A Reel Preview: The Year In Film 2017 - Episode XI

The glorious winds of Fall are starting to roar, and the second full month of the season has one of the most diverse selection of films of the year; superheroes, comedies, Oscar hopefuls, and animated family films. Here are the notable releases for the month of November.

It all rocks in with…

THOR: RAGNAROK – The 17^th entry into Marvel’s connected series of films also serves as the third solo adventure for the God of Thunder. Thor (Chris Hemsworth), is imprisoned while his homeworld is under siege by Hela (Cate Blanchett), the goddess of death. The ensemble cast includes Tom Hiddleston, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson, Karl Urban, Anthony Hopkins, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Mark Ruffalo reprising Bruce Banner/The Hulk.

MY FRIEND DAHMER – A biographical drama about serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, based on the graphic novel of the same name. Stars Ross Lynch, Alex Wolff, Dallas Roberts, and Anne Heche.

LADY BIRD – Saoirse Ronan leads this comedy-drama which has nothing to do with the former First Lady. Ronan plays a nurse struggling to keep her family together after her husband loses his job. It is directed by Greta Gerwig.

LBJ – Woody Harrelson plays former President Johnson in this political drama taking place after the JFK assassination. It co-stars Richard Jenkins, Bill Pullman, and Kim Allen, and is directed by Rob Reiner (A FEW GOOD MEN).

LAST FLAG FLYING – Richard Linklater (BOYHOOD) directs this comedy-drama about three Vietnam Vets who reunite after one of their sons is killed in Iraq. It stars Steve Carell, Bryan Cranston, and Laurence Fishburne.

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS – Kenneth Branagh stars and directs this mystery film, which is the fourth adaptation of the famed novel. The ensemble cast includes Penelope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench, Johnny Depp, Josh Gad, Derek Jacobi, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Daisy Ridley (THE FORCE AWAKENS).

THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER – Colin Farell and Nicole Kidman headline this psychological horror film in which a fatherless teen upsets their household. 

THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI – Frances McDormand (FARGO) plays a grieving mother who raises billboards in her hometown to seek justice for her murdered daughter. It co-stars Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, and Peter Dinklage. Directed by Martin McDonagh (IN BRUGES).

JUSTICE LEAGUE – The fourth film in DC Comics’ connected series of films is the first team-up of their classic heroes; Batman (Ben Affleck), Superman (Henry Cavill), Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), Aquaman (Jason Momoa), Flash (Ezra Miller), and Cyborg (Ray Fisher). The rest of the massive cast includes Amy Adams, Jeremy Irons, Diane Lane, Connie Nielsen, J.K. Simmons, and Ciaran Hinds. It is directed by Zack Snyder (DAWN OF JUSTICE), and Joss Whedon (AVENGERS).

WONDER – Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson play parents of a boy with a facial deformity.

ROMAN J. ISRAEL, ESQ. – Denzel Washington plays a liberal lawyer in this legal drama. Colin Farrell co-stars, and it is directed by Dan Gilroy (NIGHTCRAWLER).

MUDBOUND – Veterans of World War II return home from the war to deal with racism and PTSD. Stars Carey Mulligan, Garrett Hudlund, Jason Clarke, Jason Mitchell, and Mary J. Blige.

I LOVE YOU, DADDY – In this comedy-drama, Louis C.K. plays a TV producer who tries to prevent his teenage daughter (Chloe Grace Moretz) from falling for a 68 year-old filmmaker (John Malkovich).

COCO – The newest offering from famed animation studio Pixar is inspired by the Mexican holiday of Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead), and follows a 12 year-old boy who sets off a chain of events leading to a reunion of long-past family members.

DARKEST HOUR – Gary Oldman (THE DARK KNIGHT), plays Winston Churchill in this war drama during his early days as Prime Minister. Co-stars Ben Mendelsohn and Kristin Scott Thomas, and is directed by Joe Wright (ATONEMENT).

CALL ME BY YOUR NAME – Based on the novel of the same name, two young men (Armie Hammer, Timothee Chalamet), develop a passionate relationship.

THE CURRENT WAR – Benedict Cumberbatch (THE IMITATION GAME) plays Thomas Edison, and Michael Shannon (TAKE SHELTER) plays George Westinghouse in this true-story about the battle to determine whose electric system would power the world.

*

Next month, the final Episode of 2017.