ONE CHANCE
Based on the true story of Paul Potts (James Corden), the 2007 winner of Britain’s Got Talent, One Chance follows the life of the opera singer through his tough childhood and into his adult years. This dramedy flick doesn’t look too bad; the trailer had its funny moments mashed up with heartfelt scenes of Potts inevitably overcoming his difficulties. Now, I don’t know anyone who would be particularly interested in this story, but everyone loves an underdog. I would maybe go see this on cheap night.
One Chance opens in theatres on October 10.
THE BOOK OF LIFE
This animated flick follows the story of Manolo (Diego Luna), a young man who is battling Joaquin (Channing Tatum) to win the affections of Maria (Zoe Saldana) with spirits La Muerte (Kate del Castillo) and Xibalba (Ron Perlman) placing a bet on who will win her over.
I think it’s absolutely fantastic that this film does such a good job of honouring the Day of the Dead and incorporates the holiday into its plot rather than just making random allusions to concepts (and misconceptions) associated with the holiday. It’s apparently the first film of its kind and the short two-minute trailer won me over.
The Book of Life opens in theatres on October 17.
BIRDMAN
Michael Keaton finally returns as a lead character in a film about a washed-up actor trying to make a comeback. Riggan Thomson was once famous for playing the iconic superhero Birdman in his movies, but has begun to fade into the background. He turns to Broadway to revive his career, but must deal with his ego and family troubles. The film also stars Emma Stone, Edward Norton, Zack Galifianakis, and Naomi Watts.
I have been waiting for so long to see Keaton return to cinema with something bigger than a side character, and I literally can’t wait for this to come out.
Birdman is set to hit theatres on October 24.
JOHN WICK
Keanu Reeves returns as a retired hitman who gets back in the game after an old friend of his is hired by a crime boss to kill him.
This movie looks like your typical throw-lots-of-punches-blow-stuff-up-for-no-reason action film, but I don’t think I can pass up a flick with Keanu Reeves doing cool stuff and saying cool things for an hour and a half.
John Wick opens in theatres on October 24.
MAPS TO THE STARS
Agatha Weiss (Mia Wasikowska) tries to reconnect with her family after being released from a Florida sanatorium for criminal pyromania. She befriends a limo driver, Jerome Fontana (Robert Pattinson), and becomes the personal assistant of Havana Segrand (Julianne Moore), a washed-up actress. Segrand is dealing with living in the shadow of her dead mother and is a former patient of Weiss’ father, a psychotherapist (John Cusak).
This film looks like it’ll be pretty dark and deal with intense things (Segrand’s mother’s ghost haunting her, her alleged abuse, and family neglect) but it also looks like it’s worth a view. With this much star power packed into one film, it doesn’t look like one I want to miss out on.
Maps to the Stars comes out in theatres on October 31.
