On October 26th, The Film Distributors Association (FDA) unveiled its top 20 film releases that will be dominating the cinema screen from now until early 2017. Hosted and moderated by Alex Zane, here is the list from top to bottom of the choices presented to industry representatives:
(1) LA LA LAND
Oscar buzz is getting to fever pitch for this modern musical starring GANGSTER SQUAD’s Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, from the director of WHIPLASH.
(2) BLEED FOR THIS
WHIPLASH’s Miles Teller stars in this biography of boxer Vinny Paz
(3) SPLIT
M. Night Shyalaman’s latest supernatural drama, stars James McEvoy who has three different personalities.
(4) THE BIRTH OF A NATION
Already controversial both on and off screen, Nate Parker’s version of the DW Griffith classic from last century, in title only, netted the highest sales deal from Fox Searchlight at Sundance.
(5) PATERSON
Adam Driver comes back down to Earth after his turn as Kylo Ren, as a taxi driver called Paterson in a town called Paterson.
(6) PASSENGERS
In space, no one, but one more, can talk to you. Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence have to make their own amusement when they are prematurely thawed out of a deep space sleep.
(7) MOANA
The latest Disney Animation from the team behind FROZEN and ZOOTROPOLIS (ZOOTOPIA)
(8) MUM’S LIST
A tear-jerker about a mum diagnosed with breast cancer, which stars Emilia Fox (No trailer available yet!)
(9) SULLY
Clint Eastwood’s eagerly anticipated drama, starring Tom Hanks as the heroic pilot who saved hundreds of passengers on an airplane shortly after take-off by landing it on the Hudson River.
(10) FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM
JK Rowling’s first official screenplay, starring Eddie Redmayne and Katherine Waterston.
(11) WHY HIM?
James Franco is the daughter’s boyfriend out to meet the parents. Dad is Bryan Cranston.
(12) RICHARD LINKLATER – DREAM IS DESTINY
A documentary about the Oscar-nominated director of films like SCHOOL OF ROCK, BOYHOOD and DAZED AND CONFUSED.
(13) T2 – TRAINSPOTTING 2
The eagerly anticipated follow-up to the 1996 British classic, with the original cast reunited – and Danny Boyle directing a script by the original film scribe John Hodge.
(14) AMERICAN PASTORAL
Ewan McGregor’s directorial debut, which co-stars Jennifer Connelly and Dakota Fanning.
(15) MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
Kenneth Lonergan’s family drama set around the Boston, Massachusetts area, starring Casey Affleck.
(16) THE ACCOUNTANT
Ben Affleck is the title character mixing with bad people.
(17) ALLIED
Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard in a WWII action-thriller directed by Robert Zemeckis.
(18) A STREET CAT NAMED BOB
Based on the best-selling books by James Bowen, the heartwarming story of a homeless person and the cat he takes under his wing.
(19) A UNITED KINGDOM
The 2016 LFF Opening Gala, starring David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike in an inter-racial romance that alters the course of a nation.
(20) ROGUE ONE – A STAR WARS STORY
Last, but by no means least (and an understatement), the most eagerly awaited film this season, the story behind the opening crawl at the start of EPISODE IV – A NEW HOPE. Gareth Edwards directs Felicity Jones and others in another tale from a galaxy far, far away….