Soapbox Commentary: Top 25 Most Anticipated Films of 2019

Another year down, another cinematic year comes to a close.  And while I’m still compiling the films of 2018 for the Best and Worst films of the year (and, holy shit, that’s going to take some time), it was a Herculean task to compile all the amazing films to look forward to in 2019. 

            As you’ve probably noticed, this Top 25 is up from last year’s Top 20.  The reason?  Becauase the initial compilation I put together was damn near close to 50, and I couldn’t take any more off than I already did.  From high profile sequels (like Godzilla: King of the Monsters and The Lego Movie 2: The Second One) to long-awaited films (like Zombieland 2 and How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World), there were just too many films to list. 

            With that in mind, here are the Top 25 films I am chomping at the bit to throw my money at.

25. THE MAN WHO KILLED DON QUIXOTE (SOMETIME IN MARCH)

            Director Terry Gilliam’s Don Quixote film has been in such development hell, it almost seemed like we’d be seeing Ron Perlman as Hellboy a third time before we saw this one hit theaters (more on that later).  But it has recently been confirmed The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, after bowing at 2018’s Cannes Film Festival, will be getting a March release date.

So with the brilliance of Gilliam, and a cast boasting Adam Driver (taking over for Johnny Depp), Jonathan Pryce, and Stellan Skarsgaard, why is this so far down the list?  Because I’m still not convinced this is getting released in 2019.  The release date is far from firm, and this is the only film on the list to have a documentary about its original failed production from over two decades ago (no, seriously...look up Lost in La Mancha), so my faith is tepid at best.

24. CATS (12/20)

            Based on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s famous (and, in some circles, notorious) musical, Cats finds its way to the big screen.  Directed by Tom Hooper, who made the excellent movie adaptation of Les Miserables back in 2012, Cats finds such amazing cast members as Sir Ian McKellan, Idris Elba, Rebel Wilson, Dame Judi Dench, and Jennifer Hudson donning the cat makeup and bringing these iconic songs to life. 

            The problem? James Corden, Taylor Swift, and Jason Derulo are also part of the cast, and…honestly, do we need another 30+ years of having “Memories” stuck in our fucking heads? 

 

23. ARTEMIS FOWL (8/9)

            Eoin Colfer’s young adult book series is weird and wonderful, so a big screen adaptation has been long overdue.  Directed by Kenneth Branagh of all people, Artemis Fowl brings the pre-teen mastermind to life, bringing Dame Judi Dench, Josh Gad, and Hong Chau along for the ride. 

            Seeing that Disney and young adult adeptations don’t always equate to excellence (remember the failings of A Wrinkle in Time?), it will be interesting to see how this one manages.  

 

22. ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD (7/26)

            Quentin Tarantino films are always a spectacle to see, to say the least.  Even his last offering, the highly underrated The Hateful Eight, was a blast to watch unfurl on screen, as Tarantino is the least predictable filmmaker of our generation. 

            Once Upon A Time in Hollywood moves away from the Wild West, and moves to 1969 for a romp in California revolving around The Manson Family killings.  Boasting a marvelous cast featuring Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Tim Roth, and Al Pacino, Hollywood is rumored to be Tarantino’s penultimate feature film.  The only reason this is so low on the list is because the rest of the films on this list keep getting crazier.

21. THE LION KING (2019) (7/19)

           Twenty-five years after the animated film bowed in cinemas, issuing in a new golden age for Disney, The Lion King is getting the “live action” treatment like The Jungle Book got in 2016. Using a similar filming technique, and nabbing such vocal talent as Donald Glover, Beyonce Knowles-Carter, Chiwetel Ejiofor, John Oliver, Seth Rogen, and even James Earl Jones reprising his role as Mufasa, Lion King may be one of three films getting remade at Disney (Aladdin and Dumbo are also getting live-action remakes), but it is the best-looking of the three.

20. ESCAPE ROOM (1/4)

          While horror films are a dime a dozen, and Sony loves utilizing whatever trend is big in US culture at the time to make one, Escape Room looks highly promising.  While the cast doesn't boast many big names (such as Daredevil's Deborah Ann Wolf and Atypical's Nik Dodani), writer/director/actor Adam Robitel's film looks like Cube with a budget...and that's not necessarily a bad thing.

19. HELLBOY (2019) (4/12)

           Guillermo Del Toro made a splash in comic book movies in 2004 and 2008 with his two Hellboy films, and it's hard to imagine anyone filling the red right hand quite like Ron Perlman.  However, here we are.  Stranger Things' David Harbour seems to be a decent replacement, and comic creator Mike Mignola has more of a hand in making this this time around.  

            However, the first trailer looks to be a tonal mess, and, really?  Did we really need Milla Jovovich in...anything again?  Still, I'm willing to place faith in this movie, as it still looks like a lot of fun.

18. MEN IN BLACK INTERNATIONAL (6/14)

             If we're being honest, the world did not need this movie.  The criminally underrated Men in Black 3 wrapped up the story brilliantly, and Sony needs to stop beating dead horses into plasma.  But...god help me...that first trailer looks fucking awesome!

             Trading Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith for Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson (yes!), as well as casting Emma Thompson (yes!) and Liam Neeson (oh HELL YES!), Men In Black International  could very well be the MIB film we didn't know we needed.

17. PET SEMATARY (2019) (4/5)

            Adaptations of Stephen King books have quickly become huge again.  Sure, The Dark Tower was divisive at best, but, thanks to the whirlwind success of 2017's It, many other properties are now getting re-adapted.  

            Pet Sematary, starring Jason Clarke and John Lithgow, comes to the big screen twenty years after the original adaptation.  While the trailer hasn't been chalk full of details, it's atmospheric as hell and creepy as fuck.  What more could anyone want?

16. ISN’T IT ROMANTIC (2/14)

            It's been a long time since a romantic comedy has made an appearance on a list, but plenty of satires have.  

           Isn't It Romantic, being a romantic comedy satire, looks silly as shit, and perfect for its Valentines Day release date.  Featuring Rebel Wilson, Liam Hemsworth, and Adam Devine, Isn't It Romantic looks romantic enough for date night, but cynical and funny enough to see if you're single.

15. STAR WARS EPISODE IX (12/20)

          This film doesn't even have a full title, how the hell did it make the list (which is why we don't see Untitled Kingsman Prequel on here)?  So why did it?  Because The Last Jedi is so fucking awesome, it deserves to be on here.  Besides, it completes the new trilogy before they bring back Rian Johnson to write and direct a new trilogy for Star Wars.  That's enough to look forward to right there.

14. HAPPY DEATH DAY 2 U (2/14)

          Not a lot of sequels made the list, but 2017's Happy Death Day was such a bizarre, unique surprise of a movie that the sequel needed to make an appearance on this list.  Happy Death Day 2 U touts the same cast as the original film, and more twisted death sequences than before.  Yep.  Sign me up.

13. SERENITY (1/25)

         Writer/director Steven Knight's Serenity boasts a indie feeling with a stellar cast of Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Diane Lane, Jason Clarke, and Djimon Honsou.  Seriously, though.  This film looks like it would have been perfect for the Oscar Bait season.  Why the hell is this coming out in January?  

12. GLASS (1/18)

         When 2017's Split came out, many were still thinking M. Night Shayamalan had lost his touch.  But holy shit, were all of us shocked by the quality of the acting, the return-to-form writing, and nightmare-inducing chills -- all before finding out it was a partial sequel to Unbreakable.  

         In comes Glass.  Bringing back Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis, and James McAvoy in their respective roles, Glass is the long-awaited Unbreakable sequel we've all been secretly dying for since 2001, but never thought we would get.  The wait is finally over!

11. CAPTAIN MARVEL (3/8)

        What promises to be the first of three breath-taking MCU films this year, Captain Marvel once again finds Marvel doing what Marvel does best:  see what the DC films are doing, and do it better.  This time, it's the female-led superhero film.

         Oscar-winner Brie Larson takes the mantle as the titular hero, looking absolutely badass as well.  Seeing Samuel L. Jackson as a two-eyed Nick Fury and Clark Gregg return as Agent Phil Coulson is riveting for any fan of the MCU, and seeing how this will tie in to the greater cinematic universe will be...well...marvelous.

10. THE UPSIDE (1/11)

         This January will probably go down as the best cinematic January in the history of film.  Bowing at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2017, but being delayed until January of 2019 due to The Weinstein Company's multitude of issues (thanks Harvey...you fucking dick), The Upside is a remake of Danish film The Untouchables, and looks wonderful.  Bryan Cranston, Kevin Hart, and Nicole Kidman all star in this.  Another film that should have been 2018's Oscar race.  Let's see where this goes.

9. SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME (7/5)

        Serving multiple functions as sequel to Spider-Man: Homecoming, direct follow-up to the final MCU film entry on this list, as well as official first chapter of Marvel's Phase 4, Spider-Man: Far From Home finds Tom Holland as the titular web-slinger, as well as Zendaya, Michael Keaton, Samuel L. Jackson, Cobie Smulders, and Marissa Tomei all return,  MCU newcomer Jake Gyllenaal bows as Spidey villain Mysterio.  Is there anything to not be excited about for this film?

8. ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK? (10/11)

        While there were many horror flicks that were taken off this list, including Guillermo Del Toro's Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, I had to give it up for the feature film adaptation to Nickelodeon's horror series Are You Afraid of the Dark?  Plot information is mostly being kept under wraps, but director D.J. Caruso and one of It's co-writers brings the series that caused many of my nightmares as a kid to the big screen.  I can't wait to see where this goes.

7. JOHN WICK 3: PARABELLUM (5/17)

        There is something to be said about a trilogy ending.  Just ask Guillermo Del Toro (too soon?).  After seeing the first John Wick, who would have thought we would have been talking about a Wick trilogy, but here we are.  After the astounding cliffhanger of the second installment, Keanu Reeves is back as the titular badass to made the silver screen flow red with the blood of his enemies.  Will Wick die?  Will the dog live?  What will the body count be?  So many questions, so long until May for the answers.

6. US (3/15)

       After Get Out put Jordan Peele on the horror map with stylized horror, dark humor, and a social commentary twist.  While not much is known from that first trailer of Us, Peele looks like he has another social commentary thriller with this dopelganger mindfuck of a movie featuring Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, and Elizabeth Moss.  

5. BRIGHTBURN (5/24)

      With comic book movies being as commonplace as the Water Cycle, it was only a matter of time before someone thought to make an origin story of a super-powered villain.  Producer James Gunn brings us Brightburn, a story by Mark and Brian Gunn (James' brothers) basically taking Superman's origin story, but making him into a creepy villain instead of being all about truth, justice, and the American way.  The first trailer looks heart-poundingly creepy, and it's guaranteed that the full product will be worth the wait.

4. IT: CHAPTER 2 (9/6)

      A lot of heads were turned with 2017's It bowed on the big screen to critical and audience success.  Focusing only on the Losers Club as kids and leaving the adult portion of the story for It: Chapter 2 paid off greatly, and this presumably compelling finale should prove to be the most terrifying experience we have yet to see from a Stephen King adaptation.  James McAvoy, Bill Hader, and Jessica Chastain join the original cast of youngsters from the first chapter, and should prove to one hell of a ride.

3. ROCKETMAN (5/31)

     Rockumentaries come and go, but an Elton John biopic?  How is this not going to be amazing?  Taron Egerton as John (who gets to do his own piano playing and singing), Jamie Bell as lyricist Bernie Taupin, and Bryce Dallas Howard showing up because...I don't know (I willfully haven't done a lot of research on this film because I just want to see the damn film).  Being told as a fantastical musical rather than the typical big screen rockumentary, Rocketman looks like it's going to be the best event film not tied to a comic book movie franchise.

    Speaking of which...

2. AVENGERS: ENDGAME (4/26)

    Oh, like this wasn't going to be on this fucking list!

    Avengers: Infinity War was the culmination of a decade of Marvel just kicking ass and taking names with crazier and crazier films, ending in tears, dust, and a metric fuckton of questions, not to mention the biggest bitch of a cliffhanger ever.  Avengers: Endgame (watch Infinity War again and quit bitching about the title) finally answers all the questions left open, and will probably leave all the audiences in a state of shock we can't even fully comprehend right now.

    So, what could possibly top this film?

1. KNIVES OUT (11/27)

   You have no idea how stoked I was that this finally has a release date!

    Writer/director Rian Johnson's new original film has revealed very little in terms of plot detail -- only stating that it's a thriller in the vein of an Agatha Christie thriller.  What did it reveal?  A cast list that most films could only dream of!

    Touting a cast featuring Daniel Craig, Lakeith Stanfeild, Chris Evans, Christopher Plummer, Toni Collette, Katherine Langford, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Don Johnson (among others!), Knives Out is the most mysterious film currently, and, if Brick, The Brothers Bloom, Looper, and The Last Jedi have proven anything, it's that Rian Johnson is an amazing filmmaker, and this should be one hell of a ride when it finally comes out!

      

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Soapbox Commentary: The Top Ten Worst Films of 2017

 As I said in my previous list, 2017 was the best year for movies in well over a decade. So, when the year was on, it was on like the proverbial “Donkey Kong”. However, when the year missed, it was a spectacular train wreck where the fucking trains were on fire going 88 MPH with no brakes before the collision.

Because this is another of my Top 10 lists, I have to add the same disclaimer as I did on the last one. If you don't see a movie on here you thought should be on here, it's because:

A. I didn't have time to see it (I saw more films this year than I did last year, but, still...your typical published movie critic still doesn't see every movie in the theater, so I can't be expected to either).

Or...

B. You and I may have vastly different tastes in movies, and you should check out my Top 10 Best Movies list.

Take a deep breath, have a strong drink, and take solace you weren't the only one who sat through these pieces of shit. Have courage, friends, and read on!

HONORARY MENTION: PHANTOM THREAD

Honestly, I debated keeping this off the list entirely, if only because this film was so incomprehensible, I couldn't even write a fucking review for this movie. But, if Avatar taught us anything, it's that a movie could look beautiful and still be a piece of shit. Phantom Thread definitely falls into this category. I love Paul Thomas Anderson's work, but what the hell was he thinking with this? Movies about genius typically come off as arrogant allegories of the writer or director's own genius, and it's hard for me to think of this movie as anything more than that.

#10: CALL ME BY YOUR NAME

That's right. Boo! Hiss! Scandal! Foul! Oh grow a pair and shut the hell up!

Let's face it: if this film had been about an older man and younger woman, this film would not have even made it into theaters. Just because it's about gay romance doesn't mean it can get away with being disgusting and unromantic. Between underage lovers and a scene involving masturbating into a peach (I only wish I was kidding about that), Call Me By Your Name is not just the most overrated movie of the year, but one of the most disturbing as well.

#9: ATOMIC BLONDE

If Wonder Woman taught us anything this year, it's that, just because the film has a female protagonist, doesn't mean the film can be subpar. Sure, Atomic Blonde had some interesting moment, but the overly complicated plot and the entirely unnecessary, damn-near pornographic sex scenes makes this a ridiculous film.

#8: DETROIT

If you're going to make a political movie aimed to stir emotions and demand social justice, you damn well better make sure your movie paints the picture solidly and clearly takes a stance. Detroit does neither. Going on more speculation than fact, and misusing the majority of its cast, Detroit was a complete failure.

#7: ALIEN: COVENANT

When Star Wars failed to maintain its good name, George Lucas relinquished the franchise to Disney. So, the big question is: when is Ridley Scott going to do the the same thing? Alien: Covenant had one job to do: be better than Prometheus. And it couldn't even do that. Pathetic.

#6: KING ARTHUR: THE LEGEND OF THE SWORD

When Disney put out their live-action King Arthur over a decade ago, I thought no film about the legendary king could suck that bad. Oh, how naive I was. Guy Ritchie's King Arthur: Legend of the Sword is such a cataclysmic clusterfuck, I have no idea how the hell this was even made. I'm just praying that this curse doesn't hit the new Robin Hood film.

#5: THE MUMMY (2017)

Unlike most critics, I actually enjoyed the first two-thirds of The Mummy. I thought Tom Cruise was a completely capable sleezeball hero, Russell Crowe was mysterious and creepy as Dr. Jekyll, and the whole Prodigium thing was intriguing. In fact, all they needed to do was stick the finale, and cinematic gold would have been forged. Unfortunately, the film broke both legs upon impact and somehow simultaneously fell into a wood chipper.

#4: UNFORGETTABLE (2017)

Like The Mummy, everything hinged upon the ending. And what an ending it could have been! All the ducks were in a row, and all the film needed to do was pull the trigger. But the studio's clear obsession with giving the movie a happy ending ruined Unforgettable's chances of being anything more than...well, forgettable.

#3: INGRID GOES WEST

What?!? Another critical darling on this list?!? Boo! Hiss! Controversy! Oh, fuck off!

Ingrid Goes West makes a grievous mistake in making a film about a woman with a clear mental illness a comedy – and it's not even a reasonable facsimile of comedy. The sooner filmmakers realize mental illness is not something to laugh at, the better films will be.

#2: JUSTICE LEAGUE

Perhaps it's a bit mean to kick a film while it's down, but Justice League deserves every ounce of ridicule.

While I understand it's far too lofty of a request to make the films as good as any Marvel Studios film, and it's not as easy to demand the films be as good Wonder Woman was, but DC has a lot to answer for with this film. Spending far too much time with a Flash that's not Grant Gustin a Aquaman who feels more like Aquabro rather than the established characters we actually give two shits about, Justice League had no regard for its fans, and tried far too hard to be Marvel on this film. In fact, this film would have been the first on the list, if it weren't for...

#1. THE SPACE BETWEEN US

Do you remember this film even came out in 2017? Don't worry, because, given the fact it made only made $7 million worldwide, apparently no one else did either.

The Space Between Us was supposed to come out December of 2016, but, because audiences were so lukewarm towards it, the studio thought it would be better served to release it in February of 2017...you know, when Get Out was released. Oops.

This film attempted to be a total package film, combining romance, drama, comedy, and sci-fi. Unfortunately, it delivers on none of these fronts. I have no idea who this film was made for, but clearly no one can answer that question.

Soapbox Commentary: The Top 10 Best Films of 2017

 While 2016 had some pretty decent movies, 2017 was easily the best cinematic year in well over a decade. This past year had so many total package films, it's hard to list them all. And yet, somehow, we're here.

Typically, the standard disclaimer goes like this: If you don't find your favorite film (or the typical critical darling) on here, it's probably because:

A. I didn't have time to see it (I saw more films this year than I did last year, but, still...your typical published movie critic still doesn't see every movie in the theater, so I can't be expected to either).

Or...

B. You and I may have vastly different tastes in movies, and you should check out my Top 10 Worst Movies list.

But, in years such as 2017, I have to add a third disclaimer:

C. Even though the film was probably amazing (like so many fucking movies were this year, as it would seem), I only have so many spots on the list to fill.

Because so many of films this year were amazing, I'm biting the bullet and doing some honorary mentions as well.

HONORARAY MENTION #5: COCO

While Inside Out is probably Pixar's finest film in its illustrious career, Coco easily a close second. Not only is it the most culturally diverse film, but it revels in Latino culture we have only seen one other movie (and let's face it: you probably didn't see The Book of Life). With solid songs, an amazing story, and an ending that had to have been co-written by a Kleenex shareholder, Coco was one of the greatest spectacles last year.

HONORARAY MENTION #4: A CURE FOR WELLNESS

2017 was quite the year for genre films, and A Cure For Wellness is easily one of the best we've seen in over a decade. With a stellar performance from Dane DeHaan (who is also in the criminally underrated Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets), wickedly creepy writing, and enough phobia-inducing effects to make the most stoic man cringe, A Cure For Wellness is a horror fan's delight.

HONORARAY MENTION #3: THE POST

When Steven Spielberg is on, the results are usually electrifying, and this film was no exception. Amazing performances from Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks, and a story that feels like a superhero movie for people who don't like superhero movies, it was easily the best movie about a newspaper since Spotlight.

HONORARAY MENTION #2: LOGAN

Holy shit. If all comic book movies were this profound and compelling, we would see more of them be nominated at the Oscars. Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart's swan song performances certainly make this one for the books, and director James Mangold proves he can do any genre of films he so chooses.

HONORARAY MENTION #1: DUNKIRK

Christopher Nolan knows how to make a great film. Period. So, was it ever a question that Dunkirk was going to be less than amazing? Stunning cinematography, wonderful performances, and some of the best sound editing of any film this year only prove this is one of the finest films of 2017.

Okay, so now I've doled out the consolation prizes, on to the list you actually wanted to see when you clicked the link:

#10: GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2

So, comic book movies get no love during awards season. I know, I bitch about this all the time. But, after seeing Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, what the fuck does a comic movie need to do to get some awards love? While the typical Marvel accouterments are here, it's the script alone that earns this film a spot on this list.

#9: WIND RIVER

Diversity was the name of the game in 2017, and Wind River, a film steeped in Native American culture, somehow went grossly unnoticed. A shame, since this was a powerhouse of a film. With excellent performances by Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olson, and a thrilling detective story that concludes like no film typically dares to, this is one film you should be ashamed you missed.

#8: LADY BIRD

Coming-of-age stories get churned out almost as often as a teenager's voice cracks in the onset of puberty, and, because of this, most come across as the same shit over and over again. But then, there's Lady Bird. As unpredictable and emotionally accurate as most of these films...well, aren't, Lady Bird certainly breaks the mold and will hopefully set the bar higher for films of this ilk in the future.

#7: IT (2017)

Almost as clockwork as coming-of-age stories out of Hollywood are Stephen King adaptations. But It doesn't just knock it out of the park, but levels the fucking park entirely. This films is not just scary, but hilarious and heart-warming as well. There is no horror film that is the total package like this. And of course, Bill Skarsgaard makes a terrifying Pennywise.

#6: GET OUT

Horror films had a stellar year in 2017, but Get Out stands above the rest. Jordan Peele adds humor into the mix (he did, after all, get his start doing a show for Comedy Central), but don't let that fool you. This psychological horror is mesmerizing and gut-wrenching to equal degrees.

#5: COLOSSAL

When I think of a total package movie, Colossal almost comes to mind every time. Equal parts comedy, drama, and monster movie, Colossal defines unique in all the best ways. Anne Hathaway and Jason Sudeikis are at the top of their games, and the premise is one you are unlikely to see again.

#4: THE BIG SICK

When comedians opt to due a personal project, the results are often interesting. Much like Amy Schumer's Trainwreck in 2015, The Big Sick tells the story of Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon (who co-wrote the script together) of their bizarre courtship and bonding while Emily slips into a coma and Kumail is forced to awkwardly hang out with her parents. As touching and heart-wrenching as it is hilarious, The Big Sick is easily one of the best comedies of 2017.

#3: THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI

Writer/director Martin McDonough has always done solid work, and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is yet another notch in his filmography. Trading Tarantinoesque violence for relevant plot points and stark drama, McDonough's film is possibly his finest work to date, and certainly his more memorable.

#2: BRIGSBY BEAR

The penultimate best film of 2017 is undoubtedly one you never heard of before reading this list. Unless you've heard me talking about it many times over the course of the latter months if the year, Brigsby Bear was more than likely not even a minor blip on your cinematic radar. And this is perhaps the saddest fact of all. Combining the surreal and heart-warming nature of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and the bizarre family drama of Room, Brigsby Bear will have you gripping your sides and wiping your tears almost simultaneously, and, honestly, would've made the top spot if it weren't for...

#1: THE SHAPE OF WATER

Not since Pan's Labyrinth has Guillermo Del Toro been on his game with such beauty and grace. Nearly half the film is silent, half the film is Doug Jones in a fish costume. The Shape of Water is a complete package, filled with action, drama, comedy, romance, and a musical number that comes completely out of fucking nowhere, but makes the film complete in such an inexplicable way, it's hard to pinpoint. If you haven't seen this film, you have no idea what you're missing.

Soapbox Commentary: The Top 20 Most Anticipated Movies of 2018

The cinematic year of 2017 is coming to close, and what a year it has been. However, after going over the movies coming out, it looks like 2018 is poised to be even bigger! With big spectacle films, thought-provoking indies, and films so bizarre, you'll have to purchase a ticket just to see what the fuck is going on, 2018 is going to be huge.

How huge? The list of twenty films (and one honorable mention) was whittled down from a much longer list, and I left off some films that, while I'm anticipating, just didn't quite fit the “most anticipated” title (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindewald, for instance...holy shit, was it difficult to leave this off the list).

Brace yourself for the weirdness and the awesomeness, and read on!

HONORARY MENTION: TOMB RAIDER (March 16^th)

When Square Enix rebooted the video game franchise, it was met with skepticism. That is, until it came out and amazed everybody.

Tomb Raider, the movie adaptation of the video game of the same name, looks to do so as well. Alicia Vikander takes over for Angelina Jolie as the new Academy Award-winning actress to play Lara Croft. This time around, however, the filmmakers opted to go against over-sexualizing the lead character and going for intense action and going with the source material. You know, the things the fans want.

So why only an honorary mention? Simply put, video game movies tend to suck. Hard. And, even though this movie looks awesome, I'm quite skeptical of its quality.

#20: THE DARKEST MINDS (September 14^th)

Some filmmakers opt to do superhero movies, post-apocalyptic action films, or Holocaust dramas. Director Jennifer Yuh Nelson (Kung Fu Panda 2) opted to take themes from all three and make pretty interesting-sounding movie.

Based on the novel of the same name by Alexandra Bracken (who co-wrote the screenplay), The Darkest Minds sounds like the potential sleeper hit of the year. Nelson's live-action debut and a cast featuring Mandy Moore and Gwendoline Christie makes it that much more interesting.

#19: A QUIET PLACE (April 6^th)

Horror movies made a huge splash in 2017, thanks to interesting, unique films like Get Out and It Comes at Night. A Quiet Place, what appears to be a horror film completely devoid of dialogue, appears to fit this bill. The fact that it comes from actor/writer/director John Krasinski, and features Emily Blunt and Wonderstruck's Millicent Simmonds, makes it all the more intriguing.

#18: MARY POPPINS RETURNS (December 25^th)

Speaking of Emily blunt, she's playing the titular character in Mary Poppins Returns, which also features Lin-Manuel Miranda, Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Angela Landsbury, and Dick Van Dyke, among others. The film sounds so good, it almost makes up for the fact that it comes over 50 years after the original.

#17: GAME NIGHT (February 23^rd)

Comedies come and go, but comedy/action/mystery hybrids are rare to say the least. Game Night appears to be such a unicorn. Boasting a cast featuring Jason Bateman, Kyle Chandler, Rachel McAdams, Jesse Plemons, and Billy Magnuson, Game Night should easily become one of the comedy gems of 2018.

#16: A WRINKLE IN TIME (March 9^th)

Disney is all over this list, and for good reason: they make good films. A Wrinkle in Time finally comes to life in this stunningly colorful adaptation which features Chris Pine, Oprah Winfrey, and Reese Witherspoon, and is directed by Ava DuVernay.

#15: RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET: WRECK-IT RALPH 2 (November 21^st)

While I tend to balk at Disney's obsession with making a sequel for everything, a Wreck-It Ralph sequel is always welcome.

The lengthy title aside, Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph sounds amazing. The original cast comes back, and features many of voice cast of other classic Disney films, such as Idina Menzel, Mandy Moore, Kristen Bell, and Kelly Macdonald.

#14: ANT-MAN AND THE WASP (July 6^th)

Just like last year's list, a small section is dedicated to superhero movies.

Ant-Man and the Wasp is the sequel to the surprisingly amazing Ant-Man. Paul Rudd returns as the titular Ant-Man, while Evageline Lilly comes back to take the role of The Wasp. With Michael Pena and Michael Douglas returning, and Michelle Pfeiffer joins the cast, Marvel's superhero heist film will certainly get an amazing sequel.

#13: SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE (December 14^th)

Even though Marvel Studios has nothing to do with the film, nor anything to do with 2017's Spider-man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse still looks incredible. With a unique animation style, a plot focusing on Miles Morales instead of Peter Parker, and a cast featuring the likes of Mahershala Ali, Liev Shreiber, and Shameik Moore, Into the Spier-Verse should be an eye-popping feast for fans.

#12: BLACK PANTHER (February 16^th)

The Marvel Cinematic Universe keeps amazing with every entry. But Black Panther takes things to a whole new level. Bringing in Creed director Ryan Coogler to helm, and newcomers Lupita Nyong'o, Michael B. Jordan, and Forrest Whitaker to join Chadwick Boseman, Andy Serkis, and Martin Freeman. The first primarily African American superhero film since last year's Sleight. This should prove to be indredible.

#11: THE INCREDIBLES 2 (June 15^th)

It's a sequel to The Incredibles, featuring the original cast. Do I really need to continue? Didn't think so.

#10: ROBIN HOOD (September 21^st)

As abysmal as Ridley Scott's film was in 2010, it doesn't change the fact Hollywood keeps trying. But this Robin Hood brings in Taron Egerton in the titular role, Jamie Foxx as Little John, Jaime Dornan as Will Scarlett, and Tim Minchin as Friar Tuck.

Yes, my expectations may be high for this, but I don't care. This looks fun.

#9: THE PREDATOR (August 3^rd)

While I don't always condone reboots, The Predator is a unique exception. The cast includes Jacon Tremblay (yes, you are reading that right), Keegan-Michael Key, Olivia Munn, Jake Busey, and Thomas Jane, and is written and directed by Shane Black.

If a stellar reboot could save Planet of the Apes, it could work for this.

#8: BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY (December 25^th)

Biopics are a dime a dozen. I know, I say this every year, but it's true. But Bohemian Rhapsody is the biopic of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury. With Rami Malek (Mr. Robot) as Mercury, and Bryan Singer out as director, Rhapsody could prove to be the biopic everyone wants.

#7: HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS (2018) (November 9^th)

An animated version of Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas with Benedict Cumberbatch as The Grinch.

Yes, enough said.

#6: ANNIHILATION (February 23^rd)

While not a lot of details are swirling around about this bizarre sci-fi film, Annihilation marks writer/director Alex Garland's follow up to Ex Machina, and stars Tessa Thompson, Natalie Portman, and Oscar Isaac. With a trailer that is both intriguing and beguiling, and the talent backing it, this should be quite the thrill ride.

#5: READY PLAYER ONE (March 30^th)

Ready Player One was supposed to be released in 2017, and was delayed three months to ensure the film was excellent. Judging by the trailers, it was a good call.

Based on the book by Ernest Cline (who also co-wrote the film with Zak Penn), director Steven Spielberg returns to sci-fi in a big way. Video game references, 80's nostalgia, and featuring performances by Olivia Cooke, Simon Pegg, Mark Rylance, Ben Mendelsohn, and T.J Miller, what more could a movie fan want?

#4: DEADPOOL 2 (June 1^st)

Sequels come and go. Comic book movies are common place. Comic book movie sequels more predictable than the weather. But Deadpool 2? This is the sequel fans have been waiting for since the moment this first film opened.

Ryan Reynolds, of course, comes back as the Merc with the Mouth, as does Morean Bacarin, TJ Miller, and Briana Hildebrand. The newcomers include Josh Brolin as Cable and Zazie Beetz as Domino, as well as John Wick director David Leitch. If this movie is even half as good as the original, this will be incredible.

#3: OCEAN'S 8 (June 8^th)

2017's Logan Lucky gave us two things we didn't even know we were missing: Steven Soderbergh and comedic heist films. Thanks to Ocean's 8, we get both in 2018 as well.

Produced by Soderbergh and from writer/director Gary Ross, this female-led(!) companion piece to Ocean's Eleven features Sandra Bullock as Debbie Ocean, Danny Ocean's sister, as well as Anne Hathaway, Cate Blanchett, Rihanna, Dakota Fanning, Olivia Munn, Mindy Kaling, and Helena Bonham Carter. The male cast includes Richard Armitage, James Corden, and a cameo from Matt Damon.

John Mulaney made a joke about how there could never be a female-led heist movie. It will be fun to see how wrong he is.

#2: AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR (May 4^th)

Justice League may have soured the idea of superhero team-ups, but Avengers: Infinity War is clearly making it up to the fans.

The first of the planned Avengers films in two years, Infinity War brings Captain America, Iron Man, Black Widow, Hawkeye, The Hulk, Thor, Spider-Man, and the whole Guardians of the Galaxy all together in a giant epic team up ten years in the making.

With team-ups fans have been dreaming up for years, and the promise of shaking things up for years to come (including some deaths of prominent characters), Avengers: Infinity Wars is almost guaranteed to be Marvel's next billion-dollar film.

#1: THE HAPPYTIME MURDERS (August 17^th)

Just like last year, the top spot goes to a murder mystery. Unlike last year, however, this murder mystery is about puppets. Yes, puppets.

Imagine if L.A.Confidential and Sesame Street had an ass-backwards love child, you would get The Happytime Murders, a murder mystery comedy that is told almost entirely with puppets. Boasting a cast featuring Melissa McCarthy, Elizabeth Banks, Maya Rudolph, and Joel McHale, with a script from Parks and Recreation's Todd Berger and directed by Brian Henson (yes, Jim Henson's son).

With dark humor, a stellar cast, a Who Framed Roger Rabbit-like plot, and puppet murder (seriously, folks...puppet murder), The Happytime Murders is such a screwed up movie it could be the movie we didn't know we both wanted and needed.

Movie Review: "Professor Marston and the Wonder Women"

 When it comes to the post-Summer cinematic season, you can almost set your watch to when the biopics start rolling in. And why not? They are almost guaranteed to at least nab a few nominations come Oscar time, and both critics and audiences seem to enjoy them. However, every “Spotlight”, you get one “A Beautiful Mind” – one that takes a complex subject, but chooses to shield the blemishes in order to make the subject more accessible for wide audiences, a decision that often leads to controversy.

“Professor Marston and the Wonder Women” certainly is not shy about its subject. Taking an unflinching, uncompromising look at the creator of the most well-known female superhero, “Professor Marston” refuses to back down on telling the whole story, and is better for it.

The entire cast puts in performances worthy of Oscar gold. Luke Evans is nearly unrecognizable as the titular professor, choosing to abandon his debonair rogue persona for an intellectual, passionate man. Evans' transformation from action hero to dramatic actor is astounding to watch, and will, at the very least, open new doors for his already-impressive career.

Bella Heathcote is certainly not a household name right now, but, after this movie, eyes will certainly be on her. Adding softness and sweetness to some of the rougher elements, Heathcote makes a stellar turn, and should rightly be awarded for her role.

However, despite the title, the true star of the film is Rebecca Hall. Brash, blunt, and vulnerable, Hall's performance as Marston's wife has Oscar gold written all over it. Equal parts hilarious and heart-breaking, Hall is the consistent gem of the film, and truly earns the title of Wonder Woman.

Writer/director Angela Robinson takes a bizarre love story and origin story and makes it beautiful, despite the uglier elements. Robinson's flare for camerawork is amazing to watch alone, but it's her clear love for the characters and subject matter that flows through her script. Writing and directing work of this caliber is impressive on its own, but given the fact this is only Robinson's second feature film is almost unbelievable.

Yes, “Professor Marston and the Wonder Women” deals with many subjects films rarely dare to tackle – such as polyamory and BDSM (the latter having a deep roots in the Wonder Woman mythos). However, largely due to Robinson's script, these salacious elements are shown as beautiful without compromising their integrity. But, even looking away from these aspects of the film, “Professor Marston” has proven itself as a heavy hitter this year just by being relevant. Not only was the timing of its release perfect, serving as a bookend to “Wonder Woman”, but also serving as a love letter for strong women and LGTBQ community, and a basis for teaching young boys to respect women, this film could not be more important right now.

 “Professor Marston and Wonder Women” deserves all the praise and Oscar potential it has coming to it. I highly recommend this movie.

Movie Review: "Spider-Man: Homecoming"

Unlike Marvel Cinematic Universe heavyweights like Iron Man and Captain America, Spider-Man has always been loved by comics fans and movie fans alike. This is the reason why we have more Spider-Man movies than any other solo character than any other character out of Marvel's impressive pantheon. It's also why Spider-Man films are always so heavily scrutinized.

Even under the heaviest of scrutinizing, Spider-Man: Homecoming is easily the best film. While being the sixth Spidey film in only sixteen years (Batman, for instance, has had seven solo films in nearly thirty years), Homecoming feels remarkably fresh, brilliantly mixing heart and humor to the expected action and suspense.

Taking place months after the events of Captain America: Civil War, Homecoming sees Peter Parker (Tom Holland) bubbling with youthful exuberance and itching to receive his next superhero mission from his unwitting mentor Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr) and Stark's long-suffering assistant Happy (Jon Favreau). Navigating life in high school with his friends Ned (Jacob Batalon) and Michelle (Zendaya), his love interest Liz (Laura Harrier), and, of course, Aunt May (Marisa Tomei), Parker soon finds himself over his head while investigating illegal arms dealer Adrian Toomes (Michael Keaton).

Tobey Maguire made a decent Spider-Man, and Andrew Garfield was a good Peter Parker, but Tom Holland's performance nails both sides of the titular hero. Holland illustrates the brash over-confidence and wallflower-esque coyness seamlessly, which is exactly like the Peter Parker from the comics. This is the Spider-Man we have been waiting for.

Where Homecoming succeeds where the other five films fell short is the supporting cast. This may be Spidey's show, but the supporting cast manages to shine just as bright as Holland. Batalon and Zendaya are hilarious in every scene they show up in, Favreau and Downey are sharp-witted and engaging, and, even as the cast's weakest link, Harrier is sweet and funny, never bringing the film down or feeling like dead weight.

But the true scene-stealers? Tomei and Keaton. Tomei's Aunt May is brilliantly witty and hilarious, proving even the meekest character from the comics can still have substance. As Spider-Man villains go, Keaton's Adrian Toomes is truly terrifying. Even outside of the costume, Keaton adds tension and gravitas to each scene, making this film more of a treat than expected.

Unlike the previous installments, Spider-Man: Homecoming knows where to go excessive and where to trim the fat. Sure, the film adds more heroes than the others had, but uses them sparingly enough that their inclusion feels natural. The film adds world-building, but does so in such a way it comes across as fluid rather than forced. Even when the film adds montage sequences, which have bogged down previous entries, actually add to the fun of the film.

Spider-Man: Homecoming is so much more than a fun romp, though. Gripping, emotional, and often powerful, Homecoming sticks its footing brilliantly into the MCU without feeling like it relies on brand recognition, standing on its own while fitting amazingly into the bigger story.

You owe it to yourself to see this movie.