So here we are, the final month of 2017. It’s been a roller-coaster ride of a year in terms of movies, with some great films and some downright awful ones as well.
And what better way to end the year than with the latest instalment of arguably one of the biggest blockbuster franchises of all time, Star Wars: The Last Jedi?
Speaking of blockbusters, the Asean-China Film Festival from 3-4 Dec features one of the biggest Chinese blockbusters ever as well – Wolf Warriors II – as well as 30 other films (eight from China and 23 films from 10 Asean countries), including China’s, Saving Mr. Wu, and Extraordinary Mission, and award-winning Malaysian film Shuttle Life. Movie lovers will be able to attend the screenings free of charge at GSC Mid Valley, GSC Pavilion and GSC MyTown.
Wolf Warrior 2 (Dec 1)
Cast: Jason Wu, Frank Grillo, Celina Jade, Nan Yu, Zhang Hanyu
Director: Jason Wu
Wu Jing reprises his role as loose cannon Chinese soldier Leng Feng. This time, he finds himself in a war zone in Africa, protecting medical aid workers from local rebels and vicious arms dealers.
Why you should watch it:
Released in July this year, Wolf Warrior 2 is currently the highest grossing Chinese film ever produced, and has been praised for its action sequences. Wu Jing has even been referred to as “China’s Rambo” thanks to this film! Though it never got a Malaysian release, you can catch it at the Asean-China Film Festival going on from 3-4 Dec.
Wonder (Dec 7)
Cast: Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, Jacob Tremblay
Director: Stephen Chbosky
Born with a facial deformity, young Auggie Pullman enrols into a mainstream school, and ends up inspiring everyone, from his classmates and the community at large.
Why you should watch it:
After the rather tumultuous year we’ve had, it’s nice to have a inspiring, feel-good story to end the year with.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Dec 14)
Cast: Mark Hamill, Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac, John Boyega, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver
Director: Rian Johnson
A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away, there lived someone who had never heard of the Star Wars franchise, and thus did not know that this is the eight ‘Episode’ in the franchise, and the second in a new trilogy. The story? It’s about some girl who brings a laser sword to some old guy on a remote island and asks him to train her as a Jedi. What’s a Jedi? Hey, if you need to ask, you should probably be watching the older Star Wars films first.
Why you should watch it:
Because it’s Star Wars. And Luke Skywalker is back (is he the titular ‘Last Jedi’). And it’s Carrie Fisher’s final movie (sniff).
Ferdinand (Dec 14)
Voice cast: John Cena, Kate McKinnon, Gina Rodriguez, Daveed Diggs,Gabriel Iglesias
Director: Carlos Saldanha
Ferdinand is a bull. But he’s not hot-headed at all. In fact, he’s probably the most gentle bull that ever lived. One day, he accidently gets shipped off to Madrid to become a bullfighting bull, and decides to break out and go home to his owner.
Why you should watch it:
Yes, it’s another talking animal animated feature, but hey, grab the bull by the horns, and give this a chance. Besides, it’s got John Cena in the leading role! Well, you can’t see him, but you can sure hear him.
Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle (Dec 21)
Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Karen Gillan, Nick Jonas
Director: Jake Kasdan
Four teenagers get sucked into a video game called Jumanji and have to complete the game in order to get out.
Why you should watch it:
The original Jumanji starring Robin Williams was quite the adventure, and the trailer for this one is just hilarious. Besides, any movie with Dwayne Johnson in it is worth watching (except maybe Baywatch).
Bleeding Steel (Dec 21)
Cast: Jackie Chan, Show Luo, Ouyang Nana, Tess Haubrich, Callan Mulvey
Director: Leo Zhang
A special force agent has to unravel the past to save the future when he gets caught up in a conspiracy involving a radioactive serum that produces a kind of super soldier.
Why you should watch it:
Let’s face it: who doesn’t love Jackie Chan? His movies are always fun (yes, even the inane ones like Kung Fu Yoga), and this one looks like a real action-packed sci-fi thriller. And we can’t wait to see that fight atop the Sydney Opera House.
Pitch Perfect 3 (Dec 28)
Cast: Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld, Brittany Snow, Elizabeth Banks
Director: Elizabeth Banks
They may have won the World Championships of a cappella, but the now grown-up Bellas have found themselves down on their luck and split up. Then, they get at second chance when they are recruited for an overseas USO tour.
Why you should watch it:
The first two were enormously fun mishmash of comedy and music, and this one looks to be more of the same. This being the last movie in the trilogy, it’s a chance to see the girls get a final curtain call.
The Greatest Showman (Dec 28)
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, Michelle Williams.
Director: Michael Gracey
Based on the true story of P.T. Barnum, the man founded the famous Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus, a world famous travelling circus.
Why you should watch it:
It’s the circus! It’s fun! It’s exciting! There’s music! And there’s an all-singing all-dancing Hugh Jackman!
