“Gone Girl”

Oct. 3

Kicking off October is “Gone Girl,” a mystery-thriller based off of Gillian Flynn’s best-selling novel of the same name. The book follows the disappearance of Amy Dunne and the subsequent police investigation, in which her husband Nick Dunne is the primary suspect. Nearly two years later, the film adaptation of “Gone Girl” is receiving a lot of buzz, due to the project’s strong cast and crew and its strong source material.

Lead actor Ben Affleck and director David Fincher are critical darlings; Affleck directed “Argo,” which won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2012, and Fincher directed “The Social Network” (2010) and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (2008), which garnered him nominations for the Academy Award in Best Achievement in Directing. The movie has so far received very positive reviews, currently certified “fresh” on by Rotten Tomatoes.

“Whiplash”

Oct. 10

“Whiplash,” staring Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons, premiered at Sundance Film Festival in January, and it received the Top Audience and Grand Jury awards. While Teller is slowly becoming a household name through his work in blockbusters such as “Divergent,” “That Awkward Moment” and “Footloose,” indie fans might remember him from “The Spectacular Now,” which won him the Sundance Special Jury Award in Acting in 2013.

Teller plays Andrew Newyman, a talented young drummer who joins a cutthroat music conservatory in the hopes of becoming “one of the greats.” Simmons stars as Teller’s intense and unconventionally ruthless mentor. So far, the film has received mostly positive reviews.

“Birdman”

Oct. 17

While “Gone Girl” and “Whiplash” are receiving critical accolades at the moment, they doesn’t hold a candle to the rave reviews critics have given “Birdman.” IndieWire.com, which has historically been on point with its Best Picture predictions, states that “Birdman” is certain to score a Best Picture nomination this year.

At the center of “Birdman” is the legendary Michael Keaton, who is best known for his work in Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice,” “Batman,” and “Batman Returns.” The film also stars Zach Galifianakis, Emma Stone, and Naomi Watts. Keaton plays an actor, formerly famous for portraying a superhero character, who struggles to secure the lead role in a Broadway play. Between the film’s heralded artistic direction, creativity and passion, “Birdman” is a must-see.