New in Theaters for November

A lot of movies are premiering in November, but only a few of them interest me. This is why they might be worth watching... or avoiding.

WATCHING

Hacksaw Ridge (November 4, 2016) 

Andrew Garfield plays the first conscientious objector to win the medal of honor in this World War II movie from Mel Gibson. This has generated a lot of awards talk.

Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk (November 11, 2016) 
Ang Lee is an amazing director, Life of Pi, Brokeback Mountain, and with a movie that focuses on the perceptions of war versus reality through a man who has just returned, this looks good.

Arrival (November 11, 2016) 
After Prisoners, Sicario, and Enemy, I want to see what Denis Villeneuve does with sci-fi. This might be a good primer, as he's directing the sequel to Blade Runner.
Amy Adamns plays a linguist tasked with translating extra terrestrial communications.

Loving (November 4, 2016) 
I'm a big fan of director Jeff Nichols. He brings a lot of heart and emotion to his stories, Mud, Take Shelter. This movie is about a couple jailed in the fifties for being inter-racial.

Manchester By the Sea (November 18, 2016) 
The story is pretty simple, an uncle is forced to take care of his nephew, but with Casey Afflek, Kyle Chandler, and Michelle Williams this looks like a small emotional story that can make an impact.

AVOIDING

Trolls (November 4, 2016) 
A movie about bright haired trolls, understandably gets a pass from me.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (November 18, 2016) 
Harry Potter was successful, but they can't let it rest. They need to squeeze another dollar out of crumpled pages of the famed book franchise. I'm not buying it.

Bad Santa 2 (November 25, 2016) 
Sequels are difficult. This will either be a meager imitation of the first or an unfunny disappointment. It might be both!

Doctor Strange (November 4, 2016) 
As much as I like Cumberbatch, I have to pass. When Marvel is churning out super hero movies like a factory, this feels like nothing more than a cash grab. I bet they paid out big to stars to overcome the shortcomings of the movie.

Life on the Line (November 18, 2016) 
John Travolta is a line man for the power company and a big storm is coming. Neither of those things sound interesting.