Winter is upon us whether we like it not. The jingles are on the radio, the decorations are going up, and the preparations for the impending snow have begun. But all of that should not hold you back from taking a trip out to see a film this winter season.
So what’s on the silver screen slab this winter season? The usual, really — comedies, romances, action flicks, remakes and sequels.

“I Love You Phillip Morris”

The first big film out this December is a comedy starring Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor. McGregor isn’t known for his comedy — better known for his role as the young Obi-Won Kenobi in the Star Wars’ prequel trilogies — but he has shown glimpses of his comedic side in films like “Big Fish,” “Moulin Rouge” and in the animated film “Robots.” Carrey, though, has built his career around comedies, mostly notably in the films “Ace Ventura” and “Dumb and Dumber.” The directors that brought us “Bad Santa,” Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, are teaming up again for this off-the-cuff film.
“I Love You Phillip Morris” is a daring step for both Carrey and McGregor. Carrey plays Steven Russell, an ex-policeman turned con. Russell’s criminal fraudulence finds him in jail. The script was adapted from the non-fiction book of the same title by journalist Steven McVicker. While this it is a meant to be a comedy, at its heart, it is a romance. Steven Russell falls in love with a fellow prison inmate Phillip Morris, Ewan McGregor. Previously Phillip Morris was pushed back due to distribution troubles but on Friday, Dec. 3, it’s set to hit theaters.

“Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader”

The third installment to the C.S Lewis’ Narnia series is set to come out Dec. 10. The White Witch is back in this threequel. Lucy and Edmund are the only siblings returning to Narnia this time around, played by Georgie Henley and Skandar Keynes. This installment puts the brother and sister on a boat that takes them across the magical seas of Narnia. Ben Barnes is returning as Prince Caspian. Michael Apted, director of “The World Is Not Enough” and “Nell,” takes the reins for this new adventure.

“The Tourist”

Another film coming out Friday, Dec. 10, brings the forces of Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie together. “The Tourist” follows an American tourist Frank, played by Depp, as he takes trip to Italy. Elise (Jolie) thrusts herself into Frank’s life. What follows is a case of mistaken identity and international espionage. Director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck is an up-and-coming German director with a number of TV series and short films under his belt, along with the 2006 film “The Lives of Others.”

“Tron: Legacy”

Arguably one of the most anticipated films this holiday season, “Tron: Legacy” is the sequel to the 1982 sci-fi film. Though the original didn’t have a great turn-out, it did gather a strong cult following over the years. Jeff Bridges — “The Big Lebowski” and “Crazy Heart” — rehashes his role as computer hacker Kevin Flynn, who gets sucked into the actual computer world. Garret Hedlund — “Friday Night Lights” and “Troy” — is Kevin’s son, Sam Flynn. Sam dives into the computer world to find his father and brings him back after twenty-odd years of being trapped in the virtual world. Joseph Kosinski is making his directing debut with the twenty-year-old series. Tron rides its light cycle into theaters Friday, Dec. 17.

“The Green Hornet”

Seth Rogen steps away from the average Joe roles he’s known for — “Knocked Up” and “Funny People” — and into the shoes of Britt Reid as the vigilante The Green Hornet. Christopher Waltz, better known as Colonel Hans Landa from “Inglorious Basterds,” plays the bad guy again in this action-comedy as Chudnofsky. What first began as a comic and then a 1960s television series featuring Bruce Lee, has made it to the big screen. Look for it Friday, Jan. 14.

“The Dilemma”

Two big names in comedy today, Vince Vaughn and Kevin James, unite for the first time in this comedy about dealing with a horrible secret. Ron Howard directs a story about one friend Ronny, played by Vaughn, who finds out about his best friend Nick’s (James) wife’s affair. Winona Ryder plays Nick’s wife, Geneva, and her love interest is Zip, played by Channing Tatum. The comedy arrives in theaters Jan. 14.

“The Mechanic”

In this remake of the 1972 Charles Bronson film, Jason Statham plays Arthur Bishop. Bishop is a “mechanic,” a hitman who takes an apprentice, Steve McKenna played by Ben Foster. Bishop is a “mechanic” (or hitman) who wants to get out of the business and takes an apprentice (Steve McKenna, played by Ben Foster) under his wing. This action flick is one of revenge when Bishop’s mentor is killed and he wants the men responsible dead. Directed by Simon West — “Con Air” and “Tomb Raider” — this killfest flies into theaters Jan. 28.

Story by Brandon Barb