Films to look forward to during winter break

After the restlessness of finals comes three weeks of idle time, and there’s no better way to spend it than catching up on some quality movie viewing. Winter’s the time for Oscar bait, so those wanting to see some quality actor-crying can look no further than this season’s offerings.

The Impossible
Dec. 21
Summit Entertainment

A poignant portrayal of the 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia, “The Impossible” tells the tale of a Spanish couple, played by Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor, and their three kids, who end up being swept away in this terrible natural disaster. As the family becomes separated in the waters, the film turns from an idyllic vacation to a hellish search for loved ones. This seems to be an appropriate movie where loud sobbing will not be chided too harshly.

Zero Dark Thirty
Dec. 19
Columbia Pictures

For those jazzed to see tension-filled military action, Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow’s “Zero Dark Thirty” depicts the mission to kill Osama bin Laden, from the operational planning to the groundwork action of SEAL Team Six. Starring Jessica Chastain, who seems to be everywhere these days, and the lovable Chris Pratt as one of the Navy SEALs, this film is for the thrill-seekers out there who perhaps love that one game, “Call of Duty,” or something.

On The Road
Dec. 21
IFC Films

Those who want to see a film with a lot more KStew than “Twilight” could ever offer, the film adaptation of Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road” will surely add to the quota of awkward mumbling that fans have been dying to fill. Set to a backdrop of jazz-fueled, hipster Americana, where drugs, alcohol and a whole lot of nookie take place, the film tells the tale of two pals, Sal Paradise (Sam Riley) and Dean Moriarty (Garrett Hedlund).

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Dec. 14
New Line Cinema

The Tolkien enthusiasts out there would surely be remiss if they did not see the prequel to rule them all, “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.” In this tale of Middle-earth, li’l Hobbit protagonist Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) gets himself into a quest with a bunch of dwarves to recover stolen treasure from dragon antagonist Smaug (Benedict Cumberbatch). Andy Serkis reprises the role of Gollum for all those kids who miss that creepy voice of his.