Films to still look forward to in 2017 (September onwards)
- Adam Tye
- Sep 13, 2017
- 6 min read
We’ve barrelled through so many of the 2017 releases (and indeed, so much of 2017) that you, dear reader, might be wondering what there is still to look forward to as we move into the Autumn months. Lucky for you, I’ve had time to put together this brief list of upcoming 2017 releases, so that when your friends ask you what’s still coming out, you can look like Wikipedia.
Note: I’m a mainstream pleb when it comes to films, so don’t expect to see your highly anticipated art project where people stare at each other for half an hour appearing on this list, because it won’t.
It (Part One)
Out now.
So this one is already out, but I’d be remiss to leave It off of this list. Based off the acclaimed Stephen King novel that I haven’t read, It follows a group of kids in the town of Derry who are terrorized by a creature that can assume the appearance of their worst fears – most famously that of a clown holding a balloon that hides in the sewers. Horror films so often come across as cheap plasticized crap destined for the bargain bin/Netflix that it’s immensely refreshing to see a prestige one hit cinemas. Reviews suggest that It is not only a good one, but also one of the best Stephen King adaptations ever made so, I dunno, maybe make a note of it?
Kingsman: The Golden Circle
September 20th
Kingsman was one of the gems of 2015 – a big, bonkers spy movie that many thought was a throwback to old Bond, which is ridiculous because old Bond never had people’s heads exploding with fireworks. No, Kingsman was it’s own ridiculous thing and Kingsman: The Golden Circle looks set to dial up the crazy to the kind of levels I hoped it would. Taking the series to America with a contender for the best cast of the year (Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Jeff Bridges – this parenthesis could stretch on forever) plus the return of breakout star Taron Egerton and director Matthew Vaughn; it all makes for a movie you should be very excited about.
Blade Runner 2049
October 6th
For all its acclaim, Blade Runner seems to be something of a divisive property right now; with many people loving its dreamy, visual atmosphere and some finding it incredibly dull. Denis Villeneuve, on the other hand, is less divisive and early trailers for the long-gestating sequel to Blade Runner suggest that he might have done the impossible and actually gone and made it good. Approach with caution, but Blade Runner 2049 might end up being the sci-fi film to beat in 2017, even if it does star Jared Leto (sorry Junice).
Thor Ragnarok
October 27th
In a year that’s handed me one of my least favourite Marvel movies (Spider Man) and one of my favourite Marvel movies (Guardians 2), Thor: Ragnarok still offers the potential to come in and run away as the best of the lot. It certainly looks like a kick up the ‘ole backside for the Marvel formula, with Taika Waititi’s unshackled creative freedom shining through in both an unorthodox visual style that hews much closer to Jack Kirby’s artwork as well as Chris Hemsworth continuing to be incredibly funny when he’s asked to be. At the very least, this looks like it could be the most fun movie of the year and whilst some might balk at that (not sure why, but apparently some people might), I am one hundred percent down for it.
Murder on the Orient Express
November 3rd
MOTOE has been done to death by now, with David Suchet’s menacing take being arguably the definitive adaptation. What else is there to do with the material? Well, you could give Poirot a giant walrus mustache and stuff the film with a cast that vies with Kingsman for best of the year. The clash between the serious tone and unsubtle visuals almost makes this new Kenneth Branagh movie look like a punk rock spin on Agatha Christie’s classic. I’m not saying it’ll be good, but it probably won’t be boring.
Justice League
November 17th
Justice League finds itself unfortunately positioned as one of the trickiest films of the year to evaluate. Beset by early creative blendering after Batman V Superman got critically slaughtered, forcing the studio to change tact on the sequel they had already begun working on, the film was then struck by the horrific personal tragedy suffered by Snyder, forcing him to step away from the project with Joss Whedon guiding it to the finish. Two directors and a movie that, narratively speaking, has a heck of a lot of problems to overcome makes Justice League a tough one to approach optimistically, but all eyes will be on it when it debuts in November, including yours.
The Disaster Artist
US Release: December 1st.
UK Release: TBD but throwing it in here anyway even if it comes out next year and proves unhelpful to this list.
Bit of a curveball, this one, but it’s such a weird idea for a movie you can’t really ignore it. Much has been made of the now legendarily awful movie ‘The Room’ starring Tommy Wiseau, with the film reaching a level of memefication that would make The Bee Movie blush. The Disaster Artist is an attempt to capture the making of The Room, with James Franco starring as the main lead. I have no idea what this one will be like, but early buzz is positive and it seems as though everyone involved is treating the source material with a level of endearment that might make The Disaster Artist rise above a schlockier, more mean-spirited approach. Plus, it just sounds so weird.
Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
December 14 (UK)
Like you needed reminding, partly because Star Wars seems to have teabagged the Christmas release window for the forseeable future, but also because it’s the sequel to the second highest-grossing film of all time. The Last Jedi picks up apparently right from where we left our characters, with Luke staring down a hesitant Rey and everyone else trying to figure out how best to kick the First Order’s ass. Rian Johnson (Looper, Brick) sits atop the director’s throne for this outing, which alone is enough to drive my personal hype through the ceiling. Anyone who has seen the brilliantly inventive and keenly observed Looper has been excited to see what this guy is going to do with Star Wars ever since his involvement was announced and it sounds like we won’t be disappointed. Pretty much all of the images coming out of this film suggests a Star Wars film that *gasp* explores new things, whilst everyone involved has talked of how the story Johnson has written for the film is “surprising” or goes in directions they didn’t expect. But just as encouraging is the rumblings that The Last Jedi will place a heavier emphasis on Leia than the previous film(s?) have done, hopefully giving Carrie Fisher the send off she deserves. Yes my expectations are through the roof. No, I’m not going to downgrade them.
Bonus 2018 Film: Coco
January 19th 2018
(Yes, this is a 2018 release but I didn't realise that until I after I wrote this so I'm putting it in here anyway.)
The last three of Pixar's films seem to be proof that, whilst the studio is still a far cry away from its golden age heyday, it’s potential to knock a screaming home run out of the park still remains (Inside Out), with even its B material rising above expectations to become surprisingly effective (Finding Dory). It is with caution, then, that we approach the latest effort from the studio: Coco. An original story themed around the day of the dead that seems vaguely reminiscent of Spirited Away for some reason; it definitely looks to be one of the more stylized Pixar films in recent memory, though it’s interesting how with only a couple of months to go until release, both information and marketing for the film has been strangely lacking. Either way, one for the animation fans out there and, if Pixar nail it once again, one for everyone else as well.
Hopefully that's jogged everyone's memories. Now you'll be the toast of your friendship group with your release date knowledge, you silver-tongued devil, you.
Comments