TL;DR: this year is insane.Let me dive right in - hopefully I hit the 300 character minimum.Original/adapted/stand-alone films:MidsommarA horror film from break-out director Ari Aster (Hereditary).A young couple travels to Sweden to visit their friend’s rural hometown and attend its mid-summer festival. What begins as an idyllic retreat quickly descends into a bizarre and violent competition at the hands of a pagan cult.Directed by Ari Aster. Starring Florence Pugh, Jack Reynor, Will Poulter and William Jackson Harper.Ad AstraA sci-fi film with Brad Pitt - I’m itching for a trailer.Army Corps engineer Roy McBride embarks on a mission across the galaxy to discover the truth about his father, who disappeared in space 20 years ago while searching for signs of alien life.Directed by James Gray. Starring Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones and Ruth Negga.Knives OutRian Johnson is a touch controversial after The Last Jedi, but he's undeniably very talented. He directed the best Breaking Bad episode after all.Modern-day murder mystery in the classic Agatha Christie whodunit style.Directed by Rian Johnson (The Last Jedi, Ozymandias). Starring Daniel Craig, Lakeith Stanfield, Chris Evans, Michael Shannon, Christopher Plummer, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis and Toni Collette.The IrishmanA Scorsese film with Netflix that’s gone seriously over-budget, bound to be enjoyable.A mob hit man recalls his possible involvement with the slaying of Jimmy Hoffa.Starring Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Harvey Keitel, Joe Pesci and Ray Romano.Little WomenA Greta Gertwig film with an outstanding cast. I’m excited. I also have a feeling this will have some play in the 2019 OscarsFour sisters come of age in America in the aftermath of the Civil War.Directed by Greta Gertwig. Starring Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Eliza Scanlen, Florence Pugh, Laura Dern, Meryl Streep, Timothée Chalamet, James Norton, Louis Garrel and Bob Odenkirk.Velvet BuzzsawYou’ve probably already seen the trailer. An art-world horror-satire from Dan Gilroy, on Netflix in Feb.Big money artists and mega-collectors pay a high price when art collides with commerce. After a series of paintings by an unknown artist are discovered, a supernatural force enacts revenge on those who have allowed their greed to get in the way of art.Directed by Dan Gilroy. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo and Toni Collette.Uncut GemsAdam Sandler taking on a serious role by the directors of Good Time (2017). If it has any of the same intensity or grit as Good Time this could be awesome.Set in the diamond district of New York City, Howard Ratner, a jewelry store owner and dealer to the rich and famous, must find a way to pay his debts when his merchandise is taken from one of his top sellers and girlfriend.Directed by the Safdie brothers. Starring Adam Sandler, Idina Menzel, Lakeith Stanfield and The Weeknd.The ReportThis got pretty great reviews at Sundance, I’m excited.The story of Daniel Jones, lead investigator for the US Senate’s sweeping study into the CIA’s Detention and Interrogation Program, which was found to be brutal, immoral and ineffective. With the truth at stake, Jones battled tirelessly to make public what many in power sought to keep hidden.Directed by Scott Z. Burns. Starring Adam Driver, Annette Bening, Jon Hamm and Jennifer Morrison.Ford v. FerrariAwesome cast, great story, and directed by the guy behind Logan.Follows an eccentric, determined team of American engineers and designers, led by automotive visionary Carroll Shelby and his British driver, Ken Miles, who are dispatched by Henry Ford II with the mission of building from scratch an entirely new automobile with the potential to finally defeat the perennially dominant Ferrari at the 1966 Le Mans World Championship.Directed by James Mangold. Starring Christian Bale, Matt Damon, Jon Bernthal and Tracy Letts.Late NightThis got some pretty great reviews at Sundance.Legendary late-night talk show host’s world is turned upside down when she hires her only female staff writer. Originally intended to smooth over diversity concerns, her decision has unexpectedly hilarious consequences as the two women separated by culture and generation are united by their love of a biting punchline.Directed by Nisha Ganatra. Starring Emma Thompson Mindy Kaling.Once Upon a Time in HollywoodHoly shit.A faded TV actor and his stunt double embark on an odyssey to make a name for themselves in the film industry during the Helter Skelter reign of terror in 1969 Los Angeles.Directed by Quentin Tarantino. Cast includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Al Pacino, Timothy Olyphant, Tim Roth, Kurt Russell, Michael Madsen, Bruce Dern, Dakota Fanning,James Marsden, Damian Lewis, Luke Perry, Emile Hirsch, Damon Herriman and Scoot McNairy.jesus christ i cannot waitUsIf this is as spoopy as the trailer uh oh.Husband and wife Gabe and Adelaide Wilson take their kids to their beach house expecting to unplug and unwind with friends. But as night descends, their serenity turns to tension and chaos when some shocking visitors arrive uninvited.Directed by Jordan Peele. Starring Lupita Nyong'o**,** Winston Duke**,** Elisabeth Moss and Tim Heidecker**.**The LighthouseNext film from the guy behind the VVitchThe story of an aging lighthouse keeper named Old who lives in early 20th-century Maine.Directed by Robert Eggers. Starring Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson.High LifeReally good reviews, sci-fi that looks like it could be pretty trippy.A father and his daughter struggle to survive in deep space where they live in isolation.Directed by Claire Denis. Starring Robert Pattinson.RadegundA Terrence Mallick movie, so it's going to be divisive, but the plot does have potential.Told through real wartime letters, this love story finds a couple in conflict with the members of their close-knit town, their church, their government, and even their friends — all of which brings them to a dramatic choice.Directed by Terrence Mallick. Starring August Deihl and Valerie Pachner.LuceI know every movie is called a sign of the times, but this one seems particularly geared towards the current politics. Really good Sundance reviews.A star athlete and top student, Luce’s idealized image is challenged by one of his teachers when his unsettling views on political violence come to light, putting a strain on family bonds while igniting intense debates on race and identity.Directed by Julius Onah. Starring Kelvin Harrison Jr., Naomi Watts, Tim Roth and Octavia Spencer.The SouvenirThis one just got rave reviews at Sundance.A quiet film student begins finding her voice as an artist while navigating a turbulent courtship with a charismatic but untrustworthy man.Directed by Joanna Hogg. Starring Honor Swinton-Byrne, Tom Burke, Tilda Swinton and Richard Ayoade.Untitled Noah Baumbach ProjectThis one is obviously a bit unknown. But the cast looks amazing, and if it turns out as good as The Meyerowitz Stories, I can't wait to watch. Will be a Netflix film.Directed by Noah Baumbach. Starring Adam Driver, Scarlett Johannsen, Laura Dern and Greta Gertwig.Honey BoyGreat reviews from Sundance, 100% on RT as of now.The story of a child star attempting to mend his relationship with his law-breaking, alcohol-abusing father over the course of a decade, loosely based on Shia LaBeouf’s life.Directed by Alma Har’el. Starring Shia LaBeouf, Lucas Hedges and yada yada.Queen & SlimVery interesting premise, and Daniel Kaluuya.The film centers on a black man and black woman who go on a first date that goes awry after the two are pulled over by a police officer at a traffic stop. They kill the police officer in self-defense and rather than turn themselves in, they go on the run.Directed by Melina Matsoukas. Starring Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith.The FarewellAnother film with good reviews out of Sundance.A headstrong Chinese-American woman returns to China when her beloved grandmother is given a terminal diagnosis. Billi struggles with her family’s decision to keep grandma in the dark about her own illness as they all stage an impromptu wedding to see grandma one last time.Directed by Lulu Wang. Starring Awkwafina.Long ShotA comedy with a cool cast by Jonathan Levine.A political journalist tries to hook up with his old babysitter, who now holds an important government position.Directed by Jonathan Levine. Starring Seth Rogen, Charlize Theron and Alexander Skarsgård.RocketmanI was disappointed with Bohemian last year, so I'm reminding myself to be sceptical, but I hope this is excellent. Trailer here.The story of Elton John's life, from his years as a prodigy at the Royal Academy of Music through his influential and enduring musical partnership with Bernie Taupin.Directed by Dexter Fletcher. Starring Taron Egerton (as Elton), Jamie Bell, Richard Madden and Bryce Dallas Howard.The GoldfinchBased on the bestselling book. Director of Brooklyn.A boy in New York is taken in by a wealthy family after his mother is killed in a bombing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In a rush of panic, he steals ‘The Goldfinch’, a painting that eventually draws him into a world of crime.Directed by John Crowley. Cast includes Ansel Elgort, Finn Wolfhard, Aneurin Barnard, Oakes Fegley, Ashleigh Cummings, Willa Fitzgerald and Nicole Kidman.Big Time AdolescenceIt's a little too early to tell from the Sundance reviews, but I really hope this is good. Pete Davidson and the guy who plays Sam in American Vandal star.A 16 year old virgin with a growth hormone deficiency slowly gets corrupted by his hero, an aimless college dropout.Directed by Jason Orley. Starring Pete Davidson and Griffin Gluck.Triple FrontierThe cast for this Netflix action thriller is awesome. If the trailer and director is anything to go by though, this looks really promising.Struggling to make ends meet, former special ops soldiers reunite for a high-stakes heist: stealing $75 million from a South American drug lord.Directed by J.C. Chandor (Margin Call). Starring Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam and Pedro Pascal.Chaos WalkingI hope this is amazing, but the premise sounds incredibly difficult to pull off. Good cast and director, so fingers crossed. I'm using the book description here.A dystopian world where all living creatures can hear each other's thoughts in a stream of images, words, and sounds called Noise.Directed by Doug Liman (Edge of Tomorrow). Starring Tom Holland and Daisy Ridley.The Rosie ProjectFew details are out. Ryan Reynolds, based on a good book.An unlucky-in-love university professor creates an elaborate questionnaire in an effort to find a wife and meets an unconventional woman who doesn’t match any of his “requirements”, but might be the perfect woman for him.Directed by Ben Taylor. Starring Ryan Reynolds.The Beach BumThe trailer looks completely wack. Make sure you watch it:An irreverent comedy about the misadventures of Moondog, a rebellious stoner and lovable rogue who lives large.Directed by Harmony Korine (Spring Breakers). Starring Matthew McConaughey, Snoop Dogg, Zac Efron and Isla Fisher.ParasiteI don't know much about this one, but the director previously made Snowpiercer, Okja and my favourite, Memories of Murder. I'm excited.All unemployed, Ki-taek’s family takes peculiar interest in the Parks for their livelihood until they get entangled in an expected incident.Directed by Bong Joon-Ho. Starring Song Kang-ho, Lee Sun-kyun, Jo Yeo-jeong and Choi Woo-shik.I Am MotherThis one comes from nowhere. An indie sci-fi with with an interesting plot, and good Sundance reviews.A teenage girl is raised underground by a robot “Mother”, designed to repopulate the earth following an extinction event. But their unique bond is threatened when an inexplicable stranger arrives with alarming news.0Directed by Grant Sputore. Starring Hillary Swank , Clara Rugaard-Larsen and Rose Byrne.Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and VileYou’ve more than likely heard of this one. Ted Bundy film starring Zac Efron. I’m not sure how excited I am for the film, but Efron’s performance is apparently very good.A chronicle of the crimes of Ted Bundy, from the perspective of his longtime girlfriend, Elizabeth Kloepfer, who refused to believe the truth about him for years.Directed by Joe Berlinger. Starring Lily Collins**,** Zac Efron and John Malkovich**.**The NightingaleThe second film from the director of the Babadook. Really promising (and slightly divisive) reviews out of Sundance. Fun fact: you can kinda measure the divisiveness of a film on RT by comparing the percentage meter with the average rating. If the percentage is high but the average rating is low, it shows that the film is all-round solid and inoffensive. If the percentage rating is lower but the average rating is still high/moderate, it means there’s a large gap between those who loved and didn’t like it. Anyway, back to the Nightingale. I’m excited - doubly so since it’s an Aussie film.In 1829, Claire, a 21-year-old Irish convict, chases a British soldier through the rugged Tasmanian wilderness, bent on revenge for a terrible act of violence he committed against her family. She enlists the services of an Aboriginal tracker named Billy, who is also marked by trauma from his own violence-filled past.Directed by Jennifer Kent. Starring Aisling Franciosi, Sam Claflin, Damon Herriman and Ewen Leslie.The Dead Don't DieAnother awesome cast, definitely one to look forward to. The plot summary isn’t out, but it’s a comedy zombie flick.Directed by Jim Jarmusch. Starring Bill Murray, Adam Driver, Selena Gomez, Chloë Sevigny, Austin Butler, Steve Buscemi and Tilda Swinton.MemoriaTilda Swinton seems to be working a lot, woah.Memoria revolves around a character (portrayed by Tilda Swinton) who suffers from exploding head syndrome, a psychological condition in which a person experiences loud noises when falling asleep or waking up.Directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul. Starring Tilda Swinton and Jeanne Balibar.Where'd You Go, BernadetteThe trailer for this, particularly the music, wasn’t good. The content of the trailer shows a lot of potential though, and the book is apparently really good. Also: Richard Linklater.When architect-turned-recluse Bernadette Fox goes missing prior to a family trip to Antarctica, her 15-year-old daughter Bee goes on a quest with Bernadette’s husband to find her.Directed by Richard Linklater. Starring Cate Blanchett ,Emma Nelson, Billy Crudup, Kristen Wiig, Judy Greer and Laurence Fishburne.A Beautiful Day in the NeighborhoodTom Hanks seems made for this role. Should be good.The story of Fred Rogers, the honored host and creator of the popular children’s television program, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood (1968).Directed by Marielle Heller. Starring Tom Hanks, Matthew Rhys and Chris Cooper.High Flying BirdI’ll make this quick: Excellent reviews so far. Netflix in Feb. Steven Soderbergh. Shot on an iPhone. Moonlight writer.During an NBA lockout, a sports agent, Dean, presents his rookie client, Erick Scott, with an intriguing and controversial business opportunity.Directed by Steven Soderbergh (Ocean’s 11). Starring André Holland Zazie Beetz Jeryl Prescott Kyle MacLachlan Caleb McLaughlin Zachary Quinto.The CradleI don’t know much about this one but the plot intrigues me. For some reason it reminds me of Denis Villeneuve's early film, Incendies (if you haven’t watched yet, make it your next film - it’s incredible.)A young couple not ready to expect their first baby track down a cradle, only to make a discovery that will change their family forever.Directed by Hope Dickson Leach. Starring Jack O'Connell and Lily Collins.The Woman in the WindowA Rear Window-esque movie with a great cast and director. Really hoping this is great, cos I love these kind of plots.An agoraphobic woman living alone in New York begins spying on her new neighbors only to witness a disturbing act of violence.Directed by Joe Wright. Starring Amy Adams, Gary Oldman, Julianne Moore and Wyatt Russell.Gemini ManThe plot is crazy, but the cast and director can definitely pull it off.Henry Brogen, an aging assassin tries to get out of the business but finds himself in the ultimate battle: fighting his own clone who is 25 years younger than him and at the peak of his abilities.Directed by Ang Lee. Starring Will Smith, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen and Benedict Wong.The Last Black Man in San FranciscoYet another film with great reviews from Sundance.Jimmie Fails dreams of reclaiming the Victorian home his grandfather built in the heart of San Francisco. Joined on his quest by his best friend Mont, Jimmie searches for belonging in a rapidly changing city that seems to have left them behind.Directed by Joe Talbot. Starring Jimmie Fails, Jonathan Majors, Rob Morgan and Tichina Arnold.Blinded by the LightSundance musta been real great this year, cos once again we have another movie with good reviews out of it. Apparently wholesome and inspiring.In 1987, during the austere days of Thatcher’s Britain, a teenager learns to live life, understand his family, and find his own voice through the music of Bruce Springsteen.Directed by Gurinder Chadha. Starring Viveik Kalra, Nell William and Hayley Atwell.Before You Know ItGood reviews. Sundance. Family comedy.A long-kept family secret thrusts codependent, thirty-something sisters Rachel and Jackie Gurner into a literal soap opera. A journey that proves that you really can come of age, at any age.Directed by Hannah Pearl Utt. Starring Hannah Pearl Utt, Jen Tullock and Judith Light.Little MonstersSUNDANCE. GOOD. ZOMBIES. COMEDY.A washed-up musician teams up with a teacher and a kids show personality to protect young children from a sudden outbreak of zombies.Directed by Abe Forsythe. Starring Lupita Nyong'o, Josh Gad, Alexander England and Nadia Townsend.My thoughtsFeel free to ignore lolAfter finally managing to finish this compilation, reading plots and wikis and watching trailers, I cannot believe how many good films there are coming out. This is reminding me of 2017, when I made a similar post - and 2017 was an absolutely amazing year overall, especially in light of the relative disappointment of 2018. There’s just so much promise in every category - horror, thriller, biopics, drama, action, comedy… and if you count zombie films as a genre unto themselves, then yeah, that too.Of course, I cannot wait for Tarantino’s flick. But after that it’s hard to pick ordered favourites - Knives Out, The Dead Don’t Die, Us, The Report and Luce are films I cannot wait for, but there are so many others I’m pumped for - and I haven’t even gone into the blockbusters.Speaking of…For the franchise and sequel films, I haven’t gone to the effort of adding plot and cast details. They’re huge, you’ll hear all about them anyway.Franchise/Sequel/Remake filmsGodzilla: King of the MonstersStar Wars: Episode IXZombieland 2: Double TapPokémon: Detective PikachuThe Lego Movie 2: The Second PartAvengers: EndgameCaptain MarvelJokerToy Story 4Shazam!It: Chapter TwoJohn Wick Chapter 3: ParabellumSpider-Man: Far from HomeLion KingDumboAladdinThe New MutantsAlita: Battle AngelHellboyDark PhoenixMen in Black InternationalFast & Furious presents: Hobbs & ShawArtemis FowlCharlie’s AngelsKingsman 3Sonic the HedgehogI’m genuinely delirious. I told myself I would get this post done before I went to sleep and I am now totally exhausted. There were far more movies than I anticipated. This year is ridiculous and it has been mean to me. Of course, if I missed anything let me know and I’ll add it once I’ve woken up!Oh, and if you want to follow me on Letterboxd: http://bit.ly/2SiWfZy you enjoy! :) via /r/movies http://bit.ly/2DIVm4I
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