By Alex Kramer | [email protected]
From the humor of Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele to the turmoil caused by Edward Snowden, 2016 will, hopefully, be remembered as a fantastic year for cinema. Some films are gaining traction as they vie for the box-office crown.
Hail, Caesar (Feb. 5)
To boot, we’ll kick off our list with an all-star cast (not the only one on the list, mind you) and the allure of 1950s Hollywood. The story follows a day in the life of a Hollywood fixer Eddie Mannix (Josh Brolin), when anything can and most likely will go wrong. Characterized by the Coen Brothers upbringing, audiences should expect eccentric characters and a convoluted plot that will nevertheless feel like the perfect blend of comedy and noir.
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (Feb. 5)
Capitalizing on the last frenzied wave of “zombocalypse” fad culture, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is Jane Austen’s classic tale reimagined for an age obsessed with forever. Based on Seth Grahame-Smith’s 2009 parody novel, the story follows the interwoven relationships of a stuffy, classist 19th-century England — what we’ve heard before — with the added excitement of an army of zombies.
Knight of Cups (March 4)
Looking a bit like a whimsical, yet heavy, LA-based Wolf of Wall Street, the trailer for Knight of Cups is too enticing to turn away. The story is described as following a screenwriter, Rick (Christian Bale), who tries to make sense of the bizarre events surrounding him. Haunted by the death of a brother and a successful career, he finds solace in Hollywood excess and women temporarily. After all his experiences, he may finally find his place.
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (March 4)
Based on the true story of war correspondent Kim Barker in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot focuses on the developing relationship between Barker and a Scottish journalist (played by Martin Freeman) while the war in Afghanistan is in full swing. Barker is played by none other than Tina Fey, who appears to be bringing her characteristic wit and dedicated audience with her to pull people into an attractive story. It’s a charming new look at comedy with heart headed our way.
Louder Than Bombs (April 8)
A drama following the lives of a family (one of the sons played by Jesse Eisenberg), upturned and petulant as they face their emotions regarding a late mother and wife, a famed war photographer. Disparities in memory of the woman they loved breeds struggle throughout the home. Regardless of the big secret that seems to live around a car accident, the film outlines hope, suggesting peace in a strange way.
Green Room (April 15)
In a secluded venue, a young punk-rock band finds itself trapped in an appallingly dark world after happening upon a horrific act of violence. Looking like Walter White, Patrick Stewart dons a haunting persona of the systematic man in charge of white-power skinheads with the intent of erasing all evidence. Green Room excites and entices the audience.
High-Rise (April 28)
“Join us,” Tom Hiddleston’s character, Dr. Robert Laing coos at the end of an amazingly cryptic, and at the same time, terribly enthralling trailer. Described as the “unnerving tale of life in a modern town block running out of control,” the society in the concealing walls slips in violent reverse from humanity as animalistic nature takes over and jungle law prevails. Not much else besides the cast is known, but my bets are on a terrifying ride through cinematic art.
Keanu (April 29)
Brought to audiences by the masterminds behind “Key & Peele,” the idea of Keanu alone is enough to either bust out laughing or question the sanity of the two. It goes like this — Keegan-Michael Key’s and Jordan Peele’s characters are on a mission to retrieve a stolen cat by posing as drug dealers in a street gang. Madness ensues. If you’re broken up about “Key & Peele” ending, this will be your sanctuary.
Snowden (May 13)
No one could forget the havoc caused by the leak of thousands of classified documents to the press by NSA contractor Edward Snowden. Portrayed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, this is the story of the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. So help us Nicolas Cage, who is also in the film, and if that doesn’t pique your interest to see him back in such a serious film, what will?
Finding Dory (June 17)
The long-awaited (except by Beau Elliot) Finding Dory is finally upon us. Looking for that quotable comedy so distinctive of golden-age Disney animation that most will want to just make sure that the scatterbrained little fish Ellen DeGeneres voices will be OK. The aesthetic appeal and nostalgia for its precursor will be enough to have audiences flooding theaters.
Ghostbusters (July 15)
Who else you gonna call? The 1984 Slimer-studded film, which earned legendary status sometime in the Middle Ages for its comedy, action, and fantasy hybridity, is coming back. But instead of a male-dominated lineup, Bill Murray will pass the helm to Melissa McCarthy, followed by Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones. Though nothing has been released about the plot yet, the film will undoubtedly be studded with guest appearances and cameos, as Sigourney Weaver, Bill Murray, and Dan Aykroyd have signed on.
Star Trek Beyond (July 22)
Lovers of science fiction, rejoice. After the mania surrounding the revamp of this past year, audiences will have a chance to switch gears and cool down a bit with the next installment of J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek franchise (even if it may be an age-long rivalry). That’s not to say Star Trek Beyond won’t be able to stand on its own, as the daunting trailer is enough to draw anyone in with its blend of humor and outlandish fantasy landscapes.
Suicide Squad (Aug. 5)
Though there seems to be a never-ending gang of Marvel superheroes blasted at still-eager audiences, a fresh take on the usual borderline prosaic mold for the action-laden plot lines is headed our way. Familiar to patrons of comic-book stores, Suicide Squad is about imprisoned super-villain recruits carrying out black-ops missions for a secret government agency in exchange for clemency. It boasts an eclectic mix of cast members, including Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Cara Delevingne, and Jai Courtney, as the “Worst. Heroes. Ever.” If the quirky antiheroes and dirty aesthetic aren’t enough, perhaps the scarring images of Jared Leto’s newest portrayal of the Joker will tantalize audiences enough to pull them into this newfound world in which villains are made to play nice.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (Nov. 18)
Yes. It’s back. That astonishing world of witchcraft and wizardry will return to the silver screen this fall. Based on J.K Rowling’s textbook found in the series Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, it is set in — wait for it — New York. Not only that, it has secret community of witches and wizards (we always knew there had to be magic in America).
Seventy years before any of the events in Harry Potter, Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) writes the book of the movie’s eponym. With David Yates directing and Rowling herself writing the screenplay, high expectations surround the inevitable hype trying to bring audiences back to this unforgettable realm.