December is a crucial time for TV bingers and movie aficionados because colder weather means hunkering down and enjoying some quality time in front of the tube. Luckily, when Amazon announced their releases for this month, we knew we were getting gold rather than a lump of coal in our stockings this holiday season.
Point Break
Available Now
When people talk great American action films, Point Break is one of those titles no one can leave out. This 1991 classic stars Keanu Reeves as undercover FBI agent Johnny Utah as he infiltrates a crew of SoCal surfer bros who moonlight as bank robbers in their spare time. The film also stars the likes of Patrick Swayze, Gary Busey, John C. McGinley, James LeGros, Lori Petty and others. It’s a must-see, for sure.
Rocky-Rocky V
Available Now
Amazon Prime subscribers already enjoy access to Creed, the newest addition to the Rocky franchise, but in December, they’ll get the first five films of the series: Rocky, Rocky II, Rocky III, Rocky IV, and Rocky V. For those living under a rock, the Rocky movies highlight the boxing career of working class Philadelphia son, Rocky Balboa, as he fights his way from the slums of the city’s brutal Kensington neighborhood all the way to the World Heavyweight Champion title. It’s consistently ranked one of the best film franchises in history, and it is also credited with launching the career of its creator and star, Sylvester Stallone.
Buffalo ’66
Available Now
As far as indie films go, Buffalo ’66 is one of our favorites, and we’re real excited to see it coming to Amazon Prime. Billy Brown (Vincent Gallo) just did seven years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, and now that he’s out, he’s looking for revenge against the guy responsible for having him locked up—Buffalo Bills kicker, Scott Wood. In the process, Brown kidnaps a young tap dancer named Layla (Christina Ricci), forcing her to act as his wife to his parents, who are suspicious about his whereabouts over the last seven years. It’s a wild and ridiculous movie, and even though Gallo is a cringe-worthy dickhead in real life, his movie is absolutely worth the time.
The Silence of the Lambs
Available Now
Another incredible classic, The Silence of the Lambs stars Anthony Hopkins as Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a terrifyingly intelligent, deviant, and famously cannibalistic serial killer, and Jodie Foster as Clarice Starling, a young FBI trainee assigned to track down the infamous serial killer, Buffalo Bill. Starling enlists the help of Lecter to help see inside the head of a proud serial killer, and Lecter definitely delivers.
The Grand Tour Season 2
Dec. 8
For the Top Gear fans among us who won’t settle for watered down spin offs, you’ll be thrilled to know that The Grand Tour’s second season is set to debut on Amazon Prime Streaming in December. The famous (infamous?) trio—Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May—are back at it again, and after a wildly successful first season, they’re ready for more mishap and adventure. The trailer for Season 2 looks absolutely bonkers, and while we don’t know exactly where they’re going this time around, we know it’s going to be a hell of a ride.
Nightcrawler
Dec. 10
Jake Gyllenhaal steals the show in this incredible thriller about the high-stress and shockingly competitive industry of TV journalism. Lou Bloom (Gyllenhaal) stumbles upon a car wreck one night and sees the TV news crew pull up to the scene to film and cover the story. He decides he wants to get into the business and become a producer (or, as they’re called in the industry, a “nightcrawler”). He befriends popular news anchor Nina (Rene Russo), hires a camera assistant named Rick (Riz Ahmed), and starts working his way up the ladder. However, Bloom’s thirst to be first eventually gets him in more trouble than he bargained for.
Jean-Claude Van Johnson
Dec. 15
When we first saw the trailer for this ridiculous Amazon Prime Original, we honestly didn’t believe it was a thing. Luckily, we were wrong, and it debuts in December! Jean-Claude Van Johnson stars Jean-Claude Van Damme as himself, a retired martial arts movie star. Only, in Jean-Claude Van Johnson, Van Damme plays private undercover agent Jean-Claude Van Johnson. Is it confusing? It is, but it isn’t. The film is obviously a comedy, but if the trailer is any indication, it’s also very well written and, so far, critics are impressed. Watch it.
Doctor Who Christmas Special
Dec. 18
Amazon Prime subscribers are also getting the Doctor Who Christmas Special, which, if you’re a fellow Whovian (and seriously, who isn’t?), has become an annual thing of legend. While the BBC only released a preview of the special, we know that it will mark the exit of Peter Capaldi from the show, and will also feature a cameo from the original Doctor Who, David Bradley. Prepare to have your feels punched.
Banksy Does New York
Dec. 23
Even if you’re a passive observer of the modern art world, you remember the legendary month-long art takeover of New York’s city streets by the even more-legendary street artist, Banksy. It was called the “Better Out Than In” project, and as the event unfolded before our very eyes, it became a sort of performance art piece in and of itself. Banksy Does New York is a 2014 documentary released in the months following Banksy’s New York City romp, and highlights just how insanely brilliant the project was, and to what lengths people were willing to go to get their hands on a real-deal Banksy. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll definitely cringe.
Brawl in Cell Block 99
Dec 31
When it was announced that Vince Vaughn—that guy from that movie about dodge ball—would have the lead role in this brutally violent action thriller about a drug dealer who gets sent to jail on relatively minor charges, we were suspicious. Turns out, we didn’t have to be. The movie got rave reviews from critics (92% on Rotten Tomatoes), and if you’re having any doubts, just trust us. You won’t believe how well Vaughn pulls off “violent criminal drug dealer with head tattoo.”
