As the end of year approaches, the big Oscar contenders tend to roll out en masse. But don’t you worry, we’ve got some non-Oscar bait films this month as well, and they look just as excellent.
Starting the month off right, sit back and enjoy Weird: The Al Yankovic Story. Starring Daniel Radcliffe as the titular Weird Al, the film is a satirical parody of the biopic genre that follows Yankovic’s life from an unknown to a star. It looks to present almost every part of his life with an exaggerated spin, with some parts bordering on straight up fabrication. Prepare for the weird when it releases on the Roku Channel Nov. 4.
Next up, the boys from the bizarre Adult Swim show are finally back with Aqua Teen Forever: Plantasm. Based on the animated TV series Aqua Teen Hunger Force, this is the second film following the 2007 entry, hilariously titled Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters. Directed and written by the show’s creators Matt Maiellaro and Dave Willis, the trailer indicates a wild plot about overgrown weeds and a tech mogul who owns Amazin, so your guess is as good as mine as to what the heck happens. It releases Nov. 8.
For your first Oscar competitor, look no further than The Fabelmans. Directed by Steven Spielberg and written as a semi-autobiographical story about his upbringing in Arizona, the film stars Gabriel LeBelle in the lead role, with Michelle Williams, Paul Dano and Seth Rogan filling out the ensemble. Set in the 1950s, the film is sure to have a beautiful story and set pieces all about one of the greatest living directors and his early life. It hits theaters on Nov. 11.
For the should-be-an-Oscar-choice-but-likely-won’t-get-nominated pick, I present to you The Menu. Starring Ralph Fiennes as Chef Slowik, the horror comedy centers around a couple, played by Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult, traveling to a remote island to dine at an incredibly fancy restaurant. There, Slowik prepares his food using molecular gastronomy … as well as something else that’s not revealed in the trailer but is shocking to his guests. Fiennes is a powerhouse actor, so his performance will likely steal the show in the best way possible when this hits theaters on Nov. 18.
Next, an apocalyptic black comedy titled White Noise. Based on the 1985 book of the same name, the film stars Adam Driver and Greta Gerwig as a couple trying to deal with a toxic airborne event caused by a train accident in their hometown. Written and directed by Noah Baumbach, this is his first film based on a previously existing work, but it looks to retain his trademark elements. It comes to theaters on Nov. 25 before moving to Netflix on Dec. 30.
Also, I implore you to watch Over the Garden Wall, a ten episode animated miniseries following two half-brothers (one is Elijah Wood!) who travel across a mysterious forest to find their way home. It is the perfect fall TV viewing experience.
