Top 25 Remaining Movies of 2013 | Part 4

#16: The Counselor

Based on an original screenplay by Cormac McCarthy, ‘The Counselor’ finds a lawyer (Michael Fassbender) caught in the crosshairs of a drug trafficking crisis. It is an interesting premise given the often saintly presentation of the law profession. As with "Prisoners", an amazing cast brings expectations to a deafening level.

Led by Fassbender, it also stars Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz and Goran Visnjic to name a few. The thriller is directed by one of the masters of tension, Ridley Scott and has the potential to receive some awards attention. When the script went out, everyone in Hollywood was vying to be a part of it. They seemed to believe it was something special, audiences will know if they’re right soon enough. Release Date: October 25

#17: Last Vegas

Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Kline star as four lifelong friends who head to Las Vegas to celebrate their last single friend’s bachelor party. Starring a cast of acting veterans and some of the finest actors to ever work, period, there is reason to be excited. Seeing all of these names together is an event.

The trailer definitely brought the laughs. Some have drawn comparisons to other Freeman starrer “The Bucket List” however, that sentiment could simply be due to the narrow-mindedness of having an older cast anchoring the film. These acting legends promise to remind the younger generation how it’s done. (Click here to Read the Review) - Release Date: November 1

#18: Diana

U.K. critics have already had a field-day lambasting the biopic that focuses on the last two years of the late Princess Diana’s life, mainly her clandestine relationship with Pakistani heart surgeon Hasnat Khan (Naveen Andrews).  The draw here is Naomi Watts, who was until a few weeks ago, a top heat seeker for Oscar glory.

As deserving as she is for an Oscar, she might not get it with this project, featuring a script that has been scrutinized for “cardboard” dialogue. Director Oliver Hirshbiegel is no stranger to tackling recent historical events, having directed the powerful “Five Minutes of Heaven”.  Whether it weathers the rightful controversy will be known soon enough. (Read Eclectic Pop's Review, here) - Release Date: November 1

#21: Dallas Buyers Club

Matthew McConaughey stars in the true story of Ron Woodruff, a Texas electrician stricken with HIV and his subsequent fight to bring an alternative treatment into the U.S. when most had turned their backs. McConaughey’s turn in the film has had critics abuzz, since it began shooting, due to his severe physical transformation.

Just as intriguing though, is how McConaughey will convey the inner transformation of Woodruff as he is confronted with his own prejudices. A performance by Jared Leto as a transgender AIDs patient is also making waves in the awards season tide as a contender. The trailer indicated heart without being overly sentimental, which should work to not overshadow the message of the film.

Release Date: November 1

#19 Thor: The Dark World: This is the sequel to 2011’s “Thor” directed by Kenneth Branagh, he passed on directing and a new helmer, veteran TV director Alan Taylor (“Game of Thrones”) will be stepping behind the lens for this go-around. The trailer promises the epic feel of the first and with most of the original cast returning, things should be along the lines of the first.

In the “…Dark World” Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is forced to make an uneasy alliance with his trickster brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston), when Asgard faces the ultimate threat. One aspect facing this film, that could prove detrimental to it equaling its predecessor, is the action mostly taking place in Asgard. It could get tiring to be surrounded by the constant CGI. Release Date: November 8

Want to see the previous Top 25?
Part 1 - Top 25 Remaining Movies of 2013
Part 2 - Top 25 Remaining Movies of 2013
Part 3 - Top 25 Remaining Movies of 2013
Part 5 - Top 25 Remaining Movies of 2013