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Buzzman’s Most Anticipated Movies of Q4 (Oct-Nov-Dec)
After what has to be the greatest September in cinema history (we got Warrior, then Drive, followed by Moneyball, and wrapping up with 50/50), we move into the end of the year with the momentum at its highest point. Sure, the beginning of the year was just absolutely terrible, but every month got consistently better and looking through this 4th quarter, the trend doesn’t appear to be stopping anytime soon. October is filled small indie films with lots of buzz, November is crammed to death with too many films not to be good, and December ends the year with a bang with at least half a dozen films in contention come Oscar time. Without wasting any more time, these are the films I am most anxious to get a chance to see.
#9 | In Time (October 28th)
This is the only film on my list that could end up being just plain awful. It’s had three spoiler filled trailers, a few terrible actors in key spots, and was dumped into October, which is where action films go to die. On the brighter side its directed by Andrew Niccol, who was behind some of the more underrated gems with Lord of War, The Truman Show, and Gattaca. He’s the selling point on why I think this film will work and succeed. The other part of it is Justin Timberlake. He’s not a great actor, but he entertains me so easily and really impressed me with Friends with Benefits. Now it’s time to see how well he does in this. If it winds up being more action then thriller it could end up on the bad side, but I feel confident Niccol has something up his sleeve to make this anything but ordinary.
#8 | Martha Marcy May Marlene
Few even knew there was a third Olsen sister, but at Sundance Elizabeth Olsen shows up and apparently blew everybody away with her performance in this film. Any type of buzz in Sundance always circled around and eventually found its way to Elizabeth Olsen and this film that is being labeled as a psychological horror film in the same vein of Winters Bone. That’s incredible high praise considering Winters Bone went on to a few Oscar nominations and even pulled out a winner with John Hawkes, who just so happens to be in a very similar role in this film. I expect this to be the first of a few indie films to rise to fame by years end.
#7 | Take Shelter
The only film that received more buzz than Martha Macy May Marlene was this psychological thriller, Take Shelter. Watching the trailer and reading the premise, it’s no wonder why; a end of the world pandemic starring a mentally unstable Michael Shannon in the title role. Sounds like the role he was destined to play. Where the film is said to change is with the pandemic itself. Nobody knows when it’s coming or even if, but Shannon takes no chances. I’ve heard the last act is a doozy that leaves you questioning the entire film. When a films ending challenges the mind of its audience, the film tends to be great, and I expect Take Shelter to be no different.
#6 | Like Crazy
I really have no clue what this films about. The only one on this list that just wins me over on the trailer alone. It just screams Blue Valentine to me, which was one of my favorites from last year. If it winds up being anything like that, it should find its way into one of my favorites for this year. Anton Yelchin has really broken out this year with roles in The Beaver, Fright Night, and now this, but it’s on the other side that intrigues me the most. Festivals have praised Felictity Jones. I will walk into this almost completely blind to the film, but hope to walk away feeling as depressed as I was with Blue Valentine.
#5 | My Week With Marilyn
Michelle Williams is my favorite actress. She really was always average to me but over the last few eyars she has really stepped up and become a quality actress. Here she takes on one of the more fascinating characters in Marilyn Monroe. Based on the trailers, it looks like she has nailed down bits of the character, but adding bits of her own and runs away with it. I expect this to be big come award season, for better or worse. The trailer for me might be the year’s best.
#4 | The Ides of March
This political thriller really just needs to be seen for 6 reasons: 1. Ryan Gosling 2. George Clooney 3. Philip Seymour Hoffman 4. Paul Giamatti 5. Evan Rachel Wood and 6. Marisa Tomei. If that cast doesn’t get you into a seat, than pretty much nothing will. Did I mention Ryan Gosling?
#3 | Tinker Tailor Solidier Spy
At first, I didn’t know if I was going to buy into the hype of this film. It did have a great cast, but I never could seem to find a straight enough answer toward the films plot. Then the second trailer came out and just absolutely blew me away. It looks like the very definition of a great movie. With its early release across the sea, the word around the block is the film lives up every bit to the buzz and is expected to be a big player in the Oscar race. I no doubt will be there day one.
#2 | J Edgar
Clint Eastwood has stumbled lately. His films haven’t done anything because quite frankly, the past two films have been complete shit. This biopic seems to be exactly what he needed. He takes on one of the most powerful men to live and is able to snag Leonardo DiCaprio into its leading role. Contrary to belief, DiCaprio is my favorite actor and will always be. The guy is simply fantastic at starring in and choosing his roles. He alone will get me into the seat, but through trailers, stills, and TV spots, this film looks nothing short of greatness.
#1 | The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
The most interesting though belongs to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. What’s so intesting about it though is that I’ve read the book it’s based on and saw the very good Swedish version of the film. I know the story; I know what will happen, so why should I be so damn anxious to see this? David god damn Fincher! He is one of the best directors in the business and while his last few films were still great, he was at his best when he tackled dark disturbing and horrifying material, which essentially describes the Girl with a Dragon Tattoo to a tee. My expectations for this film cannot even be described in words, but I will say they are probably unreachable at this point.
Honorable Mentions: The Muppets | The Skin I Live IN | We Bought a Zoo | War Horse | The Sitter | The Adventures of Tintin:
After what has to be the greatest September in cinema history (we got Warrior, then Drive, followed by Moneyball, and wrapping up with 50/50), we move into the end of the year with the momentum at its highest point. Sure, the beginning of the year was just absolutely terrible, but every month got consistently better and looking through this 4th quarter, the trend doesn’t appear to be stopping anytime soon. October is filled small indie films with lots of buzz, November is crammed to death with too many films not to be good, and December ends the year with a bang with at least half a dozen films in contention come Oscar time. Without wasting any more time, these are the films I am most anxious to get a chance to see.
#9 | In Time (October 28th)
This is the only film on my list that could end up being just plain awful. It’s had three spoiler filled trailers, a few terrible actors in key spots, and was dumped into October, which is where action films go to die. On the brighter side its directed by Andrew Niccol, who was behind some of the more underrated gems with Lord of War, The Truman Show, and Gattaca. He’s the selling point on why I think this film will work and succeed. The other part of it is Justin Timberlake. He’s not a great actor, but he entertains me so easily and really impressed me with Friends with Benefits. Now it’s time to see how well he does in this. If it winds up being more action then thriller it could end up on the bad side, but I feel confident Niccol has something up his sleeve to make this anything but ordinary.
#8 | Martha Marcy May Marlene
Few even knew there was a third Olsen sister, but at Sundance Elizabeth Olsen shows up and apparently blew everybody away with her performance in this film. Any type of buzz in Sundance always circled around and eventually found its way to Elizabeth Olsen and this film that is being labeled as a psychological horror film in the same vein of Winters Bone. That’s incredible high praise considering Winters Bone went on to a few Oscar nominations and even pulled out a winner with John Hawkes, who just so happens to be in a very similar role in this film. I expect this to be the first of a few indie films to rise to fame by years end.
#7 | Take Shelter
The only film that received more buzz than Martha Macy May Marlene was this psychological thriller, Take Shelter. Watching the trailer and reading the premise, it’s no wonder why; a end of the world pandemic starring a mentally unstable Michael Shannon in the title role. Sounds like the role he was destined to play. Where the film is said to change is with the pandemic itself. Nobody knows when it’s coming or even if, but Shannon takes no chances. I’ve heard the last act is a doozy that leaves you questioning the entire film. When a films ending challenges the mind of its audience, the film tends to be great, and I expect Take Shelter to be no different.
#6 | Like Crazy
I really have no clue what this films about. The only one on this list that just wins me over on the trailer alone. It just screams Blue Valentine to me, which was one of my favorites from last year. If it winds up being anything like that, it should find its way into one of my favorites for this year. Anton Yelchin has really broken out this year with roles in The Beaver, Fright Night, and now this, but it’s on the other side that intrigues me the most. Festivals have praised Felictity Jones. I will walk into this almost completely blind to the film, but hope to walk away feeling as depressed as I was with Blue Valentine.
#5 | My Week With Marilyn
Michelle Williams is my favorite actress. She really was always average to me but over the last few eyars she has really stepped up and become a quality actress. Here she takes on one of the more fascinating characters in Marilyn Monroe. Based on the trailers, it looks like she has nailed down bits of the character, but adding bits of her own and runs away with it. I expect this to be big come award season, for better or worse. The trailer for me might be the year’s best.
#4 | The Ides of March
This political thriller really just needs to be seen for 6 reasons: 1. Ryan Gosling 2. George Clooney 3. Philip Seymour Hoffman 4. Paul Giamatti 5. Evan Rachel Wood and 6. Marisa Tomei. If that cast doesn’t get you into a seat, than pretty much nothing will. Did I mention Ryan Gosling?
#3 | Tinker Tailor Solidier Spy
At first, I didn’t know if I was going to buy into the hype of this film. It did have a great cast, but I never could seem to find a straight enough answer toward the films plot. Then the second trailer came out and just absolutely blew me away. It looks like the very definition of a great movie. With its early release across the sea, the word around the block is the film lives up every bit to the buzz and is expected to be a big player in the Oscar race. I no doubt will be there day one.
#2 | J Edgar
Clint Eastwood has stumbled lately. His films haven’t done anything because quite frankly, the past two films have been complete shit. This biopic seems to be exactly what he needed. He takes on one of the most powerful men to live and is able to snag Leonardo DiCaprio into its leading role. Contrary to belief, DiCaprio is my favorite actor and will always be. The guy is simply fantastic at starring in and choosing his roles. He alone will get me into the seat, but through trailers, stills, and TV spots, this film looks nothing short of greatness.
#1 | The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
The most interesting though belongs to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. What’s so intesting about it though is that I’ve read the book it’s based on and saw the very good Swedish version of the film. I know the story; I know what will happen, so why should I be so damn anxious to see this? David god damn Fincher! He is one of the best directors in the business and while his last few films were still great, he was at his best when he tackled dark disturbing and horrifying material, which essentially describes the Girl with a Dragon Tattoo to a tee. My expectations for this film cannot even be described in words, but I will say they are probably unreachable at this point.
Honorable Mentions: The Muppets | The Skin I Live IN | We Bought a Zoo | War Horse | The Sitter | The Adventures of Tintin:
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