2017 is here. Yep, 2016 is gone and past, along with its anticipated releases, box office hits, and flops, though, it was mostly a positive year for film. 2017 looks to match, if not surpass, 2016's ensemble of flicks, and here are some of my most anticipated releases.

#6: Trainspotting 2

If you have never seen Trainspotting, a 1996 British black comedy/drama film about the life of several heroin addicts, I highly recommend you watching it while it is on Netflix. Its nitty and gritty. Its real, at times too real. It straddles the barrier of real life and fiction, but you would ask yourself at some points, "I'd believe it." That is why when the trailer came out of seemingly nowhere, I was excited. Trainspotting is one of those films that is not super popular, perhaps because of its humor or subject matter, but is good. Ewan McGregor looks to reaffirm why I really enjoy all of his movies on March 3, 2017.

#5: Ghost in The Shell

Look, Scarlet Johansson, in a bad ass role, revising one of anime's greatest and innovative films of the 1990's, what more do I have to say? Okay, some hardcore fans are worried about the casting, but I think it will prove to be a great action film, with heavy doses of social commentary told in a vicarious, futuristic world, yes please. Also, I have a chance to re-watch the original film in theaters? Please! Look out, it comes out March 31, 2017.

#4: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Okay, okay. It should maybe be higher on my list, considering how much I enjoyed the first film, but some other movies are aiming for my heart in a way GotG just can not. That being said, I think this installment will be one of the greatest superhero movies of the year. Everyone is coming back, the sound track is suppose to be much better (how?), with some hilarious and memorable moments, and still proving team movies work, and they work well. The only thing I am worried about is the MCU continuity. Phase 3 is in full swing, and obviously Marvel has worked meticulously to craft a special cinematic world, and I want GotGVol. 2 to keep it up. May 5, 2017 is going to be a good one!

#3: Power Rangers

Omg, omg, omg, omg omg. I love Power Rangers. Always have, always will. So when I first heard about the movie I was ecstatic. This franchise that I was raised on, that had seemed to have plateaued and label a 'kids' thing, as if Mighty Morphin Power Rangers never happened. This is a total nostalgia pick that will hit a nerve regardless of its final product. Coupled with a solid comic book series, this year is the year of the Rangers. March 24, 2017 will be Morphin Time.

#2: Alien: Covenant

Lets Talk about Alien for one minute. So, this is a squeal to Prometheus, and that is drawing some red flags. Personally, and I can not stress enough that this is just my opinion, I thought Prometheus was okay. Looked good, had great acting, and managed to explain the burning questions for the 1979 film. It came across a little heavy handed with the religious alteration and metaphors, but I appreciate the somewhat poetic nature of the story telling, but I get why people do not like Prometheus. It does not feel like the horror film Alien was. But Covenant looks like a return to the literal, and metaphorical, dark nature of the original, while looking to have some intense action reminiscent of Aliens and Prometheus. Here is hoping May 19, 2017 revitalizes one of my beloved film franchises. Speaking of which, any one else think Predator could see some new life in the near future?

#1: Star Wars: Episode VIII

I, like many, was rocked by the lose of Carrier Fisher. Life has a cruel irony to it. But I was glad to hear Fisher's work on Episode VIII had been completed, leaving one final gift to the world before her tragic passing. But I am excited for more than one more chance to see the phenomenal Carrie Fisher on the silver screen, as the story of Ray, The First Order, The New Resistance, Kylo Ren, and Luke continues. The reasons I was hyped for The Force Awakens carries over again. A level of vagueness and mystery surrounds this new installment still, but we all know it will be good. All we know is the story continues, but that is it. Rogue One managed to generate the right kind of attention, and it managed to not let many down, only adding to the hype of the main saga. The only down side is we have to wait until December to see a return to the scrolling text, hear another amazing score, watch our beloved universe expand more, and properly say good bye to our Princess.