Must-See of the Month:
Plot
Summary: Solomon Northup, a talented pre-Civil War musician and free
black man living in the North, is tricked and abducted. Sold into slavery in
the South, Solomon must survive if only for the hope of being free again and
returning to his family. Filmmakers: This is
auteur Steve McQueen’s third feature film, following the brilliant films Hunger and Shame
– each dramatically heavy and expertly directed. McQueen is working with a
wonderful group, including: frequent collaborator cinematographer Sean Bobbitt (who shot both of
McQueen’s other films), composer Hans
Zimmer (The
Dark Knight Rises), and production designer Adam Stockhausen (Moonrise
Kingdom). Cast: This has 2013’s best
cast. It stars Chiwetel Ejiofor
and co-stars Michael Fassbender
(who has appeared in all of McQueen’s films), Sarah Paulson, and Lupita Nyong’o. The supporting
cast features Benedict
Cumberbatch, Brad
Pitt (who is also producing), Paul
Dano, Paul Giamatti, Michael K. Williams, Garret Dillahunt, Scoot McNairy, Alfre Woodard, Dwight Henry, and Quvenzhane Wallis (Henry and
Wallis had their breakthrough in last year’s Beasts of the
Southern Wild). Expectations: 12 Years a
Slave, after premiering at the Telluride Film Festival and winning the Audience
Award at the Toronto Film Festival, is the favorite to with this year’s Best
Picture Oscar. It is very much in the mix for other awards as well, including:
Best Director, Writing, and Acting (Chiwetel Ejiofor, who has long been
brilliant and is finally getting some more mainstream recognition, Michael
Fassbender, and Lupita Nyong’o). If for no other reason, this is probably a
must-see just for the cast alone – and really the same can be said for Steve
McQueen’s skill behind the camera and with actors. This looks like an amazing
drama that is not so much about the abhorrence of slavery, but more the
perseverance of the human spirit, against all odds. Picking a Must-See for
October was difficult, as the month holds what will very likely be 2013’s best
two films with this and Gravity,
but 12 Years a Slave just feels like something substantial and important, a
generational cinematic moment (or maybe, I am overselling it). Trailer: Here.
Worth Checking Out:
Plot
Summary: After an accident leaves astronauts Dr. Ryan Stone and Matt
Kowalsky adrift in space, the two must do everything in their power to stay
calm and survive until help can reach them. Filmmakers:
Finally, auteur Alfonso Cuaron has a new film, after a seven year wait.
Just to recap his brilliance, he made the wonderful films Love in the Time
of Hysteria, Y Tu Mama Tambien,
Harry
Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and Children
of Men. He is working again with genius cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki (who shot
Children of Men for Cuaron). New to the team are composer Steven Price (The
World’s End) and production designer Andy Nicholson (The Host). Cast: Sandra
Bullock stars, with support from George Clooney and Ed Harris (who features in a
voice-role). Expectations: Gravity has
already played to grand praise coming from its festival screenings. Of the
almost two hundred films screened at this year’s Toronto Film Festival, four
where separated out of the mix for particular accolades: Rush, Prisoners, 12 Years a Slave, and
Gravity (the final two noted as the standout films of the festival). It is also
getting awards season buzz for Best Picture, Director, Actress, and other
technical categories. The film had a long production schedule, particularly in
post-production as it was made to be seen in 3D. Cuaron wants the experience to
be thrilling, as if the audience is truly abandoned in space, using many very
long-take shots. I cannot wait to see the film. It looks breathtaking. Trailer: Here.
Plot
Summary: Based on the true story of Captain Richard Phillips, the
captain of the first American-flagged cargo ship to be hijacked in over two
hundred years. Filmmakers: Director Paul
Greengrass is probably a perfect fit for this type of film. His style matches
the material wonderfully, as he is an expert at creating a gritty and realistic
experience for the audience (though some complain about his hand-held camera
work) – see Bloody
Sunday and United
93 as good comparisons. He also made the strong action thrillers The Bourne
Supremacy, The
Bourne Ultimatum, and Green
Zone (which is underrated). He is working with composer Henry Jackman (This
Is the End), cinematographer Barry
Ackroyd (who shot United 93 and Green Zone for Greengrass), and production
designer Paul Kirby (The Devil’s
Double). Cast: The film stars Tom Hanks, and features Catherine Keener, Max Martini, and Barkhad Abdi in support. Expectations: Captain Phillips looks like a very
good thriller, though it will be interesting to see how well Paul Greengrass
can manage the tension given that the audience already knows how it ends going
in. The film has potential to be in the awards season conversation, but it is
probably on the outside looking in right now. Tom Hanks very well could factor
in as well (though, this also depends on his showing in Saving Mr. Banks,
and how that film turns out). This is definitely worth seeing for fans of good
thrillers. Trailer: Here.
The Counselor
(Ridley Scott) – Crime
Drama – Oct 25
Plot
Summary: A lawyer looking to make a couple extra bucks tries his hand at
drug trafficking. However, he soon finds that he is in way over his head. Filmmakers: Director Ridley Scott is at his best
when he is working with great source material, as he is a wonderful visual
director: Alien,
Blade
Runner, Black
Hawk Down, Kingdom
of Heaven (the director’s cut, of course), and Body of Lies
(to name my favorite of his films). On the Counselor, he should have fantastic
source material, as it is scripted by author Cormac McCarthy
(who wrote the novels No Country for Old
Men and The
Road). Scott is also working with composer Daniel Pemberton (The Awakening),
cinematographer Dariusz Wolski,
and production designer Arthur
Max (who designed Prometheus
for Scott, and Wolski shot it – while the story was a bit all over the place,
visually the film was quite brilliant). Cast: Michael Fassbender stars, with Brad
Pitt, Cameron Diaz, Penelope Cruz, and Javier Bardem co-starring. Natalie Dormer, Dean Norris, Goran Visniic, John Leguizamo, Rosie Perez, and Bruno Ganz feature in supporting
roles. Expectations: The first thing that
stands out about The Counselor on paper is just how fantastic its cast is –
really a film by Ridley Scott and Cormac McCarthy with these actors is a good
enough reason to see it, knowing nothing else and having not seen a single
frame. However, we do know more and have seen more. It looks awesome. This is a
must-see for fans of great actors and wonderful crime dramas. Trailer: Here. Review: Here.
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