Zac Carlisle

Copy Editor

After a dismal summer of movie releases, many moviegoers are looking forward to the fall season. In the past, the fall season has been a huge success with past movies such as the “Harry Potter” series and more recently “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.”

There are some heavy hitters this upcoming fall season. Titles such as “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” “Thor: The Dark World,” and the continuation of the Hobbit series with “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.” There are also some hidden gems that are most surely to please. One of them is “Saving Mr. Banks” starring Tom Hanks who portrays Walt Disney. Another is “Gravity” starring George Clooney and Sandra Bullock.

I’m going to cover a couple of the most promising movies for this season.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

After the wildly successful debut of the “The Hunger Games” series last year, many feel that the sequel will be just if not more successful. “Catching Fire” returns most of the same cast members such as Academy Award winning actress, Jennifer Lawrence, who plays Katniss Everdeen.

Without giving away spoilers, the plot focuses on Katniss’ journey after winning the 74th Hunger Games. She returns with fellow tribute, Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson). They then set out on a “Victor’s Tour” which takes them to all of the districts. While on this tour, they encounter people and things that change their lives.

The release date for this film is Nov. 22.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Like “Catching Fire,” the second installment of “The Hobbit” series promises to make a big splash. The film also returns all of the main characters including Gandalf (Sir Ian McKellen). As indicated in the trailer, another known Tolkien character, Legolas (Orlando Bloom), is set to return as well.

The plot of the movies continues on Bilbo and the dwarf’s journey to reclaim the treasure taken by the evil dragon, Smaug.

If you haven’t seen the trailer for the movie, I suggest you go see it. The ending of the trailer will leave you with goose bumps. Out of all of the movies coming out this fall, this one is the one that I’m looking forward to the most. I can’t wait.

The release date for this movie is Dec. 13.

Anchorman: The Legend Continues

Like the other two that I’ve covered, “Anchorman: The Legend Continues” is also a sequel. This one is coming eight years after the first movie. Many fans of the first have been asking for a sequel, and they are finally going to get one.

All of the favorite characters are returning including Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell). The plot of the film focuses on the crew’s journey back to stardom after they disbanded and hit rock bottom. After looking at the trailer, this will most likely be another success for Will Ferrell.

The film is slated for release on Dec. 20.

Others

There are many more films coming out this fall. “Saving Mr. Banks (Dec. 20) centers around Walt Disney trying to get “Mary Poppins” produced. There are also many science fiction films. As well as “Catching Fire” and “The Hobbit,” “Thor: The Dark World (Nov. 8) and “Riddick” (Sept. 6) are set to release this fall. One of the favorites to win an Oscar is “Gravity (Oct. 4).” This focuses on two astronauts who are set adrift in space.

I’m sure that there will be little known films that become big hits, but these movies are the must-see movies of the fall season. Which one are you looking forward to seeing?