November 2014 Movies on Our Radar

A fun-filled October leads us right into Oscar season, with several satisfying submissions.

October 2014 offered a full plate of candy to those who knocked on its door, mixing bonified Oscar candidates with a few downright enjoyable releases. But it also kicked Hollywood out of its complacent August/September disasters with a collection of entertaining films like Gone Girl, Fury, and the very surprising John Wick. November arrives ready to erase the mistakes of months past, but it has a lot of weight to carry. Receipts for the year are down only 3.7% (according to our friends at BoxOfficeMojo.com), and with a few solid blockbusters this month, we think the year's mostly red-inked is about to turn decidedly favorable. Some of these appeared on our MOST ANTICIPATED LIST OF 2014 back in January, and we're certainly excited for their arrival.

The month features militant penguins, an interstellar space traveler, two dumbasses, and three boss haters, all ready to gobble up your wallets. And yes, we've got the return of Katniss Everdene. Here is our On the Radar preview for November 2014:

Nov 7
Big Hero 6

Plot: The special bond that develops between plus-sized inflatable robot Baymax, and prodigy Hiro Hamada, who team up with a group of friends to form a band of high-tech heroes. (IMDB)
Directors: Don Hall, Chris Williams
Starring: Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, T.J. Miller, Jamie Chung, Damon Wayans Jr., Genesis Rodriguez, Maya Rudolph, James Cromwell, Alan Tudyk
Why We're Interested:
Featuring what looks like stunning animation, the loosely-based Marvel comic arrives with no appreciable competition in the kid demographics, which should equate to a very strong opening. Whether the movie works with no recognizable voice lead is another thing entirely. One thing is for sure: the character Baymax looks to be the next "thing" that kids will be asking for this Christmas.
Watch the trailer for Big Hero 6


Interstellar

Plot: A group of explorers make use of a newly discovered wormhole to surpass the limitations on human space travel and conquer the vast distances involved in an interstellar voyage. (IMDB)
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Matthew Montgomery, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Michael Caine
Why We're Interested: In what looks like the ultimate 'reap what you sow' cautionary tale, Nolan sets his heights to space to deliver one of the most beautiful trailers of the year. We still don't know the exact plot, so it's unknown whether audiences AFTER its release will return to see a nearly three hour film, unless said plot is something special. For now, we're willing to give the creator of the Batman trilogy and Inception a ton of credit.
Watch the trailer for Interstellar:


Nov 14
Dumb and Dumber To

Plot:20 years after the dimwits set out on their first adventure, they head out in search of one of their long lost children in the hope of gaining a new kidney. (IMDB)
Directors:Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly
Starring: Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, Kathleen Turner, Brady Bluhm
Why We're Interested: One of the funniest films ever made, the original D&D was followed up by the awful prequel (which shall not be named). This is a true sequel, and one we've been anticipating for awhile. Let's hope the magic is still there; based on the trailers, we have every reason to feel positive about its chances.
Watch the trailer for Dumb and Dumber To:


Foxcatcher

Plot:Based on the true story of Mark Schultz, an Olympic wrestler whose relationship with sponsor John du Pont and brother Dave Schultz would lead to unlikely circumstances.
Director:Bennett Miller
Starring: Steve Carell, Mark Ruffalo, Channing Tatum, Sienna Miller
Why We're Interested:You couldn't get a more different movie than Dumber and Dumber To, but let's hope audiences don't skip the very interesting Foxcatcher. Trailers have us convinced of its potential Oscar worthiness, but we're not sure the early positive reviews are worth discussing quite yet - it seems our concerns over Birdman were entirely justified. We'll let you judge whether it's something you plan to place on your Movie To-Do list.
Watch the trailer for Foxcatcher:


Nov 21
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1

Plot:Katniss Everdeen is in District 13 after she shatters the games forever. Under the leadership of President Coin and the advice of her trusted friends, Katniss spreads her wings as she fights to save Peeta and a nation moved by her courage.
Director:Francis Lawrence
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Jena Malone
Why We're Interested: Public opinion was decidedly mixed on the second outing, although we preferred it over the original. Debate has also raged as to whether splitting the final book into two movies was a good idea, but it's clear that the third offering will make a ton of money. While the cast is solid, the success of Mockingjay comes own to Director Lawrence and Actor Lawrence to move this into overdrive and beyond the realm of mere acceptance. From the trailer below, it looks they might be on their way to doing just that.
Watch the trailer for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1:


Nov 26
Horrible Bosses 2

Plot:Dale, Kurt and Nick decide to start their own business but things don't go as planned because of a slick investor, prompting the trio to pull off a harebrained and misguided kidnapping scheme.
Director:Sean Anders
Starring: Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Jamie Foxx
Why We're Interested:The first Bosses took everyone by surprise, mmostly because it was a genuinely hilarious affair that still holds up in the world of Neighbors and 22 Jump Street. But like Dumb and Dumber To, we are a little worried about Bosses' ability to recapture that magic and elevate its game. But with the additions of Chris Pine and the return of the decidely kinkier Jennifer Aniston, we're allowing ourselves to actually be positive.
Watch the trailer for Horrible Bosses 2:


Penguins of Madagascar

Plot: Super spy teams aren't born...they're hatched. Discover the secrets of the greatest and most hilarious covert birds in the global espionage biz: Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private.
Directors:Eric Darnell, Simon J. Smith
Starring: Tom McGrath, Chris Miller, Christopher Knights, Benedict Cumberbatch
Why We're Interested:
We've been clamoring for a Penguins standalone movie since the triumphant debut of the cartoon series on television. From the clips we've seen, it looks like the zaniness of the series has made its way into the film. Boasting an impressive cast, our only concern is why the television Kowalski (Jeff Bennett) has been replaced with the infinitely duller Chris Miller. Hopefully, Skipper and company can karate chop their way out of this one. Watch the trailer for The Penguins of Madagascar:


Come Home To Papa!

Much like October, November 2014 is filled with potentially quality films, but this month looks far more solid. Filled with a good collection of family fare, Oscar hopefuls, and entertaining comedies, our outlook is pointing upward. But we're also excited about 2 potential Oscar candidates: The Theory of Everything (David Thewlis, Eddie Redmayne, Emily Watson, Lesley Manville) and The Imitation Game starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Matthew Goode. These might not make the big bucks, but keep them on your SJF radar as well.

For now, be sure to add these to your Movies To-Do List:
• November 7 - Big Hero 6
• November 7 - Interstellar
• November 14 - Dumb and Dumber To
• November 14 - Foxcatcher
• November 21 - The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1
• November 26 - Horrible Bosses 2
• November 26 - Penguins of Madagascar

Which films are you looking forward to this month? Comment below and join the conversation! Our thanks to IMDB for the plot summaries and AceShowBiz for the images.

Discuss this review with fellow SJF fans on Facebook. On Twitter, follow us at @SandwichJohnFilms, and follow author Matt Cummings at @mfc90125.