The 2013 Fall Movie Preview

So I am a month late with my reactions to Entertainment Weekly's Fall Movie Preview. I have even seen some of the movies already! Hey, school started; I've been busy. In any case.

Try and Stop Me

• Riddick (09/06)
  FAMILY.
  Why? I saw it, y'all. I saw it twice, and the second time around, I strong-armed six people into coming along with me. Pitch Black is my #1 favorite movie, by far, and this is more of the same, but sillier and shinier. I would watch it again right now if I could. Also, Katee Sackhoff.
  
  
• Don Jon (9/27)
  Why? That Joseph Gordon-Levitt is a talented one, isn't he? But, like, read this Grantland review (and its clever, clever title), and you get a clearer picture of what's only hinted in the trailer: this is a movie about expectations in an age of all-consuming narratives. For JGL's character, the "narrative" is pornography, while Scarlett Johansson's character demands a romance like in the movies. Turns out life isn't really like that, and they're forced to confront the constrictions of their fantasies! And that...that's really cool.
  
  
• Thor: The Dark World (11/08)
  Why? Let's be clear: I am ALL IN for the Marvel movie franchise. That said, the trailers have so much Sif and Freya and Jane and Darcy! I mean, not a lot. But Sif! SIF. And while I am super, super grossed out by Marvel's "#freeloki" campaign, the Thor-Loki dynamic is a fascinating one, so more of that is cool, too.
  
  
• The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (11/22)
  Why? Aside from the UGH casting of Finnick (no offense to the actor, but I find him rather boring and bland, looks-wise), I am so thrilled to get more of the Hunger Games universe. The first movie was gorgeous and tense, and the second book is kind of my favorite. I'm super-excited.
  
  
• Frozen (11/27)
  Why? It's probably way cutesy, and snowpeople coming to life are terrifying, let's be clear. But Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel are brill, and it's a movie about sisters. Sisters! Instead of romance! Let's support these projects, because we need more of them.
  
  
• The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (12/13)
  Why? I don't even know, really. It'll be a spectacle. It'll be fun. I have managed my expectations accordingly, and also The Two Towers was my favorite LOTR film. The middle parts are always the crunchiest.
  
  
• The Monuments Men (12/18)
  Why? I know this is based on a true story and all, but let's be honest: it's kind of like an alt version of Ocean's Eleven isn't it? George Clooney pulls together a band of nerdy but handsome misfits to pull off a heist! Good times are had by all.

Sometimes I Get Bored

• Rush (09/20)
  Why? So Chris Hemsworth and fast cars are ALL OVER the trailers, but did y'all know Natalie Dormer and Olivia Wilde are also in this? I feel like this should be a bigger deal. Also, this is a Ron Howard movie? I am so confused.
  
  
• Baggage Claim (09/27)
  Why? A cute, fluffy movie that makes no sense, and also includes Taye Diggs. I am not opposed.
  
  
• Gravity (10/04)
  Why? Space is pretty! Though I may have agoraphobia--I'm afraid of heights. So maybe this would be a bad idea.
  
  
• Escape Plan (10/18)
  Why? It is a prison break movie that pits Sylvester Stallone against Arnold Schwarzenegger. I just, I don't think I need to explain this.
  
  
• Ender's Game (11/01)
  Why? On one hand, some of my closest friends are super-stoked about the story itself. I haven't read the book, but I know enough to know it's awesome. On the other hand, Orson Scott Card. So. I will probably see it, but I'm not going to lose sleep over it.
  
  
• Saving Mr. Banks (12/13)
  Why? The story of how Mary Poppins was adapted from book to movie! This is a lovely intersection of nostalgia, writer nerdery, and heavyweight actors.
  
  
• Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (12/20)
  Why? I never saw the first movie, but it seems like it's a thing people reference? Eh.
  
  
• August: Osage County (12/25)
  Why? I always meant to read the script for this. I'll see a movie. Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Julianne Nicholson, and Juliette Lewis, just fracturing each other, again and again. Fun, and I mean that in a theatre kind of sense.
  
  
• Jack Ryan (12/25)
  Why? Spies! Keira Knightley! Spies!
  
  
• The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (12/25)
  Why? I'm not familiar with the source text, but the trailers I've seen for this movie are gorgeous. And escaping one's mundane life via fantastical musings? Possibly this will resonate.

You Insult Me. Pistols at Dawn!

• The Wolf of Wall Street (11/15)
  Why not? Listen, I know Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio do good work, and do especially good work together, but they have yet to jointly work on a project that I find interesting in any way at all. Just, blah.

Lucky for me, the autumn season is heavier on SRS BZNS than it is on goofy science fiction. I like me some popcorn, but I feel like there will be enough movie-going to keep me busy.