The start of the new school year signals the start of a new season for moviegoers. After a chaotic summer of superhero epics, fantasy adventures and heart-wrenching stories of peril, the next few months see several exciting new features coming to the big screen in the form of superhero epics, fantasy adventures and heart-wrenching stories of peril.

The fall months are known for their lead up to awards season, and this year is no different. Films sure to make their mark this year include the Coen brothers’ “Inside Llewyn Davis,” Disney meta-tale “Saving Mr. Banks” and David O. Russell’s highly anticipated “American Hustle.” There’s even “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues” for the comedy fanatics.

But those all release after finals week. Here’s a selection of the most anticipated films releasing while it’s still studying time.

“Gravity”
Directed by Alfonso Cuarón
Warner Bros. Pictures
Oct. 4, 2013

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Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

 

Cuarón’s last feature-length film, “Children of Men,” was hailed as a sci-fi masterpiece when it released seven years ago. His upcoming “Gravity” seems to follow in those far-too-delayed footsteps, with an expansive set of cinematic shots ready to strike its viewers dumbstruck in the biggest 3D showcase of the season. Starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney as astronauts on a troubled space walk above earth, the film has been shrouded in cloudy, frightening mystery with trailers and posters highlighting the vast blackness of space. One can only imagine the thrillingly nightmarish suspense until “Gravity” releases this Friday.

“Runner Runner”
Directed by Brad Furman
20th Century Fox
Oct. 4, 2013

With the new Batman, Ben Affleck, part of the cast, director Brad Furman, who previously worked on 2011’s similarly legal-themed “The Lincoln Lawyer,” seems to have found a very appropriate niche to serve his film to. Add in Justin Timberlake, who just released his second album of the year, and it almost seems too perfect. Timberlake plays Richie Furst, a Princeton student who believes he has been cheated in a gambling ploy by Affleck’s character, Ivan Block. Throw in Gemma Arterton as an FBI agent who uses Furst to confront Block, and Furman has the first movie this fall season that practically advertises itself.

“Machete Kills”
Directed by Robert Rodriguez
Open Road Films
Oct. 11, 2013

“Machete Kills” started off as a joke trailer that was paired with the action/exploitation double feature “Grindhouse.” “Machete Kills” follows in the trailer’s spirit – it’s still a joke, but now a much longer joke. Danny Trejo returns to lead the B-movie spoof as the titular Machete, ready to kill again and again. An undercover spy detective and merciless hitman, Machete is hired by the president of the United States (Charlie Sheen), to prevent an evil plot led by terrorist Luther Voz (Mel Gibson). An all-star ensemble cast featuring Antonio Banderas, Cuba Gooding Jr., Lady Gaga, Sofia Vergara and many more is ready to present what will surely be the most bloody film of the fall.

“Captain Phillips”
Directed by Paul Greengrass
Columbia Pictures
Oct. 11, 2013

Richard Phillips’ book “A Captain’s Duty” recounts the events of April 8, 2009, when his ship, the MV Maersk Alabama, was hijacked by Somali pirates. The nautical tale is being adapted for the screen by Paul Greengrass, known for his work on “The Bourne Supremacy” and “The Bourne Ultimatum.” Tom Hanks stars as Captain Phillips in one of his most promising film roles of the last decade, sure to showcase his best dramatic capabilities at full power. “Captain Phillips” also shares similarities with Greengrass’ 2006 film, “United 93,” a dramatic recreation of a hijacking during the Sept. 11 attacks that was nominated for two Academy Awards, fueling the promise of Captain Phillips’ emotional story.

“Carrie”
Directed by Kimberly Peirce
Screen Gems
Oct. 18, 2013

After starring in vampire flick “Let Me In,” Academy Award-winning “Hugo” and two brutally vigilante-charged “Kick-Ass” films, Chloë Grace Moretz is one of the biggest teen stars in Hollywood. “Carrie,” a remake of the 1976 horror classic, one of the most well-known of Stephen King’s many film adaptations, is the perfect next step for the far-too-talented actress. The titular characters’ psychic powers remain the same, spurred on by her abusive mother, played by a convincingly crazy Julianne Moore. The story doesn’t appear to be changed much, but Moretz’s supernatural performance will hardly be one to miss.

“Escape Plan”
Directed by Mikael Håfström
Summit Entertainment
Oct. 18, 2013

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Courtesy of Summit Entertainment

 

As if “The Expendables” films weren’t enough, Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger team up once more as Ray Breslin, a falsely accused engineer who must serve a life sentence within a prison he designed, and Swan Rottmayer, his intelligent cellmate, respectively. Together, as the title of the movie implies, they must hatch a masterful plan to escape. Who’s to say how many surprises this film could have? Perhaps Bruce Willis flies in on a cargo plane to break them out, or Chuck Norris digs through the floor of the prison with his bare hands. Those are unconfirmed. What is confirmed, however, and perhaps better than both of those: 50 Cent as a computer expert helping Stallone and Schwarzenegger with his cybernetic genius.

“Ender’s Game”
Directed by Gavin Hood
Summit Entertainment
Nov. 1, 2013

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Courtesy of Summit Entertainment

 

“Ender’s Game” has met its prime audience with the students of UCLA. Released in 1985, Orson Scott Card’s sci-fi novel met great popularity among teens and young adults – many of whom anticipate the movie greatly, the rest nervous of its adaptation. Asa Butterfield plays Ender Wiggin, a genius child chosen for the future war against an alien race. He is part of a fleet of children selectively chosen to be raised as strategic military fighters, earning respect from trainers and officials played by Ben Kingsley and Harrison Ford. With a cast of teen actors, including Abigail Breslin and Hailee Steinfeld, “Ender’s Game” proves to be a dazzlingly promising test of readers’ faith in movie adaptations.

“Thor: The Dark World”
Directed by Alan Taylor
Walt Disney Studios
Nov. 8, 2013

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Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios

 

With the overwhelming box office success of “Iron Man 3,” phase two of Marvel’s cinematic plan is in full swing, continuing with “Thor: The Dark World.” Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman and Tom Hiddleston return to fight against Malekith the Accursed (Christopher Eccleston), who comes from The Dark World to threaten the kingdom of Asgard. There’s little known about the plot and evils that Malekith will threaten the Gods posing as superheroes with, but it’s sure to be cataclysmic in scale. With the backing of Alan Taylor, known for his directorial work on episodes of “Game of Thrones,” “The Sopranos” and “Mad Men,” Thor’s second (or third, depending on who’s counting) adventure should lead down the same promising road that the first film did.

“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”
Directed by Francis Lawrence
Lionsgate Films
Nov. 22, 2013

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Courtesy of Lionsgate Films

 

To become one of the highest grossing films of 2012, “The Hunger Games” succeeded in putting together a winning combination of interesting writing material (provided by Suzanne Collins’ novel), a notable director (Gary Ross, who has four Academy Award nominations) and a dominating star (Jennifer Lawrence, who is now coming off her best-actress Oscar win). With Ross gone, replaced by Francis Lawrence of “I Am Legend,” the fate of the film’s sequel, “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” appears troubled. But with a striking plot of revolt and uprising among the districts, a returning cast and a new, deathly competition, “Catching Fire” is aiming high with its potential, ready to follow in its predecessor’s immense popularity.

“The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug”
Directed by Peter Jackson
Warner Bros. Pictures
Dec. 13, 2013

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Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

 

Coincidentally, the last “Hobbit” film released at the end of fall quarter 2012’s finals week, as will its sequel, “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.” The second portion of Peter Jackson’s three-part adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” features Martin Freeman returning as Bilbo Baggins, along with Gandalf the Grey and his band of dwarves. The unconventional group continues its journey to the lost dwarf kingdom of Erebor, guarded by the fearsome dragon Smaug. Like the previous film, Jackson shot “The Desolation of Smaug” in a high 48 frames per second, continuing his work in groundbreaking visual effects, sure to be recognized by audiences and critics come closer to the film’s release.

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