With Oscar season upon us, it's that time of year again where we take a look at some of the films that will be making an impact over the next few months.
Beginning with Christopher Nolan's new project right through to the latest instalment in the Hunger Games series, here are the ten films you need to check out before Christmas.
1. Interstellar
Directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Matthew McConaughey, this film is one of this year's most anticipated projects. Outside of the Batman series, Nolan has had very little room to breathe although the great Inception gave us just a taste of what may be in store. Interstellar revolves around a team who are sent out into the galaxy to find out if Earth has a future beyond the stars.
The film will get a release here on November 7th.
2. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1
Despite the fact that the film is based on a young adult book series, the Hunger Games certainly appeals to every age group. The last instalment, Catching Fire, proved itself as not just another vehicle for Jennifer Lawrence to display her brilliance but also a standalone film which allowed the characters to evolve on the big screen. On top of that, it will be one of the very few occasions we will get to see the wonderful Phillip Seymour Hoffman on screen again.
The Hunger Games will get a release on November 20th.
3. Standby
An Irish film that definitely makes our list, Standby stars the wonderful Brian Gleeson and Jessica Paré as a former couple who manage to bump into each other in Dublin airport where she has been placed on standby. What follows is basically a love letter to Dublin and a genuinely charming tale. The Gleesons have taken over.
Standby is in cinemas November 14th.
4. The Imitation Game
A film which has created a lot of buzz on the festival scene will finally get a release here in a couple of weeks and if you weren't a fan of Benedict Cumberbatch before, this might seal the deal. Based on the true story of Alan Turing, an English mathematician and logician who helped crack the Enigma code during World War II, this is far more than just a war film. Turing was prosecuted by the UK government in 1952 for homosexual acts which the country deemed illegal.
The film will hit screens here on November 14th.
5. Exodus: Gods and Kings
Ridley Scott finally makes a return to the classical world with the epic Exodus, the tale of Moses as he rises up against the Pharaoh Ramses, freeing 600,000 slaves. Genuinely huge in scope, a lot rides on Scott making this a success but with Christian Bale and Joel Edgerton on board, it's difficult to see how this won't work.
Exodus will get a release here on December 26th.
6. The Homesman
If a film stars Tommy Lee Jones and Meryl Streep, there really isn't much more we can add that will sell it to you. However, the Homesman has been receiving very favourable reviews from the festival circuit and looks like it could be one to watch this winter. The film revolves around three women who are moved from the edge of the American frontier to a Minister's house by Hilary Swank's character and drifter Jones. However, the journey is not as straightforward as they think.
The Homesman will hit screens here on November 21st.
7. St Vincent
Bill Murray. Two words, Bill Murray. The greatest man alive stars in a film about an old cranky man who ends up looking after his next-door-neighbour's son. However, the pair, of course, develop an unlikely friendship.
The film will be on Irish screens on December 5th.
8. Dumb and Dumber To
Ever since the credits rolled on the first Dumb and Dumber film, a second instalment starring the original cast has been one of the most anticipated films of all time, certainly the comedy film many had pinned their hopes on. Thankfully, both Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels are back for the second film which continues the adventures of Harry and Lloyd who are both just a little slow.
Dumb and Dumber To will also get a Christmas release, 19th December.
9. Unbroken
Domhnall Gleeson has successfully taken over the big screen over the last couple of years but working with Angelina Jolie on Unbroken might just get him some Oscar attention. The film is an epic drama that follows the incredible life of Olympian and war hero Louis "Louie" Zamperini (Jack O'Connell) who, along with two other crewmen, survived in a raft for 47 days after a near-fatal plane crash in WWII only to be caught by the Japanese Navy and sent to a prisoner-of-war camp.
Unbroken gets a release right in the middle of Oscar season, December 26th.
10. Men, Women & Children
The initial reviews for Jason Reitman (Up in the Air) new project haven't exactly been favourable but this certainly looks like an interesting piece. The film examines how overuse of modern technology, particularly social networking, affects the lives of a group of teenagers and the adults in their lives. The cast is certainly the draw here with the likes of Emma Thompson involved.
Men, Women & Children will be in cinemas on the 5th of December.
