Holiday Movie Scorecard 2015

Critics Consensus: The admirably old-fashioned In the Heart of the Sea boasts thoughtful storytelling to match its visual panache, even if it can't claim the depth or epic sweep to which it so clearly aspires.

Synopsis: In 1820, crewmen (Chris Hemsworth, Benjamin Walker, Cillian Murphy) aboard the New England vessel Essex face a harrowing battle for survival when a whale of... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Benjamin Walker, Cillian Murphy, Brendan Gleeson

Directed By: Ron Howard

Critics Consensus: Joy is anchored by a strong performance from Jennifer Lawrence, although director David O. Russell's uncertain approach to its fascinating fact-based tale only sporadically sparks bursts of the titular emotion.

Synopsis: A story of a family across four generations, centered on the girl who becomes the woman (Jennifer Lawrence) who founds a business dynasty and becomes... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Edgar Ramírez, Diane Ladd

Directed By: David O. Russell

Critics Consensus: Sisters' sharp blend of pathos and vulgarity, along with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler's effervescent chemistry, are more than enough to make up for the handful of laughs this coming-of-age comedy leaves on the table.

Synopsis: When their parents decide to sell their home, siblings Maura (Amy Poehler) and Kate (Tina Fey) learn that they have one weekend to clean out... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph, Ike Barinholtz

Directed By: Jason Moore

Critics Consensus: Concussion lands a solid, well-acted hit on its impressively timely subject matter, even if its traditional sports drama structure is a little too safe to deserve a full-on dance in the end zone.

Synopsis: While conducting an autopsy on former NFL football player Mike Webster (David Morse), forensic pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu (Will Smith) discovers neurological deterioration that is... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Will Smith, Alec Baldwin, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Arliss Howard

Directed By: Peter Landesman

Critics Consensus: As a gangster biopic, Legend is deeply flawed, but as a showcase for Tom Hardy -- in a dual role, no less -- it just about lives up to its title.

Synopsis: Suave, charming and volatile, Reggie Kray and his unstable twin brother Ronnie start to leave their mark on the London underworld in the 1960s. Using... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tom Hardy, Emily Browning, David Thewlis, Taron Egerton

Directed By: Brian Helgeland

Critics Consensus: Spectre nudges Daniel Craig's rebooted Bond closer to the glorious, action-driven spectacle of earlier entries, although it's admittedly reliant on established 007 formula.

Synopsis: A cryptic message from the past leads James Bond (Daniel Craig) to Mexico City and Rome, where he meets the beautiful widow (Monica Bellucci) of... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Léa Seydoux, Ralph Fiennes

Directed By: Sam Mendes

Critics Consensus: Krampus is gory good fun for fans of non-traditional holiday horror with a fondness for Joe Dante's B- movie classics, even if it doesn't have quite the savage bite its concept calls for.

Synopsis: While the holiday season represents the most magical time of year, ancient European folklore warns of Krampus, a horned beast who punishes naughty children at... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Emjay Anthony, Adam Scott, Toni Collette, Stefania Owen

Directed By: Michael Dougherty

Critics Consensus: The Night Before provokes enough belly laughs to qualify as a worthwhile addition to the list of Christmas comedies worth revisiting, even if it isn't quite as consistent as the classics.

Synopsis: For the last 10 years, lifelong buddies Ethan (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), Isaac (Seth Rogen) and Chris (Anthony Mackie) have gathered on Christmas Eve to celebrate the... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anthony Mackie, Jillian Bell

Directed By: Jonathan Levine

Critics Consensus: With the unflinchingly grim Mockingjay Part 2, The Hunger Games comes to an exciting, poignant, and overall satisfying conclusion.

Synopsis: Realizing the stakes are no longer just for survival, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) teams up with her closest friends, including Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), Gale (Liam... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson

Directed By: Francis Lawrence

Critics Consensus: Trumbo serves as an honorable and well-acted tribute to a brilliant writer's principled stand, even if it doesn't quite achieve the greatness of its subject's own classic screenplays.

Synopsis: In 1947, successful screenwriter Dalton Trumbo (Bryan Cranston) and other Hollywood figures get blacklisted for their political beliefs.

Starring: Bryan Cranston, Helen Mirren, Diane Lane, Elle Fanning

Directed By: Jay Roach