As the cooler temperatures roll in and the fall season surfaces, the time comes to leave the adventurous outdoors and to gravitate toward the abundant delights of indoor activities.

For those of you contemplating how to amuse yourselves for the next 88 days or so of Oscar season, you will be relieved to know that the fall season has plenty to offer in way of cinematic entertainment.

From stirring, Oscar-caliber dramas to romantic fang-sinking finales, viewers may want to pencil in several trips to the movie theater on their vacant itineraries.

Pariah

Last year director Lee Daniels startled audiences with his powerful Oscar-nominated film “Precious,” a grim, unapologetic look at an illiterate, obese, teenage African-American girl who triumphed over unspeakable acts of physical and psychological abuse at the hands of her poverty-stricken parents.

This year, independent filmmaker Dee Rees tackles a similar topic with her critically acclaimed film “Pariah,” portraying the life of Alike (Adepero Oduye), a Brooklyn teenager who slowly embraces a lesbian identity.

This revelation unleashes a heartbreaking emotional warfare between her family and an unsympathetic society.

Opens: Dec. 25

The Ides of March

Already off to a sensational start with the heartwarming “Crazy, Stupid, Love” and the mesmerizing “Drive,” actor Ryan Gosling may be the one to beat at this year’s best actor.

In actor/director George Clooney’s “The Ides of March,” Gosling plays a smart, ambitious and deceptive press secretary for presidential candidate Mick Morris (Clooney) who gets caught up in an intricate, controversial scandal that threatens Morris’ chances at winning the election.

Philip Seymour Hoffman, Evan Rachel Wood, Marisa Tomei and Paul Giamatti serve as supporting players in this political thriller.

Opens: Oct. 7

Albert Nobbs

Glenn Close is an unstoppable force of nature.

The actress whose haunting performances dazzled audiences in “Fatal Attraction” and FX’s television series “Damages” is sure to generate Oscar buzz for her portrayal of Albert Nobbs, a courageous woman who in 19th century Ireland posed as a distinguished male butler to survive in a misogynistic society.

This bold and fearless performance will be nothing short of brilliant and exhilarating.

Opens: Dec. 2

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1

Vampires, werewolves and teenage angst, oh my. The smitten heroine Bella and her two hunky, supernatural lovers, Edward and Jacob, reunite to wrap up the final novel in author Stephanie Meyers’ best-selling series.

As the war between blood-suckers and furry creatures ensues, so do the prospects of marriage, romance and unexpected pregnancy. Whether your alliances lie with Edward or Jacob, this latest installment is sure to pulsate with thrills and suspense. While the film may not garner any awards this season, fans of the books and past films will surely flock to the box office in droves.

Opens: Nov. 18

50/50

The talented Joseph Gordon-Levitt may be one of the best young actors among this generation.

Few actors can balance the charm, intellect and heartbreak he displays consistently with each performance. In the dramedy “50/50,” Levitt plays Adam, a responsible 27-year-old suddenly diagnosed with cancer. Shocked by the disturbing news, Adam turns to his obnoxious friend Kyle (Seth Rogen) and a spunky therapist (Anna Kendrick) for support and solace. Here’s a film that will likely inspire as many laughs as tears.

Opens: Sept. 30

Laron Chapman is a film and media studies senior.