Must-see movies for Winter Break

Patrick Commers, Arts Critic
December 11, 2014

Mid-Term exams are quickly approaching and the stress could be unbearable. But, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Winter Break is the time to unwind, vacation with family, or simply sit around and enjoy the two weeks off. But, what students don’t want to miss out on are the movies that will be in movie theaters in the coming weeks. This is the time of year for the Oscar-bait type movies—movies that are expected to claim Best Picture nominations. These are the best movies that will be shown this year, and the five you have to go see:

1. Interstellar

Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway star in Interstellar, an apocalyptic extraterrestrial film.
Fair use image courtesy of Warner Brothers Entertainment
Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway star in Interstellar, an apocalyptic extraterrestrial film.

Yes, this one has been released already, but it is an amazing film. The cinematography is beautiful, the acting is good, and Christopher Nolan leaves everyone questioning what really happened (not as much as Inception did, but still up there). It is a film that you must check out and pay the extra fee to see it in IMAX. You will witness cinematography that will wow you and leave you smiling.

2. The Imitation Game

Benedict Cumberbatch and Charles Dance star in The Imitation Game, based off the true story of Alan Turing.
Fair use image courtesy of The Weinstein Company
Benedict Cumberbatch and Charles Dance star in The Imitation Game, based off the true story of Alan Turing.

This is a World War II drama set in Britain about a team of mathematicians trying to solve a Nazi code. Benedict Cumberbatch plays Alan Turing, the mathematician who attempted to break the code, in attempts to win the war for the Allies. Viewers will witness how modern day computing all began, wonderful acting from Cumberbatch, and wonderful supporting characters to back up his performance.

3. Whiplash

In gripping story about what it takes to be a musical star, Miles Teller plays an aspiring jazz drummer in Whiplash.
Fair use image courtesy of Sony Picture Classics
In gripping story about what it takes to be a musical star, Miles Teller plays an aspiring jazz drummer in Whiplash.

Music student, Andrew Neiman, played by Miles Teller, is accepted into a world renowned music conservatory.  Andrew wants to be the best drummer he can be and is faced with problems when he comes face to face with abusive conductor, Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons). It shows the extreme lengths that people will go to be the best. The music is amazing and the bickering and sheer anger that Simmons projects toward Teller is a sight to behold.

4. The Theory of Everything

Les Miserables actor, Eddie Redmayne, plays the renowned physicist, Stephen Hawking, in The Theory of Everything, a love story.
Fair use image courtesy of Focus Feature Films
Les Miserables actor, Eddie Redmayne, plays the renowned physicist, Stephen Hawking, in The Theory of Everything, a love story.

Exploring the relationship of Stephen Hawkins and Jane Wilde, The Theory of Everything bears witness to this love story of overcoming obstacles to break new scientific barriers. Meeting in college, the two quickly fall in love. With the backdrop of Hawkins scientific success and ALS diagnosis, The Theory of Everything brings the audience behind the scenes of the two’s experience together; a fascinating movie that students should check out.

5. Into the Woods

Into the Woods, based off the book of the same name, explores the consequences of the adventures of classic fairy tale characters.
Fair use image courtesy of Disney
Into the Woods, based off the book of the same name, explores the consequences of the adventures of classic fairy tale characters.

First off, know that this is a musical, before buying your ticket. This movie is a series of Brother’s Grimm stories intertwined into each other. These are not fairy tales filled with happy endings. It shows the consequences that come after the happy ending. Based on the Broadway musical of the same name, the film is packs in many wonderfully sung songs.

Want more 2014 reviews and recommendations? See the Boyhood and Birdman reviews from earlier this year.