04 October, 2013

Things to Look Forward To: Fall and Winter Movies 2013

Ah movies, a book-lovers dreams and nightmares all rolled into one. This is a look at some of the upcoming movies of the Fall and Winter 2013. 

Notes: All movies are listed in the order of release date based upon the U.S. Release date. Most should be released on the same day, but there's no guarantee. All summaries are from the Rotten Tomatoes rating site. Some movies may be rated R as standard with the U.S. rating system, viewer digression advised.

October:

Carrie - October 18th, 2013



Summary: A reimagining of the classic horror tale about Carrie White (Chloë Grace Moretz), a shy girl outcast by her peers and sheltered by her deeply religious mother (Julianne Moore), who unleashes telekinetic terror on her small town after being pushed too far at her senior prom. Based on the best-selling novel by Stephen King, Carrie is directed by Kimberly Peirce with a screenplay by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa. 

Rating: R
Genre: Horror

Thoughts: I've never really been a huge horror person, to be quite honest even being alone in my parents home after the sun goes down unnerves me and usually results with the lights being left on. Still, despite my avoidance of this genre, the trailers have looked interesting despite the knowledge that I will never be brave enough to watch this or pick up the novel that it's based off of. If you enjoy horror, it should be interesting however.


November:

Ender's Game - November 1st, 2013




Summary: In the near future, a hostile alien race (called the Formics) have attacked Earth. If not for the legendary heroics of International Fleet Commander Mazer Rackham (Ben Kingsley), all would have been lost. In preparation for the next attack, the highly esteemed Colonel Hyrum Graff (Harrison Ford) and the International Military are training only the best young children to find the future Mazer. Ender Wiggin (Asa Butterfield), a shy, but strategically brilliant boy is pulled out of his school to join the elite. Arriving at Battle School, Ender quickly and easily masters increasingly difficult war games, distinguishing himself and winning respect amongst his peers. Ender is soon ordained by Graff as the military's next great hope, resulting in his promotion to Command School. Once there, he's trained by Mazer Rackham, himself, to lead his fellow soldiers into an epic battle that will determine the future of Earth and save the human race. Based on the best-selling, award winning novel, ENDER'S GAME is an epic adventure which stars Asa Butterfield, Hailee Steinfeld, Ben Kingsley, Viola Davis, with Abigail Breslin and Harrison Ford. 

Rating: PG-13
Genre: Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy


Thoughts: First, I'm not certain how they manage to get a PG-13 rating for this movie since it's been a long time coming and super controversial over the ages of the main characters in the book. Second, it looks super interesting. I've always been a Science Fiction and Fantasy lover, so this movie definitely has appeal. My only worry is that I'll pick up the book and it'll be completely different from the movie.

Thor: The Dark World - November 8, 2013


Summary: Marvel's "Thor: The Dark World" continues the big-screen adventures of Thor, the Mighty Avenger, as he battles to save Earth and all the Nine Realms from a shadowy enemy that predates the universe itself. In the aftermath of Marvel's "Thor" and "Marvel's The Avengers," Thor fights to restore order across the cosmos...but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. Faced with an enemy that even Odin and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster and force him to sacrifice everything to save us all. (c) Disney

Rating: Currently Unrated
Genre: Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy


Thoughts: I've been waiting for this movie since the first one ended and then the avengers. I must admit I'm not as huge a comic book fan as I try to be, but in the end, limited funds keep me from the literary version of this classic hero. Besides, Chris Hemsworth is most definitely worth the movie. Still, I'm anxious to see what the shadowy figures from the last movie are up to, and how Loki falls into everything.

The Book Thief - November 15, 2013




Summary: Based on the beloved international bestselling book, The Book Thief tells the story of an extraordinary, spirited young girl sent to live with a foster family in WWII Germany. Intrigued by the only book she brought with her, she begins collecting books as she finds them. With the help of her new parents and a secret guest under the stairs, she learns to read and creates a magical world that inspires them all.

Rating: Currently Unrated
Genre: Drama


Thoughts: I was so thrilled to see this book being brought to life, however I still have my reservations. The original book is written through the view of Death, something that I'm not certain how they're going to translate if they're going to translate it at all. Still, the trailer has proven decent. I shall reserve my judgement on this movie until after I see it.


Catching Fire - November 22, 2013




Summary: THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE begins as Katniss Everdeen has returned home safe after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games along with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark. Winning means that they must turn around and leave their family and close friends, embarking on a "Victor's Tour" of the districts. Along the way Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering, but the Capitol is still very much in control as President Snow prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games (The Quarter Quell) - a competition that could change Panem forever. (c) Lionsgate

Rating: PG-13
Genre: Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy


Thoughts: My first complain with this is they've shown a pivotal scene in the first trailer they released (i.e. the changing of the wedding dress and making Katniss a national rebellion figurehead), however I'm still super excited for this movie. After the first movie's success, I expect no less from this. It doesn't hurt that the first movie was filmed super close to where my undergraduate college was and I can identify places that I've actually been in during scenes of the movie. Looking forward to this with bated breath.

Frozen - November 27, 2013


Summary: Featuring the voices of Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel, "Frozen" is the coolest comedy-adventure ever to hit the big screen. When a prophecy traps a kingdom in eternal winter, Anna, a fearless optimist, teams up with extreme mountain man Kristoff and his sidekick reindeer Sven on an epic journey to find Anna's sister Elsa, the Snow Queen, and put an end to her icy spell. Encountering mystical trolls, a funny snowman named Olaf, Everest-like extremes and magic at every turn, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom from destruction. (c) Disney

Rating: Currently Unrated
Genre: Animation, Children & Family


Thoughts: Yes, it's a Disney princess movie. Overall, I'm mixed about it. I'm excited because it's a Disney movie, but the inaccuracies make me cringe. All in all, it'll be cute if I ignore those.

December:

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - December 13, 2013




Summary: The second in a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug continues the adventure of the title character Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) as he journeys with the Wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellan) and thirteen Dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) on an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor.(c) WB

Rating: Currently Unrated
Genre: Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy


Thoughts: I am enthralled with this series. Ever since the first movie of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, I've been hooked, and now I'm super-excited that The Hobbit is on it's way into the movies as well. With one movie out, the only way to go is up. As it stands, this movie seems to cover the Elves (my favorite race of Middle Earth) and the Mirkwood Forest, as well as arriving at the mountain if the trailers can be believed. Definitely one I can't wait to see.

47 Ronin - December 25, 2013




Summary: From ancient Japan's most enduring tale, the epic 3D fantasy-adventure 47 Ronin is born. Keanu Reeves leads the cast as Kai, an outcast who joins Oishi (Hiroyuki Sanada), the leader of 47 outcast samurai. Together they seek vengeance upon the treacherous overlord who killed their master and banished their kind. To restore honor to their homeland, the warriors embark upon a quest that challenges them with a series of trials that would destroy ordinary warriors. 47 Ronin is helmed by visionary director Carl Erik Rinsch (The Gift). Inspired by styles as diverse as Miyazaki and Hokusai, Rinsch will bring to life the stunning landscapes and enormous battles that will display the timeless Ronin story to global audiences in a way that's never been seen before.

Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama, Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy


Thoughts: It looks interesting, and Samurai movies usually are. Out-numbered and faced with impossible challenges? Sign me up.

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