Looking back at my "Most Anticipated of 2017" list, out of 10 movies only 1 landed on my "top ten" of the year list (Okja), 4 I found heartily enjoyable (Coco, Logan, A Cure for Wellness, Baby Driver), 2 I found mildly underwhelming (Guardians Vol. 2, Alien: Covenant), 2 I outright didn't like despite critical praise (Blade Runner 2049, The Last Jedi), and 1 got bumped to 2018 (Annihilation).
Basically, most of the big movies set in space ended up disappointing me. So, being burnt out on Treks and Wars, this upcoming year I'm mostly hyped for smaller, dramatic movies. The following are the top ten movies I'm most looking forward to watching in 2018!
10. Stan and Ollie
Director: Jon S. Baird (Filth, Cass)
Cast: John C. Riley, Steve Coogan, Danny Huston, Shirley Henderson
Laurel and Hardy is one of the most iconic comic duos of all time, but unlike Charlie Chaplin or Buster Keaton, there has yet to be a biopic made of their life. Stan and Ollie stars John C. Reilly as Oliver Hardy (looking great in prosthetic makeup), and Steve Coogan as Stan Laurel. I seriously could not imagine more spot-on casting for the legendary comedians. The film will follow the duo in their later days, during a British variety hall tour in the 1950s as the crowds are starting to dwindle. With a screenplay by Jeff Pope, who wrote one of my favorite movies of 2013, Philomena, I can only hope this is as good a comedian biopic as Man on the Moon.
Release Date: TBA
9. Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot
Dir. Gus van Sant (Good Will Hunting, Elephant)
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Jonah Hill, Rooney Mara, Jack Black
Based on the memoir of the same name by John Callahan, Don't Worry seems like it could be a welcome, Oscar-friendly return for Gus van Sant, who hasn't had a film hit big since 2008's Milk. The story is about a recovering alcoholic cartoonist (Joaquin Phoenix) who is paralyzed. It has a star-studded cast, and from glancing at the reviews, the book seems both hilarious and inspiring (I'm debating whether or not to read it before the film). I believe the best way to conquer the crap that life flings at you is with comedy, and hopefully this movie explores that concept in an interesting, dramatic way.
Release Date: TBA
8. The House That Jack Built
Dir. Lars von Trier (Breaking the Waves, Melancholia)
Cast: Matt Dillon, Uma Thurman, Riley Keough
Lars von Trier is an incredibly polarizing, controversial director, but I've always found his films to be intensely cinematic and engaging, if brutal and shocking. The House That Jack Built seems like yet another twisted and audacious entry into his filmography - a psychological horror movie starring Matt Dillon as a serial killer. I don't know what it says about me, but I'm fascinated by true crime and serial killers (I loved Netflix's Mindhunters), and I think von Trier is sure to make a bleak and warped look inside the mind of a monster. What fun!
Release Date: TBA
7. The Life and Death of John F. Donovan
Dir. Xavier Dolan (Mommy)
Cast: Jessica Chastain, Kit Harrington, Natalie Portman, Kathy Bates, Susan Sarandon, Thandie Newton, Jacob Tremblay
From Xavier Dolan, director of one of my Top Ten of 2015 movies, Mommy, comes what sounds like one of the best assembled casts for a single film next year. Check it out: my favorite actress Jessica Chastain, Jon Snow himself Kit Harrington, Natalie Fricking Portman, Kathy Bates, Susan Sarandon, Thandie Newton (Westworld), Jacob Tremblay (Room), and even the dude that played Dumbledore in Harry Potter. The film's about a young actor reminiscing about the correspondences he had with a now-deceased TV star. Not much about the story is known, but with such an amazing cast and director attached, I can't imagine there's not something special about this movie.
Release Date: TBA
6. Black Panther
Dir. Ryan Coogler (Creed, Fruitvale Station)
Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Angela Bassett, Andy Serkis, Forest Whitaker
There are a lot of promising superhero movies coming soon (Avengers: Infinity War, Deadpool 2), but the one I'm most anticipating is Black Panther. Sporting an incredible cast of primarily African-American actors, this seems not only to be a badass action movie, but also a culturally important moment for blockbuster filmmaking. Director Ryan Coogler, though young, has yet to disappoint, with Creed and Fruitvale Station being two of my favorite films in their respective years. I really hope this is amazing!
Release Date: February 16, 2018
5. The Man Who Killed Don Quixote
Dir. Terry Gilliam (Brazil, Monty Python and the Holy Grail)
Cast: Jonathan Pryce, Adam Driver
If you've seen the documentary Lost in La Mancha, you'll know why it's incredible to see that this movie is even happening. It seems that after years and years of setbacks, we'll finally be seeing Terry Gilliam's adaptation of the classic story sometime next year, with Jonathan Pryce as the titular Don Quixote. At the very least, I'm sure Gilliam will bring an amazing sense of visual fantasy to this film!
Release Date: TBA
4. Boy Erased
Dir. Joel Edgerton (The Gift)
Cast: Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman, Joel Edgerton, Russell Crowe
This story sounds terrifying and certainly ripe for high drama. It's based on a true account of a 19-year-old boy who's outed and forced to attend a gay conversion therapy program, or else risk being banished from his family. I thought Joel Edgerton's The Gift was one of 2015's best pleasant surprises, and it seems like this story could end up being "Oscar" material, as well as a possible wake-up call for intolerant people.
Release Date: September 28, 2018
3. The Irishman
Dir. Martin Scorsese (The Wolf of Wall Street, Goodfellas)
Cast: Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci, Anna Paquin, Bobby Cannavale, Jesse Plemons, Harvey Keitel, Ray Romano
Scorsese. DeNiro. Pacino. Pesci. Netflix? It's crazy to think that one of the all-time great filmmakers is relegated to streaming his next big project, but I guess that's just the world we live in. The film is based on a book detailing the plot to kill union leader and mobster Jimmy Hoffa. Sounds right up Scorsese's alley!
Release Date: TBA, Possibly 2019
2. Widows
Dir. Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave, Hunger)
Cast: Jon Bernthal, Daniel Kaluuya, Colin Farrell, Liam Neeson, Elizabeth Debicki, Michelle Rodriguez, Carrie Coon, Viola Davis, Robert Duvall, Jacki Weaver
Steve McQueen is one of the best directors of actors around (Chiwetel Ejiofor in 12 Years a Slave is magnificent), and his latest features an amazing pool of talent in front of the camera. The story is about a bank heist that goes wrong - the four robbers are killed leaving their widowed wives to step in and finish the job. The script is co-written by one of my favorite authors, Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl), so I couldn't be more "in" on this movie! I would be shocked if this group of people couldn't make something great.
Release Date: November 16, 2018
1. The Happytime Murders
Dir. Brian Henson (Muppet Treasure Island, Muppet Christmas Carol)
Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Elizabeth Banks, Maya Rudolph, Joel McHale, Leslie David Baker
I have been patiently waiting for this movie for years! It's basically a noir-comedy like Who Framed Roger Rabbit... with Muppets. I really hope this movie lives up to its amazing concept, though I have to admit, casting Melissa McCarthy in the lead role makes me nervous that they're going to make this a little too broad and silly. Still, I hold out hope the awesome concept art above is indicative of the movie we're getting this summer!
Release Date: August 18, 2018
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
CAPTIVE STATE
DIR: Rupert Wyatt DATE: 8/17/18
Dystopian sci-fi from the director of Rise of the Planet of the Apes. An alien force has occupied a Chicago neighborhood. Starring John Goodman and Vera Farmiga.
FIRST MAN
DIR: Damien Chazelle DATE: 10/12/18
Historial drama from La La Land director about the life of Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon. Starring Ryan Gosling and Claire Foy.
THE NEW MUTANTS
DIR: Josh Boone DATE: 4/13/18
The X-Men franchise goes full-on horror movie, taking place in an asylum for unstable mutants. Starring Maisie Williams and Anya Taylor-Joy.
THE NIGHTINGALE
DIR: Jennifer Kent DATE: TBA
Period thriller from the director of The Babadook about a 21-year old Irish convict avenging the murder of her husband and baby. Starring Sam Claflin and Aisling Franciosi.
THE OLD MAN AND THE GUN
DIR: David Lowery DATE: TBA
True-life crime drama about career criminal and escape artist Forrest Tucker. Starring Robert Redford and Casey Affleck.
A QUIET PLACE
DIR: John Krasinski DATE: 4/6/18
A primarily silent horror movie with a monster that can only hear its victims. Directed by 'Jim' from The Office. Starring John Krasinski and Emily Blunt.
THE SISTERS BROTHERS
DIR: Jacques Audiard DATE: TBA
Dark Western comedy about two hitmen brothers on the trail of a prospector who stole from their boss. Starring Joaquin Phoenix and Jake Gyllenhaal.
TULLY
DIR: Jason Reitman DATE: 4/20/18
Dramedy about a mother's relationship with her night nanny. The third collaboration between screenwriter Diablo Cody and Jason Reitman. Starring Charlize Theron and Mackenzie Davis.
UNSANE
DIR: Steven Soderbergh DATE: 3/23/18
A horror movie shot entirely on an iPhone about a woman wrongfully committed to a mental institution. Starring Claire Foy and Juno Temple.
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