The seasons are changing, and we are seeing movies that might get awards. As always, opening release dates are subject to change.
Sept. 2
‘Turning Point: Generation 9/11’
Arriving mere days before the 25th anniversary of the terror attack, the fourth installment of the Netflix docuseries franchise, “Generation 9/11,” examines the lives of Americans born after 2001 and the effects of growing up in the wake of the tragedy. (Netflix)
Sept. 4
‘By Any Means’
Mark Wahlberg dons pounds of prosthetics while starring as Gregory Scarpa, a real-life mob hitman turned FBI informant who is called on to offer insight into the murders of Civil Rights leaders in Mississippi in the mid-1960s. (Paramount)
‘Mayday’
Set in the late 1980s, this actioner and mismatched buddy comedy stars Ryan Reynolds as an Air Force pilot whose plane is shot down while in Soviet airspace. He’s rescued by a former KGB agent played by Kenneth Branagh, who reluctantly offers to help the pilot escape to freedom. (Apple TV)
Sept. 10
‘The Passion of the Christ’
In advance of the 2027 release of the sequel “The Resurrection of the Christ,” Mel Gibson’s 2003 original telling of the Crucifixion (presented in Aramaic, Hebrew, and Latin) will receive a limited two-week theatrical run. (Lionsgate/Fathom Events)
Sept. 11
‘The Uprising’
Recalling “Braveheart” and suggesting that it was the spark that created the legend of Robin Hood, Andrew Garfield stars in this period drama about the 14th-century peasants’ revolt against the oppressive reign of Britain’s King Richard II. (Focus Features)
‘The Fix’
Liam Neeson and Zachary Levi lead a group of former CIA agents on a dangerous mission where they plan to sneak into Tehran, walk away with untold riches, and rescue hostages. (Briarcliff Entertainment)
Sept. 18
‘Last Train to Fortune’
Malcolm McDowell and Mary Steenburgen star in this Western action-comedy directed by Adam Rifkin (“Homo Erectus,” “The Last Movie Star”). The story centers on two school teachers in the 19th-century Wild West who face a number of challenges while in their jobs. (TriCoast Worldwide)
‘The Weight’
Ethan Hawke and Russell Crowe lead an ensemble cast in this period crime thriller set in the 1930s U.S. Northwest. Hawke plays Murphy, a recently incarcerated man trying to arrange an early release with Warden Clancy (Crowe), who, more than likely, has no intention of making any deals. (Vertical)
Sept. 23
‘Brothers’
Co-producers Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson play fictional versions of themselves in this limited AppleTV+ comedy series. While living under the same roof with their respective families, the men unearth a secret that could have long-lasting implications for both of them. (Apple TV)
Sept. 25
‘Heart of the Beast’
This looks to be a “shaggy dog” movie with real teeth and bite (pardon the pun). Brad Pitt stars as a Middle East war veteran and his bomb-sniffing dog. Both return home with lingering wounds, physical and otherwise, and must deal with an entirely new enemy. (Paramount)
‘Primetime’
This could be a big winner or a major miss; I’m guessing the former. The unlikely cast: Robert Pattinson stars as Chris Hansen, the host of the reality crime TV show “To Catch a Predator.” Hansen has purchased ads to play before screenings of the film in order to refute its content, which seems suspect and a bit paranoid. (A24)
‘Unabomber’
Splitting time between 1958 and 1994, this historical dramatic thriller centers on controversial Harvard professor Henry Murphy (Russell Crowe) and his questionable experiments on “gifted” students, one of whom is Ted Kaczynski (Jacob Tremblay, “Room,” “Wonder”). In the ’90s, Shailene Woodley stars as an FBI agent leading the search for Kaczynski. (Netflix)
‘Charlie Harper’
Nick Robinson (“Melissa & Joey,” “Boardwalk Empire”) and Emilia Jones (“Tony,” “CODA”) star in this romantic drama, which hints at elements of science fiction and fantasy. (Temple Hill Entertainment)
Also in September
The Wonder Project, an independent studio specializing in faith-based and family-friendly films, is partnering with Amazon Prime Video to make two dozen original and archived titles available to stream. Some of the featured titles include “Noah,” “Queen Esther,” “Shaun the Sheep,” “The Land Before Time,” and “The Man From Snowy River.” For information on monthly and annual subscription plans, visit WatchWonderProject.com.
What I’m Looking Forward To
For my money, the weekend of the 25th promises the most potential of the bunch.
Having the real Chris Hansen voice opposition to a movie he refused to do can only lead to increased interest, and the buzz surrounding Pattinson’s performance is sky-high. It will be interesting to see how well former child star (now 19 years old) Tremblay will do playing one of the most evil people in history.
Finally, Brad Pitt and a canine co-star in a war movie?! I’m there.
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