‘THE COUNSELOR,’
OCT. 25

Javier Bardem and Cormac McCarthy are a killer combination. Bardem’s role as Anton Chigurh in the movie adaptation of McCarthy’s book “No Country for Old Men” was among the most chilling in movie history. This time, McCarthy wrote the actual screenplay, and Bardem’s character looks just as crazy. Those two names alone would probably get me to the theater, but this movie gave itself an unfair advantage. Ridley Scott (“Alien”) is directing, and other stars include Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Penelope Cruz and Cameron Diaz. Fassbender plays the titular counselor, a lawyer who wants the best for his girlfriend (played by Cruz). He decides to make some extra money by getting into the drug business with Pitt (still in his long-haired phase) and Bardem. Predictably, something goes wrong, and everything goes off the rails. The trailer does a great job of balancing between showing the stakes involved and leaving questions (the most important question: what is the significance of the cheetah?). It is also unclear exactly how Diaz’s character fits into the movie, but she may be the most dangerous player involved. With this many pedigreed actors and actresses involved, the movie is obviously aiming for an Oscar haul. While Scott has been somewhat disappointing recently in his directing roles, this change of pace should be good for him. Here’s hoping it lives up to its promise. ––Trevor Leuzinger

‘12 YEARS A SLAVE,’
OCT. 18

When this epic of American history screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, critics went crazy, and some even claimed that the Oscar race was already over: “12 Years a Slave” had to be the Best Picture winner. While we won’t find out if that is true until next year, audiences at TIFF awarded it the People’s Choice Award—which has gone to Best Picture winners like “Slumdog Millionaire,” “The King’s Speech” and “American Beauty” in the past. The movie is based on the autobiography of Solomon Northup, a free man who was captured and sold into slavery in 1841. Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as Northup, with veteran actors Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender and Paul Giamatti in support. The movie is directed by Steve McQueen, an up-and-coming Brit who already has two acclaimed movies (“Shame” and “Hunger”) on his resume. McQueen has already tackled difficult subjects like sex addiction and the Irish hunger strike, but the history of slavery in America looks to be the hardest-hitting yet. Find out if “12 Years a Slave” lives up to the hype on Oct. 18.
––Georgie Morvis

‘KILL YOUR DARLINGS,’
OCT. 16

There is something very impressive about Daniel Radcliffe, and his portrayal of Allen Ginsberg in “Kill Your Darlings” is sure to help my claim that he is the most talented actor out of that Harry Potter trio. Sorry, Emma Watson, but your American accent sucks. Radcliffe’s, on the other hand, is really amazing. Putting my infatuation with Radcliffe aside, “Kill Your Darlings” is directed by John Krokidas and looks dark and beautiful as it tells the tale of the great poets of the Beat Generation. More specifically, this film revolves around Ginsberg’s relationship with Lucien Carr (Dane DeHaan, “The Place Beyond the Pines”) and Carr’s murder of his obsessive mentor, David Kammerer (Michael C. Hall, “Dexter”). Set at Columbia University in the 1940s, “Kill Your Darlings” exemplifies the themes of the Beat Generation such as obsession, death, sex, drug use and emotional violence. When Ginsberg gets to college and finds that his ideas are clashing with those of the education system, he is drawn to the charming and androgynous Carr as well as his circle of exciting and innovative literary friends. But once Kammerer is murdered, Ginsberg is torn between his friend and the truth. How did the Beats become as great as they were? How did they deal with a murder by one of their own? This film seeks to explore the beginnings of the Beat Generation and focuses on Ginsberg’s relationships within it all. Already having premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, “Kill Your Darlings” will be given a limited release on Oct. 16. ––Elena Wandzilak

‘CAPTAIN PHILLIPS,’
OCT. 11
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sp6jpeDeQmE
“Based on a true story” movies seem like recipes for success: just look at recent Oscar winners and nominees like “Argo,” “Zero Dark Thirty” and “Lincoln.” Chances are, “Captain Phillips” will soon follow in those critically acclaimed movies’ wakes. In the film, Tom Hanks stars as Richard Phillips, the eponymous captain who was taken hostage by Somali pirates on the Maersk Alabama container ship in 2009. The hijacking led to a fierce standoff between the pirates and the U.S. Navy, all while Phillips was held for ransom in a 28-foot lifeboat. The trailer alone does an excellent job of capturing all the tension and drama of this harrowing experience, with plenty of suspenseful action sequences and frantic dialogue. The movie should also be highly accurate, given that the screenplay is based on Phillips’ book about his experience. The filmmakers even specifically sought out Somali actors to play the pirates; first-time actor Barkhad Abdi is already attracting Oscar buzz for his portrayal of Muse, the leader of the hijackers. While all the action and intrigue behind this impressive thriller will definitely draw in crowds this October, what’s perhaps more interesting is the film’s treatment of themes like globalization and economic disparity. “Captain Phillips” will certainly be one of the most suspenseful movies of the year and perhaps one of the most thought-provoking ones, too. ––Katharine Jaruzelski

‘ROMEO AND JULIET,’
OCT. 11

Ah, the age-old story of the star-crossed lovers of Verona who unite their feuding families by dying. The beautiful Shakespearean tale currently has an adaptation on Broadway as well as off Broadway, and beginning on Oct. 11, you can see the latest adaptation on the big screen. Written by Julian Fellowes (“Downton Abbey”) and directed by Carlo Carlei (“The Flight of the Innocent”), this British revitalization stars Hailee Steinfeld (“True Grit”) as Juliet and Douglas Booth as Romeo. The cast also includes Stellan Skarsgard, Ed Westwick and Paul Giamatti and hopes to draw crowds based on its all-star cast and beautiful retelling of the alluring story. Unlike the last film adaptation, this film is set in the traditional Verona setting. I haven’t seen Steinfeld in anything since “True Grit,” and I’m excited to see how she’s grown up. This newest tale of “Romeo and Juliet” hopes to draw a younger generation to see the heartbreaking story and fall in love with Romeo and Juliet the way we all have, but I certainly will be among those who go just to hear the tale one more time. ––Elena Wandzilak