Carl Roberts 
This week on the official chart, the Footsoldier gets his origins, and The Last Dual fights its way in but nothing can defeat The Grinch!
Welcome to The Official Film Chart.
SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME IS OUT IN CINEMAS NOW!
At long last. After what seems like an age, ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ has now hit cinema screens. The third solo film starring Tom Holland once more as our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man has been long-awaited. The final part of the ‘Homecoming’ trilogy, the film also features Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange. With all the rumors that have been flying about, it will be nice to see what’s true and what’s fan fantasy. I shall be seeing the film this evening, so my review will be written and published as soon as possible. But I WON’t be revealing any spoilers or details about what actually does happen in the film. I believe that the film should be seen clean, without any big reveals!
NO TIME TO DIE IS AVAILABLE TO BUY ON DIGITAL NOW!
You read that right. The latest James Bond film ‘No Time To Die’ is now available to buy on digital from today. The film will be released on the disc formats on Monday, December 20th. The final film featuring Daniel Craig as 007 hit cinema screens back in September before hitting the home cinema to rent formats around three weeks ago. It will make a great Christmas present for the Bond fan in your life and will be great entertainment to watch over the Christmas break.
THE OFFICIAL CHART
It’s that time of the year again for the chart. The top four places are held by Christmas films as can be expected. Five out of the top ten films are Christmas-related. And two films have moved out of the darkness of the lower chart positions to make themselves known inside the top ten. To make way for these newcomers, it is farewell to ‘Fast & Furious 9: The Fast Saga’, and ‘Black Widow’. But what is at the top of the chart Christmas tree? Is it still an animated green beast or has something arrived to steal his thunder? No more guessing, it is time to find out.
THE GRINCH STEALS THE TOP SPOT AGAIN!
You can’t keep him from stealing the top spot again. For the third week in a row, the official number title in the UK remains ‘The Grinch (Animated). The animated remake of the classic tale continues to power along on at the top, thanks to seeing 80% of its sales coming its way via digital. The film is currently available to buy for a reduced price, ready for the festive period. And it looks like the film could hold on and become this year’s number one title on Christmas Day.
ELF ‘ELPS HIMSELF UP TO NUMBER TWO!
It was a close-run thing this week on the battle for chart domination. But just missing out on coming out on top is the classic festive comedy ‘Elf.’ The Will Ferrell-starring film remains one of the UK’s favorite go-to films as we move towards the big day itself. I don’t know about other families but mine has the film on at least once every two days. And the laughs are still loud, even though we have seen it many times before. A charming tale of a child-like adult searching for his father, the film hits us all in the feels and continues to entertain us.
CARREY’S GRINCH DROPS TO NUMBER THREE!
I’m not going to say it! Oh hell, I can’t help it. Dropping a place to now hold the third position is the superior version of the tale ‘Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas.’ The Jim Carrey-led live-action version of the story, narrated by Sir Anthony Hopkins is one of the best Christmas films of all time. It never fails to make me roar and cry with laughter. And Carrey’s performance is a real tour-de-force. He was born to play The Grinch and his performance remains one of the best of his career.
THE POLAR EXPRESS STEAMS UP THE CHART!
Steaming its way up the chart by four places to arrive at the fourth-placed station is ‘The Polar Express.’ The CGI animated classic from Robert Zemeckis and starring Tom Hanks in various roles is one film that will remain timeless. It is amusing, charming, entertaining, and even finds time to make us either cry or have a lump in our throats by the climax. Tom Hanks gives his all in this family favorite which appeals to all ages. It is another film that gets quite a good play on my TV over the festive holidays.
THE LAST DUEL BATTLES ITS WAY INTO THE TOP FIVE!
After sitting outside the top ten last week in the eleventh position, this week ‘The Last Duel’ fights its way into the fifth spot. Rising by six places, the Ridley Scott-directed drama makes its top ten debut. Starring Matt Damon, Adam Driver, and Jody Comer, and based on the true story of France’s last trial by combat in the middle ages, the knight Sir Jean De Carrouges (Damon) challenges squire Jacques Le Gris (Driver) to a duel after his wife Marguerite (Comer) accuses Le Gris of assault. The story is told across the different points of view of the three characters.
THE SUICIDE SQUAD TAKES ANOTHER HIT!
We move into the bottom five positions now with a look at number six. And it seems as if ‘The Suicide Squad’ have taken yet another top ten hit to their fortunes. The DC sequel falls a single place ahead of its premiere on Sky Movies over the Christmas period.
THE FOOTSOLDIER GETS HIS ORIGINS AT NUMBER SEVEN!
Rising eight places from last week’s number fifteen to hit the top ten in this week’s seventh spot is ‘Rise Of The Footsoldier: Origins.’ Soldier Tony Tucker returns from the Falklands war, a bitter and angry man. He soon makes a name for himself in the Essex underworld with his security business and drug dealing, and after entering a partnership with gangster Bernard O’Mahoney, his life spirals out of control in a cycle of drugs and violence. Things get even worse when he meets notorious hard man Pat Tate and local drug dealer Craig Rolfe, culminating in the Rettendon Range Rover murders of 1995. The film stars Vinnie Jones, Terry Stone, and Craig Fairbrass.
PAW PATROL RUNNING OUT OF THE TOP TEN!
Dropping a solitary place this week to cock their leg up at the eighth-placed lampost is ‘PAW Patrol-The Movie.’ The film is a former number one title but is slowly starting to drop out of the chart.
ARTHUR CHRISTMAS RISES A PLACE!
The fifth and final Christmas film in this week’s chart rises a place to number nine. The animated film ‘Arthur Christmas’ decides it wants to get in on the action as it attempts to rise up towards the top half of the chart.
SHANG-CHI TAKES A MASSIVE BLOW!
And finally, it is a shock to see ‘Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings’ take what could be a knockout blow. The Marvel Studios film slips down the chart by six places as it now lands in the tenth and final position.
END OF THE LINE!
All off the chart train. We have reached our final destination. My thanks for joining me once again as we prepare for the Christmas chart top ten next week. So, as always, until then…
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.
Carl Roberts is the News Editor for 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!
