Coming Soon: A Moviegoer’s Guide to November

“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2”

Who: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth and Donald Sutherland
What: After being symbolized as the “Mockingjay,” Katniss Everdeen and District 13 engage in an all-out revolution against the autocratic Capitol.
When: November 20th
Why: While it’s difficult to forgive Lionsgate for letting greed dictate its decision to split the final book in the “Hunger Games” trilogy into two installments, this movie should make up for having to sit through its mostly uneventful predecessor. In addition to marking the end of one of the more enjoyable YA adaptations since this whole fad began, the story picks up right as the proverbial shit hits the fan, which means that a lack of action isn’t going to be an issue this time around. It’ll also be interesting to see how much director Francis Lawrence strays from the source material, because Suzanne Collins’ book is packed with so many character deaths that it might as well have been written by Joss Whedon.

“The Night Before”

Who: Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Anthony Mackie and Lizzy Caplan
What: In New York City for their annual tradition of Christmas Eve debauchery, three lifelong best friends set out to find the Holy Grail of Christmas parties.
When: November 20th
Why: Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt worked really well together in Jonathan Levine’s 2011 cancer dramedy “50/50,” so it makes sense that Levine would want to take advantage of their chemistry by reuniting the two actors for his new Christmas comedy. Though it doesn’t seem poised to become the next holiday classic (which is a shame, because it’s been a while since a great Christmas movie was made), “The Night Before” at least promises to be a fun diversion that fans of Rogen and writing partner Evan Goldberg’s frat humor will enjoy. The duo can be a little hit-and-miss, however, so here’s hoping the film is more “Superbad” than “The Interview.”

“Secret in Their Eyes”

Who: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts and Michael Kelly
What: A tight-knit team of rising investigators is suddenly torn apart when they discover that one of their own teenage daughters has been brutally murdered.
When: November 20th
Why: Writer/director Billy Ray’s English-language adaptation of the 2009 Oscar winner for Best Foreign Language Film may seem pointless unless you’re one of those people who refuses to watch a movie with subtitles, but “Secret in Their Eyes” is so well-cast that it’s hard to completely dismiss it. After all, this isn’t the first time that Hollywood has staged a remake of a beloved foreign film, and it definitely won’t be the last, but “Secret in Their Eyes” looks like one of the better remakes in recent memory. Julia Roberts and Nicole Kidman haven’t been at their best in quite some time, but this could be the movie that finally revitalizes their careers.

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