October Preview

October Preview

October is upon us and with it comes many great looking new movies. From sequels and animated fun to novel adaptations, as well as what looks to be a new indie favourite, the cinema has plenty to entice you with this month. 

In no particular order...

007: Skyfall

Director: Sam Mendes

Cast: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardam, Ralph Fiennes, Judi Dench

Release Date: 26th October

The name's Bond. James Bond. Following the somewhat disappointing Quantum of Solace, it looks like Daniel Craig's incarnation of the iconic special agent has ditched his emotional baggage and is back into badass mode. Skyfall will see MI6 thrown into turmoil as, after an operation in Istanbul goes horribly wrong and the identities of every agent are leaked online, James Bond is presumed dead. In the aftermath, questions are raised regarding M's ability to handle the situation - that is until Bond returns very much alive. Seeking answers, he confronts Raoul Silva, a dangerous villain claiming to have a personal connection to both of them.

Skyfall marks Daniel Craig's third consecutive Bond movie, while Judi Dench as M is now sitting at eight. Newcomers to the series Ralph Fiennes and Ben Wishaw also provide support.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower


Director: Stephen Chbosky

Cast: Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller, Paul Rudd

Release Date: 3rd October

Originally a coming-of-age novel about the highs and lows of growing up, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is now hitting the big screen. It follows the heartwarming story of Charlie, a socially awkward freshman whose move to a new school throws his life up in the air. He is taken under the wings of two seniors however, as they introduce him slowly but surely into the real world and the emotional baggage that comes with it.

It's your basic feel-good teen flick, but with a healthy dose of realism and heart. Emma Watson is sure to be the driving force behind ticket sales, as she attempts to follow in the footsteps of her co-stars and thrust off her Harry Potter image in a film that includes "drug use, sexual scenes and strong language". Ooh.

Hotel Transylvania

 
Director: Genndy Tartakovsky

Cast: Andy Samberg, Adam Sandler, Steve Buscemi, Selena Gomez

Release Date: 12th October

A hotel for classic monsters is the name of the game here, as Dracula, Big Foot, Frankenstein's Monster, ghosts and skeletons take a break from their hectic lives in Hotel Transylvania. Dracula, the owner, invites the other fabled monsters to visit the hotel and celebrate the 118th birthday of his daughter Mavis.

That is until a young adventurer, Johnathan, stumbles upon the hotel and Dracula is forced to protect Mavis from falling for the human whilst protecting him from all the monsters inside the building.

Redemption for Adam Sandler? Looks that way - fingers crossed.

Liberal Arts



Director: Josh Radnor
Cast: Josh Radnor, Elizabeth Olsen, Richard Jenkins, Zac Efron
Release Date: 5th October

How I Met Your Mother's Josh Radnor returns to the director's chair for his second indie outing. As well as writing Liberal Arts, Radnor takes up the role of Jesse, a 35 year old college admissions officer in a romantic relationship with 19 year old student Zibby.

Now that How I Met Your Mother is soon to reach its conclusion (surely!), it's good to see Radnor breaking out from his breakout role as the show's star. He had already proved his excellent flair for atmosphere and subtle realism in his directorial debut happythankyoumoreplease back in 2010, so Liberal Arts will hopefully be the indie hit of 2012.

On The Road


Director: Walter Salles
Cast: Kristen Stewart, Sam Riley, Garrett Hedlund
Release Date: 12th October

Two guys and that blank-faced girl from Twilight go on a road trip. She does naughty things to them and she gets naked a few times, all while Sal, one of the guys, tries to get over the death of his father. Sex with Kristen Stewart is not the answer, my friend - doesn't he read the papers?

 Ruby Sparks


Directors: Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris
Cast: Paul Dano, Zoe Kazan, Steve Coogan, Antonio Banderas
Release Date: 12th October

A high-concept romantic comedy with an excellent twist, Ruby Sparks follows the story of Calvin, a struggling writer. He wrote a successful mainstream novel at the age of 19, however he has failed to follow it up with anything of equal quality. After an assignment from his therapist, Calvin's writer's block subsides and he begins writing the story of Ruby Sparks - soon after, he realises he is falling in love with her.

The next day, he wakes up to find that Ruby Sparks has sprung to life from the page and is now a physical being who can speak to him. Hilarity and questions of sanity ensue.

Paul Dano has already impressed this year as an ill-fated looper in, er Looper, and solid support from the likes of comedy king Steve Coogan should ensure that Ruby Sparks certainly lights up the screen.

Frankenweenie


Director: Tim Burton
Cast: Charlie Tahan, Winona Ryder, Martin Landau, Catherine O'Hara
Release Date: 17th October

A Tim Burton movie without Johnny Depp? Not seen one of those in a while! Frankenweenie, a remake of one of Burton's earlier short films, has been labelled as his "freshest, finest film in years", so we can (probably) expect big things.

The charmingly black and white film tells the tale of Victor, who harnesses the power of science to bring his beloved pet dog back to life after his untimely death. The experiment works, and Sparky accidentally gets out and begins causing havoc in the town of New Holland.

Interestingly, Frankenweenie is the first black and white AND the first stop-motion animated film to be released in IMAX 3D. Those necks be cranin'.

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted

Director:  Eric Darnell
Cast: Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer
Release Date: 19th October

Billed as the most critically and commercially successful film in the hilarious trilogy, Madagascar 3 hits British cinemas on 19th October. Deciding that it's time for a last ditch attempt to get back to New York, Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Gloria the hippo and Melman the giraffe find themselves stranded in France whilst eluding capture at the hands of a crazed hunter.

Cue an animated trek across Europe which is sure to be a more child-friendly version of Eurotrip whilst maintaining a decent and hilarious dose of international stereotypes.

Paranormal Activity 4


Director: Ariel Schulman
Cast: Katie Featherston, Kathryn Newton, Micah Sloat
Release Date: 17th October

"Urgh, another one?!" I hear you cry. Abuse it all you like, you'll be going to see it just like everybody else.

Paranormal Activity 4 picks up just after the events of the 2nd movie in the series, detailing where the now possessed Katie vanished to with Hunter, the baby who happens to be the object of the demon's desires.

Now living next door to Katie and Hunter is Alice, a teenager who notices "weird stuff" going on when Hunter is around. When Katie is taken to hospital, it falls to Alice to babysit Hunter, and more "weird stuff" happens. Like I even need to explain it. Now with added webcams!

007 aside then, October looks to be shying away from the huge action blockbusters, instead offering some more character-driven dramas and plenty of animation to tempt us inside the cinema and away from the cold winter nights. Check back to Movies Under The Microscope throughout the month for reviews of all of these films; in the meantime, you can check out the article archive from the drop down menus on the right.