There’s been the good, the bad, and the ugly. The satisfying, the disappointing, and the pleasantly surprising. As usual, this year has been jam packed with all kinds of different films. But as we get into June and begin to wrap up the first half of 2017, it’s time to look ahead to the second half of the year and the pieces of art that look promising. These films have releases set for July-December and I believe can range from good to mind-blowing. But they could also be duds (as many films usually are).
I will be writing a Max 12 on the best films of the first half of 2017, but I will wait until early-mid July to do that as June has plenty of promising releases.
Before I get to the list, here are six films that are worth mentioning and are interesting but not enough info has been released to really decide if it’s worth getting hyped up for:
Logan Lucky, American Made, The Snowman, God Particle, The Man Who Invented Christmas, and Darkest Hour.
You can look those up but like I said, there won’t be tons of info. I will say their stories and/or casts look intriguing; they are worth keeping an eye on as the year progresses.
With those out of the way, let's get onto the list (with some honorable mentions of course):
(From top left clockwise): Battle of the Sexes, The Hitman’s Bodyguard, Blade Runner 2049 and American Assassin.
These four films could potentially be really good. One features a tragedy stricken man (Dylan O'Brien) who is trained by a legendary cold war veteran (played by Michael Keaton) to become a deadly CIA assassin for the US; another is a long awaited sequel (35 years in the making) to one of the greatest sci-fi films ever made (many say it’s second only to Star Wars): Blade Runner (1982). The Hitman’s Bodyguard seems poised to have hilarious, spot on comedic timing and chemistry between its two leads, Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson, which will most likely make up for the already sketchy looking graphics from the trailers. Oh, and did I mention this film was made for one reason: to mock the box office success and award winning film The Bodyguard. If you know that film at all then you’ll know just by the trailers and posters that Hitman is all in mockery of that film. Finally, just barely missing out on my list is the Oscar tease film about the legendary tennis bout between Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King, formally known as the “Battle of the Sexes”. Forget their acting abilities, actors Steve Carell and Emma Stone look scarily similar to their real life counterparts. But then throw in the fact that you’ve got two award winners portraying both, along with it being a biopic film, this will undoubtedly get Oscar buzz for February 2018. At the end of the day though, it looks like it could be a great movie, regardless of whether it receives any awards to it’s name.
12. Justice League - Warner Bros; PG-13; Director: Zack Snyder; Cast: Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Henry Cavill, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher, Amy Adams, Willem Dafoe, Jesse Eisenberg, Jeremy Irons, Diane Lane, J.K. Simmons
Has DC pretty much stunk it up? Yeah. I’m still holding out for June’s Wonder Woman. But even if that disappoints, I’ll will still tell you what might very well be DC’s last straw is their highly anticipated answer to Marvel’s The Avengers: Justice League. I’m stoked for this film. Like The Avengers, just the idea of these iconic heroes coming together is good enough to put on this film on the list. Why does it only make #12 you ask? Well DC’s bad rep definitely hurts The League. If the past three films had done just a tincy bit better in terms of reception by the public then it would be higher. Now if Wonder Woman is a success, then the excitement for this film will jump way up. I’m excited to see this film for Ben Affleck’s Batman alone. And if you saw the cast listing above, you will see it is stuffed full with A-list stars. Definitely crossing my fingers for this one. For me, the last straw isn’t Justice League - it’s the upcoming Batman solo film. If DC fails it’s greatest character, then I will officially be done with DC. With Marvel continuing its success, a disappointing Justice League will bring DC to the brink, but a Batman flop will say that DC no longer has any hope. None.
Release Date: November 17th
11. Marshall - Open Road Films; Not Yet Rated; Director: Reginald Hudlin; Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Josh Gad, Kate Hudson, Dan Stevens, James Cromwell
Not much has been released about this biopic, which depicts legendary Thurgood Marshall and his young career as a lawyer. It has an all-star cast with now critically acclaimed actor Chadwick Boseman (42, Get on Up, Captain America: Civil War) leading the charge as the first ever African-American Supreme Court Justice. Another Oscar tease biopic, this film will most definitely be worth looking out for during awards season. Watch for Boseman to possibly pick up his first Oscar nod next February.
Release Date: October 13th
10. The Dark Tower - Columbia Pictures; PG-13; Director: Nikolaj Arcel; Cast: Idris Elba, Matthew McConaughey
Yet another Stephen King book adaption (Dark Tower is one of two King novels being adapted and released this summer), this fantasy-western story differs from previous King adaptations in that the story takes place right after the end of the Dark Tower book series. Before the film’s trailer and info was released, I immediately knew I wanted to check this out. Dark Tower has lots going on, but in the end, it’s super-cool Idris Elba in a face-off with star Matthew McConaughey. That’s good enough to go see right there. Sure to be a visual spectacle, this might very well be August’s biggest hit.
Release Date: August 4th
9. The Greatest Showman - 20th Century Fox; NYR; Director: Michael Gracey; Cast: Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams, Zac Efron
This Christmas Day release has been kept quite under wraps with only a few set pics (including the one above) on social media, giving glimpses of this biopic-musical about the famous P.T Barnum with Hugh Jackman as Barnum. Jackman started 2017 off with a bang in the epic drama-thriller Logan; how fitting that he may end the year with one as well. With the musical genre hopefully coming back after last year’s La La Land and Sing Street, let us hope The Greatest Showman continues this recent trend in quality musical films.
Release Date: December 25th
8. Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets - STX Entertainment; PG-13; Director: Luc Besson; Cast: Dane Dehaan, Cara Delevingne, Clive Owen, Rihanna, Ethan Hawke
Based on the French science fiction comics series Valérian and Laureline, written by Pierre Christin and illustrated by Jean-Claude Mézières, this large scale space epic has an important X-factor: It feels risky. Risky how so? While the sci-fi genre can be clichéd many a time, just watching the trailer for this film I wondered what was happening and was most definitely intrigued by this project Director Luc Besson is releasing. Whether the effects, the artistic strokes, or the futuristic characters and aspects, Valerian has the potential to stand out in a crowded genre that includes greats like Star Wars and Star Trek. Like many “different” movies, there is definitely a chance this could be a complete mess - but the high risk/reward factor makes it worth giving Valerian the chance to blow our minds away.
Release Date: July 21st
7. Wind River - The Weinstein Company; R; Director: Taylor Sheridan; Cast: Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen
This smaller scale and budget film is writer Taylor Sheridan’s directorial debut, although it’s not his first time in this genre of filmmaking. Recently, Sheridan revealed that his two previous masterpieces, 2015’s Sicario and 2016’s Hell or High Water (both critically acclaimed films that received numerous awards and noms) are connected and that Wind River will conclude a “thematic trilogy” of sorts. All three boast talented casts and Sheridan’s usual plot elements: great scripts, character developments, and an underlying intensity throughout the plot that take his stories from being dramas one moment to heart pounding thrills, all taking place on different American frontiers. Following a US Fish and Wildlife Service agent Cory Lambert (Renner) discovers a body in the rugged wilderness of the Wind River Indian Reservation. The FBI sends in rookie agent Jane Banner (Olsen), but she's unprepared for the difficulties created by the oppressive weather and isolation of the Wyoming winter. When she employs Cory as a tracker, the two venture deep into a world ravaged by violence and the elements. Exploring unsettled history on the American frontier, this film is sure to be another “sleeper” success and a satisfying ending to Sheridan’s so called trilogy. Oh, and Elizabeth Olsen has become one fine actress over the last few years, adding the fact that this will be her third film co-starring with leading man Jeremy Renner (Age of Ultron, Civil War), it’s safe that she, along with Renner, will put in a quality performance.
Release Date: August 4th
6. Detroit - Annapurna Pictures; NYR; Director: Kathryn Bigelow; Cast: John Boyega, Will Poulter, John Krasinski, Anthony Mackie
Director Kathryn Bigelow is back after not having released a film since 2012’s Zero Dark Thirty, a film that received multiple Oscar noms including Best Picture and was listed on a whopping 95 critics top ten lists. Before that? She only accomplished the silly little feat of becoming the first and only woman to win the Oscar for Best Director in 2008’s The Hurt Locker - oh, and she won Best Picture for that war flick. Still the only female director to do either. It’s safe to say that there’s enough hype around her next project which revolves around the 1967 event known as “The Algiers Motel Incident”. With young studs John Boyega (Star Wars VII and Imperial Dreams) and Will Poulter (Maze Runner, Voyage of the Dawn Treader, We’re the Millers, and The Revenant) leading the film’s solid cast - I am a very big fan of both by the way, they’ve got great careers ahead of them - Detroit won’t make the big bucks but it will definitely be hanging around during award season talk.
Release Date: August 4th
5. The Glass Castle - Lionsgate; NYR; Director: Destin Daniel Cretton; Cast: Brie Larson, Naomi Watts, Woody Harrelson
Based on the memoirs of author Jeannette Walls, this film looks to be a small, artistically beautiful, and incredibly well acted film. The story details the joys and struggles of Wall’s childhood and offers a look into her life and that of her charismatic but dysfunctional family. Academy Award winner Brie Larson (Room) is set to take on the lead role with Naomi Watts and Woody Harrelson both looking to have brilliant performances as Wall’s mother and father respectively. This film won’t make a huge impact financially and may even go overlooked during award season, but this is one story that most American’s can relate to and will make an impact on hearts and minds everywhere.
Release Date: August 11th
4. War for the Planet of the Apes - 20th Century Fox; PG-13; Director: Matt Reeves; Cast: Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson, Steve Zahn, Terry Notary, Judy Greer
I LOVE the recent surge of popularity the Ape franchise has acquired. Rise was a brilliant drama while it’s sequel, Dawn, upped the ante in every way, creating a perfectly crafted Shakespearean action-thriller and the best motion capture seen at the time with legendary actor Andy Serkis as the series’ protagonist Caesar, an ape looking to guide his followers to a new home and live peacefully on planet earth. But of course the “evil” humans don’t want to cohabitate with the animals, creating repeated conflict with both sides.
Caesar is making a name for himself as a badass action hero and great leader that could very well go down in cinema history as one of the most complex and well written characters ever despite lacking one trait that most iconic characters have: he’s not human. And yet his impact on my life as a hero is greater than even I would’ve expected. He’s just awesome - I mean look at that dude (pictured above). A gracious and loving leader who does what’s need to be done when it needs to be done, as time has gone on, he has been pushed passed his loving point, creating a story arc that is mirrored in ways to that of Biblical character Moses. Born and raised with humans and learning all their ways, Caesar learns that he doesn’t belong and that he is meant to be with his enslaved brothers and sisters, the apes. Committing a crime and soon going on the run from humans, Caesar realized his role as liberator of his oppressed “people”.
War will most likely be the big climax of the critically acclaimed trilogy (I’m assuming the third will be well received), and will probably be one of 2017’s highlights.
Release Date: July 14th
3. It - Warner Bros; NYR; Director: Andrés Muschietti; Cast: Bill Skarsgård
This movie is going to be scary as heck. The trailer sent chills down my spine. I don’t normally enjoy horror movies but this looks like it’s (no pun intended) gonna be awesome. Based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name, the film tells the story of seven children in Derry, Maine who are terrorized by the eponymous being “It”, which exploits the fears and phobias of its victims in order to disguise itself while hunting its prey. "It" primarily appears in the form of a clown “Pennywise” in order to attract its preferred prey of young children. A critically acclaimed miniseries was made back in 1990 with Tim Curry as the frightening titular character and is one of his best performances to date, leaving young actor Bill Skarsgård with big shoes to fill. But I think he can do it, as long as it’s different and fresh (easier said than done right?) We all think clowns are scary in one way or another and if that’s even more so true for you, than don’t come even close to this film. Even then I recommend it. It gon’ be sweet.
Release Date: September 8th
2. Thor: Ragnarok - Disney; NYR; Director: Taika Waititi; Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson, Karl Urban, Mark Ruffalo, Anthony Hopkins, Benedict Cumberbatch, Sam Neill
I literally started screaming more than I ever had when the trailer to this third installment of the Thor trilogy was released. As did every fan boy (and girl). The world went ablaze with the teaser. Want proof? The trailer set the record for most views of a Disney or Marvel trailer ever in just one day. Here’re just a few thoughts from film critics on the trailer. BTW - the fact that critics are writing reviews on a trailer says something alone in itself. Sandy Schaefer of Screen Rant felt the teaser was "a strong start" for the film as it "quickly establishes the high stakes for the movie" while also having "a distinctly playful vibe" by setting it to Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song" then using Thor's line at the end when he sees Hulk. After viewing the first teaser, The Verge's Chaim Gartenberg noted, "Between the extravagant costumes, wild makeup, and brilliantly colored ‘80s aesthetic, it’s possible that this may be the weirdest Marvel movie to date. In a catalog that includes Guardians of the Galaxy and Doctor Strange, that’s saying something." Michael Arbeiter for Nerdist was also pleased with the teaser, stating, "Nothing in the MCU thus far can hold a candle to the imagination promised by this first look at Ragnarok." Despite some of Marvel's "usual brand of schtick" in the teaser, it “feels like it shows something the [MCU] hasn’t yet managed. The Avengers have had their share of adventures, yes, but have any of them felt this beholden to what we’ve always known and loved as the adventure genre?"
Ragnarok is the apocalypse in Norse mythology, so the stakes are high in this film and no actor/actress could’ve have been better suited to portray it’s lead villain of that world ending doom, Hela, than that of Cate Blanchett. In my opinion, she’s one of the top three greatest actresses ever. And to have her come in as the MCU’s first ever lead female villain is awesome. Ragnarok looks to have cinematography and artistry not yet seen in the MCU, giving this film the chance to be Marvel’s very best. It also features Thor, Hulk, and Doctor Strange teaming up. Umm...YAAASSS?!?!?! Throw in the fact that this is the best cast Marvel has EVER assembled (just look at the list of names above, it’s craziness), and you’ve got a film that I truly believe can be the #1 film of 2017. No, I don’t mean box office. I mean the overall best film. Period. You heard it here first people. Just sayin’.
Release Date: November 3rd
1. Dunkirk - Warner Bros; PG-13; Director: Christopher Nolan; Cast: Harry Styles, Kenneth Branagh, Cillian Murphy, Mark Rylance, Tom Hardy
He’s back people. When my favorite director Christopher Nolan gets together with his favorite film company Warner Bros. and his familiar cast members you know it’s gonna be good. Nolan’s top credits include two films that are in the “Greatest of All Time” list: Inception and The Dark Knight. Add Insomnia, Batman Begins, The Prestige, Memento, The Dark Knight Rises, and Interstellar, and you’ve got one career that doesn’t cease to amaze.
Dunkirk could very possibly be Nolan’s magnum opus - even more so than Interstellar, Inception, or The Dark Knight. What separates Dunkirk from the rest of Nolan’s projects is that we know what happens in this movie. Set in the aftermath of the Battle of Dunkirk during WWII 1940, this film has no protagonist or even a real single antagonist and is seen in three perspectives: air, land, and sea. Newcomer Harry Styles (former One Direction member) joins a star-studded cast featuring Kenneth Branagh, Oscar winner Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies), Tom Hardy, and my personal favorite, Cillian Murphy. An incredibly underrated actor for years, his performances in Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy and Inception were overlooked in ways but Murphy finally got the recognition he deserved (gaining leading man status along the way) in the TV series Peaky Blinders.
A film that will shake up both the box office and award shows, Dunkirk will be an intense, edge-of-your seat war flick that should be seen in IMAX (as Nolan is known for being the master of creating films that are pretty much made to be viewed in IMAX) and IMAX alone.
I mentioned Thor carrying the potential to be the best flick of 2017, but despite its cast, film company, and overall look that the film has given, it could still be disappointing (I don't think it will but it could happen). Dunkirk has a tad bit more stability going for it, led by a director who has yet to make a bad film along with a unique way of telling an iconic WWII battle and its aftermath, Dunkirk will most likely be the highest film this year in overall quality.
While there are plenty of WWII movies, Nolan will most certainly find a way to make Dunkirk remembered in cinema for years to come.
Release Date: July 21st
Agree? Disagree? Bit a both? Let me know what you think in the comments section below. If you enjoyed this piece then subscribe to my website for more great content like it!