By David Weiner
11:24 AM PDT, September 23, 2013
Fall is officially here, and the Autumn season is when Hollywood gets a little more serious, sprinkling in select awards contenders with big tentpole releases on the way to the Thanksgiving-to-Christmas blockbuster finish. Featuring big-budget and indie contenders -- minus holiday releases -- we break down 10 must-see movies of the fall season.
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10 Must-See Fall Movies
Fall is officially here, and the Autumn season is when Hollywood gets a little more serious, sprinkling in select awards contenders with big tentpole releases on the way to the Thanksgiving-to-Christmas blockbuster finish. Featuring big-budget and indie contenders -- minus holiday releases -- we break down 10 must-see movies of the fall season.
'Gravity'
Warner Bros.
Release Date: October 4
The Plot: Sandra Bullock and George Clooney play a pair of astronauts -- a brilliant medical engineer on her first shuttle mission and a veteran astronaut in command of his last flight before retiring -- struggling to survive after a disaster in space separates them from their ship. Tethered to nothing but each other and spiraling out into the blackness, fear turns to panic as they must figure out how they can make it home alive before their oxygen runs out.
Why It's a Must-See: In space, no one can hear you scream... Audiences will watch this film with mouths agape, genuinely wondering "how'd they do that?" as Clooney and Bullock make you believe their fear while quietly screaming "Oscar!" A long-in-development project that has seen a variety of A-list talent attached at various points, including Robert Downey Jr., Angelina Jolie, Natalie Portman, Marion Cotillard, Scarlett Johansson and Blake Lively, the long-awaited film also marks the highly anticpated return of director Alfonso Cuaron (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Children of Men).
Watch the Trailer: HERE
The Plot: Sandra Bullock and George Clooney play a pair of astronauts -- a brilliant medical engineer on her first shuttle mission and a veteran astronaut in command of his last flight before retiring -- struggling to survive after a disaster in space separates them from their ship. Tethered to nothing but each other and spiraling out into the blackness, fear turns to panic as they must figure out how they can make it home alive before their oxygen runs out.
Why It's a Must-See: In space, no one can hear you scream... Audiences will watch this film with mouths agape, genuinely wondering "how'd they do that?" as Clooney and Bullock make you believe their fear while quietly screaming "Oscar!" A long-in-development project that has seen a variety of A-list talent attached at various points, including Robert Downey Jr., Angelina Jolie, Natalie Portman, Marion Cotillard, Scarlett Johansson and Blake Lively, the long-awaited film also marks the highly anticpated return of director Alfonso Cuaron (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Children of Men).
Watch the Trailer: HERE
'Captain Phillips'
Columbia Pictures
Release Date: October 11
The Plot: Tom Hanks plays real-life Captain Richard Phillips, whose US-flagged MV Maersk Alabama was overtaken by Somali pirates in 2009, the first American cargo ship to be hijacked in 200 years. Quick to defend his ship from the machine-gun wielding attackers, his ship was nonetheless boarded and he had to face life-and-death decisions in protecting his crew and cargo.
Why It's a Must-See: Recreating the frightening, true-life tale, Captain Phillip teams up Hanks with Oscar-nominated director Paul Greengrass, whose visceral camera style defined such films as United 93, The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum. The concoction of uber-talented players promises to deliver an experience that will place audiences directly in the hot seat.
Watch the Trailer: HERE
The Plot: Tom Hanks plays real-life Captain Richard Phillips, whose US-flagged MV Maersk Alabama was overtaken by Somali pirates in 2009, the first American cargo ship to be hijacked in 200 years. Quick to defend his ship from the machine-gun wielding attackers, his ship was nonetheless boarded and he had to face life-and-death decisions in protecting his crew and cargo.
Why It's a Must-See: Recreating the frightening, true-life tale, Captain Phillip teams up Hanks with Oscar-nominated director Paul Greengrass, whose visceral camera style defined such films as United 93, The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum. The concoction of uber-talented players promises to deliver an experience that will place audiences directly in the hot seat.
Watch the Trailer: HERE
'Kill Your Darlings'
Sony Pictures Classics
Release Date: October 16
The Plot: Daniel Radcliffe portrays Beat Generation poet Allen Ginsberg, who befriends On the Road writer Jack Kerouac (played by Jack Huston) and Naked Lunch scribe William Burroughs (played by Ben Foster) at Columbia University in 1944, where the trio are caught up in a murder that played a key role in their development as artists.
Why It's a Must-See: Further distancing himself from Harry Potter, Radcliffe disappears into his role as Ginsberg in this previously untold tale that sheds light on the incredible friendship of three of America's greatest writers, leading to the birth of the Beat Revolution of the '50s. Kill Your Darlings allows Dane DeHaan and Michael C. Hall to shine alongside Radcliffe in this highly anticipated, jazz-fueled indie drama directed by John Krokidas. Jennifer Jason Leigh and Elizabeth Olsen also star.
Watch the Trailer: HERE
The Plot: Daniel Radcliffe portrays Beat Generation poet Allen Ginsberg, who befriends On the Road writer Jack Kerouac (played by Jack Huston) and Naked Lunch scribe William Burroughs (played by Ben Foster) at Columbia University in 1944, where the trio are caught up in a murder that played a key role in their development as artists.
Why It's a Must-See: Further distancing himself from Harry Potter, Radcliffe disappears into his role as Ginsberg in this previously untold tale that sheds light on the incredible friendship of three of America's greatest writers, leading to the birth of the Beat Revolution of the '50s. Kill Your Darlings allows Dane DeHaan and Michael C. Hall to shine alongside Radcliffe in this highly anticipated, jazz-fueled indie drama directed by John Krokidas. Jennifer Jason Leigh and Elizabeth Olsen also star.
Watch the Trailer: HERE
'12 Years a Slave'
Fox Searchlight Pictures
Release Date: October 18
The Plot: Based on an incredible true story, 12 Years a Slave is set in the pre-Civil War era and follows the dramatic turn of events experienced by Solomon Northup (Inside Man star Chiwetel Ejiofor in a stunning performance), a free black man from upstate New York who is double-crossed, abducted and sold into slavery in the South. There, he struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity.
Why It's a Must-See: Michael Fassbender has reunited with his Shame director Steve McQueen as a cruel and malevolent slave owner alongside an all-star cast (including Brad Pitt, Benedict Cumberbatch, Alfre Woodard, Paul Dano, Garret Dillahunt and Paul Giamatti) for a stirring film about slavery that looks to pull no punches and will undoubtedly be the center of attention come awards season -- with Chiwetel Ejiofor at the front of the line.
Watch the Trailer: HERE
The Plot: Based on an incredible true story, 12 Years a Slave is set in the pre-Civil War era and follows the dramatic turn of events experienced by Solomon Northup (Inside Man star Chiwetel Ejiofor in a stunning performance), a free black man from upstate New York who is double-crossed, abducted and sold into slavery in the South. There, he struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity.
Why It's a Must-See: Michael Fassbender has reunited with his Shame director Steve McQueen as a cruel and malevolent slave owner alongside an all-star cast (including Brad Pitt, Benedict Cumberbatch, Alfre Woodard, Paul Dano, Garret Dillahunt and Paul Giamatti) for a stirring film about slavery that looks to pull no punches and will undoubtedly be the center of attention come awards season -- with Chiwetel Ejiofor at the front of the line.
Watch the Trailer: HERE
'The Fifth Estate'
Dreamworks
The Plot: Benedict Cumberbatch goes blond as WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in a story that traces the early days of the brains behind WikiLeaks.org, the whistleblowing website that found overnight success – and infamy – with the release of a series of controversial, history-changing and classified information leaks.
Why It's a Must-See: Kind of like The Social Network meets All the President's Men, The Fifth Estate tries not to completely color the ethics behind the actions of Assange, who did not want to be seen to condone the project and declined to participate. Calling the man a "provocateur," Cumberbatch asks ET, "Is he reckless, is he responsible? All the judgments I've been asked to make of him, I defer to my performance in the film. He's quite a remarkable individual, so I think he defies easy categorization." Also starring Laura Linney, Anthony Mackie, David Thewlis, Peter Capaldi and Carice van Houten, the film is directed by Bill Condon (Dreamgirls, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn).
Watch the Trailer: HERE
Why It's a Must-See: Kind of like The Social Network meets All the President's Men, The Fifth Estate tries not to completely color the ethics behind the actions of Assange, who did not want to be seen to condone the project and declined to participate. Calling the man a "provocateur," Cumberbatch asks ET, "Is he reckless, is he responsible? All the judgments I've been asked to make of him, I defer to my performance in the film. He's quite a remarkable individual, so I think he defies easy categorization." Also starring Laura Linney, Anthony Mackie, David Thewlis, Peter Capaldi and Carice van Houten, the film is directed by Bill Condon (Dreamgirls, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn).
Watch the Trailer: HERE
'Diana'
eONE Films
Release Date: November 1
The Plot: The story of Diana the Princess of Wales -- the most-watched woman in the world – follows the last two years of her meteoric life leading up to her tragic end.
Why It's a Must-See: Anticipation is high to see if Naomi Watts can pull off the transformation and bring humanity to the legendary figure as she disappears into the role, considered by many to be a controversial project. "I can't really think of many people who can survive that level of fame," Watts says of the real-life character, adding that, "So many people are going to pounce on me for not looking enough like her, not being tall enough, not being properly British -- and I am actually properly British."
Watch the Trailer: HERE
The Plot: The story of Diana the Princess of Wales -- the most-watched woman in the world – follows the last two years of her meteoric life leading up to her tragic end.
Why It's a Must-See: Anticipation is high to see if Naomi Watts can pull off the transformation and bring humanity to the legendary figure as she disappears into the role, considered by many to be a controversial project. "I can't really think of many people who can survive that level of fame," Watts says of the real-life character, adding that, "So many people are going to pounce on me for not looking enough like her, not being tall enough, not being properly British -- and I am actually properly British."
Watch the Trailer: HERE
'The Wolf of Wall Street'
Paramount Pictures
Release Date: November 15
The Plot: Based on a true story, Leonardo DiCaprio plays Jordan Belfort, who made just shy of a million a week as wealthy stockbroker during the corporate-raiding '80s, living a life of hedonism and illegal money operations until the federal government finally caught up with him.
Why It's a Must-See: Leo reunites with favorite director Martin Scorsese (they collaborated on Gangs of New York, The Aviator, The Departed and Shutter Island) for an exercise in '80s exce$$, with a stellar supporting cast that includes a loopy Matthew McConaughey alongside Jonah Hill, Jon Favreau, Kyle Chandler, Rob Reiner, Jean Dujardin and Kenneth Choi. Enough said?
Watch the Trailer: HERE
The Plot: Based on a true story, Leonardo DiCaprio plays Jordan Belfort, who made just shy of a million a week as wealthy stockbroker during the corporate-raiding '80s, living a life of hedonism and illegal money operations until the federal government finally caught up with him.
Why It's a Must-See: Leo reunites with favorite director Martin Scorsese (they collaborated on Gangs of New York, The Aviator, The Departed and Shutter Island) for an exercise in '80s exce$$, with a stellar supporting cast that includes a loopy Matthew McConaughey alongside Jonah Hill, Jon Favreau, Kyle Chandler, Rob Reiner, Jean Dujardin and Kenneth Choi. Enough said?
Watch the Trailer: HERE
'Nebraska'
Paramount
Release Date: November 15
The Plot: Bruce Dern plays a cantankerous father who thinks he's struck it rich after receiving a sweepstakes letter in the mail. Determined to collect his prize, he wrangles his son (played by Will Forte) into taking a road trip to claim the fortune and, by default, interact with his equally eccentric family.
Why It's a Must-See: Alexander Payne returns to About Schmidt territory, after striking gold with The Descendants and Sideways, with this tragi-comic road trip shot across four states in black and white. Bruce Dern gets an opportunity to really shine with solid material, and SNL funnyman Forte gets to display his acting range amid a supporting cast that includes Bob Odenkirk, Stacy Keach and June Squibb.
Watch the Trailer: HERE
The Plot: Bruce Dern plays a cantankerous father who thinks he's struck it rich after receiving a sweepstakes letter in the mail. Determined to collect his prize, he wrangles his son (played by Will Forte) into taking a road trip to claim the fortune and, by default, interact with his equally eccentric family.
Why It's a Must-See: Alexander Payne returns to About Schmidt territory, after striking gold with The Descendants and Sideways, with this tragi-comic road trip shot across four states in black and white. Bruce Dern gets an opportunity to really shine with solid material, and SNL funnyman Forte gets to display his acting range amid a supporting cast that includes Bob Odenkirk, Stacy Keach and June Squibb.
Watch the Trailer: HERE
'Her'
Warner Bros.
Release Date: November 20
The Plot: This near-future tale set in Los Angeles follows Joaquin Phoenix as Theodore Twombly, a heartbroken man who falls hard for "Samantha" an advanced, intuitive operating system with a female voice(by Scarlett Johansson) that is insightful, sensitive and surprisingly funny. Amy Adams, Rooney Mara and Olivia Wilde co-star.
Why It's a Must-See: From Being John Malkovich and Adaptation to Where the Wild Things Are and his myriad music videos, Spike Jonze remains a director to get excited about. For his first "love story," he's teamed up with Phoenix, who is in his prime following his stunning performance in The Master. Despite the cutesy subject matter, we all know this will cut deeper, asking the question: In the end, does it matter whether or not your true love is human?
Watch the Trailer: HERE
The Plot: This near-future tale set in Los Angeles follows Joaquin Phoenix as Theodore Twombly, a heartbroken man who falls hard for "Samantha" an advanced, intuitive operating system with a female voice(by Scarlett Johansson) that is insightful, sensitive and surprisingly funny. Amy Adams, Rooney Mara and Olivia Wilde co-star.
Why It's a Must-See: From Being John Malkovich and Adaptation to Where the Wild Things Are and his myriad music videos, Spike Jonze remains a director to get excited about. For his first "love story," he's teamed up with Phoenix, who is in his prime following his stunning performance in The Master. Despite the cutesy subject matter, we all know this will cut deeper, asking the question: In the end, does it matter whether or not your true love is human?
Watch the Trailer: HERE
'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire'
Lionsgate
Release Date: November 22
The Plot: The second film in the blockbuster dystopian franchise finds a triumphant Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) suddenly faced with the ramifications of the tricky stunt that kept them both alive as they prepare for the Quarter Quell.
Why It's a Must-See: With original Hunger Games director Gary Ross stepping down, Catching Fire is directed by Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend, Water for Elephants), and fans can expect a similar take to what Ross brought to the first film with a slightly different vision featuring beefed up special effects and production design. The Twilight Saga had its share of directors playing musical chairs and it still reaped huge box office, so why worry? May the odds be ever in your favor!
Watch the Trailer: HERE
The Plot: The second film in the blockbuster dystopian franchise finds a triumphant Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) suddenly faced with the ramifications of the tricky stunt that kept them both alive as they prepare for the Quarter Quell.
Why It's a Must-See: With original Hunger Games director Gary Ross stepping down, Catching Fire is directed by Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend, Water for Elephants), and fans can expect a similar take to what Ross brought to the first film with a slightly different vision featuring beefed up special effects and production design. The Twilight Saga had its share of directors playing musical chairs and it still reaped huge box office, so why worry? May the odds be ever in your favor!
Watch the Trailer: HERE