Having overcome the delightfully, sleep deprived hurdle that is September with a different festival happening any given week, it’s an exciting prospect to think that we’re really only just getting started. With a mix of cerebral blockbusters, festival favorites and mysterious thrillers coming out throughout the month, October won’t be any sort of dry spell, as it’ll be offering up a month of films for an array of fans. While “Blade Runner 2049” will be the popular, conversation starter, there’s no shortage of other quality films.
Still in the throes of awards season (and there for the foreseeable future which, these days, is a nice distraction from reality) even the duds being released have something interesting to offer.
“Blade Runner 2049”
Cast: Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Robin Wright, Dave Bautista
Synopsis: A young blade runner’s discovery of a long-buried secret leads him to track down former blade runner Rick Deckard, who’s been missing for thirty years.
What You Need to Know: Probably nothing at this point. Spare yourself and go in blind because as wildly enthusiastic buzz has suggested, this is a film that benefits from little prior knowledge. That being said, what’s worth noting is that it’s director Denis Villeneuve’s new film, coming off the success of last years gripping and beautiful “Arrival”; that it features an all star cast and wisely puts Ryan Gosling up against the gruff Harrison Ford, and that the glorious visuals we’ve seen play out in trailers are captured by master cinematographer Roger Deakins. Even in a year with the likes of Rian Johnson and Taika Waititi having tentpole films yet to bow; based on visuals alone it’s going to be hard to top ‘2049.’ With the air of a film that acknowledges its roots in the past while charging ahead to create something new and exciting, expectations couldn’t be higher. Our critic had high praise for it.
Release Date: October 6th
“The Florida Project”
Cast: Willem Dafoe, Brooklynn Prince, Caleb Landry Jones
Synopsis: Set over one summer, the film follows precocious 6-year-old Moonee as she courts mischief and adventure with her ragtag playmates, and bonds with her rebellious but caring mother, all while living in the shadows of Disney World.
What You Need to Know: Following his breakout, indie hit with 2015’s “Tangerine,” director Sean Baker is back with “The Florida Project” which has won raves since debuting at this years Cannes. Featuring an awards worthy turn by Willem Dafoe, playing somewhat against type in a gentler role, the film is said to be a real heartbreaker and one that likely will be playing the awards circuit for the rest of the year. Our critic said: “Challenging the invisibility of a whole segment of the American underclass, ‘The Florida Project’ shines a bright shaft of happy, hot summer sun on The Magic Castle and finds there no magic, but hidden treasure.”
Release Date: October 6th
“Brawl in Cell Block 99”
Cast: Vince Vaugh, Don Johnson, Jennifer Carpenter
Synopsis: A former boxer-turned-drug runner lands in a prison battleground after a deal gets deadly.
What You Need to Know: Directed by S. Craig Zahler who helmed the under the radar 2015 favorite “Bone Tomahawk”, he isn’t relenting on his squirm inducing style of filmmaking. Our critic called it a “gruesome blast” and the overall response so far has been similarly positive, with Zahler once again proving himself to be one to watch. As for Vaughn? Our critic wrote that it seems like it’s finally a start to the “Vaughnaissance” which, fine. If it has to be here, at least it’s with a film worth being excited about.
Release Date: October 6th
“Goodbye Christopher Robin”
Cast: Vicki Pepperdine, Margot Robbie, Domnhall Gleeson
Synopsis: A behind-the-scenes look at the life of author A.A. Milne and the creation of the Winnie the Pooh.
What You Need to Know: There are those who think of these type of films about talented writers who write inspiring stories as spineless and bereft of originality and in fairness, they are pretty familiar. But then, there’s those of us in the uncool camp, who are relatively charmed by these overtly sappy films. In the same vein of “Finding Neverland”, but reportedly with more edge, “Goodbye Christopher Robin” takes a look at the conception of the childhood charmer “Winnie the Pooh” with the always wonderful Domnhall Gleeson and Margot Robbie leading the charge.
Release Date: October 13th