5 Movies To See In December

Out Of The Furnace

Starring Christian Bale, Casey Affleck, and Woody Harrelson. Directed by Scott Cooper. Need I say any more?

Those are three of the best actors working today, and they also happen to be three of my personal favorites. Affleck rarely chooses a less-than-stellar movie, Harrelson has been better than ever recently, especially as a villain, and when was the last time Bale let you down? With that alone working for it, Out Of The Furnace would probably be a hit, but it’s got a heck of a story behind it as well.

For those who don’t know, the film is set in Braddock, Pennsylvania and revolves around Russell (Bale) and his younger brother Rodney (Affleck), who have always dreamed of finding better lives despite the fact they live in the depressed Rust Belt. A twist of fate lands Russell in prison, and Rodney is sucked into one of the most violent and ruthless crime rings in the Northeast (led by Harrelson). Once he is released from prison, Russell must choose between the safety of his freedom or risking it all to seek justice for his brother.

Early reviews say the movie is brutal, harsh and heartbreaking. This isn’t the movie you should take the kids to for a cheerful Saturday afternoon, but it’s also not a movie you should miss. Need more proof? Check out the most recent trailer and get ready for what could be the most intense thriller of the year. Or you could check out our exclusive interview with Bale, Harrelson, and Cooper for an inside look at the film.