Despite the fact that summer is typically the time of year in which some of the most anticipated movies are released, the fall and winter months are often home to some of the most critically acclaimed and most enjoyable films of the year. With awards season right around the corner and names such as Martin Scorsese and David O. Russell attached to upcoming films, audiences are bound to see many great films this fall. That being said, here are my five most anticipated films for the upcoming fall season.
5. "The Counselor"
Courtesy of 20th Century Fox.
Release Date: Oct. 25
Ridley Scott's (“Blade Runner,” “Alien”) latest film stars Michael Fassbender as a Texas lawyer who finds himself in far over his head when he begins to dabble in cocaine trafficking. The film, which also stars Javier Bardem, Brad Pitt, Penélope Cruz, and Cameron Diaz, was written by Cormac McCarthy, the acclaimed author of such novels as “All the Pretty Horses” and “No Country for Old Men.” The film marks the Pulitzer Prize winner’s first screenplay to be developed, but if the author’s previous work is any indication, then there will be strong, memorable characters and bold plot twists in store. Add that to the film’s all-star cast and incredibly talented director and “The Counselor” has potential to be one of the year’s best and most intriguing films.
4. "Gravity"
Courtesy of Warner Bros.
Release Date: Oct. 4
Beginning with a single, unbroken 17-minute shot, director Alfonso Cuarón's (“Children of Men”, “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”) outer space thriller stars Sandra Bullock and George Clooney as a medical engineer and astronaut who must work together to survive after a sudden accident leaves them floating in space. Cuarón and his son Jonas wrote the script for the film together, which garnered very positive buzz from numerous test screenings. It is rumored to be a technical feat due to Cuarón’s decision to have the film take place in real time, with all of the on-screen events taking place in an hour and a half, as well as Cuarón’s crafty way of shooting the film in order to give viewers the sense that they were truly in outer space. For this Cuarón attached the camera to a robot-operated 9-by-9 foot cube that could maneuver to provide the sense of “floating” one may feel outside of Earth’s atmosphere. “Gravity” could potentially be, from a technical aspect, one of the most groundbreaking films of the year.
3. "Inside Llewyn Davis"
Courtesy of Studio Canal.
Release Date: Dec. 20
Acclaimed writers and directors Joel and Ethan Coen (“Fargo”, “The Big Lebowski”) return after a three-year hiatus with a film that could bring in numerous Oscar nominations. The film follows a week in the life of titular character Llewyn Davis (played by Oscar Isaac), a folk singer exploring the Greenwich Village music scene in New York in 1961. Justin Timberlake, Carey Mulligan, Garrett Hedlund and John Goodman star in supporting roles. One look at the track record of Joel and Ethan Coen and one would assume this film is bound to be a critical success and possibly even a best picture contender. Hopefully, the Coen’s won’t disappoint and will deliver another nearly flawless film.
2. "American Hustle"
Courtesy of Atlas Entertainment.
Release Date: Dec. 25
Fresh off of his surprise hit, “Silver Linings Playbook,” director David O. Russell’s newest film stars Christian Bale as Irving Rosenfeld, a con man who must assist the FBI by turning in other corrupt business men — including the mayor of Camden, New Jersey. Bradley Cooper stars as Rosenfeld’s FBI recruiter Richie DiMaso, Amy Adams stars as Rosenfeld’s mistress and Jennifer Lawrence stars as Rosenfeld's wife. If Russell’s two most recent films, “Silver Linings Playbook” and “The Fighter” are any indication, the director’s newest film should surely be a success.
1. "The Wolf of Wall Street"
Courtesy of Paramount Pictures.
Release Date: Nov. 15
Legendary director Martin Scorsese's (“Taxi Driver,” "Raging Bull”) newest film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort, a young New York stockbroker who refuses to cooperate in a case involving securities fraud and corruption on Wall Street. Terence Winter (“Brooklyn Rules,” “The Sopranos” and “Boardwalk Empire”) adapts Belfort’s autobiography to the silver screen for “Boardwalk” executive producer Scorsese. The film marks DiCaprio and Scorsese’s fifth collaboration, and if this follows in the footsteps of the others (“The Aviator,” “Gangs of New York,” “The Departed,” and “Shutter Island”) the result could potentially be Oscar gold for both men.
With so many hopefully great films involving so many big names, on the horizon, the 2014 awards season will certainly be worth looking forward to.
Reach this reporter atseweinst@asu.edu or through Twitter @S_weinstein95
