Watch: AFI Film Festival 2014 trailers
The AFI Fest, running Nov. 6-13, drops its anchor with a screening of the J.C. Chandor’s drama “A Most Violent Year,” and boasts a selection of 118 films — features and shorts. Among the slate, there are nine Oscar foreign language submissions. The best part about the event? AFI Fest offers a broad selection of screenings to satisfy the hearts of any and all movie-loving beings. Roll over each square to watch some of the trailers from this year’s crop.
'INHERENT VICE'
Based on Thomas Pynchon’s trippy novel of the same name, the comedy-drama is set in the psychedelic '60s and follows Larry “Doc” Sportello (Joaquin Phoenix) as he investigates the whereabouts of a former ladylove. Josh Brolin, Reese Witherspoon and Owen Wilson star.
'THE GAMBLER'
In a tale saturated with power, money and love, Jim Bennett (Mark Wahlberg) is a literature professor who happens to be a high-stakes gambler. His love of the chase leads him to an underground world, where he bets all and offers his life as collateral. John Goodman and Brie Larson also star.
'A MOST VIOLENT YEAR'
The year? 1981. The city? New York. The plague? A crime-ridden winter, the worst the city’s seen. Abel and Anna Morales (Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain) want nothing but to live the American Dream, though the era’s violence and corruption drag them in, destroying all they’ve built.
'FOXCATCHER'
In this gripping story of brotherly love, corruption and wealth, an Olympic wrestler (Channing Tatum) is taken under the wing of sponsor Joh du Pont (Steve Carell) to escape the shadow of his celebrated wrestling brother (Mark Ruffalo). Unexpected tragedy strikes in a tale based on a true story.
'MOMMY'
Selected as Canada’s Oscar entry, the dramatic tale centers on a mother’s complex relationship with her teenage son (Antoine-Olivier Pilon), a violent boy just released from a correctional facility. When a neighbor (Suzanne Clément) enters the picture, the widowed mother (Anne Dorval) finds hope.
'TIMBUKTU'
In this visually striking drama chosen as Mauritania’s Oscar entry, the 2012 Islamic jihadist takeover of peaceful Timbuktu is revisited. The tale, influenced by a 2012 public stoning of an unmarried couple with children, illustrates the toll of the brief occupation on the region’s civilians.
'WHAT WE DO IN SHADOWS'
A humorous mockumentary, the tale centers on a group of centuries-old vampires who live together in a New Zealand flat. While they do have human-like features, they struggle with everyday vampire obstacles, like avoiding sunlight and the urge to feast on human blood.
'THE HOMESMAN'
About to be lynched for using another man’s Nebraska land, a no-good lad (Tommy Lee Jones) begs for his life. When he encounters a pious lady (Hilary Swank) en route to Iowa with three mad women in tow, she sets him free when he offers to help. Meryl Streep and John Lithgow also star.
'RED ARMY'
The history of the Soviet Union’s Red Army hockey team during a Cold War era fiercely plays out on the ice in director Gabe Polsky’s feature documentary. The tale is told from the perspective of the team’s coach, who transforms from national hero to national enemy.