Upcoming movies: A missing wife, a crazy reporter and… a birdman?

As the summer slowly but surely gives way to autumn (ok, maybe not so much here in Malta), it's time to leave the beach for the movie theaters. Here are a couple of movies to look forward to in the coming months, with a very short reason why I'm looking forward to them and trailers.

Nightcrawler

Obviously having lost his iPhone, Jake has to use a flashlight in 'Nightcrawler'.

"A young man stumbles upon the underground world of L.A. freelance crime journalism." That's the plot summarization on imdb.com. It doesn't say much, and for once the trailer doesn't give too much away either. Jake Gyllenhaal looks brilliantly crazy, the editing in the trailer looks promising and L.A. looks dangerously seducing. Bill Paxton and Rene Russo also star in this movie, but this definitely looks like a Jake Gyllenhaal movie. Could this be the 'Drive' of 2014? Check out the trailer and tell me you are not looking forward to this one. US release date is October 17th. 

The Drop

James Gandolfini and Tom Hardy in 'The Drop'

James Gandolfini's last movie looks like a good one! Director Michäel R. Roskam from Belgium has brought Matthias Schoenaerts with him, an actor who also collaborated with the director in the critically acclaimed movie 'Bullhead'. Schoenaerts did a brilliant job together with Marion Cotillard in the French movie 'Rust and Bone', a movie which despite all odds managed to use a Katy Perry song in a dramatic scene successfully. But back to 'The Drop'… James Gandolfini is joined by Tom Hardy, an actor who seems to get better and better for each movie he makes, and Swedish actress Noomi Rapace, famous for her character Lisbeth Salander in the Millennium trilogy. Also, the film is based on a novel by Dennis Lehane, and the author also wrote the script for the movie. Dennis Lehane wrote 'Mystic River' and 'Gone Baby Gone', two other novels that were adapted into two very fine movies, so expectations are high. He also wrote a couple of episodes of 'The Wire', arguably one of the best TV dramas to hit the screen. US release date is September 12th.

Trailer: 

The Equalizer

This movie has Denzel Washington kicking some serious ass. I doubt further reasons to watch the movie are necessary, however I'd like to point out the fact that this movie reunited Denzel with the director of 'Training Day', Antoine Fuqua (yeah, that's his last name). The movie is a new version of the TV-series from the 80s, and a sequel seems to be planned already… Chloë Grace Moretz (Kick Ass, Hugo, Let Me In) and Melissa Leo (The Fighter, Prisoners, Treme) are also on the cast list. US release date is September 26th. 

Trailer: 

Gone Girl

Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) during a press conference in 'Gone Girl'.

Gillian Flynn's novel 'Gone Girl' was a huge hit when it was released, and it didn't take long before a film deal was in order. The book was brilliant, and with David Fincher as director (Se7en, Fight Club, The Social Network) the script for it, also written by Flynn, couldn't have been in better hands. Ben Affleck takes on the lead role as Nick Dunne, whose wife (played by Rosamund Pike) goes missing. Nick is the lead suspect, and as we go back and forth in time, the couple's story is told in fractions never giving away too much, and always keeping us guessing… well, in the book anyway, and as author Flynn is responsible for the script, I highly doubt we can expect anything less from the movie. Could be one of the highlights of the year. US release date is October 3rd.

Trailer: 

Birdman

Alejandro González Inárritu has directed some wonderful movies before, such as 'Amores Perros' and '21 Grams', and this time he's back with a movie about a washed-up actor passed his prime. Michael Keaton plays the lead role, as the actor trying to cope with his former career as he tries to relaunch himself in a new Broadway play. From the looks of it, the movie is quite a spectacular piece of work, and I won't be surprised if this movie also gives Keaton an Oscar nomination. It certainly looks like a typical candidate. The movie boasts a stellar cast, with Emma Stone, Edward Norton, Naomi Watts, Amy Ryan and Zach Galifianakis. I'm crossing my fingers that it won't be too out there, but the trailer looks promising. US release date is October 17th.

Interstellar

Probably one of, if not THE, most anticipated movies in a while, Christopher Nolan is back in the director chair with a movie he wrote himself, 'Interstellar'. His resume alone is reason enough to watch the movie. His directorial CV includes 'Memento', 'The Prestige', 'Inception' and the Dark Knight Batman trilogy. Michael Caine is back working with Nolan again, while Matthew McConaughey has the lead role. The recent Oscar winner can do no wrong these days, and after the success of 'True Detective' and his award winning performance in 'Dallas Buyers Club', he's set for another big movie.
Anna Hathaway, Casey Affleck and Jessica Chastain also play their part in the movie set for US release on November the 7th.

Trailer: 

The Imitation Game

Directed by Norwegian Morten Tyldrum, this movie tells the story of mathematician Alan Turing, who helped the allies trying to crack the Enigma code during WWII, as the code breakers fought in a race against time against the Germans. Benedict Cumberbatch plays Alan Turing, with Mark Strong, Matthew Goode and Keira Knightley in supporting roles. Looks like a very good drama. The movie is set for US release November 21st. 

Trailer: