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by Sandra Olmsted

For those who enjoy a good Zombie Apocalypse movie and WWII film, Overlord, a Paramount release, might be the best movie side dish for your holiday weekend. On the eve of D-Day, paratroopers dropped in behind German lines discover Nazis experimenting with creating a Zombie Army. In Grindhouse style, Director Julius Avery guides stars Jovan Adepo, Wyatt Russell, and Mathilde Ollivier through a story which could be seen as turning the real terror of Nazi medical experimentation into an exploitation film gag. (R for strong bloody violence, disturbing images, language, and brief sexual content; 110 min).

Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch, a Universal Studios release, is perfect for serving at the kids’ table because directors Yarrow Cheney and Scott Mosier haven’t gone deep in this retelling of this Christmas favorite. The beautifully animated film about a Grinch who plans to end Christmas entertains enough to get chuckles for the entire family. The stars who voice the characters include Benedict Cumberbatch, Cameron Seely, and Rashida Jones. (PG for brief rude humor; 86 min).

For those who like more traditional side dishes, Outlaw King, a Netflix release, chronicles how the fourteenth-century Scottish Outlaw King, Robert the Bruce, defeated the much larger, better equipped English army, which occupied Scotland. Director David Mackenzie’s historical biopic stars Chris Pine, Stephen Dillane, and Rebecca Robin. (R for sequences of brutal war violence, some sexuality, language and brief nudity; 121 min).

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, a Warner Bros release, promises to be a delight, but is more marshmallow fluff than substance. This second installment of the series set in J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World features the further adventures of magizoologist Newt Scamander and is too long and suffers from an overextended metaphor referencing WWII. Director David Yates leads stars Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, and Johnny Depp through the CGI world which maybe the kids will be tempted to consume. (PG-13 for some sequences of fantasy action; 134 min).

A film that might be the best dessert on offer, Widows, a Twentieth Century Fox release, is a top-notch genre thriller. Set in Chicago, four women unite to battle the threats and violence of criminals who want the millions that the women’s murdered their husbands stole. Director Steve McQueen delivers a great heist film starring Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki, and Cynthia Erivo. (R for violence, language throughout, and some sexual content/nudity, 129 min).

Instant Family, a Paramount release, promises light comedy with a sticky slapstick topping. When a couple decides to adopt one child, they soon end up with all three siblings, including an obnoxious teenager. Thrown into the problems of parenthood, the couple is in way over their heads. Although it may not be the best advertisement for adoption, enjoying it with the kids’ table might make the younger set realize the problems faced by parents. Sean Anders wrote and directed; Mark Wahlberg, Rose Byrne, and Isabela Moner star. (PG-13 for thematic elements, sexual material, language and some drug references; 119 min).

Writer/director Joel Edgerton’s dramatic film, Boy Erased, a Focus Feature release, is based on Garrard Conley’s memoir and should be served on the adults’ table. After being outed to his parents, the son of a Baptist preacher is forced to participate in a church-supported “gay conversion therapy.” This Oscar contender stars Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman, and Joel Edgerton. (R for sexual content including an assault, some language, and brief drug use; 115 min).

The film which offers a full course meal of comedy, drama, mystery, romance, Western, and musical genres is the Netflix release, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. This Coen Brothers Film which stars Liam Neeson, James Franco, Zoe Kazan, and David Krumholtz, tell six stories, This anthology film’s multiple stories each deals with a different aspect of life in the Old West. Inspired with some great performances scattered throughout, it might just be the film with something for every adult at the party. (R for some strong violence; 122min).

If none of these films promise to satisfy your cravings for entertainment, Wednesday, Nov. 21 sees the release of Creed II, another Rocky franchise sequel and the Gary Hart fall from grace film, The Front Runner. Also opening are Robin Hood: Origins; the sequel Ralph Breaks the Internet, and At Eternity’s Gate, based on the life of painter Vincent van Gogh.

The Oscar contender film getting the biggest buzz for the Thanksgiving weekend is Green Book, which won Best of Fest Audience Choice Award at the St. Louis International Film Festival and is based on the true story of an African American classical Pianist and his Italian American driver’s trip through 1960s south.

That’s the full menu of films in theaters for the Thanksgiving and a good start for the Holiday film season. Happy viewing!

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