#599. Fall 2013 at the Movies

I probably won't see the majority of these for years to come, but with the help of Entertainment Weekly, here's the slate of new movies that I hope to assimilate into my collective conscious, being released in the next four months:

September

• Riddick (9/6) The third in a trilogy and Vin Diesel's big fat reward for the increasingly successful Fast & Furious franchise.
• Parkland (9/20) Based on the days following the Kennedy assassination (which is marking its fiftieth anniversary this November, and if you can't remember the official date, just scroll through my Cephalopod Coffeehouse entries for the Stephen King book).  Stars, among others, Paul Giamatti, Billy Bob Thornton, and James Badge Dale, who was a standout in Flight, and is just waiting for everyone else to notice him.
• Don Jon (9/27) Seems like this Joseph Gordon-Levitt directorial debut has been on the radar all year long, but this is the official release.  Another favorite actor, for sure.

October

• Gravity (10/4) Directed by Alfonso Cuaron, starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney.  In this instance, names like these are almost more important than the plot of the movie.  But it features astronauts, and that's always good, too.
• Captain Phillips (10/11) Tom Hanks stars in this film version of the Somali pirate incident from 2009.
•  Machete Kills (10/11) Robert Rodriguez has always been the pulp version of Quentin Tarantino (which was hugely appropriate when they jointly presented Grindhouse).  Here's the second of a theoretical trilogy.
• 12 Years a Slave (10/18) Chiwetal Ejiofor may finally get everyone to notice him with this movie.
• The Counselor (10/25) First original movie script from Cormac McCarthy, whose books have been adapted numerous times by Hollywood (including No Country for Old Men, a personal favorite), and directed by Ridley Scott (also a personal favorite).

November

• Ender's Game (11/1) I've never read the book, but it'd be impossible to not know this movie's being released, what with all the controversy suddenly surrounding Orson Scott Card (who as far as I'm concerned is still perfectly acceptable as the following exclamation: Awesome Scott Card; and less you misunderstand, the acceptable alternative is Awesome Welles). 
•  About Time (11/2) Seems to be Rachel McAdams revisting The Time Traveler's Wife territory.
• Thor: The Dark World (11/8) There's always the chance I'll actually see this.
•  The Wolf of Wall Street (11/15) Topical, and stars Leonardo DiCaprio in his latest collaboration with Martin Scorsese.
• Her (11/20) I'm invested in the career of Joaquin Phoenix.  And it's directed by Spike Jonze, who's a consistently inventive dude.
• The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (11/22) I'm invested but not hugely interested in these books/movies.  So here's the release of this one.
• Grace of Monaco (11/27) Nicole Kidman playing Grace Kelly/Princess Grace.  A good combination.
• Oldboy (11/27) Stars Josh Brolin (who's once again in ubiquitous mode this fall), and directed by Spike Lee, based on material that's already produced a film I've seen...referenced many times.

December

• Out of the Furnace (12/6) Said to feature a standout performance from Christian Bale, plus Casey Affleck.  Who may yet turn out to be my favorite Affleck.
• The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (12/13) In which Peter Jackson reaches Evangeline Lilly and the return of Orlando Bloom.
•  American Hustle (12/13) Great cast (Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Amy Adams), great director (David O. Russell).  Bad '70s hair.  All things to love.
• The Monuments Men (12/18) George Clooney again, this time trying to retrieve art stolen by Nazis!  (He also directs this one.)
• Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (12/20) I've always been a pretty big fan of Will Ferrell, and this is one of his iconic characters (and apparently his personal favorite), so that's a given.
• The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (12/25) Glad to see Ben Stiller return as a leading man.  And director.
• Jack Ryan (12/25) Chris Pine assumes another famous identity.
• 47 Ronin (12/25) Keanu Reeves in a movie that he seems like he should definitely be in.
• The Invisible Woman (12/25) What the Dickens!  Why, it's Ralph Fiennes, naturally!
• Labor Day (12/25) Josh Brolin again, this time with Kate Winslet!
•  Grudge Match (12/25) Jake LaMotta versus Rocky!  Otherwise known as Play it to the Bone with more famous actors, aging boxers played by Sylvester Stallone and Robert De Niro.  Could be fun!
• Lone Survivor (12/27) Based on a book that was based on real events concerning a Navy SEAL who had nothing to do with the death of bin Laden.  But is perhaps even more worthy of a film!