Most Anticipated Movies of 2016

50) Star Trek Beyond

Director: Justin Lin   Cast: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, Anton Yelchin, John Cho, Sofia Boutella, And Idris Elba.

Now that J.J. Abrams has decided to become an integral part of the Star Wars franchise, Justin Lin (of the Fast and the Furious movies) has taken up his place as the director of the next Star Trek. Abrams will still be involved creatively, serving as an executive producer of the film, but it will be very interesting to see what direction Lin steers the franchise. The last installment, Into Darkness, was a bit of a disappointment, mainly because the crew of the Enterprise was being used as a military function for the story; instead of seeing them as the explorers and pioneers that made the original series so enduring. According to the cast and crew, though, we'll finally get to see that aspect revitalized as the crew begins their long-awaited journey into deep, uncharted space. Apart from that, most of the plot is being kept under tight wraps, but if the film can live up to its ideal of going back to those basics, then this is sure to be something worth checking out. One thing is certain: Lin should be able to offer up some really thrilling and inventive action sequences, given his experience with the Fast and the Furious films. The addition of Idris Elba to the top-notch cast is only an added bonus.

Release Date: July 22nd

    

49) Paterson

Director: Jim Jarmusch   Cast: Adam Driver, Golshifteh Farahani, Frank Harts, Trevor Parham, Brian McCarthy, Troy T. Parham, and Kara Hayward.

Any new film from Jim Jarmusch is going to have my interest, especially after how much I adored his last movie, Only Lovers Left Alive. The fact that his latest puts Adam Driver up front and center as the lead has me even more excited; clearly people are starting to realize this guy's talent as an actor and that he deserves a role with more weight and depth. Having the lead role in a Jim Jarmusch film could provide him with the kind of showcase that gets major notices from the critics for his work. All that's known so far about the story is that its set in Paterson, New Jersey, and centers on a bus driver and poet. Jarmusch is pretty popular at Cannes, so I imagine people will get their first look at it there.

Release: Hopefully this Fall.

48) Things to Come

Director: Mia Hansen-Love   Cast: Isabelle Huppert, Andre Marcon, Roman Kolinka, Edith Scob, Sarah Le Picard, Solal Forte, and Marion Ploquin.
I have yet to see any of Mia Hansen-Love's films, however, from all accounts I've read and heard, she is a strong rising talent behind the camera. Her most recent film, Eden, which was met with a great deal of praise last year from critics, is very high on my list and I'll finally be catching it next week. In the director's latest film, Isabelle Huppert will be taking center stage as a woman devoted to her family and job, whose life is dramatically upheaved when her husband announces he's leaving her for another woman. With this life-altering change thrust upon her, she decides to reinvent herself and discover a new sense of purpose. I absolutely love the idea of Huppert in a lead role, and I'm intrigued enough by Love's growing reputation as a director to be excited for this. Hopefully, Eden doesn't change my mind.
Release: I'm predicting a Cannes debut, with a subsequent release this Summer or Fall.

47) Independence Day: Resurgence

Director: Roland Emmerich   Cast: Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, Liam Hemsworth, Jessie Usher, Maika Monroe, Sela Ward, Judd Hirsch, Joey King, Vivica A. Fox, Brent Spiner, and Charlotte Gainsbourg.

I feel like this sequel has been a long time coming, and I'm still not entirely sure whether I have any good reason to be excited other then my inner kid is literally geeking out! However, that trailer that premiered during the NFL Halftime commercials was enough to make anyone who enjoyed the 1996 blockbuster jump up and down, and its mainly for this reason I'm so pumped. It isn't often that a trailer rouses me enough to look past a director's flaws, especially if those flaws include 10,000 B.C. and 2012 (and that's just to name a few.) But the trailer for Resurgence has proved to be a pleasant contradiction to that norm, and I really hope Roland can push past the corniness to deliver something thoroughly entertaining that makes me forget any ridiculous aspects the film might have. Also, I'm really glad to see Maika Monroe's star power rising after under-the-radar hits like The Guest and It Follows (both of which I loved.) 

Release: June 24th

46) Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Director: Gareth Edwards   Cast: Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Riz Ahmed, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen, Jiang Wen, Forest Whitaker, Mads Mikkelsen, Alan Tudyk, and Jonathan Aris.

Last year's addition to the Star Wars franchise may not have been able to meet the lofty expectations of everyone, however, there's very good reason to be exponentially more excited for this installment. For starters, there's the surprisingly unique and refreshing premise of the story, which doesn't delve into uniform sequel/prequel territory, but instead focuses on an event that was only briefly mentioned in the original trilogy. Set in the wake of the Galactic Empire, the story follows a group of rebel fighters who embark on a heroic, but ultimately doomed mission to steal the plans for the Deathstar weapon that the Emperor will use to enforce his rule. Inflating this small piece of the Star Wars mythology to these kinds of epic proportions is one of the most daring and original things I've ever seen from a major studio franchise. With a host of characters that are complete unknowns and a story no one would have thought to explore, I'm surprised (in the best sense of the word) that the project was greenlit to begin with. Having an excellent cast doesn't hurt either, and Rogue One has an incredibly diverse list of talent in the main roles; led by Oscar-nominee Felicity Jones, who is quickly becoming one of this generation's best (and biggest) names in Hollywood. Throw in director Gareth Edwards, who made a stunning debut with Monsters and a solid disaster epic with Godzilla, and you have one of the most interesting and hotly anticipated blockbusters of the year!
Release: December 16th

45) Zootopia

Directors: Byron Howard, Rich Moore, and Jared Bush   Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, J.K. Simmons, Jenny Slate, Octavia Spencer, Bonnie Hunt, and Shakira.

I've said it before, but I'll say it again: Disney is back! After a dry spell of lackluster releases, the studio finally brought their A-game and made a full comeback with Tangled, and since then we've had Wreck it Ralph, Big Hero 6, and of course, Frozen. The studio is at it again this Spring (with one of the directors of Tangled no less) to deliver a comedy that takes place in a New York City-esque metropolis, occupied by a colorful myriad of animals. The story follows a rookie cop who teams up with a con artist fox to uncover a local conspiracy within the city. Everything about the movie, from the trailers to the casting choices in voice talent , suggests something in the vein of Wreck it Ralph, so I have a feeling this will be one of the studio's funniest offerings in the last decade.

Release: March 4th

44) HHHH

Director: Cedric Jimenez   Cast: Rosamund Pike, Jason Clarke, Jack O'Connell, Mia Wasikowska, Jack Reynor, Thomas M. Wright, Enzo Cilenti, Geoff Bell, Volker Bruch, and Jim Sturgeon.

I haven't yet seen The Connection, Jimenez's remake of The French Connection, which was met last year with approbation from the critics, but its the cast and story here that have my fullest attention. In 1942 when The Third Reich is at its peak, the Czech resistance in London enlists two young recruits to carry out the most ambitious military operation of WWII. The project is called, Anthropoid, and the mission is to assassinate the most ruthless leader of the Nazi regime: Reich-protector Reinhard Heydrich, Head of the SS, the Gestapo, and the architect of the "Final Solution."

Release: Cannes is probable, but a Venice Film Fest premiere feels more likely; I imagine after that it will get a U.S. release in either September or October.

43) Sing Street

Director: John Carney   Cast: Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Lucy Boynton, Ben Carolan, Mark McKenna, Percy Chamburuka, Conor Hamilton, Karl Rice, Ian Kenny, Kelly Thornton, Jack Reynor, Maria Doyle Kennedy, and Aidan Gillen.

There was no way that Begin Again, Carney's last directorial effort, could ever measure up to his stunning and magical debut Once; the movie bore so many resemblances to his first film that it could basically be considered a New York-set remake with more popular actors and new music. It was probably a studio decision that was made to see if he could strike gold twice by capitalizing on the same formula that worked so well the first time. However, Sing Street both looks and feels like it could come closer to recapturing that same magic that was found almost ten years ago in Once. Carney returns to an Ireland setting to tell the story of a teenage boy who forms a rock band to impress a girl. Like his debut, the film stars a cast of mostly unknown actors, and Carney has said that the story is loosely based on his own life and childhood experiences with discovering music. This sounds like more of a tune I can whistle to.

Release: The film was was already met with love this year at Sundance, and with a UK release next month, I'm sure its only a matter of time before the movie hits US theaters.

42) Evolution

Directors: Lucile Hadzihalilovic   Cast: Max Brebant, Roxane Duran, Julie-Marie Parmentier, Mathieu Goldfeld, and Nissim Renard.
On a remote island, a young boy is raised in a village made up entirely up women and other boys. The discovery of a dead body in the ocean leads to a string of clues that bring him to a strange hospital where nightmarish activities take place, and he soon begins to question not just his surroundings and the women in the village, but also his very existence. This is the premise to Evolution, which was met with praise last year at the Toronto Film Fest where it was declared a must-see for lovers of sci-fi and horror. It's also one of the most striking and intriguing premises I've seen for a film in 2016. The only reason it isn't higher on this list is because Hadzihalilovic is a fairly new talent on the film scene and I'm not familiar with her previous work. All that aside, it sounds brilliant!
Release: Sometime in April

41) Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Director: David Yates   Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Alison Sudol, Dan Fogler, Samantha Morton, Ezra Miller, Colin Farrell, Faith Wood-Blagrove, Carmen Ejogo, Jon Voight, and Ron Perlman.

We had to know deep down that J.K. Rowling couldn't abandon the Potter universe forever, even though she frequently stated that she could guarantee no promises after finishing the initial seven books. However, that only made us more ecstatic and surprised when she announced she would be returning to the wizarding world this year with, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Inspired by the Hogwarts textbook that Rowling wrote as a sort of spin-off to the Potter series, the story marks the debut of J.K. Rowling's first written screenplay for a film! The new installment follows the adventures of Newt Scamander, a Ministry of Magic employee who possesses a briefcase that has been magically expanded inside to house rare and endangered creatures from the wizarding world. When the creatures escape from their confines, it triggers a series of events that pose a threat to both the magical and non-magical communities. Fantastic Beasts hosts a FANTASTIC cast, and I'm very excited to see the results of Rowling's first ever screenplay. If the brilliant writer can pull this off, then she really is the cleverest witch of her age.

Release: November 18th

41) X-Men: Apocalypse

Director: Bryan Singer   Cast: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Oscar Isaac, Nicholas Hoult, Rose Byrne, Tye Sheridan, Sophie Turner, Olivia Munn, Lucas till, Alexandra Shipp, Evan Peters, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Ben Hardy, Lana Condor, and Josh Helman.
Bryan Singer returned to the X-Men with Days of Future Past and proved he's still the best at handling this universe and its characters. The Apocalypse story line could be the most ambitious yet, and I can't wait to see the director's execution of the material. But what probably has me the most excited for this movie is Oscar Isaac playing the primary villain. This actor hasn't miss-stepped once, even in the disaster Sucker Punch he was the only thing good, and I'm positive he'll deliver one of the series' most memorable protagonists. The new film also features some other exciting new talent to the franchise as well- with Sophie Turner (Game of Thrones) as a young Jean Grey, Tye Sheridan (Mud) as a young Cyclops, and Kodi Smit-Mcphee (The Road) as a young Nightcrawler; all promising young talent that are about to get a whole lot more famous after this.
Release: May 27th

40) Moana

Directors: Ron Clements and John Musker   Cast: Auli'i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, and Alan Tudyk.

As I mentioned earlier with Zootopia, Disney has gone through a complete turnover since Tangled and they acquired Pixar VP John Lasseter to produce their future films. Lasseter returns again this year for both Zootopia and Moana, but what makes the latter stand out a bit more is the pedigree of its directors. Disney legends Clements and Musker are known for their work on The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Hercules, and the two of them haven't been creatively involved in anything from the studio since The Princess and the Frog. With Lasseter producing, Moana could be a major return to form for the duo, as well as the potential to be the greatest offering from the studio in years (possibly outshining even Frozen and Tangled.) The race for Best Animated Film at the 2017 Oscars should be the most interesting and competitive its been in a long time. 

Release: November 23rd

39) The Woods

Director: Adam Wingard   Cast: Unknown 

Director Adam Wingard and his writing collaborator Simon Barrett (pictured above) must realize that their popularity is rising after their last two hits, You're Next and The Guest, which is probably why the details surrounding their latest movie (including the cast) are being kept under a thick veil of secrecy. If you haven't seen their last two films, they're available to stream for free on Netflix and I highly recommend them! All that's known about their latest horror venture is the setting and characters, which involves a group of students that encounter a terrifying threat during a camping trip in the woods. If it sounds cliched don't be fooled! Wingard and Barrett are notorious for deconstructing horror tropes and giving it their own unique spin. I'll go as far to say that they're even better at it then what Joss Whendon and Drew Goddard accomplished with Cabin in the Woods. Yes, they're THAT good!

Release: The movie is completed, and I'm predicting an October release after a premiere at either Toronto or Fantastic Film Fest. 

38) Personal Shopper

Director: Olivier Assayas   Cast: Kristen Stewart, Anders Danielsen Lie, Lars Eidinger, and David Bowles. 

I saw Assayas' last film Clouds of Sils Maria, which garnered critical acclaim and earned Stewart a slew Best Supp Actress nominations, and while I didn't share the overwhelming love it received from some, it was definitely a very intriguing and layered character study; a movie that had me interested to see what its writer/director would tackle next. Assayas re-teams with his Sils Maria star for Personal Shopper, and the premise of his latest film sounds a lot more intriguing then his last, which is apparently a ghost story that takes place in the fashion underworld of Paris. Sils Maria showed the director exploring heavy themes about aging and success, so I'm very curious to see what sort of themes he'll incorporate into this movie.  

Release: I'm predicting a Cannes premiere followed by a September release.

37) The Girl on the Train

Director: Tate Taylor   Cast: Emily Blunt, Rebecca Ferguson, Laura Prepon, Justin Theroux, Luke Evans, Haley Bennett, Allison Janney, Edgar Ramirez, and Lisa Kudrow.

Tate Taylor has shown he's a strong rising talent behind the camera after Get On Up and adapting the New York Times bestseller, The Help. Taylor adapts another best-seller slated for this Fall with, The Girl on the Train, and he directs a promising cast lead by the always reliable Emily Blunt. I haven't yet read the novel by Paula Hawkins (which is good because I'd like to go into the movie blind without making comparisons,) but I have heard that its mystery/thriller aspect draws comparisons to Gone Girl, and that definitely has me interested.  Blunt plays Rachel Watson, a divorcee whose husband left her for a younger woman. She becomes infatuated with a couple she sees on her daily train ride to work (maybe they remind her of something she used to have) and finds herself involved in a missing persons case when the wife in the relationship goes missing. Sounds like something that might dip into psychological thriller territory, and if that's the case it would be great, wicked fun to see Blunt do crazy.
Release: October 7th

36) The Promise

Director: Terry George   Cast: Christian Bale, Oscar Isaac, Charlotte Le Bon, Shohreh Aghdashloo, James Cromwell, Jean Reno, Rade Serbedzija, Numan Acar, Stewart Scudamore, Igal Naor, Marwan Kenzari, Andrew Tarbet, and Roman Mitichyan. 

Its been a while since we had anything from Terry George; the last film we had from the Hotel Rwanda director was Stand Off, which didn't perform too well with critics or the box office. The Promise looks a lot more ambitious though, featuring a love triangle set against the fall of the Ottoman Empire; an area of history that hasn't really been explored in other films. Bale and Isaac play the men on opposite ends of the love triangle, with Le Bon playing the object of their affection. I really dig a good love story, especially one with political intrigue and a historical backdrop, so I'm hoping for something classical in the style Casablanca.
Release: It sounds like something that would premiere at Venice before moving on to a late fall/holiday release.

35) Doctor Strange

Director: Scott Derrickson   Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Rachel McAdams, Tilda Swinton, Mads Mikkelsen, Scott Adkins, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Benedict Wong.

If you know me personally, you know that I don't hold back when it comes to recognizing Marvel's formula and poking holes in it. So you're probably wondering how the newest offering from the studio made this list. To sum it up shortly: I have hope this will be different. Marvel has recently made it clear that they're trying to move forward in a different direction and avoid all the generic trappings most of their films have fallen into, which is probably why Doctor Strange looks different from anything previously done by the studio. Maybe its all talk, but there are at least several reasons to be excited for the latest story in the Marvel universe. For starters, there's the incredible cast! Everything about the stacked ensemble, from the casting of Cumberbatch as the Doctor to Tilda Swinton playing the Ancient One and Chiwetel Ejiofor as the villain, sounds just perfect. Derrickson, whose previous work is mostly a body of horror films including Sinister, is an interesting choice for this type of film and I'm curious as to whether he'll inject some horror elements into the narrative of this story (probably nothing too graphic since its Disney, but it would still be cool nonetheless.) Production notes have described the movie as Marvel's equivalent to Disney's Fantasia, and that's probably what has me excited the most. Hopefully the movie can live up to this kind of hype to deliver something strange and spectacular in equal measure.

Release: November 4th

34) Triple 9

Directors: John Hillcoat   Cast: Casey Affleck, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Anthony Mackie, Aaron Paul, Norman Reedus, Woody Harrelson, Kate Winslet, Clifton Collins Jr, Michael K. Williams, Teresa Palmer, Gal Gadot, and Luis Da Silva.

Originally slated for last Fall, I was a little concerned when it was announced that John Hillcoat's new film was pushed to February (which is generally not a very promising month in the year for substantial film releases.) But I remain optimistic. The outstanding cast and director are just too good for me to pass on, and the film's story of corrupt cops teaming up with criminals after being blackmailed by the Russian mafia sounds like one twisted thrill ride. Hillcoat loves exploring the dark and gritty areas of humanity, as he's proven with The Proposition and The Road, and with a heist set-up at the center of his latest movie, I can't wait to see what sort of twists and turns he brings to this popular sub-genre.  

Release: February 25th

33) The Little Prince

Director: Mark Osborne   Cast: Jeff Bridges, Mackenzie Foy, Rachel McAdams, Paul Rudd, Marion Cotillard, James Franco, Benecio Del Toro, Ricky Gervais, Paul Giamatti, Albert Brooks, Bud Cort, and Riley Osborne.

This animated film based on the classic children's novel of the same name was quite the hit last year at Cannes (where it premiered.) Obviously, the cast of voice talent is extremely impressive, but there's a lot more to this story that's worth appreciating and reason enough to see the movie. Antoine de Saint-Exupery's novel, which was released in 1943, is a poetic and philosophical look at the complicated and confusing world of adults, the experience of becoming one, and the vital relevance of childhood innocence; in other words, its incredibly deep for a children's story. The allusive and whimsical structure of the story have made it difficult to adapt in cinematic terms, but apparently the screenwriters (Irena Brignull and Bob Persichetti) have made enough changes while still implementing key elements from the novel, that the final product is not only something that does the source justice, but would make its author proud.   

Release: March 18th

32) The Nice Guys

Director: Shane Black   Cast: Ryan Gosling, Russell Crowe, Angourie Rice, Matt Bomer, Margaret Qualley, Keith David, Kim Basinger, Beau Knapp, Ty Simpkins, and Jack Kilmer.

In 1970s Los Angeles, private eye Holland March teams up with a hired enforcer to investigate the disappearance of a missing girl, subsequently following  the apparent suicide of a fading porn star. If you've seen the red band trailer, this looks like an insane, balls-to-the-wall trip! But then again, that's exactly what Shane Black's specialty is. The Kiss Kiss Bang Bang director took a break from this type of movie to helm the wildly fun Iron Man 3, and even though I enjoyed that film, I'm so glad to see him getting back to what he does best! This could be the black comedy of the summer!

Release: May 20th

31) Everybody Wants Some

Director: Richard Linklater   Cast: Blake Jenner, Ryan Guzman, Tyler Hoechlin, Wyatt Russell, Zoey Deutch, Glen Powell, Will Brittain, Forrest Vickery, Temple Baker, Tanner Kalina, Austin Amelio, Juston Street, and Quinton Johnson.

Described as a spiritual sequel to Dazed and Confused, this 80s-set sports comedy from Richard Linklater follows the lives of a group of college freshman on the school baseball team. Its a familiar coming of age story about finding yourself and navigating adulthood. but as its Linklater this is sure to be a fun and well-written slice of nostalgia worth checking out. Everybody Wants Some marks the writer/director's follow-up to Boyhood, so its only appropriate it should make this list.

Release: April 15th

30) Trespass Against Us

Director: Adam Smith   Cast: Michael Fassbender, Brendan Gleeson, Sean Harris, Lyndsey Marshal, Rory Kinnear, Killian Scott, Tony Way, and Gerard Kearns.
If the name of Adam Smith doesn't ring a bell, that's because he isn't a notorious director or popular indie filmmaker. In fact, Trespass Against Us marks the first feature-length film from the director. However, what he has accomplished is directing three of the best episodes in the fifth season revival of Doctor Who (The Eleventh Hour, The Time of Angels, and Flesh and Stone,) for which he was voted Best Director in Doctor Who Magazine. He's also directed a short and a documentary about the electronic music band, The Chemical Brothers. But its for his work on Doctor Who that gained him a spot on this list, as the three episodes mentioned are also three of my absolute favorites! Having a cast that's lead by acting heavyweights Fassbender and Gleason certainly doesn't hurt either. The story focuses on a man trying to escape the trappings of his Irish family's criminal ways. Perhaps because I'm part Irish, I'm always captivated by the country's native brand of cinema, so I'm very excited for this.
Release: The film is in its post-production phase, so a Cannes entry seems probable.

29) War Machine 

Director: David Michod   Cast: Brad Pitt, Emory Cohen, Topher Grace, John Magaro, Scoot McNairy, Will Poulter, Keith Stanfield, Anthony Michael Hall, Meg Tilly, Anthony Hayes, RJ Cyler, and Alan Ruck.

Twice David Michod has impressed me; first with his debut Animal Kingdom, followed by his sophomore effort The Rover a few years back. The Australian filmmaker delves into dark comedy this year with War Machine, a political satire about America's war with Afghanistan focusing on the people running the campaign. The film is based on the non-fiction book The Operators written by Michael Hastings, which is based on his travels with General Stanley McCrystal back in 2010. Despite having the structure of a satire, the materiel promises to be something dramatic and thought-provoking as well. Plus, take a look at that cast! Featuring an ensemble led by the star power of Brad Pitt (who also produces) the film also showcases some great young talent that made quite a splash last year- including Emory Cohen of Brooklyn, Will Poulter from The Revenant, and RJ Cyler who made his feature film debut in Me and Earl and the Dying Girl.

Release: Netflix acquired the distribution rights, so I'm thinking this will get the same kind of release that Beasts of No Nation had last year; streaming wide on the site with limited theater release.

28) Green Room

Director: Jeremy Saulnier   Cast: Anton Yelchin, Imogen Poots, Patrick Stewart, Alia Shawkat, Callum Turner, Joe Cole, Macon Blair, Mark Webber, Taylor Tunes, Brent Werzner, Kai Lennox, Eric Edelstein, Samuel Summer, and David W. Thompson.
If you missed Blue Ruin, the sophomore feature of writer/director Saulnier back in 2014, then you really missed out. Its a stunning and heart-racing thriller that promises great things to come from the director. His new film, which was met with applause last year at Cannes, is a horror/thriller that finds a young punk rock band trapped in a music venue after they witness a horrific act of violence. Saulnier is such a unique and enthralling voice in this genre, and I can't wait to see what had so many people talking after its run of the festival circuit last year.
Release: April 15th

27) Comancheria 

Director: David Mackenzie   Cast: Chris Pine, Ben Foster, Jeff Bridges, Katy Mixon, Christopher W. Garcia, Kevin Rankin, and Melanie Papalia. 

I loved Mackenzie's last movie Starred Up, which was one of my favorite films out of 2014, so I'm very eager to see his follow-up: a crime drama penned by Sicario scribe Taylor Sheridan. The story centers on a divorced dad who resorts to teaming up with his ex-con brother to carry out a scheme that could save his family's farm. Mackenzie and Sheridan should be a well-matched pair, as both of their works feature finely-drawn, human characters trying to find their humanity in bleak, intense, and sometimes unimaginable circumstances. Add in the three terrific leads, and this is definitely one to watch for.

Release: Starred Up screened at both Telluride and Toronto, but as Comancheria is currently in its post-production phase, we could be seeing it earlier then that.  

26) The Handmaid

Director: Chan-wook Park   Cast: Jung-woo Ha, Min-hee Kim, Jin-woong Jo, and Tae Ri Kim.

Will it be finished in time?! The latest from the Oldboy director is still in the final stages of filming, but if its wrapped in time there could be a chance of a surprise premiere at Cannes! Park is very popular at the notorious festival, and his newest film definitely sounds like the kind of picture the festival loves to screen. Based on the historical crime novel Fingersmith, The Handmaid trades the book's setting of Victorian era Britain for an early 1900s setting in Korea, while the country was still under the dominion of Japan. The story follows a handmaid who employs the services of an heiress, a con man, and thief. Fingersmith has been adapted in the past as a three-hour production for BBC, but I'm much more curious to see this modernized interpretation from Park, who is sure to put his own personal, edgy stamp on the material. 

Release: As I said, I'm hopeful for a Cannes premiere. If not, then Venice is likely too.

25) Nocturnal Animals

Director: Tom Ford   Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Amy Adams, Kim Basinger, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Michael Shannon, Isla Fisher, Armie Hammer, Ellie Bamber, Robert Aramayo, Karl Glusman, Peter Nyong'o, and Evie Pree Cast.

Ever since Tom Ford took my breath away with A Single Man, I have been waiting years for a new feature from the fashion designer turned director. Ford has a very keen visual eye, and his unique style of film making feels both intimate and personal. Like is 2009 debut, Nocturnal Animals is also based on a small, under-the-radar novel, and I feel like this only confirms the type of movies Ford likes to makes. With A Single Man, he took this small story and magnified all the dramatic undertones to create some poignant, almost poetic in its execution. So I really hope his latest film sees him continuing that same trademark. The cast is superb and the premise of the novel is extremely intriguing as well. Amy Adams plays Susan Morrow, a woman married to a doctor and living in a middle class suburbia. One day she receives a package from her ex husband, an unpublished writer who she left fifteen years earlier. The package contains the manuscript of his first novel with a letter asking for her opinion on his work. But as Susan reads and is drawn deeper into the story, she is forced to confront the terrifying demons of her past, and she may not come out of the experience the same afterwards. Focus Features has acquired the distribution rights to the picture, and are marketing the film as a dramatic thriller. 

Release: A Single Man made its debut at Venice, so my expectation is the same for this one.

24) American Honey

Director: Andrea Arnold   Cast: Arielle Holmes, Shia LaBeouf, McCaul Lombardi, Sasha Lane, Crystal Ice, Veronica Ezell, Chad Cox, Garry Howell, Kenneth Kory Tucker, Raymond Coalson, Isaiah Stone, Dakota Powers, Shawna Ray Moseley, Chris Wright, and Riley Keough.

Its been almost five years since Andrea Arnold's last movie, Wuthering Heights, and I was starting to wonder when we would be seeing something from one of the most promising new female directors working today. Unfortunately, I still haven't had a chance to see her last film, but I really liked Fish Tank a lot, her previous picture before that. The story of her new film follows a teenage girl that spontaneously decides to join a traveling magazine sale crew across the Midwest. The script was written by Arnold as well, and as I read the synopsis I couldn't help but be reminded of Almost  Famous with its coming of age, road movie story, and I'm REALLY hoping that's what this film will be like too.

Release: A24 recently acquired distribution rights, so its just a matter how they plan to promote it. Will it screen at a few festivals before its initial release, or just hit theaters over the summer?

23) Hail, Caesar

Directors: Joel & Ethan Coen   Cast: Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Alden Ehrenreich, Ralph Fiennes, Jonah Hill, Scarlett Johansson, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, and Channing Tatum.

I'm always excited for a new Coen Bros movie, and Hail, Caesar looks to be no exception. Brolin plays a Hollywood "fixer" that faces a dilemma when the star of the studio's biggest picture is kidnapped by communists. This is assuredly one of the most star-studded casts of the year, and its satire of early Hollywood cinema is just perfect comedy bait. If you've seen the trailer, it definitely looks like one hilarious and entertaining romp! The Coen Bros can be hit-or-miss when it comes to their comedy, so I'm really hoping this is more along the lines of O Brother, Where Art Thou and The Big Lebowski then Burn After Reading and A Serious Man.

Release: February 5th

22) How to Talk to Girls at Parties

Director: John Cameron Mitchell   Cast: Elle Fanning, Nicole Kidman, Ruth Wilson, Alex Sharp, Joey Ansah, Ethan Lawrence, Nansi Nsue, Natalie Lauren, Abraham Lewis, and Matt Lucas. 

An alien touring the galaxy breaks away from her group and travels to London, where she encounters two boys at a party; the results are hilarious, sweet, and utterly zany. Sound fantastical? That's because the script is based on an award-winning short story by acclaimed author, Neil Gaiman. The brilliant writer's imagination has been the foundation for popular films such as Coraline and Stardust, and his literary works have made him comparable to the likes Roald Dahl and Lewis Carroll. Every time his work has been adapted to the screen, the results have been great (especially Coraline, which is one of my most favorite animated films.) Adapting one of his short stories into a live-action feature length film is going to be tricky, but if anyone can pull it off its John Cameron Mitchell. The Hedwig and the Angry Inch director is perfectly suited for the material, and with Elle Fanning in the lead this should be one of those rare cinematic treats!     

Release: I'm predicting a Toronto premiere followed by an early Fall release.

21) Pete's Dragon

Director: David Lowery   Cast: Oakes Fegley, Bryce Dallas Howard, Robert Redford, Karl Urban, Oona Lawrence, and Wes Bentley.
Ain't Them Bodies Saints was just so good, that it goes without saying that David Lowery's next movie would be one of the most anticipated of the year. It showcased the director as a fresh, singular new voice in the current landscape of cinema, and it is that voice that I think is going to give this Disney remake a completely different vibe with truly spectacular results. One of the great aspects about Ain't Them Bodies Saints was the way the director translated the story almost like a folk tale, and I'm sure he'll be giving a similar treatment with this material (which is excellent, because it sounds like a perfect fit.) The lineup of live-action remakes that Disney has been pumping out the past few years have altogether been a disappointment for the most part, but I have high hopes Pete's Dragon will be a breath of fresh air after a stream of disappointment.
Release: August 12th

20) War on Everyone

Director: John Michael McDonagh   Cast: Alexander Skarsgard, Michael Pena, Theo James, Tessa Thompson, Stephanie Sigman, Caleb Landry Jones, and Malcom Barrett.

With the one-two punch of 2011's The Guard and then 2014's Calvary (which was one of my favorite movies that year,) I am beyond excited to see the latest offering from John Michael McDonagh. Brother to Martin McDonagh, the popular indie director behind In Bruges, John Michael is starting to prove that he has the chops to be just as good a filmmaker as his respectable sibling (if I dare say, maybe even better.) War on Everyone will say a lot about that position, but as its a buddy cop black comedy with Skarsgard and Pena in the leads, the movie has a lot going for it. 

Release: The film will makes its debut at the Berlin Film Festival before going on to screen at SXSW Film Fest. After that its a probable summer release in the US; most likely in August like The Guard and Calvary.

     

19) The Light Between Oceans

Director: Derek Cianfrance   Cast: Alicia Vikander, Michael Fassbender, Rachel Weisz, Caren Pistorius, Emily Barclay, Anthony Hayes, Leon Ford, and Benedict Hardie. 

Derek Cianfrance is a director that knows and understands good drama. His movies take you on an emotional journey that explores the consequences of our choices and actions, and how those consequences effect both ourselves and the people we love. If you want proof of this, just give (his first two movies) Blue Valentine and The Place Beyond the Pines a watch. With that said, M.L. Stedman's novel is perfect material for the director to sink his teeth in, telling the story of a couple who adopt a baby that washes ashore in a lifeboat outside their Australian lighthouse. While I really enjoyed the directors last two films, I'll admit I wasn't totally in love with them and that I feel we still have yet to see the best from this promising storyteller. However, seeing as how they were also his first two feature-length movies, something tells me this will be the one where we witness a new phase in the director's career. Could it even be one of the early front-runners for Best Picture in 2017? Alicia Vikander had quite a year recently between Ex Machina and The Danish Girl, and Fassbender and Weisz are always exciting to watch, so I'm sure we can expect some major acting fireworks from the movie's main performers. 

Release: September 2nd (though I'm sure it will premiere at Cannes or Venice.) 

18) It's Only the End of the World 

Director: Xavier Dolan   Cast: Marion Cotillard, Gaspard Ulliel, Lea Seydoux, Vincent Cassel, and Nathalie Baye.

Seeing as how Mommy was my favorite film of 2014, it goes without saying that I am stoked for a new film from Xavier Dolan. This extremely talented director is only 26 years old and has proven himself to be one of the most unique and interesting voices today in cinema, dishing out indie hits like Lawrence Anyways and Tom at the Farm. The story involves a terminally ill writer who returns home after a long absence to announce to his family he's dying. Dolan's movies haven't had a lot of mainstream success here in the states, but with a cast of superb and mostly well-known French talent, that could change with his latest feature. I really do hope so because his work is excellent and deserves more attention.

Release: Dolan is extremely popular at Cannes, so a premiere there is almost certain.

17) The Discovery

Director: Charlie McDowell   Cast: Jason Segal, Rooney Mara, and Robert Redford.
Charlie McDowell (that's the son of acting legend Malcom McDowell) had one of the best directing debuts in recent memory with The One I Love, a strange and insightful allegory of love and relationships with a sharp bite. He's staying within that territory for his next film, The Discovery, which focuses on another couple and explores the nature of their relationship after an "afterlife" has been scientifically proven. With his last feature, McDowell was able to unearth some fascinating ideas and morals about what it means to love someone, and he did so with a brilliant and engaging premise. It will be very interesting to see where he goes with this story and what he accomplishes, and I'm really looking forward to seeing how Segal and Mara play off each other.
Release: I'm crossing my fingers that it premieres at Toronto and then gets a Fall release.

16) The Unknown Girl

Directors: Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne   Cast: Adele Haenel, Jeremie Renier, Olivier Gourmet, Thomas Doret, Fabrizio Rongione, and Christelle Cornil.

I hadn't heard of the Dardenne Bros until I saw heir academy-award nominated Two Days, One Night starring Marion Cotillard. But after how much I was impressed with that feature, I'm definitely a fan and anxious to see what they do next. Their newest film digs deep with another strong concept of morality like Two Days, One Night, following a doctor who attempts to discover the identity of a dead patient who she refused treatment to when she couldn't afford the procedure. What's so fascinating and great about the Dardenne brothers' work is that the moral issues at the center of their stories ring with the relevance and emotional struggles of our current time. Two Days, One Night was all about a woman begging to keep her job when the majority of her fellow employees vote in favor of a raise at the expense of her termination, and it is that theme of exploring the modern ethics and values of people and class that is consistently present in the directors' work. 

Release: The directors' previous work has always made a splash at Cannes and I'm predicting this will be no different. A Fall release seems likely to follow.

15) Suicide Squad

Director: David Ayer   Cast: Joel Kinnaman, Jared Leto, Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Cara Delevingne, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Jay Hernandez, and Karen Fukahara. 

Just about everyone who uses the internet has probably had the opportunity to see the deliriously fun high jinks promised in the latest trailer for Suicide Squad. The two minutes and thirty seconds of the film, set to Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, was one of the most energetic trailers in recent memory and teases all kinds of devilish fun and mayhem. It all sounds like a risky move on the studio's part, telling the story of a ragtag group of demented villains who are promised amnesty in exchange for carrying out a dangerous mission for the government, especially since DC is trying to compete with the safe and formulaic offerings of Marvel. But they may have just taken the right kind of risk with this one. The movie looks like a cross between The Dirty Dozen and Guardians of the Galaxy, but still feels unique and original in its delivery, giving the vibe of a completely different experience then any of those films. Obviously, we won't know for sure until the latter half of the summer, but the film's strong cast and director definitely give hope. David Ayer is known for injecting his stories with gritty action, like with Fury and End of Watch, and for also exploring the dark underbelly of city crime and the depraved people that operate within it, and I think his influence and style will be perfectly suited to the material. Also, any time an actor has had the chance to dig into the character of The Joker, the results have always been electrifying, and Jared Leto's turn as the popular DC villain is already building buzz.

Release: August 5th 

14) Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Director: Tim Burton   Cast: Eva Green, Samuel L. Jackson, Asa Butterfield, Allison Janney, Judi Dench, Terrence Stamp, Chris O' Dowd, Kim Dickens, Ella Purnell, and Rupert Everett. 

What's so interesting about Tim Burton is that, despite the fact his latter body of work has disappointed more often then not, his latest offering always manages to grab my attention and engage my curiosity, and I always find myself anticipating whatever he does next. But this time, just maybe this time, we may finally get something of the old Tim Burton back; the director responsible for classics like Edward Scissorhands and Batman Returns. In fact, the premise of his latest feature feels very close in nature to Edward Scissorhands, almost like a close cousin to that film, telling a story of misfits trying to conform and be accepted in a not so friendly society. Based on the best-selling novel by Ransom Riggs, we're introduced to 16-year old Jacob Portman, a young boy seeking to uncover the details of his grandfather's life after his mysterious and untimely death. His findings eventually lead him to a time paradox in 1940, where a mysterious orphanage exists that shelters strange children who possess spectacular powers. I really hope Burton can bring this modern fairy tale to life and get back to making the kind of movies he's so famous for delivering.
Release: September 30th

13) The BFG

Director: Steven Spielberg   Cast: Ruby Barnhill, Mark Rylance, Rebecca Hall, Bill Hader, Jemaine Clement, and Penelope Wilton. 

Like director Tim Burton, Steven Spielberg is another filmmaker who's very attachment to a project always seems to generate a mixture of anticipation and curiosity. While his more serious and dramatic work generally ranges from solid to excellent, its the more fantastical stories that have always provided this legendary storyteller with a real opportunity to shine. Its these types of movies, like Close Encounters of the Third Kind and A.I. Artificial Intelligence, that showcase a director with the ability to cast a spell over his audience until the final roll of the credits, one that grabs your heart and holds you in a state of both wonder and awe. In adapting this classic children's story by beloved author Roald Dahl, Spielberg has reunited with some of his early collaborators that have helped in producing his most successful work. For starters, there's the late scribe Melissa Mathison, who penned the script for E.T. and shortly passed away last November (after the movie wrapped principal photography,) and then there's producers Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall. Kennedy was nominated for an Oscar for her work with Spielberg on E.T. and The Color Purple, and Marshall was also nominated with Spielberg for Raiders of the Lost Ark. With such a fantastic team and cast, my expectations for this are probably the highest they've been for a Spielberg's film in quite some time. 

Release: July 1st

12) The Witch

Director: Robert Eggers   Cast: Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie, Harvey Scrimshaw, Ellie Grainger, and Lucas Dawson. 

Robert Egger's directorial debut made quite the splash last year at Sundance, picking up the award for Best Director and delivering a full-on assault of unforgettable terror and shock. The trailer for the prestigious horror film was very promising, and critics have compared Egger's style to that of Ingmar Bergman, Andrei Tarkovsky, and Stanley Kubrick. Obviously, I'll have thoughts of my own after seeing it and be able to clarify if the movie really does live up to its overwhelming hype, but this looks like another terrific feature in the line of great indie horror films that have recently come out like It Follows and The Babadook. Also, I do love witnessing the birth of a new and promising cinematic voice.
Release: February 19th

11) Kubo and the Two Strings

Director: Travis Knight   Cast: Art Parkinson, Matthew McConaughey, Charlize Theron, Rooney Mara, Ralph Fiennes, and George Takei.

One thing that can always be said of Laika, the animation studio behind Coraline, ParaNorman, and The Boxtrolls, is that everything they create is stunningly beautiful; from the intense and vibrant color palette they use, down to the last intricately hand-crafted frame. This is a studio whose goal is to fully immerse their audience in the strange and fantastical worlds they create, making every rich and visually lush image resonate deep in our imaginations. The studio's last two features were great, but I still haven't been as riveted and amazed with anything they've done since Coraline. This fantasy adventure, which takes place in ancient Japan and was inspired by a variety of elements found in the country's local folklore, looks like the most promising animated film this year and could finally do the trick. The first trailer that debuted a few months ago was gorgeous, strange, and didn't really give anything away in regards to the story, and I would like to keep it that way as best as possible. But what I am hoping for is something that resembles and reminds me of Miyazaki's work, only with Laika's personal spin and stamp. 

Release: August 19th

10) Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

Director: Zack Snyder   Cast: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Jesse Eisenberg, Gal Gadot, Amy Adams, Diane Lane, Jeremy Irons, Holly Hunter, and Laurence Fishburne.

As you're probably aware of by now, superhero films are a dime a dozen these days. And while most will show occasional sparks that differentiate themselves from the rest of the crowd and their cliched formulas, its true that that there are very few that are wholly original and groundbreaking enough to stand on their own. So what are the best ways to recognize these rare few? What makes them unique in the sea of typical save-the-world, action-heavy, good-guy-vs-bad-guy showdowns? Well, for starters, how about a concept that's never been used before. Zack Snyder's new film, which takes place after the events of his 2013 feature Man of Steel, presents the idea of how the world would probably react if they lived in the presence of powerful, extraterrestrial being; what sort of area would Superman fit into in a modern society? Would civilization fear and demonize the capacity of his power, or revere him as a savior or godly figure? The movie hints that the titular hero would be met with a mixture both, thus making him a strong figure of controversy. This sounds absolutely fascinating, almost like a spin on Watchmen that presents a realistic depiction of where superheroes would stand with humanity if they really did live among us. On top of all that, buzz for the movie is very strong. The film has enjoyed several private screenings so far, and the word of mouth has been mainly positive, some people going as far to say that its one of best superhero films ever made. These are lofty expectations to set for this movie, and my fingers are crossed that they really did do the superhero film justice.
Release: March 25th

   

9) Tale of Tales

Director: Matteo Garrone   Cast: Salma Hayek, Vincent Cassel, Toby Jones, John C. Reilly, Shirley Henderson, Bebe Cave, Stacy Martin, Christian Lees, Jonah Lees, and Jessie Cave.

Matteo Garrone's ambitious fairy tale epic, which premiered last year at Cannes, was my number one pick when I composed this list exactly a year ago. This year, its not nearly as high, but still managed to make the cut of my top ten (and for good reason.) One critic at Cannes described the film as the kind of movie "you've spent ten years wishing Tim Burton or Terry Gilliam would make." That's some high praise, and its one of many reviews that praised the movie's rich Gothic atmosphere and adult fairy tale structure. The movie consists of three separate stories that are loosely connected, each on adapted from a collection of fairy tales from Neapolitan author and poet, Gaimbattista Basile (whose stories laid the ground work for what would heavily influence the Grimm brothers.) The incredible trailer provides a glimpse of the movie that is dark, visually lush, and endlessly fascinating.

Release: April 22nd

8) 20th Century Women

Director: Mike Mills   Cast: Elle Fanning, Greta Gerwig, Annette Bening, Billy Crudup, and Nathalie Love.

Beginners was my first introduction to Mike Mills, and since then I have been eagerly awaiting something new from the director's talented and distinctive voice. His 1970s-set story focuses on three different women exploring love and finding themselves themselves in Southern California; and as the three women in question happen to be played by Elle Fanning, Greta Gerwig, and Annette Bening, I'm really excited! These are three of the best and most fascinatingly watchable actresses working today, and while the premise of focusing on three separate characters with interrelated stories isn't something I'd call groundbreaking, I'm willing to bet that Mill's knack for deep writing and poignantly realized characters will elevate the material.

Release: Mills has had success at Toronto, but a Cannes entry is certainly not out of the question. Possibly late summer or early fall.

    

7) The Lost City of Z

Director: James Gray   Cast: Charlie Hunnam, Robert Pattinson, Tom Holland, Sienna Miller, Angus Macfadyen, Daniel Huttleston, Edward Ashley, and Michael Jenn.

The film adaptation for David Grann's acclaimed book has been gestating in pre-production for quite some time. Brad Pitt and Benedict Cumberpatch were originally cast at one point to lead the picture, but eventually stepped down due to scheduling conflicts; however, Pitt has remained attached to the project as an executive producer. The ambitious adventure story, which flows in the same vein as classics like Fitzcarraldo and Aguirre, the Wrath of Gods, follows a group of British explorers that journey deep into the Amazon in search of a legendary lost city. The book is based on real events, and James Gray has stated that he wanted to shoot the film's jungle quest with a very raw sensibility and immersive scope, something akin to Apocalypse Now. Perhaps it's because of this reason that the director reached out to Francis Ford Coppola before taking his cast and crew to shoot in the harsh conditions of Columbia, asking the legendary director if he had any advice he could pass on after shooting in the jungle for Apocalypse Now. Coppola responded to Gray with the same advice he had actually been given by Roger Corman when he asked the same question: "Don't go." No details about Gray's shoot have been divulged yet, but in the wake of Innaritu's success with The Revenant, I would really love to see another adventure of man-vs-nature executed with the same gritty realism and immersive grandeur. On top of all that, I still have a great deal of love leftover for Gray after his previous picture in 2013, The Immigrant, which I found to be fantastic!

Release: Gray has lots of love at Cannes. If he can finish the film in time, the festival would be a great opportunity to jump start an early awards campaign.

6) La La Land

Director: Damien Chazelle   Cast: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, J.K. Simmons, Finn Wittrock, Sonoya Mizuno, Rosemarie DeWitt, and John Legend.

What's even rarer then a director getting a tidal wave of acclaim for their first feature length film? Receiving a tidal wave of acclaim AND earning a slew Oscar nominations (including a nod for Best Picture.) That's exactly what rookie director Damien Chazelle was met with in 2014 after delivering his knock-out debut, Whiplash. Chazelle returns to musical territory (literally, he's doing a full blown musical) this year with La La Land; a Los Angeles-set romance about a jazz pianist who falls for an aspiring actress. Stone and Gosling had sizzling chemistry in Crazy, Stupid, Love, so I'm stoked about the idea of them reuniting on screen for what will be their third time.But what I love more then that is the film's attempt to revitalize the classic movie musical; and I'm not talking about an adaptation of a popular Broadway show (although I love those kinds of movie musicals too.) I'm talking about the classic musicals of Hollywood's Golden Age like Singin' in the Rain and A Star is Born. Just take a look at the film's vibrant first photo and tell me you don't see the same thing!

Release: There's already buzz of a Cannes premiere, but the film will officially be hitting theaters December 16th.

5) A Monster Calls

Director: J.A. Bayona   Cast: Liam Neeson, Felicity Jones, Sigourney Weaver, Toby Kebbell, and Lewis MacDougall.

Acclaimed director J.A. Bayona (The Orphanage, The Impossible) follows a similar road Guillermo Del Toro took with Pan's Labyrinth, telling a complex fairy tale for grown ups with parallels to reality and allegorical messages about human nature. I doubt his movie will be quite as gruesome as Del Toro's, but all the same, I'm down! The story centers on a bullied young boy, who befriends a tree monster when his single mother becomes terminally ill. With other films coming out this year about children befriending big beasts, like The BFG and Pete's Dragon (both of which made this list), I really hope Bayona's picture stands out. But seeing as how those other films are more aimed at children and families, something tells me it will. The fact that the movie has an awards-friendly release date in October certainly gives hope. One thing is for sure, though: Felicity Jones, who plays the mother in this before leading the next Star Wars flick only a few months after, will be having quite the busy season; I imagine she'll be a household name after 2016.

Release: October 14th

4) The Lobster

Director: Yorgos Lanthimos   Cast: Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz, John C. Reilly, Lea Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Michael Smiley, Ashley Jensen, Angeliki Papoulia, Olivia Colman, Jessica Barden, and Roger Ashton-Griffiths.

Yorgos Lanthimos made a lot of noise last year at Cannes with his dystopian love story about society's expectations of modern relationships. The movie received a great deal of praise for its original premise, bizarre and brilliant execution, and the accessibility of its relevant message. Lead by Colin Farrell and Rachel Weisz, the story takes place at a hotel where the single people of the city are required by law to stay at for a forty-five day period. During that time, they must find a romantic partner or be turned into animals and released into the woods. As soon as I heard about the film, I kept waiting for a release in the latter half of 2015, wondering if it would be a possible awards contender in the upcoming races. Thankfully, it looks like that's still the intended goal. Previously acquired by Alchemy for its U.S. distribution, the movie was recently snatched up by A24, who bought the rights when the studio began to suffer a financial crisis and showed signs of retiring. This is surely for the best, since A24 has a rapidly growing reputation for delivering quality independent films with high profiles, such as Room, Under the Skin, and A Most Violent Year; so the recent change of studio rights can only improve the benefits of the film's release. 

Release: I'm predicting the latter half of the summer.

   

3) Story of Your Life

Director: Denis Villeneuve   Cast: Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker, Michael Stuhlbarg, Tzi Ma, and Mark O'Brien.

Of all the directors working today, Denis Villeneuve ranks in the top tier of people whose work I look forward to most. This superb filmmaker and storyteller keeps churning out one great movie after the next (Prisoners, Enemy, Sicario), each one vastly different then the one before while still bearing the director's signature fingerprints and striking his familiar notes. The range with which he operates is comparable to likes of Spielberg's earlier work, and that's perhaps the reason I'm so excited by his work. His upcoming film is based on an award-winning sci-fi short story by Ted Chiang. There's a lot of interesting-looking sci-fi that's set to come out this year, but the story Villeneuve is working from definitely sounds like the most high in concept. Amy Adams stars as an expert linguist who is assigned to make contact with an alien species that lands on Earth. During the encounter, she experiences an intense flashback from her past. As she works against the clock, her character must decipher the meaning behind her surreal encounter with the species, how it connects to their presence on Earth, and determine weather they come in peace or pose a threat. 

Release: Could be a possible Cannes entry, but I'm guessing it will hit theaters sometime in September (like Prisoners and Sicario.)

2) Midnight Special

Director: Jeff Nichols   Cast: Michael Shannon, Joel Edgerton, Jaeden Lieberher, Kirsten Dunst, Adam Driver, and Sam Shepard.

Perhaps it has to do with the fact that I've waited so god damn long for this movie to finally come out, because my anticipation has only continued to grow before finally reaching an ultimate peak! But the wait has finally paid off, as the film has a secured and locked release for this year. Shrouded in mystery since day one, Jeff Nichols sci-fi chase story follows a father and son who doggedly run from the government after the boy exhibits strange powers. With their oppressors close behind and in hot pursuit, the father must endure obstacles and makes great sacrifices to ensure the safety of his child. Jeff Nichols has captured by attention ever since his fantastic debut Take Shelter, while his follow-up Mud only solidified his position as one of the most compelling and exciting American filmmakers working today. Early praise from the Berlin Film Festival was very promising, citing comparisons to the wonder and awe found in Spielberg's earlier Amblin work and the thrills and excitement present in John Carpenter's films. From all accounts, its an exciting throwback to classic science fiction with a compelling dramatic arc at the heart of the story.    

Release: March 18th

   

1) The Neon Demon

Director: Nicolas Winding Refn   Cast: Elle Fanning, Christina Hendricks, Keanu Reeves, Jena Malone, Abbey Lee, Bella Heathcote, Desmond Harrington, and Charles Baker.

Finally, here we are at number one and my most anticipated film of the year. Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, The Neon Demon is the type of film I LIVE to see. Set in Los Angeles, the story follows an aspiring model played by Elle Fanning, who finds success and is lauded for her youth and stunning beauty. But she soon becomes the target of a group of jealous, beauty-obsessed women bent on devouring her youth and vitality, who will stop at nothing to acquire what she has. The acclaimed director of Drive has described his latest film as a sort of neo-noir fairy tale. mixed with elements of horror and influences of Snow White. The first few images that have been released of the film are visually rich, soaked in an intoxicating neon glow. Between these first images and the movie's premise, I'm strongly reminded of Argento's Suspiria, and I truly hope that's the direction Refn is taking it. Suspiria is one of my all-time favorite movies, and if Refn can succeed at emulating even some of what made that film so great while still incorporating his own personal and distinctive style, then we're in for a serious treat! Only God Forgives (his last movie) may have been overblown and ultimately disappointing, but I still have tons of leftover love for Drive, so I have faith he's got it in him to deliver the goods.

Release: A Cannes debut seems very likely at this point, and Amazon has already signed a deal to stream the film in November (although I'm sure we'll see it in theaters long before then.).