Friday, March 10, 2006

Top 10: Anticipation


Now that the awards business is over, it's time to look ahead to the rest of 2006. Below are the films I can't wait to see (trailers are linked where applicable). Note that Snakes on a Plane is not included, because it is so obviously going to be the most important movie of the year that I didn't think it was even fair to compare it against mere cinema.

1. The Departed - Martin Scorsese is back in Goodfellas territory with this remake of the great Infernal Affairs, transplanted to Boston. This is the first time Scorsese has worked with Jack Nicholson, which should be a delight. Plus, I'm in it (sort of). November
2. A Prairie Home Companion - Recently honored master Robert Altman brings Garrison Keillor's cultural staple to the big screen. Perhaps the best cast of the year, featuring Woody Harrelson, Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, John C. Reilly, Virginia Madsen, and (ahem) Lindsay Lohan. June 9
3. A Scanner Darkly - Richard Linklater returns to the style of rotoscoping used to beautiful effect in Waking Life for this adaptation of the Phillip K. Dick novel. Keanu, as always, could go either way, but it also stars Robert Downey Jr., and that's always a plus. July 7
4. The Prestiege - Christopher Nolan's adaptation of Christopher Priest's novel stars Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman as dueling magicians. Scarlett Johansson also stars, but the reason I can't wait is the presence of David Bowie as Nikola Tesla - genius. October 20
5. Grindhouse - Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez' trash double feature (complete with fake trailers!) looks to be the best junk food of the year. September 22
6. Superman Returns - KAL-EL. June 30
7. Art School Confidential - Daniel Clowes and Terry Zwigoff reteam for this raspberry aimed at art school pretensions; early reviews have been mixed, but if it's half as good as Ghost World, I'll be content. April 28
8. Marie-Antoinette - The trailer for Sofia Coppola's take on the famed headless queen hints at an audacious and just plain hip period piece. October 13
9. Zodiac - After a long hiatus, David Fincher takes on the notorious San Francisco serial killer; Gary Oldman, Jake Gyllenhal, and (yuss) Robert Downey Jr. star. September 22
10. The Fountain - Darren Aronofsky's long-gestating sci-fi/romance is finally unleashed upon us; the teaser hints at a truly mindblowing experience, so let's hope the film delivers. Fall

2 comments:

Electronic Pussy Sucker said...

I told you something important would come out the night before our wedding. Look at the release date for Grindhouse man!

Andrew Bemis said...

Not to mention Zodiac, plus the new Christopher Guest movie. It shall be a fine honeymoon.