October has just begun, and that means that Halloween is on its way.
At this time of the year, the film industry is obligated to provide audiences with quality horror movies to see with friends on the weekend when they’re not buying costumes for parties, trick-or-treating or attending haunted houses.
The “Paranormal Activity” movies were one of the first of their kind (along with “The Blair Witch Project,” which, incidentally, took place in Baltimore) to be shot by cameras in the first-person point of view.
The upcoming sequel takes place five years after “Paranormal Activity 2,” and it focuses on Katie, who was also in the previous movies. This time around, the camera is a web camera on a laptop owned by the main character, a teenage girl.
Since the audience is already familiar with the story, “Paranormal Activity 4” takes the plot further. Released on Oct. 18, it is the perfect movie for Halloween night.
However, not everyone is interested in horror movies.
It’s always nice to have a more artsy movie playing in theaters for those who expect an emotional experience from a film and dislike jumping out of their seats in fear.
“Butter,” is being released on Friday. It premiered at last year’s Toronto Film Festival (known for its selection of quality independent films), and has been waiting for election season before hitting the theaters.
In this long-delayed film, Jennifer Garner plays a typical conservative housewife working towards what seems to be a simple goal: to win a butter carving competition at the Iowa State Fair, motivated by a desire to outshine her ex-husband.
The twist? A young girl, played by Olivia Wilde, turns out to be her most threatening competition.
Like a good poem might, this movie takes a seemingly simple event and gives it meaning.
Now, have you heard of “Cloud Atlas”?
The makers of “The Matrix” trilogy have come out with yet another original idea, a film that brings various genres together and depicts mankind as leaping backwards and forward in history.
If you have heard of it, you’ve probably seen the trailer, full of picturesque natural landscapes juxtaposed with depictions of a technologically advanced, futuristic civilization.
The film is based on the novel by David Mitchell, and examines, with a little bit of enchantment and a little bit of solemnity, more than one rich and mystifying aspect of life. The audience may be taken by surprise when the setting and genre change entirely without warning, but this is somehow achieved without any feeling of disconnect from the rest of the film.
The quotes spoken in the background during the few minutes of the trailer are deeply thoughtful and compelling, even relatable at times. This is a story with the potential to awaken something in those who watch it, to teach viewers something that will truly benefit them.
The trailer alone is quite the masterpiece, and with Tom Hanks playing the main role and Halle Barry co-staring, the film will definitely be worth a watch.
Moving on from October, this November marks the return of James Bond. “Skyfall,” starring Daniel Craig, comes out on Nov. 9. It will undoubtedly be another whirlwind of action, gunfights and Bond girls.
To add to the season of movies based on literature, “Anna Karenina,” directed by Joe Wright, is being released on Nov. 16. It stars Jude Law and Academy Award nominee Keira Knightley.
Knightley is most well-known for her roles in the “Pirates of the Caribbean”movies, as well as “Pride and Prejudice” and “The Atonement,” both of which were highly-rated successes directed by Wright.
Based on the novel by Leo Tolstoy, this film tells the bold and theatrical story of a woman trapped in a loveless marriage, questioning her happiness and seeking a better life.
This is a film not only for those who have read and enjoyed Tolstoy, but also for those in the mood for something romantic without the comedy and raunchiness of modern-day chick flicks.
And finally, based on the novel by Yann Martell, “Life of Pi” will be released on Nov. 21.
Many people are familiar with the story: a zookeeper (played by Suraj Sharma) survives a shipwreck by stowing away on a lifeboat along with various animals.
The book definitely has enough fans to create a buzz of excitement about this film. Interestingly enough, this film not only stars Tobey Maguire from the original “Spiderman” movies, but also features a few Bollywood actors and actresses who have made their way into the western film industry.
The trailer for “Life of Pi”has been released and already has its literary fans excited.
The film was shot in Taiwan and used eight sound stages filled with water in order to create the magical setting required to bring the novel to life, a world completely unique and unlike any other that has yet to hit the big screen.
