2014 MOVIE PREVIEW: WHAT TO WATCH
2015 maybe the year of blockbuster, what with a new Star Wars film being released, The Avengers sequel and a Batman/Superman crossover set to hit the big screen two years from now, but that doesn’t mean film fans can’t get hyped for what 2014 has in store for us. Here are the top 10 movies fans should be excited about in 2014.
10. Guardians of the Galaxy
Release Date: August 1
Directed by James Gunn
Starring: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel
Why you should be excited:
Marvel Films has been a steady force in the film business since 2008 with Iron Man, delivering some of the best popcorn movies over the last couple years and this new film in The Avengers cannon should be no different. Based off the popular comic book, Guardians of the Galaxy will be a much more sci-fi oriented twist on the series that I’m sure will appeal to the Doctor Who fans out there and with enough comedy in it to entertain both the hardcore comic book nerds and audiences alike. With the hilarious Christopher Pratt tabbed in for the lead role as Star-Lord, the movie should be another hit amongst fans of Marvel Films.
9. The Hobbit: There and Back Again
Release Date: December 17
Directed by Peter Jackson
Starring: Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Benedict Cumberbatch and Ian McKellan
Why you should be excited:
While Peter Jackson’s first two movies in his return to Middle Earth pale in comparison to his The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Hobbit has been a mostly enjoyable film series despite the filler and needless over use of cgi. With the new trilogy set to close next December fans should come out to see how the final film ends and witness perhaps Jackson’s last venture into the Tolkien universe.
8. 22 Jump Street
Release Date: June 13
Directed by Phil Lord
Starring: Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Ice Cube
Why you should be excited:
Fans of 2012’s comedy hit should be chomping at the bit for 2014’s sequel. The hilarious pairing of Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill return for what promises to be another comedic romp through the FBI and this time they find themselves in college. Beer drinking, frat partying and other insanities await in what should be a promising return to school for Hill and Tatum.
7. Sin City: A Dame to Kill for
Release Date: August 22
Directed by Robert Rodriguez
Starring: Josh Brolin, Jessica Alba, Mickey Rourke, Jaimie Chung
Why you should be excited:
While this sequel may feel nine years too late, fans of the popular 2004 film should be pretty pumped for Rodriguez’s return to Sin City. The story takes place prior to the events of the first film detailing four new stories in the film’s cannon. The first film was a visual treat, with great visual styling and bloody action violence that kept the film true to its roots. A Dame to Kill for promises to continue that pulpy fun from the first with plenty of more violence and visual spectacle to keep fans and movie-goers entertained.
6. X-men: Days of Future’s Past
Release Date: May 23
Directed by Bryan Singer
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Peter Dinklage
Why you should be excited:
Day’s of Future’s Past is an interesting movie that could either make or break X-men in 2014. It has the potential, with its star studded cast, original X-men director Bryan Singer and nostalgia to be the best Marvel of all-time or possibly the worst with its perhaps bloated cast and crazy storyline about time travel. Nonetheless a chance to see the X-men characters from the original series and 2011’s First Class generation join together on the big screen should be a good enough reason to come out to movies whether it’s epic comic book adventure or a glorious mess. Regardless X-men fans should be interested in this movie.
5. How to Train Your Dragon 2
Release Date: June 13
Directed by Dean DeBloise
Starring: Jay Baruchel, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Kristen Wig
DreamWorks has steadily become the new leading producer in children’s animated films over the years, after a couple of forgettable romps by Pixar (Cars 2, Brave, Planes) and 2010’s classic How to Train Your Dragon is a big reason why. Movie-goers looking to get a break from the super hero films during the summer should definitely keep this sequel penciled in on their calendar. It may be a kids movie but the first film was so enjoyable for all ages that it shouldn’t stop even the most uptight adults from going out to see it. Expect another solid outing from DreamWorks in this sequel when it releases this June.
4. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Release Date: April 4
Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo
Starring: Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansen, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Redford
Why you should be excited:
Before all the previous films on this list come out, perhaps the first Avenger will be the first great popcorn flick of year when it releases this April. The ninth film in The Avengers canon looks to take on a darker tone from the previous films as it based off the famous Winter Soldier story arc in the Marvel comics universe. Chris Evans has proven to be a more than solid Captain America through two films in The Avengers series so far and his next film looks to build on that. Be ready to suit up when this red, white and blue hero returns to the big screen in April.
3. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Release Date: July 11
Directed by: Matt Reeves
Starring: Andy Serkis, Keri Russel, Jason Clarke
Why you should be excited:
Rise of the Planet of the Apes came out of nowhere to become one of 2011’s best movies and the intriguing new sequel appears to be building upon the momentum created in the first film. Andy Serkis appears to be doing more than just the motion capture with the ape known as Caesar in this movie and will now be more heavily featured in the sequel. The first film was solid mixture of science fiction, action and dark undertones and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes will likely have this and more when it releases this summer.
2. Interstellar
Release Date: November 7
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Michael Caine
Why you should be excited:
If you are a fan of Christopher Nolan you don’t really need an explanation to see this movie. After finally completing his Dark Knight trilogy, Nolan will release his first post-Batman film this fall in Interstellar. Based off of real scientific theories, the story revolves around the mind-bending nature of worm holes in what is sure to be a science fiction epic. It may not be Gotham city anymore but fan of Nolan’s work should nonetheless turn out in droves for this new film.
1. Godzilla
Release date: May 16
Directed by Gareth Edwards
Starring: Aaron Taylor Johnson, Bryan Cranston, Elizabeth Olsen, Ken Watanabe
Why you should be excited:
I admit I’m a bit biased here as I’m a huge Godzilla and monster movie fan but outsiders need not worry, this film has potential to be the very best and biggest blockbuster of the year and we aren’t talking about Godzilla’s massive size here. Fans of the famous atomic-breathing giant-lizard should have faith in the King of Monsters latest incarnation as Edwards is a self-proclaimed G-fan himself and promises to remain faithful to Godzilla’s darker origins. The most heavily promoted film at this past year’s Comic-Con has already generated a considerable amount of buzz since its first trailer and monster movie fans are already frothing at the mouth for its release. The titanic kaiju makes his return to the big screen this May and monster movie fans will definitely be lining up for its midnight release. Hail to the King, baby!
