This Fall Movie Season there is no shortage of highly anticipated films being released! To help you chose which films to rush to the theater for and which to skip altogether we thought we would give you a quick description of each of the major films being released through the end of the year in a three part Fall 2012 Movie Preview!
Sinister 10/5
I won’t reveal too much about Sinster because our wonderful blogger Mallory W. will be writing about it shortly, but I will say this thriller from the producer of the Paranormal Activity films looks incredibly bone chilling. Ethan Hawke stars as Ellison, a true crime novelist who discovers a box of mysterious home movies that reveal why a family was murdered in his new home and puts his family in danger with the supernatural.
Taken 2 10/5
If you saw the first installment of Taken, you might be scratching your heads wondering how they made a sequel. This time around retired CIA Agent Bryan Mills, played by Liam Neeson, is the one who is taken along with his wife as revenge for killing one of the kidnappers that took his daughter, played by Maggie Grace, in the original film. Grace returns in to help her father escape. From the pre-screen material I have seen, it looks like some humor (and some serious lamp-shading relating to the first film) has been added to the action packed agenda.
Frankenweenie 10/5
Frankenweenie, a reimagining by Tim Burton of his original short film, tells the story of Victor who just can’t let go of his pet dog Sparky. Needless to say Sparky comes back a little worse for the wear and bringing him back has unintended consequences that lead to havoc in Victor’s neighborhood. Yes, this is a children’s film and even though the description might sound like a little much for the kids, remember this is a Tim Burton movie we’re talking about. From what I have seen, the movie looks like harmless family fun and is perfectly timed for the Halloween season.
The Paperboy 10/5
The Paperboy is one of those movies that is difficult to describe without giving too much away. Nicole Kidman plays Charlotte Bless, fiancee and penpal to John Cusack’s character Hillary Van Wetter, who is on death row for a murder he swears he did not commit. Kidman’s character enlists the help of a Florida reporter Ward Jansen, played by Matthew McConaughey, to help clear Van Wetter’s name and to do so he and his younger brother Jack, played by Zac Efron, have to tag along with her on visits to Van Wetter in jail. All of this takes place is steamy, swampy, 1960′s Florida and the film has a distinctively noir feel. The Paperboy is definitely one to see this year.
Butter 10/5
The concept for Butter sounds a bit ridiculous, a young adopted girls realize she is a natural at competitive butter carving and throws a monkey ranch in the plans of an ambitious woman, played by Jennifer Garner, who is hoping to become the Iowa champ after her husband, the reigning butter sculpting champ played by Ty Burrell, retires. Although I usually enjoy a unique concept, this one seems to fall flat. The movie has been in the can for over a year now and even though I don’t think the political undertone of the movie (that’s right, it’s not just about dairy) would have worked then, I think it might have done a bit better than I anticipate it to do now.
Argo 10/12
Ben Affleck has slowly been establishing himself as an insightful and thought provoking director. His latest film, Argo, in which he also stars, is based on the true story of how six Americans taken hostage in Iran in 1979 were rescued by the CIA with the help of the Canadian Government To rescue the hostages, CIA Agents posed as film crew making scouting locations for a Sci-Fi movie called “Argo” and used the rouse to get the six Americans out of the country. I was familiar with this piece of strange but true history before this movie and even though it’s one of those Titanic situations (we all know how it’s going to end) I still think Argo will make an interesting and entertaining watch.
Here Comes the Boom 10/12
In Here Comes the Boom, Kevin James plays a high school biology teacher at a cash-strapped school, who decides to try his hand as a mixed-martial arts fighter in an attempt to raise enough money to keep the extra-curricular activities going at his school. I think this one will be a good time for the whole family, but I would still wait till it comes out for home release.
Seven Psychopaths 10/12
Don’t mess with a man’s dog. Colin Farell’s character Marty, a struggling screenwriter, learns this the hard way when his friends Hans and Billy kidnap a Shih Tzo in Seven Psychopaths. Woody Harrelson plays the dog’s owener and he just happens to be a gangster who will stop at nothing to get revenge. When I first heard about this movie with its oddball characters with a penchant for violence, I was surprised to find out it was not a Tarantino creation. Seven Psychopaths was actually written and directed by Martin McDonagh, the man behind “In Burges,” but this time around it seems McDonagh may have missed the mark a bit. The movie is a bit disjointed and the in your face violence can be a bit much at times.
Alex Cross 10/19
Although I am still personally griping that Tyler Perry was cast in the role of Alex Cross (I would have much preferred Idris Elba), I think audiences will be pleasantly surprised with his performance. For those unfamiliar with the James Patterson character, Alex Cross is a Detective/Psychologist and in this movie he’ll be going up against a serial killer played by Matthew Fox. This film will deliver all the suspense and mystery a view could ask for and should be a big hit with fans of Patterson’s work and psychological thrillers.
Paranormal Activity 4 10/19
Yes, they have made another one. Paranormal Activity 4 is a sequel to Paranormal Activity 2 taking place five years after the events of the second film. It tells the story of a girl named Alice as well as her boyfriend, mother and brother after Katie from the original movie and Hunter from the second move in next door. If you have seen any of the previous films, you can imagine what happens next and if you have not, I will not potentially ruin them for you by going into further detail. I am not sure if this franchise really called for another installment, and I would definitely put this one on your wait for home release list.
Cloud Atlas 10/26
Cloud Atlas, based on the book of the same name by David Mitchell, is an extremely ambitious and epic film that will leave movie goers emotionally moved or completely confused, depending on the individual. Either way, I think viewers will have a strong response. With six separate yet connected stories across continents and time meant to show that “everything is connected” (I will not reveal who they are connected because I think it take something away from the story), it’s the kind of film that forces you to think and reflect if you are going to appreciate it. I for one think it works, but you will have to decide for yourself if you can make it through the nearly three hour run time.
Chasing Mavericks 10/26
Chasing Mavericks is based on the true life story of surfing phenom Jay Moriarty, played by Johnny Weston, who at 15 years old enlisted the help of local legend, played by Gerard Butler, to train him to survive the mythic Mavericks surf break. In an attempt to accomplish the impossible, the two develop a strong bond in this inspirational sports style drama. Anyone familiar with Jay Moriarty is aware that this one may end up being a tear jerker. I have yet to see it myself so I cannot shed light on whether or not Moriarty’s tragic end plays into the film, but either way it looks like a good emotional drama that anyone, not just surfing and sports fans, will enjoy.
Fun Size 10/26
Fun Size tells the tale of a girl named Wren, played by Victoria Justice, who is forced to take her handful of a little brother trick or treating on Halloween. Wren decided she much rather go to a Halloween party and winds up losing her brother after he wanders off on his own. The movie is an all in one night style adventure with Wren and her friends encountering a variety of ridiculous situations in an attempt to recover her brother before her mother finds out he is missing. This one should do well with the pre-teen and Nickelodeon crowd.
Wreck it Ralph 11/2
Everyone loves a good underdog story and Wreck-It Ralph is just that. Ralph is a video game villain, voiced by John C. Reilly, who wants to be loved and adored like video game hero Fix-It Felix, voiced by Jack McBrayer. When Ralph decides to sneak into another arcade game to try and fulfill his hero dreams, he accidentally unleashes a deadly enemy that threatens every game in the arcade. To be able to save the arcade, Ralph needs to learn how to be a real hero with the help of fellow video game character Vanellope von Schweetz , voiced by Sarah Silverman. Wreck-It Ralph looks like good family family fun and especially appeals to people like me who remember what it was like to play your video game at an arcade.
Related Articles
- POLL: Which Fall Movie are You Most Excited to See?
- Fall 2012 Movie Preview: Part Two
- Fall 2012 Movie Preview: Part Three (Coming 10/9/12)
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