This fall, queer cinema has some interesting offerings, like Beach Rats in September, God's Own Country in October and Call Me by Your Name in November. For the mainstream, it is a mixed bag of tennis matches, nightmare-inducing clowns and a tied-up wonderful woman.
It's Oscar time so prepare for lots of true stories, with big names trying to grab the man in gold. For example, Jake Gyllenhaal is in Stronger, playing Jeff Bauman on Sept. 22; and, on Oct. 6, Liam Neeson stars in Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House. There are plenty more on the list below, True Believers.
Late September
—Battle of the Sexes: Hit the courts with the Little Miss Sunshine production team showing real love. While the cast barely resembles the people portrayed, their hearts are in the right place. Emma Stone conveys the closeted but powerful Bille Jean King and the hustler chauvinist Bobby Riggs has Steve Carell saying unbelievable things about women on Sept. 22.
—Flatliners: Out actress Ellen Page and cutie pie Diego Luna team up with original cast member Kiefer Sutherland on Sept. 29 for a new spin on stopping hearts.
—Victoria & Abdul: This film depicts the true story of Queen Victoria's friendship with Abdul Karim. Star Ali Fazal is adorable and Dame Judi Dench gives another award-winning performance. Sept. 29.
—American Made: Still recovering from The Mummy movie, Tom Cruise is now playing what he does best—a pilot. This one is recruited by the CIA in one of the biggest covert operations ever so most likely no shirtless volleyball scenes. Sept. 29
—Reeling Film Festival: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival paints the town pink with screenings through Sept. 28. While Battle of the Sexes would have been more of a crowd-pleaser for opening night than the selected unusual sexual time-jump musical Hello Again, there are some must-see films such as the Todrick Hall documentary and the closing-night tale of gender-bending teens called Saturday Church. VisitReelingFilmFestival.org for more information.
October
Will we be tricked by marketing or treated to good flicks this month? If you haven't seen Get Out, It, or Annabelle: Creation run to the theater then run from it screaming! New films like Happy Death Day and Jigsaw from the Saw franchise will attempt to cash in on the holiday of Halloween. If drag is your bag then there's always Tyler Perry's Boo 2!
—Music Box of Horrors: The popular 24-hour horror festival returns to The Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., on Sat., Oct. 7, beginning at noon. The campy The Craft and original Hellraiser are among the choices to see. A Q&A from Dark Waters director Mariano Baino follows his film. Tickets are at MusicBoxTheatre.com .
—Blade Runner 2049: Ryan Gosling plays a LAPD officer 30 years after the events of the first film who is searching for the Harrison Ford character in this highly anticipated sequel. Oct. 6.
—The Mountain Between Us: Plane-crash victims Kate Winslet and Idris Elba bond while trying to reach civilization through miles of wilderness. Elba is leaving the titanic sinking ship of The Dark Tower behind for this new endeavor. Oct. 6
—Professor Marston & the Wonder Women: This is the true story of what inspired the Wonder Woman comic, including a polyamorous relationship between the main characters. This is the chance to see some woman-on-wonder woman action in the theater. Oct. 6
—The Florida Project: Director Sean Baker, who brought us the trans film Tangerine, returns with this project in the Projects. Baker sat down recently to talk to Windy City Times about star Willem Dafoe, who is already receiving Oscar buzz. Oct. 13
—Only the Brave: It's another true story about firefighters, so expect testosterone and bros with Josh Brolin and Jeff Bridges in the lead roles. Oct. 20
—The Snowman: Serial killers and the usually intense Michael Fassbender will prepare Chicagoans for a cold winter with this chilly crime story. Oct. 20
—Chicago International Film Festival: This event takes place Oct. 12-26 This year, actor Patrick Stewart will be honored Oct. 25, and there will be more appearances from directors and stars throughout the run. Tickets are at ChicagoFilmFestival.com or 312-332-3456 .
November
This month will hopefully not be all turkeys as families gather together. There are superheroes battling it out, Daddy's coming home again and A Bad Moms Christmas movie will be on its way. The original Daddy's Home had several funny moments but can the combo of Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell make magic again Nov. 10?
—Thor: Ragnarok: This one was planned to pit Marvel versus DC as this third Thor movie might be the best one yet, with Cate Blanchett's Hela terrorizing Chris Hemsworth's hunky Asgardian. Nov. 3
—Justice League: The iconic team comes together for the first time on the big screen banking on Wonder Woman to make massive money at the box office. The long-haired Aquaman is hot, but slippery when wet. Nov. 17
—Wonder: Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson take on bullying in the story of August Pullman, who is mistreated because of his looks. The sentimental trailer will make you cry. Nov. 17
—Death Wish: It's a re-imagining of the classic 1974 thriller. This version, out Nov. 22, has Bruce Willis defending his family from attackers. Elisabeth Shue stars as his terrorized wife, telling Windy City Times that this is quite a different Death Wish than the original.
With the superhero summer behind us and frightening films in the fall, what will wait for us this winter? Watch for the winter movie preview in WCT Dec. 13.
