Of All the Movies Squeezed Into December for Awards Consideration, Which are Right For You?

Your foolproof guide to navigating the year's busiest movie month.

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Complex Original

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There's no rest for movie lovers. It's already been a stacked year at the movies, with the indie scene killing it throughout the first half of 2013, followed by major studio releases keeping the summer hot, and American goddess Jennifer Lawrence smashing records with The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. But guess what—it's about to get even more hectic. It won't stop. 

In order for their prestigious films to qualify for Academy Awards consideration, studios look to December as the go-to platform for all things Oscar and Golden Globes friendly. This year, there will be 16 notable new movies released inside the 31 days of December, starring the esteemed likes of Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Leonardo DiCaprio, Joaquin Phoenix, Christian Bale, and…Baxter the dog? Yes, Will Ferrell's long-awaited return as Ron Burgundy is also on the horizon.

And it's daunting, to say the least. With so many worthwhile options on deck, how in the hell should anyone who doesn't obsessively read Oscar blogs know where to spend the money they're selfishly not using for holiday shopping? Time to answer the most imporant question before the new year: Of all the movies being squeezed into December for awards consideration, which are right for you?

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Out of the Furnace

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Inside Llewyn Davis

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Saving Mr. Banks

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American Hustle

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Release date: December 13
Plot synopsis: A con man (Christian Bale) and his partner (Amy Adams) get recruited to work with an FBI agent (Bradley Cooper) to suss out corruption in New Jersey. The byzantine plot—too much/inconsequential for the beautiful trailers—ensnares the mayor of Camden (Jeremy Renner). But the con man's wife (Jennifer Lawrence) has something to say about this. Shenanigans ensue.
Awards potential: All of them. The ensemble cast is worthy of Altman. The era adoration screams Scorsese circa GoodFellas. It all looks like so much adult fun, it's a shoo-in for Best Picture. Assuming, you know, it's good. (It can't not be good, right? Right?!)
For fans of... the '70s and the movies that love that decade (Boogie Nights especially).
Will you be expected to have an opinion about this? Oh hell yes. This is the kind of 11th-hour picture that's going to shift entire perspectives about the best movies of the year. Why? Because: 

 

 

 

That's Jennifer Lawrence and she's a bright shining star. A bright shining star.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

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Her

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Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

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The Past

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The Wolf of Wall Street

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Release date: December 25
Plot synopsis: Leonardo DiCaprio pops and locks inside Rolling Stones montages for three hours. Just kidding. An unscrupulous white man in a suit gets over on America, making more money than god, until it all starts to fall apart. (We swear this isn't GoodFellas.) 
Awards potential: It's Scorsese working with his boyish muse, Leo—there will be awards. Expect Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Editing, maybe an acting nod for DiCaprio or McConaughey, who looks especially cartoonish and fun in the trailer.
For fans of... Scorsese, money, popping and locking, music montages, throwing lobsters.
Will you be expected to have an opinion about this? Definitely. This is the king of American movies, looking like he's having the most fun he's had since The Departed.

Throw your lobsters up.

The Invisible Woman

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The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

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August: Osage County

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Lone Survivor

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47 Ronin

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Grudge Match

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Labor Day

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