“Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House”
Synopsis: The life story of Mark Felt, best known as “Deep Throat,” the FBI informant who helped bring down President Richard Nixon during the Watergate investigation.
What You Need to Know: Peter Landeman’s “Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House” on paper feels remarkably timely and handles potent material about a man doing the right thing in the midst of a massive political scandal. However, having been responsible for the fine, if not remarkable screenplays for “Kill The Messenger” and “Concussion,” we have to wonder just what the end product will end up looking like. That being said, seeing Liam Neeson return to a more strictly “dramatic” role and pair up with forces such as Diane Lane and up and comer Maika Monroe is enough to convince us to give it a shot.
Release Date: September 29th
“American Made”
Synopsis: A pilot lands work for the CIA and as a drug runner in the south during the 1980s.
What You Need to Know: There’s something familiarly comforting about Tom Cruise films these days. Sure, he’s forgone challenging himself on a performance level to instead aim for shock value stunts, but barring perhaps “The Mummy,” his films are all still relatively entertaining. The most intriguing aspect of “American Made,” which see’s him once again team up with director Doug Liman, is that while it doesn’t seem like Cruise is drifting too far from what’s he’s become known for, he’s playing someone with far more an edge than he has in recent years. Cruise has always been wonderful when he uses his charm in slimier, more morally dubious characters (see “Magnolia“) so we’re eager to see the results here.
Release Date: September 29th
“Lucky”
Synopsis: The spiritual journey of a ninety-year-old atheist (Harry Dean Stanton)
What You Need to Know: A character actor whose face and talent has taken part in many iconic David Lynch films over the years, critics seem to agree that his outing in “Lucky,” directed by fellow character actor John Carroll Lynch, is his best. In a expansive, extensive career, it’s the soul searching, intimate comedy/drama hybrid that allows the actor to shine bright. A meditative and piercing look at spirituality, morality and the need to find peace and clarity, the film may not be as immediately eye catching in a season dominated by more attention grabbing films, but it’s more than worth your time.
Release Date: September 29th
Honorable Mention:
Of course there is Stephen Frears‘ “Victoria Abdul” which is making its premiere at the Venice Film Festival (see our preview here), “Tulip Fever” which comes out today and you will surely watch ;), estimable documentarian Fred Wiseman‘s “EX LIBRIS – The New York Public Library,” Judd Apatow‘s co-directed “May It Last: A Portrait Of The Avett Brothers” doc, “Brad’s Status” with Ben Stiller Netflix doc, “Strong Island,” the critically acclaimed “Loving Vincent,” the “Flatliners” remake with Ellen Page and the Venice doc “Chavela” among many others.
