Well, since the summer is just about to kick off now, I figure, it's time to revise my Most Anticipated list for the rest of the year (not just for the summer). Certainly, it mostly consists of blockbusters (what else would you expect from me?), but some might surprise you.
1. Mission: Impossible 3
Contrary to the vast majority of KJers, I loved the second movie, even moreso than the first. That is part of the reason why M:I-2 is my most anticipated film of the year (it has always been #1, ever since it became clear that Sin City 2 won't come out this year). My love for the series aside, this one has a truly kick-ass trailer. I have been longing for a good actioner for a long time now and looks like we have one on our hands. The cast is probably the best for an M:I film so far with Simon Pegg, Johnathan Rhys-Myers, Laurence Fishburne, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Michelle Monaghan being parts of it. To top that, it is directed by the creator of my favorite current TV series - Lost. That pretty much rounds it up and I can't wait to see it on Wednesday!
2. X-Men 3: The Last Stand
It would have been number 1, really, but I just can't shake off the bit of scepticism I have towards Brett Ratner as the director. Other than that, the trailer is the best for a blockbuster film this year so far, the Dark Phoenix concept is great and overall the film looks like an absolute fun ride. The last two X-Men films are both in my all-time Top 20, so this one really has something to live up too. Hopefully, it does.
3. The Departed
Infernal Affairs is one of my all-time favorite foreign flicks. It is flat out the best cop thriller since L.A. Confidential. Normally, I would be sceptical towards such a remake. However, with Scorsese at the helm and a cast of Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Dampn, Martin Sheen, Jack Nicholson, Ray Winstone and Alec Baldwin the movie more than just intrigues me. Most of all, I just can't wait to see if they will have the movie play out similarily to the original and I am anxious to see Nicholson in the role of the mafia boss.
4. Miami Vice
The teaser just strikes a right cord with me. It is not just another "buddy cops" actioner. It has a more atmospheric feel to it and that works well. Michael Mann did a good job on a similarily looking Collateral and Mann usually delivers pretty well on his films. This one looks to be a very slick film.
5. Zodiac
The last time David Fincher made a movie involving a serial killer, we got Se7en. So odds are great that we are going to be delivered another cinematic masterpiece this fall after the four years of Fincher's absence. Fincher delivered two modern-day masterpieces with Fight Club and Se7en, but even less "worse" movies like The Game and Panic Room were very entertaining and worthwhile. I like the film's premise and what shall I say, Fincher is my 2nd favorite director of all-time (behind the One and Only Spielberg).
6. Grind House
It is no secret that I am a huge horror fan. And what more can a horror fan dream of than Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez working on a trashy, pulpy horror flick together? Their last horror collaboration brought us the unforgettable From Dusk till Dawn. I know that there are currently problems with Rodriguez' installment, but I am hoping they can wrap up the production this year still and bring it into theatres. This mght be a fan's dream coming true.
7. Casino Royale
I was not convinced by the film for a long time. I was not even interested at all. Up until I read the film's script review. That gave me some how and injected me with some sort of excitement. It was the recent teaser trailer that completely sold me on the film and moved it up into my Top 10 of most anticipated films of the year.
8. Paris, je t'aime
I have been anticipating this movie ever since I read about it for the very first time. The whole idea intrigues me a lot and I like the concept. I haven't even seen a single bit of footage yet. Once I see the first trailer, it is quite possible that the film will move up a bit higher on my list. Seriously, I don't see how any fan of movies would NOT be interested in a film withc such a cast and such a directing stab. To make it simple, it is directed by The Coen brothers, Alfonso Cuaron, Wes Craven, Gurinder Chadha, Alexander Payne, Walter Salles, Tom Tykwer and many others. Its cast includes Bob Hoskins, Juliette Binoche, Natalie Portman, Fanny Ardant, Steve Buscemi, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Emily Mortimer, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Elijah Wood, Willem Dafoe, Gérard Depardieu, Nick Nolte, Gena Rowlands and many, many, many others. I mean...
9. Saw III
Yeah, I've got three horror films on my list and I'm proud of it too
I loved the first Saw film and was very, very sceptical about the sequel. However, to my surprise the makers were able to pull off a movie almost as good as the original. It was stunned and frankly, while I am afraid that the idea will get tired pretty soon, I can't help, but be anxiously looking forward to what the makers have up their sleeves in the next sequel.
10. Snakes on a Plane
Snakes + Planes = Self-explanatory
Honorable mentions:
The Prestige - The cast (Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Scarlett Johansson, Michael Caine) and the director are great, simply great. I am not completely sold on the storyline, but I am still very intrigued with all the talent involved.
Lucky You - It's another Curtis Hanson feature and that alone is a reason to look forward to it. Hanson is one of the most versatile directors out there. He made one of my all-time favorite flicks with L.A. Confidential and provided a worthy follow-up with Wonder Boys. Moreover, it deals with poker among other things and I am a huge fan of poker, so here's another bonus for me.
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Feel free to comment or, even better, list your most anticipated for the remains of this year.
