21 Fall Movies to See

Fall is right around the corner, and most know is the time when most of the prestige pictures and Oscar contenders start to roll out. Times have changed a bit recently, and I’m not as excited as those big Oscar picks as before. Still, as an avid Oscar watcher, I still find the need to at least try to see as many of these films as I can. Here’s a rundown of some things the year has yet to offer, and what I am excited to see.*

21. Morning Glory

Release Date: November 12

Dir: Roger Michell

Cast: Harrison Ford, Rachel McAdams, Diane Keaton

This is the first in a long line of films coming out in which the premise might not sound that interesting, but the promise of an able ensemble is often enough for me to get excited. I might not be too invested in a plot concerning television programing, but the cast seems capable enough to provide laughter and emotional resonance, and since this is written by the same person who wrote The Devil Wears Prada, that’s comforting.

20. I’m Still Here

Release Date: September 10

Dir: Casey Affleck

Cast: Joaquin Phoenix

You can call it a case of morbid curiosity, but I like many others want some answers as to what happened to Joaquin Phoneix during that period when he fell off the map to indulge in a “rapping career?” This could provide some serious insight into his psyche or it could all be an elaborate hoax by a very talented actor. Either way, it’s too tempting to pass up.

19. The Company Men

Release Date: October 22

Dir: John Wells

Cast: Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones, Maria Bello, Chris Cooper

Much in the way Up in the Air had the extra benefit of seeming timely given the current economic conditions, this one has a similar plotline concerning layoffs among the working force. It could add up to the same amount of ironic enjoyment, and a cast as talented as this one makes this not only a bona fide Oscar contender but a possible earnest crowd pleaser as well.

18. The Tree of Life

Release Date: November (tentatively)

Dir: Terrence Malick

Cast: Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Jessica Chastain

I’d be more excited for this cloak and dagger mystery project if it weren’t for two big things: 1) the release has never been confirmed and has yo-yoed incredibly, and 2) it’s a Terrence Malick film. I was severely unimpressed with The New World, but it might just be a fluke in his repertoire. I’ll admit that my interest is mainly the hush-hush nature of the project, and it could end up being terrible. Nevertheless, it has my interest for now.

17. Black Swan

Release Date: December 1

Dir: Darren Aronofsky

Cast: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Winona Ryder, Vincent Cassel

I’ve warmed up to Darren Aronofsky over the years, and while I might not confess myself a huge fan of his, I am interested in seeing what ideas he can bring to a truly inventive film. This idea of dueling ballerinas is an interesting one, but the hard R-rating suggests we might be in for a ride that is quite unique. That’s just the promise necessary for an Aronofsky picture.

16. Jackass 3D

Release Date: October 15

Dir: Jeff Tremaine

Cast: Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O

In the barrage of 3D we’ve been getting lately, you have to choose wisely about which movies are worth the extra surcharge. From what I’ve heard, this employs one of the most creative and inventive uses of the technology. Sure, it’s in the most juvenile way, but that’s always been the sly genius of this group of guys. They’re idiots, but they’re stunts are very impressive, and with the invitation to see a gloriously cheesy 3D picture, that’s a guilty pleasure I can indulge in.

15. The Kings Speech

Release Date: November 26

Dir: Tom Hooper

Cast: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce

This has “prestige picture” written all over it. You’ve got a true story as the basis, a talented and Oscar baity cast, and all the glorious costumes and set designs to fill the eyes. Fortunately, Tom Hooper is experienced with this kind of material (he directed the TV projects Elizabeth I and John Adams) and the cast is certainly first rate. Like most Oscar bait, it has the greatest potential to fail miserably. However, I’m hoping the track record of the talent involved will prove that theory wrong.

14. Somewhere

Release Date: December 22

Dir: Sophia Coppola

Cast: Stephen Dorff, Elle Fanning

Full disclosure, I have yet to see a Sophia Coppola movie that I like, with her most overrated piece of mediocrity being Lost in Translation. There’s a strong possibility (more than a possibility) that this can fall into the same type of laborious trap as her other films. However, there’s something about the tone of the trailer that feels a lot more sincere than her other films, and it’s getting me a little more interested in seeing it. If it’s a complete disaster, I won’t be surprised. But I’m holding out that I could be wrong.

13. Let Me In

Release Date: October 1

Dir: Matt Reeves

Cast: Chloe Moretz, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Richard Jenkins

The Swedish vampire film Let the Right One In I don’t think is a flawless film, but it is one that is well made and well crafted in its mood and atmosphere. The thought of an American remake did put me off a bit, but after hearing some positive buzz out of Comic-Con, my hopes have been raised. With the addition of seeing that Chloe Moretz could actually act in Kick-Ass, this will probably not be as good as the original, but it might just be enough to distinguish itself as a standalone piece of work.

12. Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

Release Date: September 24

Dir: Oliver Stone

Cast: Michael Douglas, Shia LaBeouf, Carey Mulligan, Josh Brolin

Sequels often time have trouble succeeding in the marketplace, and one to a movie that is twenty-three years old doesn’t make it seem any more promising. What does make this appear more interesting than it probably is that, like before, this required timing in order to succeed. Considering what has Wall street has been through lately, it might be fitting to get a stylish revisit. Stone can be hit or miss, but he’s directing a talented cast and a premise with much potential. I’m even betting this might be a quiet hit at the box office.

11. The Conspirator

Release Date: TBA

Dir: Robert Redford

Cast: James McAvoy, Robin Wright, Toby Kebbell

Another prestige picture, this one about the aftermath of Lincoln’s assassination. From the start, I was interested because of the subject matter and the chance to see more directorial effort from Robert Redford, who I still contest was of great value in the underrated Lions for Lambs. Now, interest is even greater given that Spielberg’s Lincoln project has just stalled. The two projects have nothing to do with one another, but I’m incredibly fascinated to see how this one turns out.

10. Love and Other Drugs

Release Date: November 24

Dir: Edward Zwick

Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway

Edward Zwick has had a pretty good track record in terms of films lately, and even though Defiance was a misfire, his batting average is still pretty good. That, plus a Brokeback Mountain reunion between co-stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway is very exciting. In my opinion, both of these actors should have won Oscars for their past nominated roles, and I’m eagerly anticipating seeing the results the talent involved offer.

9. The Fighter

Release Date: December 10

Dir: David O. Russell

Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams

Oscar time can be quite kind to boxing pictures, especially ones based on true stories. Russell always manages to make interesting, if not always successful, pictures, but this is one that could pay off. The inclusion of Wahlberg can be a positive or negative, but given the right director to morph his natural talent into something spectacular, you can be blown away. Early buzz for him and Bale seem to suggest that, making this one of the most anticipated Oscar contenders around.

8. Hereafter

Release Date: October 22

Dir: Clint Eastwood

Cast: Matt Damon, Bryce Dallas Howard

I believe that Clint Eastwood is still one of the greatest directors working today. Even though I was unimpressed with Gran Torino, I do think he bounced back a bit with Invictus. While the supernatural plot to this film doesn’t sound like a big awards contender, it does sound like an opportunity to have his patented quiet and subtle direction work magic with an ominous tone. Eastwood is one of my favorite filmmakers, and I have faith in this project.

7. Howl

Release Date: September 24

Dir: Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Freidman

Cast: James Franco, Jon Hamm, David Strathairn, Mary Louise-Parker

At Sundance, this film got a lukewarm response, but I have to say that the recent marketing for the film has gotten me more interested. For the last couple of years, James Franco has really begun to prove himself to have a wide range of roles, and the chance to show himself off in a leading biopic role sounds promising. The direction of the film also seems to be a little odd, which I’m on the fence about, but this seems to be an interesting picture that might be something like a more polished and cohesive version of a film like I’m Not There.

6. True Grit

Release Date: December 25

Dir: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

Cast: Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Barry Pepper

Whenever the Coen Brothers embark on a new feature, there’s hardly a single person who isn’t interested. The fact that they’re not only remaking a classic film, but re-imagining it in a way that’s closer to the source material makes a very interesting promise. Also with Jeff Bridges reuniting with them for the first time since the cult hit The Big Lebowski, not to mention his recent Oscar win, this makes for a headline to an interesting cast. Not every Coen Brothers film is a success, but they’re all interesting on some level, and I doubt this one will be an exception.

5. Blue Valentine

Release Date: December 31

Dir: Derek Cianfrance

Cast: Ryan Gosling, Michelle Williams

With its time shifting storyline and somber tone, this sounds like a more serious version of (500) Days of Summer. Since I loved that particular film, the premise behind this one is incredibly fascinating. Adding to my anticipation is the knowledge that two wonderful actors are playing opposite eachother. This one was also shown at Sundance, and it was met with outstanding reviews. The Weinstens are obviously pushing for this to become an Oscar contender, but whether it succeeds or not, I would be interested to see the execution.

4. TRON: Legacy

Release Date: December 17

Dir: Joseph Kosinski

Cast: Jeff Bridges, Garret Hedlund, Olivia Wilde, Michael Sheen

When I first heard about this film, I admit I wasn’t terribly excited for it because I couldn’t find a reason why we needed a sequel to a film that was mainly praised today due to nostalgia. Then, after Jeff Bridges was impressing me in Crazy Heart, I got a little more interested. But after seeing the 3D trailer twice at IMAX, my attention suddenly skyrocketed, and my excitement for an incredibly vivid visual landscape seems to promise a very good time at the show. I’m still not sold on the story aspects, but in terms of an enjoyable winter action picture, this seems to be the one to beat.

3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I

Release Date: November 19

Dir: David Yates

Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint

Do I really need to say much here? We all know how popular Harry Potter has become, selling billions of books and resulting in a multi-billion dollar movie franchise. Now we finally come to the conclusion, with the first part coming this year with the second half arriving in summer next year. I’m ready for the end, and will be eager to see how it all wraps up.

2. 127 Hours

Release Date: November 5

Dir: Danny Boyle

Cast: James Franco, Lizzy Caplin, Amber Tamblyn

James Franco’s got two high profiled films coming out later this year, only this one is more interesting because it’s Danny Boyle’s Oscar follow-up. Boyle is a man who can film cows grazing and make it interesting, and the thought of such a talented actor and director getting together is way up on my list of anticipated events. Also knowing that the first hour of the film is roughly dialogue free means that it will take an incredible amount of strength on behalf of the director and actor to make it work. Knowing what Boyle and Franco have showed in the past, I have faith in their abilities.

1. The Social Network

Release Date: October 1

Dir: David Fincher

Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake

Fincher is one of the greatest, vizualist filmmakers working today. Eisenberg is a great talent whose nickname of the “Poor Man’s Michael Cera” he has outshone by his acting abilities. Garfield has impressed in the past and it is said his performance here nabbed him the role of Spider-Man. Aaron Sorkin is the writer, and he’s well established in the field of interesting stories. All this talent is colliding together over an interesting that is more current than ever. Style and substance comes together for a film that may not turn out to be the big Oscar contender people think it is, but I’m guessing what we’ll get is a well acted, well director, engaging piece of pseudo-history that, for me, is what I’m looking forward to the most in the next four months.

*Release dates are subject to change or may be limited release schedules.