Steph’s Most Anticipated Movies of 2013
First off, here are some honorable mentions: The Place Beyond the Pines, Man of Steel, The Wolf of Wall Street, Kick-Ass 2, Twelve Years a Slave, Iron Man 3, Ender’s Game, Thor: The Dark World, The Great Gatsby, After Earth, Inside Llewyn Davis, & Before Midnight. And let’s be honest, basically any other film that seems promising. Hit the jump for my my most anticipated movies of 2013.
10. SIDE EFFECTS – directed by Steven Soderbergh
Whether or not Side Effects will be the last feature film Soderbergh directs remains to be seen, but the film looks like it could be a great psychological thriller full of intrigue, murder, mystery, & romance. It’s also set within the pharmeceutical world so I can guarantee we’ll get some wonderful social commentary to go along with that. I’m also really looking forward to seeing Rooney Mara (with eyebrows!) in another leading role. Side Effects opens February 8.
9. STOKER – directed by Park Chan-wook
“From the visionary director of Oldboy” .. need I say more? Okay, I will. Park Chan-wook’s English feature film debut looks as bizarre as they come and I mean that in the best way possible. The trailers have been wonderfully creepy, beautifully stylized, and all around very impressive. They also hint at some very promising performances by Mia Wasikowska, Nicole Kidman & Matthew Goode. Stoker opens March 1.
8. THIS IS THE END – directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg
This Is the End brings a bunch of celebrities together — actors, comedians, musicians — for a party at James Franco’s house where they’re faced with the apocalypse. With everyone playing themselves (or “versions” of themselves) I think we’re in for an absolutely hilarious ride. This Is the End opens June 14.
7. ONLY GOD FORGIVES – directed by Nicholas Winding Refn
Nicholas Winding Refn & Ryan Gosling’s previous collaboration — Drive — resulted in one of the best films of the year and that pairing alone makes me incredibly excited to see this upcoming low-budget original crime drama. It’s also apparently even more violent than ‘Drive’ … Only God Forgives opens March 28.
6. OBLIVION – directed by Joseph Kosinksi
Tron: Legacy’s script was a bit of a mess but it did not disappoint in the visuals department. Oblivion’s trailer showed off the film’s massive scope and beautiful visuals even if it was a tad too revealing. It was shot in digital 4K resolution but will be remastered for an official IMAX release. Having M83 score the film was also another very inspired choice and I can’t wait to hear their tracks. Oblivion opens April 19.
5. THE WORLD’S END – directed by Edgar Wright
The World’s End is the third and final installment in the unofficial “Blood and Ice Cream Trilogy” (Hot Fuzz & Shaun of the Dead being the other two ) and I’m a huge fan of both of those films and Edgar Wright hasn’t missed a step yet. I love seeing Nick Frost and Simon Pegg on screen together and they’re joined by other wonderful actors like Martin Freeman, Eddie Marsan, Paddy Considine, & Rosamund Pike. The World’s End opens October 25.
4. ANCHORMAN: THE LEGEND CONTINUES – directed by Adam McKay
Anchorman is an absolute classic and to be able to see Ron Burgundy & co. together on screen once again is a dream come true. The film opens December 20.
3. STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS – directed by J.J. Abrams
I loved J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek (2009) — I’ve seen it roughly thirty times — and I truly can’t wait to revisit that world and see where he takes the franchise next. The prologue was fantastic and not even my disdain for post-converted 3D can diminish my enthusiasm for this one. Star Trek Into Darkness opens May 17.
2. ELYSIUM – directed by Neil Blomkamp
Neil Blomkamp’s first feature film District 9 was my favorite film of 2009 and remains one of my favorite films of all time. The bar has been set incredibly high but I have faith that Blomkamp will bring us another great original sci-fi with Elysium. I just hope we get to see a trailer soon. Elysium opens August 9.
1. GRAVITY – directed by Alfonso Cuaron
Gravity was my most anticipated film of 2012 but it was never released so it once again takes the number one spot as my most anticipated movie of the year. Cuaron’s last film ‘Children of Men’ is a near-perfect dystopian sci-fi film that I’ve never been able to get out of my head. While there’ve been no images or footage released from Gravity, we still know that it is going to be a must see for film fans everywhere. The opening sequence (uncut) is nearly twenty minutes long, it features 60% CGI, and stars only two actors. It’s an incredibly ambitious project and Guillermo Del Toro has already remarked that the film is “mindblowing” and that it pushes the boundaries of filmmaking. Gravity opens October 18.