What To Watch This Weekend: ‘The Lord of the Rings: The War of Rohirrim,’ ‘Kraven,’ ‘Nickle Boys,’ ‘Last Show Girl’

There is something about watching movies in a theater during the holidays.

This year there is a nice assortment of holiday films which have reviewed well, like “Best Christmas Pageant Ever” and “Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point.” There are also bonafide blockbusters still in theaters that should be playing well into the new year like “Wicked,” “Gladiator 2” and “Moana 2.”

Even if you’re not seeing a Christmas film, it’s still a Christmas thing to do, to go to the movies. 

So… if you decide to catch a movie while Christmas shopping this coming weekend, here are some options opening this weekend in your local theaters. 

“The Lord of the Rings: The War of Rohirrim” opens wide on Dec. 13. The animated fantasy adventure film is set almost 200 years before the live-action “The Lord of the Rings” film trilogy begins. The reviews on Rotten Tomatoes are barely favorable but not “fresh.” 

Also opening wide is “Kraven the Hunter,” an action adventure film starring Russell Crowe and potential new James Bond actor, Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Tread cautiously with this one as the reviews aren’t good and hovering around 15% on Rotten Tomatoes. 

“Nickel Boys” is a story about two young African-American kids in a reform school in Florida. The film is opening this weekend with a limited run, but has excellent reviews and drew a Best Picture nomination from the Golden Globes. If all goes well expect it to spread to more theaters. 

Pamela Anderson’s “The Last Show Girl” is about — you guessed it — a showgirl dealing with life after a 30-year run in a Las Vegas venue. The film has gotten very good reviews and critics are raving about Anderson’s performance.  Anderson was never a bad actress, but upstaged herself by being in shows like “Baywatch” and a certain home movie scandal. But an actor is usually only as good as the material and it looks like she has finally chosen a good script. The film features Jamie Lee Curtis in a supporting role who also received great reviews.

Have a great weekend at the movies!