It is now that time of the year when Hollywood decides not to devote most of it's time and money catering to fourteen year old boys. The fall season is when we see films that offer more complex and challenging subject matter and in turn, may deliver a richer and deeper cinematic experience.
Here are a few highlights of some of the upcoming films that have captured my attention. Release dates are subject to change:
"THANKS FOR SHARING"
Release date: September 20, 2013
Sex addiction seems to be a popular theme this fall as two films deal with this apparent disorder and are being released just a week apart. In "Thanks For Sharing", director Stuart Blumberg ("The Kids Are All Right") brings the story of a recovering sexual addict (Mark Ruffalo) who meets the girl of his dreams (Gwyneth Paltrow) and struggles to maneuver around this potential relationship and his uncontrollable impulses. Also starring Tim Robbins, John Gad, Joely Richardson, Carol Kane and making her big screen debut, pop singer, Pink under her real name, Alecia Moore.
"DON JON"
Release date: September 27, 2013
While in "Don Jon", Joseph Gordon- Levitt stars (as well as writes and directs his first feature film) as a man that has an unhealthy preoccupation with pornography or at least according to his smoking-hot new girlfriend (Scarlett Johansson) who is disturbed by the idea that he even needs to watch since he has her around. The comedy also features Julianne Moore and Tony Danza.
"CAPTAIN PHILLIPS"
Release date: October 11, 2013
Based on the real-life incident, Captain Richard Phillips (Tom Hanks) and his crew aboard an American cargo ship are hijacked and taken for ransom by Somali pirates in 2009. There is a tense stand-off between the pirates and the U.S. Navy while the Captain's life hangs in the balance. Paul Greengrass ("United 93", "The Bourne Supremacy") directs this action-thriller.
"KILL YOUR DARLINGS"
Release date: October 16, 2013
"Kill Your Darlings" takes a look at the early life of future beat poet, Allen Ginsberg (played by former wizard king, Daniel Radcliffe). The film takes place during his time as a student at Columbia University when he met fellow writers William Burroughs (Ben Foster) and Jack Kerouac (Jack Huston of "Boardwalk Empire") and gets wrapped up in the shocking murder of David Kammerer (Michael C. Hall) by an acquaintance of Ginsberg's, Lucien Carr (Dane DeHaan).
"THE FIFTH ESTATE"
Release date: October 18, 2013
"The Fifth Estate" tells the story of how long-time friends, Julian Assange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Daniel Domscheit-Berg (Daniel Bruhl) founded the notorious website, Wikileaks. Although the film is partially based on Domscheit-Berg's memoir, who had a falling out with Assange, it's still an unbiased look in to why they were determined to leak to the world classified information in the name of journalistic freedom.
"12 YEARS A SLAVE"
Release date: October 18, 2013
October will feature an exciting double dose of Michael Fassbender as the sexy and talented actor is featured in two very different films. His first appearance will be in a supporting turn as a slave owner in director, Steve McQueen's "12 Years A Slave". Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as Solomon Northup, a free African-American who is kidnapped and sold in to slavery. This film (based on Northup's autobiography) has already received critical praise and awards buzz and just won the Audience Award at the just completed Toronto Film Festival.
"THE COUNSELOR"
Release date: October 25, 2013
Mr. Fassbender headlines his other film, "The Counselor" which is directed by Ridley Scott and features an original screenplay by acclaimed novelist, Cormac McCarthy ("No Country Fort Old Men"). This thriller involves a lawyer (Fassbender) who unwisely gets involved in a drug-smuggling operation and discovers that these people play by their own set of rules. An impressive cast includes Penelope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Javier Bardem and Brad Pitt.
"THE WOLF OF WALL STREET"
Release date: November 15, 2013
"The Wolf of Wall Street" is based on the memoir of the same title by Jordan Belfort during his time as a high-rolling, overzealous stock broker and his involvement with securities fraud and corruption. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Belfort and has teamed-up with director Martin Scorsese for the fifth time. Matthew McConaughey, Jean Dujardin, and Jonah Hill also star.
"AMERICAN HUSTLE"
Release date: December 13, 2013
The volatile but highly gifted filmmaker, David O. Russell returns with "American Hustle", the follow-up to his award-winning film, "Silver Linings Playbook". Set in the '70's, it tells the tale of a con man (Christian Bale) who is coerced by an FBI agent (Bradley Cooper) to assist in a sting operation against a mayor (Jeremy Renner) in New Jersey. Amy Adams, Robert DeNiro and last year's Best Actress Oscar winner for "Silver Linings", Jennifer Lawrence co-star.
"SAVING MR. BANKS"
Release date: December 13, 2013
Tom Hanks also has two movies out this season and he has been perfectly cast as the man behind Mickey Mouse; Walt Disney in "Saving Mr. Banks". This film recreates the difficult struggle to convince the overprotective author, P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson) to allow Disney to make a movie of her beloved book, "Mary Poppins". John Lee Hancock ("The Blind Side") directs.
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