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George Clooney Leads Wave of December Streaming Releases as Holiday Season Begins
George Clooney returns to the screen portraying a dashing movie star grappling with midlife regrets in Netflix’s “Jay Kelly,” one of several notable entertainment options arriving on streaming platforms this December.
The Noah Baumbach-directed comic drama, premiering Friday on Netflix, features Clooney’s character embarking on a European trip with his college-bound daughter (Grace Edwards) that evolves into profound self-examination. The film showcases Adam Sandler as Jay’s long-suffering manager and Laura Dern as his publicist, with critics praising how “reality and fiction beautifully weave in and out in Baumbach’s love letter to Hollywood.”
Meanwhile, action fans can catch Tom Cruise’s latest adventure as “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” lands on Paramount+ Thursday. Directed by Christopher McQuarrie, the film concludes the storyline that began with 2023’s “Dead Reckoning Part One.” The eighth installment in the Ethan Hunt franchise has received mixed reviews, with AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr noting that “dour developments start to feel a little unintentionally silly” in a series “that has often been best when it’s not taking itself too seriously.”
The holiday movie season kicks off with Prime Video’s “Oh. What. Fun.” starring Michelle Pfeiffer as a matriarch who goes missing after years of handling Christmas festivities for her ungrateful family. The Michael Showalter-directed comedy, available Wednesday, features a strong ensemble cast including Felicity Jones, Chloë Grace Moretz, Denis Leary, and Dominic Sessa.
In music news, Zac Brown Band returns with their new album “Love & Fear” on Friday, reflecting on life’s highs and lows. The diverse collection includes collaborations with Snoop Dogg on the weed-friendly “Let It Run,” Dolly Parton on the ballad “Butterfly,” and Marcus King on the standout track “Hard Run.” The band is marking the release with performances at the Sphere in Las Vegas, where they’ll continue playing shows through January.
Alternative rock fans can look forward to Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds’ “Live God,” featuring live renditions from their recent album “Wild God” alongside catalog classics like “From Her to Eternity” and “Into My Arms.” Cave enthusiasts can also explore the Royal Danish Library’s “Stranger Than Kindness: The Nick Cave Exhibition” online, which showcases 300 objects collected or created throughout his career.
Television offerings include the Netflix western series “The Abandons,” debuting Thursday. Created by “Sons of Anarchy” mastermind Kurt Sutter, the 1850s-set drama puts women at the forefront with Gillian Anderson and Lena Headey starring as widowed matriarchs battling over land. Nick Robinson and Aisling Franciosi round out the cast.
Starz continues its historical action programming with “Spartacus: House of Ashur” premiering Friday. Nick E. Tarabay reprises his role as Ashur in an alternate timeline exploring what might have happened had his character survived the events of “Spartacus: Vengeance.” The series also features Tenika Davis in a prominent role as a female gladiator.
For gamers, the long-awaited “Metroid Prime 4: Beyond” finally arrives on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 on Thursday. The spacefaring bounty hunter Samus Aran returns to the 3D world after a lengthy development period, landing on a hostile jungle planet while being pursued by another bounty hunter. In addition to her traditional high-tech arsenal, Samus now wields psychic powers and a motorcycle, raising anticipation about whether the sequel can match its acclaimed predecessors.
As streaming platforms and entertainment companies compete for attention during the holiday season, this diverse slate of releases reflects the industry’s efforts to capture audiences across multiple genres and formats heading into the final month of the year.
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10 Comments
Glad to see George Clooney back on screen in a meaty dramatic role. His collaborations with Noah Baumbach are always thought-provoking. Curious to see how he portrays the self-examination of a veteran Hollywood star.
Baumbach has a knack for balancing comedy and deeper themes in his films. Looking forward to seeing Clooney’s take on the midlife crisis trope.
Lots of big names and familiar franchises in this streaming roundup. Should make for an entertaining holiday viewing season, whether you’re in the mood for drama, action, music, or gaming.
This lineup highlights the continued evolution of the entertainment landscape. Streaming is becoming the go-to destination for both blockbuster releases and more intimate character-driven stories. Curious to see what else emerges in the coming months.
Metroid Prime 4 on the streaming docket? That’s an unexpected but intriguing inclusion. The Metroid games have a dedicated following, so I’m wondering how they’ll adapt the game for a video-on-demand format.
Michelle Pfeiffer is always a draw for me. She’s had such an impressive and versatile career. Curious to see what kind of role she’ll be taking on in the streaming landscape.
Interesting mix of streaming releases this December – from Clooney’s midlife crisis drama to the latest Mission: Impossible blockbuster. I’m curious to see how Cruise wraps up the Ethan Hunt saga. Might have to check out both for some holiday entertainment.
Interesting to see Zac Brown Band getting a spotlight on the streaming circuit. They’ve carved out a unique niche in country/southern rock over the years. Wonder what kind of performance they’ll be bringing to the screen.
The Mission: Impossible franchise has had its ups and downs, but I always enjoy the over-the-top action and stunt work. Curious to see if they can stick the landing with this final installment.
Agreed. The series has a dedicated fan base, so the pressure is on to deliver a satisfying conclusion to Ethan Hunt’s story.