Reel Facts & Opinions: The Year in Film 2014, Episode X

The year is down to its final two months, and although the push towards Awards Nominations is in full swing, there is an odd amount of cold turkey to tolerate. Here are the notable films for the month of November.

It all takes off with…

INTERSTELLAR – Christopher Nolan (INCEPTION, THE DARK KNIGHT) directs this sci-fi epic in which two astronauts travel beyond our galaxy to find a new home for humankind. Stars our reigning Best Actor Matthew McConaughey, and he is joined by Anne Hathaway, Michael Caine, Casey Affleck, Topher Grace, Ellen Burstyn, John Lithgow, and Jessica Chastain (ZERO DARK THIRTY).

BIG HERO 6 – This animated romp is Disney’s adaptation of the Marvel Comics property.

THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING – A possible Oscar sleeper, Eddie Redmayne (LES MISERABLES) plays one of the world’s greatest minds, Stephen Hawking, in this biopic. Co-stars Felicity Jones and David Thewlis (HARRY POTTER), and directed by James Marsh (PROJECT NIM, MAN ON WIRE).

DUMB AND DUMBER TO – Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels reprise their roles of everyone’s favorite idiots.

FOXCATCHER – A favortie of this Awards Season, this true story/psychological thriller tells the tale of an Olympic wrestler who is summoned onto the estate of a millionaire to train. Stars Steve Carell, Channing Tatum, Mark Ruffalo, Vanessa Redgrave, and Sienna Miller. Directed by Bennet Miller (MONEYBALL).

THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART 1 – For better or for worse, the final book in THE HUNGER GAMES series has been split into two parts. Returning to this future world where everyone dresses and acts weird for no reason are Jennifer Lawrence, Julianne Moore, Donald Sutherland, Woody Harrelson, Stanley Tucci, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and the kid who looks like a Lego-man, Josh Hutcherson.

THE IMITIATION GAME – Benedict Cumberbatch (STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS) plays Alan Turing, the genius mathematician who helped break the secret Nazi codes which enabled the Allies to win WWII. Co-stars Keira Knightley and Mark Strong.

V/H/S: VIRAL – Another entry in this well-intentioned, yet goofy horror franchise. This is another anthology film composed of five found-footage shorts helmed by five different directors.

THE PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR – Those annoying penguins from the MADAGASCAR animated films finally get a solo career.

HAPPY VALLEY – This documentary film, which won Best Documentary Feature at the Sarasota Film Festival this year, narrates the events which occurred at Penn State University following the Sandusky abuse scandal.

HORRIBLE BOSSES 2 – Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, and Charlie Day return for another yarn about employees getting even against their bosses. Directed by Sean Anders (THAT’S MY BOY), and also stars Jennifer Aniston, Jamie Foxx, Kevin Spacey, Chris Pine (STAR TREK), and Christoph Waltz (DJANGO UNCHAINED).

ESCOBAR: PARADISE LOST – Benicio Del Toro (THE WOLFMAN, SIN CITY) plays drug-lord Pablo Escobar in this romantic-thriller film. Co-stars Lego-boy Josh Hutcherson.

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Next month, the final Episode of 2014.