As we approach the end of 2016, film studios will release quality films that will contend for award ceremonies. A major contrast from films released in the summer for general audiences that enjoy blockbuster spectacles and an escape from the summer heat. Films released in the fall tend to have a message for the audience to receive in regards to social, economic, and personal life issues. These films get nominated into awards shows.
I have selected 20 films from all genres that will most likely win over audiences and critics, and the potential to win multiple awards. These films have release dates from September 16th - December 25th. My basis for these selected films include: the premise, themes, film trailer, cast & crew, and personal preference.
View these 20 films and determine which ones you want to see. If I did not select a film that deserves to be on this list feel free to let me know in the comment section below.
Lights. Camera. Action!
Snowden
September 16th
The man who leaked thousands of classified documents from the National Security Agency in 2013, without authorization, gets his personal story released to the world next week. The documents detailed multiple global surveillance programs monitored by the NSA. Edward Snowden (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a former computer contractor for the CIA, is one of the most polarized figures in American history. Whether you consider him a hero or a traitor, you will have an opinion after this film. Also, check out Citizen Four, a documentary that Snowden helped create as a complimentary piece to learn more about his story.
Blair Witch
September 16th
A sequel to the infamous Blair Witch Project, this film hopes to attract new fans and fresh scares. A group of college students head to the Black Hills Forest in Maryland to uncover why one student's sister went missing years ago. The trailer hypes the film's pace and delivery and has high expectations to live up to. I firmly believe it will not disappoint.
The Magnificent Seven
September 23rd
A remake of Akiro Kurosawa's Seven Samurai and a remake of the well-regarded Magnificent Seven, director Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) brings a fresh approach to the classic story. After Emma Cullen's (Haley Bennett) husband is murdered by a vicious industrialist, she hires a bounty hunter by the name of Sam Chisolm (Denzel Washington) to protect the town. Chisolm recruits six other men with various skills that includes actors Chris Pratt and Ethan Hawke to help him with his mission. A classic western at heart with a diverse cast will satisfy western fans and progressives alike.
The Accountant
October 14th
Ben Affleck stars as Christian Wolff, a mathematician in this highly-anticipated action-thriller. A CPA accountant by the day, and a forensic account by night, he takes dangerous jobs for criminal organizations. He accepts a job from a legitimate organization only to uncover many secrets, that lead to death for the people involved. The most interesting aspect of the film is that Affleck's character is autistic. The success of this film will depend on if the depiction of autism is accurate and help change viewer's perspective.
Inferno
October 28th
The third film in the Robert Langdon series hopes to please audiences with action, thrills, and art. Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) wakes up in Florence hospital with amnesia only to discover he is subject of a manhunt...again. He teams up with another scientist that uncovers a plot related to his manhunt that will "cure" overpopulation. The pieces of puzzle in this mystery lie within the La Mappa dell'Inferno by Sandro Botticelli, the painting that depicts our modern view of Hell and used to describe Dante's Inferno.
Doctor Strange
November 4th
Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock) stars as Stephen Strange, a renowned neurosurgeon that survives an accident that handicaps him from his work. He encounters the Ancient One who opens his third eye to multiple dimensions and trains him in the mystic arts. Hopefully Marvel does this film justice, especially since the studio now enters the supernatural. Based off the trailer this film has a visual spectacle that everyone needs to see. This film can compare to Marvel meets Inception and Fantasia.
Hacksaw Ridge
November 4th
Also on November 4th, Mel Gibson's new World War II drama will expose audiences to an American war hero that never killed for his country. Desmond T. Doss (Andrew Garfield), a Seventh-Day Adventist refused to fight in battle. Yet President Truman awarded him the medal of honor for the rescue of 75 soldiers during the Battle of Okinawa. This film will show that in war you don't have to save one life by taking one.
Arrival
November 11th
This science-fiction drama involves a team of experts that include a linguist (Amy Adams) that communicate with aliens while on the verge of global war. Director Denis Villeneuve (Prisoners, Sicario) takes us on a journey of how humans will determine their destiny through communication. This mind-bender will show us how our language helps us perceive our world.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
November 18th
From the wizarding world of Harry Potter comes a tale of magical beasts and the hunt for the wizard that accidentally released them. Based off the book by J.K. Rowling, Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), an employee of the Ministry of Magic arrives to America for a meeting with the Magical Congress of America. With him is a briefcase that contains many monsters that get released into the non-wizard world. Seventy years before Harry Potter reads Newt's textbook you can see the author's adventures come November 18th.
Manchester by the Sea
November 18th
This film premiered at Sundance this year and has such a love among audiences and critics, Amazon decided to pick it up for a release. Lee (Casey Affleck), a janitor who has faced so much tragedy in life finds out his brother has passed away. He moves back to his hometown as he is now his nephew's legal guardian. Lee attempts to rebuild his life, care for his nephew, reconnect with his ex-wife, and deal with residents of his hometown. Expect this film to bring tears, laughs, and a perspective on how to recover from loss.
Allied
November 23rd
Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard star in this romantic war-thriller set in Europe during World War II. Robert Zemeckis, director of Back to the Future, Forrest Gump, and Cast Away, tells the story of an American and French spy that fall in love during their mission. Expect this film to touch on love, commitment, and sacrifice.
Lion
November 25th
Based on the true-story of Saroo Brierley (Dev Patel) as he searches for the family he lost 25 years ago. He uses Google Earth to find places he last his saw family in Central India. This film has the potential to reach Oscar gold. With themes that cover adoption, family, and identity, everyone will have an opinion towards this moving drama.
Office Christmas Party
December 9th
American audiences have a strong connection with Christmas comedies and this one will has potential to join the likes of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and A Christmas Story. A CEO (Jennifer Aniston) wants to close a branch that consists of hard-partiers. In order to save their branch and their jobs, the employees (that includes Jason Bateman and T.J. Miller) go all-out for a Christmas party to win over a client.
Collateral Beauty
December 16th
Possibly one of my favorite movies I have not seen stars Will Smith as advertising exec that has recently faced a tragedy. His friends and co-workers witness his pain and decide to help him find happiness once again. This film focuses on love, time, and death. After this film you will realize the power of how friendship and cooperation can heal others.
La La Land
December 16th
Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling star in the original romantic musical set in modern Los Angeles. An aspiring actress and jazz musician meet and fall in love. As they both reach success and pursue their dreams, their relationship is threatened and may fall apart. Expect this film to win over many viewers, as it's already won multiple awards at the Venice Film Festival.
Rogue One
December 16th
The film everyone expected on this list may actually have the best reviews even for a sci-fi adventure. A lone thief by the name of Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) is recruited by the Rebel Alliance to aid a team to steal the plans of the Death Star. Set in between Episode III and Episode IV this film will either leave audiences in awe or wonder why this doesn't include any characters from the new trilogy. Oh, and Darth Vader makes an appearance.
Passengers
December 21st
After a hibernation pod malfunctions on Starship Avalon, two travelers (Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt) are stranded on spaceship that is 90 years away from their destination. Described as love in space with a dose of adventure, the travelers must save the other passengers before time runs out.
Patriot's Day
December 21st
Mark Wahlberg stars in thriller about the police investigation against the suspects of the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013. Led by Boston Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis, this film will give audiences a clear picture of the timeline of the bombing to the showdown between Watertown Police and the terrorist suspects. Directed by Peter Berg (Lone Survivor) this film has the potential to have award season success.
Fences
December 25th
Based off the play of the same name created by Denzel Washington, he also stars and directs the feature film. Washington stars as a former baseball player in 1950s Pittsburgh as garbage collector that deals with the events in his life. This film will touch on race issues during the time period and how hard African-Americans had to overcome those issues to live a decent life.
Gold
December 25th
An unlucky prospector (Matthew McConaughey) partners with a geologist (Edgar Ramirez) to find gold in Borneo in 1988. They find their treasure then trouble ensues. This film depicts the challenges of wealth, power, and greed.
This fall has some promising films for all audiences to look forward too. Did you like the selection? Did I miss any films that should have been included? Feel free to discuss this in the comment section. Happy viewings!
