feature: Top Must See Movies – September 2013
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Here’s a run down of some of the upcoming movies I’m looking forward to in September 2013. Bear in mind that when I say “Must See”… I don’t necessarily mean for everyone…
Left for dead on a sun-scorched planet, Riddick finds himself up against an alien race of predators. Activating an emergency beacon alerts two ships: one carrying a new breed of mercenary, the other captained by a man from Riddick’s past.
Director: David Twohy
Starring: Vin Diesel, Karl Urban, Katee Stackoff, Dave Bautista
IMDb: Riddick
Why you should see it: Vin Diesel.
In recent years Vin Diesel has reinvented himself. Formerly a cheesy action star wannabe, Diesel has taken it upon himself wake up and develop a personality. The last two Fast & Furious films were great fun and I think he’s earned the benefit of doubt for this pet project. Himself and director David Twohy have been trying to get it made for years and finally, 9 years and 2 video games later, it’s here.
The trailer for Riddick promises a few laughs mixed with bone crunching violence. I know I want to see it. Who knows, it might turn out to be the sleeper hit of 2013, like Pitch Black did almost 13 years ago.
When a Vienna museum guard befriends an enigmatic visitor, the grand Kunsthistorisches Art Museum becomes a mysterious crossroads which sparks explorations of their lives, the city, and the ways artworks reflect and shape the world.
Director: Jem Cohen
Cast: Mary Margaret O’Hara, Bobby Sommer, Ela Piplits
IMDb: Museum Hours
Why you should see it: One of the few films that I missed in this year’s Jameson Dublin International Film Festival. We did not give it an award but there appreciative noises from others on the jury which made me regretful that I missed it.
While on a tour of the White House with his young daughter, a Capitol policeman springs into action to save his child and protect the president from a heavily armed group of paramilitary invaders.
Director: Roland Emmerich
Cast: Channing Tatum, Jamie Foxx, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jason Clarke, Richard Jenkins
IMDb: White House Down
Why you should see it: Basically, White House Down sounds pretty much exactly like Olympus Has Fallen except with Ronald Emmerich at the helm. I quite like Ronald Emmerich. He’s good at making things blow up. So if you want to see another film about blowing up the White House, you may as well see it being blown up by Emmerich.
An underachieving vocal coach is motivated by her father, the king of movie-trailer voice-overs, to pursue her aspirations of becoming a voiceover star. Amidst pride, sexism and family dysfunction, she sets out to change the voice of a generation.
Director: Lake Bell
Cast: Lake Bell, Rob Corddry, Eva Longoria, Fred Melamed
IMDb: In A World…
Why you should see it: This debut feature from Lake Bell, premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival where it went on to win Best Screenplay. Not too shabby. It got some excellent reviews in the US but mainly I want to give it props for being about film voice over artists and calling itself “In a World”. Nice.
The haunted Lambert family seeks to uncover the mysterious childhood secret that has left them dangerously connected to the spirit world.
Director: James Wan
Cast: Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Ty Simpkins, Barbara Hershey, Leigh Whannell
IMDb: Insidious: Chapter 2
Why you should see it: James Wan is a talented horror director, as evidenced by Saw, Insidious, The Conjuring. The first Insidious brought something a little different to your standard haunted house film and, even though it might have got a little cheesy toward the end, I’m interested to see where they’ll take the story next. No doubt it’ll be better than the follow ups to Paranormal Activity anyway…
A biography of Austrian Formula 1 champion driver Niki Lauda and the 1976 crash that almost claimed his life. Mere weeks after the accident, he got behind the wheel to challenge his British rival, James Hunt.
Director: Ron Howard
Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Daniel Brühl, Olivia Wilde, Natalie Dormer
IMDb: Rush
Why you should see it: Ron Howard’s latest flick has already been picking up some early awards buzz, though that’s likely more to do with the fact that Ron Howard has teamed up again with Peter Morgan. The last film they worked on, Frost/Nixon, was nominated for 5 Oscars.
Rush itself could go either way… I’m not sure it’s that compelling a story, but then again who’d have thought the background and set up for a series of political interviews could make for such fascinating viewing either. The last trailer showed a lot of promise so I’m ready to see what Howard’s got for us here.
A struggling motel owner and her daughter are taken hostage by a nearly blind career criminal to be his eyes as he attempts to retrieve his cash package from a crooked cop.
Director: Tze Chun
Cast: Bryan Cranston, Alice Eve, Logan Marshall-Green
IMDb: Cold Comes The Night
Why you should see it: Now this one might be a complete dud, but it stars Bryan Cranston putting on a pretty entertaining accent and being a bad guy. So that might be fun for a while.
A recently slain cop joins a team of undead police officers working for the Rest in Peace Department and tries to find the man who murdered him.
Director: Robert Schwentke
Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Bacon, Mary-Louise Parker, Robert Knepper
IMDb: R.I.P.D
Why you should see it: Elephant in the room here, R.I.P.D looks exactly like Men In Black, except with ghosts instead of aliens. That’s not necessarily a bad thing though, Men In Black was a good film back in the day. Also, it’s got Ryan Reynolds and Jeff Bridges, both talented, funny actors, so maybe they’ll pull it off.
There also isn’t really another big blockbuster type film till Thor: The Dark World at the end of October so you may as well get your fix in now.
Anything else you’re looking out for in September? Let me know in the comments.
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