Fall movie lineup guarantees wide range of genres
After a summer filled with laughs (Amy Schumer’s Trainwreck), tears (Inside Out), screams of terror (Jurassic World) and flops (Terminator Genisys), this fall’s new releases are about to hit the screen. Though films with darker content are typically released in the fall, there are also several new films that will provide some great laughs. Here is an introduction to the top 10 most promising films for the fall.
1. Black Mass (Sept. 18)
Johnny Depp, who is either a master of disguise or equipped with an excellent make-up team, is riveting yet terrifying in the released previews for Black Mass. Depp portrays real-life American gangster Whitey Bulger, who became an FBI informant working out of South Boston. With strong supporting casting — Benedict Cumberbatch, Dakota Johnson and Kevin Bacon — this rattling film is sure to be a dramatic shift from Depp’s recent trend of box office and critical misses.
2. Everest (Sept. 18)
Based on the 1996 Mount Everest disaster, which killed eight climbers and left several others stranded, this dramatic film promises plot twists and a big climax. The main focus of the film will be the survival attempts of the two exhibition groups who climbed the mountain during those fateful days, one led by Scott Fisher (Jake Gyllenhall) and the other led by Rob Hall (Jason Clarke).
3. The Intern (Sept. 25)
After playing stunning characters in the woeful world of Les Misérables and the not so hopeful future of Interstellar, Anne Hathaway steps into a more uplifting setting. Written and directed by Nancy Meyers, this charming, comedic film stars Hathaway, Nat Wolff, Adam DeVine and Robert De Niro. Jules Ostin, portrayed by Hathaway, is the founder and CEO of a fashion e-commerce company: a little neurotic, incredibly stressed and overworked. Though the woman struggling to juggle it all is a cliché seen many times on screen, the film looks to be made a little more interesting with the addition of Ben Whittaker, played by De Niro, a senior who will intern at Ostin’s youthful firm through a community outreach program. Throughout the film, it is Whittaker who will help Ostin open herself up to the world.
4. Steve Jobs (Oct. 9)
Due to overwhelmingly negative reviews of Jobs, the 2013 biopic featuring Ashton Kutcher, from viewers and former Apple employees, it was a surprise that a new cinematic attempt at piecing together the complicated life of Apple’s cofounder followed so soon. For the majority of 2014, the bulk of press about the upcoming second-attempt biopic were the changes in directors and cast. This was coupled with a major studio change, from Sony to Universal Pictures. Out of all that drama comes a picture directed by Danny Boyle and starring Michael Fassbender. This new biopic, in which audiences can catch a glimpse of Job’s overly analytical yet incredibly fascinating personality, appears much more promising than the 2013 version.
5. Goosebumps (Oct. 16)
After a long struggle to get it done, the Goosebumps movie is finally here, in what is clearly going to be the Halloween movie of the year. Early previews have shown that viewers should be prepared for lots of laughs, as Jack Black takes on the leading role as Goosebumps author R.L. Stine. Additionally, many adventures show Black and the children of the film, portrayed by Dylan Minnette and Odeya Rush, chasing down the ghosts and monsters who have accidentally been released from the books and are wreaking havoc all over town.
6. The Peanuts Movie (Nov. 6)
To commemorate the 65th anniversary of the comic strip, a live action version is making its way to the big screen. The whole gang joins Charlie Brown as he tries to gather the courage to finally make a move on the Little Red-Haired Girl. This film looks to have no shortage of laughs as early previews of the film show Charlie trying as hard as he can to change for his object of affection, with hilariously disastrous results.
7. By the Sea (Nov. 13)
Subtract the mass shootouts against enemy firms and assassination attempts, yet keep the plot about a couple trying to keep their waning marriage alive, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith becomes the idyllic By the Sea. The film marks power couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie-Pitt’s reunion on the big screen. Though both Pitts produced the film, Jolie-Pitt also wrote and directed it. By the Sea hasn’t had a huge marketing campaign — some film stills have been released, but the majority of excitement has been raised by speculation from the fans. While Jolie-Pitt’s directorial skills received mixed reviews from Unbroken, By the Sea seems incredibly promising in its romantic plotline and choice of actors. Since on-screen chemistry was undeniable in Mr. and Mrs. Smith, there’s a chance this feat by the same actors can achieve the same appeal.
8. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2 (Nov. 20)
In the much-anticipated last installment of the Hunger Games film series, Katniss and crew are ready to obliterate President Snow and end the Games. The frenzy from fans about the final film has reached skyrocketing heights, but the main concern is whether the last installment will justify the hype. The decision to split the third book into two films has been mixed, with some critics claiming it unnecessary, especially since Mockingjay: Part 1 received average reviews and seemed to fall short of expectations.
9. Victor Frankenstein (Nov. 25)
After nearly two years of production and release delays, the Frankenstein movie has arrived. James McAvoy stars as the titular character, a young medical student, while Daniel Radcliffe plays Igor, who has been known as Victor’s assistant from previous Frankenstein horror films. The 2015 film is told from Igor’s perspective, and though no previews have been released thus far, expect a dark and profound performance from Radcliffe.
10. The Good Dinosaur (Nov. 25)
With smash hit Inside Out dominating the box office, Pixar is looking to continue the magic by doing something they have never done before — release two films in one year. Created by those who worked on Finding Nemo and Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur tells the tale of Arlo, a young Apatosaurus becomes lost after using his father, and on his way home befriends a Tarzan-esque little boy who he names Spot. The film looks very endearing with quintessential Pixar tearjerker moments. As Pixar has been relying on an overabundant amount of sequels for the past couple of years, The Good Dinosaur promises to take audiences on an original adventure.