Summer is an important time for movie studios. Big-budget blockbusters put butts in the seats and dollar bills in the box office — or at least that’s what movie executives hope.
But if you’re like me and thought finding a good new movie this summer was harder than keeping Lindsay Lohan sober, join me in joyous anticipation of the fall movie season, when movies go from mindless action flicks to well-crafted Oscar bait.
Though not every movie slated for release this fall is award worthy, the lineup has its fair share of unique, interesting films just begging to be seen. Here are five that already have me itching to buy my ticket.
 
1. “50/50” — Sept. 30
Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen star in this dramedy about a 27-year-old man who is diagnosed with cancer. It’s a certainly a touchy subject, and one other projects have failed to make resonate with audiences (even Judd Apatow and Adam Sandler struck out with a similar premise in “Funny People”).
But the backstory on “50/50” might make all the difference. The film is based on Rogen’s experience with a friend who was diagnosed with spinal cancer at 25, and for a dose of authenticity, Rogen had that very friend, Will Reiser, write the script. With its based-in-truth backbone, the film has a good shot of connecting with audiences in a way that will make the scary subject of cancer accessible.
 
2. “The Ides of March” — Oct. 7
As candidates begin looking ahead to 2012 in full force, the time is right for this political drama centered around a presidential election. George Clooney co-writes, directs and stars in what looks to be a cerebral journey into the behind-the-scenes tension of a campaign.
The biggest draw of “Ides” is its superstar cast, jam-packed with Oscar winners and nominees. With magnetic talent like Ryan Gosling, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Marisa Tomei and Paul Giamatti, there shouldn’t be a dull performance in this gem.
 
3. “My Week with Marilyn” — Nov. 4
Understated beauty Michelle Williams is certainly not the first actress one might consider to play iconic bombshell Marilyn Monroe, but with Williams’s grade-A track record, history is on her side to deliver a stellar performance.
The film chronicles Monroe’s British adventures as she shot “The Prince and the Showgirl” with Laurence Olivier.
“Marilyn” also marks the first post-Hermione project for “Harry Potter” star Emma Watson, who plays a wardrobe assistant. This exciting film promises great acting and dazzling period costume design.
 
4. “J. Edgar” — Nov. 9
Here’s the one I’m most excited about. Expect to see Leonardo DiCaprio, who stars as former FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, in the Best Actor race come award season.
The Academy loves awarding actors who portray real people, and with three nominations under his belt, DiCaprio is due for Oscar gold.
The film promises some controversy as it explores Hoover’s private life, including allegations of his closeted
homosexuality. DiCaprio and co-star Armie Hammer (“The Social Network”) reportedly share an on-screen kiss, but screenwriter Dustin Lance Black (“Milk”) is sure to handle the tricky topic with intelligent grace.
 
5. “The Iron Lady” — Dec. 16
Many American actresses would likely be laughed off the casting couch for trying to portray British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, but if anyone can do it, it’s cinematic chameleon Meryl Streep.
The film’s teaser trailer, which features Streep as the spitting image of Thatcher, had me begging for more of her pitch-perfect performance. Some British media have been skeptical about the film’s handling of the divisive Thatcher, but stateside the film is destined to be a critical darling.
 
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Contact Ryan Buxton at [email protected]