Ten must-see movies coming to theaters before 2014

Photo+courtesy+of+MCT+Campus

Photo courtesy of MCT Campus

1. Gravity

In theaters: Oct. 4

Rotten Tomatoes’ plot summary: “GRAVITY, directed by Oscar (R) nominee Alfonso Cuaron, stars Oscar (R) winners Sandra Bullock and George Clooney in a heart-pounding thriller that pulls you into the infinite and unforgiving realm of deep space. Bullock plays Dr. Ryan Stone, a brilliant medical engineer on her first shuttle mission, with veteran astronaut Matt Kowalsky (Clooney). But on a seemingly routine spacewalk, disaster strikes. The shuttle is destroyed, leaving Stone and Kowalsky completely alone.”

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiTiKOy59o4

 

2. Romeo and Juliet

In theaters: Oct. 11

Rotten Tomatoes’ plot summary: “Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare’s epic and searing tale of love, is revitalized on screen by writer Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey) and director Carlos Carlei (The Flight of the Innocent). An ageless story from the world’s most renowned author is reimagined for the 21st Century. This adaptation is told in the lush traditional setting it was written, but gives a new generation the chance to fall in love with the enduring legend. With an all-star cast including Hailee Steinfeld, Douglas Booth, Paul Giamatti and Stellan Skarsgaard, it affords those unfamiliar with the tale the chance to put faces to the two names they’ve undoubtedly heard innumerable times: Romeo and Juliet. Every generation deserves to discover this lasting love.”

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTGWNHa1wIQ

 

3. Ender’s Game

In theaters: Nov. 1

Rotten Tomatoes’ plot summary: “In the near future, a hostile alien race (called the Formics) have attacked Earth. If not for the legendary heroics of International Fleet Commander Mazer Rackham (Ben Kingsley), all would have been lost. In preparation for the next attack, the highly esteemed Colonel Hyrum Graff (Harrison Ford) and the International Military are training only the best young children to find the future Mazer. Ender Wiggin (Asa Butterfield), a shy, but strategically brilliant boy is pulled out of his school to join the elite. Arriving at Battle School, Ender quickly and easily masters increasingly difficult war games, distinguishing himself and winning respect amongst his peers. Ender is soon ordained by Graff as the military’s next great hope, resulting in his promotion to Command School. Once there, he’s trained by Mazer Rackham, himself, to lead his fellow soldiers into an epic battle that will determine the future of Earth and save the human race. Based on the best-selling, award winning novel, ENDER’S GAME is an epic adventure which stars Asa Butterfield, Hailee Steinfeld, Ben Kingsley, Viola Davis, with Abigail Breslin and Harrison Ford.”

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP0cUBi4hwE

 

4. Thor: The Dark World

In theaters: Nov. 8

Rotten Tomatoes’ plot summary: “Marvel’s ‘Thor: The Dark World’ continues the big-screen adventures of Thor, the Mighty Avenger, as he battles to save Earth and all the Nine Realms from a shadowy enemy that predates the universe itself. In the aftermath of Marvel’s ‘Thor’ and ‘Marvel’s The Avengers,’ Thor fights to restore order across the cosmos…but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. Faced with an enemy that even Odin and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster and force him to sacrifice everything to save us all.”

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npvJ9FTgZbM

 

5. The Wolf of Wall Street

In theaters: Nov. 15

Rotten Tomatoes’ plot summary: “Martin Scorsese reteams with Leonardo DiCaprio on this adaptation of Jordan Belfort’s memoir surrounding his indulgent ride as a crooked banker made headlines in the 1990’s. Terrence Winter provides the screenplay. Jonah Hill and Oscar-winner Jean Dujardin co-star.”

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iszwuX1AK6A

 

6. The Book Thief

In theaters: Nov. 15

Rotten Tomatoes’ plot summary: “Based on the beloved international bestselling book, The Book Thief tells the story of an extraordinary, spirited young girl sent to live with a foster family in WWII Germany. Intrigued by the only book she brought with her, she begins collecting books as she finds them. With the help of her new parents and a secret guest under the stairs, she learns to read and creates a magical world that inspires them all.”

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92EBSmxinus

 

7. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

In theaters: Nov. 22

Rotten Tomatoes’ plot summary: “THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE begins as Katniss Everdeen has returned home safe after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games along with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark. Winning means that they must turn around and leave their family and close friends, embarking on a ‘Victor’s Tour’ of the districts. Along the way Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering, but the Capitol is still very much in control as President Snow prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games (The Quarter Quell) – a competition that could change Panem forever.”

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAzGXqJSDJ8

 

8. Frozen

In theaters: Nov. 27

Rotten Tomatoes’ plot summary: “Featuring the voices of Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel, ‘Frozen’ is the coolest comedy-adventure ever to hit the big screen. When a prophecy traps a kingdom in eternal winter, Anna, a fearless optimist, teams up with extreme mountain man Kristoff and his sidekick reindeer Sven on an epic journey to find Anna’s sister Elsa, the Snow Queen, and put an end to her icy spell. Encountering mystical trolls, a funny snowman named Olaf, Everest-like extremes and magic at every turn, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom from destruction.”

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WdC4DaYIeQ

 

9. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

In theaters: Dec. 13

Rotten Tomatoes’ plot summary: “The second in a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug continues the adventure of the title character Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) as he journeys with the Wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellan) and thirteen Dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) on an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor.”

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnaojlfdUbs

 

10. Saving Mr. Banks

In theaters: Dec. 13

Rotten Tomatoes’ plot summary: “When Walt Disney’s daughters begged him to make a movie of their favorite book, P.L. Travers’ ‘Mary Poppins,’ he made them a promise one that he didn’t realize would take 20 years to keep. In his quest to obtain the rights, Walt comes up against a curmudgeonly, uncompromising writer who has absolutely no intention of letting her beloved magical nanny get mauled by the Hollywood machine. But, as the books stop selling and money grows short, Travers reluctantly agrees to go to Los Angeles to hear Disney’s plans for the adaptation. For those two short weeks in 1961, Walt Disney pulls out all the stops. Armed with imaginative storyboards and chirpy songs from the talented Sherman brothers, Walt launches an all-out onslaught on P.L. Travers, but the prickly author doesn’t budge. He soon begins to watch helplessly as Travers becomes increasingly immovable and the rights begin to move further away from his grasp. It is only when he reaches into his own childhood that Walt discovers the truth about the ghosts that haunt her, and together they set Mary Poppins free to ultimately make one of the most endearing films in cinematic history.”

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5kYmrjongg