This is the best time of the year to hit the movie theatre. The leaves are starting to fall and so are some amazing flicks. Below are six fantastic films that you will want to check out this October.
We are now officially in Oscar season as the studios continue to release their potential award-winning darlings. Below are six films that you won’t want to miss for the month ahead, but make sure to check out some of the honourable mentions too.
The Walk
Image: Sony Pictures
Official Synopsis: The Walk is the true story of a young dreamer, Philippe Petit, and a band of unlikely recruits who together achieve the impossible: an illegal wire walk in the immense void between the World Trade Center towers. With little more than nerve and blind ambition, Petit and his ragtag crew overcome daunting physical obstacles, betrayals, countless close calls and overwhelming odds to beat the system and execute their mad plan. (C) Sony Pictures
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Why you should check it out: It’s being helmed by one of the great directors of our time, Robert Zemeckis. You know, the guy who gave us Forrest Gump, Castaway, Back to the Future, Who Framed Roger Rabbit and so many other legendary films. You can add The Walk to the Zemeckis’ masterpiece collection. This is a film that will have you on the edge of your seat. If you’re scared of heights or get cases of extreme vertigo, you may want to give it a miss. But if you have a head for heights make sure you catch The Walk while you can, as this is definitely a film that needs to be experienced on the big screen. Below is our full review on the film.
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Release Date: October 9
Currently playing at select theatres and IMAX
Wide Release
Rated: PG-13
The Martian
Image: 20th Century Fox
Official Synopsis: During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring “the Martian” home, while his crewmates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible rescue mission. As these stories of incredible bravery unfold, the world comes together to root for Watney’s safe return. Based on a best-selling novel, and helmed by master director Ridley Scott, The Martian features a star studded cast that includes Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Kate Mara, Michael Peña, Jeff Daniels, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Donald Glover. (C) Fox
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Why you should check it out: Based on the book of the same name by Andy Weir, this film will take you on a trip to the red planet. Look at it as a science love story. Is it coincidence that NASA had a big press conference to announce they found water on Mars just before the release of this film? You be the judge. Regardless, this is a film that needs to be seen. Especially for the outstanding performance from Matt Damon, who could get an Oscar nomination for his turn as the stranded astronaut who has to figure out a way to survive on Mars by himself. Below is our full review.
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Release Date: October 2
Wide Release
Rated: PG-13
Crimson Peak
Image: Universal Pictures
Official Synopsis: When her heart is stolen by a seductive stranger, a young woman is swept away to a house atop a mountain of blood-red clay: a place filled with secrets that will haunt her forever. Between desire and darkness, between mystery and madness, lies the truth behind Crimson Peak. From the imagination of director Guillermo del Toro comes a supernatural mystery starring Tom Hiddleston, Jessica Chastain, Mia Wasikowska and Charlie Hunnam. (C) Universal
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Why you should check it out: ‘Tis the season for some frights and ghouls, and Crimson Peak might be exactly what you need to get into the Halloween spirit. This is directed by Guillermo del Toro who is a master of creepiness. It also stars Jessica Chastain, Charlie Hunnam and Tom Hiddleston, so right there you have a pretty cool cast. Del Toro loves a lot of crazy visuals so expect this one to be a real trip.
Release Date: October 16
Wide Release
Rated: R
Goosebumps
Image: Sony Pictures
Official Synopsis: Upset about moving from a big city to a small town, teenager Zach Cooper (Dylan Minnette) finds a silver lining when he meets the beautiful girl, Hannah (Odeya Rush), living right next door. But every silver lining has a cloud, and Zach’s comes when he learns that Hannah has a mysterious dad who is revealed to be R. L. Stine (Jack Black), the author of the bestselling Goosebumps series. It turns out that there is a reason why Stine is so strange… he is a prisoner of his own imagination – the monsters that his books made famous are real, and Stine protects his readers by keeping them locked up in their books. When Zach unintentionally unleashes the monsters from their manuscripts and they begin to terrorize the town, it’s suddenly up to Stine, Zach, and Hannah to get all of them back in the books where they belong. (C) Sony Pictures
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Why you should check it out: Crimson Peak is for the adults, but Goosebumps is for family Halloween fun. Scholastic has sold over 400 million Goosebumps books worldwide, so the chances are that a lot of you grew up reading the novels by critically acclaimed author R.L. Stine. Completists can also find the Goosebumps television series on Netflix right now too.
Release Date: October 16
Wide Release
Rated: PG
Steve Jobs
Image: Universal Pictures
Official Synopsis: Set backstage at three iconic product launches and ending in 1998 with the unveiling of the iMac, Steve Jobs takes us behind the scenes of the digital revolution to paint an intimate portrait of the brilliant man at its epicenter. (C) Universal
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Why you should check it out: They tried to make a Steve Jobs biopic back in 2013 with Ashton Kutcher and it was crappy. However, this film looks very solid and the early reviews have been great. There has also been a lot of buzz regarding Michael Fassbender’s performance as the titular Apple CEO, with some critics suggesting that the 38-year-old actor’s performance could land him an Oscar nomination. Add Vancouver’s own Seth Rogen to the mix along with Kate Winslet and Jeff Daniels, and you have yourself a very solid cast. If you love Apple or you are looking to check out another film that could get some awards, put Steve Jobs on your list.
Release Date: October 16
Wide Release
Rated: R
Netflix/VOD Pick
Red Army
Image: Sony Pictures
Official Synopsis: From Oscar-nominated and Emmy award-winning filmmakers, Red Army is a feature documentary about the Soviet Union and the most successful dynasty in sports history: the Red Army hockey team. Told from the perspective of its captain Slava Fetisov, the story portrays his transformation from national hero to political enemy. From the USSR to Russia, the film examines how sport mirrors social and cultural movements and parallels the rise and fall of the Red Army team with the Soviet Union. Red Army is an inspiring story about the Cold War played out on the ice rink, and a man who stood up to a powerful system and paved the way for change for generations of Russians. (C) Sony Classics
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Why you should check it out: October might be Halloween season but it’s also the beginning of hockey season. Just added to Canadian Netflix is the award-winning documentary Red Army. Some of you remember the 1972 classic series between the Red Army and Canada. For those of you who weren’t born yet, the U.S.S.R. (Russia) was a hockey player factory that was churning out some fantastic athletes. This is an inside look at the rise and fall of one of the greatest hockey powerhouses of all time. This is a must see if you are any kind of hockey fan.
Currently on Netflix Canada
Rated: PG
Honourable Mentions:
Below are some more films coming out in October that are also well worth checking out. Go ahead and click on them and check out the trailers.
Goodnight Mommy – October 9
Pan – October 9
Bridge of Spies – October 16
Burnt – October 23
The Last Witch Hunter – October 23
Rock the Kasbah – October 23
Our Brand is Crisis – October 30
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