18 FILMS TO SEE IN 2018

2017! What a great year for cinema!

We had a great share of comic book films, some top action picks and some fantastic comedies and dramas for all to see. Will 2018 be able to give us another Wonder Woman or Thor: Ragnarok? How about a horror to match the awesome IT or 47 Meters Down? What about another great comedy like The Disaster Artist? We have got so much to see in the coming 12 months, so where do we begin? No Fifty Shades on this list!

Insidious: The Last Key

One for the horror fans, this will actually be the fourth entry in the popular franchise! Lin Shaye returns in her battle against the Supernatural, yet again! I will be honest, I only watched the first Insidious film, but for a decent scarefest and an easy film for early 2018 I am sure this will do.

Plus, if you have seen the last three movies, why would you not watch the next one?

Peter Rabbit

Fancy an update on a literary classic voiced by Mr James Corden? Well…it’s coming. While many may not picture the funny man to be the ideal casting for the role, the trailer shows a lot of promise in a tale which will surely appeal to an audience of all ages.

Peter Rabbit will be a thrill to all fans of Beatrix Potter’s legendary characters!

Black Panther/Ant-Man And The Wasp

The Marvel Cinematic Universe proved last year they could produce three greatly received films in one year, and 2018 looks like they will do that all over again. While we will have our first full trip to Wakanda next year in Black Panther where Chadwick Boseman will return as King T’Challa, Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly will always make a comeback as the titular heroes in their own film to come in the summer.

The MCU is about to take its biggest steps this year, and these two film sandwich the almighty blockbuster I will mention in a short while.

Game Night

Comedy films have worked best when exploring new genres to combine them with. Shaun Of The Dead worked well by blending laughs with zombies and it looks like Game Night will bring in a good murder mystery to this story. A group of friends meet up for their regular game night and it heats up when they end up investigating a suspicious death.

The trailer shows some great quotes from Rachel McAdams and Jason Bateman in what might be a surprise hit.

Red Sparrow

Can you imagine if Black Widow from The Avengers was taken away from the comic book world? Well, maybe the story is a bit more original than that. Jennifer Lawrence is a Russian Spy who is trained to gain any intel she needs and takes down her targets by seducing them, which she is taught over her life.

Boasting a great cast, this thriller could be a big hit!

Tomb Raider

Angelina Jolie’s take on the video game character Lara Croft wasn’t exactly the home run many hoped for. The films she starred in were indeed fun, but it looks like the new version brought to the big screen by academy award winner Alicia Vikander will win many over. Swapping the well-polished editions from the early 2000’s is a more gritty and darker entry which I can’t wait to experience upon its release.

If you enjoyed the recent Tomb Raider video game reboot, then you will possibly love this!

The New Mutants

The X-Men may be heading to the MCU in the next few years, but we still have some potentially great blockbusters to come before they enter the successful universe. While we have had a huge focus on the core mutants from Xavier’s school and spin-offs with Wolverine and Deadpool, The New Mutants will be a more horror-influenced entry set to scare and entertain. With Arya from Game Of Thrones and Jonathan Byers from Stranger Things, the cast is impressive and up and coming.

Before Deadpool sets his foul mouth upon the world again, lets see what this side of the X universe holds!

Avengers: Infinity War

The last 10 years have led to this moment! Thanos, the mad titan who was first teased in 2012’s Avengers, finally comes to wreak havoc on our heroes and upon the earth. With Thor, Cap, Iron Man, Hulk, The Guardians Of The Galaxy and many more coming together, can the heroes stop Thanos and his Black Order? The stakes have never been higher and it will be fun to see Josh Brolin take centre stage as the ultimate foe of the MCU!

The most ambitious superhero film is nearly here!

Solo: A Star Wars Story

Disney have already given us two solid entries in the established saga of Star Wars and Rogue One was a worthy entry to enjoy. But, Solo will certainly be a different beast altogether. With the sacking of Lord and Miller as directors and their replacement Ron Howard taking over and re-shooting approximately 80% of the film, will it be good? Well, I will still watch it. It’s Star Wars after all!

It’s time to learn how that scruffy looking Nerf Herder met the Wookie!

Deadpool 2

Let’s set this straight, Fox basically f**ked up Deadpool in 2009 by making the “Merc With A Mouth” a SILENT antagonist! But then we finally got the Deadpool movie we deserved in 2016 and it was fantastic. Ryan Reynolds will return for Round Two and will bring with him Cable and Domino as well as some other familiar faces. While little is known on the story, we can expect more F bombs and blood and laughs!

Get the family together and warn them before they watch this rather naughty sequel!

Incredibles 2

Possibly my favourite film to come from Pixar, The Incredibles was just so much fun and a heart-warming venture for all the family. While we have had to wait 14 years for this sequel, it is good to know that the film will pick up directly where the first finished and that the majority of the original cast will return. Will lightning strike twice and provide yet another great film which will show up Fantastic Four once again (look it up, a big thing online for many fans)? Yes!

Summer 2018, can you please hurry up?

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

When you bring back a franchise and it ends up being the highest-earning film in the series, why not make a sequel! Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard return with Jeff Goldblum (yes, HE. IS. BACK.) and B.D. Wong for a trip back to Isla Nublar as a volcanic eruption begins, threatening the dinosaurs still on the island. Though this looks like a rescue film, there does appear to be a lot more happening in the background.

If only we could get Sam Neill back, this would be awesome!

Mission: Impossible 6

I will tell you this, I did not like Mission: Impossible originally. The first film was ok and the second and third were just shambles in my opinion. But, Ghost Protocol was a lot of fun and Rogue Nation was action packed from beginning to end. If M:I6 is anything to go by, we can expect a lot more excitement with Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson and Henry Cavill’s Moustache!

The clock is ticking on another instalment, fingers crossed it will be an adventure to enjoy!

The Predator

Remember that brilliant 1987 Predator film where Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers and a gang of other film tough guys? Yes, it was a classic and still looks great today. Shane Black, a star of the original, will helm this follow-up which will bring a new team up against a new alien invader or invaders! Ok, not the most original concept, but who doesn’t want to see Olivia Munn and Boyd Holbrook take on that ugly motherf***er?

Is it too much to ask for a cameo from Arnie?

Venom

God only knows that is happening with this film. Amy “I F’ed up so many times” Pascal has confused us all and Kevin Feige is probably just as perplexed about how this may or may not fit into the MCU, but there are some positives from this. First, Tom Hardy will take on the title role! Second, Carnage is rumoured to be the main villain and I should note that Ruben Fleischer (Director of Zombieland) is crafting this picture.

Whether or not it is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Tom Hardy will certainly be better than Topher “Goddamn” Grace (though he was good in That 70’s Show)!

Halloween

Halloween by Rob Zombie was fine, but not a touch on the John Carpenter masterpiece from 1978. With a direct sequel coming 40 years later and ignoring all other sequels, Jamie Lee Curtis will return as Laurie Strode and Nick Castle will be back as Michael Myers. John Carpenter may have a back seat to this entry, but be sure to feel his influence when this film comes out in October just before…Halloween!

Embrace the iconic villain that came before Alien, Jason, Freddy, Pinhead, Predator and Jigsaw one last time!

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelward

The first one was fine, I am sure this one will be successful too.

I preferred the Harry Potter films!

Aquaman

Hire a bad-ass to play Aquaman! Get a great director to helm the film! Get a supporting cast with buckets of talent! Well, the odds are in Aquaman’s favour for this one. Jason Momoa reprises his role of Arthur Curry in the DCEU for his own solo film. With James Wan in the directing chair and co-stars such as Amber Heard, Nicole Kidman, Willem Dafoe and Dolph Lundgren bringing this film together, Christmas 2018 will indeed be a two horse race between this and the last entry on the list.

The Aquaman may still be new for film fans, but this film will surely rocket him to super stardom!

Bohemian Rhapsody

A biographical film of Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of Queen and one of the greatest singer/songwriter’s the world has ever seen sounds like a sure hit. Rami Malek (lead star of Mr. Robot) takes on the role of the Queen frontman and he certainly does look the part. Though with the recent sacking of director Bryan Singer and hiring of Dexter Fletcher in his place, could this dampen the film? We will find out at Christmas 2018.

We Will, We Will…WATCH THIS!

What films are you looking forward to watch in 2018? Is there a film you feel I should have mentioned? Let me know in the comments.

Written by Jonjo Cosgrove

THE SIXTEEN FILMS TO SEE IN 2016

Deadpool

Do you enjoy your comic book films as family friendly, easy viewing and generally safe? Well, that is thrown out the window in this adaptation. Starring Ryan Reynolds as the guy in the red suit (no, not Santa), Deadpool follows the lead character as he gets revenge on those who nearly destroyed his life. Possibly the darkest and most brutal Marvel film to date, you will surely be questioning your movie tastes when you find yourself laughing out loud at this film. Be sure to look out for cameos from the X-Men and how many times the fourth wall is broken.

Captain America: Civil War

The oldest bromance in the MCU is about to be revived as Captain America finds his former friend Bucky, and looks to save him. Things don’t look too good as Bucky is wanted for the crimes he committed when he was brainwashed as The Winter Soldier. With tensions mounting, The Avengers split into two factions. One lead by Cap, the other by Iron Man. Look out for new heroes on the screen such as Black Panther, Spider-Man and the return of General “Thunderbolt” Ross. Who will survive the Civil War? Plus, this is coming from the guys who made Captain America: The Winter Soldier, so I think we are in very good hands.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Did you enjoy The Force Awakens? Honestly, it restored the faith in the franchise for millions of people and looks set to become the biggest film of 2015 and maybe even of all time. Since Disney want to expand the franchise, we get this spin-off set between Episode III and IV which shows a group of rebel fighters looking to steal the plans for the Death Star. A heist movie in Star Wars sounds a bit mad, right? Well, it worked well in Ant-Man, so it could be fun and exciting. Be sure to see many callbacks and maybe a cameo from James Earl Jones and Ian McDiarmid as the Sith Lords?

Doctor Strange

Comic book movies are definitely going to be taking over the world again in 2016, but this one looks to be a very much different idea compared to the others. Using a more mystical setting, bringing magic into the Marvel Cinematic Universe will certain add a new dimension to the well-established world that we have come to know. Benedict Cumberbatch will become the sorcerer supreme while the supporting cast includes Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mads Mikkelsen and Tilda Swinton. A great cast should easily bring this film to life and take it to a world of its own!

Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them

Has there been a void in your heart since the Harry Potter films finished? Well fear not, as 2016 will see us return to the wizarding world for this story set around 70 years before Harry Potter was born. Eddie Redmayne stars as Newt Scamander, a British wizard from the Ministry of Magic in 1920’s New York as he holds a briefcase filled with many creatures and they escape. This sounds like a fun movie, and it will be great to see what happens when the magic world gets hugely involved with the muggle world.

Suicide Squad

The villains are coming, and they are ready to save the world. With many of the DC rogues, including many which originated from Batman, are set up by Amanda Waller for a mission which many others would consider a death sentence. From Harley Quinn to Killer Croc, there is a huge mix of villains from which to take in and discover. Will the film do a good job of expanding the DC universe of films? And what will happen with Jared Leto becoming the new version of The Joker? See when the insanity begins in August!

Star Trek Beyond

2016 will see the 50^th anniversary of the long-running Sci-Fi franchise be marked with the new film. Star Trek Beyond is set after the 2013 film and shows the crew of the Starship Enterprise as they embark on their mission to explore space. After an incident which sees the starship destroyed, the crew are all separated and in danger. Though we won’t have Leonard Nimoy making an appearance as Spock, we may still get that William Shatner cameo which has been mentioned for many many years.

Ghostbusters

In 1984, the catchiest theme tune was released to go with one of the most fun movies of the decade. Even though this is a reboot of the original film, here is hoping there will still be links to the original movies. Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy lead the cast as the new female Ghostbusters come together for an updated adventure. Though to see Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Annie Potts, Ernie Hudson and Sigourney Weaver maybe back in some of their original roles will be worth cost of the ticket.

The BFG

Steven Spielberg returns to making family movies with the release of The BFG. Based on the famous novel from Roald Dahl, The BFG will see Mark Rylance take the title role as the Big Friendly Giant as teams up with a young girl to capture the man-eating giants who have been invading the human world. The work of Roald Dahl always is fun to see on the big screen, and an update on this classic tale will surely get plenty of people to see what happens. Now, we just need that adaptation of The Twits to finally get the go ahead.

X-Men: Apocalypse

If you think of how Spider-Man and Fantastic Four went, you will know why people have begged for them to be part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Luckily, even after 16 years, the X-Men films have managed to be very impressive and recently see their critical acclaim hit an all-time high. With the mutant Apocalypse about to rise, he enlists four mutants to be his horseman to help him take over the world. This will conclude the trilogy which begun with First Class and looks to be the biggest film to date.

The Angry Birds Movie

Have you ever played this game on your phone/tablet/video game console? Chances are you have heard about this movie being produced. There are so many big names coming to lend their voice in this movie (including Peter Dinklage, Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Maya Rudolph, Bill Hader and more). With the story seeming to be similar to the nature of the game, it looks like a good film to take the kids and just wittle away 90 minutes to something fun. The trailer makes the film look rather intriguing, but we will find out more when it comes out this summer!

The Jungle Book

Jon Favreau brought Iron Man to the big screen and helped kickstart the MCU, and now he looks to take the Rudyard Kipling classic to the cinema once again for this modern update. Disney looks to take one of its more popular set of characters and give them to a whole new audience. Bill Murray gets to play his dream role as Baloo and Christopher Walken will be shaking his thing as King Louie. With the film coming out this spring, it will be a great way to introduce the characters you know to your kids or younger siblings.

 

Grimsby

Sacha Baron Cohen returns for yet another quirky character and looking to make another massive impact on the world. This time, he becomes Nobby Grimsby, a football hooligan whose brother is a spy for MI6. They reunite after a long time to help save the world and the humour looks to be very strong in this one. Playing his brother is Mark Strong, a man who may not be too familiar with comedy, but already seems to have it down to a tee. Let’s see if Cohen can make it yet another success story with Grimsby.

Creed

Rocky Balboa will forever go down as one of the most famous characters in movie history. Sylvester Stallone returns to the role that made him famous and this time takes a supporting role to Michael B. Jordan who debuts as Adonis Creed, the son of Rocky’s former friend and rival Apollo. Adonis seeks out Rocky for his help in getting him into boxing, and the story goes from there. The praise for this film already is ridiculously high and there is even Oscar talk for Stallone. Definitely one to see for fans of boxing, Rocky, Stallone or just to see what is probably his best performance according to many reviewers.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

If you can take a famous novel from Jane Austen and make it into a well-received parody, you clearly are on to a winner. Burr Steers has written and directed this adaptation and has managed to squeeze in a huge amount of talent for this movie. A mostly British cast lead this film which tells the original Pride and Prejudice story, but with the subtle change of being in a world infested with zombies. Could there be a more bonkers movie for 2016, yes and it is called Deadpool! But I think this will probably get people going just for the title alone!

Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice

What more do I need to say? This is two of the biggest comic book characters in history coming face to face on the big screen for the first time. Henry Cavill returns as the Man Of Steel while Ben Affleck gets his chance to be the hero again as he becomes The Dark Knight. Though many feel the latest trailer has maybe given away a lot of the story, the one released in the summer saw just how well the two go on the screen and the tension is shown to be really high as both characters come eye to eye. This may be the biggest film of the year, will you see it?

Written by Jonjo Cosgrove

 

P.S. There is also Finding Dory…