Superheroes, Zombies and JLo Blow Up the Big Screen

It's cram time for movies trying to make their way to the theaters before the holidays. Many families have a yearly tradition to go see at least one film during their December days off. Some cineplexes are conveniently located right inside the malls to offer a break from hectic holiday shopping, so make a pit stop, just don't fall in the pit.

There are so many options right now it can be helpful to listen to reviews and not spend the big bucks on a lame duck.

Speaking of which, let's start off with Aquaman. Let it be said I love a good superhero flick. With the hunky Jason Mamoa involved many fans are wondering if this DC movie is closer to the enjoyable Wonder Woman or the train wreck of Justice League and unfortunately it's the latter. The team behind the fish man unfortunately didn't learn from the overhelming computer generated imagery elements of the previous clunker. The dialogue also sinks and is cringe worthy sometimes. There are more mentionings of "half breed" than a Cher concert and Mamoa seems strapped to add humor when there is not any around. Throw this fish back in the ocean, it reeks of salmon!

If you are tingling for a good superhero flick then swing over to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse! The humor and diversity packs a punch with this cartoon that lntroduces many new characters. Lily Tomlin as Aunt May was brilliant and it leaves the door the open to welcome many new voices for future installments.

Once Upon a Deadpool is also here for the holidays with a limited run. Be prepared that it takes Deadpool 2 and makes it PG-13 for a good cause. A portion of the proceeds goes to cancer while adding Fred Savage to the mix. If you are not into the series and humor then this one won't change any minds.

Anna and the Apocalypse wore a bit thin for me with a Glee style setting of musicals surrounding a zombie world. This low budget has man eating snowmen and people battling with candy canes.

Could we be looking at another Anna Kendrick? Ella Hunt is a star to keep an eye on!

On the Basis of Sex takes a segment of Ruth Bader Ginsburg's life and blows it up on the big screen. Kathy Bates chews up her brief scenes and Armie Hammer is distractingly good looking. The documentary RBG is better but the relationship with Ginsburg's family makes this one worth watching.

Second Act doesn't deserve a third act unfortunately. What starts off as an enjoyable comedy with Jennifer Lopez and Leah Remini strutting their real life friendship goes off the rails with a plot twist about adoption that is so far fetched that the movie can't recover in the second half. Oh well, JLo still has that singing thing to fall back on and there's a new song on the soundtrack by her to listen to.

There are plenty of positives in December so don't miss Julia Roberts in the heartbreaking Ben Is Back or Barry Jenkins' newest endeavor after Moonlight, If Beale Street Could Talk.

See you at the theater this holiday season!