Tired of spending an arm and a leg on tickets, popcorn and drinks at the theaters just to have the teens sitting two rows up chat and text their way through the entire film? Ditch the crowds, ticket lines and pricey snacks and wait for those blockbusters to come out on DVD … or for the higher-tech crowd, Blu-Ray!
Snuggle up on the couch this fall to some of the following great new movie releases. Whether you’re seeking family-friendly flicks, ravishing romance or sci-fi thrills, there’s something you’ll want to see.
The Frozen Ground
Stars: Nicolas Cage, Vanessa Hudgens, Dean Norris, John Cusack
Rating: R
Release: October 1, 2013
The Frozen Ground is based off of a true story involving the serial killer, Robert Hansen. Hansen sexually assaulted over 30 women and is believed to have killed between 17 and 21 women in Alaska. The Frozen Ground tells the harrowing story of how a 17-year-old would-be victim was able to escape and help lead detectives to finally catch the man that had been eluding police for over 13 years.
The Croods
Stars: Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, Catherine Keener
Rating: PG Video
Release: October 1, 2013
Set in prehistoric times, The Croods follows the journey of a family that has had their home destroyed. The characters are highly relatable, from the overprotective father to the rebellious and boy-crazy teenager.
After stumbling across an outsider to help navigate and support the family through changes no one could have foreseen, the family is able to become closer than ever while experiencing a whole new world. While it is an animated film, both adults and children alike will enjoy this comedic and heartwarming film.
Home Run
Stars: Scott Elrod, Dorian Brown, Charles Henry Wyson, James Devoti
Rating: PG-13 Video
Release: October 8, 2013
Home Run is a film that is a true testament to the healing power of Christ, even in today’s world of modernism and temptations. While many of today’s youth seem to be enthralled with the idea of fame, the true stories behind the glitz and glamour don’t always have a happy ending.
The film shows audiences how addiction has ruined the hugely successful baseball career of the main character and then follows him back to the small town he grew up in. With the help of a recovery program, the local church and God, he is able to surrender to the Lord and put himself on a new path in life. This is a great film for parents to watch with their older children to have an open dialogue on drug use but can also be used for those going through similar struggles in addiction.
After Earth
Stars: Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Joe Kravitz, Sophie Okonedo
Rating: PG-13
Release: October 8, 2013
After Earth features a futuristic setting in which humans were forced to leave Earth and then came into contact with an alien creature that has the ability to hunt by sensing fear. Will Smith plays a commanding ranger that has the capability to “ghost,” which means he has no fear of these creatures and can fight them without being seen. The film follows Jaden Smith’s character as he struggles to save himself and his father after a deadly crash. However, the movie is much more than just defeating these creatures and has to do with family bonds, overcoming fear and the will to survive.
Much Ado About Nothing
Stars: Alexis Denisof, Amy Acker, Nathan Fillion, Ashley Johnson
Rating: PG-13
Video Release: October 8, 2013
Based off of the Shakespearian play, Much Ado About Nothing puts a modern twist on the classic story of love and romance told from the point of view of two very different couples. The film is set in black and white with Shakespearian dialogue but with modern elements, like guns rather than daggers.
The Internship
Stars: Vince Vaughn, Owen Wilson, Rose Byrne
Rating: PG-13
Release: October 22, 2013
Movie duo Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson are at it again in The Internship, which puts a comedic spin on the real world declining job market and the booming technological age. The two lead characters set out to prove their worth after their own failing careers by competing for an internship at Google. The film sets the pair against tech-savvy competition, which offers up a great underdog story with an optimistic outlook on reinventing yourself to persevere.
Monsters University
Stars: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi
Rating: G
Release: October 29, 2013
The much-anticipated sequel to Monsters, Inc., this film shows how Sully and Mike first met and became the friends they were in the first film. While the film offers some great animation and comedy for children of all ages, it also teaches lessons on hard work, determination and accepting of others.