New at BOP: Review: Matrix Resurrections Movie Review: Moonfall Movie Reviews: Scream The #1 Movie in America November Forecast The Many Saints of Newark October Forecast New Trivia Question All site updates Share & Save   Tweet Print this column

9. Point Break (December 25th)
The fourth of the big December 2th5 releases is this somewhat unseasonal action film, and I have to say that in its plot, about a young police officer going undercover among a gang of thieves with a knack for extreme sports, Point Break seems to recall all-too-precisely the first film in The Fast and the Furious series. In fact, it is almost as if Point Break was an unofficial remake of The Fast and the Furio... [Hold on, someone is trying to get my attention. WHAT?!?]

The Point Break remake stars Australian upstart Luke Bracey in the Keanu Reeves/Paul Walker role, and Édgar Ramírez in the Patrick Swayze/Vin Diesel part. The original Point Break was a minor if memorable hit in the summer of 1991, finishing with $43 million. Thus far, this reimagining's internet reception has leaned towards the cruel, with the film having been maligned and bad-mouthed, from its trailers to release date - it doesn't stand a chance up against the holiday's other movies, they say. On this last point, they're probably right; straightforward action movies don't have a particularly great history on this release frame (Die Hard was set in December but was released in July). If Point Break gets good reviews, it can still finish respectably, although I think the film will likely be one of the recent slate of remakes to finish with a number that's below its original (especially if the original we're comparing it to is the 2001 Fast and the Furious!).

Opening weekend: $14 million / Total gross: $33 million

10. Krampus (December 4th)
The third and last of this season's explicitly Christmas-themed offerings, and, even in the world of the 33 Coopers and the Night Before, this one stands out as the most off the beaten track. Krampus, an actual figure (so to speak) from German folklore, is brought to the screen by Michael Dougherty, a man seemingly wedded to the concept of seasonally-specific horror films: he helmed the Halloween-set Trick 'r Treat, which was never given a theatrical release in North America and has gained somewhat of a cult status among its viewers. Christmas-themed horror films are relatively rare, though Krampus is almost unique in bringing to the screen its little-known figure in Christmas lore: Krampus is a sort of purported anti-Santa Claus (can't have one without having the other), and one who's given a murderous sheen in this particular version. The trailers strike the appropriate tones of horror and seasonal jest, and the release date, not too far from the holidays, although not quite too close, seems just right to me. Even so, Krampus likely won't have very good legs, nor, I guess, will it open particularly well. Its first in December slate is notoriously terrible for box office, so much so that studios often decline from scheduling any wide releases on the date at all (although given some of this year's weekends, it won't be completely out of place). The few brave souls who venture out to the movies on this quiet weekend may enjoy it.

Opening weekend: $7 million / Total gross: $21 million

Continued:       1       2       3       4       5