Meryl, JLo, Zach, Dame Maggie, Joaquin and Renée. The gang’s all here over the next four weeks.
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The start of fall is always a fun few weeks for movies. September stands as the official kick-off to Oscars season, as potential gold-worthy contenders unspool for the first time at Toronto, Telluride, Venice and New York film festivals, while also delivering the first burst of quality, non-blockbuster releases the studios hope will keep you entertained after the sun has gone down on your summer share and the holiday season ratchets up.
So, with a slew of great-looking gems hitting theaters and Netflix over the next month, here are the trailers for the six pics I can’t wait to see.
“Hustlers” (September 13th)
They’re giving us JLo, Lizzo, Cardi, Lili and a ready-for-a-comeback Julia Stiles in a flick about power girls on the pole? Not even worth trying to resist.
“Downton Abbey” (September 20th)
The Crawleys and their beloved downstairs crew are back to entertain the royal crown big screen-style, which we’ve all been waiting for since the series wrapped in early 2016. And for some extra British fun, get back in The Roaring Twenties groove with the NBC special, Return to Downton Abbey, on September 19th. Tea service not included.
“Between Two Ferns: The Movie” (On Netflix September 20th)
As seemingly ridiculous and hilarious as the series that spawned it, Zach Galifianakis expands his show’s ‘celebrity interviews gone wrong’ world with a story and starry cast to match the scope of a full-length streaming feature. Me and my corn plant will be there.
“Judy” (September 27th)
Underestimate Renée Zellweger at your own risk, especially when she seemingly disappears into the role of one of the greatest Hollywood icons of all-time, Judy Garland (and sings her hits, too!). With this release, Renée’s return is officially upon us, and every second of the trailer promises a never-been-better tour de force from the ever-fabulous Oscar winner, who has already collected gleaming early reviews for her performance.
“The Laundromat” (September 27th)
Meryl Streep and Steven Soderbergh team up for a comedy-drama based on the Panama Papers scandal, with a whiz-bang supporting cast that includes Antonio Banderas, Gary Oldman and Sharon Stone. I mean, what more do you need?
“Joker” (October 4th)
Heath Ledger will forever be iconic in his Oscar-winning turn as the Joker in 2008’s The Dark Knight. But in this intriguing new origin story from Todd Phillips starring Method (leading) man, Joaquin Phoenix, we’re taken down a deeply dark rabbit hole to explore the title character’s twisted psyche and get a glimpse into the life-altering events that led him to become one of Gotham’s most destructive demons. All signs point to it being scarily good.