5 Movies to Watch This Awards Season

Fall is an exciting time for movie buffs such as myself. Like a bowl of ice cream after a long day’s work, the year’s best films are always saved until the end. Studio’s use the holiday season to capitalize on publicity and audience size, which typically give them a leg-up when it’s time to nominate films for an award. While sites like Buzzfeed have already compiled a list of promising candidates, here are five upcoming films viewers should definitely be watching this awards season.
 

The Walk

Who’s in it: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ben Kingsley, Charlotte Le Bon, James Badge Dale, Ben Schwartz, Steve Valentine

What’s it about: The Walk is based on the story of French high-wire artist Philippe Petit, highlighting his daring walk between the twin towers in 1974. A documentary of the event won an Oscar in 2008, and now audiences can experience the stomach-churning event first hand thanks to the wonder of CGI. When the trailer alone gives you chills, you know it’s a movie worth seeing

*Watch the trailer for The Walk here
 

Bridge of Spies

Who’s in it: Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Amy Ryan, Alan Alda, Austin Stowell

What’s it about: Set during the Cold War,Tom Hanks plays a mild-manneredBrooklyn lawyer who becomes tangled in a web of lies and intrigue when he’s asked to negotiate the release of an American pilot imprisoned in the Soviet Union. Hanks was snubbed from the Best Actor nominations in 2013 despite strong performances in Captain Phillips and Saving Mr. Banks, so he’s got something to prove in Bridge of Spies. It probably helps that the movie is also being directed by Steven Spielberg.

*Watch the trailer for Bridge of Spies here

The Good Dinosaur

Who’s in it: Raymond Ochoa, Frances McDormand, Jeffrey Wright, Sam Elliott, Anna Paquin, A.J. Buckley

What’s it about: In an alternate timeline, dinosaurs never went extinctand still roam the earth. When a young Apatosaurus is separated from his family, he ends up befriending a small boy who helps him on the Journey home. Pixar already struck gold earlier this year with Inside Out, and the early reviews of The Good Dinosaur have been nothing but solid. The animation giant could end up competing against itself for 2015’s Best Animated Film.

*Watch the trailer for The Good Dinosaur here
 

Room

Who’s in it: Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay, Joan Allen, William H. Macy, Megan Park

What’s it about: Adapted from a novel of the same name, Room begins with a young woman and her five-year-old son being held captive in a garden shed. For seven years they have been the prisoners of a man named Old Nick, but an act of desperation finally grants them a chance at freedom. Room was initially considered too small for any awards, but ever since the film’s premier at the Toronto Film Festival it’s received nothing but praise. This is certainly one to keep an eye on.

*Watch the trailer for Room here
 

In the Heart of the Sea

Who’s in it: Chris Hemsworth, Benjamin Walker, Cillian Murphy, Tom Holland, Brendan Gleeson, Ben Whishaw, Michelle Fairly

What’s it about: This upcoming film recounts the tragedy of the Essex in 1820, the same whaling ship that went on to inspire the tale of Moby Dick. During its voyage, the ship was attacked by an enraged sperm whale, leaving the crew shipwrecked for 90 days. Spoiler alert: the men had to resort to cannibalism to survive. Aside from that distasteful detail, the film is shaping up to be quite the original thriller. Only time will tell though.

*Watch the trailer for In the Heart of the Sea here

**Published 9/30/2015