Okay, I could be wrong about this, but I’m pretty sure that dog up by the I is wearing a bra on his head. 2018 is going to be something stupid, boy…
Anyway let’s get down to business. It’s a hard world out there and it’s always good to keep looking forward. So here’s what I’m looking forward to.
BLACK PANTHER
OUT NOW!
It’s an odd task, compiling a list of 2018’s most anticipated films having already seen your most anticipated film of the year. I’ve been reading Black Panther comics since around 1988, and he’s always been one of my very favorite comic book characters. He’s Batman, Iron Man, and James Bond all wrapped into one, but he’s deeper and sexier than all three of them put together. I’d been anticipating a BLACK PANTHER movie since even before it occurred to me or most anyone else that a BLACK PANTHER movie is something that could actually happen. Now it’s here, it’s real, I’ve seen it, and they got everything right.
What the hell else could I ask for? Any other movie I could love in 2018 would be gravy. That said, here’s some potentially tasty gravy.
ANNIHILATION
February 23
You can’t really see her, but that’s Tessa Thompson blurred out on the left-hand side of the poster. ANNIHILATION would be worth anticipating without her, since it comes from a fascinating novel from Jeff VanderMeer, adapted by Alex Garland, screenwriter of 28 DAYS LATER, SUNSHINE, and DREDD, and director of EX MACHINA. But with Tessa Thompson? Second must-see movie of the year. She’s been great for a long time, but after THOR: RAGNAROK she’s an official real-deal movie star. I guess Natalie Portman is in this movie too, and no offense to her, but Tessa Thompson.
THEY REMAIN
March 2
MOHAWK
March 2
The next movie from Ted Geoghegan, who made WE ARE STILL HERE, was co-written by the great Grady Hendrix and stars Kaniehtiio Horn, who was so memorable in a cool, unusual movie called THE WILD HUNT which nobody ever talks about besides me. I’ve been incredibly intrigued by the line-up alone, and then that trailer hit.
A WRINKLE IN TIME
March 9
I don’t have a personal affinity for this book, and some of the costuming in this trailer is inadvertently comical to me (honestly had trouble telling the difference between Chris Pine and Zach Galifianakis, which is fine, I guess), but Ava Duvernay is at least four for four — I WILL FOLLOW, MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, SELMA, 13TH — so I trust in Ava.
THE STRANGERS: PREY AT NIGHT
March 9
Liked the original; I’d see a sequel, sure. Sometimes I’m an easy sell. This director previously made STORAGE 24 and 47 METERS DOWN, which I found watchable at the very least.
PACIFIC RIM UPRISING
March 16
I liked the original plenty, but this is an example of a sequel that appears to fix most all of the issues I had with its predecessor — this one takes place mostly during the day, as far as I can tell, which indicates the battles will be visible, and it swaps out Charlie Hunnam for John Boyega, which is a significant upgrade. Also a fan of Steve DeKnight. Can’t wait!
ISLE OF DOGS
March 23
I was in a theater playing the trailer for this movie, and when people saw that cast list they audibly murmured, if not gasped. I’ve seen all of Wes Anderson’s movies so far, to varying degrees of affection, and now that he’s made one about dogs (the world’s greatest animal), this is hardly the one I’m going to break my streak on.
THE LAST MOVIE STAR
March 30
You guys understand how I feel about Burt Reynolds, correct? I’ve been leading a mostly-unsuccessful campaign over the past couple years to remind people how Burt is a living legend, an action hero equally adept at comedy and romance with a wide-ranging and fascinating filmography who’s still strangely underappreciated. I am really hoping that this movie, which I am dying to see, can succeed where I haven’t been able to. Here’s the trailer.
YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE
April 6
Every time I see this poster I mistake it for a DOCTOR STRANGE poster (doesn’t it kind of look like he’s wearing a red cape?), but the pertinent information here is Joaquin Phoenix, Jonathan Ames, Lynne Ramsey. If that was a DOCTOR STRANGE movie I would see it. Since it’s a crime movie, I will see it even harder.
IMITATION GIRL
3/16 VOD; 4/20 THEATRICAL
We love Lauren Ashley Carter here. This movie sounds and looks a little like UNDER THE SKIN to me, which is a sturdy comparison, and it has LAC playing a shocking dual role, which is an irresistible hook. Find out more here.
RAMPAGE
April 20
I’ve been curiously unmoved by everything I’ve seen relating to this movie — an adaptation of my all-time favorite video game (because I am a deep thinker) — but since someone went to all the trouble of making a movie seemingly genetically geared to my own personal tastes, I have to stay optimistic somehow and keep it on this list.
AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR
May 4
At this point, I’m just excited to see all my friends from BLACK PANTHER on screen again so soon.
REVENGE
May 11
This is a complicated genre for me, as it ought to be for anyone, probably, but I am one-hundred-percent down with a female-written-and-directed take on it, and by all accounts this is a movie that redefines the most “problematic” of all genres. Here’s the trailer.
BREAKING IN
May 11
Liking this idea of ethnically-flipped remakes of movies I enjoyed but didn’t particularly love — this is essentially BLACK PANIC ROOM, starring Gabrielle Union, but that’s incredibly appealing to me personally. You may feel differently, but whatever dude.
DEADPOOL 2
May 18
I liked the first movie more than I expected to. Hoping to like its sequel more than I expect to. I definitely am on board with whoever this is…
ACTION POINT
June 1
If you grew up in the tri-state area, you probably remember these commercials. This is a movie more or less about Action Park, the New Jersey amusement park that got shut down for not being all that safe. Johnny Knoxville plays the park’s owner, which is really all anybody needs to know.
HEREDITARY
June 8
This trailer blew up on social media two weeks back. To “Horror Film Twitter” or however you describe people like my online friends, this is one of the most anticipated movies of the year, which therefore makes it essential to me.
SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY
May 25
Really just hoping Chewbacca has more to do here than he did in THE FORCE AWAKENS and THE LAST JEDI. I mean, he’s kind of got to, right? I’m tired of watching Chewbacca not eat Porgs and not dismember droopy-faced goth kids who [REDACTED FOR SPOILERS] his best friend. Don’t promise me a space-bear with a laser crossbow and then banish him to the sidelines.
UNDER THE SILVER LAKE
June 22
New movie from the director of IT FOLLOWS. The trailer…
SICARIO 2: SOLDADO
June 29
I liked the first movie more than I expected to. Hoping to like its sequel more than I expect to. (Ever have déjà vu?)
LEAVE NO TRACE
June 29
I’m in the pocket for any new movie from Debra Granik (see DOWN TO THE BONE and WINTER’S BONE immediately, if you haven’t already). And if that’s Ben Foster — hard to tell sometimes! — there’s a great chance this’ll be a good show.
ANT-MAN & THE WASP
July 6
Admit it. That poster is funny. Come on.
CHRISTOPHER ROBIN
August 3
Not usually my kind of thing, and probably still isn’t in this case, but will I watch a movie where Ewan McGregor and Hayley Atwell interact with cartoon animals? Absolutely I will.
THE MEG
August 10
Right, like I’m going to make a list of anticipated movies and not include the one with the ridiculously gigantic shark…
SCARFACE
August 10
Not sure this is really happening, but Diego Luna is reportedly taking over this iconic role in a script that’s been worked on by Terence Winter and the Coen Brothers. I mean, I’ll watch that. That’s really all I know right now.
THE NIGHTINGALE
August 10
New movie from Jennifer Kent (THE BABADOOK)!
CAPTIVE STATE
August 17
This is a new movie from Rupert Wyatt about the aftermath of an alien invasion. I don’t know too much about it, but what I can find out looks intriguing. That’s John Goodman in that picture.
THE HAPPYTIME MURDERS
August 17
A movie about a puppet who solves crimes. A movie about a puppet who solves crimes. A movie about a puppet who solves crimes. A movie about a puppet who solves crimes. A movie about a puppet who solves crimes.
THE NUN
September 7
Really liked Corin Hardy’s last movie, THE HALLOW, so his next horror movie is worth keeping an eye out for.
THE PREDATOR
September 7
Not sold on this cast — like, at all — but I do like very much that it’s Shane Black and that he went a very different way with the casting than the original went. But again, it’s a calculated risk. There’s no way, as a longtime fan, not to have a little trepidation. As we all know, I love the original like a brother.
A STAR IS BORN
October 5
This is just so weird. Forget what’s going on up in that picture for a moment and consider the supporting cast, which includes Dave Chappelle, Andrew Dice Clay, Eddie Griffin, and Sam Elliott. Weird is good, though. Officially interested. Did not expect to be saying that.
VENOM
October 5
Only on this list because you can never count out Tom Hardy. Isn’t the whole point of that character how much he hates Spider-Man? Next they should make a movie called CHIEF BRODY without any fish in it.
FIRST MAN
October 12
With Ryan Gosling as Neil Armstrong? Could be really cool.
WIDOWS
November 16
As you may have guessed, this isn’t promotional imagery from Steve McQueen’s new movie. But maybe it ought to be! (What’s a “mightmare?”)
CREED 2
November 21
Big fan of CREED, and now they’re adding Dolph into the mix. Yeah, I’ll be there.
AQUAMAN
December 21
I’m in it solely for Amber Heard. Sorry!
So that’s my list so far! I’m sure new stuff will crop up, as happens every year, and I’m sure plenty of the above will disappoint or exceed expectations — but wait! I left one out! Maybe my most eagerly awaited film of 2018, other than BLACK PANTHER, just because I’m so goddamned curious…
HALLOWEEN
OCTOBER 19
- [THE BIG QUESTION] WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE FEMALE ENSEMBLE IN MOVIES? - July 22, 2016
- [IN THEATERS NOW] THE BOY (2016) - January 24, 2016
- Cult Movie Mania Releases Lucio Fulci Limited Edition VHS Sets - January 5, 2016
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