~ November Issue ~
 

Five Movies to Look Forward to...
by Niki Shah, Managing Editor

The Nativity Story (December 1):

            The saga of the phenomenal pregnancy of Joseph (Oscar Isaac) and the Virgin Mary (Keisha Castle Hughes), this movie has recently met with controversy due to the fact that Hughes, 16, who plays the Virgin Mary, is actually pregnant with her first child. Set 2000 years ago, the cast of the film was taught how to use ancient tools to make the film more realistic. They were also taught certain skills needed back then such as making wine, building homes, and milking goats. The plot follows the story of Mary and Joseph, and how they learn to fall in love despite the fact that the child does not belong to Joseph, and how Mary is ostracized from her family due to her pregnancy out of wedlock.

Blood Diamond (December 8):

            The newest feature from Edward Zwick, director of the Last Samurai and Glory, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly, and Djimon Honsou. Blood Diamond is the story of Danny Archer (DiCaprio), a South African mercenary who is on a quest for the blood diamond, a rare pink stone, which has recently been discovered by a Mende fisherman named Solomon Vandy (Honsou). But Archer is not the only one searching for the diamond, and mercenaries kidnap Solomon's family until the man is prepared to give up the rare stone. With the help of Maddy Bowen (Connelly), an American journalist, the two men set out on a quest to find Solomon's family in the midst of rebel territory.

Black Christmas (December 25):

            Based on the 1974 version of the same name, Black Christmas tells the story of young Billy, a boy who is abused by his mother and her new husband, and locked by his mother in their attic.  When Billy's mother has a new daughter, named Agnes, and treats her with love, Billy snaps, murdering the child. Now, in the present time, Billy's home has become a sorority house, and its inhabitants start receiving chilling phone calls from a man named Billy, looking for a girl named Agnes.

The Holiday (December 8):

            It's the holiday season, and two women, Amanda Woods (Cameron Diaz) and Iris Simpkins (Kate Winslet), are in the same boat: they're alone. Meeting on the internet, the two agree to exchange houses on the opposite sides of the world for the winter holidays, and discover that a change of scenery can change their lives. Written and directed by Nancy Meyers (Something's Gotta Give, The Parent Trap), the film was written specifically for Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, with Jude Law and Jack Black as their love interests.

Rocky Balboa (December 22):

            One of the most recognizable and distinguished movie characters of all time, Rocky Balboa is back for one final round as he comes out of retirement. Sylvester Stallone stars (yet again), writes, and directs this final round of the Rocky saga. This last chapter of the Rocky series follows middle aged Rocky, who is challenged by the current heavyweight champion Mason "The Line" Dixon, fighting for one last hurrah in the boxing ring.

Watch out for all of these movies during the month of December!!