Box Office: Hunger Games, The Counselor, Friend 2

Hunger Games

Opened Nov. 21

Fantasy. Action. Directed by Francis Lawrence. 

Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) inspired an uprising among the people of post-apocalyptic Panem against the oppressive rule of the Capitol when they broke rules and both emerged as winners of the annual Hunger Games. To quell the rebellious movements churning in the nation, the Capitol forces Katniss and Peeta to participate in a special edition of the Hunger Games. The strongest victors of previous Hunger Games come together for another round in the deadly arena. Will Katniss and Peeta once again be able to beat the system? 

The Counselor

Opened Nov. 14

Thriller. Crime. Drama. Directed by Ridley Scott.

In Juarez, Mexico a young and talented lawyer known by the name The Counselor (Michael Fassbender) buys a luxurious diamond ring to propose to his fiance Laura (Penelope Cruz). He attends a party hosted by the rich and corrupt businessman Reiner (Javier Bardem) and his girlfriend Malkina (Cameron Diaz). Short on money, the Counselor is convinced by Reiner to enter into the illegal drug trade for a fast profit. He meets a mysterious drug dealer called Westray (Brad Pitt), who warns him of the dangers of the illegal trade. During a trade a stash worth a fortune suddenly disappears, and the lawyer finds himself in over his head. 

Friend 2

Opened Nov. 14

Noire. Action. Directed by Kwak Kyung-taek

Seventeen years have passed since Lee Joon-seok (Yoo Oh-sung) was put in jail for ordering the killing of his friend Dong-su (Jang Dong-gun). He is now a high-ranking gangster and attempts to secure his position in the Busan-based crime syndicate. He is seen as a threat to Eun-gi (Jung Ho-bin), an ambitions member who aspires to be the gang’s leader. Joon-seok decides to work with Seong-hoon (Kim Woo-bin), a 20-something gangster he met while serving prison time. The two are strangely drawn to each other. Seong-hoon has never met his father, but when he learns details about the fateful day his father Dong-su was killed, his world is turned upside down. 

Thor: The Dark World

Opened Oct. 30

Action. Adventure. Fantasy. Directed by Alan Taylor.

A year has passed since the Avengers came together. Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is back in the kingdom of Asgard with his brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston), who is locked up in the dungeon for threatening to destroy the world. Meanwhile, on Earth, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) coincidentally comes upon an ancient weapon that predates the universe itself and was originally owned by the Dark Elves. Malekith (Christopher Eccleston), the leader of the dark elves, learns about the weapon’s whereabouts and assembles an attack on Jane and Asgard. In order to save his kingdom and the woman he loves, Thor approaches his younger brother, Loki, and makes a risky alliance. 

The Accomplice

Opened Oct. 24

Thriller. Directed by Guk Dong-suk.

Da-eun (Son Ye-jin) becomes suspicious about her father (Kim Kap-soo) and thinks he might be the culprit in a kidnap-turned-murder case. With only 15 days remaining until the statute of limitations expires, Da-eun begins to look into her father’s hazy past. She is put into emotional turmoil as she finds out more about the case and distrust begins to grow toward her otherwise dedicated, loving father. The movie is inspired by the true 1988 story of a man who killed two children in his neighborhood and threw their bodies into the sea.