Fall Film Preview

Killing Them Softly

Filmmaker Andrew Dominik has yet to disappoint in delivering mannered crime dramas that also know how to have fun.

Having fully realized his signature aesthetic in making “Chopper” and “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford,” Dominik promises another gritty thrill ride in “Killing Them Softly.”

Brad Pitt stars as Jackie Cogan, a hitman tasked with investigating the heist of a mob-run card game. Portraying a character of similarly devilish charm to his role in the “Assassination of Jesse James,” Pitt guarantees a performance of equal caliber. With heavy-hitter co-stars like James Gandolfini and Sam Shepard, and a trailer promising comic misadventures at every turn, this upcoming addition to Dominik’s winning streak just might be the flagship of the fall movie fleet. — Rocco Giamatteo

Wreck-It Ralph

This Nov. 2, viewers should catch the new Disney movie “Wreck-
It Ralph.” It’s about Ralph (John C. Reilly), a video game boss who is unhappy being the bad guy. Viewers can expect phenomenal voice performances from Reilly, Jane Lynch (Sergeant Calhoun),
and Sarah Silverman (Vanellope von Schweetz).

“Wreck-It Ralph” takes a refreshing look at the video game villain,
specifically because these characters are usually two-dimensional
(no pun intended) and underdeveloped. And even though
this movie is targeted towards a younger audience, viewers can still
laugh at the subtle adult humor Disney never fails to put in its movies.

As a bonus, the audience gets to watch some of their favorite
villains (i.e. Bowser and Eggman) in a “Bad-Anon” support group. — Alexandria Agbaje

Lincoln

After a tough year for the 16th president of the United States (who, for the record, is not a vampire hunter), Steven Spielberg is taking over with his new film Lincoln set to debut on Nov. 16. An inspirational trailer promises a dramatic chronicle of Lincoln’s triumphs and struggles.

The film tells the story of Abraham Lincoln (Daniel Day-Lewis) in the middle of his presidency as he struggles to end the Civil War with a victory. Meanwhile, he is fighting his colleagues over the issue of slavery. It shows him being loved by the people, yet questioned by others in power as he makes the decision that will change America’s fate forever.

With other star actors such as Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tommy Lee Jones and Sally Field, this movie is bound to go down in history. — Lizzie Goodell

Cloud Atlas

David Mitchell’s intricate novel about interconnectedness, “Cloud Atlas,” has recently become a popular read among students and the general public. As such, the upcoming release of the film adaptation is highly anticipated, especially with fans of the novel.

“Cloud Atlas” will include six storylines that all take place in
different time periods throughout history and in the future. Each storyline has an impact on the next, in order to create a feeling that “everything is connected” (the film’s tagline).

With a cast featuring big Hollywood names including Halle
Berry, Susan Sarandon, Hugh Grant and Tom Hanks and the promise
of being the most costly independent movie ever, “Cloud Atlas,”
which will be released Oct. 26, seems as if it will please audiences
with its entangled travels through space and time. — Tess Boyle

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

With the last Tolkien adaptation garnering over $1 billion in worldwide box office receipts, it was only a matter of time until “The Hobbit” received the same Hollywood treatment. Despite spanning only the length of one book, Warner Bros. Studios announced “The Hobbit” will be split into three separate films like the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Among a new cast of dwarves, familiar faces such as Ian McKellen and
Elijah Wood are reprising their roles. Though it is a move to further milk the Tolkien franchise, “The Hobbit” is put back into the very capable hands of Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson. If his previous films serve as any indication towards the quality of the trilogy, fans will happily embrace the extension and undoubtedly see the film when it releases on Dec. 14. — Lam Chau

Rust and Bone

Any movie starring Academy Award-winner Marion Cotillard (“The
Dark Knight Rises,” “Inception”) should be highly anticipated, but “Rust and Bone,” which premiered at the 65th Cannes Film Festival in May, promises to be especially poignant. Cotillard plays Stephanie, a double amputee killer whale trainer, in this French drama, which has already received positive feedback from critics.
The film, which premieres on Nov. 23, also stars Oscar-nominated

Matthias Schoenaerts as Ali, an irresponsible father and Stephanie’s love interest. While Cotillard’s elegance in her American movie roles is always a joy to watch, “Rust and Bone” will demonstrate another side of her acting abilities. It’s not every day foreign films are this exciting, but not all of them star the lovely Cotillard. — Meghan DeMaria