Monthly Movie Preview: October 2015

Let’s be honest, September kinda sucked for movies. This month more than makes up for a lackluster late summer when the Oscar-worthy start rolling out.

October 2 – The Martian

Starring: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Kate Mara, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Donald Glover, Sean Bean, Michael Peña, Jeff Daniels

Space movie?! Matt Damon?! Being stranded on Mars?! Mutiny against NASA?! EHRMERGEHRD!!!!! The Martian will satiate my need for an epic outer space movie this fall, and I could not be more excited. Based off the book by Andy Weir (originally self-published in 2011 and then re-released in 2014), The Martian follows Mechanical Engineer and Botanist Mark Watney who become stranded on Mars after his crew has to abandon their mission. The cast is stellar and the comedy makes it that much more endearing. Can you tell I’m excited? – Adrian

October 2 – A Christmas Horror Story

Starring: William Shatner, George Buza, Rob Archer

When I first saw A Christmas Horror Story on my list of assignments this month I was a little confused about what I was getting myself into. And then I saw it had William Shatner in it and I cursed Adrian and Sherif (our lovely editors) for giving me such a project, which assuredly could only be horrible. I have to admit, I was wrong. This movie doesn’t look horrible, it looks ABYSMAL. Shatner appears to just be some sort of DJ who kind of narrates the whole thing for some dumb reason, and the rest of the movie focuses on the battle between Santa Claus and Krampus, and some stupid families that get caught in the middle, again for some dumb reason. If you’re into Santa’s elves running around like rabid zombies you may be into this, but I will be avoiding it all costs. If you like the idea of a dark twist on Christmas I recommend you save your time and money and wait until Krampus comes out in December. – Keriann

October 2 – Freeheld

Starring: Julianne Moore, Ellen Page, Steve Carrell, Michael Shannon, Luke Grimes

Based on a true story, Ellen Page and Julianne Moore star in a drama about two women determined to win equality from the New Jersey Police Department. When Laurel Hester is diagnosed with lung cancer all she wants is for her pension to go to her domestic partner Stacie Andree when she dies. Unfortunately, because they aren’t a married straight couple, their request is denied and a long journey for justice begins. This film looks amazing. I’m so incredibly excited to be seeing a lesbian narrative like this portrayed in the public eye. Of course, one seeing this film should first familiarize themselves with the original documentary on which it is based, but nonetheless I’m ecstatic about this being made. I actually started crying watching the trailer. I think they will do a phenomenal job, especially with Ellen Page playing Stacie. It’s about time a lesbian role goes to a lesbian actor. -Charlotte

October 2 – He Named Me Malala

Starring:Malala Yousafzi, Ziauddin Yousafzai

I’m sure we have all heard about Malala by now. If you haven’t get on that shit. Like right fucking now. I’m looking forward to this Documentary. I was it tears after the preview. I’m probably going to need a bucket for all the tears I’ll cry when I go see it. Malala is a truly inspiring young woman and you can feel how one life can really change the people around her. The film seems looks beautifully cut and a documentary that is more hopeful and inspiring than it is painful. – Jené

October 9 – Masterminds

Starring: Zach Galifianakis, Kristen Wiig, Owen Wilson, Jason Sudeikis

Ah, finally, a good idiot comedy movie. Wells Fargo employees David (Zach G.) and Kelly (Wiig) plan to rob the bank they work for with a genius plan. Only problem, well… they’re morons. My favorite part is that it’s based off a real-life robbery in 1997, one which regarded the thieves as “masterminds.” The cast in this movie is amazing; I would go see a comedy starring any one of them, so with a zany plot and a bunch of good improv actors, this movie is sure to make bellies ache. Ironically enough, the production company, Relativity Studios, filed for bankruptcy and may end up pulling the film from its release date. Hope they don’t bank at Wells Fargo… – Sherif

October 9 – Pan

Starring:Hugh Jackman, Levi Miller, Jimmy Lee

I honestly have no idea what I think about the movie preview. I know that Hugh Jackman is excited to play a villain for once. Seeing Jackman as Blackbeard is intriguing to me and seeing Hook a “good guy” in this is an interesting twist. Cause we all know that’s not going to last. The cinematography looks absolutely stunning and seems worth seeing for that reason alone. I don’t know, the film could either be amazing or the absolute worst. Reserving judgement till I see it. – Jené

October 9 – Steve Jobs

Starring: Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Seth Rogan, Jeff Daniels

Remember that movie Jobs from two years ago?  You know.  The one with Ashton Kutcher.  I never saw it, but I know it exists.  Every time a see a preview for the new Steve Jobs movie that’s set to release this month all I can think about is Jobs.  That thought is followed immediately by anger and frustration at the ever growing lack of originality and creativity in Hollywood.  This is worse (or at least on the same level) than remaking Spider-Man or the Fantastic 4 every five years.  Yeah Fassbender is a great actor and I’m sure the production value on Steve Jobs is a lot greater than Kuther’s version.  I’m just growing a bit tired of the rinse-wash-repeat method for movies this day.  Sooo… If you never hear of Jobs, or if you could care less about Hollywood morphing into Jabba the Hutt, then Steve Jobs is probably a good choice for you this month.  Me?  I’ll pass.  RANT OVER! – Taylor

October 9 – Big Stone Gap

Starring: Patrick Wilson, Ashley Judd, Whoopi Goldberg,

Dubbed the town’s old maid, Ave Maria Mulligan (Ashley Judd) faces the complexities of aging, love, and grief in 1970’s Virginia. The film is based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Adriana Trigiani. I’m not totally sure what to make of this film. While I like the complexity of it and how it seems to challenge the idea that a woman has to get married at a certain age, the trailer just doesn’t excite me. This might be one of those films that just has too many subplots to keep the audience invested. Stories like these seem to do better on the page than the screen. -Charlotte

October 9 – Trash

Starring: Rooney Mara, Martin Sheen

Take one part Stand By Me, one part The Goonies, two parts Slumdog Millionaire and a splash of the Bourn Identity, and out comes Trash. Not trash as in “garbage;” rather, trash as in the brilliant title of this movie. When three young children discover something in the garbage pile where you roam, they find themselves fighting to stay alive. When the easy choice is the same as the wrong choice, they make the bold and brave decision to be rebels and fight for good. HAZAH! With the law on their tails it is a race to stay hidden and keep moving towards what needs to be done for the greater good. Foreign children are so noble! – Evan

October 9 – The Walk

Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ben Kingsley, Charlotte Le Bon, Ben Schwartz, James Badge Dale

I first saw Man on Wire in 2009 in a college writing class. And I fell in love. The delivery of story telling was jaw dropping. A story that, to some, may seem blasé was portrayed with such passion and intensity, I was instantly drawn in. My fear with The Walk, based off the documentary, is that it will be less about “The Story” and more about “THIS IS IN 3D!”. I have a strange love of Joseph Gordon-Levitt, but I am pretty concerned with how much the preview relies on the 3D aspect. C’est la vie. – Adrian

October 9 – Knock Knock

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Lorenza Izzo, Ana de Armas, Ignacia Allamand

In my attempt to find the words to write to tell you awesome people what Knock Knock is all about, I’m succeeding only in sitting on my couch, blushing from head to toe and just feeling awkward.  Once you watch the trailer, you’ll understand why.  What I will impart upon you is that this film stars Keanu Reeves in a role very unlike his usual ones (if you’re thinking Jon Wick or The Matrix stop now, before you wreck yourself) and his magical journey of sexual entrapment at the hands of two slutty (and totally mentally unstable) young ladies.  I’ll probably go see it and never admit to it.  And for the love of God, PLEASE… don’t go watch this with your parents.  You’ve been warned. – Taylor

October 16 – Bridge of Spies

Starring: Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Amy Ryan, Austin Stonewall, Domenick Lombardozzi

It’s been a while since Forth of July.  Need a good dose of patriotism to mix in with your witches brew this month?  Fret not good citizen, for Bridge of Spies hits theaters this month.  A story about a POW exchange between the Soviets and the United States during the Cold War, Tom Hanks takes on the role of James Donovan (a small time lawyer) to negotiate the exchange.  The film looks it’ll be educational and entertaining, typically a tough combo to pull off.  At the very least, Hanks should make the visit to the theater worthwhile. – Taylor

October 16 – Goosebumps

Starring: Jack Black, Odeya Rush, Dylan Minnette, Ryan Lee, Amy Ryan

Part of me is so very very sad that this movie did not come out when I was a kid, huddled in my bed reading every R.L. Stine book I could get my hands on, with my three shelf long collection every Goosebumps book ever written. I used to dream of being able to see those stories on the big screen, but alas, the day would seemingly never come. The Goosebumps movie coming out now does seems a little random, considering the series’ massive wave of popularity has come and gone but I truly do not think that will have any impact on the box office numbers. Many of us who loved R.L. Stine’s books as kids now have children of our own that we can attempt to initiate into that exciting world of literature. The Goosebumps movie is clearly aimed at a younger audience and the kids and preteens of today will likely still love it because it will have lots of laughs, sufficient enough scares, and assuredly a heartfelt moment or two. The movie takes a unique look at traditional storytelling as R.L. Stine is a character in the film played by Jack Black, and the Goosebumps books are very real, and are in fact based on actual monsters and beasts created by Stein himself. I’m a little disappointed to see that the monsters in focus in the movie are the ones that I deemed too goofy as a kid, but I totally see why that works. Goosebumps will probably be one of the best family movies of the year, and I recommend it for kids of all ages. – Keriann

October 16 – Crimson Peak

Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, Tom Hiddleston, Charlie Hunnam, Jim Beaver

Any scary movie that can spook the legendary Stephen King already deserves your attention. The premise is simple enough. Sir Thomas Sharpe (Hiddleston) marries a sweet young lady (Wasikowska), even against the behest of his sister (Chastain). She gets brought home, sees evil stuff, and then spends the rest of the movie trying to escape evil stuff. It’s visually stunning, but seems kinda cliché in terms of the “oh he’s good, wait he’s evil. Wait, this house is evil!” plot line. Maybe the trailer just said too much. I do know that if Guillermo del Toro is involved, you are guaranteed to be frightened by this film. What more do you really want? – Sherif

October 23 – Burnt

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Uma Thurman, Omar Sy, Daniel Brühl, Matthew Rhys

If you’re like me, then you love Gordon Ramsay and how ruthless he is in the kitchen.  This also probably means we’ll love Burnt, a film staring Bradly Cooper and his portrayal of a very Ramsay-esque chef aiming to make his restaurant the best in the world.  Unlike many of Ramsay’s TV productions, Burnt has a much more serious and dramatic tone to it.  I don’t imaging Cooper will be shouting at his chefs to f*** off every ten seconds or wedging them between two pieced of bread hence dubbing them “idiot sandwiches.”  For the foodies and Ramsay fans out there, Burnt is probably one that should be on your list this month. – Taylor

October 23 – Difret

Starring:Meron Getnet, Tizita Hagere, and Abel Abebe

A story based on a true story. It looks like October is the month of really strong women and girls. This movie looks like another tear jerker. The movie is about an Ethiopian girl who kills her abductor in self-defense and the women who layers who come to her defense. It’s a previews and bring tears to your eyes and also a fire in the belly. Fuck yeah these women are awesome. Again, I think I’m going to need that bucket in the theater. Or, maybe I’ll wait to see it so no one has to hear my jobbing. – Jené

October 23 – I Smile Back

Starring: Sarah Silverman, Josh Charles, Thomas Sadoski

Did you know that Sarah Silverman can be a dramatic actor? I Smile Back, which debuted last year in the independent circuits, is about a married mother of two who is fighting mental instability. She seems happy enough on the outside, but deciding to go off her medication combining with several traumatic events are causing depression and rage to hit the surface. It’s a real movie about real life issues that looks genuine enough to be relatable, and crazy enough to be entertaining. What sets I Smile Back apart from other movies like it is that it sheds light on depression in women. You always see movies that follow the husband’s point of view, but what about what the wife feels? Probably won’t see this in theaters, but it’s worth a Netflix night. – Sherif

October 23 – Jem and the Holograms

Starring: Aubrey Peeples, Stefanie Scott, Hayley Kiyoko, Molly Ringwald

History Lesson: Did you know that Jem and the Holograms was the number one cartoon on air in 1986? Jem aka Jerrica Benton was a girl who could make holograms of herself using her super dope earrings and Synergy, a computer system created by her dad. Jem/Jerrica is pretty much always in disguise because of this, and her real identity is never known by the public. So basically, it is Hannah Montana, but you know, with computers and flashier earrings. This movie though? Um… YouTube is the disguise? Maybe photoshop? Not totally sure, but it seems like it is just about a band of girls being not-so-nice to each other. It’s supposed to make us feel good? Hmmmm. You’d think in the age of technology, they’d actually use some. – Adrian

October 23 – The Last Witch Hunter

Starring: Vin Diesel, Rose Leslie, Elijah Wood, Michael Caine, Julia Engelbrecht

This movie is right up my alley. Witches, magic, and swords! Plus Vin Diesel! Sold and sold. There are aspects of the preview that reminded me of Highlander, but with more magic and special effects. The storyline is an original, a shocking concept nowadays. This may not be the move for everyone, but when Vin Diesel flies and punches a giant monster through the chest, I knew it was the movie for me. – Adrian

October 23 – Nasty Baby

Starring: Kristen Wiig, Sebastian Silva, Tunde Adebimpe, Alia Shawkat, Mark Margolis

Nasty Baby stars Sebastián Silva, Tunde Adebimpe, and Kristin Wiig and tells the story of a gay couple trying to have a child together with the help of their female best friend. Then things take a crazy twist, the nature of which is not totally clear. Watching this trailer was a whirlwind of emotions. At first you think, “Oh cool. This looks like a sweet movie and it has a biracial gay couple and wow, this is super great,” and then it turns a total 180 and you have no idea what the hell you’re getting into. While I’m excited about the representation in this movie and the conversations this will inevitably open up, I really have no idea what to expect. One movie reviewer compared the twist to “Gone Girl,” which brings a whole other crazy expectation to mind, but until it’s actually released, it’ll be hard to have an opinion about it. Bottom line, I’m excited and a little bit terrified. This thing looks a little bit deranged. Hopefully it’s in a good way. – Charlotte

October 23 – Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension

Starring: Chris J. Murray, Dan Gill, Brit Shaw, Ivy George, Chloe Csengery

I know what you’re thinking, “Oh yay ANOTHER Paranormal Activity movie! Those NEVER get old!” (sarcasm sarcasm sarcasm) At least I hope that’s what you’re thinking because I tuned out of these movies after the second one. I’ve seen the first four, but the later two were bad enough that I didn’t even bother with the fifth. Anyhow, the newest Paranormal Acitivity has a few things going for it, as in it employs a new tactic the franchise hasn’t used before when you actually get to see the ghastly activity as it happens. Some if it looks genuinely creept, but other parts look just like the same stupid monster face gag they’ve been using since the first film. The whole ghost camera (a camera that is tied to that house because it can show you the beasties from beyond when you use it) seems kind of dumb, but it allows for a new scare tactic so it may work out for the best. I saw this trailer a few months ago and after re-watching it now I still have the same feeling towards it: it could either be so good and so scary, or horrendously dumb to the point you get frustrated while watching it. I’m on the fence because I’m tired of the Paranormal Activity gimmick, but if they successfully reinvent themselves the way they are trying to this could be one of the best horror movies of the season. – Keriann

October 23 – Rock the Kasbah

Starring: Bill Murray, Bruce Willis, Kate Hudson, Zooey Deschanel, Danny McBride, Scott Caan

Don’t play yourself, you know you are going to go see this movie simply because Bill Murray is in it. Basically, Richie Lanz (played by Bill Murray) winds up stuck in the Middle East after taking his rock superstar (played by Zooey Deschanel) to play a show for the troops overseas. However, things turn sour when his talent leave him high and dry, stealing his passport and identification. BUT WAIT! Things may take a drastic turn when Richie ends up discovering the next Kelly Rowland, only better. One might even say the next Beyoncé of the rock world. With this movie brining all start talent including Bruce Willis, Kate Hudson, Danny McBride and many others, I believe this movie has a solid chance to truly Rock the Kasbah…see what I did there *winky face*. The only thing this movie has to worry about is that it comes out on the same day as Tokyo Tribe…good luck. – Evan

October 23 – Suffragette

Starring:Helen Bonham Carter, Carey Mulligan, Meryl Streep

The Suffragette movement that inspired women in the U.S to demand representation in government and rights. I’m extremely excited about this film because it shows the brutality women faced in demanding their rights. The right to vote, the right to divorce, childcare, and workers’ rights wasn’t given to women they fought for it tooth and nail. This preview showcases this and refuses to gloss over it. Granted, the draw-back of this film is women of color and their involvement in the movement. Shakes fist at sky…Come on British Cinema. Still going to watch it, than burn my bra after. (Well, not really. FYI bra burning never actually happened. It’s a huge myth.) – Jené

October 23 – Tokyo Tribe

Starring: People, I assume…

Let’s all just be honest here, no one really has any idea what the hell this is. Is it gangs in Tokyo, rap battling while in the middle of a gang war…musical? Yup, that is exactly what it is. Possibly the saddest part about this whole thing is, is that I am too damn excited to see it. Maybe it’s because I love anime, rap music and kung fu thrillers. It’s like they took my drunken thoughts and made it a reality. With the biggest movie starts you have ever heard of as of five minutes ago, Tomoko Karina, Ryôhei Suzuki, and Hitomi Katayama star in this Japanese musical to show the world that shooting people for your tribe can be cool, but it is even cooler to stand together against…posers? Honestly, I’m not quite sure what this whole movie is all about. – Evan

October 23 – Our Brand is Crisis

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Scott McNairy, Billy Bob Thornton, Anthony Mackie

Another movie based off a documentary this month. Our Brand is Crisis was originally made in 2005 about the American political tactics used in the Bolivian presidential election in 2002. George Clooney and Grant Heslov are now producing a fictionalized account of the event. I am a fan of political movies, so I’m looking forward to this one; however, I will probably wait for it to come out on Redbox. This movie may be coming out at the perfect time; Scandal is at its height, but Our Brand is Crisis probably actually means something. – Adrian

October 30 – Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse

Starring: Patrick Schwarzenegger, Halston Sage, Tye Sheridan

I’d heard of Scout’s Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse, and foolishly I hoped it was about the Scout from Team Fortress 2 and that it was his guide, but alas, it is not. Instead it is a horrible cheesy, and likely insulting misogynistic piece of shit. Not only does this movie not look scary, but it also doesn’t look funny – aside from the crazy cat lady house full of zombie cats. That may be warrant a few laughs. However, the Zom Com has been done, quite well actually, and this film is way too late to the genre to have a leg to stand on without offering something unique of it’s own. It has no uniqueness of it’s own. Instead a bunch of teenage boys run around with a stripper learning how to fight off zombies and save the world. Personally, I hope they all die. – Keriann