The fall movie season is about to kick-off with today’s opening of the Toronto International Film Festival. TIFF has become one of the first indicators of the films that will rule the awards season chatter in the months to come. If you’re wondering which films you should be looking for in the cinemas this fall, we have a few to keep on your radar.
Battle of the Sexes
Directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris
Starring Emma Stone, Steve Carell, Elisabeth Shue
Coming fresh off her Oscar win for La La Land, Emma Stone is once again getting a good deal of critical praise for this true-life sports tale. Stone stars as tennis legend Billie Jean King, who took on former world champ Bobby Riggs in a much-publicized match. What started as a stunt grew into an important moment in the history of female empowerment.
Chappaquiddick
Directed by John Curran
Starring Jason Clarke, Kate Mara, Bruce Dern
There has always been a fascination with the Kennedy family, elevating them to a level of royalty in American politics. However, the family is not without its darker moments in history, one of which is explored in this film. In 1969, Ted Kennedy was involved in a car accident that claimed the life of a young woman, an incident marked by great controversy which threatened to derail his career and stain his family’s reputation.
The Current War
Directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael Shannon, Nicholas Hoult
The creation and implementation of electricity for the world may not seem like a riveting subject, but this film looks to delve into the more dramatic aspects of the invention. The cutthroat race among Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse is a little-known part of history but a fascinating one, and with a great cast lined up, this could be a surprisingly entertaining history lesson.
Darkest Hour
Directed by Joe Wright
Starring Gary Oldman, Kristen Scott Thomas, Lily James
This summer saw the release of Dunkirk, a film version of one of the most defining moments for England during World War II. This film should make for an interesting companion piece, as it explores the political side to the event through the appointment of Winston Churchill as prime minister. Chameleon-like actor Gary Oldman transforms into the famed politician with a performance that is already being called a frontrunner for Oscars.
The Death of Stalin
Directed by Armando Iannucci
Starring Jeffrey Tambor, Steve Buscemi, Jason Isaacs
Joseph Stalin is considered one of the most ruthless politicians in modern history who ruled over the Soviet Union using fear and violence. His death sent the country into a scramble in the aftermath and this film explores those following days. Most interesting is that the film is a comedy, coming from brilliant minds behind Veep, exploring the ridiculous and outrageous aspects of world of politics.
The Disaster Artist
Directed by James Franco
Starring James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogen
Making a good movie is very difficult, but as it turns out, making a really bad movie is no walk in the park either. In 2003, eccentric auteur Tommy Wiseau wrote, directed and starred in a film called The Room, which many call the worst film ever made. This film chronicles the madness that went into making this film, filled with familiar and funny faces to highlight the absurdity of it all. Could be one of the funniest films of the season.
Downsizing
Directed by Alexander Payne
Starring Matt Damon, Kirsten Wiig, Christoph Waltz
Alexander Payne is a filmmaker who has excelled in making small films about small ideas, such as Sideways, Election and Nebraska. Here he keeps with the “small” theme, though in a very different way. Payne, along with a stellar cast, create an interesting story of a future in which people are shrunk down in order to decrease their cost of living. It’s an idea filled with potential, especially with such an intelligent director like Payne at the helm.
Hostiles
Directed by Scott Cooper
Starring Christian Bale, Rosamund Pike, Wes Studi
Christian Bale is one of the most exciting actors working today with a knack for choosing interesting projects and this one certainly fits the bill. Bale plays an Army captain who, in 1892, escort a Cheyenne chief and his family through dangerous territory. The film will likely not be for the faint of heart, but hopefully it will be one of the few Hollywood films to give an honest and thoughtful depiction of Native Americans.
Molly’s Game
Directed by Aaron Sorkin
Starring Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Kevin Costner
Aaron Sorkin is one of the most celebrated screenwriters in film and television. His works range from The West Wing, The Social Network, A Few Good Men and Steve Jobs, all of which feature lightning fast and compelling dialogue. Here he tries his hand at directing a film for the first time, telling the true story of a woman ran the world’s most exclusive high-stakes poker game and became an FBI target.
mother!
Directed by Darren Aronofsky
Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Michelle Pfeiffer
Jennifer Lawrence is one of the most successful and popular actresses working today, but she is also not afraid to take on projects that are decidedly outside the mainstream. Here she teams with Darren Aronofsky, a visionary director in his own right, for a mysterious project about a couple beset by unexpected and unwelcomed guests. Expect it to be one of the most difficult to watch and most talked about films of the year.
The Mountain Between Us
Directed by Hany Abu-Assad
Starring Kate Winslet, Idris Elba, Beau Bridges
Survival films can be a tricky genre to get right and need a lot of solid elements to work effectively. Luckily this film has two of the finest actors to help elevate the material. Kate Winslet and Idris Elba play two strangers who are forced to work together after their plane goes down in a remote mountain.
The Shape of Water
Directed by Guillermo del Toro
Starring Sally Hawkins, Doug Jones, Michael Shannon
Monster movies don’t usually seem like the type of film that are awards contenders, however, there are few filmmakers like Guillermo del Toro. His unique vision often finds the beauty in often frightening situations. This reimagining of a “beauty and the beast” story tells the tale of a lonely mute woman who forms an unlikely bond with a strange creature being kept in captivity.
Stronger
Directed by David Gordon Green
Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Tatiana Maslany, Clancy Brown
The horrific bombing of the Boston Marathon is still fresh in many of our minds and some may think it’s too soon for all these film accounts of the tragedy. However, out of that situation came a lot of inspiring moments and this film tells one of those stories. Jake Gyllenhaal stars as a many who lost his legs in the attack and became a symbol of hope for his city just as they needed one the most.
Suburbicon
Directed by George Clooney
Starring Matt Damon, Julianne Moore, Oscar Isaac
Though George Clooney is one of the most recognizable movie stars, he has done a fair amount of work behind the camera as well. Here, working from a script by the legendary Coen Brothers, he has assembled all all-star cast for this pitch-black comedy about a small community disrupted by violence. Though set in the 1950s, the film is said to be surprisingly timely with themes of racism and white supremacy in middle America.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Directed by Martin McDonagh
Starring Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell
Another black comedy that is getting quite a lot of attention this film season comes from Irish playwright Martin McDonagh, the man responsible for such gems as In Bruges and Seven Psychopaths. Here he tells an American tale about an angry mother of a slain girl who goes to unexpected lengths in keeping law enforcement accountable for not solving the case.