Fall is still technically a few days away, but we're certainly in awards season.
From the Emmys to the Toronto International Film Festival (where I just spent the better part of a week), it's clear we've moved past the summer doldrums. Ethan Hawke scored a best actor Oscar nod earlier this year, and he's back on the big screen in the survival drama "The Weight." That's worth a watch, as is "Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story," the next chapter in Ryan Murphy's anthology series focusing on that infamous accused ax murderer. Plus, I’ll unpack my Toronto trip and tell y’all what to pay attention to as the race to the 2027 Academy Awards takes shape.
Now on to the good stuff:
See Ethan Hawke brave the elements in wilderness thriller 'The Weight'
Ethan Hawke wades back into the world of wilderness thrillers with "The Weight"
(in theaters now), which casts him as a 1930s widower who's sent to a prison camp and separated from his beloved daughter. My bud Patrick Ryan chatted with Hawke when the five-time Oscar nominee stopped by our New York City headquarters to talk about the new movie, the legacy of "Boyhood" and raising four kids.
“Being the father to a young man is challenging in a different way,” Hawke says of son Levon, who is an actor like his dad and sister Maya. “I’m probably harder on him because I see myself in him. But all my children, they open your heart. They give you a reason to live."
Stream the horrific true tale of 'Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story'
If you know the old rhyme that starts "Lizzie Borden took an ax and gave her mother 40 whacks," then you'll want to stream the latest season of Netflix's "Monster." Ella Beatty stars as the title character of "The Lizzie Borden Story," which chronicles the murders of Borden's dad and stepmother in 1892 Massachusetts. My colleague Kalia Richardson interviewed Beatty about how taking on such an infamously bloody role is an "exercise in compassion," while Erin Jensen breaks down the real history of the true-crime case.
And if you're in the streaming mood but want something more cinematic, there are abunch of new movies on various services including the dance comedy "Best of the Best" on Netflix and social satire "Rich Flu" on Hulu.
Catch up with the best movies from Toronto Film Festival
Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to stop at a Tim Hortons while I was at Toronto International Film Festival. But I did see a ton of movies. Here's a roundup of everything I saw at this year's fest – ranked, of course. And I interviewed a couple of stars, plus covered various Oscar contenders you'll want to keep an eye on as we head into the new year:
- Mahershala Ali finally got to use his "Blade" sword training in the action drama "Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother."
- Andrew Scott is my pick for best actor with his stunning performance in "Elsinore."
- Julianne Moore will be in the Oscar race, too, and her comedic role in "The Debut" is my favorite of hers ever.
- Rosalind Eleazar is a revelation in the "risqué" title role of Chris Rock's "Misty Green."
- Given the crowd reception, "I Play Rocky" plays as rousing as its iconic namesake.
- Rebel Wilson loves the Spice Girls so much that they inspired her latest effort, "Girl Group."
- Norwegian legal drama "Fjord" deals with some thorny yet relatable political issues.
- Guy Pearce channels Rupert Murdoch, and maybe not the one we think we know, in "Ink."
- "Wild Horse Nine" star John Malkovich wrestles with mortality alongside Sam Rockwell.
- Jane Levy loves being a horror mom, even when covered in blood (again) in "River."
Even more goodness to check out!
- In their new documentary, Oasis bros Noel and Liam Gallagher open up about forgiveness and their "unacceptable" split.
- There's a furry reason why Scott Speedman "refuses to fly" to the Florida set of "R.J. Decker" from his LA home.
- Get a first look at Samuel L. Jackson in "Frisco King," a spinoff of Taylor Sheridan's "Tulsa King."
- Meet the new cast members you'll be seeing in the upcoming season of "Saturday Night Live," including a viral TikTok star.
- And "South Park" changed up the way it makes fun of President Donald Trump in its 29th season premiere.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ethan Hawke's 'reason to live' 🎥
