Monthly Movie Madness: November

Halloween is over and Christmas is just around the corner... So let's preview some movies I'd like to see this month. Grab your extra large popcorn that you don't want to share with your friends and let's dive in.

5. Out Of The Furnace: Now I must admit I'm yet to see Scott Cooper's last work "Crazy Heart" though it is on my to do list. Mostly this movie captures my attention because frankly we've been let down with crime dramas as of late but this movie appears to have more personality than your average shot at the genre... And this cast is about as close to amazing as you can get for me in an indie flick.

Synopsis: From Scott Cooper, the critically-acclaimed writer and director of Crazy Heart, comes a gripping and gritty drama about family, fate, circumstance, and justice. Russell Baze (Christian Bale) has a rough life: he works a dead-end blue collar job at the local steel mill by day, and cares for his terminally ill father by night. When Russell's brother Rodney (Casey Affleck) returns home from serving time in Iraq, he gets lured into one of the most ruthless crime rings in the Northeast and mysteriously disappears. The police fail to crack the case, so - with nothing left to lose - Russell takes matters into his own hands, putting his life on the line to seek justice for his brother. The impressive cast of Christian Bale and Casey Affleck are rounded out by Woody Harrelson, Forest Whitaker, Zoe Saldana, Sam Shepard and Willem Dafoe.

4. Birth of the Living Dead: I know, I said Halloween is over but this documentary is just too damn interesting to me!

Synopsis: In 1968 a young college drop-out and aspiring filmmaker named George A. Romero directed Night of the Living Dead, a low-budget horror film that shocked the world, became an icon of the counterculture, and invented the modern movie zombie, which has spawned legions of films, books, comics, and video games, generating billions of dollars. Night of the Living Dead is not only internationally recognised as an art film, revered for its groundbreaking treatment of American race relations and allegorical references to the Vietnam war, the film still maintains its cult status as a classic horror masterpiece. The film made history when it simultaneously screened at MOMA and the notorious grind-house theatre circuit on 42nd Street. Since its release Night of the Living Dead has been selected for preservation by the Library of Congress and the National Film Registry. Rob Kuhns' feature documentary BIRTH OF THE LIVING DEAD goes beyond just being a tribute to director George Romero's work, to explore a critical moment in the American experience and the notion that horror acts as a reflection of national anxiety. The film details how Romero gathered an unlikely team of real Pittsburgh citizens -- police officers, iron workers, teachers, housewives and a roller-rink owner -- to shoot in a revolutionary guerrilla style that became a cinematic landmark and one of the most visceral and influential horror films ever made.

3. Thor: The Dark World: Though most questioned the change in director since the first Thor was so well received, it doesn't seem to have hurt as the early reviews are impressive. A relative newcomer to movies Alan Taylor does great things apparently look no further than his TV resume which includes Boardwalk Empire, Mad Men and Big Love. Plus have I ever mentioned how great Disney is handling the Marvel properties?

Synopsis: Marvel's "Thor: The Dark World" continues the big-screen adventures of Thor, the Mighty Avenger, as he battles to save Earth and all the Nine Realms from a shadowy enemy that predates the universe itself. In the aftermath of Marvel's "Thor" and "Marvel's The Avengers," Thor fights to restore order across the cosmos...but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. Faced with an enemy that even Odin and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster and force him to sacrifice everything to save us all.

2. Oldboy: If you haven't seen the original South Korean "Oldboy" then you are missing out. It's ultra-violent and not for the easily squeemish. So when Spike Lee announced he was making a North American one I was understandably worried... I have nothing against Spike but how do you improve on the original while not making a frame for frame copy? You get Josh Brolin! That's fucking right, I couldn't have picked a better actor to play the main role. It has however avoided the film fest crowds which makes me wonder if I'm getting too pumped for nothing. We'll just have to wait and see

Synopsis: OLDBOY is a provocative, visceral thriller that follows the story of Joe Doucette, a man who is abruptly kidnapped and held hostage for 20 years in solitary confinement, for no apparent reason. When he is suddenly released without explanation, he begins an obsessive mission to find out who imprisoned him, only to discover that the real mystery is why he was set free. Co-starring Elizabeth Olsen and Sharlto Copley, OLDBOY was directed by Spike Lee, from a script by Mark Protosevich (I Am Legend, The Cell, Thor). The film was produced by Roy Lee, Doug Davison and Nathan Kahane.

1. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire: Let's get the jokes out of the way first... Haha. Donny wants to see Catching Fire, he must have a vagina HAHAHA... Aside from the unfortunate view that The Hunger Games has taken over the Twilight mantle of tween love story... You must remember the first Hunger Games was very well received (84% on rottentomatoes as of this writing) and although the 2nd one will have less action then the arena like killing atmosphere of the first, there will still be plenty of suspense says those who read the 2nd book, I'm currently working on it but comics are taking up too much of my time. Either way Catching Fire is my most anticipated November release.

Synopsis: THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE begins as Katniss Everdeen has returned home safe after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games along with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark. Winning means that they must turn around and leave their family and close friends, embarking on a "Victor's Tour" of the districts. Along the way Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering, but the Capitol is still very much in control as President Snow prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games (The Quarter Quell) - a competition that could change Panem forever.

Honorable Mentions: Ender's Game, Best Man Down, The Motel Life, A Case Of You, Sunlight Jr.