Movies Not to Miss: September 2015
The summer months may be over but September is becoming a busy month for cinemas. While few in this month's lineup shout out as must-sees, there is an abundance of middling titles that could as easily go under the radar as having the potential to be unexpected hits.
That certainly didn't make it easy to only select a number of movies to recommend on this list, but that also means there is surely something for everyone.
So instead of waiting to wake up when September ends, here is our recommended movies not to miss to keep you awake this September.
After taking on an assignment as a getaway driver for three female robbers, Frank Martin's father is kidnapped by a crime lord whose money was stolen by the robbers. With only 12 hours to find his father before they kill him, the Transporter will need some help and put his driving skills to the test.
Last month saw the reboot involving a bald assassin, and this month we have another reboot involving a bald driver. Except in this 'refueled' franchise, they have also decided to inject some hair back on the vehicle that introduced Jason Statham to the world (with his trademark baldness, of course). But hair jokes aside, "The Transporter Refueled" is intended as the beginning of a new trilogy in collaboration between EuropaCorp and China's Fundamental Films, featuring a younger Frank Martin, or better known as the Transporter. That Transporter is now played by (another) British actor Ed Skrein, who is more likely to be known for his role as Daario Naharis in the third season of "Game of Thrones", and will also be the villain in the upcoming "Deadpool". As for the director, editor-turned-director Camile Delamarre, who has worked on the last "Transporter", will be taking the helm after cutting his directorial teeth with the Paul Walker starrer "Brick Mansions".
General Release Date: 10 September
The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials
After escaping from the maze and taken into custody by survivors of the dystopian world, Thomas and his fellow Gladers are interrogated of what they know about WCKD; the organisation that put them in the maze experiment. When Thomas feels that something is amiss of their benevolent captors, they plan an escape, but will they be able to survive the outside world of the Scorch?
"Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials" is the second installment of the young adult novel adaptation with the stakes getting higher. Thinking that all is now well now that they have escaped the maze, the Gladers are just about to find out why they were put there in the first place. Director Wes Ball returns for this second installment (and most likely will do for the rest of the series), but this time from the screenplay adapted by T.S. Nowlin, who is also expected to adapt the final book into a two-parter, instead of Noah Oppenheimer. Also joining the series for the first time is Aidan Gillen as the Rat-Man, and you won't be able to shake off his manipulating voice and wit as he did as Littlefinger in "Game of Thrones".
General Release Date: 10 September
Set during World War II, a former Nationalist Party spy and a widow peddling opium falls in love and are forced their leave their families in China, escaping to Hong Kong where they have a child together.
Named after the cities of Wu Hu, Shanghai and Hong Kong, "Tale of Three Cities" may have stretched your interest for epic love stories especially if you have been watching recent ones like "The Crossing". While we could point out that this is Mabel Chung's directorial return since "Beijing Rocks" in 2001, you may have watched her documentary "Traces of a Dragon" released in 2003, which follows the family history of Hong Kong's greatest star; Jackie Chan. There is a connecting issue here, since the "Tale of Three Cities" is actually based on the life of his parents, Charles Chan and Lee-Lee Chan. That sentimental story only gets better when you have award-winning actors Lau Ching Wan and Tang Wei taking on the lead roles.
General Release Date: 17 September
In order to take down an anonymous drug lord, FBI special agent Kate Macy is enlisted by government officials to cross the Mexican border and work with a special joint task force formed to track him down.
If you have been left hanging by the questions in his "Prisoners" (or never want to enter a room without checking for spiders after "Enemy"), then you would have much reason to be anticipating for Denis Villeneuve's next feature, "Sicario". Even if Villeneuve's name sounds unfamiliar to you, "Sicario" already has a powerful cast (and their six-degree connection to the Marvel Cinematic Universe is pure coincidence), starting with Emily Blunt in the lead role as the idealistic FBI, shadowed by Benicio del Toro as the sicario (meaning hitman in Spanish), and Josh Brolin. This surprising screenwriting debut of Taylor Sheridan has went for competition at this year's Cannes, and you can be sure that Villeneuve's exploration of the gray areas in the war against drugs will be dreadfully unsettling to watch (now with even more blood). Not to mention beautiful with the cinematography of Roger Deakins in his second collaboration with Villeneuve.
General Release Date: 17 September
While their mother goes on a holiday, Rebecca and Tyler Jamison are sent to live with their grandparents. While there is much to explore, the Jamison siblings are given a rule to never leave their rooms after 9.30pm. When the brother and sister let curiosity get the better of them, they begin noticing strange behaviours from their grandmother and begged their mother to return for them, before it's too late.
After flops, failures and stirring the outrage of fans, the name M. Night Shyamalan is far from inspiring the confidence it once did from the days of "The Sixth Sense" and "Unbreakable". Perhaps he has lost his groove for big budget blockbusters, which could indicate that it is time for him to go back to something smaller. Given the formula of small thrillers and big success of Blumhouse Productions, it seemed almost the most logical place for Shyamalan to ply his big name attraction with small scale risks. The result of which, as we have seen in the trailer, is quite possibly where we can see Shyamalan regain his twisted storytelling without setting too high an expectation.
General Release Date: 17 September
Two expeditions climbing up Mount Everest on the 10th of May 1996 are caught in a deadly blizzard that traps them and raise new challenges as they descent. Fighting against the weather, perilous obstacles and physical limitations, the accounts of the climbers would be recorded as one of the deadliest climbs of Mount Everest.
Based on 1996 Mount Everest disaster and the various books published by its survivors, we didn't quite expect director Baltasar Kormakur to take up making a feature telling of what happened in the eyes of the climbers. Still, he has made up an irresistible cast comprising of Jake Gyllenhaal, Josh Brolin, Jason Clarke, and Sam Worthington as the climbers, with Keira Knightley as loved ones waiting for their safe return. "Everest" is a movie is all about the experience in the best possible way, so be sure to catch in IMAX and Dolby Atmos, but don't forget to keep yourselves warm in the freezing cinema hall.
General Release Date: 24 September
Hotel Transylvania is now open to business to humans as well as monsters, and Count Dracula has become a grandfather when Mavis gives birth to a half-human and half vampire. While the couple are off to see the in-laws, Dracula enlists the help of his trusted monster friends to teach his grandson, Denis, to tap his vampire talents. Then comes, Dracula's own father, Vlad, who returns appalled that the hotel now allows humans and his great-grandson is a half breed.
"Hotel Transylvania 2" may not be even close to play with our emotions as "Inside Out" did, but if you are looking to get some silly laughs then it should fit the bill quite nicely. Adam Sandler returns with his Transylvanian accent as Count Dracula, along with his merry band of monsters voiced by Steve Buscemi, Kevin James and David Spade. Parody legend himself Mel Brooks will be the voice of Vlad.
General Release Date: 24 September
