2014 Golden Globe Predictions

Greg (Reel True) and I decided to both throw our Golden Globes Predictions into the ring. As one of the biggest precursors before March 2nd's Academy Awards, the Golden Globes will be airing this Sunday night (1/12). With the booze freely flowing and Hollywood's finest ready to party, the Globes may not carry the same weight as the Oscars, but it's definitely the awards show you don't want to miss!

Smaller Categories

Best Animated Feature: Dave & Greg - Frozen

Best Foreign Film:  Dave - Blue is the Warmest Color & Greg - The Great Beauty 

Best Original Score: Dave & Greg - Steven Price - Gravity 

Best Original Song: Dave - "Please Mr. Kennedy" - Justin Timberlake & co. - Inside Llewyn Davis & Greg - "Let It Go" - Idina Menzel - Frozen

Best Motion Picture - Drama

With the two major combatants in this highly regarded race being Steve McQueen's 12 Years a Slave and Alfonso Cuaron's Gravity, it will be very interesting to see who walks away victorious.

Predictions: Dave & Greg - 12 Years a Slave 

Best Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical

In a surprising move, many of the big-named Best Picture hopefuls for the Oscars chose to go the Comedy/Musical route instead of Drama. While The Wolf of Wall Street or Nebraska seem most likely to spoil American Hustle's frontrunner status, it's easier said than done.

Predictions: Dave & Greg - American Hustle 

Best Actor - Drama

In actuality, this race can be slimmed down to only two serious contenders. And while the heart wants what the heart wants, and my heart is pulling for an extremely deserving Matthew McConaughey, we both feel that the Hollywood Foreign Press will be going a different way.

Predictions: Dave & Greg - Chiwetel Ejiofor - 12 Years a Slave 

Best Actor - Comedy/Musical

This honestly feels like one of the most lopsided categories at the Globes. There isn't much more to say than, "Give the old man that statue already".

Predictions: Dave & Greg - Bruce Dern - Nebraska

Best Actress - Drama

One name's been sweeping through the early precursors and that's Cate Blanchett, but some believe that Gravity's Sandra Bullock still has something left in the tank or even a late charge from the dame Judi Dench is possible. We'll just have to wait and see.

Predictions: Dave - Cate Blachett - Blue Jasmine & Greg - Judi Dench - Philomena

Best Actress - Comedy/Musical

The Globes did a commendable job of finding three solid nominees from smaller independent films. However, those three ladies have a difficult hill to climb against the always vote-worthy Meryl Streep and the leading actress from our anticipated Best Picture Winner in the Comedy/Musical grouping, Amy Adams. It sounds strange to say it but both Streep and Adams are fringe players for that 5th Oscar spot, so this becomes an even more meaningful selection. But where will they go?

Predictions: Dave - Meryl Streep - August: Osage County & Greg - Amy Adams - American Hustle

Best Director

While our two Best Picture selections have directors, Steve McQueen and David O. Russell, still very much in the mix, it just seems too perfect that the globes will try desperately to keep things somewhat symmetrical and continue the 3-headed monster debate all the way to the Oscars.

Predictions: Dave & Greg - Alfonso Cuaron - Gravity

Best Supporting Actor

With major players Jared Leto and Michael Fassbender presumed to be battling this one out, it's important to remember that the Best Supporting Actor category is always crowded and always a wildcard.

Predictions: Dave - Jared Leto - Dallas Buyers Club & Greg - Daniel Bruhl - Rush 

Best Supporting Actress

Although Jennifer Lawrence has fared well for herself in the early going of the awards season hoopla and is quickly becoming the starlet of Hollywood, there was a very soulful and agonizing debut performance from an unknown Lupita Nyong'o that can't be ignored. We're thinking it won't.

Predictions: Dave & Greg - Lupita Nyong'o - 12 Years a Slave 

Best Screenplay

Since the Globes group adapted and original screenplays into one mega pool of possibilities, there's always a lot of different ways this race can go. It will certainly be interesting to see if Eric Singer and David O. Russell (American Hustle) can withstand the powerhouse effect of 12 Years a Slave and John Ridley's adapted script.

Predictions: Dave - John Ridley - 12 Years a Slave & Greg - Eric Singer & David O. Russell - American Hustle

*** Remember to tune in to the Golden Globes on Sunday night for a star-studded and fun-filled affair!

2013's Most Overrated Movies

Here's where I make some enemies. Today I'm taking a look at the most overrated movies from 2013. If you happened to miss it, you can also check out my picks for the past year's Most Underrated Films. When developing a list such as this, it's important to outline certain criteria on which the selections are based. For me I use three main tools to help me classify "overrated". First, there's critical reception. Rotten Tomatoes becomes my source for this specific element, where anything over a 60% critic approval is classified as a "fresh" score. Then, there's public perception. A good indicator on how the general public feels about a film can be found at IMDB. Generally, anything close to a "7.0" suggests audiences liked the film. Rating hovering around "8.0" suggest the movie is exceptional. Finally, I use box-office totals and awards season success as my last sets of criteria to help determine my list. While it's almost certain that we'll never agree on everything, here's my list of 2013's most overrated films.

Honorable Mention: Elysium (68% on Rotten Tomatoes and $93+ million in box office revenue), Philomena (7.9 rating on IMDB and 92% on Rotten Tomatoes) and Her (an astounding 8.6 on IMDB and 91% on Rotten Tomatoes).

#5. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

Now don't get me wrong, there are definitely some well earned laughs in this highly anticipated sequel. However, a fair amount of critical praise (75%) and a box-office total that continues to surge past $110 million is a little unwarranted. We all knew that people would flock to theatres to see Anchorman 2, yet the outpouring of affection is a little astonishing. As a fan of the first installment, this one felt highly forced and rather mediocre. 

#4. Lee Daniels' The Butler

With Harvey Weinstein making an Oscar-consideration push and the Screen Actors Guild recognizing its cast, Lee Daniels' The Butler is a far cry from the big-time awards season contenders. Critics approved (73%), audiences enjoyed it as well (7.0 on IMDB) and its box-office crossed the $115 million threshold. Most importantly, there's no excuse for the forced subplots that were obviously included in order to get Oprah Winfrey some "much needed" face time. 

#3. Man of Steel

While critics were rather mixed on Zack Snyder's attempt at Superman, a much-expected $290+ million total at the box-office and an inflated 7.4 moviegoer score on IMDB leave me scratching my head. There were so many issues with Man of Steel and I guess dedicated fandom allowed many viewers to turn a blind-eye to its shortcomings. Drowned in action and lacking in real substance, Man of Steel is clearly one of the year's most overrated films.

#2. Prisoners

One of 2013's fall releases that had audiences clamoring for no good reason was Denis Villeneuve's Prisoners. This crime-thriller-mystery was short on thrills and surprises. I'm not one who usually "guesses" right, but I felt like the movie was overly predictable. I'm still baffled by the film's 8.1 rating on IMDB and the lofty amount of critical praise (82%). With a running time north of two and a half hours and an ambiguous "are you serious" final scene, Prisoners never felt like it deserved the attention it received.

#1. Iron Man 3

As someone who enjoyed the first two installments of the Iron Man franchise (yes, even the second one), Shane Black's first go-around felt completely wrong. After Jon Favreau stepped away from the directors chair for this newest addition, I still had high hopes. However, a completely misused and anger-inducing revelation regarding the great Ben Kingsley headlined a long list or shortcomings. While no one was shocked by Iron Man 3's enormous $400+ million box-office total, rather a 78% critic approval rating and a 7.4 IMDB score are completely unfathomable. If this is the direction that the franchise is headed, count me out. Because without question, Iron Man 3 is 2013's most overrated film. 

The Top 10 Films of 2013

My annual Top 10 list is always one of the most difficult things to sort through, especially in a year like 2013. It actually turned out to be a solid year for movies. While 2012 was "top-heavy" with a very strong collection of films in my Top 10, 2013 has been flooded with hordes of "good" movies. And in my opinion, none of this year's offerings have felt head and shoulders above the rest. I've finally made my picks are here are the Top 10 films of 2013.

Honorable Mention: Mud, The Conjuring, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, All Is Lost and Nebraska.

#10. Gravity

This epic sci-fi adventure couples groundbreaking special effects with a captivating story of human survival. Superbly directed and well-acted on all accounts, Gravity has all the makings of a satisfying movie experience.

#9. Dallas Buyers Club

Matthew McConaughey used 2013 to officially transform from rom-com heartthrob to serious actor with salient turns in both Mud and top-ten selection, Dallas Buyers Club. He and Jared Leto give towering performances in this true story of Texas renegade Ron Woodroof's battle with the pharmaceutical industry.

#8. Short Term 12

An eye-opening look at a foster care facility for at-risk youth serves as one of the year's most compelling and moving independent dramas. A debut effort from director Destin Cretton, Short Term 12 feels remarkably authentic.

#7. Trance

Danny Boyle's unique style is a regular staple and it's in tip-top form with his 2013 mind-bending thriller, Trance. Deciding who's playing who and differentiating between reality and subconscious has never been so much fun.

#6. The Wolf of Wall Street

Martin Scorcese's satirical and over-the-top examination of a stockbroker's greed and ambition is wildly engaging and laugh-out-loud hilarious. It's also worth mentioning that The Wolf of Wall Street includes a career best performance from supporting star Jonah Hill.

#5. 12 Years a Slave

This freight train of an Oscar contender is visceral and unsettling to watch, but even harder to forget. 12 Years a Slave is the real-life story of one man's quest for freedom in the midst of a slavery-fueled 1860s Georgia.

#4. About Time

Love Actually director, Richard Curtis, elevates his game with this delightful and charming tale of falling in love and discovering a new zest for life. With a mildly flawed, but still effective, sci-fi backdrop revolving around time travel, About Time is the year's most satisfying sentimental feature

#3. Rush

Rush is a surprisingly entertaining and adrenaline pumping real-life story about 1970s Formula 1 racers James Hunt and Niki Lauda. Director Ron Howard returns to form with this memorable competitive sports drama.

#2. American Hustle

David O. Russell continues his dominance with this smartly written and witty con-man drama. American Hustle delivers the best acting ensemble of the year thanks to amazing performances from Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper and the rest of its brilliant cast.

#1. Lone Survivor

I had to wait until its theatrical release in January to find my favorite film of 2013, but boy am I glad that I found it. No, it doesn't show some great character arc and it probably won't find its way to the Oscars, but Peter Berg's Lone Survivor is a breathtaking film about courage, dignity and brotherhood. The remarkable true story of heroism and honor is one that deserves to witnessed by everyone ... and I do mean everyone.

2014 Sundance Film Festival Preview

It's been nearly two years since I've merged my movie reviews with the popular website Geekscape. I'm extremely thankful for the friends I've made and just as thankful that website originator, Jonathan London, has helped me secure press credentials for my first ever Sundance Film Festival later this month. Sundance is known for producing many of the year's finest in independent cinema, and I'm thrilled to be traveling to Utah in less than two weeks to experience it first hand. My January 2014 Movie List of the Month (click here for December's list) will preview the Sundance selections I'm most excited to see at this year's festival.

Honorable Mention: Hellion (starring Breaking Bad's Aaron Paul), Infinitely Polar Bear (starring Mark Ruffalo), Laggies (starring Keira Knightley and Sam Rockwell) and Happy Christmas (starring Anna Kendrick).

#5. God's Pocket

The always great Philip Seymour Hoffman will be sporting plenty of screen-time in more than one film at Sundance this year. First up is the drama God's Pocket, which follows a man's who gets more than he bargained for when he attempts to cover-up his step-son's accidental death. Also starring John Turturro, Richard Jenkins and Ray Donovan's Eddie Marsan, God's Pocket has the type of cast you simply salivate over.

#4. The Skeleton Twins

You don't always need a drama or thriller to satisfy your movie-going needs. In fact, one of Sundance's most anticipated features is the comedy The Skeleton Twins which stars Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig as estranged twins who miraculously escape death on the same day. As a result, they decide to reconnect and confront how their lives went so wrong over the years. An 88 minute running time sounds like an appropriate length to let these hilarious comedic actors do their thing.

#3. Calvary

I've become a huge fan of Brendan Gleeson's work over the years. Recently, though, he's make his mark as an outstanding comedic actor with hilarious turns in the massively underrated Irish-comedy, The Guard, and the better known In Bruges. With his latest work, Gleeson stars as a priest who's life is threatened during a confessional one day. Unsure if whether the threats are true or not, this good-natured priest is forced to confront the evil that's closing in on him. Co-starring Bridesmaids' Chris O'Dowd, Calvary has all the makings of another fine comedic offering from Gleeson and company.

#2. A Most Wanted Man

The second major Sundance title starring Philip Seymour Hoffman is an adaptation of a 2008 John le Carre espionage novel of the same name, A Man Most Wanted. Anton Corbijn directs this thriller that examines an escaped Chechen Muslim who finds his way to Hamburg, Germany. While hiding out, he becomes the center of an international war on terror. Headlined by a cast including Rush's Daniel Bruhl, Willem Dafoe, Rachel McAdams and Robin Wright, A Man Most Wanted is certainly surrounded by a ton of intrigue.

#1. Locke

There hasn't been much said about my most anticipated feature at this year's Sundance Film Festival. Rising star and extraordinary talent, Tom Hardy, stars in Locke, an 85 minute thrill ride about a man whose life falls apart while in a race against time. Making its way around the European festival circuit last year, Locke has been lauded by just about everyone who's seen the film. Hardy's long list of impressive work makes him one of my favorite actors and I definitely can't wait to see this latest feature.

DVD Outlook: January 2014

Although the DVD and Video-On-Demand selections have been weak the past few months (December), January makes up for it in a big way. This month is loaded with some of my favorite films of the year, as well as a couple Oscar-possibilities. It was difficult to narrow down my top three picks of the month with a long list of worthy releases, but here's what I came up with.




Rush - 3 and a half stars out of 4 - (Read my full review here)

Until the December release of David O. Russell's Academy Award Best Picture contender, American Hustle, Ron Howard's Rush spent a large portion of 2013 atop my favorite movies of the year. One could argue it was low the expectations I had upon entering the theatre, but in actuality it has everything to do with a dynamite performance from Oscar-hopeful, Daniel Bruhl, and a thrilling sports story superbly executed by its director. Formula 1 racing captured the attention of the entire world during the 1970s, and two of the fiercest drivers on the planet, James Hunt (played by Chris Hemsworth) and Niki Lauda (Bruhl), embarked on a legendary rivalry. Rush is far more than a high-octane racing movie, it has layers and depth that enable it to stand on its own as one of the finest sports dramas in years. It's an absolute Must-See feature.  (January 28th)




Short Term 12 - 3 stars out of 4 - (Read my full review here)

One of the year's most tender, yet heartbreaking, films comes in the form of Destin Cretton's directorial debut, Short Term 12. This unknown indie drama packs an enormous amount of emotion thanks to a genuine script and an unbelievable performance from Brie Larson. The gifted young actress is more than deserving of Oscar-notoriety, however, she appears to be on the outside looking in. Larson is far from the lone shining star in the film, the cast is flooded from top to bottom with authentic performances. In fact, supporting star John Gallagher Jr. even landed on my year's Most Underrated Performances list. Watch as these twenty-somethings spend their workdays consoling and molding youth at a foster-care facility for at-risk children. It's an eye-opening journey into the lives of our forgotten youth. (January 14th)




Captain Phillips - 3 stars out of 4 - (Read my full review here)

The major consensus is Tom Hanks will find his way into the Best Actor race for his showing in this year's true-story action adventure, Captain Phillips. This would mark the 6th time Hanks has been handed an Oscar Nomination, and he truly earns it once again. Captain Phillips follows a cargo vessel taken under siege by a band of Somali pirates. Through the guidance of their tactical captain, the vessel's crew must work together to survive the ordeal. Director Paul Greengrass is best known as the visionary behind the second and third installment of the Bourne franchise, and here the action is equally as effective. Well paced and highly compelling, Captain Phillips is another strong effort from one of the greatest actors the world has ever seen. (January 21st)


Honorable Mention: There's no shortage of other sensational selections finding their way to DVD this month. Two Sundance Film Festival entries that are both worthy of checking out are The Spectacular Now (1/14) and the gut-wrenching true-story of Oscar Grant in Fruitvale Station (1/14). As for some Oscar-Caliber movies, Cate Blanchett is a frontrunner in the Best Actress category for her fine role in Woody Allen's Blue Jasmine (1/21) and there's a few fringe players fighting to make the Oscar cut from Lee Daniels' The Butler (1/14). Another rising Oscar contender comes in the form of a potential posthumous nomination for the late-great James Gandolfini in the romantic-comedy Enough Said (1/14). Horror fans have some interesting options arriving on DVD in January, Carrie (1/14) and the buzzed-about You're Next (1/14) are available this month as well.

2014 Movie Preview - Part Two

Yesterday my good friend and Reel True owner, Greg Rouleau, unleashed the first half of his Most Anticipated Movies of 2014 list. Today, we'll look at the top 5 films you should be dying to see this year. We'll begin by throwing out a second batch of honorable mention selections.

Honorable Mention Picks - Part Two:

Unbroken – Angelina Jolie directs her second feature in which an Olympic runner is stranded at sea.  We’ve had a couple films like this in just the past couple years but Unbroken takes it a step further.  Once “rescued”, the protagonist in then imprisoned by the Japanese.  Jolie helms the film, written by the Coen Brothers.  – Dec 25^th  

Midnight Special – Jeff Nichols is certainly a young director worth keeping an eye on.  Mud was a great, underrated film of 2013 and he follows that up with a story about a father and son on the run after they learn of the child’s special powers.  Starring Kirsten Dunst, Joel Edgerton and Nichols' movie regular, Michael Shannon.  – Release TBD 

Rosewater – Jon Stewart was moved by Maziar Bahari’s memoir Then They Came for Me enough that the Daily Show host was moved to write and direct his first feature adapting the story.  The film follows journalist Bahari who is detained and tortured in an Iranian prison for 100 days.  It’ll be interesting to see how the funnyman handles a serious drama – Release TBD 

Untitled Cameron Crowe Movie – Another director in need of a return to form is Cameron Crowe.  The now 13-year-old Almost Famous was the last great effort from Crowe.  His new project, with a working title Deep Tiki, follows suit as a romantic dramedy set in Hawaii and stars Bradley Cooper, Rachel McAdams, Emma Stone and Bill Murray. Release TBD 

#5. Monuments Men

It won’t take long into the New Year to get our first look at one of this list’s most anticipated.  George Clooney’s World War II drama is one of the casualties of 2013.  Pushed back to early 2014 because of the apparent glut of awards season films, Monuments Men was at one point a possible Best Picture Oscar contender; despite Clooney himself claiming it was more of a commercial piece.  January, February and even sometimes well into March are widely acknowledged as the movie studios “off-season”.  The holiday season has ended; many are still catching up on those films and possible awards contenders, so the new releases are ones that studios are less enthusiastic about. It’ll be great to have something to look forward to in the early months of 2014.  Clooney shares writing and producing credits with long-time collaborator, Grant Heslov.  He also directs and headlines a cast that includes Matt Damon, Cate Blanchett, Bill Murray and John Goodman.  Release Date: February 7^th

^{#4. Gone Girl}

Over the past decade, director David Fincher has entered into an elite class where every movie he directs is a must-see for me.  With classics like The Social Network and a major sleeper and personal favorite, Zodiac, Fincher has really etched out quite the filmography.  While it was slightly disappointing to hear that the director’s next project wasn’t the next chapter in the popular “The Girl With…” series, I can take some solace in knowing that the novel from which this film is being adapted has been touted as a dark thriller with some fascinating twists and turns, which sounds right up his alley.  Despite some questionable casting choices (Neil Patrick Harris and Tyler Perry?) I have faith in the director until proven wrong.  The story follows Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) and his pursuit to find his wife Amy (Rosamund Pike) who went missing on their fifth wedding anniversary.  During his search the police finger him as the possible prime suspect in her disappearance.  With an early October release this could essentially kick-off the 2014 awards season.  Release Date: October 3^rd

^{#3. Inherent Vice}

Another director in that class where every movie is a must-see is Paul Thomas Anderson.  With only two major releases over the past decade, it’s pretty clear that “PTA” chooses his projects wisely.  Only two years removed from his last effort, The Master, Anderson has already found a project that intrigues him.  Adapted from the Thomas Pynchon novel, Inherent Vice follows detective Larry “Doc” Sportello and his investigation of a former lover and her boyfriend.  To add even more intrigue to the already promising story is Joaquin Phoenix in the title role.  The film is also a period piece set in 1970s Los Angeles, where drugs are in abundance.  Very little has been revealed about the project thus far, but there’s some evidence that the film could take on more a comedic approach similar to this year’s American Hustle.  There’s also this, which is pretty amazing.  Even without much info, Joaquin Phoenix/PTA/neo-noir 70s LA settling all sounds like a match made in heaven.  Release Date: TBD

^{#2. Foxcatcher}

(please ignore the annoying woman before and after the trailer)

Another holdover from 2013 is Bennett Miller’s Foxcatcher.  This was at one point my most anticipated of last year, originally set for a December release; it was delayed in order to allow the filmmakers ample time to edit the film.  A smart, if heartbreaking move, at the time, by studio Sony Pictures Classics, a studio that relies heavily on producing Oscar-caliber films. Currently there is no release date set but star Mark Ruffalo recently stated that the film is aiming for a spot at the Cannes Film Festival in May, but theatrical release could still be any time after that.  Despite the uncertainty, there are many reasons to remain intrigued.  Miller’s previous efforts were both Best Picture nominees (Capote and Moneyball).  The story follows paranoid schizophrenic wrestling trainer John DuPont (Steve Carell) and his relationship with Olympian wrestlers Dave (Ruffalo) and Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum).  I’ve always enjoyed when comedian Carell steps outside of his comfort zone and takes on something more dramatic.  There’s already been some buzz about this being a potential Oscar role for Carell.  Channing Tatum has also proven to be a strong actor when paired with the right director and Miller has directed four different actors to Oscar nominations in his previous two films.  Release Date: TBD

^{#1. Interstellar}

It’s a consensus, Dave and I both agree, our most anticipated film of 2014 is Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar.  Dave covered much of the details of the film here when the first teaser was released.  Details of the film, like all Nolan movies, have been kept under major secrecy but the teaser revealed that it could be tapping into something that seems to have been lost on us as a nation: the thrill of exploration, in particular when it comes to NASA and their steadily declining budget.  It remains to be seen how much of this theme factors into the final movie but aside from that we have a loaded, star-studded cast and director that seems to have been itching to get back to some original, sci-fi material. Matthew McConaughey, in the middle of a great career resurgence, heads the ensemble.  Still nearly a year away from release, there’s some major Avatar-like expectations with this one already, as this will surely be marketed as an event movie.  Nolan’s films have typically been staples of the summer blockbuster season but this one is being positioned right in the heart of the movie awards season.  A deserved Best Director nomination has eluded Nolan thus far, but if the vision of this film lives up to its massive expectations then perhaps, that will change.  Release Date: November 7^th

2014 Movie Preview - Part One

Hopefully everyone had a happy and safe New Years. Turning the page on 2013 means a lot of things to a lot of different people. For me, it means the start of a fresh new cinematic year. While I was rather disappointed in 2013's offerings, here's to hoping that 2014 will go above and beyond last year. My close friend and talented writer, Greg Rouleau (Owner of Reel True), sifted through tons of resources to take a look at the 10 Most Anticipated Films of 2014. Between today and tomorrow I'll be splitting the list, so be sure to check back for the top five!

Honorable Mention Picks - Part One:

Trash – A thriller from Stephen Daldry starring Rooney Mara and Martin Sheen.  Daldry’s last three movies have all been nominated for Best Picture.  – May (estimated)

Chef – Jon Favreau returns to directing comedy with this summer release that boasts a tremendous cast.  – May 9^th 

Godzilla – Never short on remakes in the summer, we get another stab at the classic story.  We have a very solid cast in place and the trailer looked pretty solid, so, we’ll see.  – May 16^th

Magic in the Moonlight – It’s incredibly impressive how Woody Allen, at 78, still maintains his movie-a-year pace.  Although every one isn’t a hit, we still get a very solid effort on almost a yearly basis.  This period piece returns to the 1920s where part of his very successful Midnight in Paris also took place.  – July/August (estimated)

Fury – David Ayer, writer of Training Day and End of Watch, directs this WWII epic starring Brad Pitt and Shia LaBeouf.  – November 12^th

#10. Grand Budapest Hotel

With Grand Budapest Hotel, director Wes Anderson brings us the follow-up to his most critically-lauded and Oscar-nominated picture, Moonrise Kingdom.  The trailer reveals that the auteur’s quirky style is once again on full display.  In addition to Anderson-film regulars, Jason Schwartzman and Bill Murray, we have a tremendous looking ensemble that includes Ralph Fiennes, Saoirse Ronan, Adrien Brody and Jude Law to name a few.  At this point in his career it’s evident that Anderson can attract big name stars to his projects, so here’s to hoping they all come together to make a great film.  Release Date: March 7^th

#9. Transcendence

It’s possible that sci-fi films on the verge of a resurgence, destined to become major box-office attractions once again.  With 2013’s Gravity being the phenomenon it was, 2014 offers a few new titles to keep an eye on.  First up is Wally Pfister’s Transcendence.  Pfister is best known as the cinematographer for Christopher Nolan on all of his films from Memento to The Dark Knight Rises.  Now, Pfister steps into the director’s chair with Nolan as an executive producer.  The trailer shows Pfister maintained his signature visual style, with a dark and gritty tone apparent throughout.  Also intriguing about the project is Johnny Depp in the lead role.  Depp has been floundering since Sweeney Todd in 2007, with a few critical duds and disappointing sequels/remakes.  It would be great to see the uber-talented actor headline a good film that reminds why we all fell in love with him in the first place.  The story looks like it could really tap into something interesting with our ever-increasing dependence on technology.  This sci-fi/action thriller also stars Kate Mara, Paul Bettany and Morgan Freeman.  Release Date: April 18^th

   

#8. Big Eyes

When Tim Burton isn’t obsessed with drowning audiences in his goth-inspired production design and instead focuses on tortured yet interesting characters, he’s proven that he can tell some very touching stories. Edward Scissorhands, Ed Woodand Big Fish are examples of storytelling done right and it’s why these films fall into the upper echelon of the director’s filmography.  With Big Eyes, it appears Burton is once-again giving himself a challenge, and I couldn’t be happier.  With a reported low budget of around $10 million, the film's primary focus will have to be on the story.  Artist Walter Keane finds notoriety after his portraits of big-eyed children take off, but it’s really his wife, Margaret, who is the one producing the works.  Two-time Oscar winner Christoph Waltz plays Walter, and Amy Adams will take on the role of his wife.  Waltz and Burton seem like a great fit, and pretty much anything Adams is involved in lately turns to gold.  The movie also reunites Burton with the screenwriters of Ed Wood. Estimated Release Date: August 2014 

#7. Sequels 22 Jump Street

& Dumb and Dumber To

A sequel two years removed from the first chapter, and another, twenty years in the making.  Comedies are difficult to predict, even a strong cast and talented writing team don’t always equal a surefire hit.  Very few could’ve predicted that in early 2012, a big-screen adaptation of a hardly seen TV show would be the success that it was, but 21 Jump Street was a major sleeper and one of the best comedies of the year.  Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum were a great duo and the trailer for the sequel shows a lot of promise even if the story seems to be a carbon copy of the first.  Speaking of great comedy duos, it’s been twenty years since the first Dumb and Dumber became one of the greatest comedies of all-time.  Now, finally, the Farrelly brothers are back and Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels reprise the lead roles in a highly anticipated sequel.  You have to wonder if the two decades will hurt this latest attempt.  Will many fans of the original return? Probably.  I like to think that the Farrelly’s have had some ideas for a sequel ever since the first one and are now confident they have enough to make this one just as good.  Rob Riggle stars in both films and Cam Neely will reprise his role as Sea Bass! Release Dates: 22 Jump Street: June 13^th, Dumb and Dumber To: November 14^th  

#6. Biblical films Noah

& Exodus

On deck for 2014 are a couple of biblical epics with two prestigious directors at the helm. However, they each seem to be headed in very different directions.  Aronofsky is coming off the Oscar-winning Black Swan, which was also the director’s biggest box-office success.  On the other hand, Ridley Scott’s films since the early 2000s have received mixed reactions and his two most recent are the disappointing Prometheus and the critically panned The Counselor.  First up will be Noah telling the familiar tale with period-piece staple Russell Crowe as the title character.  Exodus, set for a late-year release in December, is an interpretation of the book of Exodus from the bible, mainly the freeing of the Jews from Egypt by Moses, played by Christian Bale.  In supporting roles are Joel Edgerton and Breaking Bad’s Aaron Paul.  It’s interesting to note that a synopsis for Exodus states it’s an interpretation, so how true it stays to the Bible remains to be seen.  Release Dates: Noah: March 28^th, Exodus: December 12^th. 

*** Stay tuned tomorrow when we look at the 5 Most Anticipated Films of 2014!