What's happening after the summer blockbusters?

I'll now freely admit that I, like many movie goers, am suffering from a bit of blockbuster fatigue. I've spent months now racing to the theaters to see the latest and greatest, not just because I review these films but also because I just love to go. Now, however, I find myself unable to see even the blockbusters I have a casual interest in (The Wolverine, Pacific Rim) because....well, just because. I'm tired. I have great summer books to read. I like to sit outside and grill steaks and drink cold beer and look at my gorgeous backyard.

This got me thinking about what films we'll all have to look forward to once this summer's movies wrap up - and that's not too far in the future. Apparently, some excellent movies are coming in September and October, long before the traditional Oscar-bait films are usually released (November and December). Why so early?

The Hollywood Reporter this week has an excellent analysis about what's going on, and it all starts with Argo. Remember last year, when Argo got released in October and well all ran to theaters to see it? And then, remember when it won the Best Picture Academy Award, over some of the tent pole movies released in December (Lincoln, Silver Linings Playbook, Les Miserables and Django Unchained)? That's what's going on: Hollywood studios are now scrambling to get their big dramas into theaters first, in the hopes of securing a healthy lead heading into awards season.

What this means for us, movie fans, is that we'll get a nice mix of (hopefully) outstanding drama movies spread out over several months, instead of crammed into that coveted holiday end-of-year slot. If you are an Oscar watcher (and you guys should know, I am, very much so), be prepared to see a lot of films in September and October this time around, starting with the Ron Howard drama Rush (September 20), then Don Jon (September 27) and Gravity (October 4).

At least September will no longer be the traditional wasteland for great films that it usually is, right?

Photo courtesy of Filmofilia.com