A Reel Preview: The Year in Film 2016: Episode X

The glorious month of October can be one of the most exciting months of the cinematic year, with many Oscar contenders mixed with gritty action flicks and grisly horror films. Here are the notable films for the month.

It all arrives with…

THE BIRTH OF A NATION – As previewed by Reel Speak HERE, Nate Parker’s epic telling of Nat Turner’s slave rebellion in 1831 has already been hailed as a new American classic. Parker directs and stars, and he is joined by Armie Hammer, Aja Naomi King, Penelope Ann Miller, Mark Boone Jr., and Jackie Earle Haley

THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN – Based on the best-selling novel of the same name, Emily Blunt witnesses something from her train window which sends her into a psychological nightmare. Co-stars Rebecca Ferguson, Haley Bennett, Luke Evans, Allison Janney, Edgar Ramirez, and Lisa Kudrow. Tate Taylor (THE HELP), directs.

VOYAGE OF TIME – Director Terrence Malick (THE TREE OF LIFE, THE THIN RED LINE), directs this documentary examining the birth and death of the known universe.

PHANTASM: RAVAGER – The fifth and final (yeah right) installment of the cult-hit horror series which started back in 1979.

SHIN GODZILLA – This Japanese version of the big lizard is produced by Toho, the studio which originally created GODZILLA in 1954.

THE ACCOUNTANT – Ben Affleck stars as a gifted accountant who cooks the books for dangerous criminal organizations. He is joined by Anna Kendrick, J.K. Simmons, Jon Bernthal, Jeffrey Tambor, and John Lithgow. It is directed by Gavin O’Connor (WARRIOR).

CERTAIN WOMEN – Based on the collection of short stories written by Maile Meloy entitled Both Ways is the Only Way I Want It, this movie explores a handful of intersecting lives and stories across Montana. Stars Laura Dern, Kristen Stewart, and Michelle Williams.

CHRISTINE – In this true story, Rebecca Hall (IRON MAN 3) plays Christine Chubbuck, the 1970’s news reporter who committed suicide on live television.

JACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK – Tom Cruise returns for another round as the ass-kicking private investigator. Cobie Smulders (THE AVENGERS) co-stars. Directed by Edward Zwick (GLORY, THE LAST SAMURAI).

OUIJA: ORIGIN OF EVIL – The sequel to the 2014 horror film OUIJA.

31 – Director Rob Zombie (THE DEVIL’S REJECTS) is back with another October horror flick, in which a group of carnival workers are attacked while on the road.

IN A VALLEY OF VIOLENCE – In this Western, Ethan Hawke plays a drifter who drifts into the wrong town. Co-stars John Travolta and Karen Gillan.

AMERICAN PASTORAL – Ewan McGregor (STAR WARS), directs for the first time and stars in this crime drama where a man watches his daughter’s political beliefs destroy his family. Co-stars Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Connelly, and Rupert Evans.

INFERNO – Ron Howard (APOLLO 13) returns to direct the third film in the Dan Brown series of books involving symbologist Professor Robert Langdon. Tom Hanks reprises the role, and he is joined by Felicity Jones and Ben Foster.

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In a few weeks, Reel Speak previews the month of November.