TDI Movie Preview: December, 2005

It's time for another installment of the TDI Movie Preview! This time, we're previewing the cream of the crop for December, 2005. The month begins with Oscar-winner Charlize Theron in the futuristic Aeon Flux, and ends with the clever Hoodwinked, with megaliths King Kong and Narnia inbetween. If ever there was a month worth losing money to the cineplex for, December '05 is that month! (note: all movies listed below will have a wide release. Currently, we do not feature limited-release films.)

Aeon Flux - Set 400 years in the future, almost the entire human race has been wiped out by a virus, and the remaining humans live in a city encased in a protective bubble. Aeon Flux, played by Charlize Theron, is an acrobatic underground agent, who gets caught up in a murder, and is then assigned by the resistance movement to kill the government leader. Based on the popular MTV cartoon, this movie opens December 2. (site) (trailer)

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe - Based on the beloved C.S. Lewis novel, four children enter a wardrobe and walk out the other end into the magical world of Narnia, which is currently embattled against the evil White Witch, and stuck in a 100-year winter. Not only must they help save the world of Narnia, they must also save each other. Starring Tilda Swinton and Liam Neeson. This film opens December 9. (site) (trailer)

King Kong - Peter Jackson (The Lord of the Rings) tackles another tale of epic proportions. Set in the early 1900's, a filmaker sails off to film on the remote Skull Island. Upon arrival, the lead actress is kidnapped, and offered as a sacrifice to the mighty Kong. Instead of eating her, Kong saves her. This film stars Jack Black, Adrien Brody, and Naomi Watts, and opens December 14. (site) (trailer)

The Family Stone - A guy brings his ice-queen girlfriend home for Christmas to meet his eccentric family. However, the family doesn't take too well to an ice-queen. So the queen begs her sister to join her for emotional support, only to trigger more problems. This film stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Dermot Mulroney, Diane Keaton, Luke Wilson and Claire Danes. The Family Stone opens in theaters on December 16. (site) (trailer)

Cheaper By The Dozen 2- The Baker family is back! Tom and Kate Baker hope that they can bring their family together for a memorable summer vacation by taking their 12 kids to the secluded Lake Winnetka. But upon arrival, they meet another equally large family, the Muragh's, hellbent on over-achieving in everything. Soon, the Bakers and the Muragh's are locked in a cutthroat battle of hillarious proportions. Starring Steve Martin, Bonnie Hunt, Eugene Levy, and Carmen Electra. CBTD2 opens December 21. (site) (trailer)

Fun with Dick and Jane - A wealthy surburban couple's life just got better, with Dick getting a promotion. But when he's chosen as the scapegoat for a scandal, he loses their job. And in order to pay the bills, they both turn to a life of crime, robbing banks and pulling heists on their rich friend's accounts who turned against them, to teach them a lesson. Stars Jim Carrey and Tea Leoni, and opens December 21. (site) (trailer)

Munich - Based on a true story, this Steven Speilberg film begins after the 1972 Munich Olypmic massacre. It follows secret Israeli Mossad agents as they're sent out to kill those involved in the killings, and how even exacting revenge takes a terrible toll on the personal lives of those men. Starring Eric Bana, Daniel Craig, and Geoffery Rush, this film is rushing out to theaters on December 23. (site) (trailer)

Hoodwinked - This computer animated film updates the tale of Little Red Riding Hood in a satirical modern way. The movie begins where the story ends, as the animal world investigates a domestic disturbance at Granny’s cottage, involving a girl, a wolf, and an axe. As the police investigate this crime, they realize it might be tied to another, more elusive case. Stars the voices of Anne Hathaway, Glenn Close, Jim Belushi and Patrick Warbuton. Opens December 23. (site) (trailer)

Memoirs of a Geisha - This film is a love story of a young lady who grew up to be the most coveted geisha, and of a king young man who was her, eh... patron. Though she could have any man she wishes, her true love is for this stranger who remains anonymous. The movie begins in pre-WWII Japan, and deals with the war throughout. The film stars Ziyi Zhang, Michelle Yeoh, and Ken Wantanabe, and opens December 25. (site) (trailer)

Casanova - This story follows a young man, Casanova, who falls in love with the sister of the boy he is hired to tutor on the ways of seducing women. Normally, any woman would fall for the playboy Casanova. But she refused him! Through a clever game of disguises and ruses, he manages to get even closer to the woman of his affection, as he finds out what love is really all about. Stars Heath Ledger, Sienna Miller, Lena Olin and Jeremy Irons. The film debuts on December 25. (site) (trailer)

The New World - This film follows the founding of the Jamestown Settlement in 1607. The film follows the ambitious John Smith as he and his colony try to settle in this strange new world, aided by the friendly native Pocahontas. But as their romance blooms, so does a conflict between the colonist and the pilgrims. TDI would like to remind you that this is based on a true story, but it is a not documentary, it is a film. The film stars Colin Farrell, Christopher Plummer, and Q'Orianka Kilcher. This film opens December 25. (site) (trailer)

The Producers - A shady Broadway producers and his nerdy accountant come up with a scheme to over finance a huge musical, designed to flop, and to pocket the excess budget. But unexpectedly, what was supposed to be a flop becomes a smashing success. Based on the popular Broadway musical, this film opens on December 25. Stars Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Will Ferrell and Uma Thurman. (site) (trailer)

And that's what you can expect in December 2005. TDI will tell you how well they did at the Box Office each week, with our weekend feature, At the Box Office.