By Chip Chandler — Digital Content Producer

Two of 2017's most acclaimed films open in Amarillo over the last weekend of the year.

New in theaters

Darkest Hour

In the early days of World War II, Britain feared that Nazi forces will soon cross the English Channel and overwhelm their homeland forces, and newly appointed Prime Minister Winston Churchill (Gary Oldman) faces a major decision: Negotiate with Hitler, or rally his nation into battle. Director Joe Wright (Anna Karenina, Hanna) revisits the battle of Dunkirk (which he covered in Atonement, and which also was covered this year in Dunkirk) in this acclaimed new biopic, which is winning Oldman raves and significant Oscar buzz. "Darkest Hour is a handsome, old-fashioned film, filled with stirring music, dusty light and thoughtful performances — with one whopper of a star turn at its core," writes the Seattle Times' Moira Macdonald. (PG-13 for some thematic material; click here for showtimes at United Artists Amarillo Star 14, 8275 W. Amarillo Blvd., and Cinemark Hollywood 16, 9100 Canyon Drive)

The Florida Project

Precocious 6-year-old Moonee (Brooklynn Prince) and her young playmates enjoy fanciful days, not realizing that their parents are struggling just to get by in this new film from director Sean Baker (Tangerine). They live at The Magic Castle, a rundown, lavender-hued hotel in the shadow of Disney World in Orlando, managed by a kind, understanding man (Willem Dafoe, in a role that's getting him major Oscar buzz). Dafoe, in fact, is one of the few professional actors in the cast, which Baker largely filled with newcomers he found online, including Bria Vinaite as Moonee's mother, Halley. Reviews are outstanding: "(I)t's Moonee and Halley to whom The Florida Project belongs, two troublemakers trying to keep all consequences at bay by denying they exist, stocking a shopping cart full of throwaway treats in a dollar store, laughing and whirling around like it's a mystical playland. Which, in that moment, you can believe that it is," writes Buzzfeed's Alison Willmore. (R for language throughout, disturbing behavior, sexual references and some drug material; click here for showtimes at Premiere Cinemas Westgate Mall 6, 7701 W. Interstate 40)

Special engagements

Doctor Who: Twice Upon a Time

The annual Doctor Who Christmas special, gets the big-screen treatment in this cinematic event. It's the last appearance of Peter Capaldi as the Doctor, and it features David Bradley as the First Doctor, as well. It'll encore at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Amarillo Star 14 only. (NR)

Still in theaters

A Bad Moms Christmas (WM-6); All the Money in the World (AS-14, H-16); Coco (AS-14, H-16); Daddy's Home 2 (AS-14); Despicable Me 3 (WM-6); Downsizing (AS-14, H-16); Father Figures (AS-14, H-16); Ferdinand (AS-14, H-16); The Greatest Showman (AS-14, H-16); Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (AS-14, H-16); The Man Who Invented Christmas (WM-6); Marshall (WM-6); Only the Brave (WM-6); Pitch Perfect 3 (AS-14, H-16); Same Kind of Different As Me (WM-6); The Star (H-16); Star Wars: The Last Jedi (AS-14, H-16); and Wonder (AS-14). (Click on titles for my reviews and on theaters for showtimes.)

Chip Chandler is a digital content producer for Panhandle PBS. He can be contacted at Chip.Chandler@actx.edu, at @chipchandler1 on Twitter and on Facebook.