Fall Movie Preview: 72 movies you really need to know about

With the summer blockbusters behind us, amNY takes a look at the finest new films fall has to offer.

'Lawless'
Tom Hardy and Shia LaBeouf play a pair of bootlegging brothers in this film based on a true story. Jessica Chastain, Guy Pearce, Gary Goldman and Mia Wasikowska round out the cast list. (Aug. 31)

'The Possession'
A man (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and his ex-wife (Kyra Sedgwick) have to reunite to save their daughter, who is possessed by a mysterious Hebrew spirit. Produced by Sam Raimi. (Aug. 31)

'For a Good Time, Call ...'
To pay for their luxe apartment in Gramercy Park, a pair of women who knew each other from college start a phone sex line. (Aug. 31)

'The Good Doctor'
Orlando Bloom stars as a doctor with less-than-good intentions - he'll stop at nothing to make sure he continues to get to treat a patient he's enamored with. (Aug. 31)

'For Ellen'
Paul Dano stars as a musician who tries to see if he can reconnect with his young daughter before potentially giving up custody of her in his divorce. Also starring Jena Malone and Jon Heder. (Sept. 5)

'The Words'
A writer (Bradley Cooper) finds a manuscript for a novel and passes it off as his own work. The book becomes a hit, but when his secret comes out, he'll have to deal with the consequences. With Dennis Quaid, Jeremy Irons, Zoë Saldana, Olivia Wilde and J.K. Simmons. (Sept. 7)

'The Cold Light of Day'
Wall Street Trader Will Shaw (Henry Cavill) is searching for his family after they went missing from a sailboat in Spain. And it turns out his dad (Bruce Willis) wasn't just a regular consultant for the government. Also starring Sigourney Weaver. (Sept. 7)

'The Inbetweeners'
The hit British comedy series makes the leap to the big screen as Will and his buddies go on holiday. What could possibly go wrong? (Sept. 7)

'Bachelorette'
Rebel Wilson moves from being a maid of honor's roommate (in "Bridesmaids") to the bride herself in this new comedy focused on planning a bachelorette party. Also starring Kirsten Dunst, Isla Fisher, Lizzy Caplan and Adam Scott. (Sept. 7)

'Hello I Must Be Going'
Actor Todd Louiso directs this film about a divorced woman (Melanie Lynskey) who moves back in with her parents, played by Blythe Danner and John Rubenstein. Then she starts cavorting with a younger man (Christopher Abbott). (Sept. 7)

'Raiders of the Lost Ark'
Indiana Jones whips back into theaters for a week with a special IMAX presentation. (Sept. 7)

'The Eye of the Storm'
In this dramedy, the children of an aging beauty (Charlotte Rampling) return home after their mother has a stroke, which brings a lot of family issues to light. Also starring Geoffrey Rush and Judy Davis. (Sept. 7)

'Branded'
In the future, corporations rule the world, but there is a bigger, more alien conspiracy brewing. Starring Ed Stoppard, Jeffrey Tambor, Leelee Sobieski and Max von Sydow. (Sept. 7)

'Arbitrage'
Richard Gere plays a big-time hedge fund manager caught up in a web of lies and deceit in order to save himself, his family and his business. (Sept. 14)

'Finding Nemo 3D'
Pixar's beautiful and charming fish tale is the latest Disney animated film to get the 3-D treatment. (Sept. 14)

'Liberal Arts'
Josh Radnor ("How I Met Your Mother") follows up his writing and directing debut "Happythankyoumoreplease" with this film about a man (Radnor) in his mid-30s who heads back to his Ohio college and connects with a much younger student (Elizabeth Olsen). (Sept. 14)

'The Master'
Writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson ("There Will Be Blood") makes his triumphant return with this 1950s-set film about a science-fiction author that starts his own religion, much like L. Ron Hubbard of Scientology fame. Starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Phoenix and Amy Adams. (Sept. 14)

'The Perks of Being A Wallflower'
A high school frosh (Logan Lerman), the title wallflower, learns how to live life to the fullest with the help of a pair of seniors (Ezra Miller and "Harry Potter's" Emma Watson). (Sept. 14)

'Resident Evil: Retribution'
Milla Jovovich punches, kicks and beats up a bunch of bad guys in the umpteenth sequel to this video game movie franchise. You know the drill. (Sept. 14)

'Stolen'
Nic Cage stars as a man whose kid has been, ahem, stolen, and it's up to him to find her. Also starring Malin Akerman, Josh Lucas and Danny Huston. (Sept. 14)

'Dredd 3D'
Forget Sylvester Stallone's campy portrait of this British comic book character. Brit Karl Urban dons the ominous helmet of Judge Dredd in this hard-hitting action flick. (Sept. 21)

'End of Watch'
Sometimes it seems like Jake Gyllenhaal only plays cops and soldiers these days. Here, he plays a police officer targeted by a drug cartel. From the writer of "Training Day." (Sept. 21)

'House at the End of the Street'
A mother and daughter (Elisabeth Shue and Jennifer Lawrence, respectively) move into a new home and discover that the parents of the guy living next door were murdered, while his sister has gone missing. Who might be to blame? (Sept. 21)

'Ten Years'
Channing Tatum, Rosario Dawson and Chris Pratt headline this drama about some high school friends who get back together after ... wait for it ... 10 years. (Sept. 21)

'Backwards'
After not making the Olympic team for the past two games, rower Abi Brooks turns to coaching. With Sarah Megan Thomas as Abi and James Van Der Beek. (Sept. 21)

'Trouble With the Curve'
Clint Eastwood plays an old baseball scout who heads off on his final recruiting trip with his daughter, played by Amy Adams, in tow. (Sept. 21)

'War of the Buttons'
In this French film, a small town during the Nazi occupation comes together to protect a Jewish girl. (Sept. 21) 

'Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best'
A pair of musicians, aka the Brooklyn Brothers, heads off on the road, playing music that sounds like a lot of Brooklyn indie rock. Starring Ryan O'Nan (who also wrote and directed) and Michael Weston; also featuring Andrew McCarthy, Jason Ritter, Wilmer Valderrama and Christopher McDonald. (Sept. 21)

'About Cherry'
A woman moves to San Francisco and gets caught up in pornography and drugs. What could possibly go wrong? With Ashley Hinshaw, James Franco and Heather Graham. (Sept. 21)

'Bringing Up Bobby'
Actress Famke Janssen makes her directorial debut with this comedy about a con from Europe (Milla Jovovich) who takes her son, the aforementioned Bobby (Spencer List), to Oklahoma to start over. With Bill Pullman. (Sept. 28)

'Trade of Innocents'
After their daughter dies, a couple tries to save another girl from the sex slave trade. Starring Dermot Mulroney and Mira Sorvino. (Sept. 28)

'Hotel Transylvania'
The good news is that Genndy Tartakovsky, the man behind "Dexter's Laboratory" and "Samurai Jack," directed this animated film. The bad news is that it is also an Adam Sandler/Kevin James/David Spade vehicle. Oh, and Fran Drescher. So, yeah ... (Sept. 28)

'Looper'
"Brick" writer/director Rian Johnson reunites with star Joseph Gordon-Levitt for this sci-fi thriller, in which the mob uses time travel to send people it wants dead back in time. There, a "Looper" assassin awaits to make the kill. But what happens when the mob sends back the older version of a Looper? (Sept. 28)

'Solomon Kane'
James Purefoy suits up as Robert E. Howard's Puritan adventurer in this long-delayed action film. (Sept. 28)

'Won't Back Down'
A mother and teacher work together to revitalize a failing school. Starring Maggie Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis and Holly Hunter. (Sept. 28)

'Butter'
Jennifer Garner is a woman with a knack for carving butter (as you might have guessed). Also starring Hugh Jackman, Olivia Wilde, Ty Burrell and Alicia Silverstone. (Oct. 5)

'Frankenweenie'
Visionary director Tim Burton directs this stop-motion animation film about a re-animated Frankenstein dog, done in the style of a classic black-and-white horror film. (Oct. 5)

'The Oranges'
Hugh Laurie plays a man who has his eyes on his close friend and neighbor's daughter (played by Leighton Meester). Also starring Oliver Platt, Allison Janney, Catherine Keener, Alia Shawkat and Adam Brody. (Oct. 5)

'The Paperboy'
Director Lee Daniels follows up "Precious" with this movie about a reporter looking into the case of a man on death row. Starring Zac Efron, Matthew McConaughey, Nicole Kidman and John Cusack. (Oct. 5)

'Wuthering Heights'
A new adaptation of the Emily Bronte classic. Directed by Andrea Arnold ("Fish Tank") and starring James Howson. (Oct. 5)

'Pitch Perfect'
Think "Glee" but in college and with an acappella group. Starring Anna Kendrick, but again, Rebel Wilson, who was really funny in "Bridesmaids," might steal the show here. (Oct. 5)

'Sinister'
Ethan Hawke plays a writer who moves his family into a new home. While digging in his attic, he locates some film reels, which he believes are tied to a series of murders. Now his family might be in danger, too. (Oct. 5)

'Taken 2'
Liam Neeson is back as Bryan Mills. This time, he has to save himself and his wife from a man who wamts revenge for Mills killing his son. His son, of course, was one of the kidnappers who took Mills' daughter in the first movie. Still with me? Now, it's up to the daughter (Maggie Grace) to save her parents. (Oct. 5)

'V/H/S'
This horror anthology of chillers brings together a variety of evils from a bunch of directors, including Ti West ("The House of the Devil") and Glenn McQuaid ("I Sell the Dead"). (Oct. 5)

'Argo'
Ben Affleck directs and stars in this thriller about a CIA operative and his plan to save some Americans trapped in Iran. His plan? To fake a Hollywood blockbuster film shoot. Based on a true story, which makes the film sound even cooler. (Oct. 12)

'Gambit'
This comedy - written, but not directed, by the Coen brothers - follows an art curator looking to get revenge with the help of a rodeo queen. With an all-star cast of Colin Firth, Cameron Diaz, Stanley Tucci and Alan Rickman. (Oct. 12)

'Here Comes the Boom'
To save extracurricular activities at his school, a teacher, played by Kevin James, becomes a mixed martial arts fighter. The moral of the story? Anything can be accomplished through fighting, I guess. (Oct. 12)

'3, 2, 1 ... Frankie go Boom'
The misadventures of a pair of bickering brothers (Charlie Hunnam and Chris O'Dowd). Also starring Whitney Cummings, Lizzy Caplan and Ron Perlman. (Oct. 12)

'Alex Cross'
Not to be confused with Aaron Cross of "The Bourne Legacy," Alex Cross is a detective (played by Tyler Perry, and no, Alex is NOT a woman's name) out to catch a killer. Based on the James Patterson thriller "Cross." (Oct. 19)

'Killing Them Softly'
Brad Pitt stars in this crime flick based on the novel "Cogan's Trade." He plays Jackie Cogan, who is an enforcer looking into a heist. Also starring Richard Jenkins, James Gandolfini and Ray Liotta. (Oct. 19)

'Not Fade Away'
"The Sopranos" creator David Chase reunites with James Gandolfini for this film set in New Jersey in the 1960s about some friends trying to find success in rock 'n' roll. Also starring Christopher McDonald, Jack Huston and Brad Garrett. (Oct. 19)

'That's What She Said'
Some best friends have some crazy times in New York City trying to deal with their romantic issues. Starring Anne Heche and Alia Shawkat. (Oct. 19)

'Paranormal Activity 4'
Does it even matter anymore? More found-footage horror, if that's your thing. (Oct. 19)

'Chasing Mavericks'
Have you ever thought, "If you've seen one surfing movie, you've seen every surfing movie?" Here, a young kid wants to ride a huge wave. Featuring Gerard Butler. (Oct. 26)

'Cloud Atlas'
The Wachowski siblings join forces with Tom Tykwer for this time-spanning epic that features an impressive cast (with many playing multiple roles): Tom Hanks, Ben Whishaw, Hugo Weaving, Jim Broadbent, Jim Sturgess, Halle Berry, Susan Sarandon, Keith David and Hugh Grant. (Oct. 26)

'Fun Size'
Josh Schwartz, who created "The O.C.," helms this high school comedy about a pair of teenage girls (Nickelodeon star Victoria Justice and "Suburbia" star Jane Levy) and their Halloween hijinks. (Oct. 26)

'The Sessions'
This winner of both the Audience Award for Dramatic Film and the Special Jury Prize for Ensemble Acting at the Sundance Film Festival stars John Hawkes, William H. Macy and Helen Hunt (remember her?) in a film about a man in an iron lung who seeks to lose his virginity. (Oct. 26)

'Silent Hill: Revelation 3D'
The latest installment of this video-game-adaptation franchise stars Sean Bean, Radha Mitchell and Carrie-Anne Moss. (Oct. 26)

'Flight'
Director Robert Zemeckis helms this film about a pilot (Denzel Washington) who safely lands a malfunctioning plane. Problems emerge for him, though, when officials begin to look into the incident. (Nov. 2)

'Vamps'
Writer/director Amy Heckerling and actress Alicia Silverstone - who worked together on "Clueless" - reunite for this film about vampires looking for romance in NYC. Also starring Krysten Ritter, Sigourney Weaver, Wallace Shawn., Richard Lewis and Malcolm McDowell. (Nov. 2)

'Jack and Diane'
Here's a story about Jack (Juno Temple, "Killer Joe") and Diane (Riley Keough, "Magic Mike"), two young lasses who find each other in the Big Apple and fall in love. Things get a bit ... strange after that. (Nov. 2)

'A Liar's Autobiography - The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman'
An animated adaptation of the (fictionalized) autobiography of the late Monty Python member. Chapman's voice (from a reading of the book) will be used, as well as voice work from John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam. (Nov. 2)

'The Man with the Iron Fists'
RZA, of Wu-Tang Clan, makes his directorial debut helming this over-the-top and super gory martial arts film about a blacksmith. Co-written by RZA and Eli Roth and starring Russell Crowe and Dave Bautista. (Nov. 2)

'A Late Quartet'
This film takes a look at a famous string quartet as one of their members is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Christopher Walken, Catherine Keener, Wallace Shawn, Mark Ivanir and Imogen Poots. (Nov. 2)

'Seven Psychopaths'
Martin McDonagh, the director of "In Bruges," reunites with Colin Farrell for this comedy about a writer (Farrell) who gets tangled up with a gangster (Woody Harrelson) after his buddies (Christopher Walken and Sam Rockwell) kidnap his dog. (Nov. 2)

'Wreck-It Ralph'
What if, when the doors closed, all of the characters in video arcade games were friends, kind of like the toys in "Toy Story"? The title bad guy from "Wreck-It Ralph" (John C. Reilly) is tired of being the villain and heads off to other games in this amazing-looking animated film. (Nov. 2)

'Anna Karenina' 
Director Joe Wright ("Atonement") and screenwriter Tom Stoppard ("Shakespeare in Love") present a new (very British) interpretation of the Leo Tolstoy novel. Starring Keira Knightley, Jude Law and Aaron Johnson. (Nov. 9)

'Nature Calls'
This sibling rivalry farce about a scout trip gone awry stars Rob Riggle, Johnny Knoxville and Maura Tierney. (Nov. 9)

'Lincoln'
Daniel Day-Lewis takes on the role of Honest Abe in Steven Spielberg's new historical biopic about the 16th president. Also starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tommy Lee Jones, Sally Field and a slew of other top-notch actors. Based on the book "Team of Rivals" by Doris Kearns Goodwin. (Nov. 9)

'Skyfall'
Daniel Craig returns for his third run at James Bond in this spy thriller where he'll face off against the evil Raoul Silva (Javier Bardem). Also starring Ralph Fiennes and Albert Finney. (Nov. 9)

'Rust & Bone'
A surefire contender for a Best Foreign Film Oscar nomination, this French-Belgian film from director Jacques Audiard ("A Prophet"), starring Marion Cotillard, tracks a romance between a guy and a woman who trains killer whales. (Nov. 16)

'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2'
It's the big finale for the popular tween series. Having never seen the previous movies, I'll just assume that vampires are going to battle. And if ex-lovebirds Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart can't be a couple in real life, we'll always have this cinematic tribute. (Nov. 16)