Thursday, October 3, 2013

The Year in Film 2013: Episode IX


Exit September, enter October…a month in which the Oscar hopefuls begin to roll out in force.
It all takes off with…

GRAVITY – As reviewed here, Alfonso Cuaron (CHILDREN OF MEN, GOBLET OF FIRE) directs this outer-space thriller involving two stranded astronauts. Stars George Clooney and Sandra Bullock.
METALLICA: THROUGH THE NEVER – As previewed  here, Metallica’s first 3D concert experience, complete with a storyline, enters a wide, standard 3D release after an IMAX run. It is directed by Nimrod Antal (PREDATORS), and stars members of the band with Dane DeHaan (THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES).

RUNNER RUNNER – Justin Timberlake stars as an online poker player who goes under the wing of the rich mastermind behind it all, played by Ben Affleck. Directed by Brad Furman (THE LINCOLN LAWYER).
CAPTAIN PHILLIPS – Paul Greengrass (THE BOURNE ULTIMATIUM/SUPREMACY) directs this thriller/true story about the hijacking of a cargo ship by Somali pirates. Tom Hanks plays Captain Phillips.

MACHETE KILLS – Robert Rodriguez’s sequel to his zany MACHETE secret agent spinoff. Stars Danny Trejo, Michelle Rodriguez, Sofia Vergara, Amber Heard, Lady Gaga, Antonio Banderas, Jessica Alba, Cuba Gooding Jr., Mel Gibson, and Charlie Sheen as the President of the United States.
ROMEO AND JULIET – Another adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragic love story, written for the screen by Julian Fellows (DOWNTON ABBEY) and directed by Carlos Carlei (FLIGHT OF THE INNOCENT). Stars Hailee Steinfeld (TRUE GRIT) as Juliet, and Douglas Booth as Romeo. Paul Giamatti tags along.

ESCAPE FROM TOMORROW – This controversial film was shot without permission on the Disneyland property, and tells the tale of a family vacation at the famed themed park gone horribly and tragically wrong.

CBGB – This film looks at New York’s early punk rock scene in the 1970’s as it was born in the famed night club. Stars Alan Rickman, Rupert Grint, Ashley Greene, and Bradley Whitford.
KILL YOUR DARLINGS – Daniel Radcliffe continues his post-HARRY POTTER career by starring as Allen Ginsberg during his collegiate years. Co-stars Ben Foster, Dane DeHaan, and Elizabeth Olsen.

CARRIE – Another adaptation of the Stephen King classic novel, this time directed by Kimberly Peirce (BOYS DON’T CRY), and starring Chloe Grace Moretz (KICK-ASS) and Julianne Moore.
ESCAPE PLAN – Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger team up to bust out of a maximum security prison.

THE FIFTH ESTATE – Benedict Cumberbatch stars in this biopic of the founder of the controversial WikiLeaks.
12 YEARS A SLAVE – In what may be the frontrunner in the early Oscar talks, Steve McQueen (SHAME) directs this slave-era film which stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Giamatti, and Paul Dano.

ALL IS LOST – Robert Redford stars as a man lost at sea.
THE COUNSELOR – Sir Ridley Scott (ALIEN, GLADIATOR) teams up with author Cormac McCarthy (NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN). Stars Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem, Cameron Diaz, and Penelope Cruz.

JACKASS PRESENTS: BAD GRANDPA – Johnny Knoxville resurrects his Grandpa character from the JACKASS series skits for a feature length film.
BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR – This controversial film, about two 15-year old lesbians, is the first film to be awarded the top prize at Cannes for both the director and the main actresses. French speaking and based on a French graphic novel (use your imagination), it enters limited release in October.

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Next month, Reel Speak looks at the mighty month of November.

 

 

 

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