Movies to Watch for in October, 2009

When it comes to movies October is mostly known for two things: horror films and Oscar bait. While it appears the season of Oscar hopefuls will not hit its full stride until November there are plenty of Oscar worthy films being released in October. There are also some interesting action and comedies coming out. Then of course we have the horror films that showcase the typical galleries of Halloween spooks: zombies, vampires and of course another Saw movie. This is the guide to all those films and more. If your looking for the best, quick and easy guide for all the films of note in the month of October. You can find it here.

Horror Fest

Many of the horror movies coming out in October are trying not to take themselves too seriously. Zobieland is one of those flicks. In the movie Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin are traveling across the country that has been ravaged by zombies. Instead of the movie being about how scary this situation might be the film is crafted more as a road trip movie that embraces the fun one can find in killing zombies. (Releases October 2nd)

Another scary movie with a slightly silly streak is Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant. This movie is adapted from the first three books in the young adult series The Saga of Darren Shan. It is about a kid who becomes assistant to a vampire, with a traveling freak show, through a series of accidents. Sure the movie has plenty of creatures of the night but it can't be too scary, it has Salma Hayek as a bearded lady. (Releases October 23rd)

Of course not every horror movie coming out in October is going to try to make you laugh while you scream. Some movies like Saw 6 just want to make you squirm in your seat. Most won't be surprised to see this movie released; it has become a recent Halloween tradition. Yet one has to wonder what stories are left to tell. The movie promises to reveal the main scheme of the Jigsaw killer and perhaps conclude the series. Then again last month we had another Final Destination so I am not holding my breath. (Releases October 23rd)

Another serious horror film is the remake of The Stepfather. Some of you make of forgotten about this 80s horror franchise but you can make a guess at the general plot. A woman marries a new guy who seems all nice but ends up being a crazed killed. The stepfather this time around is played by Dylan Walsh of NipTuck fame. (Releases October 16th)

There are two smaller horror films coming out in October that are definite mind trips. After.Life stars Christina Ricci as a woman who may or may not be dead. It also stars Liam Neeson who is an undertaker who is either Ms. Ricci guide in this strange afterlife or her tormenter (Releases October 9th). Antichrist is suppose to be a simply terrifying film that premiered at Cannes to both strong praise and controversy. It stars only two people in a cabin in the woods; one of them is Willem Dafoe. (Releases October 23rd)

Oscar Bait

The folks at the Academy Awards love a good biopic story and the story behind Amelia is pretty epic in scope. Hillary Swank, stars in the movie and looks just liked the famed and ill-fated pilot. Richard Gere will play her husband and the movie will be framed around her most famous flight and the last one she would ever take. Ewan McGregor also stars in this film that seems destined to be one of the best picture nominations. (Releases October 23rd)

Michael Moore is no stranger to the Oscar's and his new documentary might just get him his third nomination. Capitalism: A Love Story is a documentary about the recession, big banks and the bailout. It was suppose to come out in September but got pushed back. No matter when it gets released expect it to gain a good deal of praise and scorn as per usual. (Releases October 2nd)

The Coen Brothers were big winners at the Oscars two years back and ever since then they have been on a roll. Their next movie is a return to their black comedy roots with a movie inspired by their own childhood. A Serious Man is about a teacher who tries to seek the support of multiple rabbis as his life slowly falls apart. Like many of their earlier films this movie has no big names but with the Coen Brothers behind the lens it is sure to be interesting to say the least. (Releases October 2nd)

One man who has yet to get the Oscar notice he deserves is Peter Sarsgaard. He has pulled off mostly knock out performances in his young career but so far has not been shown much love by the Academy. His next movie is called An Education. It's a period piece that plays like a British coming of age drama. He plays the much older man seeking romance with the movies teenage lead and he may or may not be up to no good. Emma Thompson also has a role in the film. (Releases October 9th)

For The Kids

The folks who make movies are no fools. Sure October might be the season of Oscar dramas and horror flicks, but kids want to go see movies too. That's why there are also a number of films coming out for the little ones. Included in this list is the re-release of Toy Story and Toy Story 2 in 3D. This is all to get audiences ready for the new chapter in the Toy Story saga that will come out next year. (Both release on October 3rd.)

Where the Wild Things Are is one of the most beloved kids books of all time and now it is being made into a movie. There had been a lot of reports about this movie as it was being developed about re-shoots and bad special effects. As it ends up the movie appears to be quite the opposite. It looks to be a fearless and stunning take on the classic tale. The best part is that director Spike Jonze has gotten the approval from Maurice Sandak, the author of the children's book. This is one of movies coming out this month that you will not want to miss. (Releases October 16th)

Another classic of a different sort is getting a special effects overhaul this fall. Astro Boy is coming to the states in computer animated 3D glory. This new movie is an origin story for the powerful robot child. The movie has some big stars, like Nicolas Cage, Nathan Lane and Charlize Theron doing voice work for the film. Hopefully it's going to a great adventure to introduce one of Anime's classic heroes to a whole new audience. (Releases October 23rd.)

Don't Forget the Action

Astro Boy is from the bright shiny future, but bleak futures seem more popular settings in movies as of late. The Road is one of those movies set after a terrible incident has wiped out most of the population. Viggo Mortensen and Charlize Theron star in the movies as a couple just trying to survive and protect their boy in this harsh new world. This movie was delayed so work could be done on the special effects but the effort appear to be worth it. The trailer was very dark, serious but also very cool. (Releases October 16th)

Another movie that has a pretty promising trailer is Law Abiding Citizen. This movie takes place in present day and stars Gerard Butler. Now pervious experience suggest that if Mr. Butler is going to be involved he is going to be the good guy trying to save the day but this time around things are more complex. Gerard plays a father who has lost his family and plots revenge not only on the killers but also on the justice system that let them off too lightly. Jamie Foxx plays the DA trying to control the carnage. (Releases October 16th)

A movie providing a whole lot of action of a different sort is Drew Barrymoore's directorial debut, Whip It. This movie is all about the elbow flying world of roller derby and stars Ellen Page as a teenager trying out for her local derby team despite her mothers wishes of her becoming a beauty queen. Expect a whole lot of girl on girl carnage when this movie comes out, all the actress involved went though a roller derby boot camp to play in the movie, including the director herself. (Releases October 9th)

Everything Else

Do you think you have had enough between the screams, explosions and derby girls? Well too bad because the hit movies don't stop there. Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau play two of the unlucky guys who get caught up in the relationship therapy comedy called Couples Retreat. (Releases October 9th) The indie drama The Private Lives of Pippa Lee is almost too complex to sum up but lets just say it involves sex, lies, affairs, S&M and Alan Arkin dating girls way to young for him. It has all sorts of big stars involved like Robin Wright Penn, Keanu Reeves and Winona Ryder. (Releases October 13th) Another indie movie with a cast of huge starts is the film New York, I Love You The movie is in fact a collection of short films all done by different directors taking place in the Big Apple and dealing with love. (Releases October 16th) Youth in Revolt is part drama, park comedy about a 16-year-old sex obsessed teen played by Michael Cera just trying to date the girl of his dreams. (Releases October 30th) Finally rounding out the month is the timely documentary This Is It that follows Michael Jackson as he creates his last live show. (Releases October 30th)