Top 7- My Most Anticipated Movies of 2018
Well, we did 2017 everyone, good work. I'm assuming if you're reading this that means you survived the year and your treat is MOAR MOVIES. For me, that's incredibly exciting and I'm already getting ready for the films that I think are going to be the highlights of this year. Some are the films that will dominate awards season, some are the big blockbusters of the year and some are the films that we have to wait all year for. As one final note before I get started, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (a film which would have easily made the top half of the list) is not here because I have already seen it and have a review coming next week. With all that sorted, let's get to the honourable mentions.
Isle of Dogs
Even if Wes Anderson's newest movie ends up with a weak plot or script or any of that, one guarantee we have got from the trailer is that visually, it'll be a delight.
The Irishman
Netflix still have a rocky tack record with original movies but with Scorcese, De Niro, Pacino and Pesci all involved in a movie about crime, hopes are undeniably high.
Mortal Engines
Based on the Philip Reeve novels of the same name, the Mortal Engines series have always had a lot of potential with their amazing concept of moving cities eating each other and finally, the cinematic potential is being seized. With a budget this big, maybe justice will be done.
The Post
Spielberg's first appearance on the list is a Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks award bait vehicle but somehow still looks like it could be a great time. At the very least, one to watch to stay in the conversation.
The Shape of Water
The love story between a fish man and deaf cleaner may not sound magical but this fifties set movie looks to capture a magic that Del Toro fans have been waiting for a return to and regular movie watchers should find plenty there too.
I, Tonya
Critics have been calling it "The Goodfellas of ice skating" which may not sound like high praise but watch the trailer and tell me that Margot Robbie's foul mouthed Tonya Harding doesn't look captivating.
Slaughterhouse Rulez
Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are acting as producers for this British horror comedy type thing about a boarding school that is swarmed by evil beings due to nearby fracking. Could be rubbish but could also be some silly fun.
And now, the most exciting bit, rankings!
7. Ready Player One
I know some have problem with the source novel but for me, Ready Player One was a really fun adventure full of fun references and nerdy tropes. It was essentially Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by way of an Indiana Jones adventure so it coming to the big screen is exciting news as we can have a proper Spielbergian romp but with added sci-fi. The thing is, the director is actually Steven Spielberg, making this a match made in heaven. Sure, some of the trailers have been a little annoying but I remain confident that there's going to be at the very least a great time to be had in this film. Or at least, a great time for me.
6. Avengers: Infinity War
This is the beginning of the "end" for Marvel's unrivalled cinematic universe and it promises to be explosive. Everyone's favourite characters are in here (and Vision) and ready to do battle with the biggest bad there has ever been: Thanos. The reason that Infinity War only makes it this far up my list when I enjoyed Civil War so much is that worry about overcrowding. There hasn't been a truly great villain in a superhero movie in quite some time and Thanos may not be the solution. More problematic is that (at least judging from the trailer) we're going to struggle to find characters who are absent. Still, the Russo brothers did such a good job with Civil War and their handling of the villain character there was pretty much spot on so I remain hopeful that Marvel's Phase 3 will go out as strongly as it came in.
5. Coco
Most of the world has already gotten this new Pixar movie but here in jolly old Britain, we have to wait until late January for it. Since everyone from every other country has seen it though, that means there's been time for the critical acclaim and hype to build and boy has it built. Already, Coco is one of the highest rated films on IMDb and apparently is one of Pixar's best efforts since Inside Out. What the film is is an original movie with many musical numbers set in the Mexican Land of the Dead. These kind of elements of Mexican culture have always been of interest to me and Coco looks to explore that, plus family and humanity, in a way that is both accessible and delightful. To say I'm excited for it would be an understatement.'
4. Lady Bird
The last of the known quantities before we dive headfirst into heavily unknown territory, Lady Bird is one of the biggest contenders for the current awards season and for a time, it was the best reviewed film on Rotten Tomatoes. That title has since been lost due to one negative (B grade) review but the overwhelming praise remains. This is the directorial debut of actress Greta Gerwig whose acting work I'm familiar with from 20th Century Women (a legitimately wonderful film) and by the look of it, that tone (and level of quality) has been carried over by Gerwig. Saoirse Ronan (it's not pronounced how you think) is the lead in this coming of age story which is slowly creeping towards my era of growing up as it's set in the mid noughties. Expect warmth, light nostalgia and characters you can truly identify with.
3. Annihilation
It's appropriate that we go into the unknown movies with Annihilation as the plot of the movie seems to be about scientists heading into some mysterious realm through a weird portal. Honestly, I don't know what it's about, the trailer is ambiguous and that's why I love the look of it so much. It's directed by Alex Garland who also directed the amazing Ex Machina so it gives me confidence that he can return to this bizarre and fascinating world of sci-fi. A quality cast helps as well with Oscar Isaac, Natalie Portman and Jennifer Jason-Leigh all starring as members of the scientific research team. If it doesn't feel like I've described much about the film, it's because the thing that has me most excited is the mystery. I know for a fact that I'm going to go see this film as soon as possible to avoid any plot details at all and I recommend you do the same.
2. Mute
I still stand by the fact that Duncan Jones is yet to make a bad film. Many argue about whether Warcraft is actually a good film (for the record, I think it's great) but there is little debate over his two earlier films Source Code and Moon. Those two are sci-fi films but with a much smaller focus than most and they're also highly original, plus Moon has one of the all time great film scores. With those two films especially in mind, I am very excited for Mute. Clint Mansell is back doing the score and Gary Shaw is back on cinematography from Moon and there's a stellar central trio of actors in the film with Alexandar Skarsgard, Paul Rudd and my current mancrush Justin Theroux. Little is known about the plot but from the screenshots, it looks like we may be getting a techno-noir in the vein of Blade Runner but in a way that only Duncan Jones can deliver it. I'm just hoping Netflix's small(er) budget doesn't cripple Jones' vision.
1. The Predator
There's a good chance The Predator will be absolute rubbish but man if it isn't trying to appeal directly to my heart. As far as I'm concerned, the original Predator is one of the all time great action movies, on a tier with Die Hard and the most recent Mad Max film, but I'm cautious to jump into any of the sequels or reboots because I don't want my love for the original tarnished. So how come this film makes the list? Well, it's primarily the involvement of a man by the name of Shane Black. For those who don't know, he's the mastermind behind Lethal Weapon, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and The Nice Guys, all hilarious action comedies that I love to pieces. The biggest question is about whether Black can apply his style to the Predator franchise but in fairness, as an actor from the original film, he knows it well. Plus, with a cast including Olivia Munn, Keegan-Michael Key and Tevante Rhodes (Black from Moonlight) and cinematography from the man behind the gorgeous Kong: Skull Island, there's clearly stacks of talent involved. Whether it's a hot mess or actually amazing, I will be there on opening night and watching it over and over again, just for my love for Shane Black and Predator.
Isle of Dogs
Even if Wes Anderson's newest movie ends up with a weak plot or script or any of that, one guarantee we have got from the trailer is that visually, it'll be a delight.
The Irishman
Netflix still have a rocky tack record with original movies but with Scorcese, De Niro, Pacino and Pesci all involved in a movie about crime, hopes are undeniably high.
Mortal Engines
Based on the Philip Reeve novels of the same name, the Mortal Engines series have always had a lot of potential with their amazing concept of moving cities eating each other and finally, the cinematic potential is being seized. With a budget this big, maybe justice will be done.
The Post
Spielberg's first appearance on the list is a Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks award bait vehicle but somehow still looks like it could be a great time. At the very least, one to watch to stay in the conversation.
The Shape of Water
The love story between a fish man and deaf cleaner may not sound magical but this fifties set movie looks to capture a magic that Del Toro fans have been waiting for a return to and regular movie watchers should find plenty there too.
I, Tonya
Critics have been calling it "The Goodfellas of ice skating" which may not sound like high praise but watch the trailer and tell me that Margot Robbie's foul mouthed Tonya Harding doesn't look captivating.
Slaughterhouse Rulez
Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are acting as producers for this British horror comedy type thing about a boarding school that is swarmed by evil beings due to nearby fracking. Could be rubbish but could also be some silly fun.
And now, the most exciting bit, rankings!
7. Ready Player One
I know some have problem with the source novel but for me, Ready Player One was a really fun adventure full of fun references and nerdy tropes. It was essentially Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by way of an Indiana Jones adventure so it coming to the big screen is exciting news as we can have a proper Spielbergian romp but with added sci-fi. The thing is, the director is actually Steven Spielberg, making this a match made in heaven. Sure, some of the trailers have been a little annoying but I remain confident that there's going to be at the very least a great time to be had in this film. Or at least, a great time for me.
6. Avengers: Infinity War
This is the beginning of the "end" for Marvel's unrivalled cinematic universe and it promises to be explosive. Everyone's favourite characters are in here (and Vision) and ready to do battle with the biggest bad there has ever been: Thanos. The reason that Infinity War only makes it this far up my list when I enjoyed Civil War so much is that worry about overcrowding. There hasn't been a truly great villain in a superhero movie in quite some time and Thanos may not be the solution. More problematic is that (at least judging from the trailer) we're going to struggle to find characters who are absent. Still, the Russo brothers did such a good job with Civil War and their handling of the villain character there was pretty much spot on so I remain hopeful that Marvel's Phase 3 will go out as strongly as it came in.
5. Coco
Most of the world has already gotten this new Pixar movie but here in jolly old Britain, we have to wait until late January for it. Since everyone from every other country has seen it though, that means there's been time for the critical acclaim and hype to build and boy has it built. Already, Coco is one of the highest rated films on IMDb and apparently is one of Pixar's best efforts since Inside Out. What the film is is an original movie with many musical numbers set in the Mexican Land of the Dead. These kind of elements of Mexican culture have always been of interest to me and Coco looks to explore that, plus family and humanity, in a way that is both accessible and delightful. To say I'm excited for it would be an understatement.'
4. Lady Bird
The last of the known quantities before we dive headfirst into heavily unknown territory, Lady Bird is one of the biggest contenders for the current awards season and for a time, it was the best reviewed film on Rotten Tomatoes. That title has since been lost due to one negative (B grade) review but the overwhelming praise remains. This is the directorial debut of actress Greta Gerwig whose acting work I'm familiar with from 20th Century Women (a legitimately wonderful film) and by the look of it, that tone (and level of quality) has been carried over by Gerwig. Saoirse Ronan (it's not pronounced how you think) is the lead in this coming of age story which is slowly creeping towards my era of growing up as it's set in the mid noughties. Expect warmth, light nostalgia and characters you can truly identify with.
3. Annihilation
It's appropriate that we go into the unknown movies with Annihilation as the plot of the movie seems to be about scientists heading into some mysterious realm through a weird portal. Honestly, I don't know what it's about, the trailer is ambiguous and that's why I love the look of it so much. It's directed by Alex Garland who also directed the amazing Ex Machina so it gives me confidence that he can return to this bizarre and fascinating world of sci-fi. A quality cast helps as well with Oscar Isaac, Natalie Portman and Jennifer Jason-Leigh all starring as members of the scientific research team. If it doesn't feel like I've described much about the film, it's because the thing that has me most excited is the mystery. I know for a fact that I'm going to go see this film as soon as possible to avoid any plot details at all and I recommend you do the same.
2. Mute
I still stand by the fact that Duncan Jones is yet to make a bad film. Many argue about whether Warcraft is actually a good film (for the record, I think it's great) but there is little debate over his two earlier films Source Code and Moon. Those two are sci-fi films but with a much smaller focus than most and they're also highly original, plus Moon has one of the all time great film scores. With those two films especially in mind, I am very excited for Mute. Clint Mansell is back doing the score and Gary Shaw is back on cinematography from Moon and there's a stellar central trio of actors in the film with Alexandar Skarsgard, Paul Rudd and my current mancrush Justin Theroux. Little is known about the plot but from the screenshots, it looks like we may be getting a techno-noir in the vein of Blade Runner but in a way that only Duncan Jones can deliver it. I'm just hoping Netflix's small(er) budget doesn't cripple Jones' vision.
1. The Predator
There's a good chance The Predator will be absolute rubbish but man if it isn't trying to appeal directly to my heart. As far as I'm concerned, the original Predator is one of the all time great action movies, on a tier with Die Hard and the most recent Mad Max film, but I'm cautious to jump into any of the sequels or reboots because I don't want my love for the original tarnished. So how come this film makes the list? Well, it's primarily the involvement of a man by the name of Shane Black. For those who don't know, he's the mastermind behind Lethal Weapon, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and The Nice Guys, all hilarious action comedies that I love to pieces. The biggest question is about whether Black can apply his style to the Predator franchise but in fairness, as an actor from the original film, he knows it well. Plus, with a cast including Olivia Munn, Keegan-Michael Key and Tevante Rhodes (Black from Moonlight) and cinematography from the man behind the gorgeous Kong: Skull Island, there's clearly stacks of talent involved. Whether it's a hot mess or actually amazing, I will be there on opening night and watching it over and over again, just for my love for Shane Black and Predator.
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