This week on the Official Chart, The Polar Express pulls in, and Arthur Christmas makes an appearance but nothing can move The Grinch!
Welcome to The Official Film Chart.
THE MATRIX RESURRECTIONS GETS ITS FINAL TRAILER.
Two weeks from today will see the release of ‘The Matrix Resurrections’. Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss return once again as Neo and Trinity. How? We have no idea and won’t until we see the film. We saw them die at the climax of ‘The Matrix Revolutions’ eighteen years ago. But somehow, they are back again. A final trailer for the film has been released this week ahead of the film hitting cinemas. And it raises more questions that we want to know the answers to. Check it out below:
THE OFFICIAL CHART
This week on the chart, it’s a case of building up towards Christmas Day. The big day is now just over two weeks from arriving. As such, the entertainment we have been buying is again varied. This time around, it is a case of thanks for coming and goodbye to ‘Arsene Wenger-Invincible’, and ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’. But what is the number one title for this week? Is there a brand new number one? Or has that lovable green monster managed to cling on to the top of the (Christmas) tree? Let’s not wait around to find out.
THE GRINCH CLINGS ON AT THE TOP!
For the second week in a row, the official UK number one remains ‘The Grinch (Animated)’. The 2018 animated remake of the classic tale manages to see off all competition once again. Benedict Cumberbatch voices the title character in this charming and amusing take on the source material. The film is good clean fun for all the family. It is guaranteed to keep the young ones amused while also providing the adults with a good chuckle too. It can’t hold a candle to the live-action version but is still a worthy watch over the festive period.
THE GRINCH IS NUMBER TWO TOO!
No, that isn’t a typo! Rising by three places to claim the second spot is ‘Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas.’ The far superior Jim Carrey live-action version of the classic story sits just behind its own animated remake in the chart. Now, this is the perfect Christmas movie for the whole family. It is laugh-out-loud hilarious at times. And Carrey was born to play the title character. His rubber features fit The Grinch to perfection. The film itself has become one of the most loved of all the Christmas films ever made. It is shown many times on all the TV channels over the festive period and continues to enchant all who watch it.
ELF MAKES ITS MOVE!
You know it is coming up to Christmas by just looking at the top three for this week. Moving up the chart by six places is the 2003 Christmas classic ‘Elf.’ Will Ferrell and Jon Favreau delivered a timeless and charming tale that still resonates today. The story of a human baby that ends up as one of Santa’s elves continues to charm and entertain the whole country. I have to admit that my mother absolutely adores the film. And alongside ‘Miracle On 34th Street’, is one of the films that both she and I sit through time and again every Christmas.
SHANG-CHI BATTERED DOWN TO FOURTH PLACE!
Dropping two places as the Christmas movies make their moves is ‘Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings.’ The Marvel Studios action-adventure remains one of the UK’s favorite films, despite its slight fall to fourth place. Simu Liu plays the title character, who makes his big-screen debut in the film, ahead of becoming one of the new characters in the MCU. The film opened in September before hitting Disney+ and the home entertainment markets in the middle of November. It is something that is a great alternative to the Christmas Schmaltz that is and will be playing on screens across the land.
THE SUICIDE SQUAD RUNNING OUT OF AMMO!
The DC sequel ‘The Suicide Squad’ seems to be running out of ammunition. The film falls by two places this week as it lands in the fifth position. The film is certainly not suitable for Christmas family entertainment. It is simply two hours of gratuitous violence, gore, and bad language. But it is totally entertaining and amusing. Margot Robbie once again stands out as Harley Quinn. But it is Daniella Melchior who is the film’s MVP. Her performance as Ratcatcher 2 is one that will have the world sitting up. Of all the characters who appear in the film, it is hers that is the one we are drawn to. And I defy the world to not fall in love with her.
OUTSIDE THE TOP TEN!
Missing out on a top ten place for this week, we find two different films that are hanging just outside the chart. The first is Sir Ridley Scott’s epic historical drama ‘The Last Duel.’ The film, featuring Matt Damon, Adam Driver. Jodie Comer and Ben Affleck is available to watch on Disney+ as well as to buy on digital right now. It was released on the disc formats this past Monday so it will probably improve on its current position of number eleven.
Currently occupying the thirteenth spot is the horror sequel ‘Candyman.’ Jordan Peele has brought the hook-handed killer back to the screen. Nia Costa directs Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in this continuation of the original film. And original star Tony Todd makes an appearance during proceedings. The film is now available on all home entertainment formats.
FAST 9 HITS THE ACCELERATOR AGAIN!
As we move into the bottom five titles for the week, we find Vin Diesel has hit the gas again. The ninth film in the main franchise ‘Fast & Furious 9: The Fast Saga’ has managed to drive itself up by two places to park itself in the sixth position this week.
PAW PATROL ON ITS WAY HOME!
It seems as if ‘PAW Patrol-The Movie’ has had enough of a chart walk. The animated big-screen version of the children’s TV favorite show moves down by three places to cock its leg up in the seventh position.
THE POLAR EXPRESS PULLS INTO THE CHART STATION!
Steaming up by three places to take the eighth place this week is ‘The Polar Express.’ The CGI animated film from director Robert Zemeckis and star Tom Hanks is another family favorite. It is, quite simply, a wonderful tale that appeals to all ages. Hanks plays several parts in the film including the Conductor, the Hobo, and Santa himself. I have to admit that it is quite emotional near the end. It also makes us recall our own childhoods when we believed in Santa. With a fantastic and moving score from Alan Silvestri, the film deserves to be a Christmas classic.
BLACK WIDOW FALLS AGAIN!
Marvel Studios ‘Black Widow’ falls again this week by two places. The farewell performance from star Scarlett Johansson is one of this year’s highlights of the cinematic year. And it was worth waiting for.
ARTHUR CHRISTMAS CRACKS THE TOP TEN!
And finally, ten years after hitting cinema screens, the animated ‘Arthur Christmas’ hits the UK top ten for the first time. Set on Christmas Eve, the film centers on Arthur Claus, the clumsy but well-meaning son of Santa Claus. He discovers that his father’s high-tech ship has failed to deliver one girl’s present. Accompanied only by his free-spirited and reckless grandfather, an enthusiastic young Christmas elf obsessed with wrapping gifts for children, and a team of reindeer, he embarks on a mission to deliver the girl’s present personally.
END OF THE LINE!
And once again, we are done for the week. My thanks for joining in the chart tour once again. And as always…
Whatever you decide, whatever you buy, stay safe, be kind, look after each other, and happy viewing!
Anyone wishing to buy any of the titles featured in The Official Film Chart can do so via FindAnyFilm.com. All videos and information have been supplied by Find Any Film and used under authorization.
Author
Carl Roberts is the News Editor of The Future of the Force. Aside from being our horror genre aficionado, he is also passionate about Star Wars, Marvel, DC, and the Indiana Jones movies. Follow him on Twitter where he uses the force frequently!
