Fall is just about here. Good thing too, I’ve gotten tired of sweating. Aside from the dip in temperature, Fall also brings us a slew of promising movies. There aren’t as many big, boisterous blockbusters coming down the pike but there’s an ample amount of quality films that you should know about. With that in mind, we’ve compiled our lists of what’s must-see in the coming months. So bust our your calendar, call your friends and buy your tickets early, Fall’s a-comin’ and it’s bringing the goods!
CONTAGION - Sept. 9th
Why I’m Excited: As I’ve said many, many times on this site, nothing scares me more than viral, apocalyptic thrillers. There’s something so unnerving about an invisible, unstoppable nemesis. I was sold on the premise to CONTAGION alone. However, this film also has an amazing cast, an Oscar winning director and a superb trailer. A subdued, all-too-real thriller about a deadly epidemic, CONTAGION is sure to get under your skin and make you think. I doubt we’ll get explosive action seqeuences or unbelievable heroics. I expect a level-headed, realistic and ultimately terrifying depiction of what would (will?) happen if a monster flu overtakes modern medicine.
TAKE SHELTER - Sept. 30th
Why I’m Excited: I’ve heard nothing but good things about TAKE SHELTER and that doesn’t surprise me at all. The film is about a father and husband (actor’s actor Michael Shannon) who slowly but surely becomes convinced that something horrible is going to happen to him and his family, a natural disaster of biblical proportions. The paranoia builds as he takes drastic measures against a threat that may or may not exist. Shannon, an actor who delivers in every film he’s in (even with his bit part in GROUNDHOG DAY!) brings an intensity to his performances that seems well-suited for this film. The supporting cast of Jessica Chastain, Shea Whigham and Ray McKinnon ensure that Shannon’s performance won’t be the only one worth talking about.
THE IDES OF MARCH - Oct. 7th
Why I’m Excited: 2011 is officially The Year of Ryan Gosling. The guy can do no wrong. He’s seriously become an internet meme at this point. I’d be upset about the media infatuation but he’s killing it lately. Hell, he’s got two movies on this list alone! THE IDES OF MARCH isn’t all about Gosling, of course. It also has George Clooney, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Marisa Tomei, Jeffery Wright and Evan Rachel Wood. And that’s not even the entire cast! Plus it’s directed by Clooney, who has proven his chops many times. We’re only a year away from the next presidential election so why not start the political thrill ride early?
DRIVE - Sept. 16th
Why I’m Excited: I’m excited for this because I don’t live under a rock. Simply put, everyone is talking about DRIVE. Our very own Courtney loved, loved, loved this film when she saw it at LAFF and she isn’t alone. People aren’t only swooning for Gosling but also the direction from Nicolas Winding Refn and the impressive supporting players (Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Christina Hendricks, Albert freakin’ Brooks). Yeah, DRIVE has garnered a lot of fans. I think it looks great and I really want to see it but I also just want to be part of the cool club finally.
MONEYBALL - Sept. 23rd
Why I’m Excited: This one comes to us from the folks who made THE SOCIAL NETWORK. The comparison is welcome, Sony is selling MONEYBALL as another intellgient, character-driven drama for the modern age. One part underdog story and one part baseball film, MONEYBALL is about Oakland A’s manager Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) who tries to create a perfect team through the use of analytics and number crunching but faces many challenges along the way. I’ll see Pitt in pretty much anything but it helps when the premise is this solid and the director is Bennett Miller, who gained a lot of attention for CAPOTE. This year’s THE SOCIAL NETWORK? Could be.
THE MUPPETS - Nov. 23rd
Why I’m Excited: That’s a stupid question. Why wouldn’t you be excited? It’s the god damn Muppets! Not only the Muppets but also a cast consisting of Jason Segal, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper and dozens upon dozens of cameos. It’s been a long time since we saw those lovable Muppets grace the screen. I’m glad that the franchise has been handed over to guys who really respect and love the characters. This doesn’t look like some cash grab but rather a heartfelt return to form. Seeing The Muppets on the big screen again will be like catching up with old friends…who happen to be small, furry puppets.
J. EDGAR - Nov. 9th
Why I’m Excited: I always think Leonardo DiCaprio is about to win an Oscar. Every time he has a movie come out, I say that this will be his year. The man is insanely talented, perhaps the best of his generation, and has yet to win that little gold man. J. EDGAR, a biopic about J. Edgar Hoover, is written by Dustin Lance Black, directed by Clint Eastwood and co-starring Naomi Watts, Josh Lucas, Armie Hammer and Judi Dench. Hell, if DiCaprio doesn’t get close with this performance there may be no hope for The Academy. In all seriousness, I’m very interested to see how Eastwood and DiCaprio handle this controversial figure. More than anything, I’m excited to see Leo tear up the screen. Again.
THE THING - Oct. 14th
Why I’m Excited: I’m not as excited as I was. When reading about THE THING (yeah, it’s still called THE THING) I was on board. Sure, it might be awful but it could be a well done, slow paced horror film like the original, a worthy prequel for once. But that trailer makes me nervous. It seems a little CG heavy and reminds me of a slew of other bland scary movies that have bothered us lately. I hope I’m wrong, maybe the movie blends the CG seamlessly, maybe they really do create a worthy addition to the series. I’ll definitely see it upon release, I’m too big a fan of the first one not to. I’ve got my fingers crossed for THE THING. My fingers and my toes and my eyes and…
WANDERLUST - Oct. 7th
Why I’m Excited: David Wain is somehow still under the radar to many. The man has been a part of some classic comedy including THE STATE and WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER. Yet, he’s rarely recognized as one of the only reliable comedy directors. Hopefully WANDERLUST will convince more of his talent. The movie follows a couple (Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd) as they branch out to “live a more counter-culture lifestyle.” That plot doesn’t sound as silly as ROLE MODELS or THE TEN but I’m willing to follow Wain (and his hilarious co-writer Ken Marino) anywhere.
DREAM HOUSE - Sept. 20th
Why I’m Excited: I want to see what Jim Sheridan, Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz and Naomi Watts do with a psychological horror film. Many people were shocked when the first trailer seemingly gave away a massive twist but I’m told that’s not the only twist in the film. I hope not, I want it to be full of surprises. It’s always fun to see big A-list actors take on horror movies. Sometimes it pays off, sometimes it doesn’t. DREAM HOUSE could go either way but I hope it’s a spectacular, creepy surprise.
There you have it, my list of what’s on the horizon. But this is just me, what are you looking forward to? I know we might not agree on everything but hopefully there’s a few films here that hooked you.
But if you don’t want to see THE MUPPETS then you are dead to me. Sorry.
I saw Dreamhouse in a preview screening and yes, the biggest twist in the film is given away in the trailer.