1. Sully (9/9) - So, first a funny story: The store that I used to work in sits along the Hudson River. A few years back, we had some tourists shopping. As they looked out the window they were surprised to see a spectacular view of NYC (why this is a surprise for people is confusing - NJ is across from NYC people!) and one lady asked "is that New York City?"(with her very cliched Southern accent). I replied "yup!". "So, wait, is this the Hudson.....WHERE SULLY LANDED??!" Her excitement was shocking. I had never really thought of the Hudson River as now being famous because of Sully for the rest of the world (for us it's famous for the dead bodies - Again, I live in NJ and The Sopranos is REAL. Also, sadly there are dead bodies from jumpers off the GWB). Anyway, EPIC RANT (I know you missed those). Sully isn't necessarily the type of movie that I look forward to (my mom, however, will be first in line), yet the trailer does a fantastic job of humanizing a hero. And that could be very interesting.
2. Bridget Jones's Baby (9/16) - As much as I bitch and moan about romantic comedies and the Bridget Jones movies are the epicenter of all that is wrong with so-called "chick-flicks"; I fully admit: I FUCKING LOVE BRIDGET JONES. She's hilariously real and uncomfortably awkward and it's fantastic to watch. I'm excited to see the next step in her life.
3. The Magnificent Seven (9/23) - I don't care that's it's a remake of a classic (of a remake of a classic...); it's Antoine Fuqua and THAT CAST. Holy shit...cast of the year! I'm not a big fan of Westerns, but some of my favorite films are Westerns, so when they are done well, I appreciate the beauty.
4. Deepwater Horizon (9/30) - I feel like this movie will be super cheesy and dumb, but I will always watch Mark Wahlberg in anything. I also like that they are focusing on the events of the actual disaster and putting human faces to the lives that were lost - we tend to talk about the effects of this disaster, but I know nothing about any of the people involved. Hopefully, they are respectful to their story.
5. The Birth of a Nation (10/7) - Controversy aside, the film looks fantastic and received a standing ovation at Sundance and broke a record for highest selling film. It's automatically on my list. So, let's talk about the surrounding Nate Parker rape controversy because it is important. It's important for many reasons - first, it seems as apologetic and remorseful as Parker seems to be, he never acknowledges his guilt. Second, he was never actually found guilty. Third, why, as a society, do we pick and choose who to hold accountable for their actions and who we let slide because of their talent? I include myself in this discussion, because I will still support projects from such talent as Sean Penn (who is actually one of my favorite actors despite the fact that he allegedly physically abused Madonna), Alec Baldwin (who was allegedly so abusive to Kim Basinger that she became a shut-in), and Woody Allen (who is widely known as a child molester; yet was never charged with anything). Yet, I won't watch anything with Charlie Sheen or listen to any Chris Brown songs. In my mind - they plead guilty to abuse and therefore are the lowest form of humanity and should be shut out of the entertainment industry. It's a fine line - but if there is a conviction, something that's black or white, I feel like my protest is justified. However, in my heart, do I think Penn, Baldwin, Allen, and others are guilty? Yes, yes, I do. And as a society, we need to stop supporting these horrific actions, by allowing them to make millions off of their art. And maybe one day we will.
6. The Girl on the Train (10/7) - Last year, I went on a cruise to Bermuda. As I lay out in the sun, I read my book of choice (Tina Fey's "Bossypants"); I looked around at the surrounding books being read and every single one was "The Girl on the Train". Seriously, it was like an episode of The Twilight Zone. Usually, I don't really follow the crowd when it comes to my reading habits, but it did leave me intrigued. I figured there would be a movie soon, so I would just wait it out and I was right! Plus, the movie stars the heavenly Emily Blunt.
7. The Accountant (10/14) - Ben Affleck as a super genius accountant who uses his skills for bad things? Sounds like one of his movies from his "awful movies phase", but then I saw the trailer and it is FANTASTIC. The movie could still be awful, but I'm willing to hope for the best.
8. American Pastoral (10/21) - I don't know much about this movie, and I haven't read the novel, but it's Ewan McGregor's directorial debut and the cast is pretty great (McGregor, Jennifer Connellly, Dakota Fanning) and the summary of the story seems fascinating.
9. Keeping up with the Joneses (10/21) - I adore Isla Fisher. She's right up there with Rose Byrne as hysterically funny women who don't get as much credit as they deserve. Plus. Greg Mottola made one of the funniest movies ever (I repeat: if you don't like Superbad, we probably won't be friends). I have extremely high hopes for this being the funniest movie of the year. Too bad Galifianakis is in it (he's great in minor roles, but overkill as a headliner).
10. The Handmaiden (10/21) - One name: Park Chan-wook. I am there. No questions.
11. Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (10/21) - Jack Reacher was a satisfying movie. Not bad; not great. Tom Cruise always gives it his all, though. I'm in for a sequel.
12. Doctor Strange (11/4) - Ugh, I seriously don't get the Benedict Cumberbatch explosion. He's okay, but I just don't get the hype. This movie, though, could prove to be a really cool addition to the superhero genre. Plus, Mads Mikkelsen and Tilda Swinton? In a superhero movie?? I have to see it to believe it.
13. Arrival (11/11) - Denis Villeneuve has created some really stunning movies (Enemy, Prisoners, and Sicario). If anything, I'm confident this will have some incredible shots, distinct to Villeneuve's direction. Plus, Jeremy Renner.
14. Shut In (11/11) - I'm interested to see if Jacob Tremblay's performance in Room was just a fluke, and I really, really, really hope it wasn't. I hope he is representing the next generation of actors. I don't think this movie will be held to the same standards as Room because it seems like a throw-away psychological thriller, but it also has Naomi Watts (one of my favorite actresses), so I don't really know what to expect.
15. Nocturnal Animals (11/18) - I can't even put into words how happy I am that Tom Ford has finally made another movie. It's only been seven years, but it feels like forever ago. A Single Man was fantastic, but it's also one of those movies that has stuck with me as one of the best movies of the last decade. It's just so stylish and beautiful and not overdone - it proves that film-making is, in fact, an artistic endeavor (and so is fashion). I know nothing about this movie other than the cast (which is perfection - Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, & Michael Shannon) and I plan on keeping it that way.
16. Manchester by the Sea (11/18) - I have a feeling this will be a big movie come awards season. And I'm hopeful that Casey Affleck gives a performance that will finally get him recognized by the Academy.
17. Allied (11/23) - With inspiration from Old Hollywood starring Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard - I can't think of anything more perfect.
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