The Year In Film 2013: Episode X

It’s hard to believe that the year of 2013 is two steps away from the exit. The first step, in the form of the mighty November, brings with it more Oscar hopefuls and a wide variety of film genres.

It all launches with….

ENDERS GAME – The long-awaited adaptation of the science fiction novel of the same name by Orson Scott Card finally arrives on the big screen. It is directed by Gavin Hood, who directed the Academy Award winning Foreign Language Film TSOTSI (2005), and the big piece of crap X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE (2009). ENDERS GAME stars Asa Butterfield (HUGO), Hailee Steinfeld (TRUE GRIT), Sir Ben Kingsley, Viola Davis, Abigal Breslin, and Harrison Ford.

LAST VEGAS – Acting legends Robert DeNiro, Morgan Freeman, Michael Douglas, and Kevin Kline assemble for…a screwball comedy in which four old farts go to Vegas for a bachelor party. Directed by Jon Turteltaub (NATIONAL TREASURE).

THOR: THE DARK WORLD – Just when you thought superheroes were done for the year, here comes the God of Thunder in his first stand-alone sequel. Chris Hemsworth reprises his role as the Norse god in this universe-spanning adventure. Co-stars Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Stellan Skarsgard, Idris Elba, Kat Dennings, Ray Stevenson, Rene Russo, and Christopher Eccleston. It is directed by Alan Taylor, who has spent time on the small screen directing episodes of OZ, SEX AND THE CITY, THE SOPRANOS, THE WEST WING, LOST, MAD MEN, BOARDWALK EMPIRE, and GAME OF THRONES.

THE BOOK THIEF – In what may be an Oscar sleeper, this Brian Percival (DOWNTON ABBEY)-directed book adaptation goes back to the well of Nazi Germany and the Holocaust. Stars Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson.

NEBRASKA – Veteran actor Bruce Dern is the centerpiece of this intimate, character-driven, black-and-white indie film about a father and son trekking across the country to claim prize money. Co-stars Will Forte and Stacy Keach, and is directed by Oscar nominated director Alexander Payne (ABOUT SCHMIDT, SIDEWAYS, THE DESCENDANTS).

DEAR MR. WATTERSON – If you are a fan of the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes, then you need to see this documentary film, which follows the career of creator Bill Watterson and the influence he has had on the world.

THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE – If you didn’t get enough of the stupid shit that the first HUNGER GAMES film adaptation shoveled out, here is your chance for a second helping. Reprising their roles of characters who dress and act like idiots for no reason are Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Stanley Tucci, Toby Jones, Donald Sutherland, the kid who looks like a Lego-man (Josh Hutcherson), and newcomer Phillip Seymour Hoffman.

OLDBOY – The latest joint from director Spike Lee is an adaptation of the cult-favorite 2004 South Korean film, which was based upon a Japanese manga of the same name. Stars Josh Brolin (TRUE GRIT, NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN), Sharlto Copley (DISTRICT 9), Elizabeth Olsen, and Samuel L. Jackson.

OUT OF THE FURNACE – This Blogger will make one big and bold prediction for 2013: Christian Bale will be nominated for two Oscars this year, and it all starts with this film. Directed by Scott Cooper (CRAZY HEART), this is the story of two brothers (Bale and Casey Affleck), who bond together to escape a crime ring. Co-stars Woody Harrelson, Zoe Saldana, Forest Whitaker, Willem Dafoe, and Sam Shepard.

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Next month, the final month of 2013 will be previewed.