Hang in there, we’re almost through this. Then we can all go watch these movies and rejoice!
10. To The Wonder
Release: TBD
Director: Terrence Malick
Starring: Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Javier Bardem
Why: Premiering in Venice this week, and then hopefully securing U.S. distribution, is a romantic-drama from Terrence Malick. For a guy that averages a movie every 8 years, having another in the can a year after the divisive The Tree of Life is astonishing. His 5 films are 5 of the best looking movies ever made. So whether you like them or not, a new Malick film should always be greeted as a momentous occasion.
9. Zero Dark Thirty
Release: 12/19
Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Starring: Jessica Chastain, Joel Edgerton, Kyle Chandler, Edgar Ramirez
Why: Mark Boal and Kathryn Bigelow reunite after their successful Best Picture winner The Hurt Locker. It’s similar material, but this time their story is larger in scope as it covers the decade-long hunt for Bin Laden. The cast is crazy good and supposedly there are over 200-speaking parts. The film was actually about to film when real events gave the filmmakers a brand new ending last year. I expect the perfect mix of gravitas and nail-biting suspense.
8. Killing Them Softly
Release: 10/19
Director: Andrew Dominik
Starring: Brad Pitt, Richard Jenkins, James Gandolfini, Scoot McNairy
Why: Pitt re-teams with his Jesse James writer/director for this crime thriller. Originally called Cogan’s Trade, Pitt plays an enforcer tasked with dealing with two small timers after they take down a mob-run poker game. Sounds badass, right? I mean look at that picture of Pitt wielding a shotgun. After Jesse James, I’d see whatever Dominik did next, and that picture certainly whets my appetite. Also, same cinematographer as Zero Dark Thirty.
7. Seven Psychopaths
Release: 10/12
Director: Martin McDonagh
Starring: Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell, Woody Harrelson, Christopher Walken
Why: Sam Rockwell, Woody Harrelson, and Christopher Walken by themselves automatically make any film 20% better. So right away the movie is 60% better than your average flick. Add to that the reuniting of writer/director and star of the new classic In Bruges and we have one cool looking black comedy.
6. Argo
Release: 10/12
Director: Ben Affleck
Starring: Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, John Goodman
Why: I can’t believe how badly I want to see a movie directed by and starring Ben Affleck. But after Gone Baby Gone and The Town, it makes perfect sense. His latest looks fantastic. The story about the real life CIA plan to fake a movie in order to rescue hostages sounds great. And once again Affleck has assembled one mega-talented cast and crew.
Look for Scoot McNairy to break out big soon. He’s in this, Killing Them Softly, Gus Van Sant’s Promised Land, and Steve McQueen’s Twelve Years a Slave.
Check back tomorrow for the wrap up.
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