There’s always buzz surrounding Home Alone, Elf and The Holiday, all great holiday classics. However, with many strong movies in theaters, these classics may need to wait until the end of the month. Staff reporter Abby Wolfenden shares her opinion on recent movies in theaters.

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By Abby Wolfenden

1. Nerve: Mystery/Crime Film
Rating: PG 13
Rotten Tomatoes: 64%
Summary: Nerve is an exhilarating film about a shy, artistic girl named Vee (Emma Roberts) who rarely takes any risks. After watching her best friend, Sydney, join an online game of dares called Nerve, Vee decides to create her own account on the ambiguous game. When determining whether to be a “watcher” or a “player,” Vee determines it is time she start taking more risks in life. She chooses to be a “player” and accepts many challenges that lead her to meet Ian (Dave Franco). Together, they exolore New York City, accepting a series of dares along the way. However, they soon discover that Nerve is far more dangerous than it appears and can even be deadly.
Recommendation: I first saw Nerve this summer in theaters and I was completely enamored with the idea. The dares in Nerve provide for excitement and action, while the plot features twists and a sprinkle of romance. The movie is unpredictable and it covers a variety of themes such as adolescence, friendship, and adventure.

2. Bad Moms: Comedy
Rating: R
Rotten Tomatoes: 59%
Summary: Bad Moms is a comedy about a mom named Amy (Mila Kunis) who finds the job of being a perfect mom difficult and exhausting. Joining forces with her new friends, Carla (Kathryn Hahn) and Kiki (Kristen Bell), Amy decides it time to stop trying to act like the perfect mom and instead rebel against the ways of Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) President, Gwendolyn James. When Gwendolyn makes a personal attack against Amy through Amy’s daughter, Amy decides to run to be the next PTA president to help better the school environment and overthrow the tyrannical Gwendolyn.

Recommendation:
This movie was not only hilarious, but also an interesting and relatable representation of moms today. It included a wide range of topics such as comedy, action, romance, and friendship. I would definitely recommend this film if you’re looking for a good laugh.

3. Me Before You: Romance/Drama
Rating: PG 13
Rotten Tomatoes: 58%
Summary: Me Before You is a film about a young English woman named Lou who was recently fired from her job at a local bakery. In a desperate search for a job, she comes across an advertisement to act as a caretaker for Will Traynor, a once wealthy banker who became paralyzed in a motorcycle accident. Will has a very cynical outlook on life and Lou attempts to change his mind about the inherent cruelty of the world and instead view it optimistically. As time goes on, Will and Lou fall in love. But Lou’s happiness is thwarted when she unveils a dark secret about Will’s past.

Recommendation: I would definitely consider myself a book enthusiast in addition to being a movie lover. In many cases, the transition from novel to film can be risky, especially if the movie is not hitting the high standards set by the book. Sometimes films are better than their written counterparts, while other times they are far worse. In the case of Me Before You, it could go either way. I personally really enjoyed the film when I first saw it. However, I had not previously read the novel, and when reading the book after watching the movie I realized the book’s unequivocal superiority. As for my recommendation, I would encourage readers to be wary because even though I found Me Before You to be a great film, I would say it’s not up to par with Jojo Moyes’ stellar novel.

4.The Jungle Book: Fantasy/Drama
Rating: PG
Rotten Tomatoes: 95%

Summary: The Jungle Book is a movie about a young boy named Mowgli who is taken in as an infant and raised by a pack of wolves. When threatened by the malevolent tiger, Shere Khan, Mowgli must flee his safe haven with the wolves and venture out into the jungle to appease the tiger’s wishes. Mowgli encounters a variety of animals, including a comical bear named Baloo who soon becomes Mowgli’s best friend and greatest ally against the many dangers within the jungle.
Recommendation: I absolutely loved The Jungle Book. After seeing the cartoon version as a kid, I was doubtful any remake could top the original; however, The Jungle Book 2016 exceeded my expectations. Baloo and Mowgli were a hilarious duo and remained entertaining from start to finish. Even though the plot was relatively the same as the original, in my opinion the 2016 version was far more engaging and intriguing of a story.

5. Hell or High Water: Crime/Drama
Rating: R
Rotten Tomatoes: 98%

Summary: Hell or High Water is a film about two Texan brothers, Tanner (Ben Foster) and Toby (Chris Pine), who come together after their mother’s death in order to pay off their ranch’s mortgage. Shortly after their mother’s death, the ranch is found to have oil on it, making the land rich and profitable. The brothers desperately want to preserve the land for Toby’s two sons; however, in order to pay off the mortgage, the brothers need over 40,000 dollars. Tanner and Toby decide to steal the money from the same bank they owe, as means of revenge for the bank’s manipulation of their sickly mother. While Tanner is an avid bank robber who’s been in and out of jail, Toby has a clean record who only wants to go through with the robberies to preserve his sons’ future. Unbeknownst to Tanner and Toby, an old and amusing Texas Ranger and his partner are hunting the siblings down for their crimes.

Recommendation: This movie can be slow at times, but the action scenes were definitely worth it. The main characters develop significantly throughout the film, and their strengthened brotherly bond is satisfying to watch. The dialogue between characters is intriguing and funny, and the ending is unexpected. Overall it was an interesting movie and definitely worth a Saturday night’s watch.