Anticipated Films of 2019- Part II

Source: Boston Globe

Welcome back!!! Let's pick up where we left off last month with the conclusion of my list of mvoies to look forward to this year!!

11) Once Upon A Time In Hollywood (Release Date: 7/26/19)- TV actor Rick Dalton (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) and his stunt double buddy Cliff Booth (played by Brad Pitt) try to reach the top of Hollywood stardom in the year 1969 right at the time of the infamous Charles Manson murders occurred.
Why I'm Excited: As a fan of Quinton Taratino's films it is always exciting to see him continue to share his unique vision and style of film making. When you add the stellar cast lined up for this film to Tarantino' style there is no way this movie doesn't knock it out of the park.

Source: IMDB

12)  IT: Chapter Two (Release Date: 9/6/19)- Twenty-seven years after the events of the first chapter of the story created by Stephen King, we are reunited with the "Loser's Club" who are now all grown up but still not free of the horrors of the past and the evil face of Pennywise, the killer clown who will stop at nothing to hunt them down and take their souls.
Why I'm Excited: The first entry was by far one of the best horror films in recent years and certainly one of the better adaptations of Stephen King's novels. With most of the core creators from the first film returning for this chapter (as well as Bill Skarsgård returning as the bone-chilling clown) we can all be excited for another hauntingly good film.

13) Joker (Release Date 10/4/19)- Director Todd Phillips (best known for bringing us the Hangover trilogy) brings us a new vision of the origin of one of comic book histories greatest villains, The Joker (played by Joaquin Phoenix).
Why I'm Excited: My enthusiasm for comic book films is well documented but what makes this even more intriguing is the uniqueness of the project. Warner Brothers is taking a bold step to create projects that focus on solid stories and strong characterizations of their DC properties in place of focusing on creating projects predominately focused on starting franchises. If successful this should help DC films create its own identity as opposed to always be compared to the Disney/Marvel model which as worked for them so well over the last decade.

14) Zombieland: Double Tap (Release Date: 10/11/19)- Woody Harrelson and the clan are back to survive the zombie wasteland, save lives, and hopefully find more Twinkies.
Why I'm Excited: The original Zombieland (released 10 years ago now) was tons of fun with terrific performances by the main cast. Director Reuben Fleischer is also returning for the next chapter and we can only hope to have as much fun and laughs as we did before (except for poor Bill Murray who did not survive the first time around)

Source: comingsoon.net

15) Terminator: Dark Fate (Release Date: 11/22/19)- Set up as a direct sequel to 1991's Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Skynet rises once again to try and wipe out all humanity and it will be up to the Connor family to restore order and save the world as we know it.
Why I'm Excited: Very little is known at this time about the latest entry but what we do know is certain to make any Terminator fan beam with excitement. Series creator James Cameron is back in the fold, along with the original Sarah Connor, Linda Hamilton,  28 years after T:2. With all of the mixed reactions to the various sequels following T:2 this maybe the film that restores the franchise to the roots that made it so revered.

Source: WhatCulture.com

16) Jumanji 2 (Release Date: 12/13/19)- This sequel to the hugely successful reboot from 2017 starring Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Karen Gillian, and Kevin Hart. No details about the plot to chapter two have been revealed yet but we can rest assured our high school heroes will end up back in the magical land of Jumanji for more fun adventures.
Why I'm Excited: Part one was a clever continuation of the 1995 classic that starred the great Robin Williams and the success of that first film spoke to how well it was devised. Besides, how do you go wrong with another Kevin Hart & Dwayne Johnson team up?

Source: Den of Geek

17) Star Wars: Episode IX (Release Date 12/20/19)- The "Skywalker Saga" comes to a close in this final chapter of one of the most beloved films series in history.
Why I'm Excited: The Last Jedi was met with mixed reaction but the previous entry, The Force Awakens was adored by fans around the globe and helmer J.J. Abrams has been tapped to return for this final chapter. As one would expect there has been very little released publicly about the film at this early juncture but there is little question that this won't be the most anticipated movies of the year by audiences everywhere.

Source: Flickering Myth

Here are also a few more movies I'm really looking forward to seeing this year but have not been given a confirmed release date thus far:

Rambo V: Last Blood- Sylvester Stallone returns for one last time as John Rambo. This time out Rambo goes to war with a Mexican drug cartel after they kill people close to Rambo.
Why I'm Excited: Stallone is back as Rambo- do we need anything more to be excited about?

Source: IMDB

The Irishman- This is the story of mob enforcer Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran, the man who ultimately confessed to being the man who shot Jimmy Hoffa after serving many years with some powerful crime families.
Why I'm Excited: This is the realization of the "dream project" - a mob movie directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci all together for the first time. Scorsese has pitched this story for years but finally got the backing he needed from Netflix to bring the project in front of cameras.

source: Netflix

The Rhythm Section- Based on the novel by Mark Burnell, this is the story of Stephanie Patrick, a woman whose family is killed in a plane crash which she discovers as not an accident. Now she is on a mission to track down those who are responsible for taking her family from her and inflict justice on them.
Why I'm Excited: Blake Lively has been tapped to play Stephanie Patrick and following her performance in A Simple Favor seems to be perfect for this role. Equally enticing is the discovery that EON Productions, mostly known as the proprietors of the James Bond franchise, are producing this one. Based on their track record with 007, this movie is in great hands.

Source: You Tube

That's where we will leave off for now. There's no doubt in my mind that there will be a handful of films that aren't on my radar yet but will catch me by total surprise (happens to me ever year). If you have any movies that you are looking forward to that didn't make the list please add a comment below and let me know what you are excited for it.

Until next time... I'll see you after the credits!!!

Anticipated Films Of 2019

Source: Boston Globe

Hello again film fans and happy 2019! After a crazy second half of 2018 we are back in action! This year has a bunch of good films coming out and also represents a big year for anniversary films, particularly the incredible movie year of 1989 which we will highlight throughout the following months. In addition to my annual list of anticipated movies for the year there were also be some in-depth reviews of new films coming out as well as some speculation/opinion pieces based on the topics that have yet to come. I looked forward to a fun filled year where we can share our thoughts and opinions on the movies we love and the ones still yet to come.

With that in mind, let's get started with part one of my anticipated films of 2019!!



1. Glass (Release Date 1/18)- Following M. Night Shyamalan's clever approach to disguise 2016's Split as a sequel to his earlier hit, 2000's Unbreakable, this newest release now serves as the third part of a trilogy which brings our three main characters, David Dunn (Bruce Willis), Elijah Price (Samuel L. Jackson), and "The Beast" (James McAvoy) all together. With Elijah joining forces with "The Beast" to cause mayhem and destruction it will be up to hero David Dunn to stop them before it's too late.
Why I'm Excited: As good as the first two entries in this trilogy were this latest entry has all of the makings of a great suspense/action thriller.

2- Captain Marvel (Release Date 3/8)- The constantly evolving Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) introduces it's newest hero, Carol Danvers, a.k.a Captain Marvel, an intergalactic hero who must protect 1990's Earth from evil forces that are using the planet as a battleground to destroy life as we know it and rule from the heavens.
Why I'm Excited: Marvel has successfully been producing excellent screen versions of their comic book characters and this should be no exception. After the DC Comic Universe was so successful in bringing Wonder Woman to the big screen in 2017 there was no doubt that Marvel would follow up with a character of their own (no disrespect implied to the amazing job Scarlett Johasson has done with "Black Widow" but she has been limited to a supporting role thus far).

3- Pet Semetary (Release Date 4/5)- Based on Stephen King's 1983 novel this is the story of Louis Creed, a doctor who decides to move out into a quiet, secluded home in the country. All seems well until his two children, Gage and Ellie, wonder out in the woods and discover a pet cemetery that harbors a horrifically evil presence.
Why I'm excited: Stephen King is unquestionably one of the greatest writers of his time but sadly most of the movie adaptations of his novels have been stuck between mediocre or forgettable (exceptions such as The Shining, Carrie, and Christine notwithstanding). 2017's IT was a well developed and faithful adaptation of the Stephen King novel that the film was based on and thanks its success movie studios are starting to take more interest in producing more faithful and artistic adaptations of his stories which are so well deserved.

4- Shazam! (Release Date 4/5)- DC Comics brings to life the story of Billy Batson, a 14 year old foster child who posses magic abilities that allow him to transform him into "Shazam", a hero of giant sized proportions.
Why I'm Excited: Following the massive success of Aquaman and Wonder Woman, DC/Warner Bros. are finding success with their heroes by focusing more on well developed, single character stories instead of feeling pressured into emulating a large scale shared universe like Marvel/Disney has done. This concept of a super hero film combined with the heart of the 1988 Tom Hanks classic Big seems like it will be an absolute blast of a good time.

5- Avengers: Endgame (Release Date 4/26)- A direct follow up (or second part) to 2018's Avengers: Infinity War, this continues the story of the battle between our heroes and Thanos, an intergalactic warrior who has wiped out half of all living creatures in existence. Only the remaining members of the mighty Avengers can stop him, but after all the damage that has already taken place, will they have enough to defeat him?
Why I'm Excited: Avengers: Infinity War was arguably the best of the Avengers film thus far and carried shades of The Empire Strikes Back (which is a great thing). All indicators point to Endgame being just as strong as part one which means Marvel fans are in for another big time hero classic.

6- Rocketman (Release Date 5/31)- A fantastical take of the story of Elton John's rise to musical super stardom.
Why I'm Excited: Musical biopics have always been a favorite of mine and, in my opinion, have always offered interesting perspectives to music that we have loved in our lives. Last year's Bohemian Rapshody showed that a well made musical biopic can really connect with audiences and with Elton John being directly involved with this film I believe we will have another hit (no pun intended).

7- Shaft (a.k.a Son of Shaft) (Release Date 6/14)- Samuel L. Jackson returns as the ever so cool private eye John Shaft. This time around Shaft needs to help his son when John Jr. is tangled up in a murder at M.I.T.
Why I'm Excited: 2000's Shaft was a clever update of the original film series that started in the 1970's starring the amazing Richard Roundtree. Although John Singleton is not returning to direct this sequel still doesn't overshadow the chance to see Samuel L. and Richard Roundtree return in the roles we love to see them in. Can you dig it?

8- Toy Story 4 (Release Date 6/21)- Our favorite toys, Woody and Buzz Lightyear, are back with some of their other friends, including a new toy on  the block named "Forky", to take us on a fun filled road trip.
Why I'm Excited: Disney/Pixar has always prioritized making quality Toy Story films without feeling the need to release them right away (it has been 9 years since the last entry in the series was released). This makes each one of the sequels just as much fun as the last and this should be no exception.

9-Spider-Man: Far From Home (Release Date 7/5)- Tom Holland returns as Peter Parker, a.k.a. Spider-Man, following 2017's Spider-Man: Homecoming. In this second chapter we follow Peter and his school buddies who are enjoying a trip to Europe when evil forces, known as "The Elementals", intend to bring harm and destruction. Spidey will not be fighting alone this time- Nick Fury shows up to help Spidey restore order from chaos.
Why I'm Excited: To me Spider-Man:Homecoming was the most faithful film interpretation of the character based on his comic roots so any chance to see more of this version is a treat in itself. When you add one of my favorite classic villains, Mysterio (played by Jake Gyllenhaal), to the mix I am all in for this chapter.

10- The Lion King (Release Date 7/19)- Disney continues to create live action versions of their classic animated stories. This is the story of Simba, a young lion who will one day be a great king but must find the courage in himself before he can be the king he needs to be.
Why I'm Excited: I always praise Disney for putting so much emphasis on making stories of high quality. While some fans feel that remaking their animated classics is a means of diluting the stories that are told, I believe they bring a fresh rejuvenation to stories we have loved for years. 2017's Beauty and the Beast was really well done and brought a few original tweaks that were fun- if the same applies to this remake then we can look forward to another great time at the movies.

This is where we will end the first part of our list of movies to look out for in 2019. Be sure to stay tuned for part two releasing soon but be sure to leave a message and let us know what movies you are looking forward to this year.

Until next time- I'll see you after the credits!