The weather is cooling off and schools are back in session, which can only mean that the summer blockbuster season has come to an end. Still, just because there isn’t another Marvel movie to look forward to in 2019, doesn’t mean that you should abandon your local cinema. There are plenty of great and great-looking films to look forward to the rest of the year. Here are the movies we’re most excited to see these last few months!
Rambo V: Last Blood (Sept. 20)
Sylvester Stallone has been a staple of action cinema for decades. While he’ll best be remembered for his many turns as the Italian Stallion, you can’t deny the insane success that’s been accrued thanks to another one of his iconic alter egos, John J. Rambo. This fifth outing for the traumatized war vet looks to be serving up the same outrageous level of violence and deliciously gory practical effects. Stallone knows what his audiences like and if he’s still willing to give it to us, I’m absolutely going to eat it up.
Judy (Sept. 27)
Judy Garland is a show biz icon who garnered acclaim both the screen and on the stage. Unfortunately, that success was met with its own struggles, which ultimately led her to an early death. Garland’s story serves as a cautionary tale and to see her story kept alive through the Oscar-winning talents of a Renee Zellweger will undoubtedly be one of the year’s highlights.
Joker (Oct. 4)
The hype surrounding the standalone Joker movie is already through the roof thanks to early critical buzz and a recent win at the prestigious Venice film festival. Previous winners of the Golden Lion such as Roma, The Shape of Water, The Wrestler, and Brokeback Mountain all went on to win or at least be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Should Joker follow suit, it will be just the second comic book-based film to do so. Joaquin Phoenix is also being praised for his transformative work in the film. From all angles, Joker is shaping up to be something special.
The Current War (Oct. 4)
Ive been dying to check out this one for a while. Originally under the umbrella of The Weinstein Company, The Current War was one of the casualties of the company’s bankruptcy in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein shakedown. The film enlists the talents of an all-star cast including Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael Shannon and Tom Holland to retell the dramatic true story of Thomas Edison (Cumberbatch) and George Westinghouse’s (Shannon) battle to see whose electrical grid would power the future. Whoever comes out on top, this film positively looks like a big W for moviegoers.
The Lighthouse (Oct. 18)
Robert Eggers nabbed the spotlight with 2015’s The Witch, a deliberately paced and contemplative horror film that relied on atmosphere and performances to build tension rather than sporadic jump scares. Eggers appears to be applying that same level of careful craftsmanship to The Lighthouse. Where this project benefits from the jump is in its lead casting. While The Witch made a star out of Anya Taylor-Joy, Eggers’ hits the ground running this time around thanks to the already established talents of Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe. Not to mention the trailers look off-the-walls bonkers and I adore weirdness.
Jojo Rabbit (Oct. 18)
After the blockbuster extravaganza that was Thor: Ragnarok, filmmaker Taika Waititi is scaling it back down for Jojo Rabbit. There are plenty of reasons to look forward to this one. It looks to be overflowing with Waititi’s unique brand of humor as well as heart. Then there’s the Oscar-caliber talent in front of the screen. Not only is Waititi himself starring as a flamboyant, imaginary interpretation of the Fuhrer, but he’s sharing the screen with the likes of Scarlett Johansson and newcomer Thomasin McKenzie. Look for Jojo Rabbit at your local theater and the Oscars. It truly looks like something special.
Waves (Nov. 1)
The Waves synopsis reads “Members of a suburban Florida family navigate love, forgiveness and togetherness in the wake of a tragic loss.” Admittedly, it sounds a bit derivative; however, the first two features from Trey Edward Shults (Krisha and It Comes at Night) are two of my favorite films this decade. He is one of the most exciting new directors working and I’m enthusiastically there for any story the man deems worth telling. Plus it only helps when your film features the likes of Sterling K. Brown, Lucas Hedges and Kelvin Harrison Jr.
Doctor Sleep (Nov. 8)
Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining is one of the most influential films in the history of cinema. Stephen King infamously hates the iconic adaptation of his book, which diverges wildly from his original story. The sequel Doctor Sleep will boldly attempt to bridge the two visions of The Shining and make everyone happy on its journey from the page to the screen. Such ambition alone is deserving of my attention. This becomes a day one view for me when you bring in Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House) to direct, who legitimately boasts the talent to get a job like this done. That’s not even taking into consideration Ewan McGregor in front of the camera.
Honey Boy (Nov. 8)
Shia LaBeouf hasn’t done himself any favors the last few years with his rash and inexcusable off-screen behavior. Fortunately, he seems to be getting back on track with a handful of recent critically praised gems. Among them, Honey Boy seems to be making the most noise. The film is a quasi-biopic of LaBeouf’s own life and examines his strained relationship with his father. It also marks LaBeouf’s debut as a writer and director. In an intriguing twist, LaBeouf also plays his own father in the film while Oscar-nominee Lucas Hedges serves as LaBeouf’s filmic avatar. Mathematically, so much intrigue automatically makes Honey Boy one of the most intriguing projects remaining in 2019.
The Lodge (Nov. 15)
Goodnight Mommy is one of the most disturbing films I’ve ever seen. Consequentially, its haunting contents have stayed with me moreso than most films of the decade. Needless to say, I can’t wait for The Lodge, the latest film from Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala. The trailers don’t divulge much about its story, but if the film is anything like Goodnight Mommy, it will be one of my favorite films of the year, let alone the 2010’s. I am already sold based on the directing duo’s previous work.
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (Nov. 22)
America’s dad playing America’s dad. Tom Hanks is the obvious and only choice to portray television saint Fred Rogers, who taught multiple generations of children how to deal with their emotions in healthy ways. Under the true life lens of a pessimistic journalist who was ultimately won over by Rogers’ sincerity and insight, this could turn out to be the perfect crowd-pleaser and Oscar bait. A beautiful day indeed!
Knives Out (Nov. 27)
Rian Johnson stirred up forms and forms and forms of online controversy with The Last Jedi. Whatever your thoughts and feelings may be about the last Star Wars movie, it’s difficult to deny the quirky charm of the filmmaker’s upcoming flick Knives Out. It looks like a pure delight and according to early reviews, it’s some of the most fun you’ll have at the multiplex this year. With an array of acting legends such as Chris Evans, Daniel Craig, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Lakeith Stanfield, Toni Collette, Frank Oz and Christopher Plummer, how could it not be?
Those are the films I’m most looking forward to and that you should most definitely keep an eye out for the rest of the year! What do you make of my list? Do you agree with my picks? Did I leave any out? Sound off in the comments below and let me know what you think!
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