Must-See of the Month:
Interstellar –
Adventure/Sci-Fi – Nov 7 (Nov 5, projected on 70mm IMAX film only)
Plot
Summary: The Earth is dying. Humanity’s only hope lies beyond our
universe. A group of explorers/astronauts set out on a mission of discovery
through a newly found wormhole, allowing them to surpass the limitations of
human space travel. They must find Earth’s salvation and make it back in time
to save those they left behind. Key Filmmakers
Involved: Writer-director-producer Christopher
Nolan, writer Jonathan
Nolan, producer Emma Thomas, theoretical
physicist and executive producer Kip Thorne, cinematographer
Hoyte Van
Hoytema, editor Lee Smith,
composer Hans Zimmer,
and production designer Nathan Crowley.
Actors Involved: Matthew
McConaughey, Anne Hathaway,
Jessica
Chastain, Michael
Caine, Wes
Bentley, Casey
Affleck, Mackenzie
Foy, Topher
Grace, Ellen
Burstyn, John
Lithgow, and David Oyelowo.
Quality Potential: Very High. Christopher
Nolan is our greatest current blockbuster filmmaker. His films (like: The Prestige,
The
Dark Knight Trilogy and Inception)
are incredible. Interstellar might be his best yet. He is again working with
his frequent collaborators, only Hoyte Van Hoytema is new to the team,
replacing Wally
Pfister who is off directing features now. He has also again put together a
brilliant cast. Interstellar will likely be 2014’s best film and a strong Oscar
contender. Nolan’s use of IMAX’s 70mm film stock gives the film such a grand
visual scale. It is stunning. Theoretical physicist Kip Thorne also working on
the film’s story and serving as the science advisor gives everything an extra
level of credibility (something somewhat lacking in Alfonso
Cuaron’s wonderful space thriller Gravity).
I think Interstellar has the potential to be 2014’s best film. Go see it November 5th-6th
projected on IMAX film and then go again when it opens wide on the 7th
projected digitally. Trailer: Here.
Worth Checking Out:
Foxcatcher –
Biographical Drama/Thriller – Nov 14
Plot
Summary: Mark Schultz and his older brother Dave were both Olympic
wrestlers. Millionaire John du Pont took a special interest in Mark, sponsoring
his training and coaching him; however, his relationship with the Schultz brothers
would lead to dark places. This is based on the true story. Key Filmmakers Involved: Director-producer Bennett Miller, producer
Megan Ellison,
cinematographer Greig
Fraser, and production designer Jess Gonchor. Actors Involved: Channing Tatum,
Steve Carell,
Sienna Miller,
Mark Ruffalo,
Anthony
Michael Hall, and Vanessa Redgrave.
Quality Potential: High. Brilliant director
Bennett Miller makes his third feature film with Foxcatcher (his first two are Capote and Moneyball).
He is known for garnering wonderful performances, and Foxcatcher seems no
different. Channing Tatum, Steve Carell and Mark Ruffalo are all getting lots
of Oscar buzz for their work in the film (especially Carell). It looks like it
will be a fantastic character drama, built on very strong performances. Trailer: Here.
The Imitation Game
– Biographical Drama/War Thriller – Nov 21
Plot
Summary: English mathematician and logician Alan Turing proved to be one
of the most important minds of the last century. He and his team broke the Nazi
Enigma code, allowing the allies to finally decrypt their communication messages
– paramount to the allies turning the tide and winning the war. Yet, Turing was
also persecuted for his sexual orientation and chemically castrated. He
committed suicide. He was a hero, destroyed by an intolerant government. His
story is just as important today as ever. We still face intolerance, ignorance
and worse. This is based on the true story of Turing’s life. Key Filmmakers Involved: Director Morten Tyldum, composer
Alexandre
Desplat, cinematographer Oscar Faura,
and production designer Maria Djurkovic.
Actors Involved: Benedict
Cumberbatch, Keira
Knightley, Charles
Dance, Matthew
Goode, Mark
Strong, and Allen
Leech. Quality Potential: High. Director
Morten Tyldum’s name might sound familiar to some; he directed the excellent
crime thriller Headhunters,
a breakout Norwegian export to the States. He has a wonderful cast and crew
around him for The Imitation Game. It has performed very well on the festival
circuit, winning the People’s Choice Award at this year’s Toronto International
Film Festival. Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley are also getting a ton
of Oscar buzz for their performances. The Imitation Game will likely be among
this year’s nominees for Best Picture at the 2015 Academy Awards. Trailer: Here.
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