Fall is here and that means one thing for moviegoers – a mix of award season candidates and blockbuster films will be filling the screen. In part one of my fall preview, the month of October has some awesome choices for moviegoers. I am listing some that I believe will be the biggest hits, but there are plenty more that may surprise. All upcoming film releases, news, and trailers can be found at comingsoon.net.
‘Gravity’
In what looks to be an absolutely stunning and powerful film, ‘Gravity’ is the story of a medical engineer (Sandra Bullock) and an astronaut (George Clooney) working together to survive after an accident leaves them adrift in space. Now, that doesn’t sound so enticing just reading it on a page. However, I encourage you to watch a trailer for this film. There are no words to describe how visually stunning the effects are or how powerful and intense the story will be. Already screened in many of the fall film festivals around the globe, there is an overall opinion about ‘Gravity’ – that it is a hit on all cylinders. Bullock is being praised for her performance. Some have characterized her role as her best performance to date. Many suspect she is the lead contender, so far, in the race for all of the Lead Actress categories at awards season. ‘Gravity’ opens in theaters today and I’ll be there for the 7:00 p.m. showing.
‘Captain Phillips’
Tom Hanks really knows how to pick a solid film role. Hanks stars in this true story about Captain Richard Phillips whose ship, the US-flagged MV Maersk Alabama, was hijacked in 2009 by Somali pirates. It was the first American cargo ship to be hijacked in 200 years. Judging by the trailer, this looks to be another smash hit for Hanks. Premiering at the New York Film Festival in late September, critics were outstandingly enthralled by the film. It was praised as Hanks’ best film in years. ‘Captain Phillips’ opens nationwide Oct. 11.
’12 Years a Slave’
Coming out of the film festival season, ’12 Years a Slave’ may have the most buzz surrounding it. The film is based on the true-life story and autobiography of Solomon Northup. Portrayed by Chiwetel Ejiofor, Northup is a free black man from upstate New York who is abducted and sold into slavery. The trailer is chalked full of powerful emotion and acting. The film has received universal acclaim while being showed at the film festivals and is sure to be a leader in all categories at awards season. ’12 Years a Slave’ has an incredibly talented ensemble cast that is sure to make this film a knockout. ’12 Years a Slave’ opens in limited release on Oct. 18.
‘Carrie’
In this highly anticipated remake of the 1976 classic by the same name, we look to be getting an updated version of the old script. Judging from the trailer, the story is almost the same but the effects and destruction seem to have worsened. It will be interesting to see how this reboot does, but the buzz around it is there and people will go to watch. Chloà Grace Moretz is the lead character and has me skeptical, but she looks promising in the trailer. The casting of Julianne Moore as Margret White, Carrie’s mother, is genius. However, I see her stealing scenes. ‘Carrie’ opens Oct. 18.
‘The Counselor’
Action packed, thrilling and twisted are the words that come to mind when describing the trailer for Ridley Scott’s upcoming drama and thriller, ‘The Counselor’. The film tells the story of a greedy lawyer (Michael Fassbender) who finds himself in over his head when he decides to delve into the dark world of drug trafficking. Along the way, we meet his naive girlfriend Laura (Penelope Cruz), a seedy middleman named Westray (Brad Pitt), Reiner and Malkina (Javier Bardem and Cameron Diaz), a mysterious and dangerous couple, and Ruth (Rosie Pérez), a prison inmate represented by the lawyer. ‘The Counselor’ arrives in theaters Oct. 25.
‘Honorable Mentions’
‘Runner Runner’
‘Escape Plan’
‘The Fifth Estate’
‘Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa’
