Coming to Theaters Near You: "The Martian," "Sicario," and More

– By Beau Behan, Film Critic

“The Martian” (Nationwide, Oct. 2)

WATCH the above movie review, and find out why “The Martian” deserves an Oscar nomination for Best Picture.

PG-13, 141 min, Action, Adventure, Sci-fi

Director: Ridley Scott

Writer: Drew Goddard (screenplay), Andy Weir (book)

Stars: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain

A film adaptation of Andy Weir’s self-published novel of the same title, “The Martian” traverses the crux of an unfathomable question: If stranded alone on planet Mars, how would you decide on your fate?

Directed by Ridley Scott (“Thelma & Louise,” “Gladiator”), the film is the ultimate man-versus-nature story. It stars Matt Damon as astronaut Mark Watney, who is accidentally left behind on Mars by a mission crew led by Jessica Chastain’s Commander Lewis.

“Sicario” (Nationwide, Oct. 2)

WATCH the above movie review, and find out why Emily Blunt deserves an Oscar nomination.

R, 121 min, Action, Crime, Drama

Director: Denis Villeneuve

Writer: Taylor Sheridan

Stars: Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin, Benicio Del Toro.

A gripping story about morality, “Sicario” means hired assassin or hitman in Spanish.

Directed by Denis Villeneuve (“Prisoners,” “Enemy”), the film tackles the daunting questions about whether the end justifies the means.

The film boasts an A-list cast. It stars Emily Blunt (“Edge of Tomorrow”), Josh Brolin (“Milk”), and Benicio Del Torro (“Traffic”).

“The Walk” (IMAX, Sept. 30; Nationwide Oct. 9)

WATCH the above movie featurette.

PG, 123 min, Adventure, Biography

Director: Robert Zemeckis

Writers: Robert Zemeckis, Christopher Browne

Stars: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Charlotte L Bon, Guillaume Baillargeon

“The Walk” is the true story of a young dreamer, Philippe Petit (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), and a band of unlikely recruits who together achieve the impossible: an illegal wire walk in the immense void between the World Trade Center towers. With little more than nerve and blind ambition, Petit and his ragtag crew overcome daunting physical obstacles, betrayals, countless close calls and overwhelming odds to beat the system and execute their mad plan. – Sony Pictures

“Freeheld” (Limited, Oct. 2, Oct. 9; Nationwide Oct. 16)

WATCH the above movie trailer.

PG-13, 103 min, Biography, Drama, Romance

Director: Peter Sollett

Writer: Ron Nyswaner (screenplay)

Stars: Julianne Moore, Ellen Page, Steve Carell, Michael Shannon

Based on the Oscar-winning short documentary and adapted by the writer of “Philadelphia,” “Freeheld” is the true love story of Laurel Hester (Julianne Moore) and Stacie Andree (Ellen Page) and their fight for justice. A decorated New Jersey police detective, Laurel is diagnosed with cancer and wants to leave her hard earned pension to her domestic partner, Stacie. However the county officials, Freeholders, conspire to prevent Laurel from doing this. Hard-nosed detective Dane Wells (Michael Shannon), and activist Steven Goldstein (Steve Carell), unite in Laurel and Stacie’s defense, rallying police officers and ordinary citizens to support their struggle for equality – Lionsgate

“He Named Me Malala” (Limited, Oct. 2, Nationwide, Oct. 9)

WATCH the above movie featurette.

PG-13, 87 min, Documentary

Director: Davis Guggenheim

Stars: Malala Yousafzai, Ziauddin Yousafzai

“He Named Me Malala” is an intimate portrait of Malala Yousafzai, who was wounded when Taliban gunmen opened fire on her school bus in Pakistan’s Swat Valley. The then 15-year-old teenager, who had been targeted for speaking out on behalf of girls’ education in her region of Swat Valley in Pakistan, was shot in the head, sparking international outrage. An educational activist in Pakistan, Yousafzai has since emerged as a leading campaigner for the rights of children worldwide and in December 2014, became the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. – Fox Searchlight Pictures

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