Just because the endless days of summer are drawing to a close and the weather is slowly growing colder, doesn’t mean there’s nothing to look forward to in the coming months entertainment-wise.
And though September often finds itself bridging the gap between Summer blockbusters and early Winter Oscar bait, we’ve managed to compile a list of the 10 movies we’re most excited about this month.
10. 10 Years
Directed by: Jamie Linden
Starring: Channing Tatum, Anna Faris, Chris Pratt
Release date: Sept. 21
Everybody loves a good nostalgia picture, and what better place to indulge in the emotion than at a high-school reunion? That’s the premise of Jamie Linden’s film surrounding a group of former classmates returning to their high school after 10 years experiencing the real world. With a talented ensemble cast, there’s strong potential for this film to break some much-needed new ground within the genre.
9. Bachelorette
Directed by: Leslye Hedland
Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Isla Fisher, Lizzy Caplan
Release date: Sept. 6
Writer/director Leslye Hedland looks to cash in on last year’s highly successful female-driven comedy Bridesmaids with a pre-nuptial story of her own. The film stars some of Hollywood’s strong up-and-comers in Fisher and Caplan with the familiar Dunst there to ensure everything goes off without a hitch.Though it remains to be seen whether this film can live up to Kristen Wiig’s hilarious effort, the film may signal a shifting in the guard between the sexes when it comes to comedy, which on its own makes this film worth seeing.
8. Arbitrage
Directed by: Nicholas Jarecki
Starring: Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon, Brit Marling
Release date: Sept. 14
At 25, writer/director Nicholas Jarecki is making his feature debut with a taut thriller surrounding a wealthy businessman whose dreams of chasing infinite riches are threatened to disappear following a sudden car accident. Having veteran actors Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon at his disposal, this film promises to be a well-executed look into the world of corrupt business, possibly mirroring the real world more than we care to believe.
7. Finding Nemo 3D
Directed by: Andrew Stanton
Starring: Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Willem Dafoe
Release date: Sept. 14
Following the success of last year’s 3D release of The Lion King, Pixar is set to send one of their most popular films back into the world, this time enhanced by cinema’s latest trend. One of the original film’s strongest elements was the gorgeous rendition of the ocean’s coral reef, and one is left to ponder how the 3D addition may add to this feature. Perhaps this film could stand alone as one of the few to benefit from what so far is merely seen as a gimmick?
6. Hello I Must Be Going
Directed by: Todd Louiso
Starring: Melanie Lynskey, Christopher Abbott, Blythe Danner
Release date: Sept. 7 in NY and LA
Keeping up with present movie trends, director Todd Louiso brings another story of lost love and divorce to the screen, with Melanie Lynskey playing the melancholic divorcee struggling to overcome her condition. Enter a hopeful 19-year old actor and the stage is set for what appears to be a peculiarly unique examination of what it means to be an adult and to what extent your personality can depend the major events our lives encounter.
5. The Inbetweeners
Directed by: Ben Palmer
Starring: Simon Bird, James Buckley, Blake Harrison, Joe Thomas XIX
Release date: Sept. 7
Based on the popular sitcom of the same name, this British film looks to follow the standard set by current coming-of-age comedies. But maybe American audiences will be treated to a fresh perspective from characters based across the pond. With a relatively unknown cast, the film has the chance to surprise its viewers, which would be much appreciated given the string of formulaic September comedies of years’ past.
4. The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Directed by: Stephen Chbosky
Starring: Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Paul Rudd
Release date: Sept. 14
Fans of the popular epistolary novel of the same name have waited several years to see this work translate from page to screen. As an added bonus, it appears any fear of losing too much substance from the original work due to movie executives may be avoided, as author Stephen Chbosky is commandeering the film as well. We also get our first glimpse at a post-Harry Potter Emma Watson, who appears to be enjoying playing free spirit.
3. Looper
Directed by: Rian Johnson
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt
Release date: Sept. 28
Director Rian Johnson reunites with Joseph Gordon-Levitt, the star of his first feature Brick, in order to tackle the futuristic thriller genre with Looper, his first film since 2008. While their chemistry showed bright and clear on their low-budget indie, it remains to be seen how the director and star will handle the scope of a larger project.
2. Liberal Arts
Directed by: Josh Radnor
Starring: Josh Radnor, Elizabeth Olsen, Richard Jenkins
Release date: Sept. 14
How I Met Your Mother’s Josh Radnor returns to the directorial chair for the second time, writing and starring as well. Following up 2010’s comedy-drama Happythankyoumoreplease, Radnor returns with a similar tone, tackling an issue several Americans are facing in the present job market: the never-ending desire to return to the hopeful years of college, where a Liberal Arts degree seemed like a good idea.
1. The Master
Directed by: Paul Thomas Anderson
Starring: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams
Release date: Sept. 21
Movie lovers have had plenty of intriguing storylines to contribute to their excitement for Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master. It’ll be the beloved director’s first film since 2007’s highly acclaimed There Will Be Blood. The film marks Joaquin Phoenix’s return to the screen following the actor’s brief and highly publicized “retirement” from acting. And though the filmmakers have confirmed no official correlation, Philip Seymour Hoffman appears to be playing a character that bears strong resemblance to the late Church of Scientology founder, L. Ron Hubbard. With several trailers already released, the film already has Oscar buzz surrounding it.