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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at SMU chapter.

There are several film festivals that you may know of – like Cannes or Sundance – but one you might not be as familiar with is the Toronto International Film Festival. While not as heavily covered in mainstream media, TIFF is usually known for the first release of award-season contender films. But just because we can’t go doesn’t mean we can’t take a look at some films that will be talked about and released in theaters shortly!

 

Image via IMDb

Film: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Director: Marielle Heller

Notable Cast: Tom Hanks, Matthew Rhys, Susan Kelechi Watson

Plot Summary: “Please don’t ruin my childhood,” says the wife of the man who’s interviewing Fred Rogers on how he became such an influential figure in the lives of children. A Beautiful Day is part biopic, part fictional recreation of the life of Fred Rogers. From watching the trailer alone you can see Tom Hanks recreate magical moments from your childhood as one of our most gentle role models we will likely ever see. Now that we’re grown up, we can learn more about what our hero was going through when he made his famous show. I think it’s fair to say a tissue-box is required when watching this film. 

Release Date: Nov 22, 2019

Trailer: Click Here

Image via Variety

Film: Endings, Beginnings 

Director: Drake Doremus

Notable Cast: Shailene Woodley, Jamie Dornan, Sebastian Stan

Plot Summary: Finally, a movie about dating in the year 2019 as an adult woman. Shailene Woodley plays Daphne, a woman who just broke up with her boyfriend and moved into her sister’s house. She decides to change her life but in doing so meets two men whom she becomes attracted to. Did I mention she meets them at the same party and they also happen to be best friends? Dornan plays the stable, reliable, professor; Stan is his foil: a wild, unruly, and frankly passionate bad boy. From the buzz surrounding the movie, the key to the film is not about the guy, it’s about the life she could live with each of them. As a young adult woman just trying to figure it all out, I think this movie can speak to all of us imagining an infinite amount of futures. 

Release Date: in the process of realease 

Trailer: no trailer has been released as the printing of this article

 

Image Via IMDb

Film: Hustlers

Director: Lorene Scarfaria

Notable Cast: Jennifer Lopez, Constance Wu, Julia Stiles, Keke Palmer, Lili Reinhart, Lizzo, Cardi B

Plot Summary: This is a star studded cast of all ages and backgrounds, and it’s one film us ladies don’t want to miss out on. If you heard about Cardi B’s scandal, she started as a stripper who ended up stealing men’s money to make a (illegal) profit off of it. Some writers and creators got together and ended up making a movie with that premise. I think watching the trailer will give you a better idea. 

Release Date: In Theaters now

Trailer: Click Here

 

Image via IMDb

Film: Knives Out

Director: Rian Johnon

Notable Cast: Chris Evans, Daniel Craig, Ana de Armas

Plot Summary: A whodunnit of modern proportions. When the partriarch of the house dies–at his 85th birthday, no less–a private investigator believes foul-play is at hand. Every family member is a suspect including the swoon-worthy Evans as Ransom Thrombey. The clues are littered all over the mansion that reminds me of the original CLUE movie. Who do we think is the real culprit? I can’t say yet but I wonder if it has to do with the chair of knives that looks like it came from Game of Thrones. 

Familial suspects are all around as this mystery just gets deeper. 

Release Date: November 27 

Trailer: Click Here

 

Image via Just Jared

Film: Just Mercy

Director:  Destin Daniel Cretton

Notable Cast: Michael B Jordan, Jamie Foxx, Brie Larson

Plot Summary: I had to write about this film because this movie hits close to home for our SMU seniors who had to read the book that this film is based on. I even got to see him(?) speak my freshman year! Bryan Stevenson is a civil rights defense attorney who handled some of the worst cases on death row. The movie reflects the book heavily, showing the tension between the defendants and Stevenson as well as the town in Alabama. I had chills just watching the trailer! I know my freshman self would be so proud to see this narrative come to life on the big screen. 

Release Date: January 10, 2019

Trailer: Click Here

Nicolina is a Senior at SMU. She moved to Dallas from Arizona and has never looked back! She has been writing for her campus for three years now and she is extremely proud to be a part of this group of writers. She is majoring in Creative Computation with a minor in Anthropology and Women and Gender studies. Outside of Her Campus you could find her at the Gamma Phi Beta house with sisters, or at the gym dancing. Her favorite study spot around SMU is the Meadows Atrium. 
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