Showing posts with label Editorials. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Editorials. Show all posts

My Top 15 Most Anticipated Movies of 2019

As 2018 comes to a close, its safe to say this year has had its fair share of surprises, movies that met expectations, and some the were flat out disappointments. Having said that, next year will surely be no different, but right now every movie has a clean slate to start with. While I have pretty much no knowledge of which movies will actually end up being my favorites next year, I do know which ones I have marked on my calendar. As usual, for a movie to make this list I probably have to know at least a little bit about it, so don't expect any secret Oscar movies that don't even have a plot synopsis here. Instead expect a list filled of remakes of Disney classics, projects from the best directors in the business, and of course plenty of superhero movies.

15. Rocketman
Last year this spot was given to Bohemian Rhapsody, so it's only fitting it now goes to Rocketman. The film will be based on Elton John's life and will serve as a concert movie like Rhapsody did, but will apparently be capitalizing on that even more. Rather than being a realistic biopic, it'll be incorporating fantasy elements and visuals specifically during the musical performances as was shown in the trailer.

The movie was originally going to star Tom Hardy as Elton, which personally would've been even more exciting and interesting that what we're currently getting. But it seems they've found a worthy successor in Kingsmen's Taron Edgerton, who can even actually sing. With Dexter Fletcher who directed Rhapsody also behind the camera for this project, I'm expecting another fun time at the movies from this one.

14. Aladdin
Funny enough, this was actually higher on the list before the first official stills from the movie were released a few weeks ago. Director Guy Ritchie has a tough task ahead of him adapting such an iconic childhood movie for so many people, but the first trailer managed to bring back all that nostalgia.

Unfortunately, fans already have their doubts about this adaption of the movie. Probably the biggest criticism has been of Will Smith's appearance as the Genie, although the actor insists he will be blue in the movie. The task of filling in the shoes of the legend Robin Williams is pretty major, but Smith is probably one of the only people funny and charismatic enough to come close.


13. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
I have to be honest here, I'm not the biggest Quentin Tarantino fan. While I loved movies like Django Unchained, the director lost me with his latest effort Hateful Eight. But there's no denying the mans talented and brings a style of his own to all of his movies, and thats sure to be the case with this adaption of the Charles Manson murders.

I'm not sure how much freedom Tarantino will have the story, as this is the first time he'll be adapting a real life event to the big screen. It'll be interesting to see how he manages to take it his own way, while still staying true to the real victims. But the real selling point here is the star-studded cast led by Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio is the first time on screen together. The supporting cast includes the likes of Margot Robbie, Al Pacino, Emile Hirsch, and Bruce Dern which is just more reason to believe we'll be seeing this one around during the Oscar next year.

12. Us
During the days when I would watch Key and Peele sketches with my friends in high school, never would I have thought Jordan Peele would be an Oscar winning horror director. A lot can change in seven years. After how impressive his first effort Get Out was, Peele definitely has a tough act to follow.

Re-teaming Black Panther standouts Winston Duke and Lupita N'yongo is already a step in the right direction, and Peele seems to be tackling a whole new story here rather then relying on the same themes from Get Out. Its still hard to tell what exactly the movies about, but with Peele's creative mind behind this one he's surely going to find a way to mess with audiences heads when Us hits theaters.

11. Glass
Almost as rare as having a horror movie directed by a sketch actor on this list, is having a movie from the guy who made The Last Airbender to follow it up. While M. Night Shamalayn had become a bit of a joke to many movie goers, some of us still remembered the days when he created great movies like The Sixth Sense, Signs, and Unbreakable.

Well last year's Split seemed to be a return to form for the director, and with a twist revealing the movie was actually connected to Bruce Willis character David Dunn from Unbreakable. Now Shamalayn has the challenge of merging the two worlds he created in these movies, and balancing the screen time between three great actors. With Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, and James McAvoy all sharing the screen for this one, Shamalyn will have a lot on his plate. We're rooting for you man.

10. Captain Marvel
I never thought I'd have an MCU movie so low on my list, but here it is. To be fair, I don't know much about the character of Carol Danvers to begin with so that's part of the reason why I'm still not so excited for this movie. That being said, when the plot details for this movie were announced at Comic-Con a few years ago I was sold. Setting in the 90s with a young Coulson and Nick Fury, as well as having the Skrulls finally on the big screen was enough for me.

But the trailers for this movie have yet to impress me and most fans, and have made both the character and plot seem much more bland than we were expecting. Thankfully some extended footage shown a few days ago helped relieve some of those concerns thanks more lines for Carol and Fury, as well as more footage of the Skrulls. I can only hope this movie surprises me and makes me love and care about a character I don't know anything about like Guardians of the Galaxy did.

9. Joker
Forget trying to figure out what exactly DC is doing with their film universe right now, but we have somehow grasp the concept that this movie has nothing to do with that. Set in the 1980s, Todd Phillip's Joker movie will have nothing to do with Ben Affleck's Batman, and will actually only feature Bruce Wayne as a child. 

While the project seemed unnecessary at first, the casting of Joaquin Phoenix as The Joker managed to peek everyone's interest. Jared Leto's Joker has been panned by fans, so it shouldn't come a surprise that they've been much more welcoming to Phoenix. The set photos and videos alone is what really sold me on this one though, with flashbacks to Heath Ledger's Joker coming to mind. With all the talent that will be joining Phoenix on screen, and the mystery and complexity of this character's past, its certainly one of the most interesting projects of the year.

8. IT: Chapter Two
The first IT movie caught a lot of people by surprise, and the child stars of the movie helped make their character's iconic to audiences. Unfortunately this time around the kids won't be the focus of the movie, as it will instead focus on their return to the town they grew up in as adults. Its a very interesting concept as the adult Losers Club will now have to face off against Pennywise again, much like they did in the Stephen King novel.

The original director Andy Muchetti is back for the sequel, and he's put together an impressive cast and the adult Losers including Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, and Bill Hader. The child cast will also apparently be returning for flashback scenes, but it will be an adjustment not getting to see them on screen together for the whole movie. One can only hope the adult actors bring the same chemistry and personality to these characters that their predecessors did. 

7. Shazam!
DC hasn't shied away from the fact that they're trying to distance themselves from the dark tone Zack Snyder had originally set for their film universe. Shazam seems to be the polar opposite of that, which was obvious as soon as sitcom star Zachary Levi was cast in the lead role. The movie was already under some criticism for the casting choice and leaked set photos of the suit, but the Comic-Con trailer finally settled a lot of those concerns.

Essentially this movie is Tom Hank's Big but with the main character turning into a superhero, with a lot of the same funny elements and light tones in it. Levi has the fun personality and charisma Hanks did in Big which just suits what they're going for perfectly, and makes it much more believable that there is a kid under that suit. While certain aspects of the movie such as its villain don't seem as impressive, the tone of the movie and chemistry amongst the younger cast is already enough to sell me on this movie.

6. Lion King
Whether you feel its necessary or not, The Lion King is finally getting the live-action remake we've been expecting these last few years. Thankfully, the trailer has already shown that it won't stray far form the original, recreating many of the iconic scenes from the animated movie with very impressive CGI. Jon Favreau is behind the camera for this project, and is someone who has already proven he knows how to adapt classic Disney stories like he did with Jungle Book. 

The cast is also very impressive with Donald Glover, Beyonce, Seth Rogen, and Chitwetel Ejoifor all taking on iconic roles. They've also brought back James Earl Jones as Mufasa that definitely wouldn't have been easy to recast. The trailers visuals and nostalgic callbacks are what really sold me on this movie, and the fact that its an adaption of one of my favorite animated movies of all time is also a huge plus. 

5. Toy Story 4
These movies are literally my childhood. I have mixed feelings about this one, given that in my opinion the original trilogy is flawless. I'm not sure where they're going story wise with this one, and if they're really going to be able to justify a fourth movie after what already seemed like solid conclusion. 

In the end its still a new Toy Story movie, and just to hear Tom Hanks and Tim Allen as Woody and Buzz again is enough for me to buy a ticket. The trailers so far have given nothing away other then a few new characters (Who hopefully win me over), but Allen has already teased just how emotional the last scene of this movie is. If there's one things I know these movies can pull off, its making adults cry. 


4. Star Wars: Episode IX

This is a tough one. Like most fans of the Star Wars series, I didn't exactly appreciate all the twists of Rian Johnson's The Last Jedi. While I didn't have the strong hatred for the movie most of the fan base had, there was certainly a sense of disappointment over the abrupt new path the series was taking.

But how could I still not be excited for the last movie in the all new Star Wars trilogy. I'm of course not excited as I'd hope to be at this point in the trilogy, but there's still unanswered questions and surely surprises we can expect at the conclusion or Rey's journey. But what really has me excited is JJ Abrams returning to the director's chair, where he can finish off the vision he originally had for these movies back when Force Awakens came out.

3. The Irishman
This movie honestly sounds like every mafia film fans dream. First of all its directed by Martin Scorcese, but it'll also star Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci. While those are the biggest names involved, several other actors are also included such as Bobby Canavale, Ray Romano, and Sebastian Manascalco. It'll be an adaption of the real life story of Jim Hoffa, and will de-age the main stars in order to cover the important moments of their lives.

The only big reservation about this movie is that it'll apparently be released by Netflix, and still doesn't have a release date. Robert De Niro has said the film will be getting a theater release at some point, but one can only hope the fact it's being made for a streaming service won't water down the final product. De-aging technology can also be a hit or miss, and if done obviously can be a huge distraction from the story of the movie. Minus those concerns, its hard to not be excited for this movie with all the talent involved in front of and behind the camera. 

2. Spider-Man: Far From Home
So if that cat wasn't out of the bag already, some how Spider-Man is coming back after "dying" in Infinity War. With a sequel already announced and set for release next year, it'll be interesting to see just how much the events of the last Avengers movie had an effect on Peter. Is Tony Stark alive to make into the Spider-Man sequel? We still don't know.

What we do know is the events of the movie will be taking Peter and his classmates like Ned, Michelle, and Flash to different locations in Europe. But whats probably most exciting about this movie is the use of the villain Mysterio, who like Vulture in Homecoming, we still haven't on the big screen. If the visual possibilities of that alone weren't exciting enough, Jake Gyllenhaal will be the one under the fish bowl head. Director Jon Watts has already proven once he knows how to do Spidey's rogue gallery justice, and it seems like this time will be no different.

1. Avengers: Endgame
Don't act surprised. The movie that will probably be at the top of every movie goers list of their most anticipated of the year is this one right here. With the cliffhanger ending of Infinity War, and the Russo Brothers leaving all of us shrouded in mystery over whats going to happen in this movie, April can't get here soon enough.

While Infinity War was more of the grand spectacle and the large team-up movie we were all expecting, Endgame will apparently be a much more self contained and emotional movie. With pretty much only the main Avengers from the first film still alive, we know that somehow Scott Lang and Captain Marvel will also be joining the adventure and will play significant roles. The movie is also rumored to feature time travel to the events of the previous movies in order to stop Thanos, which is something that has been hinted at in leaked set photos. We're just going to have to wait and see where the Russo's decide to end this spectacle, and if everyone is going to make out alive.

Honorable Mentions: The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, X-Men: Dark Phoenix and Zombieland 2
So do you agree with my list? What are your most anticipated movies of 2019? Let us know below!

My Top 15 Most Anticipated Movies of 2018

These types of lists are always a pain in the ass for writers like myself, as its always hard to tell which movies will truly be great and which will be flops before any of them are even released. But that hasn't stopped me from compiling a list of movies that I am most looking forward to seeing next year, which may not necessarily end up being the best. The majority of the films on my list are highly marketed blockbusters that we already know a lot about, so don't expect to see any future Oscar contenders below. 2018 has a lot of promising sequels coming our way, and also has some first time solo movies mixed in. Its clear that not every 2017 blockbuster delivered, but we can only hope 2018 doesn't share that same fate.

15. Bohemian Rhapsody 
I was debating giving this spot to Pacific Rim Uprising, but ultimately I feel Bohemian Rhapsody will be the better movie. The film will chronicle the life of Queen front man Freddie Mercury, who tragically passed away from AIDs in the 1980s. As a huge Queen fan myself, how can I not be excited to finally see Freddie's larger than life personality and vocals brought to the big screen.

Now unfortunately, this movie has been through a lot of turmoil over the course of each production, which might prevent it from being as good as it could've been. With its director Bryan Singer (X-Men) recently being fired, as well as the recasting of Sacha Baron Cohen who would've made a great Freddie, one can only hope Rami Malek (Mr Robot) and new director Dexter Fletcher (Eddie the Eagle) still do him justice.

14.  Aquaman
I'm just going to come right out and see it, I haven't even seen Justice League yet. Never would I have thought a team-up of all DC superheroes would hit theaters, and I would have such little interest in it. My disappointment over Batman v. Superman is still fresh in my mind, but I'm at least happy DC has come to realize they needed a change in tone and to distant themselves from their constant reliance on Zack Snyder.

Having said all that, from what I've heard Jason Momoa's Aquaman was one of the best parts of the movie and a really fun and likable character. I'm hoping to see a very vast and impressive Atlantis, along with some badass action scenes. Director James Wan is a huge get for DC, and he should be able to do something different and unique with the character that will cement Arthur Curry was one of the most badass superheroes on screen.

13. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
Alright I'm going to be totally honest here, I haven't made in through the first Fantastic Beasts movie. I'm sure its a great film, but for me these stories just can't make themselves relevant enough in the same world Harry Potter's events take place. Now having said that, one way to really peak my interest in by bringing in a younger version of one of the greatest characters J.K. Rowling created.

Thats right, Albus Dumbledore will be making his return to the big screen for Fantastic Beasts 2, played by none other than Jude Law. For me this will be like the first time I saw a young Charles Xavier played by James McAvoy in First Class, showing a less wise version of such a high figure. It also helps we'll finally get to see him react with his mortal enemy (And possible lover) Grindewald played by Johnny Depp. 

12. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
I wasn't very interested in this project when it was first announced, but once Phil Lord and Chris Miller got involved and we learned the story would follow Miles Morales, it peaked my interest. Despite a small reference in Spider-Man: Homecoming, this film will probably be the closest we'll get to see Morales as Spidey on the big screen in the coming years.

While the idea of seeing a new character as Spider-Man already intrigued me, the trailer for this movie is what really got me excited. Not only is the animation both stylish and breathtaking, but its also completely different from anything we've seen in an animated movie before. We also learned that Peter Parker will be in the movie, and the door is open for several other Spider-Men from the comics history to make appearances in the film as well. Sony is giving us a movie we never thought we'd get, and I like it.

11. Venom
Speaking of Sony, fans are still pretty skeptical about the fact that we're getting a solo Venom movie that won't have anything to do with the MCU. As frustrating as this is, this movie has put together such and incredible ensemble cast thats its hard to not be excited for it. Casting the brilliant Tom Hardy as our new Eddie Brock is a huge step over seeing Eric Foreman bond with the symbiote, and is probably one of the most spot on casting decisions for a comic book movie.

Now the question still remains if the movie itself will be worthy of Hardy's take on Venom. We can only hope the studio and director Ruben Fleischer are going for an R-rating, and if they are this could be Eddie Brock's Logan type of story he deserves. Add in the possibility of Carnage showing up in the movie, and I'm definitely checking this one out despite my skepticism. 

10. X-Men: Dark Phoenix 
With Disney's recent purchase of Fox, it seems X-Men: Dark Phoenix may be the last time we'll get to see this iteration of the characters before they're rebooted into the MCU. Whether it was planned that way or not, Dark Phoenix will hopefully serve as a fitting conclusion to what has been a very enjoyable franchise. While X-Men: Apocalypse had its faults, it also had some great character moments which I'm hoping to see more of in the upcoming sequel.

Fox has already tried their hand at adapting this story arc with the disaster that was The Last Stand, and its hard to tell if they aren't falling into the same pitfalls this time around. Bringing on first time director Simon Kimberg to take over for Bryan Singer has already been reason for concern.  But hopefully this will be a fitting send off for McAvoy's Professor X and Fassbender's Magneto, whose performances I've truly enjoyed over the last few years.

9. Creed 2
Who would've thought we'd be getting more Rocky sequels in 2018, and they're actually good. Ryan Coogler made a name for himself with the first Creed movie, and was able to rejuvenate the Rocky franchise for a whole new generation. Just the fight scenes alone were miles better then anything we've seen in a boxing movie before, and by the end of it you care just as much about Adonis Creed as you did about Rocky Balbao when he stepped into the ring.

As good as the first movie was, I can't help but be concerned about the sequel with Coogler not returning. Having the talented cast back is a huge plus, and an interesting story involving Creed seeking vengeance on the man who killed his father in the ring; Ivan Drago. I'm hoping for not only more great fight scenes, but also character moments and arcs as dramatic as we saw the first time around.

8.  Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
The trailer for this movie honestly made me less interested than I already was. As much as I love the first Jurassic Park movie, I was exactly longing for a return to this series a couple of years ago but was willing to give it a try. Unfortunately, I feel like Jurassic World retread a lot of the same territory as the first film and was too CGI heavy to feel like anything more than another huge disaster blockbuster (Just with dinosaurs in it).

But judging from the first trailer we got for Fallen Kingdom, this movie looks no different. While there were claims they would rely more on practical effects and dinosaurs this time around, what I saw in the trailer was another CGI heavy movie about an island blowing up. The plot at least feels like something different and more or less like a Noah's Ark of dinosaurs type of movie, I'm not sure how exciting and interesting that concept will be for two hours. 

7. Ant-Man and the Wasp
The first Ant-Man movie was a pleasant surprise for me, and settled a lot of the concerns I had about the MCU version of the character. I wasn't too happy to hear Hank Pym would not be our MCU Ant-Man, and would instead be an older man played by Michael Douglas. But in the end the movie ended up being a great time, and introduced us to another likable hero in the form of Paul Rudd's Scott Lang.

One of the main reasons I wanted to see Pym as Ant-Man is in order to see his wife Janet van Dyne as The Wasp, but we might just get to see that in this movie. Pym's daughter Hope will be suiting up as The Wasp, and I can't wait to see her fight alongside Lang as one of Marvel's greatest superhero couples finally makes their way to the big screen. But whats most exciting is Michelle Pfeifer will be playing the original Wasp Janet van Dyne herself, and we'll finally get some answers about what happened to her.

6. Solo: A Star Wars Story
Its too bad two of the people in the picture above no longer having anything to do with the project. A Han Solo movie was something that was talked about from the moment Disney bought LucasFilm, but the production of the movie has been anything but smooth. The firing of directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller was a huge shock, and has led many to believe Disney isn't allowing their directors much creativity with their Star Wars film.

Despite all the drama, I can't lie that I still really want to see this movie. I'm still not sure about Alden Ehrenreich as a young Solo, but getting to see the young adventures of the character alongside Chewbacca sounds like such a fun ride. Ron Howard is a more than capable director, so hopefully he'll be able to steer this project from being the mess some fans are expecting.

5. Incredibles 2
Ask any kid from my generation what movie sequel they've been waiting for for ten-plus years, and a majority of them will answer Incredibles 2. To be honest, as a kid I didn't enjoy the movie nearly as much as other Pixar projects such as Toy Story, but watching it now I realize how well crafted a superhero movie it was. The idea of superheroes having to go into hiding because of the problems they were causing, and a reject fanboy turned supervillain were extremely creative.

With director Brad Bird and most of the original cast back on board, I'm hoping Pixar is able to recapture the same magic the first movie had. I'm not so trusting of Pixar and their sequels, but I think the first Incredibles movie set up a lot for what could make the sequel great. Who isn't excited to see just how powerful Jack Jack really is, especially after the snippet we saw in the teaser trailer.

4. Deadpool 2
No franchise is going to be more effected by this Fox/Disney deal than Deadpool, and its hard to tell if this may be the last time we get to see this hard R version of the character on the big screen. The first movie proved what comic book fans already know, and its that the unhinged meta humor of Deadpool translates perfectly to the big screen. It also proved that there's no one better than Ryan Reynolds to bring this character to life.

Like many other movies on this list, the sequel won't be bringing back its original director Tim Miller who was a huge part of the first movie's magic. But from what we've seen so far, Deadpool 2 will recapture that hilarity, and will also introduce popular characters from the comics like Domino and Cable. The dynamic between Josh Brolin's Cable and Reynolds' Deadpool should be especially entertaining, and was another spot on casting choice for this franchise.


3. Ready Player One
A movie consisting of 80s references, young up and coming actors, and the Iron Giant himself all under the direction of Steven Spielberg, sign me up. Ready Player One has had my interest from the moment it came out, and I began researching the book so I could learn about this interesting project. For one thing, the movie will be Spielberg's return to the sci-fi genre that made him so famous in the first place, and a break from his recent historical dramas.

Spielberg's involvement is enough to get me excited, but the concept of the movie is what makes it even cooler. The trailers have been packed with so many references including DC characters, the DeLorean, and tons of other great easter eggs. As a huge 80s fan, I'm curious how much more nostalgia they will pack into this movie. While I'm a little worried about the in game CGI characters, everything I've seen so far makes it look like it could be another Spielberg classic.

2. Black Panther
I've been wanting to see Black Panther on the big screen ever since the first Avengers movie came out, but it seems the wait was definitely worth. Ever since Marvel cast Chadwick Boseman as T'Challa himself, every decision they've made for the adaption of the character has been nothing short of remarkable. Creed director Ryan Coogler is tackling the project, who is arguably one of the most talented and proven filmmakers they've ever hired. 

Just going down the cast list for this movie including the likes of Daniel Kaluuya, Forest Whitaker, Angela Bassett, Danai Gurira, Lupita N'Yongu, Andy Serkis, and its one of the most impressive ensembles we've seen in a superhero movie. We'll also get to see Michael B. Jordan finally take on a villainous role as Challa's rival to throne; Erik Killmonger. Add in the amazing visuals we've seen of Wakanda and their technology so far, and you have a movie like nothing Marvel has ever given us before. 

1. Avengers: Infinity War
Naw shit. Alright so I think its pretty obvious to anyone who has frequented this website since its inception in 2011, that I'm a huge superhero movie fan. Not only that, but the MCU is what got me into the world of movie blogging in the first place. So a movie that is literally an accumulation of this entire universe, including the likes of Spider-Man and the Guardians of the Galaxy, has the potential to be my favorite comic book movie to date.

This is probably the only movie that has given me the sense of anticipation I had before the release of The Avengers, and the more I hear about it, the more hyped I get. Not only are we going to get to see all these amazing characters on the big screen, but we'll also be getting a more emotional and tragic Marvel film then any we've seen in this universe before. Thats not to mention the Russo Brothers helmed the project, following their great work on both Civil War and Winter Soldier.

Honorable Mentions: Pacific Rim Uprising, The New Mutants, God Particle, First Man, Mission Impossible: 6, The Predator
From the movies above I was probably most tempted to put Pacific Rim: Uprising on the list because John Boyega is playing the lead and I really enjoyed the first one. New Mutants also seems like an interesting more horror type of comic book movie. Mission Impossible movies have been solid recently so I don't see why the sixth would be any different. 

First Man already has Oscar potential with Damien Chazelle and Ryan Gosling re-teaming on the Neil Armstrong biopic. We literally know nothing about God Particle but we at least know its another Cloverfield movie with a very impressive cast. And The Predator probably has one of the most impressive casts of any of these movies, and Shane Black behind the camera so it should be a fun watch. 

So those are my most anticipated movies of 2018? Disagree with any of my choices? What movies are you most looking forward to seeing? Let us know below!

Top 10 Best (And My Personal Favorite) Movies Of 2017

If you take a look at my most anticipated list from last year, than you'll see there were certainly some movies that I was a tad overly enthusiastic about. But the beauty of it is, this list is comprised of a majority of films I would've have never expected to like as much as I did, some of which I hadn't even heard of at this time last year. Now keep in mind these might not all be the most critically praised films of the year, but they're the ones I felt had the perfect combination of being greatly made films along with being entertaining ones. I missed out on a lot of movies this year, so chances are that if there's a movie you're surprised not to see here, its probably because I haven't seen it yet. With that disclaimer aside, without further ado here are my personal top ten movies of the year 2017.

10. Split
I have to admit, I was one of those guys who strictly based my perception of M. Night Shyamalan by his work on The Last Airbender. But after seeing his old work, I've truly come to appreciate him as a creative visionary who just doesn't always get it right. Well with Split, he got it right. Specifically by casting the talented James McAvoy to play all these different personalities.

McAvoy is able to go from such a sinister and horrifying character to an innocent little boy in the blink of an eye, and that just makes the character all the more terrifying. Like with some other movies on this list, the final act isn't exactly as good as it should've been. But the last scene connecting the movie to Shyamalan's Unbreakable was a great twist, and opens the door for an extremely exciting and different type of superhero universe than we've ever seen before. 

9. Spider-Man: Homecoming
If there's one thing Spider-Man: Homecoming proved to me, its that Tom Holland is a perfect Peter Parker, and just the guy to bring the character into the MCU. I might be one of the few who has loved every actor who has played the role so far, but Holland really feels like a small time crime fighter just trying to make it big as a hero while also being a genuine kid dealing with high school problems.

None of the kids in this movie feel like adults playing high school students, and thats a huge plus that makes this feel like a coming of age story for Spider-Man. While it doesn't exactly feel as much like a Spider-Man movie as I wish it would've because of the changes from the source material and abundance of MCU references, I love that its a new take a character we've seen so many times. Plus Michael Keaton made just as great of a villain as I thought he would.

8. Thor: Ragnarok
I would've never expected to enjoy a Thor movie this much, and I'm so happy I did. I was cautiously optimistic about this movie, especially after how much I hated Thor: Dark World. But thanks to director Taika Waititi, the Thor franchise got the much needed revamp and went in a completely new direction with both its tone and setting. 

Everyone from the ensemble cast including Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Tessa Thompson, Mark Ruffalo, Jeff Goldblum, and Taika himself are fantastic. Its honestly the most fun I had at the movies all year, and really just finally made Hemsworth's Thor as likable as he should be. While there are some flaws with just how serious the film's events of Ragnarok are actually taken amongst all the humor, as well as Cate Blachett's Hela falling short of being a real iconic threat, I had a blast watching this movie.

7. Get Out
I have to admit, I think I was one of the few people who had my eyes on Get Out since last year. As a huge Key and Peele fan, I was surprised to hear Jordan Peele was going to go solo and try his hand at directing a horror movie. While I'm glad he did. Peele managed to bring us such a creative and iconic horror movie that will be remembered for generations.

Yet some how in the midst of it all, he still managed to inject some humor throughout the movie and make Daniel Kaluuya's character likable and easy to root for. You literally want this dude to get the hell out of there. The movie takes some very unexpected twists that really caught me off guard, and had me on the edge of my seat until the film's finale.

6. Lady Bird
Coming of age smaller budget films have sort of become my thing for the last couple of years, and have been a nice break from superhero blockbuster fatigue. Lady Bird is just the type of movie I was looking for, with characters and situations that couldn't feel more genuine and real. I managed to care about just about every character Lady interacts with in this movie, and thats not something that can be said for most movies.

While the plot isn't the most structured or clear for the viewer, thats part of what makes it feel so authentic. Take it from a guy who left high school not too long ago, this movie is more relatable than I would've thought a movie about a rebellious teen girl at a Catholic school would be for me. The twists and the way people come and go from Lady's life, along with the spectacular acting and dialogue contribute to this sense of realism Greta Gerwig was able to capture. 

5. The Florida Project
As someone who lives in Florida and has been to Disney World several times, I've actually learned a little bit about what goes at the motels in the area. Director Sean Baker did a great job capturing the innocence of these young kids who live at the hotel, specifically with the main character Moone amongst all the terrible things going on with the adults they live with.

While the film doesn't have much of a plot, you're too entertained with these characters who feels like real life people. Even though throughout the movie only minor things happen to them, you become so attached to the characters that every single thing obstacle they face feels personal. The combination of newcomers Brooklyn Pierce and Bria Vinaite is what really sells the movie with their genuine chemistry, as well as their relationship with Willem Dafoe's character Bobby.

4. Baby Driver
This was another movie I had my eyes on thanks to its talented cast, and director Edgar Wright being at the helm. Baby Driver ended up being the fun fast paced film I was expecting, with some of the coolest characters and lines of dialogue I've seen in a long time. Everyone from the ensemble cast get their time to shine in this movie, including scene stealers like Lily James, Jon Hamm, and of course Jamie Foxx.

I was entertained throughout by not only the characters and story, but also the beautiful way Wright shot the movie. Between the seamless scene transitions, colorful cinematography, and of course the way he incorporates the music for both the character of Baby and the audience is just amazing. Will I did feel the last act was a bit rushed and out of place by the time the credits role, that can't take away from the joy ride I was on throughout the bulk of this film.

3. The Disaster Artist
Who would've thought a movie based on the worst movie of all time would be so good. With the team involved with The Disaster Artist, including James and Dave Franco as the film's leads, this interpretation of the story of Tommy Wiseau was bound to be a success. With James' spot on impression of Wiseau, along with some great chemistry between the two brothers, the movie manages to do the impossible by humanizing Tommy.

While the movie was just as funny as I thought it would be, what really surprised was how much heart it had. I really felt for these two guys just trying to make it in Hollywood, and the frustrations they were going through. I also loved how real the relationships between the characters felt, specifically how everyone reacts to Tommy's antics. Disaster Artist was definitely one of the most fun surprises of the year.

2. It
Make a movie about a group of kids in the 80s, and I'm already there. I had a feeling It would try to hop off the success of Stranger Things, but it ended up making its mark as its completely own thing. The kids in this movie were just amazing, and all around had such unique and fun personalities brought to life so perfectly by the young stars.

I'm honestly not a big fan of horror movies, but this movie honestly works more as an adventure movie. Unraveling the true horrors of this town outside of any thing supernatural, as well as the lure and history of Pennywise couldn't have been made more interesting. I honestly can't wait to see the adult versions of these characters take on that damn clown again in Chapter 2.

1. Logan
I'm still crying after this one. Logan is one of those rare movies that honestly didn't even have to be based on a comic book, and would have stood on its own as a masterpiece. But the emotions are even higher having followed these characters for so many years, specifically James Howlett himself. I couldn't believe just how creative James Mangold got with this movie, between the world it takes place in and his vision of what a tragic future for mutants might be like.

Logan and X-23's action sequences are truly remarkable, but where the movie really stands out is its character moments. The performances by new comer Dafne Keen, Jackman in his last turn as Wolverine, and a surprisingly gut wrenching performance by Patrick Stewart as an old sick Charles Xavier all feel so real that you forget they are superhuman characters. They finally just feel human. 

Honorable Mentions: Dunkirk, War for the Planet of the Apes, Star Wars: The Last Jedi
So which part of my list do you disagree with (I'm sure you do)? What are your top ten movies of the year? Let us know below!

My Top 15 Most Anticipated Movies of 2017

2016 had its hits and misses on the big screen, but now its time to look ahead at a new year of exciting films. You never know which movies are going to be the surprises of the year, the award winners, or even the flops, but we can at least try to take a guess. Based on what I've heard so far from the movies below, as well as their trailers, directors, and cast, I've decided on the fifteen movies I'm most excited to see in theaters this year. I might look back and want to kick myself for putting some picks on the list, or maybe they'll solidify me as the Nostradamus of predicting the success of movies (In which case I'll be expecting a call for Hollywood executives), but only time will tell. 

15. The Lego Batman Movie
Some people may be surprised to see this movie make the list, but if you saw The Lego Movie you know why its here. The Lego Movie took me by surprise, and ended up being one of the most hilarious kids movies I've seen in a long time. Now Will Arnett's Lego Batman, who was a fan-favorite in the former movie, is getting his own standalone film. 

While I'm hoping the movie can replicate the same magic as the last one, I'm worried it might not given that directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller won't be behind the camera. Nonetheless, if this can find the same middle ground between fun characters, self-aware humor, and live action cameos that the first movie did, it will succeed in my book.

14. Power Rangers
This is that one movie on the list that could end up being terrible. Having said that, I'm honestly excited to see Hollywood take a crack at a modern Power Rangers movie. I grew up on the Rangers, specifically Mighty Morphin and Time Force, and as did a lot of kids from my generation. 

They seem to be going for a Chronicle feel for this movie, and that hasn't worked out for recent films like Fantastic Four and Project Almanac (Whose director is at the helm of Power Rangers). But a chance to see Megazords on the big screen as well as Rita Repulsa, Alpha 5, and Zordon (Played by Bryan Cranston) is still exciting enough to make me see this movie.

13. Kingsman: The Golden Circle
I think the first Kingsman movie took a lot of movie goers by surprise with how off the walls and unfiltered it was, aside from also being a great action blockbuster. Matthew Vaughn (Kick-Ass) has proven himself as an outstanding director, especially with comic book based action projects. 

So the sequel to the film should be no different, and it has already added some very impressive new cast members including Channing Tatum, Jeff Bridges, and Halle Berry who I can't wait to see interact with Eggsy (Taron Egerton) on the big screen. They will also somehow be bringing back Colin Firth's character Harry Hart, so I'm curious to see how they'll pull that off. 

12. Alien: Covenant 
I'm not a diehard fan of the Alien franchise or anything like that, but I can still appreciate how innovative and creative those movies were for the future of the sci-fi genre. I enjoyed Prometheus for what it was, but it seems like Covenant is going to make up for the former film's faults.

The trailer for this movie that was released this week definitely raised the hype for me, and gave it a higher spot on this list. The cast of this movie is also both impressive and interesting including the likes of Danny McBride, Michael Fassbender, Katherine Waterson, Noomi Rapace, and recently announced addition James Franco.

11. The Fate of the Furious
Like any series that makes it to an eighth film, the Fast and Furious movies feel like they've run their course. After the passing of lead actor Paul Walker just a few years ago, many of us thought this series would be coming to a close. Yet that doesn't seem to be the case, as this year we'll be getting yet another Fast and Furious sequel. 

I wasn't initially interested in this movie given the reasons above, but the trailer certainly spiked my curiosity. The idea of having Vin Diesel's character turn against the team is definitely a surprising and interesting twist. The movie also filmed in Cuba and New York, and has talented director F. Gary Gray (Straight Outta Compton) at the helm.

10. Kong: Skull Island
Originally I didn't have this movie cracking my top ten, but after re-watching the trailer and looking over the cast list, it has earned its spot. Kong: Skull Island has the potential to be the exciting King Kong movie we've been waiting for, and is setting up a larger and more powerful version of Kong that is going to have to face off against Godzilla in a future film. 

I also love how the movie is taking a different approach to the character, by making him less of a villain to audiences while antagonizing the humans who invaded his home. The cast is especially great with the likes of Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson, John Goodman, and Samuel L. Jackson all set to take on Kong next March. 

9. Dunkirk
All you have to say is Christopher Nolan is directing, and I'm already sold. The director has proven time and time again that he's one of the most talented and original working men in the business today, and I expect no less from his first war movie.

My excitement in a little dialed down only because this won't be an original story by Nolan (Which I feel is his main strength), and it'll instead be based on true events. But with a cast of Nolan favorites including Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, as well as Mark Rylance, and even Harry Styles, its hard not to get excited for this one.

8. Wonder Woman
Much like another DC movie on this list, Wonder Woman isn't as high as I wish it was simply because of movies like Batman v. Superman and Suicide Squad. DC hasn't given me the confidence that they know what they're doing, and its hard to picture this movie being any different.

While what we've seen so far looks pretty cool, I'm still not sure Gal Gadot can carry her own movie (As attractive as she is). The movie does have both an impressive director and supporting cast, and if the visual effects are done right it can be a step in the right direction for the DC universe that we've been waiting for. We can only hope it is.

7. Thor: Ragnarok
Ask any Marvel fanboy like myself which of the solo movie franchises is the weakest in the MCU, and most people will probably agree its Thor. Captain America has gotten two outstanding sequels since his first film, but all Thor has gotten was the mediocre Thor: Dark World. Ragnarok has all the makings to be the best Thor movie yet, with a director who isn't afraid to take it in a weird direction.

The movie is also going to include Mark Ruffalo's Hulk and a bit of the Planet Hulk storyline, which may work for better or worse. The film is hoping to accomplish a lot including introducing Hela, including Dr. Strange and Hulk, and returning Odin to his throne. Hopefully its able to accomplish all those things without becoming a mess.

6. Justice League
I really wish I could have this movie higher on my list, but sadly I have to be honest with myself. I'm just not as excited about getting a Justice League movie as I should be. Given DC's recent track record of disappointments, and my personal dislike of Batman v. Superman, its hard to convince myself this movie will be any different.

There's some very questionable casting choices amongst the team that I hope prove me wrong, and I'm not sure bringing back Zack Snyder to direct was such a smart decision. None the less, its still the Justice League, and I'm just pumped we finally get to see them assemble on the big screen.

5. Logan
I would've never expect this movie to be so high on this list, mainly because we had no idea what it was even about, aside from the fact that this will officially be Hugh Jackman's last movie in the role. But after all the mystery, the first trailer for Logan really blew me away.

It seems to be an emotional and personal movie that will show us a weaker side of Wolverine than we've ever seen before, and may be introducing us to a young X-23. The idea for this movie is just amazing, and if executed correctly it could be one of the best X-Men movies we've ever seen.

4. War for the Planet of the Apes
This franchise has more than proven itself over the years as legit, and despite some changes in director and cast, the quality has remained consistent. Andy Serkis' outstanding and emotional performance as Cesar has been the core of this franchise, and it has worked wonders so far.

This movie seems no different, and we'll finally get to see the big war and boiling point we've been waiting for since Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Woody Harrelson as the villain also seems very interesting, and I think he'll make for a great menace and rival to Cesar that can surpass Koba from the last movie. 

3. Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol 2
How can anyone not be excited for this movie after seeing the trailers? Guardians 2 is promising another fun time at the movies, with new members joining the team and return of Baby Groot, and might even surpass the first film.

There's some things that have me a little worried about the movie such as the inclusion of Kurt Russell as Ego the Living Planet, but I trust both director James Gunn and the cast of fan favorites to deliver another great adventure. And of course, I'm looking forward to that soundtrack too. 

2. Spider-Man: Homecoming
Come on, you knew this was gonna be here. I may talk about a lot of superheroes, but Spider-Man will always have a special place in my heart. As a diehard fan of the character and both Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, Tom Holland managed to win me over in his Civil War appearance.

Everything about Homecoming screams "perfect Spider-Man movie" to me. We're getting a cast of young actors and new characters alongside a fifteen year-old Peter Parker, Michael Keaton as the Vulture, and even a Spider-Man/Iron-Man team up. What more can you ask for? 

1. Star Wars: Episode 8
After seeing Rogue One this week, I've been reminded about just how lucky we are to have new GOOD Star Wars movies (Unlike certain prequels). After Force Awakens proved itself to audiences by balancing its homage to the original series and introduction of new characters and storylines, how can you not be excited to see where it goes.

Talented Looper director Rian Johnson will be taking over for JJ Abrams and hopefully will reach the same caliber as the last movie. We'll also finally get to hear Luke Skywalker actually speak and hopefully train Rey to become a Jedi. If it meets expectations, this has the potential to be the Empire Strikes Back of the new trilogy.

Honorable Mentions: Beauty and the Beast, The Dark Tower, Baby Driver, Live By Night, Coco, Blade Runner 2029
So what do you think of my top 15 most anticipated movies of 2017? Are there any movies you feel shouldn't be on the list? Are there any you think should be? Let me know below!