Fall is by far my favorite season. I love the weather, the color of the leaves, and of course the movies that come out. This is when we start to see releases for all the films that will be in consideration during awards season. Not all of them will get nominated of course, but there’s usually a lot of great stuff out.Â
People are always asking me “what movies should I see?”. Well, these are a few films I’m planning to see before the year is up. But I want to be clear that I haven’t seen most of these films yet (as most are not out). So these recommendations are based entirely on the response from festivals, the quality of the filmmakers (be it the directors, writers, or actors), and what the critics are saying about them. So I can’t say that they’ll all be good, but these are certainly the films most likely to impress over the next few months.
(Also I’m not including films like “Star Wars”, “Hunger Games” or “Spectre”, because everyone on the planet is going to go see those regardless)
Written by the great Aaron Sorkin, directed by the very talented Danny Boyle, and starring one of our best working actors, Michael Fassbender. What else do you need to know? The critics love it so far, and those who knew Steve Jobs in real life have spoken highly of the film’s accurate portrait of the man and his genius. The Academy loves biopics, so be prepared for some nominations.
Stars: Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen, Jeff Daniels
Release Date: October 23rd
Admittedly, Ridley Scott has been a bit hit or miss the past few years. Thankfully, the response for his latest film has been very positive. With a great cast, including Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Jeff Daniels, Kate Mara, Kristen Wiig, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sean Bean, and Donald Glover. One can safely assume this will be one of the more enjoyable movie going experiences this year.
Stars: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Jeff Daniels
Release Date: October 2nd
I love a good long take. One continuous shot with no cuts is very often an impressive feat. Even more impressive is when the entire film is a long take.  Sebastian Schipper’s “Victoria”, clocks in as a two hour and twenty minute long take. Of course that would mean very little if the film it’s self wasn’t good. But the reviews are excellent, and the trailer is phenomenal. High expectations for this one.
Director: Sebastian Schipper
Stars: Laia Costa, Frederick Lau, Franz Rogowski
Release Date: October 9th
Speaking of “Birdman”, Alejandro González Iñárritu’s latest film looks just as incredible as his last. Leonardo DiCaprio is always amazing, and Tom Hardy is a force to be reckoned with. And with Emmanuel Lubezki behind the camera… I think we’re in for something special.
Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu
Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy
Release Date: December 25th (Limited)
Cate Blanchett is one of our greatest actresses, and Rooney Mara is fantastic in just about everything she’s in. With Todd Haynes’s previous films such as “Far from Heaven” and HBO’s remake of “Mildred Pierce”, it seems he’s a perfect fit for this film, both visually and thematically. It’s also worth noting that the reviews are nearly flawless so far. Very excited.
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara
Release Date: November 20th
Here’s a tip, if the cinematographer is Roger Deakins… you should probably see the film… if only to look at it.  It helps that “Sicario” stars Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin, and Benicio Del Toro. It helps that the film is directed by Denis Villeneuve. It helps that the reviews are so good…. but seriously, it’s all about Roger Deakins.
Director:Â Denis Villeneuve
Stars:Â Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin, Benicio Del Toro
Release Date: October 2nd
David O. Russell is on a roll right now, and it seems the wonderful Jennifer Lawrence is his lucky charm. “Joy” actually looks like it could end up being his best film yet. It looks stylish, sharp, and beautiful. Really can’t wait for this one.
Director: David O. Russell
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Brandy Cooper
Release Date: December 25th
Here’s an easy one, if a film is written and directed by Quentin Tarantino… you go see it. It’s going to be funny, it’s going to be violent, it’s going to have great dialogue, but most of all, it’s going to be fun. Never mind the stellar cast and gorgeous cinematography.Â
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Stars: Channing Tatum, Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh
Release Date:Â January 8th
Brie Larson is perhaps one of the most underrated talents around. She’s so natural on screen. Director Lenny Abrahamson made one of my favorite films of last year, “Frank”. Based on the trailers, one can safely assume “Room” will be something very interesting.
Director:Â Lenny Abrahamson
Stars: Brie Larson, Joan Allen, William H. Macy |
Release Date: October 16th
This is the latest film from French filmmaker François Ozon. I’ve enjoyed his work in the past such as “Swimming Pool” and “Young & Beautiful”. The response as been good so far, and I like Romain Duris. Check it out.
Stars: Romain Duris, Anaïs Demoustier, Raphaël Personnaz
Release Date: Out in Limited Release
Michael Fassbender has another massive performance coming out this year in the form of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”. It’s also worth mentioning that Marion Cotillard is one of my very favorite actresses. The reviews are absolutely stellar, and the trailer is mesmerizing. I suggest you check it out as soon as possible.
Stars: Michael Fassbender, Elizabeth Debicki, Marion CotillardÂ
Release Date:Â December 4th
I’ve been a fan of Saoirse Ronan for years now, but for some reason, she’s become something of an obsession for me lately, and I think it’s the trailer for “Brooklyn” that sparked it. Perhaps it’s because she seems less like a kid now, and more like a beautiful young woman. “Brooklyn” looks like a wonderful film.
Stars:Â Saoirse Ronan, Domhnall Gleeson, Michael Zegen
Release Date: November 4th
Last year, Michael Keaton made something of a comeback with his performance in “Birdman”. This year he seems to be on top of his game yet again in Tom McCarthy’s “Spotlight”. It has a great cast, and a lot of buzz. Let’s hope this is another success for Keaton.
Stars: Michael Keaton,  Rachel McAdams, Mark RuffaloÂ
Release Date: November 6th
I’ve actually already seen this one, and can speak to how wonderful it is. This is the latest from Zhang Yimou, who gave us stunning films such as “Hero” and “House of Flying Daggers”. “Coming Home” is far more quite and subtle, but equally beautiful. It’s one of my favorite films of the year.Â
Stars: Li Gong, Daoming Chen, Huiwen Zhang
Release Date: Out in Limited Release
Another seemingly dark comedy from director Yorgos Lanthimos, who gave us the brilliant yet disturbing “Dogtooth” a few years back. The Lobster seems to be a more accessible film, though the premise is still pretty strange. It looks fantastic, and the critics love it.
Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
Stars: Colin Farrell, Roger Ashton-Griffiths, Jacqueline Abrahams
Release Date: October 16th (Limited)
Charlie Kaufman is simply one of the greatest screenwriters cinema has known. There’s just one problem, we haven’t heard from him since “Synecdoche, New York” back in 2008. Where has he been all this time? Well apparently writing and co-directing a stop-motion animated film called “Anomalisa”. No surprise, it’s getting a fantastic response. We don’t even have a trailer for this one yet, but it’s said to be coming out this year.Â
Directors: Duke Johnson, Charlie Kaufman
Stars: Jennifer Jason Leigh, David Thewlis, Tom Noonan
Release Date:Â December 30th (Limited)
“The Great Beauty” was my favorite film of 2013. Writer/director Paolo Sorrentino seems to be revisiting many of the same ideas in his follow up “Youth” with Michael Caine in the lead. The trailer undeniably brings back memories of “The Great Beauty”, so let’s hope “Youth” is just as stellar of a film.
Director:Â Paolo Sorrentino
Stars: Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel, Rachel WeiszÂ
Release Date: December 4th
It’s a Steven Spielberg film starring Tom Hanks, and the Coen brothers co-wrote it. This film is probably going to get nominated, it’s probably going to get good reviews, and you’ll probably love it. These are two masters of their craft doing what they do best. It’s an easy sell.
Director: Steven Spielberg
Stars: Tom Hanks, Alan Alda, Amy Ryan
Release Date: October 16th
This is exactly the kind of film I like from Guillermo Del Toro. Intimate, dark, beautiful, scary, and wondrous. He seems to work better with a smaller scale like “Pan’s Labyrinth” or “Cronos”, as opposed to the blockbusters (just a personal opinion). “Crimson Peak” seems right up his alley.Â
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Stars: Mia Wasikowska, Tom Hiddleston, Jessica Chastain
Release Date: October 16th
Netflix is throwing their hat into the game this year with “Beasts of No Nation”, directed by the very talented Cary Joji Fukunaga (of “Sin Nombre” and “True Detective: Season 1″ fame). The trailers for this film look phenomenal, the reviews are great, and the best part is that you can watch it on Netflix on October 16th. Good deal.
Director: Cary Joji FukunagaÂ
Stars: Idris Elba, Abraham Attah, Ama K. Abebrese
Release Date: October 16th
So there you go. 20 films you can check out this fall season… and some that cross over into winter. More predictions – you might see nominations this year for films such as, “The Danish Girl”, and “The Walk” but I had to stop this list somewhere.
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