As some of you know, I write for a film blog called Taste of Cinema. Recently, I wrote a list about films to look forward to in the upcoming year. I took a lot into consideration with my picks, but did have to include some films that I have no interest in seeing because so many others want to see them. These include some sequels and super hero flicks that will be dropping throughout this year. Here are my choices, everyone else aside, of films I am looking forward to. Comment your favorites, and maybe we will be sitting in the same screening.
1. "Ghostbusters"
All hail the queens! This all-female reboot of "Ghostbusters" should be a riot. The cast includes Kristin Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones and the titular team and features cameos from original cast members like Dan Aykroyd. I know there has been some backlash from the idea and I normally hate reboots, but I can't help myself with this one.
2. "Hail, Caesar!"
The Coen Brothers are back. The directing, producing, and writing duo behind "No Country for Old Men," "Fargo" and "The Big Lebowski," bring their brand of dark humor back to the sliver screen. With an amazing cast, Scarlett Johansson, George Clooney, Josh Brolin, Tilda Swinton, among others and a 1950s Hollywood setting, "Hail, Caesar!" looks to be another gem for the brothers.
3. "Finding Dory"
Its the sequel we've all been waiting for! "Finding Dory" will focus on Dory trying to reunite with her family. Marlin, Nemo, the Tank gang and, of course, Dory are all back. Ellen teased this a while back and we are finally getting the film. Diane Keaton and Eugene Levy will voice Dory's parents. I'm so excited!
4. "Moana"
The 56th feature film in the Disney animated canon takes us to ancient Oceania where we follow the titular girl as she sails in search of a fabled island. During her journey, she teams up with her hero, the legendary demigod Maui, played by Dwayne Johnson. It's Disney and it will be beautifully animated and I'm really looking forward to the lead performance by 14-year-old high school freshman Auliʻi Cravalho.
5. "Passengers"
Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt star in a science fiction romantic film from the director who brought you "The Imitation Game." Enough said. We also don't know that much about the film yet.
6. "The Founder"
Have you ever wondered how McDonalds became the golden arch? The tasty spot that has served billions and billions? Michael Keaton continues his comeback tour with a role as Ray Kroc, the man who made McDonalds into what it is today. The award swiping Weinstein Company is producing and it is being released in late November. I can smell the award buzz from here.
7. "Sully"
Clint Eastwood will direct the story of American pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, who heroically landed the troubled U.S. Airways Flight 1549 full of passengers on the Hudson River. Tom Hanks will star as Captain Sully. I don't really see the physical resemblance, but I will never put anything past Mr. Hanks. This should be a thriller.
8. "La La Land"
Let me just lay this one out for you. In modern day Los Angeles, Ryan Gosling is a jazz pianist who falls in love with Emma Stone, an actress. Musical bliss and awesomeness ensue. The world is getting Ryan Gosling in a musical!
9. "X-Men: Apocalypse"
I did save one super hero film on here because I do really like the "X-Men" franchise. Most of the crew returns to the next installment which features Apocalypse, the first and most powerful mutant who awakened after thousands of years and disillusioned with the world he finds, recruits a team of powerful mutants to destructively cleanse humanity and create a new world order. With the cast they have and Bryan Singer at the helm, I'm expecting another great film.
10. "The Magnificent Seven"
A remake of the 1960s classic, which is, in turn, a remake of the 1954 Japanese classic and one of the best films of all time, "Seven Samurai." "The Magnificent Seven" has big shoes to fill. I was shocked to see they were remaking this but intrigued to see what a cast including Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt can do with this amazing story. Hopefully, they don't screw it up.
11. "Race"
The first feature biographical drama about Jesse Owens life, "Race" has found support from he Owens family, the Jesse Owens Foundation, the Jesse Owens Trust and the Luminary Group. Stephen James will star as Jesse Owens. I am excited to see a film about one of America's greatest athletes and how he dealt with so much turmoil.
12. "Zoolander No. 2"
The sequel to the cult comedy classic, "Zoolander No. 2," will bring back some of its hilarious characters and is written by almost the same writing team. I am incredibly excited for the return of the amazing Will Ferrell character Jacobim Mugatu, as he is one of my favorite comedy characters. It may not be as funny or irreverent as the first film, but it should be at least funny.
































