September 23 is officially the first day of fall and the thing with the slightly cooler season in Hollywood, is that is when we get most of our Oscar bait. In other words, the quality and power of what Tinsel Town produces is about to go through the roof people. Prepare to get more than a little bit verklempt as films such as The Martian from Ridley Scott paint a picture of true heroism that will pull at the heartstrings.
There’s also couple of real life journalism stories that will pull back the veil and expose the story behind the story, including the Dan Rather fallout picture Truth and the Boston Globe exposing the Catholic Church scandal in Spotlight.
There’s still plenty of fun to be had, along with the quality meter going up. Look for Bill Murray to make us laugh again in Rock the Kasbah, Guillermo del Toro returns to his horror roots with Crimson Peak and James Bond is back in Spectre.
That is just a tease of our picks for the 15 finest films that are landing in theaters between now and mid-November.
Get out your calendar and prepare to make a few notes!
Sicario – Expands Through October
Sicario is one riveting and powerful piece of cinema, as we explore further in our Sicario review. Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin and Benicio del Toro star in a modern day drug cartel story that could not be more thrilling, tenacious and thrilling. Look for nominations for Blunt and del Toro, and possibly Best Picture for this film that shows that not all Hollywood movies get a Hollywood ending. You’ll be trying to shake this one off for months.
The film is out now in select theaters and will expand nationwide through the middle of October.
The Walk – September 30
Joseph Gordon-Levitt portrays real life tightrope walker Philippe Petit, who famously crossed between the Twin Towers in New York City in the 70s. The Walk comes from Robert Zemeckis, who co-wrote the screenplay, and looks to focus on the Frenchman who became a sensation by daring to do the impossible.
The fact that the film was shot in 3D only adds to our excitement for this flick. And after the stellar work Zemeckis did with his last film, the Oscar nominated Flight, look for his hot streak to continue.
Legend – October 2
Tom Hardy pulls double duty in the true story of twin London crime lords Ronald Kray and Reginald Kray, who ruled over the British capital during the swinging 60s.
![UK-1$-Main_Lon_AW_[27736]-Legend](http://themoviemensch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/UK-1-Main_Lon_AW_27736-Legend.jpg)
Early word from the Legend premiere at TIFF says the always awesome Hardy (Mad Max: Fury Road) is beyond stellar in the dual roles of the Kray brothers as the film chronicles their rise to London’s most notorious criminals in British history.
The Martian – October 2
Ridley Scott brings Andy Weir’s bestselling book to the big screen, starring Matt Damon as the title character – an astronaut who is left for dead on the red planet when his crew has to leave on an emergency evacuation.
Damon astounds as this celebration of science and smarts is the rare film that challenges its audiences throughout. Although don’t get us wrong, there is still plenty of humor in this sci-fi epic that is by far the best thing Scott has done in years. In fact, The Martian is so outstanding, The Movie Mensch cannot wait to see it again… and again.
Pan – October 9
Hugh Jackman as Blackbeard in Pan, a prequel to the Peter Pan story? Yes please! Joe Wright (Atonement) directs this dazzling 3D visual spectacle that shows us what happens before Peter Pan becomes the legend of Neverland.
Rooney Mara is Tigerlilly and Garrett Hedlund is Hook, before he goes bad, in this film from Warner Bros. that promises to be a delight for the entire family.
Steve Jobs – October 9
Finally a Steve Jobs biopic worthy of the man’s astounding life! Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network) wrote the screenplay and Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire) directs the all-star cast that features Oscar nominee Michael Fassbener as the tech icon.
Kate Winslet and Seth Rogen star in Steve Jobs, a film that has Oscar winning potential all over it.
Bridge of Spies – October 16
Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks reunite for the first time since Saving Private Ryan in this true story that takes audiences back to the heart of the Cold War.
Hanks is a lawyer recruited by the CIA to help secure the release of pilot Gary Powers from the Soviet Union. Drama ensues when it appears that he may have to release a Soviet spy in exchange. That does not go over very well with the American people.
Crimson Peak – October 16
Guillermo del Toro returns to his horror roots in this Victorian-era set haunted house tale that follows an aspiring author who has to choose between the love she has for a childhood friend and the lure of a mysterious outside. Trying to escape her past, she runs away with the mysterious stranger and marries him. Then, she realizes all is not what it seems as the family home where they reside, appears to live, breath and more than haunt.
Crimson Peak stars Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, Tom Hiddleston and Charlie Hunnam star in this ghost tale that is sure to find audiences ready to be spooked as the Halloween holiday inches closer.
Room – October 16, Nationwide November 4
A riveting tale that has been causing serious buzz throughout the festival circuit, Room stars Brie Larson as the mother of a young boy who have been living in captivity for all of the boy’s life… five years.
When they manage to break free of their bondage, adjusting to the wide world is not as easy as it seems. See, even though the Room was a prison for the mother, the son saw it as his sanctuary, a small world filled with wonder created by his mother who was trying to give him as much of a normal childhood as possible.
Truth – October 16
Cate Blanchett and Robert Redford star in the first of our two journalist focused dramas that are making a run for Oscar gold.
Truth tells the story of how CBS News and Dan Rather came under fire for reporting on how President George W. Bush got special treatment during the Vietnam War while he was in the Texas Air National Guard. It turned out that their sources were faulty and that this particular story was not true.
Rock the Kasbah — October 23
Bill Murray stars in Rock the Kasbah, a dark comedy that finds his music manager character in Afghanistan and desperately trying to find the world’s next big singing thing. When he discovers a talent literally hiding from the raging war that goes on around her, Murray believes he has found his ticket back to the big time.
What’s a guy to do? Take her to Kabul and enter her in Afghan Star and prepare to have the world discover its new favorite singer. The Barry Levinson directed biting commentary on global warfare and pop culture also stars Zooey Deschanel, Bruce Willis, Kate Hudson and Danny McBride.
Suffragette – October 23
Inspired by the real events that brought voting rights to women, Suffragette stars Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter and Meryl Streep and follows the women who hit the streets and raised a ruckus to make the point that women deserved the right to vote in the UK (and it would inspire the same action in the U.S.).
They would be forced underground as the battle for women’s rights got often times violent. This inspiring story could easily fill a few of those Best Actress/Best Supporting Actress spots come Oscar time. Suffragette was written by Abi Morgan (The Iron Lady) and directed by Sarah Gavron.
Spectre – November 4
Bond is back! Daniel Craig returns to the role of 007 and this time out, he’s battling the crime organization from the super spy’s lore that is more notorious than any other… SPECTRE!
Something from Bond’s past is rearing its head and it’s a secret that came out of the demise of Skyfall (hint! hint!). The leader of the criminal organization is played by double Oscar winner Christoph Waltz and his henchman is portrayed by none other than Guardians of the Galaxy veteran Dave Bautista (perfect casting!). The Bond girls are history making, with Monica Belluci (she’s the oldest ever at 50 years young) and Lea Seydoux in the role of the seductress. Ben Whishaw is back as Q and Ralph Fiennes is making his first full film debut as M.
Spotlight – November 4, wide November 13
Spotlight puts the spotlight on the Boston Globe’s Pulitzer Prize winning reporting on the breaking of the Catholic Church child abuse scandal that would shake the entire religious organization to its core in Italy.
The all-star cast has been Oscar buzz, including Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, Mark Ruffalo, Stanley Tucci and John Slattery. The film is written and directed by Tom McCarthy (Michael Clayton).
The Peanuts Movie – November 6
The gang that came from Charles Schulz’s imagination and delighted us for decades on the pages of newspaper comic strips and television specials is hitting the big screen. Not only are they coming alive on movie screens, but the film was made in dynamic CG animated 3D!
Blue Sky, the people behind the Ice Age movies and Rio, worked side-by-side with the Schulz family to ensure that this is not only a delightful film that stands on its own, but that it is also a tribute to the magic and messages that endeared the Peanuts gang to hundreds and hundreds of millions.
November 20 begins an onslaught of holiday movies for Thanksgiving and Christmas, including the final The Hunger Games movie and so much more. Stay with The Movie Mensch for our full holiday movie preview in mid-November.