On Dec. 12, two big releases will be unveiled in cinemas just in time for the holiday season: "Exodus: Gods and Kings" and "Top Five."

Before looking at these two films, the marketplace has a number of holdover options. For family audiences, "Penguins of Madagascar" and "Big Hero 6" are still in theaters and still playing to strong responses. "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1" is also still in theaters.

For those who want to catch Golden Globe nominees, Focus Features is expanding "The Theory of Everything," which obtained four Globe nominations. Fox Searchlight's "Wild" will have a bigger expansion than planned because of popular demand. The Reese Witherspoon film has been nominated for one Globe award and is a critical darling.

The Weinstein Company is expanding "The Imitation Game" slowly as it continues to obtain strong awards buzz. The movie will now movie into 25 theaters. IFC Films will also expand the critically acclaimed "The Babadook" and will bring "Boyhood" back into theaters, which is currently the Oscar and Globe front-runner.

Other Globe nominees still in theaters include "Birdman," "Nightcrawler," "St. Vincent" and "Gone Girl."

For horror fans, Fox will expand "The Pyramid" after beating expectation on its opening weekend.

However, if none of those interest you, these are the new releases.

Exodus: Gods and Kings

Ridley Scott returns to the epic a few years after "Robin Hood" and "Kingdom of Heaven." The Fox release based on the bible tells the story of Moses' rise up against the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses, setting 600,000 slaves on a monumental journey of escape from Egypt and its terrifying cycle of deadly plagues. Starring Christian Bale and Joel Edgerton, the movie has been met with terrible reviews and controversy over the casting choices. The movie marks the third bible film of the year following "Son of God" and "Noah." However, the film's box office prospects don't look as promising. While it will likely open to $20 million, it will lack the same enthusiasm those two films obtained when they were released.

Top Five

Chris Rock's latest film tells the story of a comedian who tries to make it as a serious actor when his reality TV star fiancée talks him into broadcasting their wedding on her TV show. The movie was directed, acted and written by Rock and premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, where it received rave reviews and was purchased by Paramount for $12.5 million. It was thought of as an awards contender, but after having failed to get Golden Globe nominations, the buzz on the film has wavered. "Top Five" has obtained rave reviews and will definitely receive enthusiasm from Rock fans and comedy fans.

Inherent Vice

Paul Thomas Anderson's latest picture will finally be released after having premiered at the New York Film festival and AFI Festival.

The movie, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Benicio del Toro, Josh Brolin and Reese Witherspoon, tells the story of Los Angeles detective Larry "Doc" Sportello, who investigates the disappearance of a former girlfriend. The movie has been receiving mixed reviews because of the convoluted plot. Latin Post said, "Paul Thomas Anderson's latest work has great performances but requires second viewing." The Warner Bros. picture should definitely reach out to Anderson enthusiasts. It should reach out to those interested in seeing all the Golden Globe nominated films. Phoenix received a nomination for his work in the film and is also receiving Oscar attention.

Other new art house releases include Dada Films' "Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks," Music Box's "We Are the Giant," IFC's "Free the Nipple" and Cohen Media Group's "Magician: the Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles."

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