Next on the Big Screen: September 2015

Mark Jackson

Film Critic

Mark Jackson is the senior film critic for The Epoch Times and a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. Mark earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Williams College, followed by classical theater conservatory training, and has 20 years' experience as a New York professional actor. He narrated The Epoch Times audiobook "How the Specter of Communism Is Ruling Our World," available on iTunes, Audible, and YouTube. Mark is featured in the book "How to Be a Film Critic in Five Easy Lessons" by Christopher K. Brooks. In addition to films, he enjoys Harley-Davidsons, rock-climbing, qigong, martial arts, and human rights activism.

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August 24, 2015Updated: December 13, 2015

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The Epoch Times film critic picks five films, next on the big screen in September, that appear to have potential.

Opening Sept. 4

1) ‘Absolutely Anything’

Simon Pegg in a scene from the new movie “Absolutely Anything.” (Absolutely Anything ltd)

It’s a science fiction comedy featuring the concept of “what if you could have absolutely anything you wanted?” It’s got nearly the entire cast of Monty Python together for the first time since 1983, as well as a Python (Terry Jones) directing. And funny man Simon Pegg. And funny man Robin Williams in his final film role. If anything ought to be funny, it would have to be this film—the funny pedigree is staggering.

2) ‘Chloe and Theo’

Dakota Johnson (L) and Brandon Boyd from "Chloe and Theo" (Tiberius Films) — Dakota Johnson (L) and Brandon Boyd as an unnamed singer in “Chloe and Theo.” (Tiberius Films)

I pick this for its good idea. A young woman, Chloe (“It girl” Dakota Johnson of “Fifty Shades of Grey”) is homeless in New York City, and has a thing for Bruce Lee. She becomes friends with Theo, an Arctic Inuit man. Theo’s come south, looking for the Elders of the South, so as to bring them a message from the sun—to warn them of the planet’s imminent demise due to global warming. Chloe helps him in his quest.

Opening Sept. 11

3) ‘Meet the Patels’

(L–R) Ravi Patel, Champa V. Patel, Geeta Patel, Vasant K. Patel in "Meet the Patels." — (L–R) Ravi Patel, Champa V. Patel, Geeta Patel, and Vasant K. Patel in “Meet the Patels.”

(Alchemy)

“Meet the Patels” is a comedic documentary, following one Ravi Patel (a 20-something first-generation Indian-American) in his attempt to seek a mate, using the time-honored Indian methods and procedures. He’d hidden his Waspy girlfriend from his parents for two years. That didn’t work so well. Now maybe it’s time to try the traditional Indian arranged marriage. Very funny. It’s got some animated sequences, and some sequences of Ravi and sibling Geeta’s very animated parents. Think—Indian version of “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.”

Opening Sept. 16

4) ‘Pawn Sacrifice’

Liev Schreiber (left) stars as Boris Spassky and Tobey Maguire stars as Bobby Fischer in Edward Zwick's "Pawn Sacrifice," a Bleecker Street release. (Takashi Seida/Bleeker Street Media) — Liev Schreiber (L) stars as Boris Spassky and Tobey Maguire stars as Bobby Fischer in Edward Zwick’s “Pawn Sacrifice,” a Bleecker Street release. (Takashi Seida/Bleeker Street Media)

The year 1972 was an electrifying year for sports. Mark Spitz won seven gold medals in the summer Olympics, some 40 years before Michael Phelps got eight. Also that year, sportsman-of-the-mind and fellow American chess genius Bobby Fischer went up against scary Soviet Grandmaster Boris Spassky. It was a cold war between the Soviets and the Americans indeed, and it heated up the nation with its intensity and suspense. Starring Tobey Maguire as Fischer and Liev Schreiber as Spassky, this should be some fun storytelling.

Opening Sept. 18

5) ‘Everest’

(L—R) Scott Fischer (Jake Gyllenhaal), Jon Krakauer (Michael Kelly) and Beck Weathers (Josh Brolin) in "Everest". Inspired by the incredible events surrounding an attempt to reach the summit of the world's highest mountain, "Everest" documents the awe-inspiring journey of two different expeditions challenged beyond their limits by one of the fiercest snowstorms ever encountered by mankind. (Jasin Boland/Universal Studios) — (L—R) Scott Fischer (Jake Gyllenhaal), Jon Krakauer (Michael Kelly), and Beck Weathers (Josh Brolin) in “Everest.” Inspired by the incredible events surrounding an attempt to reach the summit of the world’s highest mountain, “Everest” documents the awe-inspiring journey of two different expeditions challenged beyond their limits by one of the fiercest snowstorms ever encountered by mankind. (Jasin Boland/Universal Studios)

A scintillating cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Keira Knightley, Josh Brolin, Emily Watson, and John Hawkes. “Everest” is essentially Jon Krakauer’s story “Into Thin Air,” which took place in 1996; two teams with competitive leaders were trying to summit Mount Everest and were hit by a devastating snowstorm. It’s a thrilling tale of survival, drama, one tragic phone call, and a record eight deaths in a single day on Everest.