We're in the final weeks of 2024 and there are still plenty of exciting new releases around the corner to enjoy before the end of the year. The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim, Sonic the hedgehog 3and Robert Eggers Nosferatuare some of the biggest movies to see in theaters this month. But what about movies to watch from the comfort of your home?
As usual, we've taken a close look at what's new this month to bring you the best movies to stream this December. This month we have Christopher Nolan's classic neo-noir. MemoryDenis Villeneuve's chilling police thriller hitmanPeter Jackson's long-lasting adaptation of JRR Tolkien's fantasy epic and much more.
These are the new movies on streaming services you should watch this month.
Image: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Where to watch: Criterion channel
Gender: Psychological thriller
Director: Christopher Nolan
Cast: Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano
Before Christopher Nolan made big-budget biopics or some of the funniest and most inventive blockbusters in history, he experimented with strange little thrillers like Memory. However, the one thing that has proven to be consistent across all of his work is that he can't seem to let time flow normally.
Because Memory follows the story of a man who has a condition that causes him problems with short-term memory, Nolan performs the entire film in two separate parts; one series of black and white scenes unfolds in chronological order, while the other series of color scenes unfolds in reverse, with the entire narrative coming together at the end to be revealed to the viewer. It's almost annoying to describe on paper, but in practice Nolan makes the format seem fun and inventive, constantly finding new ways to introduce details into the film's mystery and keep us on our toes.
It's not as polished as Nolan's later work, but it is undeniably a fun and fascinating early work from one of the world's greatest filmmakers. —Austen Goslin
Image: New Line Cinema/Warner Bros. Pictures
Gender: Comedy
Director: Marshall Thurber
Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Jason Sudeikis, Emma Roberts
Image: Summit Entertainment
Gender: romantic fantasy
Directors: Catherine Hardwicke, Chris Weitz, David Slade, Bill Condon
Cast: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner
In recent years there has been no shortage of praise for the wonderful performances and films of Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, and each of those praises have been well deserved. In fact, it wouldn't be at all surprising to hear someone suggest that the pair are two of the best and most interesting actors working today. What might be more surprising, though, is this: every bit of the talent that makes them great was also on display in the Twilight movies. And if you don't believe me, then you absolutely should watch the series again.
Each film is filled with specific, often strangely daring, acting choices, rather than the kind of safe, generic choices that fill most successful adaptations, such as most performances in The Hunger Games or Harry Potter franchises. . I'm not saying these movies are incredible, or that Pattinson or Stewart's performances here are among the best of their careers, but they are undeniably interesting. So if you haven't seen Twilight recently, you should, even if it's just to appreciate the great opportunity for two of our best young movie stars. —AG
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Image: Warner Bros.
Gender: epic fantasy
Director: Peter Jackson
Cast: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom
Are The Lord of the Rings movies Thanksgiving movies, Christmas movies, or New Year's Eve movies? The answer, of course, is yes. No matter when you choose to binge-watch Peter Jackson's adaptation of JRR Tolkien's beloved fantasy epic, you're in for an adventure that encapsulates the power of cinema as a medium to inspire, captivate, and, yes, possibly even ennoble its audience.
If you're reading this, a sentence written on a website that spent an entire year writing about The Lord of the Rings, you don't need me to tell you why to watch The Lord of the Rings. Instead, take this as an excuse that now is the best time to watch Peter Jackson's classic fantasy because, honestly, as has been proven time and time again over the two decades since the trilogy concluded, it's never a bad time to see it. -TEA
Image: Black Label Media/Lionsgate
Gender: criminal thriller
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Cast: Emily Blunt, Benicio del Toro, Josh Brolin
hitman follows the journey of FBI agent Kate Mercer (Emily Blunt), who is recruited to a quasi-legal joint task force to combat drug cartels by any means necessary. As he becomes more involved in the group's operations, he meets increasingly suspicious people, including a CIA agent working outside the law (Josh Brolin) and a Colombian assassin (Benicio del Toro), who is one of the most terrifying cold-blooded killers of all time. put film
The film is beautifully shot by director Denis Villeneuve and master cinematographer Roger Deakins, who present Kate's journey into the darkest depths of American foreign affairs as a descent into hell. The film lets each moment of heightened tension and violence ring in the audience's ears until it's all we can hear. One part crime thriller and one part horror film about the overreach of American police forces. hitman He is a very tight bundle of nerves that feels ready to burst at every moment. —AG