2017 Hype: Movies

2017 is finally here. So far this year I’ve eaten loads, played some stuff, eaten some more, watched some stuff, eaten for the sake of eating and I’ve a had a wee cry upon a set of scales. It was an eventful day. But what’s next on the agenda? Geekery and hype! (and a diet)

There’s plenty coming for me to do a happy dance over and probably plenty more that hasn’t even been announced yet. This blog will miss stuff but sure if it’s good it’ll appear in some other word jamboree down the line. Films first? Aye go on then.

Trainspotting 2!!! Finally… It’s been hinted at for years and I had pretty much given up on it ever happening but it’ll be here by the end of this freaking month. Of course after such a wait and with the original being such a classic, there’s massive potential for this to not meet expectations. Fingers crossed…. Before that though January also includes La La Land and When a Monster Calls. It’s only in the past month that I’ve been excited for this pair but that’s long enough to get my money.

There’s another Star Wars film this year but you knew that already and I can’t be bothered talking about it until I get a trailer at least. This year’s other big films include my other favourite things, superheroes and monkeys. War for the Planet of the Apes is the third in the trilogy of ‘well this is way better than I thought it’d be’ monkey-fests. You surprised me twice but I’ll not fall for that again. Expectations are larger than King Kong’s banana stash. Speaking of which…. Kong: Skull Island looks like the brooding monster movie I’ve wanted since the last Godzilla trailers came out. Hopefully this time we get a good film as well…

COMIC FILMS!!! Oh boy oh boy oh boy. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2. If you know me on a personal level then you know how much I love the first film. The soundtrack, the performances, the sheer genius of a script that introduces so much of a universe including the five of the most fleshed out and endearing characters of any film ever. I adore it. I want more and I trust it will be good, my only concern is that though the rapport and action can be continued, the emotional hook of Starlord’s mother is a vital element of the original that might not be repeatable. Even if it’s not as good as the first I’ll probably still be calling it film of the year in 12 months’ time. Splurge.

Spider-Man Homecoming… Raimi’s Spider-Man 2 is still in my top ten things in life and since then we’ve had three films ranging from ‘just alright,’ to ‘did they put DC in charge of this shit biscuit?’ New start though with another new lead and the long awaited folding of this world in to the larger Marvel/Avengers-verse. The brief glimpse we had of Tom Holland in Civil War was enough to convince me that he’s a damn good Peter Parker. The nervous fast-talking to the confident wise-cracking and the fact he’s actually a teenager for a change.

Logan is the first comic film of the year, I think… Trailer was great with a beaut of a soundtrack choice and a new setting for Hugh Jackman’s sideburn adorned berserker. Looks like it’ll be his final outing for the character and I should have high hopes but…. The last two Wolverine movies sucked. Third and final time’s the charm hopefully. Thor Ragnarok comes swinging in November and this time he’s bringing Hulk along for the ride. That’s all I need to know right now. I’m expecting a super-powered buddy movie with the two funniest Avengers (if we ignore how dull they made Hulk in A2)

The jury is out on the new DC pair but I’ll include them because I know I’ll be going to see them anyway. I can’t get excited for Justice League because it’s from the director and writers as the BvS. Maybe they’ll have learned their lesson this time and I genuinely hope it is good. Wonder Woman admittedly does look nifty. The trailers got action aplenty and throws in a sense of humour (something sorely lacking from DC so far). If it was Marvel I’d be gleefully declaring how good it’s going to be but I can’t help but keep expectations in check. At least that way I can’t be disappointed. Like with Suicide Squad. I’m still bitter. There’s one DC film that I do trust to be brilliant however, LEGO Batman. The LEGO Movie was comedic genius and this is the follow up. More Will Arnett, more poking the fun at the moodiest character in comics. Can’t fudging wait.  

And there’s way more films than that. Alien, Power Rangers, John Wick 2 etc etc. Far more than I’ll have time to see or money to spend on. Last year I managed about 16 cinema trips and yet this year I’m already dead set on three in January. Overtime will be required to fund ticket purchases, gym trips a necessity to compensate for the popcorn I’ll consume. It’s not easy being a cinema goer…