Fall Movie Preview: From a Killer Thriller to Daniel Craig's Last Run at Bond, Landing on a Heart-Wrenching Drama
There's a crisp breeze in the air, confirming fall is on the way. And with the seasons changing, comes a new batch of movies. Some might be heading to the big screen, where theaters are open, while others may pop up on VOD or be available via streaming, for comfy watching at home.
Whatever your favorite genre might be, this list of Anglocentric flicks should have something for everyone:
1. Ava (September 25)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7KH37qF_M4
Jessica Chastain is set to portray a killer for hire in the forthcoming thriller Ava, starring in the title role. Colin Farrell takes on the role of Simon, her boss's boss, aka The Big Boss. Simon has a problem with Ava’s kill style, screaming at her handler (John Malkovich), “She’s talking to the targets!!” That definitely can be a conflict of interest... her interest, that is.
2. The Courier (October 16)
[caption id="attachment_464885" align="alignnone" width="2000"] (Photo: Roadside Attractions)[/caption]
Benedict Cumberbatch is set to star in the forthcoming biopic The Courier. He takes on the role of businessman Greville Wynne, who is recruited by MI6 during the Cold War. While Wynne agrees to it, he is hesitant at first, being a civilian and all. Even so, he seems to get a handle on the spy game. He works closely with a Russian consultant (Merab Ninidze) in an attempt to put an end to the Cuban Mission Crisis.
3. Death on the Nile (October 23)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JM1U-Whb-P0
Everyone has their Poirot, and it can become quite a heated debate. With that said, Kenneth Branagh is the latest actor take on the role of Agatha Christie's famed Belgian sleuth. Originally published in 1937, Death on the Nile is set in Egypt, where Poirot is on vacation. He’s off the clock from investigating crimes, but when there’s a murder on the steam ship he’s traveling on, he finds he can’t ignore the troubling situation.
4. Synchronic (October 23)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGCrg1OAYfs
If you liked Jamie Dornan as a serial killer in The Fall, you'll be getting more of him in the horror flick Synchronic. This time around, he's on the other side of the law, starring as paramedic. He and Anthony Mackie take on the roles of good friends and on-the-job partners. When there's a string of murders, the explanation leans toward the supernatural. Their EMT training has not prepared them for the reality-bending situations they find themselves in.
5. Black Widow (November 6)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxAtuMu_ph4&feature=emb_logo
We first met Black Widow in The Avengers franchise. And now she's getting her own standalone film, with Scarlett Johansson set to reprise the role. Annnd, we can look for English "it girl" Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova. Yelena is part little sister (not actually biological), part rival to Johansson's superhero character. Black Widow has hit a rough patch, and it seems Yelena may have to step in to help get her out of this slump.
6. Ammonite (November 13)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnDhlrs3XVM
Saoirse Ronan and Kate Winslet have teamed up for the historical biopic Ammonite. The story revolves around paleontologist Mary Anning and her relationship with a younger woman (Ronan) in 1840s England. The women develop a relationship when Ronan's character falls ill and Anning steps in to take care of her. We can also look for Killing Eve star Fiona Shaw as a supportive friend to Anning.
7. No Time to Die (November 20)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw2FOYjCz38
It seems like we've been talking about the next Bond installment for years (oh, because we have). And, it's finally here, with No Time to Die scheduled to be Daniel Craig's last run as 007. This time around, we find James Bond is no longer on active duty. But, when an old friend, Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright), comes to him for help... he can't say no. You can also look for Rami Malek as the latest Bond villain, and returning cast members Ben Whishaw and Ralph Fiennes.
8. Free Guy (December 11)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2m-08cOAbc
Have you been missing Killing Eve's Jodie Comer? You can look for her in the action-comedy Free Guy, opposite Ryan Reynolds. Reynolds plays a bank teller who comes to the realization that he’s actually an NPC (non-player character) in a video game. It has to be unsettling to learn he’s not actually real and even worse to find out he’s not even a lead character. Comer steps in as the voice of reason as Milly/Molotov Girl, recruiting him to upgrade and be one of the good guys in the game.
9. Dune (December 18)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9xhJrPXop4
Frank Herbert's 1965 novel of the same name has been adapted for the screen once again, set to arrive later this year and starring Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides. When the young royal's father is assassinated, he's exiled to the desserts. There, he comes to the fruition that he cannot fall victim to fear and needs to fight back against those who overthrew his family's right to lead the kingdom. In addition to Chalamet, you can also look for Stellan Skarsgård, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin and Oscar Isaac.
10. The Father (December 18)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TZb7YfK-JI
Olivia Colman (The Favourite) is teaming up with fellow Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins for the film adaptation of Florian Zeller's play The Father. Hopkins and Colman take on the roles of father and daughter. Hopkin's character is a man in his 80s, he lives a highly independent lifestyle, but finds himself confused at times. His daughter wants to help him as he ages, which he refuses, leaving her just as confused.
Which movie stands out to you most?