This summer movie season was so ho-hum that the films that were so hyped mere months ago will fade into oblivion as soon as September gets going. Yes, gems like “Frances Ha” and “The Spectacular Now” may be revived by critics come Top Ten list time, but as a stacked fall continues to impress, movies like “Blue Jasmine,” “Before Midnight” and “Fruitvale Station” seem less certain to make appearances come Oscar night.
As I’ve done in seasons past, I’ve made clever groupings for the huge batch of films coming our way, and since my excitement ranges from pretty solid to thrilled for most of them, they’re now grouped by “type” instead.
Keep in mind that some of these movies will have tentative release dates, some have not yet picked up a date or distribution in America, some will only get extremely limited Oscar qualifying runs at the end of the year, and some might not end up coming out this year at all.
Destined for Awesomeness
Gravity – October 4
Not all films can be described as jaw-droppingly good looking by a trailer alone, but the fascinating POV, 3-D effects in Alfonso Cuaron’s “Gravity” certainly can. Will the narrative be sustaining enough with just Sandra Bullock floating through space? Early reviews say hell yes.
Captain Phillips – October 11
“Green Zone” was too much Bourne in Iraq, so it’s refreshing to see Paul Greengrass take on another real-event inspired story with a new actor. Tom Hanks could earn an Oscar nod for his hybrid action star turn.
12 Years a Slave – October 18
Last year Leo played the Southern slave owner, and this year Michael Fassbender gets that juicy role. Just about anything would be more Oscar friendly than “Shame,” but Steve McQueen should bring some much needed darkness to this story.
The Wolf of Wall Street – November 15
The trailer that produced the most mesmerizing gif of the year looks no less enticing. Scored to Kanye’s “Black Skinheads,” Scorsese’s Leo-led drama with Matthew McConaughey and Jonah Hill looks to be a mad romp set to cap a year full of “have-more” movies.
Inside Llewyn Davis – December 6
Though considered a more modest Coen Brothers film, Oscar Isaac and “Inside Llewyn Davis” took Cannes by storm with its ‘60s folk rock charm. I hope to see it as the closing night film in the Chicago International Film Festival.
American Hustle – December 13
Oscar pundits are saying third time’s a charm for David O. Russell, who is reuniting his casts from “The Fighter” and “Silver Linings Playbook” (and throwing in Louis C.K. for good measure) for a con artist drama. If you thought the hair styles looked silly in “Argo,” wait till you see this.
Her – December 20
Spike Jonze’s return to feature length films since 2009’s “Where the Wild Things Are” features Joaquin Phoenix in a rare sympathetic and vulnerable role in which he’s falling in love with his Siri-esque computer voiced by Scarlett Johansson. It looks lovely.
The Wind Rises – N/A
New Miyazaki movie? Yes please! This story about a Japanese fighter plane designer during World War II reminds of the early Studio Ghibli film “Grave of the Fireflies” and looks to be Miyazaki’s most adult movie yet.
Oscar Bait of Questionable Quality
Rush – September 27
Screenwriter Peter Morgan is the one lending “Rush” its awards season gravitas with a presumably historical spin. Otherwise, Ron Howard looks to be delivering a high-octane, slick, sports biopic.
Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom – November 29
You’ll recall the last Mandela movie, “Invictus,” wasn’t exactly groundbreaking. Idris Elba’s performance looks inherently more fiery than Morgan Freeman’s, but it has to be more than an acting vehicle.
Grace of Monaco – November 29
All we have so far of “Grace of Monaco” is a picture of Nicole Kidman as Grace Kelly, which I guess is enough to put her in Oscar talk. “La Vie En Rose”’s Olivier Dahan directs.
Dallas Buyers Club – December 6
Director Jean-Marc Vallee is mostly unknown, but Matthew McConaughey is making himself known in every role he touches now. After losing nearly 40 pounds and portraying a drug-dealing HIV carrier, McConaughey may finally bag that Oscar nod.
The Monuments Men – December 20
It’s “Ocean’s Eleven” meets “Inglourious Basterds!” With Bill Murray! The narrative going around is that this might be more commercial than Oscar bait, especially since as a director Clooney hasn’t been in the Academy’s good graces since “Good Night and Good Luck.”
Saving Mr. Banks – December 20
The “Mary Poppins” behind the scenes story will be catnip to a lot of film and Academy people, and Tom Hanks might be perfectly charming as Disney, but “The Blind Side” director John Lee Hancock has me less than thrilled.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty – December 25
Based on a 1939 short story by James Thurber (which you can read in full here), “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” is a modern, daydreaming fantasy starring and directed by Ben Stiller. Can he turn it into an Oscar movie? Maybe, but it’s already won Adam Scott Best Supporting Beard.
August: Osage County – December 25
There’s no reason to suspect that a Meryl Streep performance wouldn’t be brilliant, but this adaptation of the Tony Winning black comedy has Oscar bait written all over it. John Wells’s previous film was “The Company Men,” and Julia Roberts may ultimately steal the show from Streep.
Diana – N/A
This year has already been loaded with news about the Royals, but there’s still room for a standard biopic on Princess Di. Naomi Watts is up against some stiff competition, so the movie’s got to be great too.
Indie Gems
Enough Said – September 20
Though Julia Louis Dreyfus looks to steal the show in this indie rom-com, James Gandolfini’s first post-mortem role should draw more attention.
Don Jon – September 27
Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars in his directorial debut comedy about this Jersey boy addicted to porn while dating a tart Scarlett Johansson.
All is Lost – October 18
Robert Redford’s quiet one-man-show about a man lost at sea hit Cannes like The Perfect Storm. It’s the follow-up to “Margin Call” from director J.C. Chandor.
Nebraska – November 22
Bruce Dern was in the running for Best Actor at Cannes in Alexander Payne’s black and white road trip drama about a man trying to claim his lottery winnings.
Out of the Furnace – December 6
Christian Bale anchors a strong cast (including Sam Shepard, Casey Affleck, Forest Whitaker and Woody Harrelson) in this thriller by the director who made “Crazy Heart.”
The Invisible Woman – December 25
Ralph Fiennes is moving from Shakespeare to Dickens for his directorial follow-up to “Coriolanus.” Abi Morgan’s screenplay chronicles Dickens at the height of his career and his secret love affair.
Labor Day – December 25
Jason Reitman is dipping into true dramatic territory with Kate Winslet playing a mom gradually learning a mystery about an ex-convict played by Josh Brolin.
Philomena – N/A
Steve Coogan stars in and wrote the screenplay for this true story about a journalist searching for a woman’s missing son. Stephen Frears directs.
The Zero Theorem – N/A
Terry Gilliam’s “The Zero Theorem” is something of an update on his masterpiece “Brazil.” Some wacky on-set photos of Christoph Waltz and Matt Damon should say all you need to know.
Night Moves – N/A
Though it’s about environmentalists plotting to blow up a dam, Kelly Reichardt’s film is sure to be slow and minimalist just like “Meek’s Cutoff” before it.
Solid Studio Slate
Prisoners – September 20
“Prisoners” may just be a standard kidnapping thriller, but the direction of Denis Villeneuve excites me. His Oscar nominated “Incendies” was loaded with grandiose tragedy, so if anyone could handle Hugh Jackman taking a stab at Sean Penn in “Mystic River” bellowing “Where’s my daughter?!?”, it’s him.
Parkland – October 4
“Parkland” is a JFK assassination drama free of conspiracy. It’s a straight thriller about the events of the day and the doctor (Zac Efron) responsible for his life.
The Fifth Estate – October 11
Benedict Cumberbatch is everywhere this year, and his Julian Assange haircut could help put him on the map. Director Bill Condon could even land him an Oscar nomination.
The Counselor – October 25
Some seem to think “The Counselor,” Ridley Scott’s adaptation of a Cormac McCarthy novel, looks over the top, but Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt and Javier Bardem could only make this over the top in a good way.
Ender’s Game – November 1
For years Orson Scott Card held back on a film adaptation of “Ender’s Game,” and now he’s releasing it at the peak of the young adult media craze. Should fit in nicely with “Catching Fire” and next year’s “Divergent.”
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire – November 22
I quite enjoyed the original “Hunger Games,” and although new director Francis Lawrence (“Water for Elephants”) is attached, the trailer delivers some of the same goodness of the first.
The Book Thief – November 15
Based on a popular novel by Markus Zusak, “The Book Thief” centers on a girl learning to read in World War II era Germany. If it’s good, it could be huge Oscar bait.
Oldboy – November 29
Spike Lee’s next film funded through Kickstarter is the one earning all the buzz, but this remake of the Korean cult classic should do just fine. Josh Brolin stars.
The Immigrant – N/A
Marion Cotillard plays an immigrant forced into prostitution by Joaquin Phoenix during Depression era Manhattan. James Gray of “We Own the Night” directs.
Foreign Fest Fare
Jimmy P. – September 10
This Benecio del Toro/Mathieu Amalric vehicle about a mentally disturbed war veteran received some mixed reviews at Cannes despite its high caliber potential.
Blue is the Warmest Color – October 25
This 3-hour French film from a Tunisian director about young lesbians may not have a lot of commercial appeal Stateside, but to have won the Palme D’Or over the Coens and more, it must be nothing short of brilliant.
The Past – December 20
Asghar Farhadi’s follow-up to the genius “A Separation” also touches on divorce and won Berenice Bejo (“The Artist”) the Best Actress prize at Cannes.
Miscellany and Oddities
As I Lay Dying – September 27
Did I say Benedict Cumberbatch was everywhere this year? He’s no James Franco, who premiered his adaptation of William Faulkner’s classic novel at Cannes in addition to “Leather. Interior Bar.” at Sundance and Cormac McCarthy’s “Child of God” at the ongoing Venice film fest.
Escape from Tomorrow – October 11
The Sundance movie no one thought could legally get a distributor finally did. It’s a surreal black and white drama set in Disney World, and you can read my Ebertfest review of it here.
Nymphomaniac – N/A
“Nymphomaniac” comes into the year with the most notorious backstory imaginable: “Persona non grata” Lars von Trier and real on-screen sex after Shia Labeouf supposedly mailed in sex tapes as an audition. Makes Miley Cyrus’s Disney channel deflowering sound tame.
Docs
Salinger – September 6
Harvey Weinstein is marketing this J.D. Salinger documentary like it’s “Psycho,” asking viewers to not reveal its secrets, one being a rumor that it’ll lead to new books.
Muscle Shoals – September 27
Similar to this year’s “20 Feet From Stardom,” “Muscle Shoals” assembles legendary rock stars to discuss the odd birthplace of great music in an Alabama river town.
The Armstrong Lie – N/A
Not only is this Alex Gibney’s second film this year, it’s also the first of many Lance Armstrong focused movies. In this one, Gibney gains unprecedented access to the rider himself.
Things I’m Obligated to Mention
Machete Kills – October 11
Carrie – October 18
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug – December 13
Anchorman: The Legend Continues – December 20
Thor: The Dark World – November 8