Westside Reader October 2015

Fall Films Have Something For Everyone to Enjoy
From ‘The Martian’ to ‘The Good Dinosaur’ it’s a good season for movies
by Michele E. Buttelman • features and entertainment editor
Matt Damon stars as Mark Watney in a scene
from the film, "The Martian," directed by
Ridley Scott.
Fall films, now through Thanksgiving, offer a little
bit of “something for everyone.” There are
movies to inspire a little bit of playing “hooky”
from the office as well as family-friendly fare
to warrant loading up the SUV for a trip to the
multiplex. There’s a host of “limited release”
films not mentioned here. Hopefully, we’ll
have that Laemmle Theater in Newhall soon! Here’s the
rundown of what you can expect to see in the SCV (dates
can change):
“The Martian” (Oct. 2)
I’m eagerly awaiting this film. I loved the book, a best-selling
self-published novel by Andy Weir. In “The Martian” Matt
Damon stars as an astronaut left behind during a mission on
Mars. There’s levity, rigorous science and an all-star cast —
Jessica Chastain, Michael Peña, Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels,
Kate Mara, Donald Glover and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
“Steve Jobs” (Oct. 9)
Wait. Wasn’t there just a film in the theaters about Steve
Jobs? The one that starred Ashton Kutcher? It was released
in 2013, but it seems like yesterday, and yes, this is
another film about Steve Jobs. I am intrigued by this
biopic because Aaron Sorkin penned the script, which follows
Jobs, played by Michael Fassbender, through the beginning
of the Apple “revolution.”
“Pan” (Oct. 9)
Peter Pan isn’t my favorite fairy tale but this, at least, is a
fresh take on the origin story about the boy who won’t
grow up. In this tale Levi Miller plays a preteen Peter Pan
who encounters the pirate Blackbeard (Hugh Jackman)
and a young James Hook (Garrett Hedlund).
“The Walk” (Oct. 9)
Joseph Gordon-Levitt is a busy actor this season, among
the three films he has in fall release is “The Walk,” a 3D
tour de force. He stars as the French high-wire artist
Philippe Petit, who walked on a wire between the Twin
Towers in 1974. The event inspired the 2008 documentary
"Man on Wire." This is a film made for IMAX.
“Bridge of Spies” (Oct. 16)
Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. Need we say more? This
is a Cold War thriller that tells the true story of James
Donovan (Tom Hanks), a Brooklyn lawyer who gets entangled
with the CIA in order to negotiate the release of
a captured American U-2 pilot. With Mark Rylance, Amy
Ryan and Alan Alda in supporting roles.
“Crimson Peak” (Oct. 16)
Visionary director Guillermo del Toro returns to his Gothic
roots in "Crimson Peak." This haunted house pic stars Jessica
Chastain in her first villainous role and could be a new
horror classic.
“Goosebumps” (Oct. 16)
My daughter was a huge fan of the “Goosebumps” series.
What took them so long to bring these books to the big
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as Philippe Petit, and Charolette
Le Bon as Annie, in TriStar Pictures' "The Walk." The
movie releases in U.S. theaters on Oct. 9.
screen? A number of R.L. Stine stories have been mashed
up for this film.
“Jem and the Holograms” (Oct. 23)
Talk about a throwback. Universal is doing a reboot of the
classic 1980s cartoon “Jem.” This PG-rated movie should
still appeal to modern-day teens with actors from the Disney
Channel and “Pretty Little Liars.” Juliette Lewis and
Molly Ringwald offer filmgoers some “retro” appeal.
“Burnt” (Oct. 23)
Bradley Cooper stars as a chef known more for being a
jerk than his food. Exiled from the Paris dining scene, he
relocates to London where he plots his way back to the
French dining scene.
Daniel Craig as James Bond in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures/Columbia
Pictures/EON Productions’ action adventure,
“The
"Spectre."
Last Witch
The movie
Hunter”
releases
(Oct.
in U.S.
23)
theaters on Nov. 6.
Vin Diesel is an immortal witch hunter tracking a coven in
modern-day New York.
“Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension” (Oct. 23)
I’ve read that this is last “Paranormal Activity” film. This
one involves an old camcorder found in a basement of a
haunted house, so, expect more screaming and such.
“Rock the Kasbah” (Oct. 23)
Bill Murray plays an “off-the-wall” music manager dumped
by Zooey Deschanel and stranded in Afghanistan. He finds
a girl with an amazing voice and tries to get her on
“Afghan Idol.” Sounds original, at least.
“Autobahn” (Oct. 30)
A thriller with a young couple (Nicholas Hoult and Felicity
Jones) and Juliette (Jones) caught in a game of cat-andmouse
across Germany with two bad guys (Anthony Hopkins
and Ben Kingsley).
“Our Brand is Crisis” (Oct. 30)
This film based on the documentary of the same name
centers on political campaign maneuvering in South
America. It stars Sandra Bullock and includes a strong
supporting cast: Billy Bob Thornton, Anthony Mackie and
Zoe Kazan.
“Scout’s Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse” (Oct. 30)
Yes, Boy Scouts battling zombies, and who doesn’t love
Boy Scouts AND zombies?
Liam Hemsworth, front left, as Gale
Hawthorne, Sam Claflin, back left, as Finnick
Odair, Evan Ross, back right, as Messalla and
Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, in
"The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2." The
movie releases in U.S. theaters on Nov. 20.
Tom Hanks portrays Brooklyn lawyer James
Donovan in a scene from the Steven Spielberg
film, "Bridge of Spies." The movie is due to
open in U.S. theaters on Oct. 16.
“Spectre” (Nov. 6)
Daniel Craig said this may be his last 007 movie. This is
Craig’s fourth movie as Bond, and in the latest installment,
a "cryptic message from Bond’s past sends him on a trail to
uncover a sinister organization.” Sounds fun.
“The Peanuts Movie” (Nov. 6)
Charlie Brown, Peppermint Patty, Lucy, Linus and Snoopy!
Sounds like great family 3-D fun.
“By the Sea” (Nov. 13)
Angelina Jolie continues her transition from actress to director
in “By the Sea.” She is in front of the camera as
well, starring opposite husband Brad Pitt, as a women trying
to fix her martial crisis while on vacation at a French
seaside resort. The 1970's setting and alluring vistas should
make for an emotional drama.
“The 33” (Nov. 13)
Remember the 2010 Chilean mining disaster? Here’s the
movie which stars Antonio Banderas, Rodrigo Santoro, Juliette
Binoche and James Brolin.
“Rings” (Nov. 13)
That deadly videotape is back in this prequel to the original
— “The Ring.”
“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2” (Nov. 20)
Jennifer Lawrence's beloved character Katniss is back in
this, the fourth and final installment of the popular teen
franchise, “The Hunger Games.” Katniss will confront President
Snow (Donald Sutherland) in the final showdown.
Liam Hemsworth, Sam Claflin and Josh Hutcherson are all
back as Gale, Finnick and Peeta, respectively.
“Secret in Their Eyes” (Nov. 20)
This is a remake of the Juan Jose Campanella 2009 Argentinian
crime drama, which won the Oscar for Best Foreign
Language film and stars Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman and
Chiwetel Ejiofor.
“Creed” (November 25)
Here’s a spin-off of the "Rocky" franchise centered around
Apollo Creed’s son.
“The Good Dinosaur” (Nov. 25)
From Pixar Animation Studios this animated tale is the
story of Arlo, a lively Apatosaurus with a big heart who sets
out on a remarkable journey, gaining an unlikely companion
along the way, a human boy.
“The Night Before” (Nov. 25)
If you loved Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt together
in “50/50” you should enjoy “The Night Before.” This is a
“guy” film about buddies who drink and act silly. Chris (Anthony
Mackie), joins in the fun.
“Victor Frankenstein” (Nov. 25)
It’s alive! Yes, that old chestnut, “Frankenstein” is back for
another film treatment.