Now that October is officially here, we can all be excited that one of the worlds biggest film events is nearly upon us. As passionate film fans, critics and stars travel to the capital, they are all brimming with excitement to catch the best movies that the British Film Institute will be providing. Yes, Wednesday sees the launch of the London Film Festival. Don your red carpet dress and quiver with glee, the movies this year are legendary.
But with so many movies coming out this week, what movies are a must? What are the best screenings and Gala’s this year? Well, here is my collection of mind blowing and awesome movies for you to see. (with some unashamed puns.)
Captain Phillips sees old Oscar Veteran Tom Hanks in line for another gong. Based on a true story about merchant mariner Captain Richard Phillips, this depicts the time where Phillips’ ship was invaded my Somali Pirates and his crew were held hostage. Directed by English Paul Greengrass (who filmed United 93,) Captain Phillips has already made waves at the New York Film Festival, earning five stars from the top critics. This real life biopic is set to make a further splash at this years’ London Film Festival.
Another movie that is completely out of this world is Alfonzo Cuaron’s breath taking Gravity. Starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, the movie already got rave reviews. With stellar performances and great suspension, Gravity is about the survival of two astronauts after they are separated from their spaceship and are hurtling across space with limited oxygen supply. Cuaron, who previously did Children of Men and Y Tu Mama Tambien, has put together one of the finest and intelligent films of this year. A definitely contender for Best Picture, Gravity is gripping.
If you thought for one moment that the industry was done with vampires then you were wrong. But how do we make vampires more interesting after every avenue seems to have been explored? You add hot gentlemen of the moment Tom Hiddleston and actress extraordinare Tilda Swinton. Together, they play vampires Adam and Eve who have been separated and cannot get to grips with the latest technology. Nor can they handle the announcement of little sister Ava who has woken from an 87 year old slip. It is slow paced but with that, a lot of wit and poetry.
What would a mistress of cult movies be without mentioning the new movie by Terry Gilliam? Exactly. One of the screenings I am dying to go too, The Zero Theorem stars Christoph Waltz and David Thewis, it is set in a very Gilliam movie. Waltz is Qohen Leth an eccentric super genius who suffers from existential crisis. He is tasked into in solving The Zero Theorem which will give the answer to the meaning of life. This is the third slice of the Gilliam’s dystopian future series with the previous being Brazil and Twelve Monkeys!
If you know me then you will know how much I have been going on about this movie. I have mentioned it time and time again, including constantly reblogging the trailers and featurettes. 12 Years A Slave doesn’t hit cinemas until next year but at the London Film Festival, special screenings are showing. 12 Years A Slave has made an incredible impact already, scooping the top prize at the Toronto Film Festival. Telling the true story of Solomon Northup, a free man who is kidnapped and sold into slavery. With outstanding performances by Chitiwel Ejiofor and Michael Fassbender and directed by the best director around Steve McQueen, this movie is nothing short of an astonishing and essential movie.
Tell us what you are looking forward too!