Every month a slew of movies come out, whether they are bad or good you may not know much about them or if they’re worth seeing. Instead of wasting time and money on films that may not be very good, every month five movies will be selected in order to help decide what you want to see.

Writer’s pick: LA LA LAND, Rated PG-13, Release Date: December 16th

What La La Land brings to the theaters is something new and refreshing. Directed by Damien Chazelle, the mastermind behind the breakout hit Whiplash, La La Land takes place in the heart of Los Angeles, California. The film is a character study of two aspiring artists: Emma Stone’s character, Mia, and Ryan Gosling’s character, Sebastian. Mia and Sebastian are trying to make ends meet, when they find each other and fall in love. However as their success picks up, they begin to be torn apart by the dreams that they have worked towards for so long. Bringing two of some of the finest actors of this generation, the film is a breath of fresh air from blockbusters and terrible unoriginal sequels. The movie includes original music by Justin Hurwitz and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Anyone who takes pleasure in music, romance, drama, old Hollywood films, and original stories will find this movie in their must see list as well.

Also starring: J.K. Simmons, Rosemarie DeWitt, and John Legend

JACKIE, Rated R, Release Date: December 2nd

Everyone knows the story of the assassination of John F. Kennedy and if you don’t I would advise you to crack open a history book. What’s different about Jackie is that it isn’t about John F. Kennedy instead it’s about Jackie Kennedy’s life in the aftermath. Oscar winner Natalie Portman portrayals the former first lady in what’s said to be a performance for the ages. The film itself is a character piece, it focuses on Mrs. Kennedy’s emotional state, post-assassination, and the responsibility to consolidate her two children, vacate the house that she painstakingly redesigned, and show what kind of wife she is arranging her husband’s funeral and depict him in a positive light. The director, Pablo Larraín, is getting raves for his work with Portman in his first English language film. What makes Jackie stand out this month is the critical attention it’s getting and the supposedly subdued, but powerhouse performance given by Natalie Portman’s Jackie Kennedy.

Also Starring: Greta Gerwig, Billy Crudup. Peter Sarsgaard, and John Hurt

NOCTURNAL ANIMALS, Rated R, Release Date: December 9th 

Fashion designer and director Tom Ford delves into a story that is a bit more difficult and intellectual than most directors would. This is only Ford’s second film as a director and he is drawing raves for not only taking on the story, but for also getting under the skin of audience members. Ford’s style is a bit more stylistic and detailed which is most likely due to his history, but it seems to be allowing him to create a story with multiple dimensions that absorbs the audience. The film’s plot line is difficult to explain, but basically it’s telling two stories, one during the real life of a woman, and one of a manuscript from that woman’s first husband who has been absent in her life for years. Credit deserves to be given to the casting director who got Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal to play the lead roles and they are getting much deserved attention for their roles.

Also Starring: Michael Shannon, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Armie Hammer, Isla Fisher, Michael Sheen, and Laura Linney

ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY, Rated PG-13, Release Date: December 16th

Rogue One introduces a new cast and a backstory to the death star destruction. Following Jyn Erso, played by Felicity Jones, and her encounters after being held captive for years in an imperial jail. Everyone knows about the destruction of the death star so what makes this an interesting concept is how they figured out to destroy it. The story is said to be introducing  a new feeling to the ongoing series due to it’s refreshing darker side. Be aware this is not a sequel to last year’s hit The Force Awakens, instead you’ll find yourself between episodes 3 and 4 of the Star Wars franchise. May the force be with you as you journey out to the theater along with the drove of fans attend this movie.

Also starring: Diego Luna, Donnie Yen, Jiang Wen, Alan Tudyk, Ben Mendhelson, and Mads Mikkelsen

FENCES, Rated PG-13, Release Date: December 25th

Denzel Washington is a great director and even better actor, and Viola Davis is a fantastic actress. The two starred in the Broadway play of Fences, and both won Tony’s for they’re portrayal of a father and mother during the 1950’s living in the city of Pittsburgh. This film’s premise is a simple one, a father squashes his son’s dream of playing college football and this causes tensions to rise within the family. The film is a play to screen adaptation so it isn’t made for mind blowing set pieces, instead the film is going for emotions and is a showcase for the actors to display their talent. A real Oscar contender, it’s sure to be one that rivals the claims that the Oscars neglect people of color when voting. Maybe this isn’t a film for you if you’re not a fan of the idea of race relations being brought up, but Fences is meant to be a depiction of issues within a family and that is something that many people should be able to relate to.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

COLLATERAL BEAUTY, Rated PG-13, Release Date: December 16th

Seems like there’s always one movie released over a holiday period that is aimed towards the Hallmark movie loving population, but if you’re going to go see it, it’s probably for the fantastic cast.

Starring: Will Smith, Kate Winslet, Edward Norton, Michael Pena, Helen Mirren, Keira Knightley, and Naomie Harris

PASSENGERS, Rated Pg-13, Release Date: December 25th

Pros: Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence are both amazing, and the story introduces philosophical questions important to the plot. Cons: The critics have seen it and decided it’s just an OK movie, but they highlighted the charm of the two actors as the main highlight of this blockbuster.

SING, Rated PG, Release Date: December 25th

An A-list cast and covers of multiple songs over the past few years help make this a fun, family-friendly, entertainment source for the duration of the holiday season

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Seth MacFarlane, Nick Kroll, John C. Reilly, Taaron Egerton, Scarlett Johanson, and Jennifer Hudson