After most film goers get through the hype of summer blockbusters, it’s time to watch those movies that aren’t in every magazine’s front page or among the most watched YouTube trailers. However, these stories are also bound to bring spectacular moments and fresh ideas to your local theatre.
Sully – September
Award-winning director Clint Eastwood is back in 2016. This time he looks to bring us the true story of Captain Sullenberger, who stunned the world in 2009 when he managed to bring his airplane to a stop on the Hudson River, saving all 155 passengers on board. Starring Tom Hanks, the film will also explore the investigation that followed the incident, where officials found that Sullenberger could have safely landed at the La Guardia Airport. It remains to be seen how Eastwood will tackle the issue, but any release by one of our master storytellers (and that includes an actor such as Hanks) is usually worth the admission ticket.
The Birth of a Nation – October
This film about Nat Turner’s slave rebellion borrows its title from the prejudiced 1915 D. W. Griffith’s movie, much discussed in film history classes. Debutant director chose to give the title a completely different film, and, as reviews from the Sundance Film Festival show, he apparently succeeded. Admired by reviewers and sold for over $17.5 million to Fox Searchlight – the biggest sale in Sundance’s history –, this is one film not to be missed.
Silence – TBA
Legendary director Martin Scorcese is finally bringing his dream project to the screen. This adaptation of a Japanese novel tells the story of two Jesuit priests who travel across Japan in the 1600s searching for their mentor and spreading Christianity. The film has been long awaited by movie lovers around the world. How long? Almost 25 years. The difficulties of financing such a large scale historical production caused multiple delays and lawsuits to Scorcese. Everything points to a late 2016 release, and it has the potential of being Scorcese’s cinematic masterpiece.
Cafe Society – TBA
Set to open this year’s Cannes International Film Festival, “Cafe Society” is written and directed by Woody Allen and features a star cast, with actors such as Steve Carrell. The plot revolves around a young man who arrives in Hollywood in the 1940s looking to work in the film industry, but ends up among the people frequenting upper class clubs, resorts and cafes. Able to tell stories in almost any genre for almost 60 years, Allen has proved over and over again why he’s among the best filmmakers alive, still cranking out films year after year. Recent masterpieces include “Match Point” (2005) and “Blue Jasmine” (2013).
