Here are our 5 movie picks for October 2013. Spoilers not included.

By Daniel Loy

Gravity
Scheduled Release: 10 October
Director: Alfonso Cuarón
Stars: Sandra Bullock, George Clooney

Sandra Bullock stars in this sci-fi thriller about a medical engineer who encounters an accident in space and has to work together with Matt (George Clooney), a veteran astronaut, in order to survive.

The film is largely centered on Bullock, and puts into perspective the fears that outer space carries. No pressure, no air, no one to hear you. It’ll be interesting to see how Bollock’s character survives this mishap. Word is that Clooney has little screen time but his character is instrumental to her survival.

About Time
Scheduled Release: 10 October
Director: Richard Curtis
Stars: Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy

There’s a certain fascination with time travel; you can see what your future holds for you, or change the mistakes from the past. In About Time, a young Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) finds out he can travel in time to alter his past and future.

What does he do with this unique gift? He tries to find a girlfriend, in the form of Mary (Rachel McAdams). Of course, time travel presents its own set of problems, such as meeting Mary for the first time over and over again. Tim also learns that time travel brings its own set of problems, and doesn’t ensure that everything in life goes smoothly.

Here’s one for those who wish to address the “what-if” questions in life.

Carrie

Scheduled Release: 24 October
Director: Kimberly Peirce
Stars: Chloë Grace Moretz, Julianne Moore

Based on the best-selling novel by Stephen King, this film is a remake of the 1976 original. Both films share a similar storyline, with Carrie (Chloë Grace Moretz) being an outcast who finds no peace in school. Affairs at home are no better, as her overly religious mother Margaret (Julianne Moore) locks her in a “prayer closet” to repent for her sins.

Before long, Carrie discovers she has telekinesis powers and she uses it to exact revenge on her bullies. Going by the movie poster, it’s safe to say that blood will definitely be shed. Definitely not a film for the faint hearted.

Escape Plan
Scheduled Release: 24 October
Director: Mikael Håfström
Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger

Framed and imprisoned in a high-tech prison he helped to create, structural-security authority Ray Breslin (Sylvester Stallone) must break out of it to find out who betrayed him. With help from fellow inmate Emil Rottmayer (Arnold Schwarzenegger), the duo must work together to escape from “The Tomb” – apt name for the most fortified prison ever built.

Stallone and Schwarzenegger have been collaborating quite a bit in recent times; they’ll be seen together again in action flick The Expendables 3, to be released next year.

Thor: The Dark World
Scheduled Release: 31 October
Director: Alan Taylor
Stars: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston

Comic book fans rejoice! Thor (Chris Hemsworth) returns to the big screen following his debut in Thor (2011) and subsequent adventure in The Avengers (2012).

In this sequel, the God of Thunder finally reunites with love interest Jane (Natalie Portman) and faces off against the Dark Elves, led by Malekith the Accursed (Christopher Eccleston). To do so, Thor enlists the help of imprisoned half-brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston), last seen defeated at the hands of the Avengers.

Will Loki’s villainous streak prove to be Thor’s undoing? One thing’s for sure; fans will look forward to the build-up toward the highly anticipated Avengers sequel, scheduled for a 2015 release.