There are a ton of great films coming out in October, from roller girls to zombies to wild things. This has been the hardest month to peg the list down so far. Not sure what is coming out this month? Check out the list below.
12. Amelia (Nair, Oct. 23rd)
Synopsis: A look at the life of Amelia Earhart (Swank), the American pilot who disappeared while flying over the Pacific Ocean in 1937 on her history-making flight around the world.
Why You Should See It: It may look like some Oscar bait fluff, but with Nair’s direction we are in for some beautiful imagery and solid performances by Swank and Gere.
11. Black Dynamite (Sanders, Oct. 16th)
Synopsis: The story of 1970s African-American action legend Black Dynamite. The Man killed his brother, pumped heroin into local orphanages, and flooded the ghetto with adulterated malt liquor. Black Dynamite was the one hero willing to fight The Man all the way from the blood-soaked city streets to the hallowed halls of the Honky House.
Why You Should See It: A divisive “blaxploitation” film that looks to be hilarious fun, filled with endlessly quotable lines.
10. New York, I Love You (Various, Oct. 16th)
Synopsis: An anthology of love stories set in New York City.
Why You Should See It: The previous anthology in this series, Paris, je t’aime was a mixed bag, but it had some brilliantly executed shorts. Now that we are in the greatest city in the world, it will be interesting to see if it succeeds.
9. Toy Story 3-D and Toy Story 2 3-D Double Feature (Lasseter, Oct. 2nd)
Synopsis: Toy Story 1 and 2 in Disney Digital 3-D with a special ten minute intermission filled with a bunch of Toy Story goodies.
Why You Should See It: Experience two classics on the big screen for the price of one ticket. The addition of 3D has reportedly been implemented beautifully, as if the films originally intended it. This is a great
experience to get ready for the third iteration next June.
8. Antichrist (von Trier, Oct. 23rd)
Synopsis: A grieving couple retreats to their cabin in the woods, hoping to repair their broken hearts and troubled marriage. But nature takes its course and things go from bad to worse.
Why You Should See It: Lars Von Trier has crafted an unforgettable tale about love and it’s many effects. It may take patience to go on this adventure, but if one is looking for a memorable film that devises a boundless discussion, this is one of the best of the year.
7. The Invention of Lying (Gervais/Robinson, Oct. 2nd)
Synopsis: A comedy set in a world where no one has ever lied, until a writer seizes the opportunity for personal gain.
Why You Should See It: Ricky Gervais, the comedic genius behind The Office and Extras, directs, writes, produces, and stars in this high concept comedy. After seeing this at the Toronto International Film Festival I couldn’t help but be slightly disappointed at the thin plot. It is years ahead of the all too safe Ghost Town though and it’s always great to see the Gervais we love as a leading man.
6. Capitalism: A Love Story (Moore, Oct. 2nd)
Synopsis: Documentary filmmaker Michael Moore sets out to uncover the truth behind the current economic crisis with interviews from Wall Street and government insiders.
Why You Should See It: Michael Moore’s newest may be filled with one too many crazy antics but reviews have confirmed his message is poignant and worth watching.
5. Bronson (Winding Refn, Oct. 9th)
Synopsis: A young man who was sentenced to 7 years on prison for robbing a post office ends up spending 30 years in solitary confinement. During this time, his own personality is supplanted by his alter ego, Charles Bronson.
Why You Should See It: Nicolas Winding Refn shows some of the many unique tricks up his sleeve in this oddly engaging portrait of Britain’s most infamous prisoner. The comparison to A Clockwork Orange is apt and deserving.
4. An Education (Scherfig, Oct. 9th)
Synopsis: A coming-of-age story about a teenage girl in 1960s suburban London (Mulligan) and how her life changes with the arrival of a playboy nearly twice her age (Sarsgaard).
Why You Should See It: Every second Mulligan is on screen she exudes a feeling that most actresses train their whole life to achieve. After seeing it at Toronto International Film Festival it shot up to one of my favorite films of the year. With great supporting performances by Peter Sarsgaard and Alfred Molina it is hard to find any disappointment in this story.
3. Zombieland (Fleischer, Oct. 2nd)
Synopsis: In a world overrun by zombies, a guy described as “the most frightened person on Earth” (Eisenberg) musters the courage to lead a band of refugees on a cross-country pilgrimage to an amusement park where they think they’ll be safe.
Why You Should See It: In possibly the biggest surprise this year Ruben Fleischer has delivered the funniest and most entertaining zombie film of the decade (I’m looking at you Shaun of the Dead). The nonstop gore, laughs, scares, and fun add up to a film you will want to own on Blu-ray the second you leave the theater.
2. A Serious Man (Coens, Oct. 2nd)
Synopsis: A black comedy set in 1967 and centered on Larry Gopnik (Stuhlbarg), a Midwestern professor who watches his life unravel when his wife prepares to leave him because his inept brother (Kind) won’t move out of the house.
Why You Should See It: The Coen brothers are once again gracing the screen with this personal dark comedy. It was the top film among critics at TIFF and Kris Tapley from In Contention calls it one of the best films of the decade. While it may not be for everyone, this is one to look out for, despite the painfully slow release schedule.
1. Where the Wild Things Are (Jonze, Oct. 16th)
Synopsis: Young, mischievous Max is sent to bed without his supper, but when his bedroom turns in to a magical jungle landscape filled with strange creatures, he embarks on a wild imaginary adventure.
Why You Should See It: After release turmoil we are finally seeing Jonze’s personal adaptation of Sendak’s oddly famous children’s book. The brilliantly crafted trailer gives us a glimpse at what is sure to be the emotional adventure of the year.
Avoid:
Saw VI (Greutert, Oct. 23rd)
Synopsis: Special Agent Strahm is dead, and Detective Hoffman has emerged as the unchallenged successor to Jigsaw’s legacy. However, when the FBI draws closer to Hoffman, he is forced to set a game into motion, and Jigsaw’s grand scheme is finally understood.
Why You Should Avoid It: When is enough…enough? It may be the highest revenue generating franchise alive today but that is no excuse for frustratingly terrible cinema. If you are looking for scares check out the first film on the “rent” list.
The Stepfather (McCormick, Oct. 16th)
Synopsis: Michael Harding (Badgley) returns from military school to find his mother (Ward) living with her new boyfriend, David (Walsh). As the two men get to know each other, Michael becomes suspicious of the man in his mother’s life: Is he really the man of her dreams, or could David be hiding a dark side?
Why You Should Avoid It: Another schlock-filled teen horror fest with fake scares and stunted violence.
Rent:
Trick ‘r Treat (Dougherty, Oct. 6th)
Synopsis: Four interwoven stories that occur on Halloween: An everyday high school principal has a secret life as a serial killer; a college virgin might have just met the one guy for her; a group of teenagers pull a mean prank; a woman who loathes the night has to contend with her holiday-obsessed husband.
Why You Should Rent It: Well, thanks to massive releasing and internal screw-ups this is ONLY available on DVD/Blu-ray. After running the festival circuit for the past couple years we are finally able to check out what everyone is calling the best horror film in years.
Law Abiding Citizen (Gray, Oct. 16th)
Synopsis: After family man Clyde Shelton (Butler) is failed by the court system, he concocts a series of events designed to exact his revenge on the killers of his wife and daughter. And from inside his jail cell, the mastermind lures the prosecutor (Foxx) who orchestrated the unjust deal into his deadly plan.
Why You Should Rent It: It feels a little too generic and familiar, but the fact that the script has been on the infamous blacklist and the talent involved (Gary Gray, Foxx, Butler) leans toward delivering a worthwhile thriller.
Good Hair (Stelson, Oct. 9th)
Synopsis: Chris Rock explores the wonders of African-American hairstyles.
Why You Should Rent It: With interesting subject matter and Chris Rock on screen, this looks like an enjoyable documentary. The positive reviews from Sundance have confirmed so.
Whip It! (Barrymore, Oct. 2nd)
Synopsis: In Bodeen, Texas, indie-rock loving misfit Bliss Cavendar (Page) finds a way of dealing with her small-town misery after she discovers a roller derby league in nearby Austin.
Why You Should Rent It: Originally on the to-see list, this has been bumped down after seeing a screening last night. It’s all too predictable and the boring first half does nothing to help. It is still worth a rental due to the talent involved and it’s hard not to enjoy the third act.
The Private Lives of Pippa Lee (Miller, Oct. 23rd)
Synopsis: Pippa Lee (Penn) moves with her much older husband (Arkin) from New York City to a suburban retirement community. Cracks in her facade reveal past experiences, while she steers herself toward a quiet nervous breakdown.
Why You Should Rent It: Better than the average chick flick this drama features a great performance by Robin Wright Penn and solid direction make this worth a watch.
Astro Boy (Bowers, Oct. 23rd)
Synopsis: Set in futuristic Metro City, Astro Boy (voiced by Highmore) is about a young robot with incredible powers created by a brilliant scientist (voiced by Cage) in the image of the son he has lost. Unable to fulfill the grieving man’s expectations, our hero embarks on a journey in search of acceptance, experiencing betrayal and a netherworld of robot gladiators, before he returns to save Metro City and reconcile with the father who had rejected him.
Why You Should Rent It: The financial troubles behind this animation don’t sound promising but its from David Bowers who brought us the highly entertaining Flushed Away and the trailer seems like it is better than most standard children animations out there.
Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant (Weitz, Oct. 23rd)
Synopsis: A traveling freak show’s most mysterious attraction recruits teenager Darren Shan as his assistant, though the young man soon finds himself used as a pawn in a battle between vampires and their deadlier counterparts.
Why You Should Rent It: Weitz has certainly had an odd career, but he has delivered some great films (About a Boy, American Pie). While I’m not sure how appealing this is too general audiences it will likely find it’s niche and be appreciated in it’s own right.
Couples Retreat (Billingsley, Oct. 9th)
Synopsis: Four couples settle into a tropical-island resort for a vacation. While one of the couples is there to work on their marriage, the others fail to realize that participation in the resort’s therapy sessions is not optional.
Why You Should Rent It: It may look like an odd replicant between Four Christmases and Forgetting Sarah Marshall but this light romantic comedy has enough star power to be worthy of watching with your significant other.
More Than A Game (Belman, Oct. 2nd)
Synopsis: Go back in time and follow LeBron James and four of his teammates through the trials and tribulations of high school basketball in Ohio and James’ journey to fame in the NBA.
Why You Should Rent It: I remember hearing positive buzz about this over a year ago at TIFF and now that it is getting a proper release it looks like if you are interested in the subject, it is a must watch.
Ong Bak 2: The Beginning (Jaa, Oct. 23rd)
Synopsis: Equipped with a unique set of skills, an orphan who has been raised by a band of thieves sets out to exact his revenge on the warlord who murdered his family.
Why You Should Rent It: Reportedly far worse then it’s predecessor, the film still contains enough action by Jaa to be a worthy watch.
Gentlemen Broncos (Hess, Oct. 30th)
Synopsis: Soon after his latest work is published, science-fiction author Ronald Chevalier (Clement) faces charges of plagiarism from aspiring teenage writer Benjamin Purvis (Angarano).
Why You Should Rent It: After the massive indie hit Napoleon Dynamite and the disappointing Nacho Libre, this third effort by Hess looks more bizarre then anything he has previously done. Reports from Fantastic Fest have been mixed, but I’ll watch anything Jemaine Clement does.
This Is It (Ortega, Oct. 30th)
Synopsis: A compilation of interviews, rehearsals and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his series of sold-out shows in London.
Why You Should Rent It: It’s hard to tell whether this is a worthwile documentary or just rushed to get out in time, but watching Michael Jackson prep for his last concert should appeal to a massive audience.
The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day (Duffy, Oct. 30th)
Synopsis: The MacManus brothers, who are living a quiet life on the family farm in Ireland, return to Boston to exact their unique form of revenge on the mob forces who have framed the brothers for the murder of a local priest.
Why You Should Rent It: The infamous Troy Duffy is back and if the first film appealed to you then I don’t see how this could be any different. If you hate the first, don’t expect to be surprised.
Check out previous months here.
What are you looking forward to this month? Do you agree with the list?
The Stepfather (McCormick, Oct. 16th)