The Alphabet Killer (First week October)
Director: Rob Schmidt
Cast: Eliza Dushku, Cary Elwes, Timothy Hutton, Tom Malloy, Michael Ironside
The Alphabet Killer is based on the true story of three graphic murders that took place in Rochester, NY. The details concerning the case are bizarre, and therefore should make for compelling cinema. The cast looks interesting with Eliza Dushku and Cary Elwes in the starring roles. Timothy Hutton and Michael Ironside are a couple of other names you might recognize as well. The subject matter should make this movie a challenge to pull off especially considering that the killer was never found. With that in mind Dushku and Elwes seem a little unlikely to lead an entire cast, but both are experienced and could surprise movie goers this month. To be though, this movie is hit or miss, either it’s going to be one of the movies of the year, or something that Dushku hopes people forget.
The Heartbreak Kid (October 5th)
Director(s): Peter Farrelly, Bobby Farrelly
Cast: Ben Stiller, Michelle Monaghan, Malin Akerman, Jerry Stiller, Rob Corddry, Carlos Mencia, Scott Wilson, Danny
McBride, Stephanie Courtney, Polly Holliday, Roy Jenkins
Ben Stiller has a great track record, and that’s why I think we should probably go and see The Heartbreak Kid. Even though I feel like I may have seen this movie already, Stiller does have gray hair now, and that might make a difference. Seriously, the cast selection marks maybe the first occasion in a while were he’s really the only ‘heavy’ on the marquee. Rob Corddry should provide a good bit of comedy on his own and having Stiller’s father Jerry involved is also very promising. The biggest downside based on the cast list is Carlos Mencia, just to let you know, thinking that this guy is a unfunny stereotypical blowhard doesn’t make you a racist (it just means Comedy Central owes you money too) he just like to make you feel that way. In the trailer they him decked out like it’s a bad SNL skit, I’m officially concerned.
Michael Clayton (October 12th)
Director: Tony Gilroy
Cast: George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton, Sydney Pollack, Pamela Gray
George Clooney will pair up with a bunch of other leading men and make a movie that will ultimately make triple the GNP of most third world nations, those movies are sometimes forgettable. The proceeds from these colossal assaults on the box office often lead to smaller (and better) films that some people really appreciate. Each time he follows this process, the movies get better and better. Hopefully, if the formula holds true, Michael Clayton will change my f**kin’ life. George Clooney can play just about anybody except Batman, and the rest of the cast looks strong (wait, let’s check for Chris O’Donnell… nope, good.). In the final analysis it seems fairly certain that there will be at least one reason to hit theaters on October 12.
Tyler Perry’s why did I Get Married? (October 12th)
Director: Tyler Parry
Cast: Tyler Perry, Janet Jackson, Sharon Leal, Jill Scott, Tasha Smith, Malik Yoba, Richard T. Jones, Michael Jai White
I don’t know how familiar our reader base is with Tyler Perry’s work but that needs to change quickly as Perry has rattled off several quality films in past years. Often using the recurring character of ‘Madea’ as a focal point through which to tell his stories, Perry does away with the memorable character this time around. That might end up being a wise choice after seeing the cast Perry has assembled for this movie. Early trailers show us a film that will focus on an important aspect of African-American culture, and Madea may have proved to be a distraction more than anything. If you get the chance, check this movie out, I think you might be surprised by how much you enjoy it.
We Own the Night (October 12th)
Director: James Gray
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Wahlberg, Robert Duvall, Eva Mendes, Alex Veadov
October is looking better and better in movie land as the weeks go by. Added to the list of great post summer films is We Own the Night starring Joaquin Phoenix and Mark Wahlberg. The story takes place in the 80’s and is primarily about the events that take place in New York at the height of the 80’s Cocaine boom. Phoenix and Wahlberg play brothers who each have a role to play in the 80’s party scene as it becomes more and more intertwined with drugs and crime. The great Robert Duvall also stars as their father. The rest of the cast rounds out nicely, with a great mix of relative new comers and familiar faces. With the subject matter being what it is, and the names Phoenix, Wahlberg, and Duvall connected to the project, could there be Oscar buzz in this films future?
30 Days of Night (October 19th)
Director: David Slade
Cast: Josh Hartnett, Melissa George, Danny Huston, Ben Foster, Manu Bennett
Being a comic book adaptation makes me a little hesitant to put a stamp of approval on it based only on the trailer but hey, the movie looks good. The plot is really cool, so cool that you wonder why no one’s thought of this until now. It just makes sense that vampires would attack a place that didn’t see daylight for 30 days. The cast is pretty solid considering that it’s a horror movie (a franchise notorious for up and comers) with Ben Foster and Josh Hartnett headlining. The movie has the potential to be really scary, which would be cool since most horror movies of late have been sorely lacking that little tidbit.
Rendition (October 19th)
Director: Gavin Hood
Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Jake Gyllenhaal, Meryl Streep, Alan Arkin, Peter Sarsgaard, Christian Martin
Is Meryl Streep trying to win another Oscar? After you see Rendition you might be hard pressed not to give her a nod at least. A movie that examines what lengths America is willing to go through for the sake of homeland security. Reese Witherspoon, Jake Gyllenhaal, Alan Arkin, and Peter Sarsgaard round out an impressive cast who should handle the subject matter well. This is yet another reason to hit the movies in October.
Reservation Road (October 19th)
Director: Terry George
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Ruffalo, Jennifer Connelly, Mira Sorvino, Elle Fanning
Joaquin Phoenix is officially going for a twofer in the month of October with two strong looking cinematic performances. This time around Phoenix plays a dad who loses his son in a hit and run accident. His son’s death drives Phoenix endlessly to find his son’s killer. Little does Phoenix know that the man responsible for his boy’s death is closer than he might think. A story about realistic people in a situation that parents everywhere pray they’ll never be in. While big budget action flicks are great, it’s movies like this that are truly powerful. Mark Ruffalo, Jennifer Connelly, and Mira Sorvino in the cast should make for a great movie, I highly recommend it.
Saw IV (October 26th)
Director: Darren Lynn Bousman
Cast: Tobin Bell, Scott Patterson, Betsy Russell, Costas Mandylor, Lyriq Bent, Athena Karkanis, Justin Louis, Simon Reynolds, Mike Realba, Marty Adams
Despite his apparent death in the last movie, Jigsaw is back for one more go round of torture and death. The first film had me on the edge of my seat, and the follow ups have managed to please fans of the series. Let’s say that horror sequels are typically a way safer bet than other genres, and therefore at this point there’s no reason to believe that at least fans of the series will be excited to see and hopefully enjoy Saw IV. The cast doesn’t scream anything in particular but like I said before with horror, new faces and unknowns are neither a surprise nor necessarily detraction from the film. Hopefully we’ll have more info on Saw IV in a short while.
So there you are folks, remember to hit us up on the CraveOnline Speakeasy and tell us what you think of our October Movie picks. Have fun at the theaters this October, and we’ll see you next month for more movie goodness.
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