My 25 Most Anticipated Films of 2013 Part 1: #25-16

To me, it always felt strange that most film critics choose January as the month to release their Top 10 lists for the previous year and their Most Anticipated Film lists for the current year. To me, the cinematic calendar of a year ends on Oscar night after the Best Picture of the Year is announced and it starts anew the following morning. After all, it's not like there are many great films being released in January, February or even March (I've heard Side Effects was solid but unfortunately missed my chance to see it in theaters.) So, with Oscar Season 2012 coming to a close, it's time to start looking forward to the next batch of films we'll be loving, hating, debating about and predicting for awards season glory. Granted, many of these films won't be released until late in the year, and some definitely won't be taking home awards later in the year. But, who cares? Here are the first ten (of 25) films coming out later this year that I can't wait to check out.

25.) The Monuments Men (dir. George Clooney)

The Monuments Men is Oscar bait, plain and simple. Hell, it even sounds a lot like Argo but with paintings instead of people, and Nazis instead of Iranian revolutionaries. Films that seem to be begging for notice from the Academy tend to rub me the wrong way (one of the many reasons I found Argo to be vastly overrated) but I've been surprised by films that seem tailor made for award season before (The Help, for example). But the film has a terrific cast- Daniel Craig, Matt Damon, John Goodman, Jean Dujardin, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett and Clooney himself, who has also proven to be a solid director. I'm holding out hope that the film proves to be more than just an "Oscar movie" and will turn out a truly great film.
RELEASE DATE: December 18

24.) Oldboy (dir. Spike Lee)

Spike Lee is a wildly inconsistent director so getting excited about a film of his is a hard thing for me. And, I can't lie, when I first heard that he was going to be directing a remake to one of the greatest foreign films I've ever seen, the terrific South Korean thriller Oldboy, I was hit with disappointment. It's not entirely Lee's fault- I'd be worried about the film falling into virtually any director's hands- but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that Lee could actually bring something interesting to the film. Lee has a very unique and interesting visual style and his better films feel wild, unpredictable, and incredibly unique- the exact thing an Oldboy remake would need. And when Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Olsen, Sharlto Copley and Samuel L. Jackson joined the cast, I started to become cautiously optimistic. This could be a very interesting interpretation of a great film. Now, let's just pray they don't change the ending- it's one of the most surprising twist endings I've ever seen and I highly doubt any American screenwriter can top it, even if they try.
RELEASE DATE: October 11

23.) Blue Jasmine (dir. Woody Allen)

At the rate Woody Allen churns out films, his terrible films are hardly worth getting too upset about. At 77, the fact that Allen is still hard at work writing and directing films- and the fact that some of his recent output ranks about his very best of all time- means he's allowed to mess up every once in a while. As is the same with most of Woody Allen's films, we don't know much about the plot but we have the cast and it's, as always, stacked with A-list talent. Cate Blanchett, Alec Baldwin, and Michael Stuhlbarg will surely be wonderful, but I'm most excited about seeing Louis C.K. (one of the most talented men in the entertainment industry at the moment) in the film. Good or bad, Blue Jasmine is definitely worth checking out.
RELEASE DATE: July 26

22.) Saving Mr. Banks (dir. John Lee Hancock)

I hated The Blind Side. I can't believe it actually won an Oscar of any kind, let alone that it was nominated for Best Picture and grossed as much as it did. Due to that, I really didn't want to get excited for anything director John Lee Hancock churned out. But I did. Saving Mr. Banks just sounds so interesting that I can't help but want to see it. The story of Walt Disney trying to convince author P.L. Travers to allow him to adapt Mary Poppins is a captivating idea, and one I can't wait to see acted out on screen. Of course, it also helps that the film stars Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson in roles that will surely be courting attention from the Academy, and that they are surrounded by actors like Collin Farrell, Paul Giammati and Jason Schwartzman. Who knows, maybe this will be so good that I'll forgive Hancock for directing The Blind Side. Maybe. But it'll have to be really great for that to happen.
RELEASE DATE: December 20

21.) The Counselor (dir. Ridley Scott)

Had Ridley Scott's recent directorial outings not disappointed me so much, this film would most definitely be higher on the list. But, as it stands, Scott is still one of the greatest directors of all time, and The Counselor sounds like one hell of a great crime drama. With Cormac McCarthy writing the script, and Michael Fassbender leading a cast of A-listers, how can any legitimate movie nerd not get excited to see it? One thing I'm really looking forward to is Cameron Diaz's performance. From what I've heard, Diaz will be playing a sexed up woman involved in the drug industry, a part that is bound to have a handful of showy scenes. I've always thought that Diaz was an under appreciated actress who with a few solid performances early in her career. Here's hoping that she makes a comeback of sorts with  The Counselor.
RELEASE DATE: November 15

20.) Gravity (dir. Alfonso Caurón)

At this point, I feel like we've been waiting for so long to see this film that I'm obligated as a film blogger to include this on my list. Gravity will certainly be one of the most talked about films of the year, regardless of quality, and expectations are sky high for Alfonso Caurón. With the promise of many long shots and incredible cinematography (in 3D!), the film has the potential to be the most technically impressive film of 2013. But what I'm excited for is the fact that the film will be, for the most part, a one woman show. I don't think Sandra Bullock deserved her Oscar for The Blind Side, but I do think she's incredibly charismatic, likable, and talented. If any actress could carry an entire film, it's her. Maybe this time she'll receive an Oscar she actually deserves.
RELEASE DATE: October 4

19.) Anchorman: The Legend Continues (dir. Adam McKay)

The toughest genre for me to enjoy is, without a doubt, comedy. Most years, I only have one comedy I truly enjoy. And, even with comedies I like, I find very little reason to re-watch them. But, there is something about Will Ferrell films that I just love. With few exceptions, I find them funny from beginning to end. They have been some of the most quotable movies of the past decade, and have become almost pop culture events as opposed to films. Anyway, Anchorman: The Legend Continues has the potential to be a comedy epic, and it's assembling one the finest casts a comedy has had in recent memory. I haven't been this excited for a comedy in years.
RELEASE DATE: December 20

18.) The Great Gatsby (dir. Baz Luhrmann)

Most people hate Baz Luhrmann. I think he's sort of a genius. Nobody makes movies that look, sound, or feel like his. His films are like the result of an action blockbuster crashing into a stuffy costume drama, with the cast of Cirque de Solei and a killer soundtrack thrown in for good measure. Moulin Rouge! and Romeo + Juliet are such unique films, and if there was one word to describe the trailers for Luhrmann's adaptation of the greatest novel of all time, it would be just that: unique. For better or worse, Luhrmann has infused his exhilaratingly strange visual style with the thoughtful prose of Fitzgerald, and I can't wait to check it out. As far as I'm concerned: 1) Leonardo DiCaprio was born to play Gatsby. 2) When a soundtrack includes original music from Prince and Lady GaGa, you go see that movie. And, 3) Good or bad, Luhrmann's films are always an interesting experience.
RELEASE DATE: May 10

17.) Twelve Years a Slave (dir. Steve McQueen)

Despite being hailed as one of the best directors to burst onto the scene in recent memory, I have yet to see a Steve McQueen film. But, I plan to seek his work out prior to seeing Twelve Years a Slave, a film that has caught my eye. It has a fantastic cast, and a story that sounds terrific, but what really fascinates me is that McQueen is known for being a brutal, uncompromising filmmaker and I think that's what we need when it comes to telling a story about slavery. Not one that sugar coats over the serious issues in order to score more points with Oscar voters. 

RELEASE DATE: TBD

16.) Man of Steel (dir. Zack Snyder)

The trailer for Man of Steel really blew me away. With all this talk about a Justice League film being in the works, I was worried that DC would simply try to copy Marvel but I'm pleased to see their films striking a very different tone (not to suggest I want a Justice League movie, but if there will be one at least it'll be different from The Avengers.) Even more impressive, I think, is the way that Snyder is striking a tone that feels very similar to what Nolan did with Batman- dark, serious and realistic- but still manages to put in otherworldly elements without seeming ridiculous. Obviously, I'm judging it entirely off the trailer. But, Man of Steel is one of the two summer blockbusters that I can't wait to check out this year, and I'm holding out hope that it lives up to my expectations.

RELEASE DATE: June 14

That's it for Part 1! Check out Part 2 tomorrow, and Part 3 on Sunday!