A Reel Preview: The Year In Film 2016 - Episode XI

This has been a year of many cinematic disappointments and disasters, but 2016 is looking to finish off strong by starting with a packed month of November. Reel Speak’s Big Bold Prediction of the year is this; our Best Picture winner will be released this month. Here is a preview of the notables:

HACKSAW RIDGE – Mel Gibson, director of the Oscar-winning BRAVEHEART, returns behind the camera for the first time in a decade to tell the true story of a WWII medic who refused to carry a weapon and single-handedly saved over 75 lives in combat. Stars Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, Teresa Palmer, Hugo Weaving, and Vince Vaughn.

LOVING – Director Jeff Nichols, who earlier this year brought us the magnificent MIDNIGHT SPECIAL, brings the true story of Richard and Mildred Loving to the screen; a couple who were arrested and sentenced to prison in 1958 because their interracial marriage broke anti-segregation laws. Stars Joel Edgarton (WARRIOR), Ruth Negga, and Michael Shannon.

DOCTOR STRANGE – If you need a break from the awards contenders, Marvel Studios is back with another chapter in their growing universe of films. Benedict Cumberbatch (TV’s SHERLOCK) plays the mystical Dr. Steven Strange, and he is joined by Tilda Swinton, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong, Michael Stuhlbarg, Benjamin Bratt, and Mads Mikkelsen (TV’s HANNIBAL).

ARRIVAL – Denis Villeneueve, who last year brought us the powerful SICARIO, returns with this sci-fi drama about aliens arriving on Earth. The cast includes Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker, and Michael Stuhlbarg.

BILLY LYNN’S LONG HALFTIME WALK – Ang Lee (THE LIFE OF PI, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN), uses new filming technology to adapt this book of the same name, in which a U.S. Army soldier recounts his tragic wartime memories while on a promotional tour across the country. Stars Joe Alwyn, Chris Tucker, Vin Diesel, Steve Martin, and Kristen Stewart.

USS INDIANAPOLIS: MEN OF COURAGE – This often-delayed epic about the historic USS Indianapolis, the ship immortalized in JAWS (1975), finally sees a theatrical release this month. Nic Cage stars.

ELLE – Paul Verhoeven (BASIC INSTINCT, ROBOCOP), directs this erotic thriller in which a woman who is raped stalks her attacker.

FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM – Another break from the awards race, which brings us back to the magical world of HARRY POTTER; taking place over 50 years before Harry was born in which a case of magical creatures is lost in the muggle (non-magical) world. Stars Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Ezra Miller, Jon Voight, Ron Perlman, and Colin Farrell. Shitty director David Yates, who brought us THE LEGEND OF BORE-ZAN this year, is behind the camera.

THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN – Hailee Steinfeld, who was nominated for an Oscar for TRUE GRIT (2010), plays a high school junior whose world is turned upside down when her best friend begins dating her brother. Co-stars Woody Harrelson and Kyra Sedgwick.

BLEED FOR THIS – In this true story, Miles Teller (WHIPLASH) plays Vinny Paz; a world champion boxer who refuses to retire despite a spinal injury. Co-stars Katey Sagal and Aaron Eckhart.

MACHESTER BY THE SEA – In this drama, Casey Affleck plays a man who is reluctantly made legal guardian of his nephew. Co-stars Michelle Williams and Matthew Broderick.

NOCTURNAL ANIMALS – In this psychological thriller, an art gallery owner is haunted by her ex-husband’s novel, which she sees as a threat against her life. The heavyweight cast includes Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Isla Fisher, Armie Hammer, Laura Linney, and Michael Sheen.

ALLIED – Robert Zemeckis, director of BACK TO THE FUTURE, FORREST GUMP, and FLIGHT, directs this WWII drama about two assassins who fall in love, and later suspect that one may be a double-agent. Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard play the assassins.

LION – Dev Patel (SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE), searches for his long-lost family using Google Earth. Rooney Mara (THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO) co-stars.

MISS SLOANE – In this political thriller, Jessica Chastain (ZERO DARK THIRTY), plays a politician pushing gun control. Co-stars Mark Strong, Michael Stuhlbarg, John Lithgow, and Sam Waterston. It is directed by John Madden (SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE).

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Next month, the final episode of 2016.