Considering it’s been in the triple-digits for more than 60 days here in Dallas-Fort Worth, I’m almost beginning to think that fall is a mythical season that’ll never make its way here. But now that I’m seeing sweaters and warm, wintry boots at the local mall and hitting press screenings for September movies, I can finally sense that fall is really just around the corner, even if I’m still drinking sun tea as we speak.

So in celebration of arguably the prettiest time of the year and the more thoughtful range of entertainment options that often accompany it (good riddance, popcorn movies) we’re presenting plenty of entertainment options that should keep the final four months of 2011 pretty exciting.

Movies

Dolphin Tale 3D, starring Harry Connick Jr., Ashley Judd and Morgan Freeman
Release Date: September 23
Inspired by a true story, Dolphin Tale spotlights a very brave dolphin and the animal-loving strangers who joined together to help save her life after getting caught in a crab trap. In addition to showcasing that amazing story, the movie also tells a greater story of hope and rescue to anyone who’s been through recovery and rehabilitation.

Seven Days in Utopia, starring Robert Duvall, Melissa Leo, Kathy Baker and Lucas Black
Release Date: September 2 in select markets
Based on a book written by Dr. David Cook, a Christian who started his career as a sports psychologist for some of the NBA and PGA’s famed athletes, Seven Days in Utopia is the story of a golfer who’s intent on making the pro tour. Unfortunately, his first big shot is a total disaster. Hoping to escape his embarrassing start, he unexpectedly finds himself stranded in Utopia, Texas where he meets an eccentric rancher named Johnny Crawford who provides a little necessary perspective.

Contagion, starring Kate Winslet, Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow and Marion Cotillard
Release Date: September 9
Remember when the bird flu was always in the headlines? Well, it’s back and it’s mobile in this intriguing drama that’s essentially a race against the clock to find a cure before mankind is wiped out for good. With a stellar cast and a ripped-from-the-headlines plot, the typical disaster movie is certainly elevated here.

The Lion King 3D, starring all the original characters you loved so much the first time around.
Release Date: September 16
Simba, Mufasa, Nala, Timon and Pumbaa all get the 3D treatment when The Lion King makes it way back to theaters and limited-edition Blu-ray.

Money Ball, starring Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill and Phillip Seymour Hoffman
Release Date: September 23
Already generating major Oscar buzz for Academy Award-winning actor Phillip Seymour Hoffman and his fellow nominee Brad Pitt, Moneyball is also a true story centered around baseball and how teams are put together. Emphasizing the idea that big money doesn’t always buy the best team, it’s a story of what happens when people choose to buck the system – and win.

Courageous, starring Alex Kendrick, Kevin Downes, Ben Davies and Ken Bevel
Release Date: September 30
The latest film from Sherwood Pictures, Courageous is the story of four policemen with a singular calling, namely to serve as protect. But when tragedy strikes their families, they are forced to re-prioritize and become the fathers they were always intended to be.

The Ides of March, starring Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Paul Giamatti and Phillip Seymour Hoffman
Release Date: October 7
Just in time for election season, Ides of March is a fictional behind-the-scenes look at the often-volatile political process when an up-and-coming press secretary finds himself involved in a scandal that threatens his candidate’s shot at becoming president.

Footloose, starring Kenny Wormald, Julianne Hough and Andie MacDowell
Release Date: October 14
Anyone else think that remaking this ’80s classic is a bad idea? Well, apparently it’s a pretty faithful rendering of the story that inspired that song that was stuck in everyone’s head for so long. But the real question is: Will Kevin Bacon make a cameo?

Music
Not Myself Anymore, Jessa Anderson
Release Date: September 13
Thanks to her catchy first single “Fireflies,” Jessa Anderson is already having a great start, and her BEC debut hasn’t even released yet. Filled with catchy songs that speak to the real-life ups and downs of the faith-centered life, this Michigan native is all about keeping it real. “We have a real life, and part of that is our relationship with God and praising Him, but other than that you’re taking your kids to school or you’re going to work or whatever you have to do that day. So to focus only on that one little sliver in your songwriting feels like cheating people out of what really happens,” shares Anderson, who believes talking about real-life issues makes her music accessible to Christians and non-Christians alike. “If all I say is ‘I love God,’ then [non-believers are] wondering, ‘OK, what if I don’t?’ I think everyone can relate on some level whether you have the same religious beliefs or not. Hopefully, I can connect with people and then share what God’s done in my life.”

The “Call to Love Tour,” featuring Downhere, Aaron Shust and Jason Gray
Start Date: October 1
Sponsored by World Vision, Downhere, Aaron Shust and Jason Gray will be teaming up and playing songs from their latest albums, On the Altar of Love, This Is What We Believe and On the Altar of Love, respectively. A night of worship and music, you can beat they’ll be playing a slew of old favorites, too.

Response, Phil Wickham
Release Date: October 4
Answering the call to worship, Phil Wickham has written 11 beautiful new songs for the church to sing. With a modern anthemic sound and deeply personal lyrics, Response is about celebrating the One who not only created the heavens, earth, moon and stars, but marveling in the gift of grace He’s so freely given.

Oh For Joy, David Crowder*Band
Release Date: October 4
It was sad news for longtime fans of the quirky worship act when David Crowder announced that 2012 would be the band’s last year for recording, touring and the like. But as expected, they’re going out in style, especially with the release of their first Christmas album, Oh for Joy, which you can bet will be anything but the usual deck the halls.

The One You Need, Shane & Shane
Release Date: October 4
Shane & Shane’s beautiful harmonies never disappoint, and if their title track (which they just shot a video for) is any indication, well, The One You Need should definitely be worth listening to.

The “Reason to Gather Tour,” featuring Sara Groves, Audrey Assad and Jenny & Tyler
Start Date: October 13
Sponsored by several humanitarian organizations including International Justice Mission and Food For the Hungry, which Sara Groves has always been a big supporter of, the “Reason to Gather Tour” will be filled with stories, music and conversation. Plus, Groves’ fans will be treated to new songs from her upcoming disc, Invisible Empires.

Come to the Well, Casting Crowns
Release Date: October 18
The best-selling group’s first studio album in two years, Come to the Well is inspired by stories stemming from frontman Mark Hall’s work at his home church. “Teaching through the story of the woman at the well with my teenagers and my families is where it all came from,” says Hall. “Your friends aren’t the well.  They aren’t always going to do the right thing or be there for you. Your athletic scholarship can’t be the well. If your knee goes out, your well is dry.  You need to draw from Jesus, pour into that. That is where it started... with the idea of Jesus being the well versus other things.”

Copyright 2011, watchgmctv.com. For permission to repost or reprint, click here.

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About the Writer

After graduating with a B.S. in Journalism from North Central University in 1998, Christa Banister moved from Minneapolis to Nashville, Tenn. and eventually started working at CCM Magazine/Salem Publishing in various editorial capacities as an editor, columnist and website guru for five and a half years. After that, she launched her own Dallas-based freelance writing company and writes for numerous clients including Salem Publishing, Crosswalk.com (she reviews movies for them each week), Christian Single, Christianity Today, Threads Media, Songs4Worship.com, PassAlong.com and also helped kickstart the first Christian music blog for MTV. In addition, she also writes bios for professional recording artists and authors and penned her first two novels, Around the World in 80 Dates and Blessed Are the Meddlers for NavPress.