Fall Movies: Drama | The SendMe Stage

October 7, 2009
Fall Movies: Drama

Fall is Oscar season. This year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has decided that there will be 10 movies up for the award of Best Picture instead of the usual 5. Will there even be 10 good movies out this year? Probably not. What gives?

I don’t have that answer. But, I do know of a few movies that have been getting Oscar hype this year. Naturally, they will be released during the fall so that the meaningful movies stay in your memory by the time you have to go vote for your favorite! I’m excited about a few (note the recognizable absence of New Moon):

A Serious Man (October 2)

This movie is getting hype because it is written and directed by the Coen Brothers (who wrote/directed Oscar-winners such as Fargo and No Country for Old Men). More likely than not, A Serious Man will be an extremely dark comedy. It follows a normal guy, Larry, who seeks clarity in his life after his wife leaves him (for his colleague) and his deadbeat brother has moved into his house (specifically crashing on the couch). His son has problems at school and his daughter wastes his money on vanities. Sounds like the opening for an interesting movie, right?

The Road (October 16)

The Road is a book written by Cormac McCarthy (who also wrote the book, No Country for Old Men). It is a somber and depressing post-apocalyptic story involving a man and his son trying to get across the now-destroyed United States to find some civilization. The Man (who remains nameless throughout the story) has recently lost his wife and struggles to stay positive for his son. The story is compelling and moving, and there are high hopes for the film, which stars Viggo Mortensen and Charlize Theron, and is directed by John Hillcoat.

The Lovely Bones (December 11)

This is another highly anticipated film adaptation, directed by Peter Jackson. It will be his first major directorial film since King Kong (2005). The film stars Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, and Saoirse Ronan (Atonement) as the main character. Susie Salmon has been murdered, and looks over her family from heaven. She also tracks her killer and tries to leave clues so her family can discover the killer’s identity. But, she also has to decide whether vengeance is more important than her family’s grieving process. The Lovely Bones is a bestselling book by Alice Sebold, released in 2002. Since then people have been hoping for a film version. Peter Jackson is giving it to them.

Sherlock Holmes (December 25)

I feel like I’ve been hearing about Sherlock Holmes (the movie) for years. Guy Ritchie’s newest movie, starring Robert Downey, Jr., Jude Law, and Rachel McAdams has been highly promoted and greatly anticipated. It is Fight-Clubbed up with major action, adventure, and violence. I don’t know about you, but I’m a big fan of Guy Ritchie’s work. Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels is one of my favorite movies of all-time.

I’ve been really looking forward to Sherlock Holmes. It’s remained somewhat of a mystery to me in terms of plot and development, but I like that. It makes it that much more exciting when I actually go out to see the movie. It’s the same reason why I don’t watch previews for the next week’s episode of a TV show. I like the element of surprise!

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