Winter Movie Preview: Inspired Retellings, Earth-Shattering Installments, and Undersea Ambitions!
With the winter season nearly here, the prestige and promise of the fall has given way to an equally as ambitious end-of-year line-up. As superhero fodder like Aquaman and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse aim to elevate their respective worlds to greater heights, reimagined comedies and inspirational dramas seek to deliver promising debuts as the awards season heats up. From Netflix stand-outs to some of the biggest films set to dominate the box office in the coming months, here are the top movies to look out for this winter.
Extraordinary Origins - Undersea Ambitions & the Spider-Verse Expanded:
Aquaman - Marking the sixth feature of the surprisingly still-breathing DC Extended Universe, the December origin tale of DC's undersea king-turned-hero remains one of this winter's most anticipated releases. Set to be an expansive dive (pun intended) into the vast world surrounding the rugged protagonist of Jason Momoa's Arthur Curry, the film still holds the potential to have the ambitious storytelling and personal touch of its director that made last year's Wonder Woman such a knock-out. With an ever-growing cast of under-water enemies and allies, and a visual palette like nothing we've seen in the fumbled DC universe so far, Aquaman could be the the unconventional superhero tale that keeps the Marvel competitor above sea.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse - While the current live-action Spider-Man within the Marvel Cinematic Universe remains seemingly in the dust (again, pun intended) before returning for both July's Spider-Man: Far From Home and the Avengers sequel next year, 2018 seeks to offer up another Spidey story to hold us over in this month's Into the Spider-Verse. Set to crack open the Spider-Verse onto the big screen like nothing else before, the animated adventure sees Peter Parker's naive prodigy Miles Morales take up the helm as the iconic web-slinger. As Sony works towards expanding their off-shoot universe surrounding the titular teenage hero (this year's Venom also in the mix), the colorful new take from the writers of 21 Jump Street and The Lego Movie looks to be the exciting push the Spider-Man film-verse needs.
Bumblebee - Set twenty years before the events of Michael Bay's first Transformers film, another feature aiming to rejuvenate its respective franchise finds itself in this month's Bumblebee. With director Travis Knight taking up the helm for the spin-off, the origins of the soft-spoken, spunky Autobot Bumblebee have finally made their way to the silver screen. Looking to be an 1980s-set adventure that delves into one of the titular bot's first travels to Earth from his homeworld of Cybertron, the ambitious prequel promises a lighter tone aside Bay's explosive set-pieces, as well as a wholesome story of unlikely partnership.
Fresh Installments - Franchise Builders & Mystical Continuations:
Mary Poppins Returns - From the director of Chicago and Into the Woods, the latest musical escapade to hit the big screen finds itself in the highly-anticipated Mary Poppins Returns. The sequel to the 1964 classic starring Julie Andrews, the new adventure finds the mysterious and magical nanny returning to the Banks family after tragedy falls upon them. With the ever-stunning Emily Blunt taking up the reins for Andrews as the whimsical titular character, Mary Poppins has both the star appeal and the musical inklings to easily become the heartfelt hit of the holiday season.
The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part - Another sequel hitting theaters this winter lies in the continued lore of "the Legoverse" with The Lego Movie 2. After the 2014 hit from writers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller sparked its own franchise set against a colorful toy-based world, the tale of master-builder Emmet (Chris Pratt) and his allies looks to expand further as the newest installment finds our heroes trapped in a post-apocalyptic battle for survival. While its previous spin-off in 2017's The Lego Ninjago Movie failed to sustain much of the acclaim as the 2014 original, the February sequel should benefit from its established collection of colorful characters and ever-expanding universe.
Glass - While film franchises like "the Legoverse" and the highly-acclaimed Marvel Cinematic Universe continue to manufacture their own distinct worlds across the silver screen, another bold series riding the horizon finds itself in M. Night Shyamalan's suspenseful trilogy known under the alias of "Eastrail 177". Including both the 2000 film Unbreakable and 2016's Split, the horror/psychological thriller trilogy aims to close out with January's Glass. Following the central characters of both films as they are drawn into a deadly game by Samuel L. Jackson's Mr. Glass from Unbreakable, Shyamalan's ambitious world-building seeks to bring a startling hit to the start of 2019.
Happy Death Day 2U - After catching the first film at the later part of 2017, part of me beckoned for the story of sleeper slasher hit Happy Death Day to continue in a future sequel. While I never expected receive one, I remain curious as to where the Groundhog Day horror counterpart might go next. With Jessica Rothe's mildly compelling lead returning in the Blumhouse feature, while the February sequel might not fare as well as it moves away from the first film's October release, 2U could still shed some fright for the Valentine's Day season.
Apocalypse Now - Monstrous Moving Cities & Cyberpunk Inspirations:
Mortal Engines - From producer Peter Jackson, who has crafted visually-entrancing cinematic worlds spanning from Lord of the Rings to King Kong, his latest investment resides in the high-octane adaptation of author Philip Reeve's Mortal Engines. The latest post-apocalyptic adventure set on wheels, following the likes of 2015's Mad Max: Fury Road, the film finds humanity on the cusp of war after a cataclysmic event leaves the world's major cities as mobile, mechanized beasts. While not nearly as star-studded as much of the other major features this winter, this month's Mortal Engines could hold some appeal in its visual palette and bold world-building.
Alita: Battle Angel - Following the likes of 2017's somewhat problematic Ghost in the Shell adaptation, the latest manga-inspired adaptation to find its way to the big screen is this February's Alita: Battle Angel. From director Robert Rodriguez and producer James Cameron, the story of young cyborg Alita and her battle against the evil forces that seek to destroy her looks to be a mostly-faithful take on the Yukito Kishiro manga. Hopefully much more fulfilling than Ghost in the Shell, Alita could hold promise among fans of not only the manga, but the cyberpunk genre as well.
Anna and the Apocalypse - Set aside from most of the major blockbuster releases of the winter season, the underdog debut of director John McPhail's Anna and the Apocalypse remains a worthy addition to my winter movie preview. Described as a "Christmas zombie musical", one could easily conjure up images of such films as Edgar Wright's Shaun of the Dead and many others that once sought to subvert genres of action and comedy by tossing them in a blender (a bloody one, at that). While it might not be at the top of the list for December releases, the feel-good musical of the holiday season might just be found in a gory battle against the undead.
True-to-Life Stories - Tales of Desperation, Power, & Discrimination:
Vice - If there's one sure-fire way to get your name on the Oscar ballot, it has to be the physical transformation of an actor or actress into their desired role. Once they become nearly unrecognizable as whatever political figure, historical icon, or otherwise they seek to portray, they usually have the guts to sell whatever film they're acting in. Among the best at this, there's Christian Bale. As he steps into his latest role as former Vice President Dick Cheney for this month's Vice, the actor seeks to go for the gold as he takes on the rise and fall of Cheney in Adam McKay's newest biopic. With power players Amy Adams, Steve Carell, and Sam Rockwell also in the mix, Vice already seems to be the divisive top contender this awards season.
The Mule - Another actor/director still making waves across Hollywood for his dramatic turns is Clint Eastwood. While some of his most iconic roles are surely behind him, from classic westerns to nerve-wracking action-thrillers, Eastwood remains a prominent player in the current storm of awards buzz. After directing such biographical features as 2014's American Sniper, 2016's Sully, and most recently this year's The 15:17 to Paris, his latest real-life drama finds inspiration in the tale of 80-year-old drug courier Leo Sharp. Taking on the leading role of Earl Stone, an aging horticulturist and veteran who becomes the top drug mule of a powerful Mexican cartel, Eastwood seeks to deliver a passionate starring performance, alongside a promising true-to-life story.
Mary Queen of Scots - From the writer of Netflix's House of Cards, the tale of Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland, returns once more to the screen in this month's Mary Queen of Scots. Selling a bitter feud between Mary (Saoirse Ronan) and her cousin Queen Elisabeth I (Margot Robbie), the biographical drama has pitched most of its promise on its leading duo. From Robbie's ghastly ambitions to Ronan's mostly-diplomatic deception, the leading women of the film remain the biggest selling point for what could be a gripping portrayal of royal conflict and bitter betrayal.
On the Basis of Sex - While Mary Queen of Scots seeks to toss up its own female-led battle for power, director Mimi Leder aims to bring another prominent female to the screen in this month's On the Basis of Sex. Telling of the early days of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the film depicts the rise of Ginsburg from a passionate law student at Harvard to one of the first females to be inducted into the Supreme Court of the United States. With Felicity Jones stepping into the shoes of a young Ginsburg, the biopic could offer some more dramatic flavor to the woman's origins, especially as her fight against sex-based discrimination continues to make the headlines.
Fantastical Retellings - Money-Hungry Sequels & Inspired Subversions:
Once Upon a Deadpool - Whether you see it as a thoughtless cash-grab, spark of pure genius, or didn't even know it was a thing, the rebranding of May's Deadpool 2 as a PG-13 Christmas special starring The Princess Bride's Fred Savage came as somewhat of a surprise this holiday season. As the special seeks to strip the David Leitch sequel to a slightly-censored version of the original, it aims to appeal to the younger audience that surely didn't catch the sequel in theaters a few months back. While it likely won't match the original box office acclaim of Deadpool 2, the parodied version will surely warm some hearts of those who can't help but love the Marvel anti-hero.
Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle - As it sits at the top of my Netflix queue, another reimagined tale marked up for the winter season is the Netflix original film Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle. From director Andy Serkis (who also gives his motion-capture talents to the eccentric sloth bear Baloo in the film), the second live-action feature based on Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book stories finds its home on the small screen. While ambitious in its cast -- including Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, and Benedict Cumberbatch -- and its visual prowess, it could be quite difficult for the small-screen effort to top the likes of the 2016 Disney feature.
Holmes & Watson - Despite there being a third installment in the works for the Sherlock Holmes series from director Guy Richie, starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law as the titular detective and his reluctant associate Dr. John Watson, the world of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famed characters is primed to be retold yet again for the big screen with this month's Holmes & Watson. From the writer of Tropic Thunder and starring Step Brothers duo Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly, the comedic approach to the literary classic looks to subtly subvert the mystery premise by injecting it with a healthy dose of crude comedy. As not many tackle crude comedy as well as Ferrell and Reilly do, the duo being the perfect choice for a dim-witted take on the characters, Holmes & Watson could fare well with fans awaiting the actors' latest creative collaboration.
Recovering the Human Spirit - Tormented Artists & Autobiographical Epics
Welcome to Marwen - From director Robert Zemeckis, the man behind inspirational tales of heroism such as Forrest Gump, Flight, and the Back to the Future films, comes his latest drama in Welcome to Marwen. Inspired by the 2010 documentary Marwencol, the film finds the comedic Steve Carell taking on yet another dramatic turn as real-life artist Mark Hogancamp. After losing much of his memory following an assault that leaves him clinging to his life, Hogancamp crafts a miniature village of plastic figures to aid in his recovery. While the tale might be somewhat unconventional, the premise of the film, as well as its star power, could make for an inspiring new project to add to Zemeckis' diverse filmography.
Vox Lux - With her last turn as an impassioned performer in 2010's award-winning film Black Swan now nearly a decade behind her, actress Natalie Portman returns to the spotlight as a music phenomenon in this month's Vox Lux. While the film from director Brady Corbet might slide by this season mostly unnoticed, telling of a child star who rockets towards worldwide fame in light of tragedy, the combined star power of Portman and Jude Law could shine some light on the intriguing tale of stardom and the consequences of it.
Roma - One of the later films to grab my attention resides in the semi-autobiographical drama of this month's Roma. While it first intrigued with its director Alfonso Cuarón, the filmmaker behind such epic stories of humanity as Children of Men and Gravity, I later grappled to the film due to its focus on the director's own upbringing in Mexico City in the 1970s. Telling of a live-in housekeeper to a middle-class family within the beautifully stark Colonia Róma neighborhood, the film looks to be a passionate portrayal of the human spirit. While the film might ultimately lose some of its atmospheric allure after shifting to Netflix for its wide release, it remains one of my top films to see this winter.
The Upside - The final film to make the list finds itself in the upcoming remake of the acclaimed 2011 French film The Intouchables. Situating a promising duo of Bryan Cranston and Kevin Hart as a paralyzed billionaire and his unlikely friend in a paroled convict-turned-caretaker, January's comedy-drama The Upside seeks to recapture the acclaim of the 2011 film in a delightful tale of hope and unexpected partnership. With Nicole Kidman also along for the ride, the remake promises a humorous drama to kick off the new year.
From solo films that work to rescue ailing franchises to bold retellings that seek to bring something new to the big (and small) screen, the ambitious winter season is just getting started. With that, what are your top films to see this winter? Let me know in the comments below and stick around for more reviews coming very soon!
Fresh Installments - Franchise Builders & Mystical Continuations:
Mary Poppins Returns - From the director of Chicago and Into the Woods, the latest musical escapade to hit the big screen finds itself in the highly-anticipated Mary Poppins Returns. The sequel to the 1964 classic starring Julie Andrews, the new adventure finds the mysterious and magical nanny returning to the Banks family after tragedy falls upon them. With the ever-stunning Emily Blunt taking up the reins for Andrews as the whimsical titular character, Mary Poppins has both the star appeal and the musical inklings to easily become the heartfelt hit of the holiday season.
The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part - Another sequel hitting theaters this winter lies in the continued lore of "the Legoverse" with The Lego Movie 2. After the 2014 hit from writers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller sparked its own franchise set against a colorful toy-based world, the tale of master-builder Emmet (Chris Pratt) and his allies looks to expand further as the newest installment finds our heroes trapped in a post-apocalyptic battle for survival. While its previous spin-off in 2017's The Lego Ninjago Movie failed to sustain much of the acclaim as the 2014 original, the February sequel should benefit from its established collection of colorful characters and ever-expanding universe.
Glass - While film franchises like "the Legoverse" and the highly-acclaimed Marvel Cinematic Universe continue to manufacture their own distinct worlds across the silver screen, another bold series riding the horizon finds itself in M. Night Shyamalan's suspenseful trilogy known under the alias of "Eastrail 177". Including both the 2000 film Unbreakable and 2016's Split, the horror/psychological thriller trilogy aims to close out with January's Glass. Following the central characters of both films as they are drawn into a deadly game by Samuel L. Jackson's Mr. Glass from Unbreakable, Shyamalan's ambitious world-building seeks to bring a startling hit to the start of 2019.
Happy Death Day 2U - After catching the first film at the later part of 2017, part of me beckoned for the story of sleeper slasher hit Happy Death Day to continue in a future sequel. While I never expected receive one, I remain curious as to where the Groundhog Day horror counterpart might go next. With Jessica Rothe's mildly compelling lead returning in the Blumhouse feature, while the February sequel might not fare as well as it moves away from the first film's October release, 2U could still shed some fright for the Valentine's Day season.
Apocalypse Now - Monstrous Moving Cities & Cyberpunk Inspirations:
Mortal Engines - From producer Peter Jackson, who has crafted visually-entrancing cinematic worlds spanning from Lord of the Rings to King Kong, his latest investment resides in the high-octane adaptation of author Philip Reeve's Mortal Engines. The latest post-apocalyptic adventure set on wheels, following the likes of 2015's Mad Max: Fury Road, the film finds humanity on the cusp of war after a cataclysmic event leaves the world's major cities as mobile, mechanized beasts. While not nearly as star-studded as much of the other major features this winter, this month's Mortal Engines could hold some appeal in its visual palette and bold world-building.
Alita: Battle Angel - Following the likes of 2017's somewhat problematic Ghost in the Shell adaptation, the latest manga-inspired adaptation to find its way to the big screen is this February's Alita: Battle Angel. From director Robert Rodriguez and producer James Cameron, the story of young cyborg Alita and her battle against the evil forces that seek to destroy her looks to be a mostly-faithful take on the Yukito Kishiro manga. Hopefully much more fulfilling than Ghost in the Shell, Alita could hold promise among fans of not only the manga, but the cyberpunk genre as well.
Anna and the Apocalypse - Set aside from most of the major blockbuster releases of the winter season, the underdog debut of director John McPhail's Anna and the Apocalypse remains a worthy addition to my winter movie preview. Described as a "Christmas zombie musical", one could easily conjure up images of such films as Edgar Wright's Shaun of the Dead and many others that once sought to subvert genres of action and comedy by tossing them in a blender (a bloody one, at that). While it might not be at the top of the list for December releases, the feel-good musical of the holiday season might just be found in a gory battle against the undead.
True-to-Life Stories - Tales of Desperation, Power, & Discrimination:
Vice - If there's one sure-fire way to get your name on the Oscar ballot, it has to be the physical transformation of an actor or actress into their desired role. Once they become nearly unrecognizable as whatever political figure, historical icon, or otherwise they seek to portray, they usually have the guts to sell whatever film they're acting in. Among the best at this, there's Christian Bale. As he steps into his latest role as former Vice President Dick Cheney for this month's Vice, the actor seeks to go for the gold as he takes on the rise and fall of Cheney in Adam McKay's newest biopic. With power players Amy Adams, Steve Carell, and Sam Rockwell also in the mix, Vice already seems to be the divisive top contender this awards season.
The Mule - Another actor/director still making waves across Hollywood for his dramatic turns is Clint Eastwood. While some of his most iconic roles are surely behind him, from classic westerns to nerve-wracking action-thrillers, Eastwood remains a prominent player in the current storm of awards buzz. After directing such biographical features as 2014's American Sniper, 2016's Sully, and most recently this year's The 15:17 to Paris, his latest real-life drama finds inspiration in the tale of 80-year-old drug courier Leo Sharp. Taking on the leading role of Earl Stone, an aging horticulturist and veteran who becomes the top drug mule of a powerful Mexican cartel, Eastwood seeks to deliver a passionate starring performance, alongside a promising true-to-life story.
Mary Queen of Scots - From the writer of Netflix's House of Cards, the tale of Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland, returns once more to the screen in this month's Mary Queen of Scots. Selling a bitter feud between Mary (Saoirse Ronan) and her cousin Queen Elisabeth I (Margot Robbie), the biographical drama has pitched most of its promise on its leading duo. From Robbie's ghastly ambitions to Ronan's mostly-diplomatic deception, the leading women of the film remain the biggest selling point for what could be a gripping portrayal of royal conflict and bitter betrayal.
On the Basis of Sex - While Mary Queen of Scots seeks to toss up its own female-led battle for power, director Mimi Leder aims to bring another prominent female to the screen in this month's On the Basis of Sex. Telling of the early days of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the film depicts the rise of Ginsburg from a passionate law student at Harvard to one of the first females to be inducted into the Supreme Court of the United States. With Felicity Jones stepping into the shoes of a young Ginsburg, the biopic could offer some more dramatic flavor to the woman's origins, especially as her fight against sex-based discrimination continues to make the headlines.
Fantastical Retellings - Money-Hungry Sequels & Inspired Subversions:
Once Upon a Deadpool - Whether you see it as a thoughtless cash-grab, spark of pure genius, or didn't even know it was a thing, the rebranding of May's Deadpool 2 as a PG-13 Christmas special starring The Princess Bride's Fred Savage came as somewhat of a surprise this holiday season. As the special seeks to strip the David Leitch sequel to a slightly-censored version of the original, it aims to appeal to the younger audience that surely didn't catch the sequel in theaters a few months back. While it likely won't match the original box office acclaim of Deadpool 2, the parodied version will surely warm some hearts of those who can't help but love the Marvel anti-hero.
Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle - As it sits at the top of my Netflix queue, another reimagined tale marked up for the winter season is the Netflix original film Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle. From director Andy Serkis (who also gives his motion-capture talents to the eccentric sloth bear Baloo in the film), the second live-action feature based on Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book stories finds its home on the small screen. While ambitious in its cast -- including Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, and Benedict Cumberbatch -- and its visual prowess, it could be quite difficult for the small-screen effort to top the likes of the 2016 Disney feature.
Holmes & Watson - Despite there being a third installment in the works for the Sherlock Holmes series from director Guy Richie, starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law as the titular detective and his reluctant associate Dr. John Watson, the world of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famed characters is primed to be retold yet again for the big screen with this month's Holmes & Watson. From the writer of Tropic Thunder and starring Step Brothers duo Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly, the comedic approach to the literary classic looks to subtly subvert the mystery premise by injecting it with a healthy dose of crude comedy. As not many tackle crude comedy as well as Ferrell and Reilly do, the duo being the perfect choice for a dim-witted take on the characters, Holmes & Watson could fare well with fans awaiting the actors' latest creative collaboration.
Recovering the Human Spirit - Tormented Artists & Autobiographical Epics
Welcome to Marwen - From director Robert Zemeckis, the man behind inspirational tales of heroism such as Forrest Gump, Flight, and the Back to the Future films, comes his latest drama in Welcome to Marwen. Inspired by the 2010 documentary Marwencol, the film finds the comedic Steve Carell taking on yet another dramatic turn as real-life artist Mark Hogancamp. After losing much of his memory following an assault that leaves him clinging to his life, Hogancamp crafts a miniature village of plastic figures to aid in his recovery. While the tale might be somewhat unconventional, the premise of the film, as well as its star power, could make for an inspiring new project to add to Zemeckis' diverse filmography.
Vox Lux - With her last turn as an impassioned performer in 2010's award-winning film Black Swan now nearly a decade behind her, actress Natalie Portman returns to the spotlight as a music phenomenon in this month's Vox Lux. While the film from director Brady Corbet might slide by this season mostly unnoticed, telling of a child star who rockets towards worldwide fame in light of tragedy, the combined star power of Portman and Jude Law could shine some light on the intriguing tale of stardom and the consequences of it.
Roma - One of the later films to grab my attention resides in the semi-autobiographical drama of this month's Roma. While it first intrigued with its director Alfonso Cuarón, the filmmaker behind such epic stories of humanity as Children of Men and Gravity, I later grappled to the film due to its focus on the director's own upbringing in Mexico City in the 1970s. Telling of a live-in housekeeper to a middle-class family within the beautifully stark Colonia Róma neighborhood, the film looks to be a passionate portrayal of the human spirit. While the film might ultimately lose some of its atmospheric allure after shifting to Netflix for its wide release, it remains one of my top films to see this winter.
The Upside - The final film to make the list finds itself in the upcoming remake of the acclaimed 2011 French film The Intouchables. Situating a promising duo of Bryan Cranston and Kevin Hart as a paralyzed billionaire and his unlikely friend in a paroled convict-turned-caretaker, January's comedy-drama The Upside seeks to recapture the acclaim of the 2011 film in a delightful tale of hope and unexpected partnership. With Nicole Kidman also along for the ride, the remake promises a humorous drama to kick off the new year.
From solo films that work to rescue ailing franchises to bold retellings that seek to bring something new to the big (and small) screen, the ambitious winter season is just getting started. With that, what are your top films to see this winter? Let me know in the comments below and stick around for more reviews coming very soon!
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