Hard to believe that we are already a week into October as the 2015 movie year has whizzed by in the blink of an eye. October is set to be another great month for movie fans and there are some great indie films that you really cannot afford to miss.
The Lobster
2015 has been another strong year for independent cinema and some of this month's films have been making a splash with critics and on the festival circuit over the last few weeks - I really am looking forward to seeing all of these movies and fans of this genre looks set to be in for a treat.
We take a look at some of the independent cinema that's coming out way this October and earmark some of the movies that you cannot afford to miss.
- Regression - out now
2015 has been a quiet movie year for Emma Watson but she is set to return to the big screen this October with her latest film Regression. Watson is an actress that continues to mix and match her roles and movies as she shows off her versatility as an actress - she is more than just Hermione in Harry Potter.
Regression sees her tackle the thriller genre as she teams up with filmmaker and writer Alejandro Amenabar for the first time. Amenabar has brought us movies such as The Other during his career and this is his first feature since Agora back in 2009. Not only is Regression a debut project for Watson with the filmmaker, but the movie also sees her work with Ethan Hawke for the first time.
2015 has been a great year for Hawke with a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for his work in Boyhood and great reviews for his performance in Good Kill - it s great to see him back and I can't wait to see what he delivers with Regression.
A great cast has been assembled for the film, as Watson and Hawke are joined by David Thewlis, Aaron Ashmore, Devon Bostick, Dale Dickey, and David Dencik.
Hawke will take on the role of Detective Bruce Kenner who investigates an accusation Angela (Watson) makes against her father, John (Denick). However, John has no recollection of the crime he is accused of committing. Psychologist Dr. Raines (Thewlis) in brought in to uncover his memories.
We are huge fans of Emma Watson here are FemaleFirst and she is carving out a varied and exciting acting career since leaving the Harry Potter franchise. And while the Harry Potter films turned her into a global superstar, she is making sure that this is not the role that defines her career. The next couple of years are going to be exciting for the actress with a series of great projects on the horizon - especially the live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast.
- The Lobster - released 16th October
Ever since playing at the Cannes Film Festival - where it competed for the Palme d'Or - everyone has been talking about The Lobster and it really has been whipping up a storm on the festival circuit ever since.
The Lobster marks the return of Yorgos Lanthimos to the director's chair in what is set to be his English speaking directorial debut. This is the first film for Lanthimos since Alps back in 2011 and he has also teamed up with Efthymis Filippou to pen the film's screenplay - it really is promising to be one of the most unique and original films to hit the big screen this October.
This October we are going to see a whole host of films boasting impressive cast lists and The Lobster really has one of the best as Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz, Jessica Barden, Olivia Colman, Ashley Jensen, John C Reilly, Lea Seydoux, and Ben Whishaw are all on board.
The Lobster is a love story set in the near future, when single people, according to the rules of The City, are arrested and transferred to The Hotel. There they are obliged to find a matching mate in 45 days.
If they fail, they are transformed into an animal of their choosing and released into The Woods. A desperate Man escapes from The Hotel to The Woods where The Loners live, and he falls in love, although it is against The Loner's rules.
The Lobster may not have won the Palme d'Or at Cannes, but it did with the Jury Award at the festival. The movie has gone on to play at the Toronto International Film Festival and is one not to miss at the BFI London Film Festival, which got underway on Wednesday.
The Lobster is a movie that has been winning over critics and audiences wherever it has played and could well be a dark horse when it comes to the Oscars. While there are other movies that are surrounded in very loud Oscar whispers, The Lobster could be a movie that does sail a little under the radar - I guess we are going to have to wait and see if it does end up in the mix.
- Mississippi Grind - released 23rd October
Earlier this year, Ryan Reynolds gave a terrific central performance in the rather offbeat The Voices and he returns to the indie film genre this October with his latest film Mississippi Grind. Over the last couple of years, Reynolds is another name who has been showing off his versatility as an actor and has worked on some interesting projects producing some really great work. 2016 is going to be a great year for the actor as he is set to take on the title role in the highly anticipated comic-book movie Deadpool.
Back to Mississippi Grind and the movie sees Reynolds work with directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, who have also penned the screenplay as well as being in the director's chair. Mississippi Grind sees Boden and Fleck reunite for their first feature film together since It's Kind of a Funny Story back in 2010.
Reynolds is set to take on the central role of Curtis film, alongside Ben Mendelsohn as Gerry - this central partnership has been winning over critics and audiences since the movie premiered at the Sundance Film Festival at the beginning of the year. However, it is not all about Reynolds and Mendelsohn as Sienna Miller, Analeigh Tipton, and Alfre Woodard are also on the cast list.
Gerry (Mendelsohn) is a talented, but struggling poker player about to be swallowed up by his unshakable gambling habit, when his luck begins to change after he meets the young, charismatic Curtis (Reynolds).
Gerry convinces his new lucky charm to hit the road with him, towards a legendary high stakes poker game in New Orleans. The highs and lows unveil the duo's true characters and motivations, and an undeniable bond forms between them.
Mississippi Grind is promising to be one of the best road-trip and buddy movies of the year and I cannot wait to see Reynolds and Mendelsohn in action at the end of the month.
- Paper Planes - released 23rd October
Paper Planes is one of the movies that seems to be charming just about everyone and is set to be one of the must-see Australian films of the year. We have been treated to some wonderful Aussie movies and acting talent over the years and Paper Planes really is promising to be another gem that is not to be missed.
Paper Planes is loosely based on an episode of Australian Story called 'Fly With Me' and has been adapted for the big screen by Robert Connolly and Steve Worland. As well as penning the screenplay, Connolly is also in the director's chair and has produced the movie.
The Aussie filmmaker has brought us movies such as The Bank and Three Dollars during his career but this is his first feature film since Underground: The Julian Assange Story back in 2012. Paper Planes could well be the film that sends his star rocketing even further.
Paper Planes is a film that will introduce us to the acting talent of Ed Oxenbould, a youngster who is staring to make a name for himself. We have already seen him in television series Puberty Blues and film Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day - he is a talent to keep an eye on over the next couple of year.
Sam Worthington is set to play Dylan's father, Jack while David Wenham, Terry Norris, Ena Imai, Nicholas Bakopoulos-Cook, and Julian Dennison are also on board.
Eleven-year-old Dylan (Oxenbould) is getting a hard time from a school bully, whilst his father (Worthington) is at home grieving over the death of Dylan's mother. When a regional paper plane tournament is announced at Dylan's primary school, he soon discovers his natural talent for creating the ultimate paper plane.
During a whirlwind adventure that takes him all the way to Japan for the world championships, Dylan meets the junior Japanese champion, Kimi, and they develop a close bond challenging each other to build the most beautiful paper plane ever made. Inspired by his carefree ex fighter-pilot grandfather and a kite hawk he feeds on his way to school, Dylan learns that if at first you don't succeed, fly, fly again!
Paper Planes has already become the highest grossing children's film of all time in Australia and is set to be a coming of age movie that is not to be missed.
Other indie movies that you cannot afford to miss this October include Black Souls, The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution, and Between Two Worlds.