Fall film picks

The race for Oscars is officially on. This year's impressive fall film line up features star power, spectacular locales and substantive storylines in abundance. The following should generate a lot of buzz:

“BLACK MASS” - Sept. 18

Johnny Depp plays James "Whitey" Bulger, the notorious Boston gangster and FBI informant. Depp sinks deep into character while Scott Cooper directs this electrifying crime epic. The always-eclectic Joel Edgerton co-stars.

“EVEREST” – Sept. 25

Even the movie’s tagline, "Never let go,” sends shivers down the spine. Based on the worst disaster in Everest's history, obsession became a struggle for life when climbers got caught in a deadly, unexpected storm. Director Baltasar Kormakur films on location and manages to amass an amazing cast, including Jake Gyllenhaal, Josh Brolin, Jason Clarke, Keira Knightley and Robin Wright.

 “LEGEND” – Oct. 2

The great Tom Hardy pulls double duty portraying twins Reggie and Ronnie Kray, English gangsters who wreaked havoc on London's East and West ends during the 1960s. And though they were close, both were always on the verge of killing one another. Brian Helgeland, who wrote the screenplay for "Mystic River," directs the film.

“THE MARTIAN” – Oct. 2

Once again, Matt Damon is stranded alone on an inhospitable planet. Presumed dead, astronaut Mark Watney is abandoned on Mars with meager supplies. When NASA discovers he's still alive, they work tirelessly to bring him home. Looks epic on all levels. Directed by Ridley Scott, the movie stars Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

“SICARIO” – Oct. 2

Spanish for "hitman,” “Sicario” stars Emily Blunt as an idealist FBI agent who's drawn into the amoral world of Mexican drug cartels. Can she trust fellow operatives portrayed by Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro? And can anyone put a value on human life? Director Denis Villeneuve explores modern day morality in this grisly thriller.  

“STEVE JOBS” – Oct. 9

The always-fantastic Michael Fassbender digs into the psyche of the visionary Apple co-founder. Known for being egotistical and cruel, Jobs is portrayed as an anti-heroic genius in this true story of his life. With Danny Boyle directing and Aaron Sorkin scripting, expect greatness. Also starring Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen and Jeff Daniels.  

“ROOM” – Oct. 16

 A woman is kidnapped, raped and imprisoned in a small windowless room. While incarcerated, she gives birth to a boy, and the two manage to escape when he is 5. The incredible survival tale is told entirely from the child's perspective and stars Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay. Directed by Lenny Abrahamson.

 “BRIDGE OF SPIES” – Oct. 16

Expect brilliance when Steven Spielberg collaborates. In this true Cold War tale about the exchange of a Russian spy for U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers, Tom Hanks plays the lawyer who negotiated the deal. It gets even better: The Coen brothers wrote the script with Matt Charman. Oscar nods are inevitable.  

“SPECTRE” – Nov. 16

"Skyfall" became the most successful 007 installment in history. Judging from the trailers, this Bond blockbuster could break that record. Director Sam Mendes says the film tells the story, in reverse, of how Bond became Bond. And with Christoph Waltz playing the villain, things should get interesting.

“SPOTLIGHT” – Nov. 6

This film explores the story behind the Boston Globe's in-depth coverage of the Massachusetts Catholic Archdiocese sex-abuse scandal in 2002. Writer/director Tom McCarthy remarks, "I consider it one of the greatest investigative journalistic moments of the century." It ended up earning a Pulitzer Prize. The film stars Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Stanley Tucci and Mark Ruffalo.