Winter Movie Preview: Crime-Fighting Kings, Complex Characterizations, and Conclusive Chapters!

With the fall movie season delivering some of the year's best films, from the terrifying It to the bold and outlandish Thor: Ragnarok, as well as some lackluster debuts like the sci-fi sequel Blade Runner 2049 and the team-up showcase of Justice League, the coming winter is the one of the most defining times for cinema, as awards season quickly kicks off. With promising Oscar contenders Phantom Thread and The Disaster Artist cropping up against blockbuster hopefuls in Black Panther and Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the finishers for 2017 and the first buds of the new year look to be a compelling collection of box-office winners and plenty of Oscar appeal. Here are just a few of the biggest films ready to hit theaters in the coming months:

Continuing Chapters - Endgames & Epics:

Star Wars: The Last Jedi - Continuing where 2015's Star Wars: The Force Awakens concluded, which found Daisy Ridley's curious new protagonist in Rey venturing out to find a reclusive Luke Skywalker, director Rian Johnson's The Last Jedi seeks to deliver a game-changing penultimate chapter in the third and most ambitious Star Wars trilogy yet. With Johnson's first leap into the grand saga promising not only shocking revelations of the connection between Luke and his once-loyal student Kylo Ren, but also insights into Rey's own past, The Last Jedi looks like it could hold the similar emotional complexity and lasting consequences of the original trilogy's The Empire Strikes Back. While I do hope it doesn't simply replicate the formula that made Empire such a renowned sequel, this month's The Last Jedi will easily end the year with plenty of promise towards the final chapter in the epic sequel-trilogy.     

Maze Runner: The Death Cure - While Star Wars might have plenty more ground to cover to close out its latest trilogy, the young-adult dystopian tale of The Maze Runner franchise looks to conclude its story of deadly labyrinths and teen angst with January's The Death Cure. While I might not have ever clamped onto the Maze Runner series as much as I did the Hunger Games films, I'm no doubt intrigued at how the series might close out its dystopian plot. With leading man Dylan O'Brien leading a talented young cast into the trenches of one of the most dangerous labyrinths they've faced yet, The Death Cure could be a satisfying conclusion to one of the more cohesive young-adult franchises still around.   

Pitch Perfect 3 - While 2012's Pitch Perfect might have delivered a hilarious starring vehicle for actress/singer Anna Kendrick, backed by a lovable cast of a cappella obsessives and dreamy wannabe film composers, its 2015 sequel didn't end up offering much in terms of progressing its musically-infused premise. While I managed to endure the lackluster Pitch Perfect 2, its cast maturing while its gags did the opposite, I was a bit less than excited when a third film was announced. While Kendrick, newcomer Hailee Steinfeld, and yes, even the mostly-tolerable Rebel Wilson, might still draw me to the third film, as well as the franchise's catchy sing-along stylings, I remain hesitant when approaching what looks to be a retread of what we've seen before.    

Welcome to the Jungle - Coronations & Comedics:

Black Panther - While our first official peek at next summer's Avengers: Infinity War might still be rattling around in my head, teasing at a broader look at Black Panther's futuristic setting of Wakanda, we plan to enter the illustrious and secretive city much sooner in the February release. Setting its sights on delving into the affairs of Chadwick Boseman's T'Challa beyond his time in 2016's Captain America: Civil War, the Ryan Coogler film looks to explore the rise of the African warrior to his rightful place as king. Detailing the social and political conflicts surrounding his coronation, including family tensions and one vengeful Micheal B. Jordan, the latest solo effort from Marvel Studios looks to be one of their most intriguing yet.

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle - While the 1995 Robin Williams classic might remain a treasured piece of childhood fantasy cinema for many, the premise of Jumanji couldn't escape the grasp of Hollywood and the inevitable age of remakes and somewhat unnecessary sequels. While the newest tale, its tagline welcoming you to a new game of adventure, might have a very slim connection to the 1995 original, it does promise a mostly-effective cast at the center of it. With the likes of Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart leading us into a jungle of action and excitement within the expanses of a magical board-game-turned-video-game, the next chapter of Jumanji could prove to be an entertaining adventure film to dive into this holiday.  

Tales of Truth and Triumph - Gamblers & Showmen:

The Greatest Showman - Spawning from the writer behind Chicago and 2017's successful Beauty and the Beast retelling, comes one of the more unexpected features to come out of the winter season, in this month's The Greatest Showman. While news swirled around the film and slowly made its way to me, I knew little about the Hugh Jackman-starrer until just a few weeks ago. With the film promising an entrancing musical centered around American showman P.T. Barnum, akin to that of last year's La La Land, it looks to be an ideal showstopper for the Christmas season, much like the latter was for 2016. However campy the premise and pop-infused the soundtrack might appear, The Greatest Showman could weather up enough acclaim to be a souring hit this holiday season.

The Post - Much like 2015's low-riding and star-studded Oscar winner Spotlight did two years back, Steven Spielberg's The Post seeks to dramatize the dark secrets of the past in effort to bring them to light in the modern era. With the film, starring powerhouse duo Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep, taking on the conspiracy behind the Pentagon Papers and their leak during the Vietnam War, Spielberg surely has another engrossing hit on his hands. Already making waves for award season, The Post will definitely be one of the most talked-about films to close out the year. 

Molly's Game - Another star-studded drama hitting theaters this winter comes in the form of Steve Jobs and The Social Network writer Aaron Sorkin's directorial debut in Molly's Game. Known for his rapid-fire dialogue teeming with sophistication and wit, Sorkin never fails to astonish me with his screenplays. When I heard he was directing his first feature, in a plot of shady gamblers and Russian mobs, I was more than intrigued. While January's semi-biographical Molly's Game might look a bit too "been-there-done-that" in some areas, its cast -- including Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, and Kevin Costner -- and its screenplay should be the highlights of this gripping biopic.

Supernatural Thrillers - Sea Monsters & Orc Battles:

The Shape of Water - While I never truly embraced the dark fantasy allure of director Guillermo del Toro's filmography before, his work spanning from mystical epics like Pan's Labyrinth and massive blockbusters like Hellboy and Pacific Rim, I've undoubtably been intriguing as of late with his most recent projects in both 2015's Crimson Peak and this month's The Shape of Water. While Crimson Peak quickly dissolved from an inspired horror period piece to slow-winding mess, del Toro's latest finds elegance once more in one of the director's most iconic subjects -- monsters. Spinning a tale of unpredictable love within the confines of a grim 1960s laboratory, between a mute woman and a creature like no other, The Shape of Water looks to be a concise fantasy twisted into an enthralling supernatural romance.    

Annihilation - Following an effective directorial debut in the 2015 science fiction thriller Ex Machina, I was eager to see what exactly writer/director Alex Garland's next blockbuster feature would find itself in. With Annihilation (out February 23rd), it seems he might strike gold once more within the sci-fi genre. Packing a dynamic cast, led by Natalie Portman and Oscar Isaac, into a thrilling plot that seeks to explore the dangers of uncharted expedition, while Annihilation might still remain in the shadows for now, its mysterious premise will surely draw me and other fans of Garland's work to the theater.

Insidious: The Last Key - With the latest Insidious film (out January 5th) marking what appears to be the fourth (fourth!?!) chapter in the horror franchise of inter-dimensional demons to grace the big screen, the James Wan-produced series seems to still have some life left in it as it reels in moviegoers for yet another fright. While I might feel as passionate for this film as I might feel for, say, A Madea Halloween, the horror series that originally furthered Saw director James Wan's career in horror might still find hope -- if there remains any -- in its fourth sequel.  

  

Bright - While inter-dimensional demons and creatures of the sea might seek to dominate the silver screen, the small screen seems to have its own supernatural beings at play as well. Channeling his 2012 feature End of Watch to bring a tale of urban fantasy and police prejudice to Netflix at the tail end of December, director David Ayer may have an unlikely hit up his sleeve with Bright. Acting as a starring vehicle for Will Smith, who plays a seasoned LAPD cop who must team up with an Orc police officer played by Joel Edgerton, Bright seeks to paint an intriguing portrait of racial tension within the confines of a simmering fantasy crime thriller. Whether or not that concept will stick well with audiences or not may be the true question.

Bold Biopics - Artists of Disaster & Loose Cannons on Ice:

The Disaster Artist - Already making for one of my favorite films of the year, the off-beat brilliance of James Franco's The Disaster Artist has also managed to make it a top contender as we move into award season. Deconstructing the making of one of the worst movies ever made, in Tommy Wiseau's 2003 disaster-piece The Room, Franco's bold direction and starring role as the enigma Wiseau has elevated The Disaster Artist from a simple parody to an endearing tribute to dreamers. Still eager to see it a third time, this inspiring tale of triumph in the face of failure was a surprising delight for cinephiles and fans of The Room alike.   

I, Tonya - While The Disaster Artist might have its fun relishing in the eccentric nature of writer/director/producer Tommy Wiseau, this month's I, Tonya also takes a peek behind the curtain of an icon, in its focus on figure skater Tonya Harding. Spinning a wild tale of ruthless competition and startling conspiracy, this tragicomedy seeks to peel back the skin of its central skater and deliver a seething portrait of fierce determination and bitter betrayal. And with a star like Margot Robbie at its core, I, Tonya could make for an effective drama-comedy with a magnetic lead performance.

   

Comedic Comebacks - Ferris Wheels & Father Figures:

Wonder Wheel - Delving into not only the vibrant avenues of 1950s New York, but also the sprawling landscape of a Coney Island amusement park, Woody Allen's latest finds itself intwined in another conflicted story of love and estranged families in this month's Wonder Wheel. While Allen's last few feature films have been a mixed bag of success and failure, from 2013's award-winning Blue Jasmine to last year's Café Society, and the director has continued to fall under fire for past sexual misconduct, there's no doubt his latest film looks to be a beautifully-shot drama with a dynamic lead performance in Kate Winslet.   

Downsizing - While Woody Allen aims to craft another effective drama-comedy in Wonder Wheel, director Alexander Payne (The Descendants, Nebraska) seeks to get his name back on the board with the ambitious science-fiction comedy Downsizing. Quickly becoming one of my most anticipated films to close out the year, the Matt Damon-led project transports audiences to a future where the world's biggest problems can be solved simply by shrinking them down. Spinning a star-studded adventure akin to Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, full of Payne's unique satire on contemporary American society, Downsizing looks to not only be a stellar film to end the year, but also a comeback for Damon after the lackluster effort in October's Suburbicon. 

Father Figures - While I tend to lean more towards sharp satire and black comedies these days, I'm never completely opposed to hopping onto the latest blasphemous comedy to hit the big screen. Following a mediocre array of parental-focused comedies like Daddy's Home 2 and A Bad Moms Christmas, yet another similar premise finds itself in this month's Father Figures. Spawning from Garden State and The Hangover cinematographer Lawrence Sher, in his directorial debut, the film seeks to push forward a comedic cast -- including the likes of Owen Wilson, Ed Helms, and J.K. Simmons -- in a plot that seems all too familiar. Albeit a rather generic plot of two brothers on a desperate search for their biological father, Father Figures could still benefit from its somewhat-likable comedic cast.  

Period Pieces - Captains of Couture & Corrupted Tycoons:

Phantom Thread - Marking the second collaboration of actor Daniel Day-Lewis and director Paul Thomas Anderson, following the renowned 2007 drama There Will Be Blood, the couture-focused period piece of Phantom Thread seeks to spin an emotional tale of romance and deception in the heart of 1950s London. With the film already garnering plenty of acclaim for not only Anderson's direction and screenplay, but Day-Lewis' leading performance as well, the period drama looks to be a worthy send-off for the main actor's final role on the big screen. With Day-Lewis reportedly retiring following four decades of acting, Phantom Thread could make for yet another classic that will be talked about for years to come. 

All the Money in the World - While Phantom Thread plans to sew together a fictional plot of high-fashion and romance, Ridley Scott's latest feature in December's All the Money in the World looks to clue moviegoers into the mystery behind oil industrialist J. Paul Getty and the abduction of his grandson by the Mafia in the 1970s. While the film was seemingly crippled by its subtraction of actor Kevin Spacey in the role of Getty after sexual harassment accusations painted the actor in a bad light, Scott and Company's efficient filmmaking seems to have kept the film from falling into purgatory. With actor Christopher Plummer filling in the role as Getty in a story of seething conspiracy and betrayal, All the Money in the World could still make for an effective crime drama for the winter season.  

Vehicles for Action - Train-Bound Thrillers & Horse-Drawn Soldiers:

The Commuter - Another actor rumored to be shifting his focus as an performer in Hollywood is action star and professional badass Liam Neeson. While he might be far from calling it quits completely like Day-Lewis might be, it's rumored that Neeson might be gravitating away from the action roles he's come to be known for. With his Taken franchise more-or-less reaching its expiration date, Neeson could be moving towards more dramatic, or even comedic, roles in the business. However, before he jumps the track to films similar to last winter's Silence and this year's Mark Felt biopic, Neeson seeks to exit guns-blazing in his latest action effort, The Commuter. While the film might mirror 2014's Non-Stop in its transit-bound mystery, even bringing on the same director, The Commuter could be an intriguing action feature to witness, especially if it marks the end of Neeson's career snapping necks.  

12 Strong - Another fascinating action film hitting theaters this winter finds itself in the non-fiction war drama 12 Strong. Winding together a story not too dissimilar to 2013's Lone Survivor and 2016's 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, the Chris Hemsworth-led action film looks to tell the true story of a unique paramilitary unit that joins forces with unlikely allies to take on Taliban forces in Afghanistan. While that premise alone might be enough to catch my attention, the intriguing element of how the tale of twelve soldiers who fought for survival across a deadly landscape while on horse-back became a reality should make for a memorable action set piece. 

With the winter season promising plenty of acclaim already among its many period pieces and biographical satires, what films are you most excited for in the coming months? Let me know in the comments below, and stay tuned for my reviews of the biggest films set to close out 2017!