This September wasn’t a bad way to get out of a summer slump. If any of you were disappointed by this past summer’s films, last month should have picked up your spirits. You were either in awe or disappointment over Paul Thomas Anderon’s The Master, but whatever camp you fall into, at least you more than likely had thoughts about it. Rian Johnson’s Looper completely lived up to the hype, wonky time travel logic and all. And we got Dredd 3D and End of Watch, two B-movies which exceeded expectations. Not a bad way to start a new season.
There are plenty of offerings for every taste this October including one with a bug-eyed, jacked up, and horrifying Matthew Fox who apparently will be taken down by Tyler Perry. Keep reading for a glimpse at seven other movies you should run and skip to the theaters for.
Sinister
Opens October 5th
Sinister is a welcomed return for director Scott Derrickson. His followup to the effective Exorcism of Emily Rose, The Day the Earth Stood Still remake, didn’t exactly live up to the promise Rose showed. Sinister does. It’s a restrained, atmosphere-driven horror movie which takes its time. The most startling and frightening element here isn’t the villain though… it’s all the expressions of terror we see on Ethan Hawke’s face.
Seven Psychopaths
Opens October 12th
Seven Psychopaths could be marketed as complete horrid trash and still find its place on this list. Post-In Bruges, it’s going to take a gigantic dud to make us doubt writer/director Martin McDonagh. Thankfully, early reviews for McDonagh and Colin Farrell’s re-team suggests Seven Psychopaths is no dud thanks to some clever writing and Sam Rockwell leading the way in the film’s scene-stealing department. When you’re surrounded by Tom Waits and Christopher Walken, that’s one amazing accomplishment.
Smashed
Opens October 12th
This one has gotten a mixed response at the site, with Allison Loring lauding the film at Sundance and newbie Andrew Robinson dismissing Smashed at Toronto. Even with those two countering views, one thing they do agree on, along with most critics, is Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s performance. Even when Winstead is acting under the worst of circumstances (Black Christmas, anyone?), she manages to turn in fine work. With Smashed, Winstead has a role filled with promise, and, to popular belief, she lives up to it.
Argo
Opens October 12th
According to festival screenings, Argo is Ben Affleck’s most accomplished work to date and is surefire awards contender. Gone Baby Gone showed Affleck is a real-deal filmmaker who isn’t afraid of asking interesting questions. The Town didn’t have much on its mind in that way, but it was an entertaining, above-the-cuff crime thriller. Argo seems to be the perfect marriage of those two sensibilities.
The Sessions
Opens October 19th.
The Sundance darling may not live up to John Hawkes’ lead performance, but when it does, The Sessions can be pretty moving. This is the third year in a row Hawkes has delivered a year’s best performance. With Winter’s Bone, Martha Marcy May Marlene, and The Sessions, Hawkes couldn’t be giving more diverse and stronger performances. Here, he is both charming and heartbreaking.
Holy Motors
Opens October 19th.
I don’t know a single person who hasn’t been in awe of this movie. I still don’t know a thing about it, and I’m going to keep it that way until I see it. What I do know is that Adam Charles was a fan of it at Fantastic Fest.
Cloud Atlas
Opens October 26th
Even without the incredible buzz out of TIFF and Fantastic Fest, Cloud Atlas would remain this year’s greatest mystery to get excited over. A lot of fans have been doubting the Wachowski Starship post-Matrix, but this is their opportunity to silence all the doubters who didn’t get swept up into the kiddy balls-out awesomeness of Speed Racer. And, most promising of all, FSR’s Rob Hunter loves Cloud Atlas, and that guy doesn’t love anything.
Honorable Mentions: Middle of Nowhere, Frankenweenie, and Chasing Mavericks (it is co-directed by Curtis Hanson…)
Related Topics: Ben Affleck
