September 26, 2013: Upcoming October Movie Releases To Look Forward To! Or Not!

GRAVITY

Release Date: October 4, 2013

What it’s about: Two astronauts find themselves tethered together, floating helpless in space when disaster strikes a shuttle flight.

What it’s got working for it: A rare intelligent and intriguing looking scifi offering from Hollywood.

What’s it’s got going against it: 90 minutes of two people floating in space could get very old very fast.

RUNNER RUNNER

Release Date: October 4, 2013

What it’s about: A young grad student travels to Costa Rica where he falls under the sway of a dangerous gambling tycoon.

What it’s got working for it: The Costa Rican scenery looks nice.

What’s it’s got going against it: Ben Affleck as a scary gangster?  If you say so, Hollywood.  Ben Affleck as Batman?  Okay, I have to draw the line.

CAPTAIN PHILLIPS

Release Date: October 11, 2013

What it’s about: An American cargo ship is hijacked by somali pirates.

What it’s got working for it: Based on a true story.

What’s it’s got going against it: Based on a true story – so I already know how it ends.

MACHETE KILLS

Release Date: October 11, 2013

What it’s about: An ex-Federale agent is hired to take down a dangerous arms dealer.

What it’s got working for it: Doesn’t seem to take itself too seriously.

What’s it’s got going against it: What more is left to be said after the original Machete?

ESCAPE PLAN

Release Date: October 18, 2013

What it’s about: A security expert is tasked with his most challenging job = breaking out of an ultra high-tech facility.

What it’s got working for it: A fun premise.

What’s it’s got going against it: The brilliant security expert – convincingly played by Sylvester Stallone.

THE FIFTH ESTATE

Release Date: October 18, 2013

What it’s about: Julian Assange and Daniel Domscheit-Berg team up to leak covert government secrets.

What it’s got working for it: A powerful moral and ethical question at its heart.

What’s it’s got going against it: Honest exploration or propaganda piece?  It remains to be seen.

THE COUNSELOR

Release Date: October 25, 2013

What it’s about: Things go bad for a lawyer when he gets involved in the world of drug trafficking.

What it’s got working for it: Director Ridley Scott and Cormac McCarthy (Alien/Blade Runner and the first 90 minutes of No Country for Old Men).

What’s it’s got going against it: Scott and McCarthy (G.I. Jane and the last 30 minutes of No Country for Old Men).

BAD GRANDPA

Release Date: October 25, 2013

What it’s about: In the spirit of Borat, the unwitting public is pranked by an annoying old man and his equally annoying son.

What it’s got working for it: Some funny bits in the trailer.

What’s it’s got going against it: There’s a fine line between funny and mean-spirited when it comes to pranks.  If Borat wasn’t able to walk it, it’s doubtful Johnny Knoxville will.

Tagged: Bad Grandpa, Captain Phillips, Escape Plan, Gravity, Machete Kills, Runner Runner, The Counselor, The Fifth Estate