CRITICAL MASS

The 'good stuff'

‘Important,’ award-seeking films in lineup a sure sign fall is here

Stormtroopers gather in Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens, which picks up 30 years after 1983’s Return of the Jedi.
Stormtroopers gather in Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens, which picks up 30 years after 1983’s Return of the Jedi.

Time to get serious.

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Tom Hiddleston stars as country singer Hank Williams in Marc Abraham’s I Saw the Light.

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Daniel Craig stars as James Bond in Spectre, directed by Sam Mendes.

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Hugh Jackman stars as Blackbeard in director Joe Wright’s Pan, the childhood story of the orphan who would become Peter Pan.

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Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), Boggs (Mahershala Ali) and Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth) star in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2.

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An Apatosaurus named Arlo makes an unlikely human friend in The Good Dinosaur.

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Geza Rohrig stars as Saul in Son of Saul, set in 1944 Auschwitz and directed by Laszlo Nemes.

The final quarter of the year is traditionally when the Oscar-seeking heavy hitters roll out studio films that are designed to capture the attention of serious people. From the closing of the Toronto International Film Festival until the Academy Awards are handed out in February, our focus is going to be not on the "best" kind of movies but the "quality" movies that typically contend for industry honors.

There will be blockbusters -- the first Star Wars movie in 10 years, another James Bond installment, the final chapter (allegedly) of The Hunger Games series -- but fall and early winter are typically the time for us to pull on our tweeds and reading glasses, to play grown-up for awhile. Are you ready for some cinema?

(As always, we remind our patrons that there are no guarantees, implied or inferred, as we have not seen any of these movies yet and release dates, titles and expectations are all subject to change. No wagering, please.)

SEPT. 30

The Walk -- Robert Zemeckis tackles the story behind French high-wire artist Philippe Petit's (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) attempt to transverse the air between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in 1974. With Ben Kingsley, Charlotte Le Bon and James Badge Dale.

Oct. 2

Freeheld -- Fact-based gay rights drama about terminally ill New Jersey police lieutenant Laurel Hester (Julianne Moore) battling to secure benefits for her domestic partner, Stacie Andree (Ellen Page).

He Named Me Malala -- Davis Guggenheim's documentary about the events leading up to the Taliban attack on Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai.

The Martian -- Matt Damon in another lost-in-space role (remember his craven Dr. Mann in Interstellar?). This time he plays astronaut Mark Watney, who is left for dead on Mars after a fierce storm. But they underestimated his resilience.

The buzz has been hot for this Ridley Scott project, the cast is first-rate -- Kristen Wiig, Kate Mara and Jessica Chastain (another Interstellar alumna) -- and the Andy Weir novel has a following. Early reviews have been good, with Variety enthusing about its "enthralling and rigorously realistic outer-space survival story."

Shanghai -- Long-delayed 1940s-set period piece about an American expat (John Cusack) who returns to Shanghai in the months before Pearl Harbor. It's directed by Mikael Hafstrom, who also directed Cusack in 2007's Room 1408.

Oct. 9

Big Stone Gap -- Interesting small film alert. Director Adriana Trigiani wrote this script about a 35-year-old "spinster" who is the heart of Big Stone Gap, Va. -- a real-life Virginia coal-mining community that happens to be Trigiani's hometown. When it didn't take off, she rewrote it as a novel, which did, and spawned a couple of sequels. Now she has enlisted Ashley Judd and fellow Big Stone Gap native Patrick Wilson for the movie based on the book based on that original script and shot on location. It has a fairly low budget, but lots of impressive names fill out the cast, including Whoopi Goldberg, John Benjamin Hickey, Jane Krakowski, Anthony LaPaglia and Jenna Elfman. It might be smarmy and hokey. But it might be another Come Early Morning.

Pan -- Joe Wright directs a Peter Pan origin story, that starts in a bleak London orphanage and ends up in the fantastical world of Neverland, where he befriends James Hook (Garrett Hedlund) and warrior Tiger Lily (Rooney Mara). They band together to save Neverland from ruthless pirate Blackbeard (Hugh Jackman). Presumably Peter and Hook break up at some point, a la Vader and Obi Wan.

Oct. 16

Bridge of Spies -- Steven Spielberg directs Tom Hanks in the fact-based story of an American lawyer recruited by the CIA during the Cold War to help negotiate the release of U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers (Austin Stowell) after his plane is shot down by the Soviets. Expect an Oscar push.

Crimson Peak -- Director Guillermo del Toro describes this film, which he co-wrote with Matthew Robbins, as an "almost classical Gothic romance ghost story" with "two or three scenes that are really, really disturbing in a very, very modern way. Very, very disturbing, it's a proper R rating. And it's adult." It stars Mia Wasikowski as a 19th-century British writer who falls in love with and marries Sir Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston) and moves into the crumbling rural mansion he shares with his sister Lady Lucille Sharpe (Jessica Chastain). Turns out the Sharpes have secrets.

Room -- Based on Emma Donoghue's 2010 novel which was short-listed for the Man Booker Prize, the film stars Brie Larson as a woman trying to adjust to the outside world after having spent seven years held prisoner in a small room by a mysterious figure known as "Old Nick" (Sean Bridgers). But the real genius of the book was to give a share of the narration to the woman's 5-year-old son, Jack, who was conceived and born in captivity. While it remains to be seen how well the device translates to film, early reviews for Lenny Abrahamson's thriller, which was scripted by Donoghue, have been terrific.

Truth -- Robert Redford plays Dan Rather in this newsroom drama that retells the 2004 60 Minutes questionable report on then-President George W. Bush's questionable military service record which eventually cost Rather and producer Mary Mapes (Cate Blanchett) their jobs. Blanchett is said to be a lock for an Oscar nomination for her performance, and since the film is based on Mapes' book, one expects that the usual biases will apply. But some early reviews have lauded director James Vanderbilt for his probing of the investigative process, and the Hollywood Reporter says "as an account of a relatively recent journalistic enterprise, Truth is superior in every way to the more mundane Spotlight ...."

Woodlawn -- A Christian sports drama based on a real incident, the desegregation of Woodlawn High School in Birmingham, Ala., in 1973. Cast includes Sean Astin, Nic Bishop, Caleb Castille, Sherri Shepherd and Jon Voight.

Oct. 23

Burnt -- Adam Jones (Bradley Cooper) is a prima donna chef who, having destroyed his career with drugs, attempts a comeback at a chic London restaurant. Sienna Miller, Alicia Vikander and Omar Sy co-star.

Difret -- Presented by Angelina Jolie Pitt, Difret is a legal drama based on the true story of a 14-year-old Ethiopian girl who, in 1996, shot and killed her attempted kidnapper, a man who was following a tribal custom of marriage abduction.

I Smile Back -- Sarah Silverman gets a dramatic star turn in this Adam Salky-directed-story of a self-destructive desperate housewife addicted to drugs and bad behavior. When the movie opened at Sundance, the word was that Silverman's performance elevated an otherwise ordinary movie.

Jem and the Holograms -- Live action musical fantasy film based on the toy line and 1980s animated television series of the same name. I'm not ashamed to say I know absolutely nothing about this almost certain blockbuster.

The Last Witch Hunter -- "Centuries ago, Kaulder (Vin Diesel) managed to slay the all-powerful Queen Witch, decimating her followers in the process. Before her death, she cursed the valiant warrior with her own immortality, separating him from his beloved wife and daughter in the afterlife. Her resurrection now threatens the survival of the human race as Kaulder, the only one of his kind remaining, faces her vengeful wrath."

Oh dear.

Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension -- Allegedly the final chapter.

Rock the Kasbah -- Richie Lanz (Bill Murray) is a has-been rock manager accompanying his last remaining client on a USO tour of Afghanistan when he discovers a young Afghan girl with an extraordinary voice. So of course he arranges for her to enter an American Idol-style competition. Not to be confused with the 2013 French-Moroccan film Rock the Casbah or the 2012 Israeli film Rock the Casbah, both of which are pretty good.

Steve Jobs -- In response to the recent arrest of 14-year-old clock maker Ahmed Mohamed in Arlington, Texas, Omar Ghabra tweeted some photos with this quip: "An Arab-looking man of Syrian descent in a garage w/his accomplice building what appears to be a bomb. Arrest them." The movie is about that Arab-looking man of Syrian descent, and despite the fact it was written by Aaron Sorkin, it's probably worth seeking out. Directed by Danny Boyle, starring Michael Fassbinder, Kate Winslet and Seth Rogen.

Suffragette -- Director Sarah Gavron's celebratory chronicle of early feminists is said to be strong, vital and fueled by a tremendous performance by Carey Mulligan. So I guess it won't do to dismiss it with a cryptic Paul McCartney lyric? Ah mater. Much later.

Oct. 30

Carter High -- In 1988, Dallas' David W. Carter High School beat Odessa Permian -- a team celebrated in the book and movie Friday Night Lights -- to become the state's Class 5A high-school champs. That title was stripped three years later because Carter had used an ineligible player. But that wasn't all -- in short order six football players were arrested for having committed armed robberies. Arthur Muhammad, who was a player on that 1988 team, wrote and directed the film, which stars Vivica Fox and David Banner.

Collide -- An American backpacker (Nicolaus Hoult) becomes the driver for an international gang of drug smugglers. Fun, fun, fun on the autobahn. With Felicity Jones and Sir Ben Kingsley.

Our Brand Is Crisis -- For some reason, David Gordon Green has remade the excellent 2005 documentary of the same name as a political comedy with Sandra Bullock and Billy Bob Thornton. Promises to be weird and watchable.

Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse -- Three boy scouts band with a tough cocktail waitress to try to save a town from a zombie breakout. With Tye Sheridan, Patrick (son of Arnold) Schwarzenegger, David Koechner and Cloris Leachman.

The Wonders -- Italian filmmaker Alice Rohrwacher's second feature centers on a family of beekeepers living in isolation in central Italy who take in a troubled teenage boy. So far it has been well-received by critics. With Monica Bellucci.

Nov. 6

Brooklyn -- Ellis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan) is torn between two lovers and two countries in this Nick Hornby-written romance.

Miss You Already -- A portrait of female friendship from Catherine Hardwicke that stars Toni Collette and Drew Barrymore (!) with tragicomic overtones. Hardwicke has been trying to recover since she departed the Twilight franchise in 2008, but this seems too minor to count as a comeback.

The Outskirts -- School comedy about two nerds (Victoria Justice, Eden Sher) plotting to avenge an attack on their dignity by one of the popular crowd.

The Peanuts Movie -- Nostalgia and beagles, in 3-D.

Spectre -- James Bond is back. And he's not Idris Elba. Yet.

Spotlight -- Tom McCarthy's film about how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the Catholic Church is loaded with names -- Rachel McAdams, Mark Ruffalo, Liev Schreiber, Michael Keaton, Billy Crudup, Stanley Tucci, Len Cariou -- and most of the early reviews have been good, but there have been dissenters. Still, while his last film, The Cobbler, was a disappointment, McCarthy is one of the strongest, most interesting directors working today. We'd give him a shot.

Theeb -- British-Jordanian filmmaker Naji Abu Nowar received the Best Director prize in the Horizons section of the 2014 Venice Film Festival for this, his feature debut, a coming-of-age story that has been called the first "Bedouin Western." In 1916, 14-year-old Theeb and his tribesmen are pulled into the Arab revolt against the Ottoman Empire by an Englishman (Jack Fox) passing through their camp.

Trumbo -- Screenwriter Dalton Trumbo (Bryan Cranston) is blacklisted in the late 1940s for being a communist. Oscar bid.

What Our Fathers Did: A Nazi Legacy -- Documentary about how the sons of war criminals come to terms with their legacy.

Nov. 13

The 33 -- Patricia Riggens' movie is based on the real events of a 2010 mining disaster in which a group of 33 miners were trapped inside the San Jose Mine in Chile for more than two months. With Antonio Banderas as Mario "Super Mario" Sepulveda, who sent videos to the rescuers to keep them apprised of the miners' condition.

By the Sea -- An American writer (Brad Pitt) and his wife (Angelina Jolie Pitt) make a last-ditch effort to save their marriage at a French resort. Echoes of Swept Away?

Ingrid Bergman in Her Own Words -- Stig Bjorkman's festival favorite documentary gets a theatrical release.

James White -- Here's what our Piers Marchant wrote when he saw this "devastating" film at this year's Sundance festival: "For those of us who have lost a parent, the film's unrelenting intimacy is very nearly unendurable, but I have nothing but mad respect for a filmmaker who can look into that particular abyss so unflinchingly. This is a monster of a film, and the announcement of a phenomenal young actor [Christopher Abbott], suddenly proving his earlier career choices were more than justified." I'm going.

My All American -- The tragic and inspirational story of Texas football player Freddie Steinmark. Should be of special interest to Razorbacks fans.

Rings -- The third installment of the horror franchise.

Nov. 20

Carol -- Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara) embarks on an affair with Carol (Cate Blanchett) in 1950s Manhattan. Huge overwhelmingly positive buzz.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay -- Part 2 -- Jennifer Lawrence, et al., cash in. Who can blame them?

Legend -- Tom Hardy plays both of the notorious Kray brothers, identical twin gangsters who ran an organized crime empire in London's East End in the 1960s. Not to be confused with 1990's The Krays in which twins Martin and Gary Kemp portrayed the brothers.

Secret in Their Eyes -- English-language remake of Juan Jose Campanella's outstanding 2009 Argentine thriller. This one has Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Nov. 25

Victor Frankenstein -- Igor (Daniel Radcliffe) gives his version of his redemptive friendship with the young medical student Victor Von Frankenstein (James McAvoy).

Nov. 27

Creed -- Retired boxer Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) trains the son of his late friend and former rival Apollo Creed (Michael B. Jordan).

The Danish Girl -- After Danish artist Gerda Wegener (Alicia Vikander) paints a portrait of her husband (Eddie Redmayne) as a woman, he adopts a feminine appearance and renames himself Lili Elbe. An awards season special, no doubt, embalmed in director Tom Hooper's always excellent taste.

The Good Dinosaur -- Cartoon about an Apatosaurus named Arlo.

I Saw the Light -- Tom Hiddleston is Hank Williams.

The Night Before -- No doubt lewd Evan Goldberg-Seth Rogen comedy about finding the perfect Christmas party. With Lizzy Caplan, Miley Cyrus, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Anthony Mackie.

Dec. 4

Krampus -- A Christmas demon makes things difficult in this comic horror fantasy starring Adam Scott and Toni Collette.

Hitchcock/Truffaut -- Filmmakers discuss Francois Truffaut's seminal 1966 work Cinema According to Hitchcock. I want to see it.

Life -- A Life Magazine photographer (Robert Pattinson) is assigned to shoot pictures of James Dean (Dane DeHaan).

Macbeth -- Michael Fassbender stars in the Scottish play.

Youth -- A film director and a composer (Michael Caine and Harvey Keitel) vacation in the Alps and talk about art and stuff.

The World of Kanako -- Japanese mystery about a retired detective who discovers his daughter's secret life.

Dec. 11

The Dark Horse -- New Zealand film about a bipolar Maori man who works with children from dysfunctional homes. Based on a true story.

In the Heart of the Sea -- Ron Howard's film about the sinking of the whaling vessel Essex in 1820, based on Nathaniel Philbrick's 2000 nonfiction book of the same name, stars Chris Hemsworth, Benjamin Walker, Cillian Murphy, Tom Holland, Ben Whishaw and Brendan Gleeson.

The Lady in the Van -- Maggie Smith stars as Mary Shepherd, an elderly woman who lived in a battered van parked in the driveway of writer Alan Bennett for 15 years. Bennett adapted the screenplay from his 1999 hit play of the same name, which was nominated at the 2000 Olivier Awards for Play of the Year. Directed by Nicholas Hytner.

Dec. 18

Sisters -- Sisters (played by Amy Poehler and Madison Davenport) decide to throw one last bash before their parents sell their family home.

Son of Saul -- Cannes Gran Prix winner is a Holocaust drama about a Jewish prisoner forced to dispose of the corpses of his fellow prisoners.

Star Wars: Episode VII -- The Force Awakens -- The saga created by George Lucas continues. This installment is set 30 years after Star Wars: Episode VI -- Return of the Jedi. Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Adam Driver star.

Dec. 25

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip -- Varmints. With chirpy voices.

Concussion -- Will Smith's football drama focuses on the work of forensic pathologist and neuropathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu (Smith), who discovers chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in the brains of two NFL players. Controversy swirls about it.

Daddy's Home -- Will Ferrell stars in a comedy about what happens when a stepfather's domestic tranquility is upset by the appearance of his kids' bio-dad. With Linda Cardellini and Mark Wahlberg.

The Hateful Eight -- Highly anticipated Quentin Tarantino film about bounty hunters in post-Civil War Wyoming, who, while seeking shelter during a blizzard, get involved in a plot of betrayal and deception. With Channing Tatum, Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Walton Goggins, Tim Roth, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Zoe Bell, Michael Madsen and Bruce Dern.

Joy -- David O. Russell reunites with Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro and Jennifer Lawrence in the story of inventor and entrepreneur Joy Mangano, a single mother of three who invented the "Miracle Mop."

Point Break -- An FBI agent infiltrates a team of extreme sports athletes suspected of masterminding a string of sophisticated corporate heists. It's not exactly a remake -- it's "inspired" by Kathryn Bigelow's 1991 cult favorite.

The Revenant -- The ever-divisive Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu directs this story about frontiersman Hugh Glass who, after being mauled by a bear and left for dead, goes after those who abandoned him. With Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy.

Email:

pmartin@arkansasonline.com

www.blooddirtangels.com

Style on 09/27/2015

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