Movie Musings: Fall Movie Preview

Over the long weekend I devoured the Entertainment Weekly Fall Movie Preview issue. I read about over 100 movies premiering between now and December 31st and today I'm sharing with you my recommendations for the must-see films.

Below, in order of release date, are my top picks. There are 13 movies, a perfect baker's dozen!

This Is Where I Leave You (Sept. 19th) 
In June I read Jonathan Tropper's amazing book "This is Where I Leave You" (that review is here) and since completing the book, I have been anxiously awaiting the movie premiere. Though no movie is ever as good as the book, this film adaptation has a killer cast including: Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Adam Driver, Connie Britton and Jane Fonda.

Tracks (Sept. 19th) 
Mia Wasikowska, best known for "Alice in Wonderland" and "The Kids Are Alright." stars in this film based on a memoir of the same title. "Tracks" is the story of a young Australian woman, Robyn Davidson, who packed up her life and trekked 1,700 miles across the desert of Australia. Adam Driver (whose star is rising with incredible speed) appears as a National Geographic reporter sent out to cover Robyn's journey.

Jimi: All Is By My Side (Sept. 26th) 
It's not even that I am a huge Jimi Hendrix fan, but once I heard Andre Benjamin of Outkast would be playing Jimi in this biopic, I immediately wanted to see it. The films focuses on the year leading up to Hendrix's game-changing performance at the Monterey Pop Festival. The movie is directed by John Ridley, who won an Oscar for his "12 Years A Slave" script.

Gone Girl (Oct. 3rd) 
Last summer I read Gillian Flynn's thriller "Gone Girl" (read that review here) and the entire time I was thinking, "They are so going to turn this into a movie." Well, Hollywood came knocking and Flynn agreed to the adaptation, even serving as the screen writer. Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike have been cast as the two central characters, Nick and Amy. Though I completely disagree with those casting choices (as well as many others in the film), I'm still dying to see how they bring this deranged story to life on the big screen.

The Judge (Oct. 10th) 
Went I went to see the James Brown biopic "Get On Up" (read that review here) I saw the preview for "The Judge" which stars Robert Downey Jr. and Robert Duvall. In the movie, Robert Downey Jr. plays a man who is estranged from his family. He returns home for his mother's funeral and learns his father, a judge, has been accused in a hit and run case. You guessed it, the son wants to defend his father and his father doesn't want his help. Though the story line feels predictable, I'm optimistic these two actors will raise the bar (no legal pun intended).

Whiplash (Oct. 10th) 
Back in January "Whiplash" premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Miles Teller, best known for "Footloose" and "That Awkward Moment," plays Andrew Neiman, a drumming prodigy. The film's tension swirls around Andrew and his music conservatory instructor. The EW review reads, "The result - a ferocious blur of sticks, sweat and ruptured blisters - could be a star-making moment."

Interstellar (Nov. 7th) 
Alright, alright, alright. Matthew McConaughey's roll continues with the November release of "Interstellar" directed by mad genius Christopher Nolan. EW writes, "Now the director who made Batman soar to arty heights and turned Leonardo DiCaprio into a top-spinning dream thief is launching his own cinematic space odyssey." Christopher Nolan's "Interstellar" galaxy is exploding with stars - McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, John Lithgow, Jessica Chastain, Casey Affleck, Michael Caine and Ellen Burstyn. While I'm not normally into sci-fi themed anything, this is a clear Oscar contender, so I'll definitely see it.

Rosewater (Nov. 7th) 
"Rosewater" marks the directorial debut of funny man Jon Stewart. The film is based on the 2011 memoir of the same title about the life of journalist Maziar Bahari. In the movie, Maziar is played by Gael Garcia Bernal (who I met at a New Yorker Festival party where he hit on every girl in the room). Though the subject matter of this film is incredibly serious, I'm interested to see how Stewart presents these real life moments of fear and trauma.

The Theory Of Everything (Nov. 7th) 
Of all the movies coming out between now and the end of the year, this is the one I am most excited about. I have had a major crush on Eddie Redmayne since his ad campaign for Burberry back in 2008. The film is based on the real life story of physicist Stephen Hawking. I watched the trailer online and cried at my desk. Interestingly, the film is directed by James Marsh who also directed the Oscar winning film "Man on Wire" (read my review of that movie here).

Foxcatcher (Nov. 14th) 
Steve Carrell, Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo in a movie about Olympic dreams? Yes, please. "Foxcatcher" debuted in May at the Cannes Film Festival to rave reviews. The film is directed by Bennett Miller, best known for "Capote" and "Moneyball." Apparently Steve Carrell wears a prosthetic nose for the role. Michael Scott would get a kick out of that.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part I (Nov. 21st) 
If you read the "Hunger Games" trilogy then you, like me, have been anxiously awaiting this movie for a year! The third installment of the film adaptation focuses on the underground revolution's headquarters in District 13. You can read my thoughts on all three books and the first two movies here.

Wild (Dec. 5th) 
Memoirs turned movies seems to be the theme of this upcoming season! Southern belle Reese Witherspoon acquired the film rights to Cheryl Strayed's memoir "Wild" and will star in the film. This movie portrays the real life story of Strayed's hike across the Pacific Crest Trail after the death of her mother. Witherspoon opted to produce this film with her production company, not with a major movie studio, so she could keep the grittiest parts of the story intact. Jean-Marc Vallee of "Dallas Buyers Club" directs and Nick Hornby of "High Fidelity" and "About a Boy" penned the screenplay. If this roster represents Reese at the helm, watch out world.

Into the Woods (Dec. 25th) 
I saw the musical "Into the Woods" in high school and again in college and it has always been one of my favorites. The music is annoyingly catchy. On Christmas Day, the film version will debut with stars Meryl Streep, Johnny Deep, Emily Blunt, Chris Pine and Anna Kendrick. Talk about star power! As a person who normally spends Christmas Day at the movies and eating Chinese food, I couldn't be more excited.

There you have it, the list of movies I can't wait to see this fall and winter.

What did I miss? What movies are you counting down to?

 

Molly Galler

Welcome to Pop.Bop.Shop. My name is Molly. I’m a foodie, fashionista, pop culture addict and serious travel junkie. I’m a lifelong Bostonian obsessed with frozen confections, outdoor patios, Mindy Kaling, reality television, awards shows, tropical vacations, snail mail and my birthday.

More from Molly

Pop.Bop.Shop. In the News