Cinema Preview: Six Films To See In October 2012

on Sunday, October 07, 2012
Words: Saam Das


We're knee deep in the BFI London Film Festival (public screenings begin on 10th, with the UK premiere of Tim Burton's 'Frankenweenie') and some of those films will be making a nationwide release later this month. Such as the aforementioned 'Frankenweenie' (17 Oct). The big release, however, is new Bond film 'Skyfall' (26 Oct), featured below with five other recommended releases.

'Liberal Arts' (Release: 5 Oct)



'How I Met Your Mother' star Josh Radnor has a nice little film career going - 'Liberal Arts' is his second writer-director feature, and was one of the highlights of Sundance London 2012. Radnor is Jesse, an uninspired thirty something re-invigorated by a visit to his old uni, where he meets Elizabeth Olsen's precocious Zibby. Read our full review of 'Liberal Arts'.

'Ruby Sparks' (12 Oct)



'The Perks Of Being A Wallflower' (3 Oct) seems to have a gone down a treat but we're more interested in 'Ruby Sparks', a film which appears to share a similar aesthetic. The second feature from the directors of 'Little Miss Sunshine', the film stars Paul Dano as a novelist whose character Ruby Sparks (Zoe Kazan, also the screenwriter) comes to life.

'Frankenweenie' (17 Oct)



There's almost always a certain amount of charm and care in the making of a stop motion film - see 'Mary & Max', for example. Which gives me more hope than usual with Tim Burton's recent fare. This horror spoof is a remake of his own 1984 film of the same name, which actually got Burton fired from his Disney job. Things look brighter this time round.

'5 Broken Cameras' (19 Oct)



I think 2012 is the year that made me realise just how amazing documentary filmmaking can be. And on a consistent basis too. Whether it was the Paul Simon doc 'Under African Skies' or the Oscar winning 'Undefeated', I have been spellbound. '5 Broken Cameras' could be the best of the lot, winning awards for its portrayal of Palestinian non-violent resistance to Israeli enforcement.

'Beasts Of The Southern Wild' (19 Oct)



Like 'Ginger And Rosa' (also out on the 19th), 'Beasts Of The Southern Wild' is one of the films in Official Competition at the London Film Festival. Already winner of the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance 2012 and the Camera D'or at Cannes, it looks set to be one of the most life affirming, thought provoking films of recent times.

'Skyfall' (26 Oct)



We've already had a taste of the new Bond film, thanks to the recent appearance of Adele's 'Skyfall' theme but the latest installment of the franchise drops before the month is out. Directed by Sam Mendes, Daniel Craig returns as 007 with Javier Bardem playing the film's villain. Excited, very excited.

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