Most Anticipated Films
Submitted by SA on Sat, 03/26/2005 - 09:49
Tags:
- Hopefully all of them will be released in 2005. I left some films that I'm looking forward to out because they are very doubtful to be released in this year (e.g. "The Rum Diary" and "The Black Dahlia") although some that are doubtful are still in there.
- The Producers: I can't get enough of the trailer. Of course I've heard of the musical but I never had the chance to see it, but the story sounds like great fun, and it has to be as it's been running for so long and one of the better known musicals out there. I also never saw the original film, unfortunately. But from the footage I've seen from this remake of the musical that was based on the film, this is going to be great. Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick look great, and the same goes for Uma Thurman and Will Ferrell. Smart, witty, great jokes, a bit over the top, but it really looks like pure entertainment.
- Ice Harvest: With John Cusack, Billy Bob Thornton, Oliver Platt, Randy Quaid, and Connie Nielsen this seems to be a dark crime comedy that could hit all the right buttons. Not a vehicle for anyone if you look at the cast, but a co-operation that could put everyine in a higher gear. And knowing what Ramis can do (he wrote Ghostbusters and wrote and directed Groundhog Day) this could very well be a hit when it hits theaters November 23rd.
- Mysterious Skin: Already out in the US, but not yet around here. Raving reviews are coming in from everywhere, not only for the story but also for the supposedly great acting, especially by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The premise is quite interesting, and with the buzz it's getting I can't wait for it to arrive in theaters here. With all the positive reactions, this could become one of the arthouse favorites of 2005.
- Match Point: Woody Allen's drama/thriller with Scarlett Johannsen just debuted at Cannes and has got some raving reviews by, among others, Roger Ebert and the NY Times. Scarlett apparently played so well, Woody Allen is also going to do his next film with her. Apparently, the ending was cause for surprise and applause, and the acting was pretty good. Good reviews at Cannes plus the quality of Woody's latest film "Melinda and Melinda" have me in high anticipation. Here, it's going to open in November of this year. If it's indeed as good as the Cannes audience thinks, and it will open around that time in the US, a screenplay nod might not be out of the question.
- The Night Listener: One of the films of which I don't even know a temporary release date, but I just had to include it. Based on a book by Armistead Maupin, Robin Williams plays a DJ who befriends a 13-year old boy and avid listener to his radio show. Of course, there's much more to it. I admire Robin Williams greatly, and he isn't only hilarious in comedy, he is also great in other genres as he has proven, especially as of late. Williams took a huge pay cut to star in this film (also starring Toni Collette, Sandra Oh, and Rory Culkin) so he must've really liked the script/book.
- Mozart and the Whale: From IMDB plot outline: "A love story between two savants with Asperger's syndrome, a kind of autism, whose disabilities sabotage their budding relationship." Not only that has me interested, but also the two leads. Josh Hartnett might not be everyone's favorite, but I think he's a very talented actor who might surprise in this film and show he can not only play in blockbusters but that he can really act. The real draw for me is the enchanting Radha Mitchell though, who played superbly in Woody Allen's "Melinda and Melinda" and I want to see if she can carry this film as well. The trailer looked pretty good and has me hopeful.
- The New World: Again a film with Bale, but he's not the reason for me to anticipate this one. Terrence Malick has decided to not wait 20 years again and after "only" five years after "The Thin Red Line" he comes with the story of Captain Smith and Pocahontas, and thus the clash between the explorers and the Native Americans. The trailer looks enchanting, and this film looks like the historical epic we have been waiting for but didn't get with some disappointing attempts last year.
- Brokeback Moutain: Gutsy choice by Ang Lee to direct this film, and the same can be said from the stars Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal. But this film, if people go and see it, could be the ideal showcase for all three of them and could propel them to bigger things. Even though both actors don't have to complain about the roles they get (Gyllenhaal will also be in "Proof" and "Jarhead" while Ledger will be in Gilliam's "The Brother's Grimm") Based on the short story by Anne Proulx about two young men (cowboys) in the sixties who fall in love. The question is, how much will the subject of this film hurt it? Is the Academy waiting for this film? Or the audience, for that matter? But despite that, it's an ideal showcase for the two leads and it's director and it could become a favorite of critics who don't have problems with the subject.
- The Fountain: Darren Aronofsky's first project after the indie favorite "Requiem for a Dream", it again teams him up with Ellen Burstyn which alone is enough to have me interested. But this film had a lot of problems during it's production (Brad Pitt dropped out, for example), but the cast still is a good one with Burstyn, Hugh Jackman, and Rachel Weisz. The story spans over an extremely long time, in which the subjects of love and death will be dealt with (vague, I know). Apparently, the script is really good. And Aronofsky is one of the most talented and promising directors, so I'm very interested to see if he can again deliver a quality production.
- Memoirs of a Geisha: The book is fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. With such source material, it's hard to screw up. Rob Marshall will, undoubtedly, make it a feast for the eye as he re-creates the old Japan. An all Asian cast (not all Japanese, which led to some negative comments) has me intrigued as well, though I don't know all of them. Ziyi Zhang (who played in "2046" by Wong Kar Wai) will play the lead, and Ken Watanabe ("The Last Samurai") will play the important part of the Chairman. Michelle Yeoh will play Mameha. If you have read the book, you're probably just as excited as me. Unless they really screw it up, this should be one of the main Academy Awards contenders.
Those are ten films I'm really looking forward to. I would be interested to see what you all think and expect of them. And if you think I left some films out that you have high expectations for, don't hesitate to post them. :)
Okay, deleted "Crash" since it has opened and I will be able to see it shortly (hopefully). Where I live, "Hitchhiker" and "Sin City" haven't opened yet, so they're still on there.
Also got rid of the numbers. It's random order.