As with every year, the last few months on the calendar tend to provide some of the best theatrical offerings and November is no exception. Our top spy agent returns and with him comes a few of the most-anticipated adult dramas and even a few promising family offerings thrown in. In terms of cinematic events, keep your eyes out for AFI Fest recently kicking off in Los Angeles, which holds the premieres of two films showcasing iconic figures. Check out matinees to see below and top recommendations to follow.
Matinees: The Details (11/2), A Late Quartet (11/2), This Must Be the Place (11/2), In Another Country (11/9), Starlet (11/9), A Royal Affair (11/9), 28 Hotel Rooms (11/16), Rise of the Guardians (11/21), Hitchcock (11/23), Rust & Bone (11/23)
To See:
10. Wreck-It Ralph (Rich Moore; Nov. 2nd)
Synopsis: A video game villain wants to be a hero and sets out to fulfill his dream, but his quest brings havoc to the whole arcade where he lives.
Why You Should See It: Directed by Futurama‘s Rich Moore, this story of a Donkey Kong-esque bad guy is aiming to be one of the most enjoyable experiences this fall, tailor-made for any videogame fanatic. With a voice cast of John C. Reilly, Jack McBrayer, Jane Lynch and Sarah Silverman, check out our positive review here, where we proclaim there is much more in store than just a reference-filled extravaganza.
9. Lincoln (Steven Spielberg; Nov. 9th)
Synopsis: As the Civil War continues to rage, America’s president struggles with continuing carnage on the battlefield and as he fights with many inside his own cabinet on the decision to emancipate the slaves.
Why You Should See It: While it’s one of the more disappointing offerings this year, Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln is a commendable effort in capturing a brief, but vital moment in history. After a dull, oddly-paced initial hour due to lack of forward momentum, this biopic finally finds a groove when Spielberg dives into the political inner workings of what it takes to get the 13th amendment passed.
8. Anna Karenina (Joe Wright; Nov. 16th)
Synopsis: Set in late-19th-century Russia high-society, the aristocrat Anna Karenina enters into a life-changing affair with the affluent Count Vronsky.
Why You Should See It: Few can do period dramas better than Atonement‘s Joe Wright and after a brief action stint with Hanna, he has returned to adapting literary classics with Anna Karenina. Judging from our TIFF review, Wright has delivered quite a spectacle with this “audacious” take, so those expecting a dry turn are bound to be surprised.
7. Flight (Robert Zemeckis; Nov. 2nd)
Synopsis: An airline pilot saves a flight from crashing, but an investigation into the malfunctions reveals something troubling.
Why You Should See It: Although we offered up a negative take out of NYFF, I found a lot to admire in Robert Zemeckis‘ return to live-action filmmaking. Although heavy-handed at times, this unconventionally-structured character study takes a compelling, often dark look the complexity of addiction. Anchored by a stellar performance from Denzel Washington, this drama is well worth your time.
6. The Central Park Five (Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, David McMahon; Nov. 23rd)
Synopsis: A documentary that examines the 1989 case of five black and Latino teenagers who were convicted of raping a white woman in Central Park. After having spent between 6 and 13 years each in prison, a serial rapist confessed to the crime.
Why You Should See It: The fall consistently brings a eclectic slate of documentaries and this month is perhaps the best, as Ken Burns‘ controversial exploration on the 1989 Central Park Jogger Case will be unveiled in theatrical release. Directed with his daughter, Sarah, and David McMahon, the film has caught fire with lawyers in New York, as they even attempt to subpoena notes and outtakes from the film. As the filmmakers fight back, expect this to be one of the most vital documentaries of the year.
5. The Comedy (Rick Alverson; Nov. 9th)
Synopsis: Indifferent to the notion of inheriting his father’s estate, a guy living in Williamsburg, Brooklyn passes the time with his friends, playing games of mock sincerity and irreverence.
Why You Should See It: It’s been just under eleven months since I last saw this odd beast of a movie, and while I was initially mixed, the exploration of a Brooklyn hipster’s lifestyle has stuck with me to a surprising degree. Uncomfortable, awkward and blistering funny, this is a well-crafted departure for Tim Heidecker after delivering one of the year’s funniest offerings with Tim & Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie. It’s already out on VOD, but if the theatrical experience is anything like its Sundance premiere, it’s well worth checking out.
4. Life of Pi (Ang Lee; Nov. 21st)
Synopsis: The story of an Indian boy named Pi, a zookeeper’s son who finds himself in the company of a hyena, zebra, orangutan, and a Bengal tiger after a shipwreck sets them adrift in the Pacific Ocean.
Why You Should See It: After a well-received debut at New York Film Festival, 20th Century Fox will be releasing Ang Lee’s long-in-the-works adaptation of Yann Martel‘s hit novel Life of Pi. Check out our review here, where we had some problems with the narrative, but found it to be a “gallant” and “visually overwhelming” take on this story.
3. The Silver Linings Playbook (David O. Russell; Nov. 21st)
Synopsis: After a stint in a mental institution, former teacher Pat Solitano moves back in with his parents and tries to reconcile with his ex-wife. Things get more challenging when Pat meets Tiffany, a mysterious girl with problems of her own.
Why You Should See It: After getting heaps of love on the film festival circuit (including in our own TIFF review), David O. Russell follows The Fighter with this drama. Led by Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper, if impressions are any indication, this could be one of the year’s top crowd-pleasers with an effective mix of comedy and drama.
2. Killing Them Softly (Andrew Dominik; Nov. 30th)
Synopsis: Jackie Cogan is a professional enforcer who investigates a heist that went down during a mob-protected poker game.
Why You Should See It: After a few delays, Andrew Dominik‘s Assassination of Jesse James follow-up is finally arriving this month. This crime drama is much different that his western biopic, this time exploring the often grimy underground of the genre, always subverting expectations with a superb script based on George V. Higgins‘ novel. Featuring one of the year’s best ensembles (with Ben Mendelsohn, Scoot McNairy and James Gandolfini giving stand-out performances), check out our Cannes review here.
1. Skyfall (Sam Mendes; Nov. 9th)
Synopsis: Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.
Why You Should See It: After lighting up the UK box office, James Bond’s 23rd entry is set for a US release this month. I’d personally be excited for just another Sam Mendes film, but most reports (including our own full review) indicate the latest in the series is not only one of the best takes on our favorite agent, but one of the year’s top films.
What are you watching this month?