What I'm Excited for in 2017
I told you what I liked last year. Now it's the time of year where I tell you what I'm looking forward to seeing. I'll let you know why I want to see the movie then guess at what will actually happen after I see the movie. It's a fun way to plot out my year and a great way for you to be distracted from whatever it is you were supposed to be doing.
Film:
The Founder (January 20)
What I'm Expecting:
This movie is going to feature another great performance from Michael Keaton and also give me some background on one of the best places on earth, McDonald's!!!
What Will Probably Happen:
Given the January date, something went wrong here and it's probably not the best movie it could be. I'll most likely look past that and just enjoy the ride.
Film:
The Lego Batman Movie (February 10)
What I'm Expecting:
Contrary to popular belief, this movie isn't on the list because of Batman. I actually didn't much care for the Batman characterization in The Lego Movie, but I loved The Lego Movie, and I think they've got a dope cast here. Including Billy Dee Williams finally getting to play Two-Face! I feel like this movie will have some great jokes and probably a cool original song.
What Will Probably Happen:
Will I start to enjoy this interpretation of Batman? Who knows but it's more work for GOB and George Michael Bluth so that can't be all bad.
Film:
Get Out (February 24)
What I'm Expecting:
Last year I experimented with watching movies that bordered on horror. This movie is mistakenly seen as a comedy based on the outlandish premise, however, Jordan Peele, a site favourite here, has confirmed this is an out and out horror film. So I expect to have this be the first Horror film I actually see in theatres and enjoy based on the talent behind the camera and in front of the camera.
What Will Probably Happen:
I don't see this movie changing my mind about the genre. I'll most likely feel uncomfortable throughout the film and wish I didn't go and miss whatever it is that makes these types of movies great.
Film:
Logan (March 3)
What I'm Expecting:
I'm expecting to say goodbye to one of the most consistent characters in cinematic super hero history. I don't care about the actual movies, Hugh Jackman as Wolverine has been straight money every single time he's been on screen. I'm not that excited by this movie, or the trailer but I'm down for one last time with Mr. Jackman!
What Will Probably Happen:
I won't like this movie. I just finished reading what's supposed to happen in Old Man Logan and this movie can try all it wants but it won't be Old Man Logan. Part of what I like about the X-Men is how all the characters interact with each other. I'm not really up for watching Logan and Charles to be the only Mutants I know on screen.
Film:
Kong: Skull Island (March 10)
What I'm Expecting:
I'm expecting to finally like a King Kong film based on this amazing cast. The first trailer was aiight, but this second one brought the goods and confirmed everything I suspected about tone. I just want this movie to be fun and action packed.
What Will Probably Happen:
The moment I get a sniff of the filmmakers trying to pull some poetic Haiku meditation about nature and man, I'm going to revolt! Chances are this movie can't live up to the hype I've already created in my head but it's gotta be pretty good right?
Film:
Free Fire (March 17)
What I'm Expecting:
I love Snatch and Rock N' Rolla... I need this movie to be the 2017 version of those movies. Violent funny fun with dope actors! It might just be the way the trailer is cut but the moment that Armie Hammer says "here we go! Now we're cooking!" after getting shot is all the indication I need that this movie will sit well with me.
What Will Probably Happen:
There's a good chance this could be the 2017 version of Smokin' Aces... aka horrible. I guess I'll settle for something in the middle.
Film:
Power Rangers (March 24)
What I'm Expecting:
I just want the five rangers to be cool. There is a very low bar to get over as far as I'm concerned. Last year I started watching the original show on Netflix again and I still liked it. Member Berries are awesome! I like the casting of the rangers, it's diverse and seems realistic and no one has to worry because the white guy is still in charge! I just want to see the cool fight scenes and teen angst.
What Will Probably Happen:
This has Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot written all over it. No one seems to be liking the design of everything but the rangers and it is Power Rangers at the end of the day. A property that was popular for a specific age group due to violence and not much else.
Film:
Gifted (April 12)
What I'm Expecting:
You thought this was going to be mostly blockbusters... and you ain't wrong! However, I feel bad for throwing my boy Marc Webb under the bus during the Christmas episode of my podcast. He does have a new movie out with the reliable Chris Evans, always interesting Jenny Slate, and Octavia Spencer helping white people again! This could be as good as 500 Days of Summer.
What Will Probably Happen:
The kid will be a bit too precocious for me. However, I'll feel like there is enough emotional moments for this to be a worthwhile watch.
Film:
The Fate of the Furious (April 14)
What I'm Expecting:
I'm not joking when I say I like these movies! Ever since number 5 they've found a reason for me to be excited to see these movies and this time it's Dom finally going against the family. I legitimately want to know how they pull that off. I'm pretty sure that, in addition to Charlize Theron, Helen Mirren is in this and it's directed by F. Gary Gray so that's another layer of anticipation.
What Will Probably Happen:
I will enjoy the fact that this movie yet again ignores science and cars fly across the screen, people make impossible jumps and we get The Rock for more than a couple of scenes!
Film:
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (May 5)
What I'm Expecting:
Speaking of dope Vin Diesel movies, it's GoTG Vol.2 in the house! They're doubling down on the Groot humour and I'm all in, baby! And yes that is Vin doing the voice again. Anyone who watches South Park or the Chipmunks movies (that's Justin Long as Alvin) can appreciate how the voice gets like that. The trailers of the first movie turned me into a fan and the trailers for this movie have kept me on board so I assume I'm in for a treat yet again.
What Will Probably Happen:
My experience will be ruined by wondering if this movie is better than the first or worrying that I'm not being hard enough on the movie.
Film:
Alien: Covenant (May 19)
What I'm Expecting:
I like Alien and Aliens. I did not like Prometheus, but, this looks more Alien than Prometheus so I guess I'm going to see another horror film in theatres this year. The cast is dope and it features Michael Fassbender again so I'm pretty much obligated to see it.
What Will Probably Happen:
I can't tell if I don't like Ridley Scott or not. I like Alien, Blade Runner, Gladiator, Body of Lies, and The Martian, but that's it and I don't think that's the best track record for such a prolific director. There's a good chance this will fall into a great looking movie I'm frustrated with.
Film:
Wonder Woman (June 2)
What I'm Expecting:
It looks amazing. As in the visuals are pleasing. I can't tell if this will actually be a good movie. I've never been that big of a Wonder Woman fan, but ever since Fast 5, I've been a Gal Gadot fan and she was great in BvS! I should be more excited than I am, I suppose.
What Will Probably Happen:
I'll defend the movie because that's what I do with troubled super hero movies, but I probably will have issues with it since DC and Warner Brothers seem dedicated to overthinking their properties.
Film:
Spider-Man: Homecoming (July 7)
What I'm Expecting:
This will blow me away. Plain and simple! I don't know if you know this, but Captain America: Civil War was my favourite movie of 2016. Tom Holland's Spider-Man/Peter Parker was great in it and I think, once again, the realistic diversity of the cast helps! Hannibal Burress, Donald Glover, and Bokeem Woodbine? Michael Keaton living long enough to see himself become the villain? Zendaya killing her one scene in the trailer? I'm IN let's do this already!
What Will Probably Happen:
I'll like the movie overall but wish either Hannibal, Donald, or Bokeem didn't get most of his scenes cut.
Film:
Dunkirk (July 21)
What I'm Expecting:
I'm expecting to like this movie as much as Interstellar. Which is to say, I'll get what's good about it while understanding it's just not for me. I'm not a war movie fan overall. Also, this seems like a straight forward story that won't allow Chirs to do his normal non-Batman related topsy turvy story telling.
What Will Probably Happen:
I like it more than I thought because Christopher Nolan is a genius? I think the trailers and the IMAX presentation in front of Rogue One have prepared me for knowing exactly how I'll feel about this movie.
Film:
Baby Driver (August 11)
What I'm Expecting:
I don't know what's going on in this movie beyond what IMDb tells me but I expect typical Edgar Wright genius. However, this time, there will be black people and Jon Hamm!
What Will Probably Happen:
It'll be my 4th favourite Edgar Wright movie which isn't too shabby!
Film:
Kingsman: The Golden Circle (October 6)
What I'm Expecting:
I loved the first movie more than I thought I would. So maybe I'll just like this movie as much as I thought I'd like the first one... which is a lot! However, there is the case of Kick-Ass 2... which was, granted, not Mathew Vaughn directed... but still a sequel to a movie that probably didn't need one.
What Will Probably Happen:
It's kind of worrisome that no new news has come out about this movie. Let's just hope they're keeping to themselves and making the best movie possible with no interruptions.
Film:
Blade Runner 2049 (October 6)
What I'm Expecting:
I'm expecting to like this movie better than the original. As we know, I'm a Denis Villneuve fan. He didn't disappoint with Arrival last year and he might even keep his Jared Leto performance in this movie. Jk Jk, I don't care about Jared! If Force Awakens was any indication, it would appear that Harrison is up for killing it in anything he comes back to decades later that isn't called Indiana Jones (even then, that movie's problems were beyond any one performance).
What Will Probably Happen:
I'm afraid Ryan Gosling will turn off the charm for this movie and get all broody. So let's hope the rest of the cast can pick up the slack. I can't see not liking this movie. Maybe I just won't like it better than the original.
Film:
Thor: Ragnarok (November 3)
What I'm Expecting:
I can't imagine not liking a Taika Watiti movie. So it's like Marvel knew I was thinking, Thor 3? More like Bore 3... amirite?! HIGH FIVE!!! Then went out and got the one name that would guarentee that I look forward to another Thor movie! I think at this point, Marvel also recognizes that these solo movies don't have to exclude other heroes. Hence Hulk and Doctor Strange getting in on the fun. This might be my favourite super hero movie of the year.
What Will Probably Happen:
Thor hasn't had a good track record for me. However, it seems like they're pulling a Civil War and loading up on great characters and relationships for this movie so it'll definitely be my favourite Thor movie if nothing else.
Film:
Justice League (November 17)
What I'm Expecting:
I'm going to like this movie. Boy did I get it wrong with Suicide Squad in terms of how people would react, but I'm just going to talk for myself on this one. Barry Allen seems all kind of fun in this movie. Check how Bruce looks hopeful when Barry agrees to join mid pitch! He's going to be infectious with his optimism. That's what these movies need. You'd think Superman would bring the hope but they "killed" him so...
What Will Probably Happen:
I'm going to have the same problems with it as I did with BvS realistically. Zack seems hellbent on taking cool ideas he saw in panels and just throwing them on screen even though it's detrimental to the overall movie. I can't stress this enough though, I'm not a Superman fan but it sucks what they did to Henry Cavill's Superman so shoehorning him into this movie in the last act will definitely throw things off the rail for me.
Film:
Darkest Hour (November 24)
What I'm Expecting:
I just need to see this picture and realise that Gary Oldman is the best! I'm pretty sure I saw Ben Mendhelson in the cast too so it really doesn't matter that I haven't seen a trailer for this movie. I'm on board!
What Will Probably Happen:
There's a good chance I'll get Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy'd on this one and see a great movie on screen that is a bit too stiff upper-lipped for my tastes! However it could be The King's Speech from Churchill's point of view and I could be fine with that.
Film:
Star Wars: Episode VIII (December 15)
What I'm Expecting:
I was pretty spot on for how I was going to feel about Rogue One last year except everyone else loved it and I liked it better than I thought I would while still having the same issues I wrote about. I have so much good faith with Rey, Finn, and Poe going into episode 8 that I don't see myself disliking this film. I am going to be sad during the Princess Leia scenes though.
What Will Probably Happen:
I can't call this. I doubt I'll like it as much as Force Awakens because now I have expectations.
Film:
Battle of the Sexes (TBD)
What I'm Expecting:
I just like these actors. There isn't even a guarentee this movie will come out this year. As IMDb says, it's just scheduled for 2017... we'll see. Maybe I just wanted to show off about knowing this movie ahead of time.
What Will Probably Happen:
It'll be out in that weird limited christmas time run at Varsity then get wide release in January and it'll be fine.
-YG