Monday, January 03, 2005 Looking forward Back at work, after what ended up being two blissful weeks off. This is gonna take some adjustment. Some Coming Soon! writers listed their most-anticipated movies for 2005, and I was reading this going, goddamn, is it only nerd stuff coming out? Yes, I know, it's Coming Soon! But still. So here's my most anticipated list. I mean, I'm a nerd too. But there's more to life than Star Wars. At least, god I hope there is. And in a year with new movies from Terry Gilliam, Cameron Crowe, Woody Allen... Yeah. March Melinda and Melinda Woody Allen listens to my prayers and makes a movie that sounds original, fun, and funny -- and DOESN'T STAR HIM. This is the first time in years, YEARS, that I've actually been excited for a Woody Allen movie. YEARS. April Sin City Look, I don't know who you were talking to, but no, I DON'T HAVE A CRUSH on Robert Rodriguez. Really, okay? I just think he's super funny and sweet and smart and he makes all these really unique, visually interesting movies -- sure, sometimes they're kinda slapdash and not very good, but he does everything himself -- isn't that cool? And he's so nice -- he even left the DGA because they wouldn't let him share directing credit with Frank Miller! And he likes to cook and he plays the guitar and lives in this gorgeous house... I just think he's pretty neat, okay? OKAY? Unleashed This is a total mix-up of many Secret Weaknesses. Luc Besson-produced action movies, Yuen Wo Ping action choreography, Morgan Freeman as The Wise Old Man, and oh, yeah, a really kick-ass trailer. Rumor Has It I like Ted Griffin's writing, it's a cool cast, and Rob Reiner can be interesting. Plus, a female version of The Graduate? Might suck. But might not. May The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Like the books. Love the casting. Like the directors. Like love like. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith Let's just get this over with. June The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants A teen girl version of Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. Sounds too cute to resist. Mr. and Mrs. Smith This is why they invented summer movies. I like Doug Liman a lot, despite knowing better. I like Brad Pitt a lot, despite knowing better. I'm a fan of pretty silly action as a rule, and this promises to be no exception to said rule. Batman Begins I feel like I've been pretty clear about this. War of the Worlds Spielberg's all right, I guess. July The Island So what if it's Michael Bay? It's also Ewan McGregor and the kind of cool sci-fi premise that used to get so badly bungled in the 70s. I'm in like Flynn. Elizabethtown Cameron Crowe? Yes. September Serenity Let me officially go on the record as saying that whether this is good or bad, does ill or well, it is nevertheless the worst-titled sci-fi action entry IN HISTORY. Seriously, Joss, Serenity? This is what you call your epic space western? I know it's the name of the ship and I know it was the name of the original pilot and it's a fine name for a ship and an all right name for two hours of television but SERENITY? That's how you plan to revitalize your beloved canceled TV show that 90% of America never gave a crap about? With a title that makes you think of British dramas about middle-aged widows coming to terms with the quiet desperation of everyday life? I mean, I'm sure it'll be fantastic. It's Firefly reborn, after all. But seriously. SERENITY? November The Brothers Grimm I kinda started off hating this movie, because not only was it very similar to a screenplay I was working on, it was written by Ehren Kruger, who I'm still mad at after having sat through Reindeer Games and Scream 3. But I never finished the screenplay (story problems beyond repair) and Terry Gilliam does strange things to me. I've always liked him, but now I've moved onto active rooting. Dude needs a break, after all. So that's what I'm really looking forward to. There's stuff I'll probably cave into watching along the line. (Ah, Elektra, you Rob Bowman-directed demon temptress.) But it looks to be a good year. Better than 2004, fingers crossed. | permalink blog • archives • photos • about • contact This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. All content © 2004.