Anticipated Films
Top 5 Anticipated Films of 2017
#1 Star Wars: Episode VIII
This is easily my most anticipated film of 2017. Nothing even comes close. Star Wars: The Force Awakens was good by itself but opened up so many doors into the past and into what has happened between Return of the Jedi and the present. The hints about Luke Skywalker and his failures are very compelling, and I can't wait to see how this film tackles the various characters that have now been connected. I hope this film tells parallel stories, one of the current training of Rey and one of the backstory of Kylo Ren; both stories could combine in a finale that would just be incredible.
#3 Logan
Even though last year's X-Men films were mixed, I still love this comic book franchise far more than either the MCU or the DC films. There is a lot of potential here and the trailers look good. I'm really interested to see how Charles Xavier fits into this film, as he and Magneto are easily my favorite characters in this franchise.
#5 Dunkirk
The only reason this is not my sitting at the #2 spot on this list is because the trailers haven't grabbed me the way I would have hoped. They look visually stunning, but don't really tell me a story and present a strange tone. I have faith in Christopher Nolan and still can't wait to see this film, but I am a little worried. How worried I am right now says a lot about how much I'm anticipating this film.
#2 Thor: Ragnarok
I have never been a fan of the character of Thor. Both of his films are rather dull. This film's director is Taika Waititi, whose film Hunt for the Wilderpeople was one of the most enjoyable theater experiences of 2016. I cannot wait to see what fresh life this film brings to the MCU.
#4 Wonder Woman
She and Batman were the best parts of Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice and the trailers have been stellar. I like how this story takes place far before the present day and how it seems to be a little bit of a fish-out-of-water tale. Add in Chris Pine, who had many great roles in 2016 and you have me ready for the first DC film to be good.
Note:
I shortened the number of anticipated films this year from 10 to 5 because, as much as there are a lot of comic book films coming out that I will see, I'm not terribly excited for them. I'm more excited for films that have the most potential to be new and different.
Looking Back at this List...from 2018
#1 On Star Wars: The Last Jedi...
What. A. Dud. This is, without a doubt, the biggest disappointment on any of my annual anticipated lists. The film itself was such a mess of pointless storylines and poorly executed plotpoints.
#3 On Logan...
Again, this film met my expectations a little too well, delivering a movie that was a little too dour and depressing for my tastes. It was a Superhero Western, if ever that could become a phrase. Well-told and well-acted, it proved that you can make a superhero film that people will only ever want to watch once.
#5 On Dunkirk...
This film will appear very high up on my Top 10 list of the year. A film that exceeded expectations in every way. Even without much or a story and no characters, I felt so emotionally invested in the story. Such a simple tale of the heroism of everyday people that ultimately save British soldiers from certain doom.
#2 On Thor: Ragnarok...
This film delivered what I was expecting, but then I slowly realized that what I was expecting was perhaps not exactly what was best. I got the zany humor but it went a little overboard and started to drown out the emotional beats of the story.
#4 On Wonder Woman...
When I first saw this film, I liked it quite a bit more than I do now having seen it a few more times. It's a fine movie but nothing special from a story level (apart from its very existence as the first mainstream, female-led superhero film and the first good DC movie in practically a decade). This is a solid film.