The Watchlist: 10 Must-See September Films

Hebraic Hilarity
Footnote

Who said the rigours of Talmudic scholarship couldn’t be funny? In this critically lauded, kinda sad Israeli comedy, a father and son compete for a prestigious academic prize. Cineplex Odeon Aurora Theatre, Aurora, Ont., Sept. 10.

Turkish Anti-Thriller
Once Upon a Time in Anatolia

Taking its cues from drawn-out contemporary police procedurals such as David Fincher’s Zodiac and Joon-ho Bong’s Memories of Murder, the latest from Turkish master Nuri Bilge Ceylan follows a group of men on a night-long hunt for a missing body. Regent Theatre, Picton, Ont., Sept. 10.

To Sir, With Amour
Monsieur Lazhar

Quebec director Philippe Falardeau got the attention of the rest of the country (and, arguably, the world) when his tender schoolroom drama was nominated for an Oscar earlier this year. The film is out on DVD now, but it’s definitely worth a watch on the big screen. White Rock Community Centre, White Rock, B.C., Sept. 12.

Hogtown, Undead
Resident Evil: Retribution

For the fifth instalment in director Paul W.S. Anderson’s Toronto-shot B-movie zombie series, Mila Jovovich squares off (again) against the evil Umbrella Corporation and its undead hordes. Reliable thrills. In theatres Sept. 14.

Recession Drama
Le Vendeur

Sebastien Pilote’s exceptional debut is set in a small Québécois town beset by an ongoing labour dispute and a harsh winter. Gilbert Sicotte gives a remarkable performance as a top-brass car salesman whose chipper manner masks a very deep malaise. Galaxie Cinema, Midland, Ont., Sept. 19.

The Long Arm of the Law
Dredd

In the age of reboots and reimaginings, it’s little surprise that fascist caricature Judge Dredd is returning to the big screen. The 1995 Sly Stallone vehicle was much-maligned by critics and fans of the Dredd comics, but the new film, starring Karl Urban as the futuristic supercop, promises to hew closer to the source material. In theatres Sept. 21.

Coming-of-Age Cutesiness
Moonrise Kingdom

In his best film yet, Wes Anderson puts his penchant for retro fashions and warm-and-fuzzy nostalgia to excellent use. Moonrise Kingdom assembles a superb cast (Bruce Willis, Frances McDormand, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton) for this story of two preteen paramours on the lam. Acadia Cinema’s Al Whittle Theatre, Wolfville, N.S., Sept. 9.

Back to the Future
Looper

Brick director Rian Johnson casts his muse Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a hit man whose allegiances are jeopardized when he’s hired to put a hit on-wait for it-his future self (Bruce Willis). In theatres Sept. 28.

Eastwood Returns
Trouble With the Curve

In his first appearance in a film he didn’t direct since 1993’s In the Line of Fire, Clint Eastwood plays an aging major league baseball scout reconnecting with his daughter (Amy Adams) on a trip to check out a top prospect. In theatres Sept. 25.