Major Theatrical Releases October 2015

Major Theatrical Releases October 2015

October is known for two things in Hollywood:
1. Halloween and the arrival of scary movies
2. The unofficial start of Oscar-bait season

Gone are the summer blockbusters with superhero battles, earth-shattering cataclysms, and sappy teen romances.  In their place is a group of movies that focus on the fun and thrills of Halloween, as well as those critically acclaimed pieces that no one would give two cares about during the height of the summer action season.

Here are a list of films being released nationally for the month of October, 2015.

October 2

Legend

Starring Tom Hardy, Emily Browning, Christopher Eccleston, Taron Egerton

Directed by Brian Helgeland

Synopsis (imdb.com):
The film tells the story of the identical twin gangsters Reggie and Ronnie Kray, two of the most notorious criminals in British history, and their organised crime empire in the East End of London during the 1960s.

Background:
The first of the real Oscar race contenders (with the notable exception of "Black Mass" released in September), Brian Helgeland's ("42," "A Knight's Tale") "Legend" is a biographical film (which the Academy Awards love) about twin brothers Ronnie and Reggie Kray, who revolutionized the crime empire in London.  Tom Hardy, off of some tremendous performances in "Mad Max: Fury Road" and "Child 44," takes on a very difficult endeavor by playing not one, but both, lead roles.  Not only that, he also has to change his persona to fit both brothers who - although twins - have polar opposite personalities.

I am very excited to see this film, the preview makes it look fantastic, and having Tom Hardy at the helm is a stroke of genius.  I feel it will satisfy both the action and the drama of a real life story.

Anticipation: High

__________________________________________________________________________________

The Martian

Starring Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kate Mara, Jeff Daniels

Directed by Ridley Scott

Synopsis (imdb.com):
During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive.

Background:
"The Martian" is based off a best selling book, and famed director Ridley Scott ("Blade Runner," "Alien," "Prometheus") once again goes to his sci-fi roots by telling the story of Mark Watney, a man left for dead on Mars, alone, and forced to fend for himself through impossible odds - as rescue is a mere four years away.  Once again, we return to the Oscar race with Matt Damon's impeccable performance, as the film seems to be a one-man show.  However, there is also a strong supporting cast including Jessica Chastain (who will be mentioned later on, and "The Martian" also serves as her second outer space outing, after "Interstellar," which also starred Damon), Jeff Bridges, Kate Mara, Kristen Wiig (in a surprisingly non-comedic role), Sean Bean, Sebastian Stan, Michael Pena and Chiwetel Ejiofor, who deliver a specific pedigree of acting prowess that will all but guarantee every scene in the film will keep viewers captivated.  Not to mention the stunning cinematography of Mars itself.

I've been waiting to see this film since the first preview came out a few months ago, and I'm just counting down the days now.
Anticipation: Very High
________________________________________________________________________________

Sicario

Starring Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin, Benicio Del Toro, Jon Bernthal

Directed by Denis Villeneuve

Synopsis (imdb.com):
An idealistic FBI agent is enlisted by an elected government task force to aid in the escalating war against drugs at the border area between the U.S. and Mexico.

Background:
Military movies often do very well come Oscar time.  "Zero Dark Thirty," "American Sniper" and "The Hurt Locker" all did fairly well during awards time, and "Sicario" will be no different.  There's already Oscar buzz for Emily Blunt and Benicio Del Toro, and it's no wonder why.  Under the direction of relative newcomer Denis Villeneuve ("Enemy," "Prisoners"),  "Sicario" does what the other aforementioned films do not: focus on a female lead in the heat of the battlefield, and I think that risk will pay off big time.

This is another highly anticipated film for me, and I eagerly anticipate its release.

Anticipation: Very High
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

October 9

Pan

Starring Hugh Jackman, Levi Miller, Garrett Hedlund, Rooney Mara

Directed by Joe Wright

Synopsis (imdb.com):
12-year-old orphan Peter is spirited away to the magical world of Neverland, where he finds both fun and dangers, and ultimately discovers his destiny -- to become the hero who will be forever known as Peter Pan.

Background:
Sigh.  A couple months ago there was a musical "Peter Pan" that played on NBC, and it was a flop.  There's been several Peter Pan films throughout the years, and most of them have also bombed.  I don't see this trend stopping with "Pan," which is touted as a "re-imagining" of a classic.  Most of the time, when a movie brands itself as a re-imagining, it's basically saying, "this is gonna be terrible, but we're going to bait you to see how terrible it will be because it's something you're not expecting."  It looks like, in the previews anyway, that the biggest selling point of the film is Peter Pan and Hook working together against Blackbeard.  Was Blackbeard even in "Peter Pan?"  I can't remember.  Anyway, two random facts about this film: it features Kate Mara's (who appears in "The Martian") sister, Rooney, who was the sister once nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," and the fact that "Pan" was supposed to be released in July, but pushed back for some reason.  That doesn't bode well for this already unnecessary film.  "Pan" is directed by Joe Wright, who directed some of the best action ("Hanna") and dramatic ("Atonement," "Pride and Prejudice") films of the last ten years, but it seems that he'll hit a dud with this one. Nice visuals though.

Anticipation: Low
________________________________________________________________________________

Steve Jobs

Starring Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen, Jeff Daniels

Directed by Danny Boyle

Synopsis (imdb.com):
Set backstage at three iconic product launches and ending in 1998 with the unveiling of the iMac, Steve Jobs takes us behind the scenes of the digital revolution to paint a portrait of the man at its epicenter.

Background:
"And the Oscar for Best Actor goes to...Michael Fassbender!"
If I hear that statement on Oscar night, I will not be surprised.  Fassbender has already been hailed as the man to watch out for during awards season, and it's no surprise.  "Steve Jobs" has everything any Oscar ballot could include:
Best Actor.  As I said above, Fassbender basically epitomizes the role of the 20th Century's most iconic inventor.  We won't mention that...other...Jobs movie starring Ashton Kutcher, as this is head over heels better.  Playing a man that's revolutionized how we communicate with each other is no small feat, and Fassbender will most definitely knock it out of the park.
Best Supporting Actress.  Kate Winslet is Oscar royalty, being nominated six times and winning once for "The Reader," her role as well is already being touted as a tour-de-force performance.
Best Director.  Danny Boyle is a three-time Oscar nominee, and won the Best Director Oscar for "Slumdog Millionaire."  He's the revolutionary visionary director of such classics like "Trainspotting," "28 Days Later," "Sunshine" and "127 Hours," and with this film, he's all but guaranteed another nomination.
Best Writing.  Aaron Sorkin has been nominated twice for Best Writing, winning the Oscar for "The Social Network" and being nominated for "Moneyball."  Throw in other writing for "Charlie Wilson's War" and "A Few Good Men" and you've got a visionary writer that will also be honored on Hollywood's biggest night.
Plus there's the added bonus of seeing Seth Rogen, who's best known for his raunchy comedic performances, playing the part of Steve Jobs' most personal friend and partner, Steve Wozniak.  Can he join fellow comedian Jonah Hill as an Oscar nominee?  Maybe.


Anticipation: Very High
________________________________________________________________________________

The Walk

Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ben Kingsley, Charlotte le Bon, James Badge Dale

Directed by Robert Zemeckis

Synopsis (imdb.com):
In 1974, high-wire artist Philippe Petit recruits a team of people to help him realize his dream: to walk the the immense void between the World Trade Center towers.

Background:
Director Robert Zemeckis has had a revolutionary directing career.  From the "Back to the Future" series to "Forest Gump," "Contact," "Cast Away" and "Flight," he knows how to direct a blockbuster.  With "The Walk," I personally feel he abandoned story and substance for effects and a hook. 
The story itself is compelling as anything you've ever heard of, and it's even more crazy because it actually happened.  Philippe Petit is a world-known tightrope walker who had a vision - to walk between the Twin Towers.  The story of how he accomplished this seemingly impossible event is groundbreaking and stunning, but what the film advertises is that you need to see it in 3D and to feel nauseated as you take the walk with Petit.  It seems more like a gimmick than an actual story, and I hope I'm wrong with that.
Surprisingly, I feel that this film will not get any big Oscar nominations, although it has a strong pedigree.  Maybe it's just my prejudice against the trailer, or how much I absolutely loved the documentary "Man On Wire," which won the Oscar for Best Documentary in 2009.

Anticipation: Medium

________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

October 16

Goosebumps

Starring Jack Black, Odeya Rush, Dylan Minnette, Amy Ryan

Directed by Rob Letterman

Synopsis (imdb.com):
A teenager teams up with the daughter of young adult horror author R.L. Stine after the writer's imaginary demons are set free on the town of Greendale, Maryland.

Background:
The first of the scary Halloween films to hit theaters caters to the children, but also to the young adults.  When I was a young adult, I was already past the age of "Goosebumps," but not for R.L. Stine's other horror series, "Fear Street."  I loved the books and still have them to this day, and while I enjoyed reading "Goosebumps," they seemed very trivial and childish to me.
That's how I feel about this film.  Although I love the direction it took - making it sort of a biographical story but not really - focusing on the actual author as an actor in his own film and showing how and why he created his series, I still feel like it's very childish and styled for an age group way younger than I am.
Not saying it's going to be bad, just not something I'm looking forward to.



Anticipation: Low
________________________________________________________________________________

Crimson Peak

Starring Mia Wasikowska, Tom Hiddleston, Jessica Chastain, Charlie Hunnam

Directed by Guillermo del Toro

Synopsis (imdb.com):
In the aftermath of a family tragedy, an aspiring author is torn between love for her childhood friend and the temptation of a mysterious outsider. Trying to escape the ghosts of her past, she is swept away to a house that breathes, bleeds...and remembers.

Background:
Now THIS is the Halloween movie I've been waiting for!  A spooky story, an awe-inspiring towering dark mansion, a top-notch cast, and a visionary director at the helm.  "Crimson Peak" will be the film adults see while they send the kids to "Goosebumps," as this won't be a film for lightweights.  Guillermo del Toro is known for some groundbreaking work in not just horror ("Pan's Labyrinth"), but action ("Pacific Rim") as well. 
Coming off her performance in "The Martian," Jessica Chastain takes a turn to horror in this macabre tale that heralds back to the old style of ghost story telling.  Tom Hiddleston is Hollywood's golden boy as Loki from "The Avengers," and he takes a big dramatic turn here.  Throw in "Alice in Wonderland" star Mia Wasikowska and "Sons of Anarchy" and "Pacific Rim" (also directed by del Toro) star Charlie Hunnam, and you've got a great story told by incredible talent. 

Anticipation: Very High
________________________________________________________________________________

Bridge of Spies

Starring Tom Hanks, Alan Alda, Amy Ryan, Austin Stowell

Directed by Steven Spielberg

Synopsis (imdb.com):
An American lawyer is recruited by the CIA during the Cold War to help rescue a pilot detained in the Soviet Union.

Background:
One of Hollywood's most talented bromances is between Tom Hanks and director Steven Spielberg.  The two have collaborated on two amazing visionary films ("Saving Private Ryan" and "Catch Me If You Can") and one underrated film ("The Terminal"), and the two reunite again for this true story of a mild-mannered lawyer thrust into the international spotlight by serving as a lawyer for a known Soviet spy in order to get back a captured American soldier.
Not only does the film have one of the best actors to ever grace the screen, but the cinematography looks absolutely stunning with the use of light, shadow and set designs.  An incredible film to behold, I'm sure.
True life story?  Check.  Exceptional acting pedigree? Check.  One of Hollywood's all-time greatest directors?  Check.  Oscar nominations?  Undoubtable.

Anticipation: Very High
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

October 23

The Last Witch Hunter

Starring Vin Diesel, Rose Leslie, Elijah Wood, Rena Owen

Directed by Breck Eisner

Synopsis (imdb.com):
The last witch hunter is all that stands between humanity and the combined forces of the most horrifying witches in history.

Background:
Last year there was a film released known as "I, Frankenstein."  It starred a well-known actor (Aaron Eckhart) and centered around Frankenstein, who does battle with demons.
For some reason, I get the same vibes for this film.  And the vibes I had for "I, Frankenstein" weren't good.  The film itself was an unmitigated mess, and that's how I feel "Last Witch Hunter" will be.  Even though it boasts Vin Diesel as its star, the effects look childish and dated, and the story seems incredibly weak and thin.  There's talks already of this being the springboard for a series, but I feel like those hopes will be squashed when this drivel is released.

Anticipation: Very Low
________________________________________________________________________________

Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension

Starring Chris J. Murray, Brit Shaw, Ivy George, Dan Gill

Directed by Gregory Plotkin

Synopsis (imdb.com):
The Ghost Dimension, follows a new family, The Fleeges - father Ryan, mother Emily and their young daughter Leila - Who move into a house and discover a video camera and a box of tapes in the garage. When they look through the camera's lens, they begin to see the paranormal activity happening around them - including the re-emergence of young Kristi and Katie.

Background:

When "Paranormal Activity" was released, it was groundbreaking.  People all over the country were scared to death, and the small film made for a small price wound up becoming a huge blockbuster hit.  Then the inevitable sequels came, each one worse than the other, until the "PA" mantra became a shadow of its former self.  "Ghost Dimension" is said to be the final "PA" film, and if that's the case, then it's got a great hook to it - you've endured five of these films, why not see one more and find out how it all ends?  Personally, I didn't find any of the "PA" films scary in the slightest, I almost fell asleep several times in the first one.
So yes, I will see it, but with trepidation.  "Ghost Dimension" also advertises that it will show the actual activity we've seen in the previous installments, as the camera they use can see into the spiritual world.  This might seem like a positive thing, but I feel it'll be negative, because it will take away the imagination we had of what we cannot see, and expose what it really is, and that's rarely as scary as our imaginations.

Anticipation: Medium
________________________________________________________________________________

Jem and the Holograms

Starring Aubrey Peeples, Ryan Guzman, Molly Ringwald, Juliette Lewis

Directed by Jon Chu

Synopsis (imdb.com):
As a small-town girl catapults from underground video sensation to global superstar, she and her three sisters begin a journey of discovering that some talents are too special to keep hidden.

Background:
I'll be quick with this one.
It was supposed to be released this summer, but the trailer received so much negativity they decided to push it back.
It should stay pushed back indefinitely.  Looks terrible.  Throws out all the magic of the 80s classic cartoon.  Gonna flop big time.

Anticipation: Very Low
________________________________________________________________________________

Burnt

Starring Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Lily James, Uma Thurman

Directed by John Wells

Synopsis (imdb.com):
Adam Jones is a Chef who destroyed his career with drugs and diva behavior. He cleans up and returns to London, determined to redeem himself by spearheading a top restaurant that can gain three Michelin stars.

Background:
Bradley Cooper stars as a man who comes back from the brink of disaster and revolutionizes his life and becomes one of the most respected Chefs in London.  A true story of a man who raised himself by the bootstraps and worked hard and made a name for himself.  Is this Gordon Ramsay's story?  Seems like it. 
Cooper is a three-time Oscar nominee, and will most likely get another nod here.  He also reunites with his "American Sniper" co-star Sienna Miller, and "Burnt" also boasts a decent cast including Uma Thurman, Lily James, Emma Thompson and Omar Sy.  However, I still find the preview to be rather dull.

Anticipation: Medium
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

October 30

Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse
Starring Tye Sheridan, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Cloris Leachman, Halston Sage

Directed by Christopher Landon

Synopsis (imdb.com):
Three scouts, on the eve of their last camp-out, discover the true meaning of friendship when they attempt to save their town from a zombie outbreak.



Background:
Anyone who knows me, knows I absolutely love zombie films and shows.  I can watch them all day, and with very few exceptions, I can find enjoyment in all of them.  With "Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse," you can guarantee I'll be in the theater on Halloween watching this, and from the preview alone, I dare say it could become my favorite zombie comedy of all time, beating out "Shaun of the Dead."  That's big shoes to fill, but I think this film can do it.

Anticipation: Very High
________________________________________________________________________________

Our Brand is Crisis

Starring Sandra Bullock, Billy Bob Thornton, Anthony Mackie, Ann Dowd

Directed by David Gordon Green

Synopsis (imdb.com):
A feature film based on the documentary "Our Brand Is Crisis", which focuses on the use of American political campaign strategies in South America.

Background:

"Our Brand is Crisis" is a political drama set in South America, and centers around the true story of how American political campaign strategies helped a man rise to power.  It features two feuding campaign strategists in Sandra Bullock and Billy Bob Thornton, and the preview seems to show some serious dramatic moments as well as light-hearted comedic timing.  Bullock will probably earn an Oscar nomination here, and the story seems compelling and enlightening.

Anticipation: High
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

So there you have it, fifteen of the most anticipated films of October.  Overall, I'm very excited for the month, as there seems to be some very strong outings.

So I ranked them from 1 (film I must see in theaters opening day) to  15 (I can wait for it to stream on Netflix):

1. The Martian
2. Steve Jobs
3. Crimson Peak
4. Sicario
5. Bridge of Spies
6. Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse
7. Our Brand is Crisis
8. Legend
9. The Walk
10. Burnt
11. Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension
12. Goosebumps
13. Pan
14. The Last Witch Hunter
15. Jem and the Holograms

What are you excited to see?