Next on the Big Screen: October 2015

The Epoch Times film critic picks five films, next on the big screen in October, that appear to have potential, and collates some critic opinions for each.

Oct. 9
‘Steve Jobs’

Cast:
Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen, Sarah Snook, Jeff Daniels

What:
“Steve Jobs.” Another movie about the life and times of Apple CEO Steve Jobs? We just had “Jobs,” starring Ashton Kutcher. That wasn’t very good; 7 out of 12 critics on the film-review website “Rotten Tomatoes” didn’t like “Jobs.” Some critic comments about the Kutcher version:
“All of this information could be found in a simple Internet search,” said Matthew Toomey of ABC Radio Brisbane.

“Fawning Hagiography,” said Fiona Williams of sbs.com.au.

Michael Fassbender portrays the pioneering founder of Apple in "Steve Jobs," directed by Academy Award winner Danny Boyle and written by Academy Award winner Aaron Sorkin. Set backstage at three iconic product launches and ending in 1998 with the unveiling of the iMac, the film takes us behind the scenes of the digital revolution to paint an intimate portrait of the brilliant man at its epicenter. (Universal Pictures/Universal Studios)

Critics:

For the upcoming, better version, “Steve Jobs,” it’s got a great cast, and 9 out of 10 critics from Rotten like it.

“For those who subscribe to the generally held view that the late co-founder of Apple was both an iconic visionary and a monster with a silicon chip where his heart should be, rest assured that writer Aaron Sorkin, director Danny Boyle, and star Michael Fassbender have given their subject the brilliant, maddening, ingeniously designed and monstrously self-aggrandizing movie he deserves.” said Justin Chang of Variety magazine.

Oct. 16
‘Truth’

Cast:
Robert Redford, Cate Blanchet, Bruce Greenwood

What:
“Truth” is set in 2004, and tells the story of the last days of CBS news anchor Dan Rather (Robert Redford) and producer Mary Mapes (Cate Blanchett). They‘d broadcast a news report that immediately became highly controversial, wherein they’d alleged that President Bush (running for re-election) avoided Vietnam War combat by pulling strings. There was no verifiable evidence of this claim.

(L–R) Robert Redford as Dan Rather, Cate Blanchett as Mary Mapes, and Bruce Greenwood as Andrew Heyward in Sony Pictures Classics "Truth." (Lisa Tomasetti/Sony Pictures Classics)

 

(L–R) Elisabeth Moss as Lucy Scott, David Lyons as Josh Howard, Topher Grace as Mike Smith, Natalie Saleeba as Mary Murphy, Dennis Quaid as Lt. Col. Roger Charles, Adam Saunders as Tom, and Cate Blanchett as Mary Mapes, in Sony Pictures Classics "Truth." (Lisa Tomasetti/Sony Pictures Classics)

Critics:
Ten out of 12 critics like it. The New York Post’s Lou Lumenick said: “‘Truth’ dramatically recounts the story behind the ‘60 Minutes’ segment that led Dan Rather (well-played by Robert Redford) to resign from CBS, but the brightest star of this great ensemble piece is Cate Blanchett, who may well end up with another Oscar nomination for playing Rather’s producer Mary Mapes.”

‘Bridge of Spies’

Cast:
Tom Hanks, Alan Alda, Amy Ryan

What:
Like "Lincoln," this is a true-to-life story about a historical turning point. Set during the Cold War, a spy plane was shot down in the Soviet Union. Its pilot, Francis Gary Powers, was captured.

So the Americans have a Russian spy, the Russians have Francis Powers, and Tom Hanks plays the lawyer hired to negotiate the legalities of the prisoner exchange.

Critics:
No critic reviews yet. I speculate—Steven Spielberg makes a movie with a Coen brothers script, and Tom Hanks in the lead? It must be seen.  

October 23
'Suffragette'

[caption id="attachment_1755859" align="alignnone" width="580"] (L–R) Violet Miller (Anne-Marie Duff) and Maud Watts (Carey Mulligan) campaign for women's voting rights in director Sarah Gavron's "Suffragette', a Focus Features release. (Steffan Hill/Focus Features)

Cast:
Meryl Streep, Helena Bonham Carter, Carey Mulligan, Brendan Gleason

What:
The  frontline pioneers of the early feminist movement. Protesting inequality and sexual harassment in the workplace, among other things, a group of women were forced underground in order to continue the fight. Things got increasingly dangerous for them, due to government and legal oppressors.

Critics:
8 out of 12 Rotten Tomatoes critics like it.

“It’s a tremendous, awards-worthy performance from Mulligan,” said Cath Clarke of Timeout.

“The supporting cast, including Helena Bonham Carter, Romola Garai, and Anne-Marie Duff, are all top-notch, and a reminder of how few films like this exist anywhere.” Sasha Stone, TheWrap.

 Oct. 30
'Our Brand Is Crisis'

[caption id="attachment_1755869" align="alignnone" width="580"] (L–R) Billy Bob Thornton as Pat Candy and Sandra Bullock as Jane in Warner Bros. Pictures' and Participant Media's drama "Our Brand Is Crisis." (Warner Bros. Pictures/Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and Ratpac-Dune Entertainment LLC)

Cast:
Sandra Bullock, Billy Bob Thornton, Anthony Mackie

What:
This is a comedy-drama about a fictional account of the American political campaign strategies used in the 2002 Bolivian presidential election. George Clooney produces. David Gordon Green, who directed “Pineapple Express,” directs.

Critics:
No critic reviews yet. I speculate that since these are all very funny people, it must be very funny.

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