Other than being at the YMCA for Zumba class or at home for my mother’s specialty pasta dish with Guy Fieri spicy tomato sauce, I found myself in the movie theater throughout most of last year.
Although it was filled with plenty of lows with films like Superfly, the good outweighed the bad.
Last year, an unprecedented four films achieved the highest rating on my scale, while over 20 others battled to get on my top 15 list.
There were many flicks worth going out to the theater for (especially when Moviepass still worked), but what does the field look like this year? In no particular order, here are ten movies that I’m highly anticipating in 2019:
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Oct. 18.
It feels like it was meant to be. Yes, Tom Hanks will play as Mr. Rogers for the children’s show host’s biopic. Last year we were graced with the incredible documentary on Mr. Rogers called, Won’t You Be My Neighbor? But can Hanks bring the same magic in this trip to the neighborhood?
Cold Pursuit, Feb. 8.
It’s funny how a few years ago Liam Neeson said he was done with action movies. Coming off two recent action flicks in Widows and The Commuter, Neeson will play a snow plow driver who seeks vengeance against a drug cartel who killed his son. As long as my street is plowed, I’ll definitely be at the theater for this one.
Godzilla: King of Monsters, May 31.
If you feel a drastic shake in the ground, that could either be me heading over to Burger King for some dollar chicken nuggets or Godzilla’s return to the streets. 2014’s Godzilla was a spectacular monster movie, especially with the effects in all its glory on the IMAX screen. Five years later, Godzilla will tussle with a few more monsters, which is guaranteed to be more entertaining than watching me stuff myself with nuggets (depending on what you’re into).
It: Chapter 2, Sept. 6.
The horror-adventure phenomena is back, which brings the Losers Club back together 27-years after Pennywise the Clown terrorized their town. 2017’s It was a genuinely scary flick filled with scares that left audiences stunned. Considering the sequel’s cast consists of Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy and the return of Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise, it doesn’t look like any clowning around is expected.
John Wick Chapter 3, May 17.
“Yeah, I’m thinking I’m back!” In this supposed final installment of the incredible action series, Keanu Reeves reprises his role of John Wick one last time. In the previous chapter, Wick was pitted against a world of assassins who wanted his head. With the punches Wick can pack, do they stand a chance?
Little Women, Dec. 25.
Hold up, wasn’t this just released last year? Well, Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel will be remade again but with director Greta Gerwig at the helm. Gerwig’s breakout directorial debut of Lady Bird was well received and one of my favorite coming-of-age films of all time. With a cast of Meryl Streep, Saoirse Ronan, and Timothée Chalamet, the talent alone shows big upside.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Aug. 9.
The backdrop of acclaimed director Quentin Tarantino’s final film is set against the Helter Skelter reign of terror in 1969 Hollywood. Murderer Charles Manson’s recent death, who was at the center of Helter Skelter, may have served as the thought for Tarantino to tackle a heavy subject. The film has a loaded cast which includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt, and Dakota Fanning.
Space Jam 2, TBD.
To any salty 76ers fan (like me) who wondered why LeBron James went to the Los Angeles Lakers, here’s your answer. 22 -years following the original classic with the legendary Michael Jordan and Bugs Bunny, James will fill the Air Jordans the Hall of Famer left behind. Now that James will play out the rest of his career in Hollywood, we should expect to see more major roles from him in the future, aside from the comic relief he offered in Trainwreck.
Toy Story 4, June 21.
Get the tissue box ready because those toys that hit us in the feels are back. The fourth installment in Pixar’s greatest franchise is almost here, although the last one ended on a note that could’ve made for a good swan song. Regardless, there’s no need to wind me up for this one, I’m already there!
Untitled Terminator Sequel, Nov. 1.
“I’ll be back…” again! In its third reboot in ten years, the Terminator franchise will try to find its footing in another attempt with Arnold Schwarzenegger as the star. This franchise has a hard time of saying “Hasta la vista, baby!”
IMAGE TAKEN from Den of Geek
IMAGE TAKEN from SlashFilm
