November

Interstellar (Christopher Nolan) Not Yet Rated – November 7 – A group of explorers make use of a newly discovered wormhole to surpass the limitations on human space travel and conquer the vast distances involved in an interstellar voyage. Starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, and Michael Caine

Christopher Nolan is back and looking to stretch his sci-fi legs again. What I hope audiences walk away from seeing Interstellar is not just a epic blockbuster starring McConaughey, but rather a message that can really sink in today’s society based on the film’s hard hitting themes. Mark your calendars for this movie my friends. (Watch the trailer)

Big Hero 6 (Don Hall and Chris Williams) Not Yet Rated – November 7 – The special bond that develops between plus-sized inflatable robot Baymax, and prodigy Hiro Hamada, who team up with a group of friends to form a band of high-tech heroes. Starring Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, Jamie Chung, Genesis Rodriguez, Damon Wayans Jr., Alan Tudyk, and T.J. Miller

Disney has had its fun with Princesses and fairy tales, and now they are going to delve into their other owned properties, Marvel Entertainment. Just how well can Disney Animation Studios adapt a little known group of Marvel superheroes onto the big screen? From what I’ve seen in the trailers, Big Hero 6 give some of the best animated features we’ve seen this year some stiff competition. (Watch the trailer)

The Theory of Everything (James Marsh) Rated PG-13 – November 7 – A look at the relationship between the famous physicist Stephen Hawking and his wife. Starring Felicity Jones, Eddie Redmayne, Emily Watson, and Charlie Cox

Truth be told, it takes a lot of will power from me to muster up the energy to seek out biopics and period pieces; regardless of whether they are great or not. However, the story of Stephen Hawking is not one I particular know too much about and I believe Felicity Jones and Eddie Redmayne have a strong bond together based on the trailer. And depending on Redmayne, he may or may not have a shot for Oscar. Watch out for him.

Jessabelle (Kevin Greutert) – November 7 – A young woman recuperating at her father’s run-down home after a tragic accident soon encounters a terrifying presence with a connection to her long-deceased mother. Starring Sarah Snook, Mark Webber, and Joelle Carter

I was looking forward to Jessabelle earlier this year, but once I saw the trailer my enthusiasm waned. Horror movies have been struggling to find their footing this year and I don’t think Jessabelle offers anything we haven’t seen before from paranormal movies of this nature.

Foxcatcher (Bennett Miller) Rated R– November 14 – Based on the true story of Mark Schultz, an Olympic wrestler whose relationship with sponsor John du Pont and brother Dave Schultz would lead to unlikely circumstances. Starring Channing Tatum, Mark Ruffalo, Anthony Michael Hall, and Steve Carell

Looking past the age makeup applied to Steve Carell, Foxcatcher should be on the top of your lists to see. Based on early buzz, this dramatic biopic has my attention cranked up to eleven. The dynamic between Tatum and Carell’s characters has me very curious as to how the events – the likes of which I know nothing – play out.

Beyond the Lights (Gina Prince-Bythewood) Rated PG-13 – November 14 – A talented young musician on the brink of super stardom struggles with the pressure of her new-found success. Starring Minnie Driver, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Danny Glover, and Aisha Hinds

In these times of reality TV, paparazzi, and the invasion of celebrity’s privacy, we haven’t recently seen too many movies that focus on the pressure of fame and glory. Sadly, Beyond the Lights dovetails into a more romantic story, but if they are able to keep a healthy balance of both angles, and not waver from the main theme, I think Beyond could be a generally OK time.

Dumb and Dumber To (Bobby Farrelly and Peter Farrelly) Rated PG-13 – November 14 – 20 years after the dimwits set out on their first adventure, they head out in search of one of their long lost children in the hope of gaining a new kidney. Starring Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, Angela Kerecz, and Laurie Holden

Since Me, Myself, & Irene, the brothers Farrelly haven’t really struck comedic gold. With misfires such as The Three Stooges and ––– Dumb and Dumber To could quite possibly eat its own tail. And to argue another point, Anchorman 2 hardly found the audience it hoped it would draw to theaters after a eight year gap in between sequels, how well will a 20 year gap play out? My theory is not good. (Watch the trailer)

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (Francis Lawrence) Not Yet Rated – November 20 – Katniss Everdeen reluctantly becomes the symbol of a mass rebellion against the autocratic Capitol. Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore, Donald Sutherland, Natalie Dormer, Jeffrey Wright, and Sam Claflin

Full disclosure, I have read Mockingjay, and I am one of those who did not like it one bit. I don’t care that it strays away from the games, that’s perfectly fine, but it is just a sloppy mess that meanders without any kind of interesting narrative like its predecessors. Nevertheless, what we’ve seen in the marketing thus far, it would appear they have honed in on the bigger picture of what Stephanie Collins had in mind. Perhaps Francis Lawrence and Co. may have cracked the code to adapt the book in a way that will make the final two films a success. (Watch the trailer)

The Imitation Game (Morten Tyldum) Not Yet Rated – November 21 – English mathematician and logician, Alan Turing, helps crack the Enigma code during World War II. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, Mark Strong

Again, another period piece thirsty for that Oscar gold. They just come out of the woodwork around this time. As much as I like Benedict Cumberbatch and the rest of the cast, cracking a Nazi code during World War II has little to know appeal to me, and I bet not many others. Nobody in this cast are leading men or women that can put many butts in seats, but I don’t think it will be horrendous; just another bland war movie without the action.

V/H/S: Viral (Justin Benson, Gregg Bishop, Todd Lincoln, Aaron Moorhead, Marcel Sarmiento, and Nacho Vigalondo) Rated R – November 21 (VOD October 23) – Follows fame-obsessed teens who unwittingly become stars of the next internet sensation. Starring Emmy Argo, Amanda Baker, Dan Caudill, and Stephen Caudill

I know I’m sold on this franchise despite completely feeling dirty and hating it my first time seeing V/H/S. What Bloody Disgusting is doing with this anthology series is unlike anything we’re getting from the big feature horror movies today. These short form stories are incredibly surprising, presenting visions of horror we have never seen before. I cannot wait to see what these new storytellers have in store for us.

Horrible Bosses 2 (Sean Anders) Rated R – November 26 – Dale, Kurt and Nick decide to start their own business but things don’t go as planned because of a slick investor, prompting the trio to pull off a harebrained and misguided kidnapping scheme. Starring Jennifer Aniston, Chris Pine, Christoph Waltz, and Kevin Spacey

I found Horrible Bosses to be slightly funny, I chuckled a good handful of times, but nothing really stuck out to make it a memorable comedy for the ages. The hijinks are unfathomable and silly, but the cast works really well to make this world seem believable, which is what will make this sequel hold up if it is to succeed.

Penguins of Madagascar (Eric Darnell and Simon J. Smith) Not Yet Rated – November 26 – Discover the secrets of the greatest and most hilarious covert birds in the global espionage biz: Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private. These elitists of the elite are joining forces with a chic undercover organization, The North Wind. Led by handsome and husky Agent Classified (we could tell you his name, but then…you know). Together, they must stop the villainous Dr. Octavius Brine, from destroying the world as we know it. Starring Tom McGrath, Chris Miller, Christopher Knights, and Benedict Cumberbatch

I’ve never seen a Madagascar film because I really dislike when DreamWorks Animation plays around with childish stories when we know they are better than that i.e. How to Train Your Dragon. I don’t believe anything in Penguins will be new or out of the ordinary from DreamWorks, which will keep this spin-off from finding its wings just like the title animals themselves.

Continue Reading for December Movie Releases!