With fall officially upon us, Weekend takes a look at some of the most anticipated movies coming out this season.
“Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children,” Sept. 30
We’ll see anything Eva Green is in, and she seems a perfect match for Tim Burton’s take on the popular novel by Ransom Riggs. Stunning visuals, an eerie soundtrack and a strong cast bode well for Burton’s adaptation.
“The Girl on the Train,” Oct. 7
Paula Hawkins’ noirish, sexy thriller will appear on the big screen next month with an exciting cast that includes Emily Blunt, Luke Evans, Justin Theroux and Rebecca Ferguson. Many have drawn parallels between this film and Gillian Flynn’s “Gone Girl,” but the question remains as to whether “The Girl on the Train” can match the success of its predecessor.
“The Birth of a Nation,” Oct. 7
Nate Parker’s passion-project seemed like an early Oscar contender, but recent controversy surrounding Parker’s history of alleged rape has almost completely derailed the film and its supporters. Despite the fact that “The Birth of a Nation” focuses on an important slave revolt, will viewers set aside Parker’s personal transgressions in order to support the film? We’ll find out next month.
“Moonlight,” Oct. 21
This coming-of-age film is about a young black man as he comes to terms with his sexuality in Miami. It received rapturous reviews at the Toronto International Film Festival and the Telluride Film Festival. With indie powerhouse A24 financing and distributing it, this movie has a great chance at becoming an Oscar dark horse.
With a cast featuring great actors like Naomie Harris and Mahershala Ali, this movie could give the Oscars a chance to honor more diverse talent.
“Loving,” Nov. 4
2016 breakout star Ruth Negga joins Joel Edgerton in a highly-anticipated biopic that tells the story of the Lovings, an interracial couple whose court case led to legalization of interracial marriage in the United States.
Negga has been on early Oscar ballots since “Loving” premiered on the festival circuit, and odds are good that the film itself will be a Best Picture contender.
“Doctor Strange,” Nov. 4
The internet’s husband, Benedict Cumberbatch, joins the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This movie looks like the most psychedelic Marvel film yet, and with Chiwetel Ejiofor and Mads Mikkelsen signed on as villains, it’s got a powerhouse cast. It’s not what we’re used to seeing from Marvel, but sign us up.
“Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk,” Nov. 11
The latest from Academy-Award winning director Ang Lee is an adaptation of a book that has been called the great Iraq War novel.
The eclectic cast features everyone from Steve Martin to Vin Diesel to Kristen Stewart. This movie promises to be a one of a kind experience, since it is the first film to be shot at 120 frames per minute and in 3D.
“Arrival,” Nov. 11
Now that Leonardo DiCaprio finally has his Oscar, let’s start complaining about how Amy Adams’ is long overdue. “Arrival” is her best shot at an Oscar nod this year as she plays a linguist hired to communicate with aliens in Denis Villeneuve’s haunting sci-fi epic.
“Fantastic Beasts (And Where to Find Them),” Nov. 18
The Harry Potter franchise is back in theaters for the first time in five years. In this adventurous prequel, magical zoologist Newt Scamander, played by Eddie Redmayne, will be exploring the depths of the American wizarding world and searching for his lost “fantastic beasts.”
“Manchester by the Sea,” Nov. 18
Casey Affleck stars in this Kenneth Lonergan drama that has been an awards season favorite since an early Sundance premiere. It follows Affleck’s character as he returns home to care for his nephew, played by Lucas Hedges, after the death of his brother. Have the tissues ready for this one.
“The Edge of Seventeen,” Nov. 18
Hailee Steinfeld stars in this teen comedy-drama about — you guessed it — growing up.
Teen movies these days tend to struggle with capturing that particular brand of magic that the 1980s and 1990s did so well, but how many trailers start off with a student having a conversation with her teacher about plans of suicide? It may not be “The Breakfast Club,” but we’re in.
“Moana,” Nov. 23
The latest musical from Disney features a badass female protagonist and a funny demigod voiced by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. “Moana” might even make history, as it could give Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote music for it, a chance to win an Oscar for Best Original Song, which would give him a coveted EGOT.
“Lion,” Nov. 25
Every Oscars season needs an unabashed tear-jerker, and “Lion” fills that spot.
Dev Patel stars in this true story as Saroo Brierly, an Indian orphan adopted by an Australian family who finds his biological parents using Google Earth.
