The days are getting shorter and LA temperatures are dropping into the mid-70s. Yes, it's fall and that means AFI Fest is here. The Hollywood-set festival kicks off tonight with the opening night film Saving Mr. Banks and closes next Thursday with Inside Llewyn Davis (our review). Here are 13 more "Can't Miss" picks for your viewing pleasure.
Her
Spike Jonze's follow up to Where The Wild Things Are is this quasi-futuristic tale of a man and his PDA. Joaquin Phoenix stars and it's been nothing but high praise since the NYFF premiere. Don't take my word for it, read Dustin Chang's rave review here.
Omar
Hany Abu Assad burst onto the Hollywood radar with his Oscar-nominated Paradise Now in 2005. While he has directed three features since then, none have broken through in the same way. His latest may change that. This Cannes-premiering love-triangle drama set amongst Palestinian extremists is a mature and fascinating tale. It was also enough to get him the job directing the next Park Chan-wook remake, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance.
Blue Ruin
Cinematographer Jeremy Saulnier's directorial follow-up to Murder Party has been pretty universally praised since its Cannes debut. A tense revenge thriller, the film's star Macon Blair gives one of the year's most haunting performances. RADiUS-TWC should be dropping the film on audiences soon. In the meantime, here is Brian Clark's review.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
While early reviews have been mixed-to-unkind, Ben Stiller's latest directorial effort has the kind of all-star cast that is going to put your butt in the seat no matter what the critics say. Alongside Stiller, the film stars Kristen Wiig, Sean Penn, Adam Scott, Kathryn Hahn, Patton Oswalt, and Shirley MacLaine. We've just gotta see how this works out.
We Gotta Get Out of This Place
This tense Texas crimer was a hit at TIFF and is well on its way to achieving cult status. Now we just need a big US distributor to take it for a spin. The Hawkins Bros. film stars Mackenzie Davis, Logan Huffman, and Jeremy Allen White, and includes a rock star cameo by William Devane. Here's is Marshy's review.
Jodorowsky's Dune
Another film fest, another boat load of fans and likely plaudits for what has become one of the most successful documentaries of the year. Frank Pavich's wonderful examination of the film that never was will be coming to theaters via a little company called Sony Pictures Classics soon. Here's my full review.
The Sacrament
The latest from House of the Devil & The Innkeepers director Ti West is a docu-style trip into a suicide cult where danger lurks just around each corner. Magnolia has snapped up the AJ Bowen, Joe Swanberg, and Amy Seimetz starrer for release sometime soon. Check out my review here.
Borgman
Whenever anyone asks me what odd little foreign language film they need to be on the lookout for this year, my inevitable response is, "Gotta go Borgman." This tale of a devilish wanderer in suburban Holland stole our hearts at Cannes and made us all jump for joy when Drafthouse announced they were scooping it up for release. Now LA… you get the chance to go Borgman. Don't miss it. Here is Brian's review.
The Green Inferno
You can't stop the mayhem when Eli Roth is involved and this tale of a group of activists who head to the Amazon for some civil disobedience is certainly mayhem-filled. Here is Guillem Rosset's review.
Nebraska
One of the films that's looking to use AFI Fest to launch itself into the awards race is Alexander Payne's black and white tale of a father-son road trip across middle America. Bruce Dern and Will Forte star and the charming script is written by Bob Nelson. You can read more in my review here.
The Congress
Ari Folman's follow-up to Waltz with Bashir is this odd tale that stars a semi-animated/semi-autobographical Robin Wright. I don't know what much to say except I'm very excited to see it after the early festival raves. Here is Marshy review with plenty more.
Awful Nice
Todd Sklar's wacky southern comedy is a true joy to experience. It's pretty weird, but damn if isn't a ton of fun. Screen Media Films will be distributing, but check it out now if you can. Here is my review.
R100
If Matsumoto Hitoshi's dominatrix mind bender can have the kind of effect it did on our own Todd Brown, there is no doubt it is a must see. Here is his review. Now stop reading and go see this film!