The fall has officially arrived. The wind and rain are here to remind us that staying inside and watching a film with a steaming mug of tea is part of the season’s traditional activities. Gone are the days of goopy white cream (SPF 50+ sunscreen), bad tan lines, sweaty nighttime sheets and not knowing how to dress yourself. Welcome the days of pumpkin pie, pumpkin-coloured foliage, not being able to use any touch screens due to thick mittens and, most of all, great films! Here’s a look at some exciting new films coming out in the month of October.
Gravity
- Director: Alfonso Cuarón
- Genre: Sci-Fi, Drama
- Cast: George Clooney, Sandra Bullock
- Release Date: 4 October 2013
This movie has received a tremendous amount of hype over the summer. For example,
Gravity has been hailed by James Cameron as “the best space movie ever done.” There’s a chance Cameron might have been a little hyperbolic when he uttered those word. Yet, even if that’s the case,
Gravity looks like a stunning piece of cinema that explores the deepest fear of any astronaut (or anyone, for that matter): being adrift, alone, and detached in deep space. Basing my judgments solely on the trailer would be unfair, and almost impossible, due to the low amount of revealed scenes. Unlike a lot of high-profile films,
Gravity has managed to hold a strong grip on the mystery behind the story. With a star-studded cast, a great director in Alfonso (
Children of Men, Y Tu Mamá También) and a premise toying with basic human emotion…this film is sure not to disappoint.
Click
here to watch the trailer.
Captain Phillips
- Director: Paul Greengrass
- Genre: Drama, Biography
- Cast: Tom Hanks
- Release Date: 11 October 2013
First off, I just want to express my deep, limitless man-love for Tom Hanks. Therefore, anything written by me about Tom Hanks will most likely be served with a heavy side of bias and soaked with drool. Except for his decision to sign on as Robert Langdon, that is. That was dumb. But, I equate that rare poor decision with the fact that, surprising to most, Mr. Hanks is human, and money is tempting. So, all is forgiven and definitely doesn’t put a blemish on his track record that includes two (back-to-back) Oscars for Best Actor in a Lead Role for
Forrest Gump (1994) and
Philadelphia (1993).
In
Captain Phillips, Hanks portrays the captain (Richard Phillips) of a cargo ship (MV Maersk) commandeered by Somali pirates. My only question is: who doesn’t want to see Tom Hanks negotiate with pirates? You just know he’ll play the hero perfectly. Based on events occurring in April 2009, this film has the added effect of being a recent news event and still relatively fresh in the audience’s collective memory.
Click
here to watch the trailer.
12 Years a Slave
- Director: Steve McQueen
- Genre: Drama, Biography
- Cast: Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor
- Release Date: 17 October 2013
If you squint long enough you will see a little gold statue watermark in the background of this film. A phenomenal cast paired with a mid-19th century tear-jerker is a favourable combo to pull in some major awards come March. Ejiofor plays Solomon Northup, a free black man, who lives with his family in New York as slavery was still viewed as an acceptable form of employment in The South. Making a complete 180 degree spin, Solomon is kidnapped and sold into slavery. With no credibility due to the pigment in his skin, he has become trapped in Dixie and forced to survive until he can escape…which, I assume, is 12 years post-kidnapping. If you love heavy, historical dramas filled with A-listers then this film will surely impress.
Click
here to watch the trailer.
