This fall, Hollywood is releasing plenty of action-packed thrillers and star-filled dramas.
Many movies are already sparking talk of Oscar nominations for Best Picture or Best Actress.
Here are 10 films coming up that you simply cannot miss.
“Eagle Eye”
This film opens today, and it stars Shia LeBeouf and Michelle Monaghan as two innocent strangers who get pulled into a dangerous plot that names them as fugitives.
From D.J. Caruso, the director of LeBeouf’s film “Disturbia,” this tense movie has already received much press due to its lead’s recent alcohol related car crash.
However, the film has enough positive buzz that viewers will still likely wish to see an old-fashioned suspense drama.
“Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist”
Opening Oct.3, this movie has hipsters eagerly awaiting its release. Starring Michael Cera (“Superbad”) and Kat Dennings (“The 40-Year-Old Virgin”) as the titular characters, the movie is set in the exciting backdrop of Manhattan.
After Nick is dumped by his girlfriend and sees her out with another guy, he asks Norah to be her replacement for five minutes.
Of course, hijinks ensue, but this film, produced and written by virtual unknowns in Hollywood, has insiders predicting a Judd Apatow-type hit.
“Body Of Lies”
This film features the ultimate pairing of two of Hollywood’s current best actors. Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe star in the movie, opening Oct. 10.
The famed Ridley Scott directed—this prolific man is best known for “Gladiator” (also with Crowe) and “Black Hawk Down.”
The espionage thriller is sure to showcase all of the talent on hand for this production.
“W.”
The political drama about George W. Bush has been eagerly anticipated since Hollywood first got wind of the screenplay.
The completed film by Oliver Stone, opening on Oct. 17, will treat audiences to a political masterpiece.
But critics have yet to decide whether this piece is a satire meant to mock the president (played by Josh Brolin) or a serious look at one of our most complex presidents.
Either way, the cast is stellar (including Thandie Newton as Condoleezza Rice, Richard Dreyfuss as Dick Cheney and Ellen Burstyn as Barbara Bush.
“Changeling”
This thriller starring Angelina Jolie was actually shot in San Dimas, so as locals we should really appreciate the scenery in this Clint Eastwood film.
Opening Oct. 24, this movie is a surefire way to get Jolie another Oscar nomination.
The film centers around a true story about a mother whose son went missing in the 1920s in L.A., and ultimately became entangled in a scandal with the LAPD.
The preview available online already shows what an eerily twisted film this will be.
“Quantum of Solace”
The much-awaited new James Bond film will premiere on screens Nov. 14.
Most audiences can’t wait for the next installment in the Daniel Craig series, and although the title is a little confusing, this drama is sure to bring the action and espionage expected from this series.
“Twilight”
The rabid fans of the Stephanie Meyer vampire novels have been blogging about this movie opening for nearly a year.
Most are wondering whether Hollywood got the adaptation right, but they won’t have to wait much longer—the first book’s translation will debut on movie screens Nov. 21.
Even those who have not read the books will most likely enjoy the fantasy atmosphere of a world where vampires and werewolves transform daily from their human counterparts. Catherine Hardwicke (“Lords of Dogtown” and “Thirteen”) has assured fans that she has given a faithful update on the much-beloved novels.
“Milk”
Arriving in theaters Nov. 26, this film about Harvey Milk already has Oscar fever.
Milk (played by Sean Penn) was California’s first openly gay man to be elected in the state, but was later tragically assassinated.
The film (made a considerable amount of time after the 1984 documentary “The Times of Harvey Milk”) has a great cast that includes Josh Brolin, James Franco and Emile Hirsch.
“The Road”
This film, adapted from the best-selling novel by Cormac McCarthy, opens Nov. 28.
It is set in a post-apocalyptic world in which a man and his son try to survive the odds.
The cast includes Viggo Mortensen (“The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy) and Charlize Theron (“Monster.”)
“Doubt”
Another movie that is already getting Oscar buzz is this adaptation of the Broadway hit starring Meryl Streep.
The actress plays a nun who has to decide whether the pedophile rumors about a fellow clergyman are true.
The cast includes Philip Seymour Hoffman (“Capote”) and Amy Adams (“Enchanted.”)
So, get out to the cinema over the next couple of months; you do not want to miss any of these great movies that are sure to entertain audiences.
Erin Konrad can be reached at erin.konrad@laverne.edu.
