What I'm Excited for in 2018
I just finished writing about all the movies (that I can remember) that I saw in 2017. I also like to predict how I'll feel about movies I'm looking forward to seeing during a given year. I did it in 2016 and 2017. So I'm doing it again for 2018!
Film:
Den of Thieves (January 19)
What I'm Expecting:
There's always that one story about comprimised cops and bad guys that I look forward to seeing each year. Luckily this one has the amazing 50 Cent in it! Liev's half brother? Pablo is great in everything I've seen him in including American Gods, plus O'Shea Jr. continues to prove he's great word to Ingrid Goes West! To say nothing of how enjoyable Gerard Butler can be. What I'm saying is I'm expecting to be truly entertained.
What Will Probably Happen:
The release date lets me know this will be less Training Day awards worthy and more a fun if not forgettable time at the movies.
Film:
Black Panther (February 16)
What I'm Expecting:
I'm expecting this to be the best film of 2018. So yeah, the stakes are high. I'm a Black Panther fan for many reasons, and Captain America: Civil War is one of those reasons. I'm looking forward to spending time with T'Challa in Wakanda with a bunch of great black actors! Check out what I first thought when I saw this trailer.
What Will Probably Happen:
If this was any other studio I'd assume that I'd be let down. But MCU delivers more times than not with me. So, this movie will probably be the best movie of 2018!
Film:
Annihilation (February 23)
What I'm Expecting:
I'm expecting the film to be better than what the trailer is trying to sell me. I loved Ex Machina, and I'm ready for another taught film by Alex Garland. The cast also features Tessa Thompson and Oscar Issac so I'm excited.
What Will Probably Happen:
I probably won't love this movie. It looks like it's going more Alien than contemplative sci-fi film.
Film:
A Wrinkle in Time (March 9)
What I'm Expecting:
Another instance of the movie being better than the trailer. Full disclosure, I don't know the book this is based on and I'm not going to look into it. I'm an Ava fan so I'm here for her next feature film. The cast is cool and I bet I'll love the world building.
What Will Probably Happen:
It's almost impossible for this movie to disappoint.
Film:
Gringo (March 9)
What I'm Expecting:
This will be a fun movie with another great David Oyelowo performance. Plus Charlize Theron is in it, so how bad could it really get?
What Will Probably Happen:
There's no way I'll like it as much as the trailer wants me to. I mostly feel this way becasue I saw this by surprise on IMDb one day instead of hearing about the development every step of the way like most of the movies on this list.
Film:
Tomb Raider (March 16)
What I'm Expecting:
I want to see it out of respect to Alicia Vikander. I wasn't big on the game growing up so there is no reserve of good will built up for this concept. Maybe it'll be cool to look at and not much more.
What Will Probably Happen:
Name three good video game adaptations... we all know how this movie will turn out.
Film:
Isle of Dogs (March 23)
What I'm Expecting:
I like Wes Anderson movies for the most part. Especially if they're animated so I'm all in for this movie. It should be noted that I honestly can't tell if this movie is problematic. I feel like Greta Gerwig and Scarlett Johansson will be playing Asian women so that's wrong right? Other wise I'm hoping this movie is good enough for me to ignore all that.
What Will Probably Happen:
If Fantastic Mr. Fox is anything to go off of, I'm going to like this movie. It'll just be about sidestepping all the think pieces about why Wes should be cancelled.
Film:
Ready Player One (March 30)
What I'm Expecting:
I have a weird relationship with Steven Spielberg. I don't think I like the movies by him that he wants me to. For example I think he should actually be proud of Hook. However, I'm nothing if not a pop culture junkie. Seems like this movie based on a book I won't ever read is made for me. Just try and pick out all the different references in this trailer... you can't. I stopped after Deathstroke, Voltron, DeLoreans, Joker, and Harley Quinn.
What Will Probably Happen:
I don't know if Steven will eschew all the geeky stuff I'd care about since he's not really into CBMs and the like. Could this be another BFG? Weird animation and not much else? Probably.
Film:
The New Mutants (April 13)
What I'm Expecting:
I like what Fox (now a division of Disney) has done outside of the main X-Men stories. So I assume this will be another risk that pays off even if this time we are getting into horror territory. Read my first reaction to this trailer here.
What Will Probably Happen:
Most people have rightly pointed out that this trailer just comes off like the movie will be a middle of the road horror film. Unfortunately, I can see that coming to pass.
Film:
Avengers: Infinity War (May 4)
What I'm Expecting:
In the Russo Brothers I trust. Which is to say, I didn't think it was the best trailer for the movie, and I still don't. Remember all the talk from SDCC '17? And then we get this trailer? Ok... But, who cares, this movie is going to be great!
What Will Probably Happen:
I just don't think I'll be disappointed. But I'm sure there will be The Last Jedi like reactions to this movie.
Film:
Solo: A Star Wars Story (May 25)
What I'm Expecting:
It'll be fine. I didn't love Rogue One but it was good enough. That seems to be what they're going for with this movie at least.
What Will Probably Happen:
I've made it clear what I think about the ousting of Lord & Miller. It's not that I think they were going to make the perfect movie. But they were an interesting choice for a movie that probably didn't need to be made. I don't think anyone will love this movie.
Film:
Untitled Deadpool Sequel (June 1)
What I'm Expecting:
More of what I liked from the first film. I love the casting of the new players and can't wait to see what happens next!
What Will Probably Happen:
Seriously I really liked the first movie. I can't imagine there would be a big enough drop off in quality for me to outright hate this movie.
Film:
Ocean's 8 (June 8)
What I'm Expecting:
The fact that they reused the opening gag from the first Ocean's trailer... don't look it up just trust me for once. I think it's safe to say that I'll like this movie enough as it is chasing the greatness of the first Clooney Ocean's movie. I will definitely be seeing this with Anne Hathaway enthusiast, Pauline, but I'll be there for Sandra Bullock! Even if we get into Ghostbusters (2016) territory I won't be mad at that. Although I don't think that will be the case here.
What Will Probably Happen:
Matt Damon's rumoured cameo will ruin the momentum of the movie for me. he skated by on Thor 3 by but he doesn't seem to be learning to be quiet on certain subjects and he's making it really hard for me to be happy when he shows up.
Film:
Incredibles 2 (June 15)
What I'm Expecting:
I like Brad Bird a lot. I haven't hated any of his movies yet. For that, and that alone I look forward to seeing this movie.
What Will Probably Happen:
I didn't think there was a reason to go back to this well. The story was told and everyone loved it. Let's just hope this is more Finding Dory than Cars/Monster's U if not a Toy Story 2 through 3.
Film:
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (June 22)
What I'm Expecting:
I didn't much care for Jurassic World. Which is to say it was ok but I didn't ever revisit it or care about it beyond recording the Spoiled Rotten episode about it. This trailer seems like I might actually feel stronger about his movie in a good way.
What Will Probably Happen:
It might even be worse than the original. Because then it'd be two in a row. I hope not though.
Film:
Ant-Man and the Wasp (July 6)
What I'm Expecting:
I actually think the proper introduction of The Wasp into this universe is what will get this property over the hump for me. I didn't really look forward to the first Ant-Man. But found myself trying to defend it after I saw it. It was a movie that knew what it wanted to accomplish and it did it. I was hoping Hope would get to suit up though. So here we are.
What Will Probably Happen:
Is T.I. still in this? If he isn't I'll be really upset!
Film:
Alita: Battle Angel (July 20)
What I'm Expecting:
I liked the trailer... then had to worry about Ghost in the Shell type tings. Why does she have the anime eyes??? I think I'll be able to enjoy this film visually though. Maybe I just saw this trailer around the weird graphics in Justice League.
What Will Probably Happen:
There's a good chance this movie won't deliver on anything but inspiration for think pieces on the problematic use of anime eyes. I really thought it was cool that a Latinx (is that right?) was cast in the lead but now I don't know how to feel.
Film:
Robin Hood (September 21)
What I'm Expecting:
I have yet to see a weak Taron Egerton performance. Plus I really like Jamie Foxx and the idea of Robin Hood so I choose to be excited about this unnecessary film.
What Will Probably Happen:
I will genuinely be surprised if I actually like this movie. I am excited to see the cast, but, c'mon who's trying to see another Robin Hood film? I didn't see the King Arthur movie but some people said it was fun so that's an option here too.
Film:
Venom (October 5)
What I'm Expecting:
All you had to say was Tom Hardy was playing Eddie Brock Venom. I'm excited and expecting another cool and unique performance from Mr. Hardy.
What Will Probably Happen:
The fact that it's not connected to Tom Holland's world is a hindrance to be sure. But the cast and director are interesting enough for me to assume we are going to get a middle of the road film at the worst.
Film:
X-Men: Dark Phoenix (November 2)
What I'm Expecting:
I thought I liked Apocalypse mostly because of the almost cartoon accurate suits we got at the end. Turns out it's not that great and there's no reason to think this movie will be better. However, I have to watch all these CBMs or else what are we all here for?
What Will Probably Happen:
I think this whole Disney acquiring most of Fox stuff will lead to less emphasis on this movie being good since a reboot is nigh. I mean other than the clear reboot they're trying to do with these movies already.
Film:
Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2 (November 21)
What I'm Expecting:
Unlike Incredibles, I would gladly visit Ralph's world again. It actually lends itself to different kinds of stories to be told based on people's love for different kinds of video games. I know that this could go south very easily, but let me stay positive about this and say I genuinely think that a sequel to THIS particular Disney movie can work.
What Will Probably Happen:
Film:
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (December 14)
What I'm Expecting:
What a time to be alive! Two black super hero movies in one year and they look legitimately good. Check out what I thought when I first saw this trailer. This is going to be all sorts of cool.
What Will Probably Happen:
I can't foresee anything but rave reviews after I see this.
Film:
Aquaman (December 21)
What I'm Expecting:
I shouldn't judge Aquaman and his world based on how he was treated in Justice League... that movie was a mess. But it didn't instil much hope in me for a solo film. The good news is James Wan seems like he's got something cool on his hands. If it were me, I'd let everyone else see some signs of that... but hey no one is paying me to direct movies about some of the greatest characters ever.
What Will Probably Happen:
It'll be as good as one of the first two Thor movies.
Film:
Bohemian Rhapsody (December 25)
What I'm Expecting:
Oh good they had a director switch in the middle of production! Good news is I liked Eddie the Eagle, so the director stepping in is good with me. Plus I genuinely like biopics about musicians. So this could be good anyway.
What Will Probably Happen:
I couldn't finish I saw the Light, I wasn't that happy about All Eyez on Me, and, if we're counting I'm Not There then I suppose me liking a biopic about a musician isn't a sure thing.
Film:
Backseat (TBD)
What I'm Expecting:
I loved Adam McKay's The Big Short, and I'm fascinated with Christian Bale's choices since he played Batman once and now I have to follow his career forever more. I also appreciate the casting of Sam Rockwell as George W. I hope the movie actually comes out this year and that a trailer is coming soon. If so then we're looking at another contender for best film of the year.
What Will Probably Happen:
I always like movies like this plus the director doesn't really miss as far as I'm concerned.
Film:
The Irishman (TBD)
What I'm Expecting:
Scorsese and Bobby D are back at it? Sign me up. I'll even accept Al Pacino in there. I haven't even read what this movie is about, I just want to see it because it has Robert DeNiro reuniting with Martin Scorsese. If that doesn't get you excited, I don't know what to tell you.
What Will Probably Happen:
It is weird that this movie is coming out on Netflix. Seems to me that this movie should be released in theatres but whatever. Also has anyone liked a Robert DeNiro and Al Pacinio movie since Heat? They have done great stuff separately but together... I guess I'm prepared to be disappointed.
-YG