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!