A host of new winter films promise to extend festive, holiday merriment well into spring 2018.
Regardless of viewer appetites, a plethora of titles and subjects are bound to satisfy any fan of the big screen. African-Americans will be seen in roles from drama and comedy to science fiction and other worldly fantasy.
“Love Beats Rhymes” is musical drama about a fictional female rapper Coco, from Brooklyn, New York who wants to pursue a music career. Coco is given some harsh advice but that ignites a flame and she discovers her true voice, and true love. The film stars Azealia Banks, Common and Jill Scott. In theaters Dec. 1.
“The Shape of Water,” co-stars Oscar winner Octavia Spencer in another worldly fairy tale set in 1960’s era America. A mute, lonely, isolated woman, Elisa, works in a secret, high security government laboratory. Her life changes when she and co-worker Zelda (Spencer) discover a classified secret experiment, and Elisa falls in love with a merman (that’s a male mermaid). Opens Dec. 8.
In “Just Getting Started,” Morgan Freeman plays an ex-mob lawyer in a witness protection program who manages the Villa Capri, a luxury resort. He has differences with Leo, an ex-F.B.I. agent, played by Tommy Lee Jones. They must put aside their grievances to fend off a mob hit and save the resort. Cast includes Sheryl Lee Ralph, in theaters Dec. 8.
“Star Wars: The Last Jedi” sequel is the eighth chapter in the “Star Wars” saga and continues the storyline introduced in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” Rey takes her first steps in a new world and continues her journey with Finn, Poe and Luke Skywalker. John Boyega returns as Finn, a former storm trooper of the First Order who defected to the Resistance. Lupita Nyong’o is back as Maz Kanata, a pirate and longtime friend of Han Solo and Chewbacca. To be released on Dec. 15.
“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” is a re-imaging of the 1995 film and features Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart. Four high school students find an old video game console and find themselves in the game’s jungle setting as adult avatars. They find themselves in dangerous, life threatening situations as they try to survive the game and return to their real world. Scheduled for theaters on Dec. 20.
Will Smith, star of “Ali,” ‘Bad Boys,” “Men in Black,” “Independence Day,” and many more, resurfaces in the fantasy film, “Bright.” Set in a fantasy world where humans coexist with mystical creatures, Smith plays a human police officer forced to work with a nonhuman, Orc, to find a weapon that people will kill to obtain. Scheduled for release on Dec. 22.
Fans of Tariji P. Henson can look forward to seeing the “Empire” television diva in contrasting roles: a professional killer and a devoted, trusting wife in two early 2018 films.
In “Proud Mary” Henson is Mary, a professional hit woman who works for a Boston organized crime family. Her life turns upside down after meeting a young boy and a professional hit goes wrong. Other actors include Danny Glover and Margaret Avery. Schedule for theaters Jan. 12, 2018.
Henson also appears in a Tyler Perry directed film, “Acrimony.” A faithful, trusting and devoted wife grows tired of standing by her devious husband and becomes enraged after learning she has been betrayed. The film also stars Tika Sumpter. Opens March 30.
Marvel Studios’ long anticipated “Black Panther” is slated for a late winter release. The film picks up after the events of “Captain America: Civil War,” with T’Challa. With the death of his father the king of Wakanda, T’Challa returns home to his isolated but technologically advanced nation to claim his rightful place as king. He faces challenges to the throne and opposing factions within his country. The Black Panther teams with a CIA agent and special Wakanaden forces to stop the country from falling into World War. The cast includes Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyon’o, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker and Sterling K. Brown. In theaters Feb. 16.