We have munched down the last of the popcorn and our ears have almost recovered from all the ‘splosions (and with two Michael Bay movies this summer, there were lots O ‘splosions.) We have even done our Ninja 55 2014 Popcorn Awards for the best of the Summer movies. So that means it’s over for 2014 right? Not so fast, for those of who appreciate movies, all movies, it only means it’s time to switch gears. Gone are (most of) the blockbuster type loud and proud movies meant to rake in more cash than most 3rd world countries, but that only means the time for slower, plot and character driven drama’s, many with Oscar hopes, now get to take center stage.
Here is a list of some good movies to look out for to warm you up as the weather gets cold.
Maze Runner
The Young Adult book to movie translation game has been very hit or miss. Some movies have been horrible but made big money (Twilight) some have been horrible and bombed (Divergent) Some have been good but only saw moderate success (The Fault in Our Stars) and some have been good and broke the bank (Hunger Games.)Where is Maze Runner going to fit in that list? We will just have to watch it and see. I will say the trailer looks promising, but we all have been fooled by trailers before!
From: 20th Century Fox
Directed By: Wes Ball
Starring: Thomas Sangster, Kaya Scodelario, and Will Poulter
In theaters: September 19th
A Walk Among the Tombstones
Based on one of the Matt Scudder novels from acclaimed author Lawrence Block does this one have Oscar potential written all over it… or lame attempt to reproduce the success of the original Taken?Only time will tell.
From: Universal Pictures
Directed By: Scott Frank
Starring: Liam Neeson, Dan Stevens, and David Harbour
In theaters: September 19th
The Equalizer
Denzel is back and ready to be bad ass. Can he pull of another character hell bent of revenge as good as John Creasy from the tragically underrated Man on Fire? Based on the popular show from the 80’s, Denzel plays the lead character Robert McCall, who has made it his life’s mission to help those who can not help themselves. From: Sony Pictures
Directed By: Antoine Fuqua
Starring: Denzel Washington, Chloe Mortez, and Marton Csokas
In theaters: September 26th
Annabelle
From: Warner Bros. Pictures
Directed By: John Leonetti
Starring: Annabelle Wallis, Ward Horton, and Alfre Woodard
In theaters: October 3rd
Gone Girl
Being that this movie is based on the best-selling novel by Gillian Flynn, directed by the always stellar David Fincher, and starring the resurgent Ben Affleck, this one is going to have to work hard to miss. This movie is on our Oscar watch list for sure. From: 20th Century Fox
Directed By: David Fincher
Starring: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, and Neil Patrick Harris
In theaters: October 3rd
Dracula Untold
OMG… are you serious? Somebody is going to make a Dracula movie and actually involve Vlad Tepes or Vlad the Impaler if that suits you better, and not JUST Bram Stokers interpretation of the historical figure? Even though they will still probably bastardize the history (they kinda have to, he wasn’t ACTUALLY a Vampire) the premise alone is enough to generate interest. Not to mention that the running rumor is that this is meant to be the start of a Universal shared universe with all their famous monster movie properties.From: Universal Pictures
Directed By: Gary Shore
Starring: Luke Evans, Sarah Gadon, and Charles Dance
In theaters: October 10th
Birdman
Another one for the Oscar watch list, word out of Venice was that this movie was superb and that Michael Keaton brought one of his best performances of his career to play a washed up ex-superhero actor. With the rave reviews and the irony of the ex-Batman playing an actor who was once the world’s most popular Super-Hero, this one is a must see in our book.From: Fox Searchlight
Directed By: Alejandro González Iñárritu
Starring: Michael Keaton, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts, and Zach Galifianakis
In theaters: October 17th
Fury
A World War II drama about a Sherman Tank Commander named Wardaddy (Brad Pitt) as they attempt to drive into enemy territory and strike at the heart of Nazi Germany. It is hard to get much of a read on this one, but very rarely has Mr. Pitt led us astray.From: Sony Pictures
Directed By: David Ayer
Starring: Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, and Logan Lerman
In theaters: October 3rd
Big Hero 6
Has Disney not Kiddified the Marvel Universe enough for you? Did you find the Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy way too somber and serious for your taste? Well fear not, Marvel is about to go full on Disney with their first full animated feature! They are so confident in this movie that they are releasing it the same weekend as Interstellar, the much anticipated return of Chris Nolan to directing anything that doesn’t have Batman in it.From: Walt Disney Pictures
Directed By: Don Hall
Starring: Maya Rudolph, James Cromwell, and Damon Wayans
In theaters: November 7th
Interstellar
Not very much is known about the plot of Interstellar or exactly what is going to be about. But I have two words for you: Chris Nolan. Add that to a stellar (pun intended) cast and we definitely have one for the Oscar watch list on many levels here.This is one of the Ninja 55 most anticipated Fall Movies, we will be in the theater the day it is released I am sure.
From: Warner Bros. Pictures
Directed By: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, and Michael Caine
In theaters: November 7th
Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1
Not much really needs to be said about this one. The first two movies starring Katniss, the best female protagonist in any current movie series, have been very popular. By now everybody pretty much knows where they stand, and the fans of these movies (which includes us) already have the release date circled on their calendars.From: Lionsgate Films
Directed By: Francis Lawrence
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth and the late great Phillip Seymour Hoffman
In theaters: November 21rst
Exodus: Gods and Kings
Can Ridley Scott return himself to former glories? Will this be another one to watch for the potential of taking home the little gold men at the Academy Awards? Well, it is directed by an acclaimed director, has an exceptional cast, and ties in to a subject loved by many people. If you think that ensures success though, you probably haven’t seen Prometheus.From: 20th Century Fox
Directed By: Ridley Scott
Starring: Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton, John Turturro, and Sigourney Weaver
In theaters: December 12th
Inherent Vice
Based on the Thomas Pynchon Novel of the same name, Joaquin Phoenix takes another shot at Oscar gold (after the wonderful 2013 movie Her) with this movie from acclaimed director Paul Thomas Anderson (There will be Blood and The Master.)While you can never know exactly what to expect from most movies, this one stands a high probability of being a very worthwhile Fall theater visit.
From: Warner Bros. Pictures
Directed By: Paul Thomas Anderson
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Josh Brolin, and Reese Witherspoon
In theaters: December 12th
Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies
If anything needs to be said here, than just move on to the next movie. If you haven’t heard of or seen any of Peter Jackson amazing movies from the world of Tolkien, then the final chapter isn’t going to interest you much. As for the rest of us, this one is probably THE most anticipated Fall Movie of 2014. Also we are going to put this one on Oscar watch, while it may not get the most prestigious of nominations, on a technical level it should. Not to mention this is the Academy’s last chance to play Oscar Catch-Up for any previous snubs of Jackson’s modern classics.From: Warner Bros. Pictures
Directed By: Peter Jackson
Starring: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellan, Andy Serkis, and Benedict Cumberbatch
In theaters: December 17th
Into the Woods
Disney makes only five kinds of movies: Marvel movies, animated movies, live action retellings of animated movies, musicals, and movies with Johnny Depp.This one fits all of the last three of those types, as it is a musical starring Johnny Depp that is a retelling of classic Brothers Grimm stories.
From: Walt Disney Pictures
Directed By: Rob Marshall
Starring: Johnny Depp, Meryl Streep, Chris Pine, and Emily Blunt
In theaters: Christmas Day
Unbroken
Angelina is back behind the camera for her second movie. After her ambitious but flawed debut outing in The Land of Milk and Honey, she returns to the horrors of war with her latest turn in the director’s chair. Unbroken is the story of Olympic runner who was captured by the Japanese in World War II and was held as a POW. The movie is based on the novel Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption.From: Universal Pictures
Directed By: Angelina Jolie
Starring: Jack O’Connell, John Magaro, and Garrett Hedlund
In theaters: Christmas Day
There you have it ladies and germs, a run down of many, but not all by any means, of the movies to watch out for this fall. Hope you get to the theater and enjoy at least of few of these.
Save us a seat if you do.
-Ninja 55
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