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Dan’s Most Anticipated 2014 Movies

 

15. The Raid 2: Berandal

Release Date: March 2014

Director:  Gareth Evans

WritersGareth Evans

StarringIko Uwais, Yayan Ruhian, Donny Alamsyah 

SynopsisThe plot is unknown, however, the story begins two hours after the first movie ends.

The PositiveIn 2012 I named The Raid  as the best action movie of the year. Many complained about the lack of plot, which was a just complaint. Personally the barrage of clever action and high energy made the lack of complex plotting an easy issue to overcome. If they keep up that style in the sequel we will have another action classic on our hands.

The NegativeWhen you have a movie like The Raid  that comes out of nowhere it has the benefit of zero expectations. A sequel on the other hand has a lot to live up to. Sometimes that can lead a director to go too big and lose control. I wonder if it is possible to top what they accomplished with the first movie. Will it just be more of the same?

 

 

 Fury Movie

 14. Fury

Release Date: November 14, 2014

Director: David Ayer

WritersDavid Ayer

StarringBrad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman

SynopsisApril, 1945. A battle-hardened army sergeant named Wardaddy commands a Sherman tank and her five-man crew on a deadly mission behind enemy lines. Wardaddy and his men face odds in their attempts to strike at Nazi Germany.

The PositiveWhat really interests me about Fury  is the idea of doing a war film centered a tank operating team. There have been tons and tons of movies based on WWII, but not many that have attempted a similar concept. Director David Ayer’s End of Watch  was also an underrated gem so I have been curious to see what else he has in store.

The NegativeDavid Ayer also has Sabotage  coming out this year, which I am not very excited about.  Not to mention his work on Street Kings  a movie I try to forget. So the question is which is the real David Ayer? Also at this point most of his work has been dedicated to cop dramas. Hopefully he can handle the drastic transition to a period piece war movie.

 

 

 

13. Noah

Release Date: March 8, 2014

Director:  Darren Aronofsky

WritersDarren Aronofsky, Ari Handel

Starring: Russell Crowe Emma Watson, Jennifer Connelly

SynopsisThe Biblical Noah suffers visions of an apocalyptic deluge and takes measures to protect his family from the coming flood.

The PositiveWhen you watch a movie made by Daren Aronfsky you know you will see nothing else like it that year. He has an elite visual mind capable of crafting images that are forever etched in your memory banks. I can not help but wonder what he has in store for this biblical epic.

The NegativeThe trailer has me worried for a few reasons. For one it looks rather cheap. Is this story too big for any budget? I also got a very big The Fountain vibe, which is not a movie I was very fond . Russell Crowe has not been Russell Crowe in the last few years. Will the real Crowe stand up for Noah?

 

 

 

Animal Rescue

12. Animal Rescue

Release Date: TBD

Director: Michaël R. Roskam

Writers Dennis Lehane

StarringTom Hardy, Noomi Rapace, James Gandolfini 

SynopsisA crime-drama centered around a lost pit bull, a wannabe scam artist, and a killing.

The Positive: Tom Hardy in a movie where he rescues a puppy? How has the internet not broken after hearing this news. I can imagine the Bane memes as we speak. Dennis Lehane has quite a track record. His novels include Shutter Island, Gone Baby Gone, and Mystic River. All three were made into movies I greatly respect. 

The NegativeMichaël R. Roskam is still an unproven director as this is only his second feature film. Currently he does not have the same name recognition  as the directors of Shutter IslandGone Baby Gone, and Mystic River. Animal Rescue also does not sound like a very gritty crime drama. Will it just be a gimmick that grows tired quickly?

 

 

 

11. The Grand Budapest Hotel

Release DateMarch 7, 2014

Director:  Wes Anderson

Writers:  Wes Anderson, Hugo Guinness,

Starring:  Saoirse Ronan, Jude Law, Ralph Fiennes

Synopsis:  The adventures of Gustave H, a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars, and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend.

The PositiveTwenty seconds into the trailer for The Grand Budapest Hotel  and it was obvious it was a Wes Anderson movie. His playroom like aesthetic is second to none. Anderson was on a bit of a slump, but after Fantastic Mr. Fox  and Moonrise Kingdom he career appears revitalized. Saoirse Ronan has impressed me greatly in Atonement and Hanna, and I feel she is on the verge of becoming a huge star.

The NegativeAs I mentioned Anderson’s style is engrained all over The Grand Budapest Hotel  right from the start. Will it be just more of what we have come to expect, or will Anderson branch out to new ideas? Hopefully he can find a middle ground and not become complacent.

 

 

 

10. The Boxtrolls

Release DateSeptember 26, 2014

DirectorGraham Annable, Anthony Stacchi

Writers:  Irena Brignull, Adam Pava, Alan Snow (novel)

Starring:  lle Fanning, Simon Pegg, Toni Collette

Synopsis:  A young orphaned boy raised by underground cave-dwelling trash collectors tries to save his friends from an evil exterminator. Based on the children’s novel ‘Here Be Monsters’ by Alan Snow.

The PositiveI am a rather large fan of stop-motion animated. Something about the look just appeals to me. No one is hotter right now in the stop-motion world than Laika studios, who have given us Coraline  and the criminally underrated Paranorman. Many have called them the next Pixar, and if The Boxtrolls  is just as good as their first two features that may in fact be true.

The NegativeThere have been a number of animation studios that have started off hot, but quickly cooled. Sometimes when you buy into your own hype your product can diminish. At this point there is no evidence that indicates to that being an issue with Laika, but the pessimistic and cynical side of me still tends to worry.

 

 

 

Gone Girl

9. Gone Girl

Release DateOctober 3, 2014

DirectorDavid Fincher

Writers:  Gillian Flynn

Starring:   Rosamund Pike, Ben Affleck, Missi Pyle

Synopsis:  A woman mysteriously disappears on the day of her wedding anniversary. Based on the novel, “Gone Girl.”

The PositiveApparently I do not read nearly enough because every movie based on a book comes from a novel I have not read. I have heard amazing things about Gone Girl  so apparently Fincher is working with great source material again, and anytime Fincher has a film coming out I will be there.

The NegativeGirl with a Dragon Tattoo  was somewhat of a disappointment, and based on the premise of Gone Girl  it feels like he is traveling on familiar ground. I greatly respect Ben Affleck as a director, but his acting leaves a lot to be desired.  With any luck Fincher will be able to get a great performance out of him.

 

 

 

Boyhood

8. Boyhood

Release DateTBD

DirectorRichard Linklater

Writers:  Richard Linklater

Starring:  Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke

Synopsis:  The film tells a story of a divorced couple (Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette) trying to raise their young son (Ellar Salmon). The story follows the boy for twelve years, from first grade at age 6 through 12th grade at age 17-18, and examines his relationship with his parents as he grows.

The PositiveThis film is literally twelve years in the making. Linklater filmed bit by bit over a twelve-year span and is finally releasing it this year. There have been similar projects like the Up  documentary series, and even Linklater’s own Before  series. Similarities aside in the history of cinema there is nothing quite like this.

The NegativePassion projects tend to go two ways. Either they are tremendous success stories on the power of passion, or massive disasters that implode due to their colossal construction. Boyhood could be looked at an ambitious project from a director trying to push the boundaries of cinema, or an elaborate gimmick and not much else. With Linklater my money is on the former.

 

 

 

7. How To Train Your Dragon 2

Release DateJune 13, 2014

DirectorDean DeBlois

Writers:  Cressida Cowell (novel), Dean DeBlois

Starring:  Jay Baruchel, Kristen Wiig, America Ferrera

Synopsis:  It has been five years since Hiccup and Toothless successfully united dragons and Vikings on the island of Berk. While Astrid, Snotlout and the rest of the gang are challenging each other to dragon races (the island’s new favorite contact sport), the now inseparable pair journey through the skies, charting unmapped territories and exploring new worlds. At the beginning, Hiccup is pressured by Stoick to start a family and become chief, but Hiccup rebels by flying away from Berk and exploring new lands. When one of their adventures leads to the discovery of a secret ice cave that is home to hundreds of new wild dragons and the mysterious Dragon Rider, the two friends find themselves at the center of a battle to protect the peace. Now, Hiccup and Toothless must unite to stand up for what they believe while recognizing that only together do they have the power to change the future of both men and dragons.

The PositiveHow To Train Your Dragon  was a huge surprise for me. I written Dreamworks off long ago so I  ignorantly ignored it until I randomly caught it at a drive-in. Quickly my opinion of the film changed as I became immersed in the world it created.  The teaser trailer they released last year was one of my favorite animated movies of the year. The flying mechanics are just memorizing to watch, and I can only imagine they have gotten even better.

The NegativeThere is always a danger with sequels when it comes to animated movies. In many occasions they have been so bad or gone on for so long the opinions of the original have suffered. At this point there is already a  How To Train Your Dragon  television series so is the sequel just another excuse to cash in?  Possibly.

 

 

 

6. Godzilla

Release DateMay 16th, 2014

DirectorGareth Edwards

Writers:  Max Borenstein (screenplay), Dave Callaham(story)

Starring:  Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Bryan Cranston

Synopsis:  A giant radioactive monster called Godzilla appears to wreak destruction on mankind.

The PositiveThe trailer for Godzilla   was one of the best of last year.  It announced itself to the world as a force to be reckoned with.  The scale of destruction is like something we have never seen. The cast is packed with legitimate talent.  This is only Gareth Edwards’s second feature film, but with his first film Monsters  he showed a skill in world building and creature design. That talent will surely come in handy.

The NegativeGareth Edwards is going from indie darling to big budget filmmaker. That transition has worked in the past, however it has also led to disaster—and not the good type of disaster we are hoping for in Godzilla. Low level directors tend to have no power and are easily controlled by the studio. Was this his vision or the vision he was told to give?

 

 

 5. Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Release DateApril 4, 2014

DirectorAnthony Russo, Joe Russo

Writers:  Christopher Markus , Stephen McFeely

Starring:  Chris Evans, Frank Grillo, Sebastian Stan

Synopsis:  Steve Rogers struggles to embrace his role in the modern world and battles a new threat from old history: the Soviet agent known as the Winter Soldier.

The PositiveThe Winter Solider arc is in the Holy Grail of comic book stories for me. In many ways it is what got me back into comics. Once the title was announced I was psyched for the possibilities, and when the trailer came out it only increased.  They seem to have an understanding of the internal conflict Captain America goes through when his past ideals are placed against today’s sensibilities.

The NegativeThe one item that worries me about Captain America: The Winter Soldier  is Winter Solder. His costume design makes him look like a rejected Mortal Kombat  character. Similar to Godzilla, directors Anthony Russo and  Joe Russo are coming in with little experience. They are coming from the land of television to high budget blockbuster. That is one large leap to make. I’m sure Marvel studios provided plenty of assistance to ease the journey.

 

 

 

 Foxcatcher

4. Foxcatcher

Release DateTBD

DirectorBennett Miller

Writers:  E. Max Frye, Dan Futterman

Starring:  Channing Tatum, Steve Carell, Sienna Miller

Synopsis:  The story of Olympic Wrestling Champion Mark Schultz and how paranoid schizophrenic John duPont killed his brother, Olympic Champion Dave Schultz.

The PositiveBennett Miller directed one of the best sports movies in the last twenty year with Moneyball, and also directed Phillip Seymour Hoffman to an Oscar with  Capote. Channing Tatum has made a turn from a one-note teen model to a legit star with movies like  21 Jump Street and  Magic Mike. This could possibly do for his career what Dallas Buyers Club  did for Matthew McConaughey.

The NegativeTatum has certainty improved; he just has not sold me yet as a complete dramatic actor. Even in Magic Mike  he felt stilted at times. This is another film that was original set for release in 2013 but was pushed again. Anytime that happens there is a little apprehension.

 

 

 

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3. Inherent Vice

Release DateTBD

DirectorPaul Thomas Anderson

Writers:   Paul Thomas Anderson (screenplay), Thomas Pynchon (novel)

Starring:   Jena Malone, Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon

Synopsis:  In Los Angeles in 1970, drug-fueled detective Larry “Doc” Sportello investigates the disappearance of a former girlfriend.

The PositivePaul Thomas Anderson is one of today’s best directors. There is no doubt about that. Anytime he is coming out with a film excitement will ensue for cinephiles everywhere.  He is a director that is always trying to push himself to new levels. I wait with steep anticipation as we wait to see what he will attempt to wow us with next.

The NegativeSometimes you can be a victim of your own greatness. Expectations are so high and simply meeting them is not enough for most people. With Paul Thomas Anderson good is not good enough.

 

 

 

2. Interstellar

Release DateNovember 7th, 2014

DirectorChristopher Nolan

Writers:  Jonathan Nolan, Christopher Nolan

Starring:  Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain

Synopsis:  A group of explorers make use of a newly discovered wormhole to surpass the limitations on human space travel and conquer the vast distances involved in an interstellar voyage.

The PositiveChristopher Nolan is this generations Steven Spielberg. He is one of the few directors who is critically adored and loved by general audiences as well. Now he is stepping away from the cape and cowl to take on the world of Science Fiction. Nolan has not done us wrong yet (haters on Dark Knight Rises aside), and with McConaughey, Hathaway, and Chastain behind him that trend is likely to keep.

The NegativeMany have criticized the teaser trailer as nothing more than an ad for NASA, and not something that gets them excited for a movie. Gravity  also redefined what you can do with a movie set in space. Did it steal some of Interstellar’s  thunder? I am sure Nolan has some tricks up his sleeve that will surprise us all.

 

 

 

 

1. X-Men: Days of Future Past

Release DateMay 23, 2014

DirectorBryan Singer

Writers:  Simon Kinberg (screenplay), Matthew Vaughn(story)

Starring:  Hugh Jackman, Michael Fassbender, Patrick Stewart

Synopsis:  The X-Men send Wolverine to the past in a desperate effort to change history and prevent an event that results in doom for both humans and mutants.

The PositiveSo who could beat the power of Christopher Nolan and Paul Thomas Anderson? Well Wolverine, Magneto, Professor Xavier, and the rest of both X-Men teams. I am a lover of the X-Men franchise. X2  and X-Men: First Class  rank has some of my all-time favorite comic book movies.  The acting talent involved with it reads like an Oscar contender.  Brian Singer coming back to the franchise he helped launch also bodes well. If anyone can do justice to the Days of Future Past  storyline it is him and this team.

The NegativeThis is a massive undertaking. It is like trying to do two Avengers movies as the same time while also throwing in a time travel story. This could be a story that is just too big for the big screen. The news of characters already being cut has caused some to worry that Singer bite off more than he could chew. Will he return the franchise to its former greantess or will it fall flatter than Wolverine: X-Men Origins. Please dear God, let that not be the case.

 

So those are the film I’m looking forward to this year. What are yours? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Dan Clark

A fan of all things comics, movies, books, and whatever else I can find that pass the time. Twitter: @DXO_Dan Instagram: Comic_concierge

2 Comments

  1. interesting choices… two I know I will not be seeing in theaters are the Leg-Ho movie and boxtrolls. hell I might not see Boxtrolls at all…. just doesn’t seem like something I’d enjoy.

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