Movies Opening this Week – September 28

The Martian

During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring “the Martian” home, while his crewmates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible rescue mission. As these stories of incredible bravery unfold, the world comes together to root for Watney’s safe return.

Directed by Ridley Scott

Produced by Simon Kinberg, Ridley Scott, Michael Schaefer, Aditya Sood, Mark Huffam

Screenplay by Drew Goddard

Based on “The Martian” by Andy Weir

Starring: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels, Michael Peña, Kate Mara, Sean Bean, Sebastian Stan, Aksel Hennie, Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Release Date: September 30, 2015.

The Walk

The Walk is the true story of a young dreamer, Philippe Petit, and a band of unlikely recruits who together achieve the impossible: an illegal wire walk in the immense void between the World Trade Center towers. With little more than nerve and blind ambition, Petit and his ragtag crew overcome daunting physical obstacles, betrayals, countless close calls and overwhelming odds to beat the system and execute their mad plan.

Directed by Robert Zemeckis

Produced by Steve Starkey, Robert Zemeckis, Jack Rapke

Screenplay by Robert Zemeckis, Christopher Browne

Based on “To Reach the Clouds” by Philippe Petit

Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ben Kingsley, Charlotte Le Bon, James Badge Dale

Release Date: September 30, 2015.

Freeheld

The film is based on the true story of Laurel Hester, a police officer in Ocean County, New Jersey. Following her diagnosis with terminal lung cancer in 2005, Hester repeatedly appealed to the county's board of chosen freeholders in an attempt to ensure her pension benefits could be passed on to her domestic partner, Stacie Andree

Directed by Peter Sollett

Produced by Ellen Page, Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher, James D. Stern, Cynthia Wade

Screenplay by Ron Nyswaner

Based on “Freeheld” by Cynthia Wade

Starring: Julianne Moore, Ellen Page, Michael Shannon, Steve Carell

Release Date: October 2, 2015.

He Named Me Malala

An intimate portrait of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai, who was targeted by the Taliban and severely wounded by a gunshot when returning home on her school bus in Pakistan’s Swat Valley. The then 15-year-old (she turns 18 this July) was singled out, along with her father, for advocating for girls’ education, and the attack on her sparked an outcry from supporters around the world. She miraculously survived and is now a leading campaigner for girls’ education globally as co-founder of the Malala Fund.

Directed by Davis Guggenheim

Produced by Laurie MacDonald, Walter F. Parks

Starring: Malala Yousafzai

Release Date: October 2, 2015.