Ron Howards’ ‘In the Heart of the Sea’ Now Screening; Tropical Tuesdays at brillobox (Tues., 12/15/15)

1)  In the Heart of the Sea – Director Ron Howard and actor Chris Hemsworth team up again (after their race car biopic, Rush) for this film adaptation of a book by Nathaniel Philbrick about the whaling ship Essex. In 1820, the ship was attacked by a giant sperm whale, which left the crew stranded for 90 days. It was a huge news story back then, and the event inspired Herman Melville’s classic novel Moby Dick. The Howard film examines the lives of the sailors before they put out to sea, and how they survived (or, rather, how some survived) after their encounter with the whale. Along with Hemsworth, the film features Ben Whishaw, Cillian Murphy, Brendan Gleeson, Benjamin Walker and Charlotte Riley. (There’s a spoiler I could mention but won’t; just take my word for it: This might not be a film for the squeamish.) Check Fandango for screens and times. (TH)

2) Getaway to the tropics with a trip to Brillobox for Tropical Tuesdays. There you’ll feel the trade winds (breeze from the fans) soothing your overdue vacation bones. Here’s a sampling of their specials: $3 select craft cans, $4 frozen drinks, $10 California bubble bath, $10 Eva Peron, $7 Fernet con cola, and $6 Coronita Margaveza. You can also sop up the island drinks with $7 pineapple soy-glazed chicken or tofu skewers served with Caribbean sweet potato salad. Shoes and shirt required. 5 p.m. – 2 a.m. 4104 Penn Ave., Bloomfield.

3) Krampus – Does the onslaught of Sparkle Season have you down? Are you afraid that if you hear the Chipmunks’ piercing falsetto one more time (when all you really want to do is fill up your gas tank), you’re going to run amok? Has the Yuletide got you tied up in knots? In short, are you over it? Krampus might be just the remedy. It’s based on a German legend about the “anti-Klaus” – a demon who visits children who haven’t been good for goodness sake. Michael Dougherty directs Toni Collette, Adam Scott, and Conchata Ferrell as a typical dysfunctional family coming together for Christmastime. Judging from the trailer, it’s your usual “no place like home for the screwed-up holidays” kinda thing … until a hideous monster lands on the roof and the whole gang is running for their lives. It’s the perfect holiday treat for the little ‘uns – if you don’t mind paying for the years of therapy they’ll need to recover. Check Fandango for screens and times. (TH)

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