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| 20th Century Fox |
#20 Gone Girl | Ever since the announcement that Gillian Flynn’s best-seller would be getting the adaptation treatment, there have been expectations. When it was announced thriller maestro David Fincher would be taking the helm those expectations were only heightened. “Gone Girl” possesses all of the elements of a 90’s style adult drama.
From its domestic drama, fraught sensuality, violent subtext and ripped from the headlines premise, the groundwork for a word-of-mouth smash seems inevitable.
Despite the rarity of the suspense genre getting awards attention, the possibility still has people buzzing. One major key working to its box office advantage, is its cross appeal to both men and women. It’s an allure that should keep the excitement around “Gone Girl” from vanishing. Release Date: Oct 3
Read Eclectic Pop's Full Review here
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| Warner Bros. Pictures |
#19 The Judge | Robert Downey Jr. stars in this courtroom drama as the son of a prominent judge (Robert Duvall) returning home for his mother’s funeral. His plans for a brief stay are extended when his father is arrested for murder. There are some cliché elements at work in the story, a successful professional returns home to his small town where he reconnects with those he shunned.
While, it’s kind of been done before, it hasn’t been done with the caliber of this cast. Downey Jr. and Duvall alone are worth the price of admission. Add to that Vera Farmiga, Billy Bob Thornton and Vincent D’Onofrio and what you have is one of most talented ensembles of the year. Judging by the looks of it, this is a must-see. Release Date: Oct 10
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| Sony Pictures Classic, Stage 6 Films |
#18 Whiplash | This music themed drama took Sundance by storm when it opened the famous festival. It would eventually take the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award in the drama category. Miles Teller stars as Andrew Neyman, a jazz drummer who studies at one of the most revered music schools in America. This puts him under the ferocious instruction of vitriolic teacher, Terence Fletcher (played by J.K. Simmons).
As Terence pushes Andrew to the brink in a bid to unearth all of his innate talent, the exasperated tensions between teacher and student intensify. Teller is one of the best young actors currently working and Simmons is a veteran thesp who brings out the best in his co-stars. To say the ingredients for a brilliant film are present would be an understatement. Release Date: Oct 10 [Limited]
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| Focus Features |
#17 Kill the Messenger | In 1996, investigative reporter Gary Webb began publishing a series of exposes that became the basis for his book “Dark Alliance”. His controversial allegations involving the CIA led to a career blackout that he never recovered from. Jeremy Renner stars as Webb. It’s a political thriller/biopic that appears to be aiming for awards recognition. For Renner there is a lot riding on this project.
Since his stunning turn in “The Hurt Locker” led to his first Oscar nomination, he has struggled to find the same caliber of screenplay to run with. “Kill” could potentially break that streak. As for movies on whistleblowers, “Kill” has a lot to live up to. In 1973 Sidney Lumet set the standard for the genre with the arresting “Serpico”. It wasn’t until Michael Mann’s 1999 film “The Insider” that another even came close. Release Date: Oct 10
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| Fox Searchlight Pictures |
#16 Birdman | One of the riskiest films on the list, the trailer immediately conjured images of a male-centric version of “Black Swan”. Michael Keaton stars as a downtrodden actor, whose claim to fame was playing an iconic movie superhero. Attempting to resurrect his career, he decides on staging a comeback in a Broadway play. Director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu received mass acclaim for his 2003 film “21 Grams” and “Birdman” reunites him with one of the stars who was nominated for that film, Naomi Watts.
Inarritu co-wrote the script and the parallels that casting Keaton as the lead draws is unavoidable. Long an underappreciated talent, Keaton might soon receive a newfound acknowledgment with "Birdman". Given the film has already received a ringing endorsement from critics when it premiered at this year’s Venice Film Festival, all appears to be on the right track. Release Date: Oct 17
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