April 2013 Preview: Boyle, Bay and a Raimi Remake

The good news about April is that we are slowly moving away from the dumping pile of crap movies known as January, February and March. But, the bad news is that we still aren't getting that many great options either. Still, April offers some interesting films worth keeping and eye out for, and a few that'll probably make decent rentals or matinees. So, without further ado, here is your preview for what's in store this month and what you can expect me to review.

Worth making the trip:

The film I'm most interested in seeing this April is Danny Boyle's Trance (April 5th in limited release), which is my fifth most anticipated film of the year (sixth if you count David O. Russell's Abscam film, which wasn't included as it was not dated for 2013 at the time). Early reviews suggest the film is an exercise in style over substance, which is a bit disappointing given that it's coming from a great filmmaker, but still could make for an interesting movie. Boyle is a very stylish filmmaker who's movies are always gorgeous, so I'm sure this film will still deliver on some level. The big issue with seeing this is whether or not it will play in a theater near me. As of right now, it's opening in four theaters on it's opening night and will expand throughout the nation depending on how it does financially. I plan on seeing it as quickly as possible (though that won't be during its opening weekend, unfortunately) and

am currently organizing a trip to New York so that I can definitely check it out. Hopefully it will all work out!

But one film I definitely plan on seeing is the highly anticipated remake of Evil Dead (April 5). I'm not very critical when it comes to the idea of making horror remakes, but there's no denying that many of them have failed to live up to the standard set by their original. In fact, most of them weren't very good at all. So, with this one getting largely positive reviews from a variety of critics, I'm planning on checking it out and hopeful that it will live up to the hype. Not to mention, this definitely looks like the sort of film to check out in theaters with a large, excited crowd. The amount of violence and gore evident in the trailer (which is apparently tame compared to the film itself) is bound to get some enthusiastic reactions.

Finally, a film that I was at first dreading but has won me over just this week is Michael Bay's Pain and Gain (April 26). With its new red band trailer, Pain and Gain looks like it could be an incredibly entertaining comedy, sort of like a Spring Breakers for gym dwelling jerks. Or, it could be annoying as hell. But I'm willing to take the risk and check it out. The red band trailer made me laugh quite a bit (mostly thanks to Rebel Wilson, who looks like a real scene stealer here) and looks crazy enough to work. On top of that, I'm curious to see Michael Bay direct a film that isn't driven by CGI or massive explosions. Good or bad, this will certainly be an interesting experience at the movies.

On top of all those, I plan on seeing Jurassic Park in 3D (and writing a very cool article during the week of its release), and would like to see Spring Breakers and The Place Beyond the Pines if they ever expand to a theater near me.

Rentals and Matinees:
There are also a few films coming out next year that I think look great, but I don't think they look like Oblivion (April 19), which looks like a lot of fun ad the special effects are incredible. I'm also in the growing minority of people that think Tom Cruise is actually a great actor. That being said, I don't think Oblivion looks all that interesting, and I don't have much faith in director Joseph Kosinski. If reviews are better than I expect, I'll reconsider. But as of right now, I don't think I'll be seeing it. The same can be said for 42 (April 11)- it looks decent, and the story is quite interesting. But, I'm not a big baseball fan and the fact that a film that sounds like Oscar bait is being released in April doesn't instill much confidence. So, I'll wait for reviews, but will most likely see it on DVD.

it's worth a trip to theater for. The biggest of these films is

On the independent side of the spectrum, both At Any Price (April 19) and Upstream Color (April 5) look good, but I'm not sold on it being good enough to warrant a trip to the theater. At Any Price looks like a solid drama, but it doesn't look like anything I'd regret missing in theaters. As for Upstream Color, I haven't seen Primer so I'm not necessarily anticipating Shane Carruth's next film. But, I'll probably check it out eventually.

I'm not interested:

And, as with most months, April has a few releases that just look awful to me. One which I've heard good things about but can't get excited for is Rob Zombie's The Lords of Salem (April 19). Zombie's directing style is certainly hit-or-miss, but it just isn't for me. But, on the mainstream side of things, The Big Wedding and Scary Movie 5 both look almost completely unwatchable. For a film with so many terrific actors, The Big Wedding has a premise that looks completely unbelievable and jokes that, judging from the trailer, fall flat. Meanwhile, Scary Movie 5 is the latest installment in a franchise I just don't enjoy and probably never will. Scary Movie 5 looks particularly uninspired and boring, with way too much crude humor. There is no way I'll see any of them.

Along with the reviews, you can expect an interesting article about 3D conversions, a Shame List entry, a new essay, as well as daily news updates and weekly box office results. So get ready for an entertaining month!

Box Office Breakdown: GI Joe On Top, Stephanie Meyers Flops

Despite following a less than popular first installment, G.I. Joe: Retaliation topped the weekend with a surprisingly high $41 million, plus an additional $10 million from Thursday shows. That's a great result for a film with such a troubled production and a nine month delay, not to mention the poor reviews the original received in theaters. The advertising campaign was quite strong for this film, with some eye-catching action set pieces on display, and the focus squarely on the film's charismatic leads- Dwayne Johnson, Channing Tatum and Bruce Willis. So, the fact that the film surpassed its modest expectations is pretty great. With an A- Cinemascore, the film could show great legs over the next few weeks, making for a solid success.

Things didn't look good for The Host, the latest young adult adaptation to flop at the box office. With only $11 million, there is no way the sci-fi romance will make it to $100 million. The film received incredibly negative reviews and, on top of that, had a terrible marketing campaign that failed to develop the story and came off as an overdramatic mess. YA adaptations seem to not be successful unless they become true pop culture phenomenons- like Twilight or The Hunger Games- so The Host wasn't expected to gross much in the first place, but $11 million is particularly embarrassing.

Back to the positive side of the spectrum, Tyler Perry has come back from his disastrous flop, Alex Cross, with Tyler Perry's Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor, otherwise known as the movie with the longest title ever. The film opened with $22 million, a fantastic number for the film, especially since Tyler Perry's dramas have a history of opening low. The film marketing was quite strong for a female driven flick, with the premise displayed well and in an enticing way, focusing on the steamy sex scenes and dramatic moments. Perry's films don't have the best legs, but his films are almost always cheap so this should be deemed a success.

Anyway, here is your Top 10 list. Check below the jump for a preview of next week-

1. G.I. Joe: Retaliation-$41 million for weekend, $51 million for 4 day weekend (debut)
2. The Croods- $26.5 million ($88 million in 2 weeks)
3. Tyler Perry's Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor- $22 million (debut)
4. Olympus Has Fallen- $14 million ($54 million in 2 weeks)
5. Oz the Great and Powerful- $11.6 million ($198 million in 4 weeks)
6. The Host- $11 million (debut)
7. The Call- $4 million ($39 million in 3 weeks)
8. Admission- $3 million ($11 million in 2 weeks)
9. Spring Breakers- $2 million ($10 million in 3 weeks)
10. The Incredible Burt Wonderstone- $1 million ($20 million in 3 weeks) 

Our Top Story Tonight: Denzel & Marky Mark Team Up in "2 Guns"

As always, Friday has proven to be the least exciting news day. But all hope is not lost: the trailer for 2 Guns, the new action/buddy comedy film starring Mark Wahlberg and Denzel Washington, has arrived. It follows a DEA agent and Naval Intelligence officer who team up to take down a mob organization that they have been working against. To be honest, I originally didn't expect much from this movie but the trailer has really surprised me. This looks like it could be a lot of fun, with some nice banter between its leads and some very exciting action. I'm hoping that this film, which hits theaters August 2, will be a solid, end of summer film.

Check out the trailer above. You can expect the weekend box office coverage and a preview for April at the movies on Sunday. Have a good weekend.

Our Top Story Tonight: Will You Watch the "Before Midnight" Trailer?

The trailer for the highly anticipated finale to the Before trilogy has arrived. The film, which premiered at Sundance to rave reviews, follows another day in the life of on and off lovers Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy). Many fans of the franchise are avoiding the trailer at all costs, hoping to go into the film without having anything spoiled. Will you check it out? The film hits theaters on May 24, and I plan on watching both Before Sunrise and Before Sunset before it's released, as I've yet to check out them out.

Without much knowledge about the franchise I don't have much commentary to supply, so I'll just say to check out the news after the jump, which includes some early Oscar talk, Christopher Nolan and a new horror film.

Ranking the Work of a Master: Happy Birthday Mr. Tarantino

I've always loved film, but there were many different factors that lead to my passion for cinema. One of those contributing forces is Quentin Tarantino, a man who showed me just how great films can be. I still remember the first time I saw Kill Bill. I was sitting on the floor in my brother's room (the only room in my house that had a DVD player where my parents wouldn't be able to see what I was watching), and I was completely enamored with what was going on in the film. Sure, it was violent, action packed, beautiful looking and all around badass. But my 14 year-old self knew that there was something more to it than that- I knew that I was watching a truly great, well made film. It wasn't long before I tracked down the rest of Tarantino's filmography, and went through a brief obsession with almost everyone of his films. Sure, I probably annoyed the crap out of my family and friends, but I was living in paradise. I finally had films that were fun to watch and respected by the film community I wanted so desperately to be a part of. I'd quote his films, re-watch my favorite scenes on Youtube, and go on long winded rants about what made him so great to anybody that'd listen. Hell, I even tried to write a screenplay mimicking his style. Trust me, that was a mistake.

Fast forward a few years and you'll find a somewhat different, more mature film geek who has moved out of his Tarantino phase and into a variety of new ones. From Charlie Kauffman to Paul Thomas Anderson and even to Billy Wilder, I've had obsessions with numerous directions since ending my love affair with Tarantino films. But I haven't forgotten where I came from. Tarantino remains one of my favorite directors, and a director I will always consider a true master. Without his works, I wouldn't have gotten as passionate about film as I am today, and I certainly wouldn't have been introduced to many of the films I love. In my eyes, Tarantino is unlike most directors as he wears his love for making movies on his sleeve- a quality that has lead to a few, rare missteps but, in general, has delivered many of the best films of the past twenty years. So, in honor of this great man's 50th birthday, here is my ranking of Mr. Quentin Tarantino's filmography- 

I must give credit where credit is due, however: the idea for this article came from an article on Rope of Silicon, one of my favorite film sites. You can even see my comment near the bottom of the page! 

Our Top Story Tonight: "The Wolverine" Trailer Finally Arrives

 After much anticipation, and a few too many trailer teasers (seriously, can that phase die out already?), the first trailer for The Wolverine finally arrived online. The film showcased a very different style from the previous X-Men movies. The film follows Logan, yet again played by Hugh Jackman, as he travels to Japan. The trailer suggests that Logan undergoes some sort of procedure to cure him of his immortality, but he is (naturally) tracked down by villains as well. The film is incorporating martial arts action into the mix, and has been influenced by everything from classic samurai films to Roman Polanski's classic Chinatown, a favorite of mine. James Mangold has taken over the director's chair for this film, which you can check it out in theaters July 22.

I haven't enjoyed an X-Men film in almost ten years now, but The Wolverine definitely looks like the film that'll break that track record. It looks competently directed, exciting and unique, though some of the special effects (like the bullet train sequence) could use work. And I most definitely won't be seeing this one in 3D, it doesn't look like it'll benefit from it at all. But I'm now a bit more excited about checking this out over the summer.

After the jump check out some more news, including scoop on Netflix's next original series.

Our Top Story Tonight: C-Tates to Save the Country in "White House Down"

Channing Tatum starred in three blockbuster hits last year, and he's looking to continue that winning streak with Roland Emmerich's White House Down. The film, which is bound to elicit countless comparisons to last weekend's Olympus Has Fallen, follows a police man who is touring the White House when an attack takes place and he is forced into action. The cast includes Jamie Foxx as the President, as well as Jason Clarke (Zero Dark Thirty), Maggie Gyllenhaal (The Dark Knight), Richard Jenkins (The Visitor) and Joey King (The Dark Knight Rises). The much anticipated trailer was released today, though I'd consider it more of a teaser than a full blown theatrical trailer. The film will be released on June 28, where it will compete with the Sandra Bullock/Melissa McCarthy comedy The Heat, along with holdovers like Monsters University, World War Z and Man of Steel.

Personally, I'm not a huge fan of Emmerich as a director, but I find that Tatum a likable screen presence and the film looked entertaining, so I'll probably head to see it at some point over the summer for some escapist fun. It won't be something I rush out to see, though. That being said, I can already tell that I'm going to get tired of the comparisons to Olympus Has Fallen. This isn't the first time two very similar films were released within a few months from each other. Hell, last year saw the release of two Snow White films- one in March, one in June. Sound familiar? So, let's just stop the comparisons right now, okay?

After the jump, check out more news including a red band trailer for an upcoming film and more.

Our Top Story Tonight: Ready For The 86th Academy Awards?

In an otherwise slow news day, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the key dates for next year's awards season, confirming the suspicion many film lovers have had that the ceremony will be pushed back into March to accommodate the Winter Olympics. Next year's show will take place on March 2, 2014, while nomination voting is set to begin a full ten days later than this year's, on December 27, 2013. The nomination announcement will be held on January 15, while final voting will begin on February 14. The AMPAS also confirmed that the ceremony will return to late February in 2015: February 22, to be exact. 

While the move makes sense, I can't say I'm happy with it. To me, the filmgoing calendar is like a sports season that ends on Oscar night and starts anew the next morning. Delaying to March only draws out the competition and will certainly kill some of the momentum for the big night. That being said, this will allow films being released late in the year- like Nicole Kidman's Grace of Monaco and David O. Russell's Abscam project- to campaign more amongst Academy members, which is always a good thing. But, truthfully, I'm not ready to discuss the Oscars yet. You can expect me to return to that topic some time in September. 

Check out more news, including a new trailer for one of the summer's big blockbusters, after the jump. 

Entries From My Shame List: On the Waterfront

THE FILM- On the Waterfront (dir. Elia Kazan, 1954)

THE REPUTATION- On the Waterfront is widely regarded as a classic by most film lovers. The film received eight Academy Awards at the time of it's release, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress. It's currently standing proud at 116 on IMDb's Top 250 Films of All Time, as well as 19 on AFI's list of the Greatest Movies of All Time.

WHY IT'S ON MY SHAME LIST- Wanna learn something strange about me? I'm afraid to watch classic films that I haven't seen. To me, these classics have already had their reputations set and, chances are, I'm going to end up loving it once I see it. So, I'd much rather watch a movie that isn't regarded as a classic so I can form my own opinion on it. Because watching a film like On the Waterfront is almost impossible to do without having a certain idea in the back of your mind as to how it will turn out. Chances are, you'll like what you see. So, I put off watching most classics that I haven't seen but will probably love in favor of watching movies that I haven't seen and don't know if I'll enjoy. But, thanks to this segment, that's all going to change...

MY THOUGHTS- I love watching films from the 50s, 40s and 30s for a number of reasons. For one thing, if they're still being discussed today, it's probably because it's pretty good. Certainly not all of them are classics (or, at the very least, not worthy of classic status) but it's not all that likely you'll find a truly terrible film. But, on top of that, older films have a certain charm to them; they really don't make movies like that anymore, and I don't mean that in terms of quality but in terms of style. Everything feels very theatrical, which is sometimes refreshing against today's obsession with realism. Granted, both are great styles of filmmaking, but films from the "Golden Age" of Hollywood are one of a kind.

Yet, On the Waterfront is not like those films. In fact, the first thing I noticed was how modern it all felt. It's a gritty film that doesn't ever feel staged or overly cinematic. In fact, other than a noticeably loud (but great) score, On the Waterfront feels like "real life" in a way that few films from that era do. Even the much quoted line from the film, "I could have been a contender!", feels like a natural thing to say for the character- not a line in a script that happens to be very well written. I was surprised and pleased to see realistic it was. And, due to that realism, the film has aged tremendously well.

Then there are the performances. Marlon Brando and Eva Marie Saint both won Oscars for their performances, and both were certainly deserving of them. Knowing Brando primarily for his roles in The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, as well as his notorious on set reputation, it was strange seeing him play such a vulnerable, sensitive character. He's the definition of a "gentle giant"- he projects himself as a man who may not be as tough as he looks, and does so perfectly. Saint, meanwhile, does a terrific job as Edie. I'd hardly consider myself a film historian, but in many of the "classics" I've checked out, women are often somewhat weak and, if they aren't, they are villains. Here, Saint plays her as a tough woman, going toe to toe with Brando in numerous scenes. Yet again, her performance serves as an example of an actor projecting herself as somebody different from what we'd imagine. She's a woman who's much tougher than she appears.

One final thing I noticed watching the movie is the last thing I ever expected to find. On the Waterfront, like many classics, has inspired films for generations since it's release. But one film in particular that I noticed comparisons with was Nicolas Winding Refn's art house thriller Drive from 2011. The brooding tough guy with a sensitive side. The stunning blonde who's innocent yet somehow involved in a gang war. The child who befriends the hero but is then threatened because of his actions. And even the villain: a dangerous man who runs his criminal organization like a business, who's capable of doing the dirty work himself but likes to have others do it for him.

Now, I'll totally admit that I may be completely over analyzing these comparisons, but certain moments made me think of Drive almost immediately. The first that comes to mind is when the young boy that Terry is friends with finds his pigeon murdered after Terry testifies against against Johnny Friendly. It was very similar to when Benecio finds a bullet after his dad gets out of prison in Drive.  The ending, which features the age old "final confrontation" on the docks between the villain and hero, reminded me of the parking lot fight at the ending of Refn's film. Even the way Gosling's Driver dressed felt inspired by Brando, while Friendly's wardrobe bore a slight resemblance to Albert Brooks in Drive. 

On the Waterfront is a classic that lives up to it's name yet doesn't show signs of age. It's still as gritty, intense and powerful as I imagine audiences in 1954 felt it was. I'd say I can't recommend it highly enough, but I'm sure many of you have seen it already. But, as it stands, it's a hell of a film to start this new segment with.

Box Office Breakdown: Croods and Olympus Open Big

To no one's surprise, The Croods opened at number one with $44 million. That's not a huge opening weekend but it is a solid start for the film, a tad larger than How to Train Your Dragon back in 2010 and much higher than Rise of the Guardians in November. I imagine that the film will have solid holds for the next few weeks, and I could see it ending up north of $150 million.

The biggest surprise for me was how high Olympus Has Fallen opened. With a $30 million opening the film could become somewhat of a surprise hit, though I can't see it crossing $100 million... for now. The marketing was quite effective, with ads that certainly grabbed your attention, and the film received surprisingly positive reviews so I suppose a strong opening like this shouldn't be all that surprising. That being said, what can we expect from Channing Tatum's White House Down? Is this a sign that audiences want films like this? Or was it a one-and-done sort of thing?

On the less positive side of the spectrum, Tina Fey's Admission opened to a very weak $6 million. As sad as it is to say this, I'm not all that surprised- the trailers made the film look solid, but gave very little reason to see it. On top of that, it failed to really capitalize on what the film was- a drama about a woman and the son that she never knew? A romantic comedy? I doubt this will hurt Fey's career in anyway, but it's sad to see her first post-"30 Rock" project be a disappointment.

The controversial Spring Breakers also expanded this week to $5 million. Credit must be given to new distributor A24; their advertising campaign did a terrific job of downplaying the polarizing elements of the film and emphasizing the edginess and the involvement of former Disney stars- both of which were bound to get audiences interested. Word of mouth from audiences is quite terrible, but cinephiles and critics are loving it so I'm sure the film will be deemed a success. Not to mention, it's already doubled it's budget.

Here is your Top 10 for the weekend. Check out a preview of next week after the jump:

1) The Croods- $44 million (debut)
2) Olympus Has Fellen- $30 million (debut)
3) Oz the Great and Powerful- $22 million ($177 million in 3 weeks)
4) The Call- $8 million ($30 million in 2 weeks)
5) Admission- $6 million (debut)
6) Spring Breakers- $5 million (wide expansion, $5.4 million in 2 weeks)
7) The Incredible Burt Wonderstone- $4 million ($17 million in 2 weeks)
8) Jack the Giant Killer- $2.9 million ($59 million in 4 weeks)
9) Identity Thief- $2.5 million ($127 million in 7 weeks)
10) Snitch- $1 million ($40 million in 5 weeks)

Our Top Story Tonight: Robert Redford Joins "Captain America: The Winter Soldier"

Legendary actor Robert Redford is the latest addition to the cast of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which is due for release in April 2014. Redford is known for starring in a variety of classic films, ranging from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid to The Sting, and took home his only Oscar for Best Director in 1981 for Ordinary People. There aren't many details as to who he will be playing, but it will apparently be a high ranking agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. The film already has a stellar cast, with Chris Evans obviously leading the film as Captain America. New castmembers include Emily VanCamp ("Revenge") as Sharon Carter, Anthony Mackie (The Hurt Locker) as The Falcon and Frank Grillo (The Grey) as Crossbones. Samuel L. Jackson, Colbie Smulders, Scarlett Johansson, Hayley Atwell, Toby Jones and Sebastian Stan are also expected to return for the film. The sequel will be directed by The Russo Brothers.

Obviously, adding a major actor like Redford is something worth paying attention to. I'm cautiously optimistic about this film as I really enjoyed the original Captain America film, but superhero sequels don't always have the best track record. But I've enjoyed the casting so far for the film, and with Redford signing on I have a (small) boost of confidence in the film. Here's hoping The Winter Soldier will be more The Dark Knight and less Iron Man 2. 

After the jump, check out news regarding a Hitchcock remake, Denzel Washington's next film and more...

Our Top Story Tonight: New "Star Trek" Trailer Arrives

 Those who have checked out my Top 25 Most Anticipated Films of 2013 know that Star Trek Into Darkness is one of my most anticipated films of the year and the summer blockbuster I am most looking forward to. Well, last night a new trailer (and poster) arrived for the film. While it is primarily made up of action shots it also drops some hints as to what the film's story may hold, and possibly clears up the confusion regarding who Benedict Cumbernatch will be playing. The film hits theaters on May 17th and I can't wait.

You can check out the trailer above, and view the poster here, but be sure to check out more interesting tidbits after the jump.

Our Top Story Tonight: O'Conner is In, Law is Out on This Busy News Day...

It was announced this morning that Gavin O'Conner, director of the widely under appreciated MMA film Warrior, will be taking over directorial duties for Jane's Got a Gun after Lynne Ramsay's shocking exit yesterday. But the production is still having problems as Jude Law, who was set to play the villain, has dropped out of the project. Producers, as well as the film's star Natalie Portman, have remained quiet about troubles the movie has been facing and there is no word on when production will resume, let alone when the film will be released.

This has been a crazy two days for Jane's Got a Gun. For one thing, I can't believe how quickly the studio got another director to hop aboard the project, though I suppose having an Oscar winner like Natalie Portman in the lead role is quite an incentive. Still, something is telling me this film will never actually be made. The production already has such a negative stigma attached to it, and with the film losing a major player in it, one can only wonder if the other actors looking to jump ship as well. If another actor isn't found I wouldn't be surprised if the film gets cancelled.

But this was just one story on a very busy day of film news...

Our Top Story Tonight: Lynne Ramsay Shockingly Quits Her Next Film

The whole production of Jane Got a Gun, the new film starring Natalie Portman that I reported a bit on last week, has been thrown up into the air as Lynne Ramsay surprised everybody by dropping out of the film. Even more surprising is the way she did that- by not showing up on the first day of production. Producers insist that the film will still be made, and that another director will be found shortly, but one must begin to wonder about the status of the film. There were already a number of casting changes, and the last minute addition of Jude Law. This all begs the question- will the film actually be made?

I wasn't a huge fan of Ramsay's last film, We Need to Talk About Kevin, but she still showed talent as a director with it and I looked forward to Jane Got a Gun. That being said, I had no personal investment in it. I'm more interested in the fact that Ramsay would actually drop out. Obviously, nobody knows why she dropped out at the moment, but my knee-jerk reaction is that this could be a career ruining move. Not necessarily because Jane Got a Gun was ever going to be a big film, but because the funding was present for the film and the entire cast, including an A-lister like Portman, were ready to go, yet Ramsay failed to even show up. Ramsay already had trouble getting funding for Kevin, a film that went by almost entirely unnoticed by mainstream audiences, and this film-which could have been her big break- has possibly been killed, thanks almost entirely to her actions. I don't want to jump the gun, but it doesn't look good for her.

After the jump, check out the new trailer for Despicable Me 2 and more!

A Look at What's to Come on Coach Potato Digest

My dream is to one day make a living writing and maintaining my own film news website. But, as of right now, I'm merely a college student trying to get his foot in the door. When I started this blog I intended it to be something I'd do casually, but it's evolved into something I truly love doing. Even better, I'm far more successful with it then I ever thought I would be. So, I'm evolving the site from a simple blog into a full functioning website with recurring segments, more frequent reviews and lots of news commentary. Naturally, much of this will revolve around whether or not I have time to post- my college education has to come first, I'm afraid- but I am taking the steps to make this a more exciting website for film lovers. And I strongly recommend you follow me on Twitter, as I'll make announcements regarding posts much more frequently. Anyway, here is a look at what's to come on Coach Potato Digest:

Our Top Story Tonight- 
I've already begun posting "Our Top Story Tonight", which you can expect every night, except for Saturdays and Sundays. The posts will provide my thoughts on the biggest film related story of the day, as well as some quick commentary on other stories.

Box Office Breakdown- 
I started Box Office Breakdown yesterday, and you can expect it every Sunday from now on. It's not much more than a rundown of the weekend box office and early predictions for the following week, but such news are staples for Internet film sites.

Entries from My Shame List-
Unfortunately, I won't be able to guarantee how often I'll be posting Entries from My Shame List, but I'm excited to start it. Everyone has a shame list of beloved films they haven't seen. What I'll be doing is watching films on it, explain why I haven't seen it until now, and give my thoughts on it. It's, essentially, smaller versions of film reviews, but made more personal.

Movies I Love-
This will be a bi-weekly segment that I'll be writing up on Sundays starting this week. It will, essentially, be small essays on films I love and why I find them so great. I'm not sure which film I'll be starting with, but they will be in-depth, and deal with the deeply personal effects films have on us all.

Monthly Previews-
A breakdown of all the films being released that month and what I'm excited to see. You can expect one for April by next week.

Monthly Essays-
Have you read my essay defending Nicholas Cage? Did you like it? Well, I'll be writing more essays on topics about the film industry that interest me. I hope to write one a month, maybe more.

More Frequent Discussions on TV-
As an avid TV watcher I always feel the need to discuss the shows I love. Yet, I haven't thought of how to do so just yet. I hope to get started with more frequent postings on the TV I'm watching. I will definitely posting a lot when "Breaking Bad" begins it's final season in July but, until then, it may require some further brainstorming.

Revisiting My Top 10-
Throughout the summer, I plan on revisiting all four of the Top 10 lists I've made throughout my four years taking film serious- 2009-2012. I'll be breaking down one list a month, and you can expect that starting sometime in May.

More Movie Reviews-
I got lazy last year and only reviewed certain films when I felt like it. This year, I pledge to write a review for every film released in 2013 that I've seen. Obviously, I'm hoping that 2013 offers more interesting options. After all, I've only seen two movies (Mama & Oz the Great and Powerful) so far. But, I promise that when I see a film this year, you'll get a review within three days.

But, most importantly, I want to thank all my frequent readers for checking out my blog. I'm hoping this will be an interesting, informative and unique place for film lovers everywhere. Once again, I ask you to follow me on Twitter. But, until next time, thanks for reading!

Our Top Story Tonight: A Slow Day for Film News...

This has been an incredibly slow day for film news and I'm sad to report that there won't be an official "Top Story." The closest I have to a top story: Ken Watanabe has been cast in the Godzilla reboot. Hopefully that'll hold you over as I write a new piece that'll be up later tonight. Let's keep our fingers crossed that we have more to discuss tomorrow.

Box Office Breakdown- "Oz" on Top Again

This weekend, Oz the Great and Powerful topped the domestic box office with $42 million in it's second week, making for a total of $145 million and placing it at the top of the 2013 box office so far (though that's not saying much considering how many flops we've had this year).

Speaking of flops, Warner Bros. had it's fifth consecutive flops this year with The Incredible Burt Wonderstone, which grossed a terrible $10 million despite having big name stars like Steve Carrell and Jim Carrey. The film looked terrible, so I'm not surprised nobody flocked to see it, but it must sting for Warner Bros. They must be praying that their summer line up (The Great Gatsby, The Hangover Part III, Man of Steel and Pacific Rim) are successful.

This week's other new release, The Call, surprised many with a $17 million debut. The film had a solid marketing campaign that was bound to rouse some interest, even if it wasn't going to be a major blockbuster. It scored a B+ from audiences, via Cinemascore, which could mean solid legs.

As for the weekend holdovers, Jack the Giant Killer fells 36% and has grossed a weak total of $53 million so far. On the opposite side of the spectrum, Identity Thief continues to show great legs with audiences and added another $4 million to it's total tally of $123 million. But the most impressive hold, for me at least, is Silver Linings Playbook which took in an additional $2 million in it's 18th week of release. It's total gross is $124 million, which is pretty amazing.

After the jump, catch a preview for next week and the total Top 10-

Oz the Great and Powerful- Decent Fluff, But Nothing More

I wouldn't necessarily say that I was excited to see Oz the Great and Powerful, but that's not to suggest I thought it looked bad. My feelings on the actual film fall somewhere along the same line. Oz the Great and Powerful never quite achieves greatness, but director Sam Raimi brings enough charm to the production to brighten it up, even if it never quite shines. I resent the notion that big budgeted, tentpole films are nothing more than giant commercials but if there was any studio I could associate with that idea, it's Disney. So, it's nice to see the film get elevated from that low level.

To my surprise, the most enjoyable moments in the film come early on, before the trip to Oz. Our time spent in Kansas, which probably amounts to lower than twenty minutes, lays the groundwork for the film's major theme: greatness. It's a theme that's about as old as The Wizard of Oz itself, but the way Raimi sets the stage is so exciting and full of life that I completely bought into the idea of seeing this cliché of a plot device acted out for me again. The opening scenes also features gorgeous cinematography, an entertaining magic show sequence and some solid acting from it's cast, many of whom play dual roles in both Kansas and Oz a la the original. Yet, once the Wizard makes his move from black and white into the world of color, some of that charm gets lost amidst the special effects and stale plot.

As I expected, the story of how the vain and selfish carnival magician became a good wizard was incredibly predictable and formulaic, with just the right amount of drama, comedy and action to please the masses. Save for a few dramatic sequences that come off a bit overwrought, the blending of genres works fairly well. But, the film gets far too jumbled as it bounces around between the three witches at the center, with far too much time spent with Mila Kunis' Theodora, and not enough time spent with Rachel Weisz's Evanora. These pacing issues are especially troubling after  it becomes clear that Michelle Williams' Glinda is the most important of the trio, but the filmmakers wait almost an hour before introducing her.

This also brings up my other major problem with the film: it's too long. A convoluted storyline is made even worse when it seems to take an eternity finding out where it's going. The film spends too much time with characters that aren't important at all, throws in a second villain halfway through that just doesn't serve much of a purpose, and drags out the film's final battle to a point where I eventually stopped caring. I can't really say if this is a problem found in the editing room or in the script itself but, regardless, it's a problem that should have been addressed.

The performances in this film are uniformly solid, however, and it's clear that many of the actors involved are enjoying themselves, which made the film itself all the more enjoyable for me. James Franco is far from my favorite actor, but he never grated on my nerves this time and actually seemed like a solid fit to play the wizard. Weisz and Williams are also clearly having a lot of fun as their respective witches, hamming it up just enough so their performances never border on camp. Meanwhile, Zach Braff's voice work in the film only reinforces my belief that a voice acting category should be added to the Academy Awards. Hidden behind a CGI monkey, Braff's voice and unmistakable personality shine through, allowing him to steal the movie. The sole weak link is Kunis, though I certainly wouldn't blame her. Kunis does her very best with the material she's given, but shoddy script work hurts her performance.

The film's special effects are also absolutely astounding. Coupled with some truly impressive 3D, my eyes remained permanently glued to the screen, even as I found myself growing tired of this adventure in Oz. I was reminded of the special effects in Avatar with the way that Raimi creates a whole world to look at as opposed to just a giant CGI figure or two. There are also some great, practical sets that help balance out the visuals in the film, making the overall experience enjoyable even during it's weaker moments.

I wouldn't say that Oz the Great and Powerful is a bad film, though I can't say I'm itching to watch it again. It's a film that I've seen, and I'm happy I saw it, but my life remains unchanged now that I've seen it. Beautiful visuals aside, nothing really stands out amidst the somewhat bland story. But, if you're looking to take a nice trip to the movies, you can do much worse than a return to the city of Oz.

OVERALL GRADE: C+

Our Top Story Tonight: Tom Hooper Circling Freddie Mercury Biopic

As always, Friday is a pretty dull day for film news but we weren't left without two interesting tidbits of information.

The most interesting news of the day, in my opinion, was that Oscar winning director Tom Hooper (The King's Speech) is looking to reunite with Sacha Baron Cohen in the long awaited Freddie Mercury biopic. The project has been in development for a few years now, with Cohen (who Hooper directed in Les Miserables) attached since it's inception. Hooper has been offered a number of projects recently, but it seems likely that he's picking this one. I'm happy to see this project finally getting some traction, and Hooper is a solid directorial pick, but I don't particularly have much else to say about it.

There's only one other piece of news so I'm just gonna include it here: with Spielberg apparently dropping his planned Moses film, it appears that Ridley Scott is preparing a movie called Exodus about the Biblical figure, and Ang Lee being looked at to pick up where Spielberg left off on the other project. Not only that, but Christian Bale is being pursued to star in Scott's project. Personally, I don't think we really need one Moses flick, let alone two, but it's nice to see all these great directors taking on the projects. That being said, something tells me we won't be seeing Bale in the project as he will be filming David O. Russell's Abscam film and is also reportedly in talk for O. Russell's next film.

That's it- there won't be any news tomorrow (it's Saturday, and there is rarely ever news...) but I'll be back on Sunday with the box office and a new segment. Have a good weekend!

Our Top Story Tonight: "Jurassic Park 4" Finds a Director

It was announced today that Collin Trevorrow, who directed the sci-fi indie comedy, Safety Not Guaranteed, will be at the helm of next summer's Jurassic Park 4. There isn't much else to say about the film, other than that it is being prepped for release next June, with Steven Spielberg producing.

Now, I'm no film producer, but two things stick out to me about this announcement. For one thing, I don't see how directing a well received mumble core flick served as an indicator that Trevorrow would be a good fit for this extremely expensive franchise. Second, I find releasing the film next June, almost a month after the Godzilla reboot dominates theaters, to be a huge mistake. But, truth be told, I'm not excited for Jurassic Park 4 in the slightest. The original is great, but the franchise has been milked and I have no desire to revisit it. But, Saftey Not Guaranteed had some great dialouge and the interactions between the characters felt genuine. So, maybe if Trevorrow can bring some of that to a big budget dino flick, we'll be in for something more interesting.

Check out more news after the jump, including a major casting update and word on Ang Lee's next project...

A Defense of Nicolas Cage

No actor in Hollywood has a reputation like Nicolas Cage. His many recent flops- The Wicker Man, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance and Trespass, to name three- have become the basis for memes, Youtube mashups and constant mockery on Internet message boards. Truthfully, these films are pretty bad. But I'm not defending those films. I'm defending Nicolas Cage, because I think he's one of the best actors working today, even if he's going through a bit of a dry spell when it comes to making quality films. But I'm also calling out the message board dwelling naysayers who mock this Oscar winning actor. How many films from his filmography have they seen? Because I'd be willing to bet that, had they seen some of his work from the 80s, 90s and early 2000s, they'd think twice before watching "Nicolas Cage Loses His Shit" for the umpteenth time. 

Roger Ebert once said: "There are often lists of the great living male movie stars: De Niro, Nicholson and Pacino, usually. How often do you see the name Nicolas Cage? He should always be up there. He's daring and fearless in his choice of roles, and unafraid to crawl out on a limb, saw it off and remain suspended in air... However improbably his character, he never winks at the audience. He is committed to the character with every atom and plays him as if he were him." Now, say what you want about Nicolas Cage. If you come to the end of this essay and still vehemently disagree with me, then fine. I can't persuade you. But any legitimate fan of cinema must appreciate or, at the very least, respect the views of Roger Ebert. This is a man who has been working as a film critic for almost 50 years. He's  one of, if not the most, revered film critics of all time and his passion for movies is plainly visible in everything he writes. While it's highly unlikely you'll find yourself in agreement with every one of his reviews (hell, he's practically my idol and even I don't agree with him all the time), he never just talks out of his ass. His opinions are informed and well reasoned. Can the same be said for the men and women that constantly mock Nic Cage? 

Now, I'm not gonna even try to defend Nicolas Cage's recent films. They are terrible through and through. But what I am saying is this: Are you making an informed decision by jumping onto the Wicker Man hating bandwagon? Let's take a look:

Our Top Story Tonight: A "Veronica Mars" Movie is Funded, Changing the Film Industry Forever

To those that have not watched "Veronica Mars" may I ask: What are you waiting for? Ask any "marshmallow" and they'll agree: "Veronica Mars" is one ofthe smartest, wittiest and most flat out entertaining series of the past decade. It surpasses the typical "teen drama" format, blending comedy, romance and mystery into the mix. For three seasons, fans tuned in religiously to watch junior PI Veronica Mars, the once popular daughter of a disgraced sheriff, solve crimes in her corrupt town of Neptune and it's high school. One week could find her investigating a rigged school election, and the next could find her trying to figure out who murdered her best friend. But, every week, fans could expect to be throughly entertained. That is until the show was moved from the UPN to the CW, where network executives pressured creator Rob Thomas to change the format, only to eventually cancel the series, leaving almost every plot-line unresolved. I used to be hesitant about recommending "Veronica Mars" to others as, while I truly loved the series, I was afraid that those I got to watch it would be angered by the cliffhanger. But now I don't have to. 

This morning Rob Thomas & Kristen Bell set up a Kickstarter account announcing that if fans could contribute $2 million by April 12 then Warner Bros. would produce a film version of "Veronica Mars." They even posted a hilarious video to persuade fans to support the project, featuring Enrico Colantoni (who played her father, Private Investigator Keith Mars), Jason Dohring (who played her enemy turned boyfriend, Logan Echolls) and Ryan Hansen (who played dumb rich kid, Dick Casablancas). And fans weren't just getting a movie with their contribution- prizes including everything from a t-shirt to a walk on role in the film were handed out, and will continue to be handed out, to those that donate. But it turns out they didn't need 30 days to secure the funds- they needed about 10 hours. Yes, "Veronica Mars" fans a movie will finally happen, with filming set to begin this summer and a release date likely in early 2014. I couldn't be happier. But I'm also thrilled at what this means for the film industry. 

Obviously it's too early to really see what ramifications of financing this movie would mean for the film industry, but it's ripe with possibilities. Granted, "Veronica Mars" wasn't exactly the most successful TV series, but it amassed a pretty rabid fan base over the course of it's three year run. A movie was rumored almost immediately following the cancellation of the series. But Kristen Bell, along with many other former cast members, made it clear to fans that a feature film was highly unlikely. Yet, here we are. If you had gotten a hold of me early this morning, before I checked my Twitter account, and told me that there was going to be a "Veronica Mars" movie I wouldn't have believed you. I still can't believe it. But it's really going to happen. And that got me thinking, how many other great properties are there that could gain funding now, via Kickstarter? There are plenty of beloved cult TV series- "Freaks & Geeks", "Party Down" and "Terriers" are the first to come to mind- that I'm sure could be funded by fans if given the option. What about series like "24" or "Entourage", where the possibility of a film adaptation has been discussed for a while but never actually confirmed? I've even heard rumors of setting up an account for a sequel to "Serenity." Is this the future of indie filmmaking? If so, I couldn't be more excited.

Our Top Story Tonight: "The Great Gatsby" Set to Open the 66th Cannes Film Festival!

**NOTE: "Our Top Story Tonight" is a new daily segment in which I'll post commentary on what I believe to be the biggest movie news item of the day, as well as a few quick notes on other announcements made throughout the day.**

It was announced today that Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby will be the opening film for the Cannes Film Festival, which will run from May 15th to the 26th. This is an odd move for Gatsby as the film is set to open in the US (along with Taiwan and India) on May 10, meaning that the film will be widely seen prior to it's prestigious screening at the festival. It will also be the second film to open the festival in 3D, the first being Up in 2009. The Cannes Film Festival is widely considered to be one of the most prestigious of the festival, and, sometimes, a very early indicator of potential Oscar favorites. This year's Jury President will be none other than Steven Spielberg. The lineup of films will be announced in April.

Personally, I find the fact that Gatsby will be opening the fest after it's American release date to be a huge vote of confidence regarding the quality of the film. With many rumors of a troubled production, it doesn't seem too outlandish to me to expect that the film is much more than the disaster that some are anticipating. Personally, I can't wait to check the film out, but I'm also a huge Luhrmann fan so I may be a bit biased. I won't be able to attend Cannes, but I'm eagerly anticipating the coverage of the festival from other movie websites, and I hope to see The Great Gatsby prior to it's Cannes premiere.

After the jump, check out other big stories from the day including news regarding the latest X-Men film and David O. Russell's Abscam project.

My 25 Most Anticipated Films of 2013 Part 3: #5-1

It's all been leading up to this. I'd do anything to see these five films right now. For some I'll only have to wait a few more months, for others I'll have to wait till the very end of the year, and one has not had it's release date set. I sincerely hope they all live up to my sky-high expectations.

But before we get started, I want to just address some that didn't make the cut. If I could be sure that David O. Russell's Abscam project was coming out this year, it would make my Top 5, but with the film just starting filming in the spring and no release date set I just don't think we'll see it until 2014. Meanwhile I'm really excited for The Spectacular Now, Fruitvale, August: Osage County and Inside Llweyn Davis, and they just barely missed the list. There are also a few films that I'm looking forward to, but am not expecting much more than mindless entertainment. They include Iron Man 3, Pacific Rim, Oblivion and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Horror flicks Evil Dead and The Conjuring look terrific, but the state of the horror genre these days makes it difficult to really get excited for one these days. I'm hoping Paul Feig can deliver a solid comedy this summer with The Heat and that Disney churns out another terrific animated film with Frozen this winter.

Well, I think that just about covers it. Time to unveil the five films I'm anticipating the most:

5.) Trance (dir. Danny Boyle)

Danny Boyle is an exceptionally talented and incredibly diverse filmmaker. I have an unabashed love for Slumdog Millionare, a deep appreciation for 127 Hours, consider Trainspotting to be one of the best films about drug addiction ever made and find 28 Days Later... to be one of the best horror films of the past ten years. I'd be excited for just about anything he's a part of. But after making some (terrific) Oscar films, it's enticing to Boyle return to his edgy, hardcore genre picture roots. Trance looks like a mind-bender of a thriller with a considerable amount of edge to it. The trailer promises grisly (but visually stunning) violence, and a healthy dose or eroticism, which have both been missing from Boyle's last few films. But, his his always glorious cinematography will certainly be present, and the casting for the film is phenomenal. James McAvoy has proven to be one of the most reliable actors when it comes to picking interesting and diverse films, and Vincent Cassel is a joy to watch on camera. But who I'm really interested in seeing is Rosario Dawson, an actress who I've loved for quite some time who hasn't had decent material to work with since Sin City back in 2005. Hopefully this will giver her a career boost and showcase her considerable acting talent. I only have to wait a few more weeks before checking this film out, and I can't wait.
RELEASE DATE: April 5

4.) The Wolf of Wall Street (dir. Martin Scorsese)

Getting excited for a Scorsese film isn't an option for a film nerd- it's a requirement. The man is a living legend of cinema who's lesser films are more enjoyable than the greatest films of other directors. For the past decade, Scorsese has been working almost exclusively with Leonardo DiCaprio and while their partnership should have gone stale by now, it hasn't. The two have churned out one good film after another, including a Best Picture winner. After taking a brief break from his usual films (and Leo), Martin Scorsese is back with The Wolf of Wall Street, which doubles as the most interesting project the director has taken on in ages and the latest stop on the "Give Leo an Oscar" train. The corruption of Wall Street circa 1980 is a captivating hook for a story, and Scorsese has (as always) summoned an all star cast. Matthew McConaughey, Jonah Hill, Kyle Chandler, Jean Dujardin and (of course) Leo better prepare themselves for a hectic winter, as this will be a major player throughout Oscar season. And with a supposedly edgy script and much buzzed about lead performance, I'm sure we will be in for a treat when this hits theaters in November. It's my most anticipated "Oscar" movie for next year.
RELEASE DATE: November 15

3.) Star Trek Into Darkness (dir. J.J Abrams)

If The Wolf of Wall Street is the Oscar movie I'm anticipating the most, then Star Trek Into Darkness is the action film that I'm most interested in seeing. 2009's Star Trek was the best, most satisfying action film of the past decade for me and I've been on the edge of my seat waiting for the sequel ever since the credits started to roll the first time I saw it. Everything about the reboot, from the excellent cast to the terrific way Abrams blended genuine thrills with heart and humor, worked for me, and I only hope the new one can provide more of the same. With a darker tone promised in the trailer, along with some jaw-droppingly good special effects and exciting looking set pieces, I can't help but count the days until I can check this one out in IMAX.
RELEASE DATE: May 17

2.) The Bling Ring (dir. Sofia Coppola)

If you ask me, Sofia Coppola has a bad rep in Hollywood that she definitely does not deserve. While I wouldn't call her a "master of cinema" or anything like that, I will argue that Lost in Translation is one of the best films of the 2000s. I will also argue that The Virgin Suicides is a damned good movie, and that Marie Antoinette was misunderstood by critics and is much better than most reviews say. I'm hoping that the public opinion will revert back to the very positive Translation era with her next film, The Bling Ring, which sounds absolutely fantastic. This true story, which was practically made for the big screen, follows a group of bored, rich teens who decide to start stealing from the celebrities that live in their area, many of whom will be playing themselves. Emma Watson, who seems to have the best post-Potter career out of any of her former co-stars, will play the ringleader of the group, a role that will certainly garner much attention for the young starlet. Reading about her research for the role, which consisted of watching long hours of reality television to get in character, only furthers my interest. Coppola is a talented, meditative director that can say a lot without ever hitting the audience over the head. Her subtlety, matched with this true-crime story, will hopefully make for one hell of a movie watching experience.
RELEASE DATE: June 14

And finally...

1.) Her (dir. Spike Jonze)

It's been almost four years since we've seen a feature film from Spike Jonze and, in my opinion, that's too long an absence from his wonderfully strange mind. Being John Malkovich is one of my all time favorite films, and both Adaptation. and Where the Wild Things Are impressed me with their stunning visuals and intelligent screenplays. Her, which follows a man who falls in love with the voice featured on his computer, sounds just as weird and quirky as the director's other works and will, hopefully, be as great. As if Jonze's talent didn't already suggest it, the cast leads me to expect greatness. As I mentioned before, Joaquin Phoenix is one of the very best actors working today. Same goes for Amy Adams, who is also one of the most diverse ladies working in the industry, while Rooney Mara has shown to have talent far beyond her years. I'm also looking forward to seeing Olivia Wilde, a charismatic and lovable actress, work with material that will (hopefully) allow her to be more than just the "hot girlfriend" she's been for the past few years. But, mostly, I like the movie I'm anticipating the most to be one that I can see being my very favorite film of the year. And Her is just that.
RELEASE DATE: TBD

Well, there you have it. Twenty five films I can't wait to check out. In case you missed it, check out Part 1 for #25-16 and Part 2 for #15-6. Thanks for reading!

My 25 Most Anticipated Films of 2013 Part 2: #15-6

Welcome back! Yesterday I posted the first ten of twenty five films I'm anticipating for the next year and, now, here are the next ten! We're stepping up into the big leagues in terms of potential Oscar contenders and films I'm dying to check out, so take note. And come back tomorrow for Part 3, with my Top 5!

15.) Nebraska (dir. Alexander Payne)

When it comes to making thoughtful dramas that are also well written, edgy and mature, Alexander Payne has proven to be one of the best directors working today. Each of his films deal with subject matter that tend to be found in heavier dramas, yet he inserts a bit of dark humor into the mix to keep things interesting, while not forgetting to establish an emotional connection with the audience. His next film, which is essentially a road trip dramadey between a father and son, sounds like the sort of film I'd dread seeing (The Guilt Trip anyone?) but knowing Payne, the film will be a much smarter, more intelligent film than we expect. The Descendants, his last film, dealt with similarly clichéd subject matter and proved to be one of the best films of 2011, while both Sideways and Election were great as well. Nebraska will, hopefully, continue his winning streak.
RELEASE DATE: TBD

14.) Lowlife (dir. James Gray)

Say what you will about the Weinsteins, but these Oscar-whoring mega producers always manage to build an incredible lineup of films for awards season. And one that has particularly caught my eye is James Gray's long awaited Lowlife, a film that features two of the best actors working today- Joaquin Phoenix and Marion Cotillard- and one of Hollywood's rising talents, Jeremy Renner. The story of an immigrant woman (Cotillard) being forced into a life of prostitution only to find possible redemption in a magician (Renner) sounds interesting enough, but throw in Joaquin Phoenix as the villain and you've got me interested. In my opinion, Phoenix is an actor who's so incredibly talented that I'll look past his unbearable personality and will check out just about anything he's in. Positive word of mouth after some footage was shown at the Telluride Film Festival only supports my belief that this could be one of the year's best. I am a bit worried that the Weinstein's just set four films for release during the prime months of Oscar season and Lowlife was not among them, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed we'll finally get to see it this year.
RELEASE DATE: TBD

13.) Foxcatcher (dir. Bennet Miller)

Foxcatcher first appeared on my radar after I read the synopsis a sometime last year when it began production. Maybe it's because I never heard the story of John du Pont, a man who suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and killed Olympic wrestler David Schultz, but the moment I heard about this film I was curious to check it out and learn more about this story. Then Steve Carrell was cast as du Pont and it suddenly became one of my most anticipated films of the year. Not because I'm a huge Carrell fan (I mean, he's fine I guess...) but because casting an actor known almost entirely for comedies in something so outright dramatic means that director Bennet Miller must have a lot of confidence in Carrell's ability to play against type. It's one of my most anticiapted performances of the year,  and considering Miller's ability to get Philip Seymour Hoffman and Oscar (for Capote) and Brad Pitt a nomination (for Moneyball) I can't imagine him not being successful.
RELEASE DATE: TBD

12.) Dallas Buyers Club (dir. Jean-Marc Vallée)

2012 was a great year to be Matthew McConaughey. I can't remember the last time an actor did such a complete 360 in terms of reputation not only in Hollywood, but with film critics and even the most pretentious of film nerds. He has morphed from the leading man in annoying romantic comedies into an immensely talented director who stole scenes in his three films released last year: Magic Mike, Killer Joe and Bernie. His performance in Dallas Buyers Club, a true story of a homophobic man in the 1980s who contracted AIDS and began smuggling medications from around the world into the US, could be the best of his career. For one thing, his physical transformation (pictured above) is quite remarkable. But he will also be sharing the screen with Jared Leto, who should definitely stick to acting,  and the highly underrated Jennifer Garner. McConaughey's path towards complete career comeback could really take off in this film, and it sounds like his role will be prime Oscar bait this season. I can't wait.
RELEASE DATE: TBD

11.) Untitled Diablo Cody Film (dir. Diablo Cody)

If there is one writer in Hollywood that has an undeserved bad reputation, it's Diablo Cody. Cody, to me, is a truly one of a kind writer who always has something interesting to bring to the table, even if it's not entirely successful. Young Adult was my favorite film of 2011, Juno was great and, hell, I even sort of enjoyed Jennifer's Body. With her next film, which I thought was titled Lamb of God but is listed as Paradise on IMDb, Cody will be tackling the idea of religion in a film centered on a conservative Christian young woman who's faith is shaken after an accident and decides to live the life of a sinner in Vegas. Films centered on religion have always fascinated me, and to see someone as talented as Cody take on the theme is quite exciting and filled with potential. It also doesn't hurt that Holly Hunter, one of my favorite actresses, will be playing the main character's religious mother. Yet another film that is yet to have a release date, we've already got an MPAA rating for this one and I'm hoping to see it on the schedule for an upcoming film festival because I'm dying to check it out.
RELEASE DATE: TBD

10.) Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (dir. Robert Rodriguez & Frank Miller)

Many of the recent "cult favorites" to attract passionate fan bases have left me cold. For example, I fail to see what makes V for Vendetta so special, and Donnie Darko, while interesting, just comes off as pretentious to me. Yet, watching Sin City completely lived up the hype. Robert Rodriguez has a clear passion for making films, and has many terrific action films to his name. But Sin City may be his masterpiece- a visually stunning, ultra-violent, too-cool-for-school thrill ride filled to the brim with talented actors, quotable dialogue and memorable moments. But as the years went by, I almost stopped believing that we'd ever get the long awaited return to Basin City. And, now, it's finally coming. With most of the cast returning, actors like Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Josh Brolin joining up for the ride, and the fact that the "Dame to Kill For" storyline is considered one of the series' strongest, how could I not be excited? It pains me to know that Michael Clarke Duncan and Brittany Murphy won't be returning, but I'm sure this film will do their legacies justice and will, hopefully, live up the high expectations of fans who've been waiting for almost eight years for this movie.
RELEASE DATE: October 4

9.) Serena (dir. Susanne Bier)

Jennifer Lawrence gave my favorite Lead Actress performance last year, so I'd be excited to see her in just about anything she was set to appear in following Silver Linings Playbook. But there are other factors that make Serena a must see for me. For one thing, this film reunites her with her Playbook costar, Bradley Cooper. Cooper really surprised me with his terrific performance in that film, and he and Lawrence played off each other nicely. But, this film has had my interest for quite some time. In fact, ever since it was originally developed as a project for Darren Aronofsky. While I'm upset that we couldn't see those two collaborate in what sounds like a very intense film, I think seeing Lawrence take on such a dark part will not only be beneficial for her career but will show audiences just how talented she really is.
RELEASE DATE: TBD

8.) Only God Forgives (dir. Nicolas Winding Refn)

While I wasn't bowled over by Nicolas Winding Refn's Drive like so many others in the film geek community, I still thoroughly enjoyed it and it made my Top 10 list for 2011. It was an extremely stylish mashup of art house and action with a soundtrack I'm still listening to. I expect his next collaboration with Ryan Gosling to be equally violent and just as good, if not better. The thirty second preview available online looks stunning, and the set photos (shown above) make the film look just as intense and brutal as Drive. I may not be anticipating to love Only God Forgives but it's a film I'm extremely interested in checking out, if only for the beautiful cinematography and intense fight scenes.
RELEASE DATES: May 23

7.) Elysium (dir. Neil Blomkamp)

Having attended San Diego Comic Con in July, I was able to see exclusive footage from Elysium and can ensure fans of Blomkamp's District 9 that his long awaited second film will, most likely, be worth the wait. The footage was incredible, taking the same gritty realism and political metaphors depicted in District 9 and giving it a much broader scope. Elysium looks extremely exciting but also intelligent and bound to cause discussion, which is the same thing that earned District 9 a slot on my Top 10 list of 2009. Throw in Matt Damon, Jodie Foster and Sharlto Copley- who, in this film, plays the exact opposite of his character in District 9- and you've got yourself a potential sci-fi classic.
RELEASE DATE: August 9

6.) Labor Day (dir. Jason Reitman)

Having directed my favorite film of 2011, I'd be excited for almost anything Jason Reitman had to offer. But, as a director, Reitman has delivered one terrific film after another so my expectations are sky high for his latest, Labor Day. I love coming of age stories, and this one- which finds a young boy and his depressed single mom taking in a criminal on the run- sounds particularly interesting. Reitman also has a habit of getting terrific performances out of all the actors in his films, and with a cast that includes Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin I see no reason to doubt that this film will live up to the standards set by Reitman's latest, as well as Up in the Air and Juno.
RELEASE DATE: TBD

This has been Part 2 of My 25 Most Anticipated Films of 2013. Check back tomorrow afternoon for Part 3, which will include My Top 5 for next year. And, if you haven't already, check out Part 1! Thanks for reading!