25 Independent Movies We’re Excited To See In Fall 2015
We’ve already presented our list ofbig studio movieswe’re excited about for fall and winter of 2015, but there’s a lot more than that set of 30 movies coming to theaters. This fall sees the release of some of our favorite Sundance films, such asFinders Keepers, and a few great retrospective roadshows including the films ofWim Wendersand theQuay Brothers. There are also big potential standouts likeTodd Haynes’Caroland the new version ofMacbethstarringMichael FassbenderandMarion Cotillard. Those and many more 2015 fall movies are highlighted in our continuing fall/winter preview below.
Note: The dates we’re using here are US release dates. Some films may be open earlier or later in other countries. Also, there are actually a few more than 25 films here, thanks to two touring film packages we just couldn’t leave out.
Wim Wenders: Portraits Along the Road
(Roadshow tour ongoing through the fall)We’re going to kick this list off with three re-releases or retrospectives that are touring in the fall, and for my money none is as significant as this first one. Wim Wenders is enjoying a retrospective tour that features a great crown jewel: the director’s 5-hour preferred cut of his road movieUntil the End of the World. The tour also featuresThe American Friend;Paris, Texas;Wings Of Desire;Alice In The Cities;Kings Of The Road;The State Of Things; and many more.
The tour launched this past weekend at the IFC Center in New York, and will then embark upon a 15-city tour of the US and Canada, with schedules to come in Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Washington DC, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Cleveland, Columbus, Houston, Austin and Vancouver.
(September 2)One of the greatest heist films is this 1956 black and white film by Jules Dassin that features one hell of a middle sequence: a 30-minute heist free of dialogue or music. If you’re not in a city that is likely to get the Rififi re-release, there’s also a Criterion blu-ray, which means the film is also available to watch on Hulu. (And Hulu right now is the best eight bucks you’re able to spend on streaming every month thanks to the Criterion and Janus holdings.)
The Quay Brothers in 35mm
(Roadshow tour ongoing through the fall)We’ve written a bit about this touring package of three stop-motion shorts, including the landmarkStreet of Crocodiles, and the accompanying short documentary Quay, directed byChristopher Nolan. As cool as the idea of the doc may be, seeingStreet of Crocodileson the big screen is even better. A Blu-ray will follow, containing the doc and many more shorts as well. The tour has already played NYC, and next goes to the Alamo Drafthouse in Richardson, TX, before hitting Cinefamily in Los Angeles, and then doing nine more stops in the US and Canada.Find dates here.
(September 11)OK, technically this is a Universal movie, but it’s also a $5m picture, which makes for an unusual return to the big screen forM. Night Shyamalan. And the word on the film, which follows two siblings as they discover some surprising family secrets, is particularly good.
Pawn Sacrifice
(September 16)Tobey Maguireplays chess master Bobby Fischer in the story of one of Fischer’s greatest matches, which also happened to be a politically and culturally charged moment on the world stage.
(September 18)Schoolkids become zombies in this horror-comedy that starsElijah Wood,Rainn Wilson, andAlison Pill.
Prophet’s Prey
(September 18)Amy Bergdocuments the criminal and sexually abusive actions of an offshoot of the Mormon church in this chilling doc. There’s an argument to be made that Berg fails to give much in the way of background story to the main investigation here, but the core of the film — a look into a megalomaniac who has scary control over his followers. On, and the score is byNick CaveandWarren Ellis.
The Primary Instinct
(September 22 on VOD)Conflict of interest alert:The Primary Instinctis directed by our ownDave Chen, based on the podcast he created withStephen Tobolowskyas a spin-off from the /Filmcast. The film documents one of Tobolowsky’s spoken-word performances in Seattle.
Finders Keepers
(September 25)One of the weirdest true story docs we’ve run across in a while was also one of our Sundance favorites.
A Brave Heart: The Lizzie Velasquez Story
(September 25)The documentary about Lizzie Velasquez has been rending hearts as it took the spotlight in preview screenings over the last couple months, thanks to an impossible to resist story of determination and motivation.
(September 25)Here’s the cast:Michael Shannon,Laura Dern, andAndrew Garfield, which gives the new film fromChop ShopdirectorRamin Bahrania spot on our watch list.
Mississippi Grind
(September 25)We’ll watch anythingBen Mendelsohndoes at this point, so the appeal of him playing a gambler with big problems embarking upon a road trip down the Mississippi is something we can’t deny.
(September 25)Roland Emmerichtakes a step back from his typical big-budget disaster fare to chronicle turbulent history, and that change of pace has our attention and curiosity.
The Keeping Room
(September 25)The lead trio ofBrit Marling,Hailee Steinfeld, andMuna Otaruis what gets our attention in this Civil War story that finds the three women defending themselves against soldiers with ill intent.
He Named Me Malala
(October 2)Even the trailers for this documentary have more power than some entire films, as they begin to tell the story of now-18 year-oldMalala Yousafzai, who has faced violence and cultural opposition as she advocates for the rights of young women.
(October 2)Julianne MooreandEllen Pageanchor this true story of a fight for equality in which a terminally-ill police detective is blocked from bequeathing her pension to her partner.
Experimenter
(October 16)If you asked me to conjure up the image of someone administering an experiment in which subjects are told to give painful jolts of electricity to other people, I’d imaginePeter Sarsgaard. He leads the cast of this true story about an experiment into the power of authority.
(October 16)Robert RedfordplaysDan Ratherin the story of the TV news anchor’s fall thanks to the story he andMary Mapes(Cate Blanchett) uncovered about the Coast Guard service of then-President George W. Bush. The first directorial effort fromZodiacandThe Amazing Spider-ManscreenwriterJames Vanderbilt.
I Smile Back
(October 23)Sarah Silvermanplays a dramatic lead role in this film about depression and destructive tendencies.
Suffragette
(October 23)Carey Mulligan,Meryl Streep, andHelena Bonham Carterbring to life the story of women who fought for the right to vote in the UK.
James White
(November 13)This is the film I’m most upset to have missed at Sundance, where it provoked intense responses from seemingly everyone who caught it.
(November 20)Todd Haynesreturns with a gorgeous-looking love story featuring a luminousCate BlanchettandRooney Mara.
The Secret in Their Eyes
(November 20)It’s a remake of a great film, yes, but the cast featuresChiwetel Ejiofor,Nicole Kidman, andJulia Roberts, and that has us more than a bit curious aboutBilly Ray’s take on the story from the Oscar-winning Argentine film.
The Danish Girl
(November 27)Eddie Redmaynestars as Lili Elbe in a love story from directorTom Hooper.
I Saw the Light
(November 27)How can we not watchTom Hiddlestonplay country music legendHank Williams?
Hitchcock/Truffaut
(December 2)The interview session betweenAlfred HitchcockandFrancois Truffautis legendary in film circles, and this documentary tells the story behind their conversations.
(December 4)TheWilliam Shakespeareplay gets new blood with starsMichael FassbenderandMarion Cotillard, and if that’s not enough to pique your interest, just look at that trailer. I don’t think we need to provide a synopsis, because you know the story. Directed byJustin Kurzel, who is also working with this actor pair inAssassin’s Creed.
