Me 3 (12/5) and The LEGO Ninjago Movie (12/19) are also available this December. Finally, survival flick The Mountain Between Us (12/26), Reese Witherspoon comedy Home Again (12/12) and Darren Aronofsky's insanely polarizing work Mother! (12/19) round out this month's list of new arrivals.