This is not a list of the most anticipated commercial films of the year. This is a list of films that I fear might never release in India. And I desperately want to watch them.
15) 50/50
Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick and Bryce Dallas Howard, 50/50 is a bittersweet 'cancer comedy' that has garnered some glowing reviews at TIFF. The film is loosely based on the life of its writer Will Reiser.
14) Drive
Everyone wants to watch this one. Everyone will riot if it doesn't release in theaters. Director Nicolas Winding Refn, who made the popular 'Pusher' films and the underrated 'Valhalla Rising' took the Cannes Film Festival by storm when he bagged the best director trophy.
13) Shame
Steve McQueen and Michael Fassbender, who brought us the devastating 'Hunger' reunite for a controversial NC-17 rated new film. Fassbender just won the Best Actor trophy at the Venice Film Festival for his role of an NYC man who has trouble controlling his sexual compulsions. Also starring the lovely Carey Mulligan.
12) A Monster in Paris
The trailer itself excited me. But this review of the film positively made me drool. The animation looks stunning. But when was the last time a French animated film made it to Indian theaters?
11) Martha Marcy May Marlene
This film has been under my radar for a good six months now. I first heard about it when the movie blog Slashfilm lavished praise upon it in a videocast. 'MMMM' is supposedly a very complex thriller, here's the trailer, tell me if you aren't intrigued.
10) Carnage
A black comedy, directed by Roman Polansky, starring Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz, Jodie Foster and John C. Reilly. The folks at the Venice film Festival didn't dig it so much, but that didn't reduce my interest in the film. What's more, the Guardian loved it.
9) The Descendants
It's been six years since we saw director Alexander Payne's excellent 'Sideways', and it looks like his new film starring George Clooney is well worth the wait.
8) Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
Ewan McGregor, Emily Blunt, Kristin Scott Thomas star in Lasse Hallström's latest. As per this review, 'Salmon Fishing' is "a peppy, quick-witted British comedy filled with great performances, clever dialogue, and the mature development of a romantic relationship". Good news for Hallström fans who were let down by his increasingly disappointing films over the past ten years.
7) Coriolanus
Ralph Fiennes directs the violent, modern day rendition of the Shakespeare play of the same name. Indiewire has called it 'well acted and challenging', and the trailer looks great.
6) A Dangerous Method
David Cronenberg is back with another polished thriller, starring Viggo Mortensen as Sigmund Freud and Michael Fassbender as Carl Jung. Cronenberg started off as a more intellectual companion to horror maestro John Carpenter, but while the former has slumped to making dogs like 'The Ward', Cronenberg has evolved as an Oscar hogging legend.
5) God Bless America
Bobcat Goldthwait's follow up to the critically acclaimed (and my personal favourite) pitch black comedy 'World's Greatest Dad' is a mixture of 'Super', 'Kick Ass', 'Defendor' and 'Taxi Driver'. Loads of positive reviews leaked out today, and I can hardly wait to watch this.
4) Rampart
Director Oren Moverman reunites with his 'The Messenger' stars Woody Harrelson and Ben Foster for this corrupt cop drama. Harrelson plays twisted policeman Date Rape Dave, and according to this review the film is "a wildly ambitious slow burn that succeeds immensely, powered by one of the best performances of Woody Harrelson’s career".
3) Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
This one is based on John le Carré's novel of the same name, and comprises of the strongest male cast since 'The Departed' - Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, John Hurt, Toby Jones, Mark Strong. Oldman plays George Smiley, a legendary spy recruited to sniff out a Russian mole lurking in the agency. Everyone at Toronto loved this film, and I doubt that I won't follow suit.
2) The Raid
A Welsh filmmaker and a Thai producer saw 'Tropa De Elite' and thought 'heck, we can do better than this'. Behold 'The Raid' - an action film that has been described as as a nonstop action bonanza that will kick you in the head and make you like it. Martial arts actor Iko Uwais could just be the next Tony Jaa. Still not convinced? Watch THIS trailer and have your mind blown.
1) The Artist
This one is my second most anticipated film of the year. Second only to 'Tintin'. Michel Hazanavicius' 'The Artist' is an ode to the black and white silent film era, and it has opened to overwhelmingly positive reviews. But you don't need to read reviews, you just need to watch this beautiful trailer and pick your jaw up from the floor.
Honorable mentions: 'We need to talk about Kevin', 'Beginners' and 'The Skin I Live in'
Honorably not mentioned: 'Trishna'. Because The Hollywood Reporter liked it.
15) 50/50
Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick and Bryce Dallas Howard, 50/50 is a bittersweet 'cancer comedy' that has garnered some glowing reviews at TIFF. The film is loosely based on the life of its writer Will Reiser.
14) Drive
Everyone wants to watch this one. Everyone will riot if it doesn't release in theaters. Director Nicolas Winding Refn, who made the popular 'Pusher' films and the underrated 'Valhalla Rising' took the Cannes Film Festival by storm when he bagged the best director trophy.
13) Shame
Steve McQueen and Michael Fassbender, who brought us the devastating 'Hunger' reunite for a controversial NC-17 rated new film. Fassbender just won the Best Actor trophy at the Venice Film Festival for his role of an NYC man who has trouble controlling his sexual compulsions. Also starring the lovely Carey Mulligan.
12) A Monster in Paris
The trailer itself excited me. But this review of the film positively made me drool. The animation looks stunning. But when was the last time a French animated film made it to Indian theaters?
11) Martha Marcy May Marlene
This film has been under my radar for a good six months now. I first heard about it when the movie blog Slashfilm lavished praise upon it in a videocast. 'MMMM' is supposedly a very complex thriller, here's the trailer, tell me if you aren't intrigued.
10) Carnage
A black comedy, directed by Roman Polansky, starring Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz, Jodie Foster and John C. Reilly. The folks at the Venice film Festival didn't dig it so much, but that didn't reduce my interest in the film. What's more, the Guardian loved it.
9) The Descendants
It's been six years since we saw director Alexander Payne's excellent 'Sideways', and it looks like his new film starring George Clooney is well worth the wait.
8) Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
Ewan McGregor, Emily Blunt, Kristin Scott Thomas star in Lasse Hallström's latest. As per this review, 'Salmon Fishing' is "a peppy, quick-witted British comedy filled with great performances, clever dialogue, and the mature development of a romantic relationship". Good news for Hallström fans who were let down by his increasingly disappointing films over the past ten years.
7) Coriolanus
Ralph Fiennes directs the violent, modern day rendition of the Shakespeare play of the same name. Indiewire has called it 'well acted and challenging', and the trailer looks great.
6) A Dangerous Method
David Cronenberg is back with another polished thriller, starring Viggo Mortensen as Sigmund Freud and Michael Fassbender as Carl Jung. Cronenberg started off as a more intellectual companion to horror maestro John Carpenter, but while the former has slumped to making dogs like 'The Ward', Cronenberg has evolved as an Oscar hogging legend.
5) God Bless America
Bobcat Goldthwait's follow up to the critically acclaimed (and my personal favourite) pitch black comedy 'World's Greatest Dad' is a mixture of 'Super', 'Kick Ass', 'Defendor' and 'Taxi Driver'. Loads of positive reviews leaked out today, and I can hardly wait to watch this.
4) Rampart
Director Oren Moverman reunites with his 'The Messenger' stars Woody Harrelson and Ben Foster for this corrupt cop drama. Harrelson plays twisted policeman Date Rape Dave, and according to this review the film is "a wildly ambitious slow burn that succeeds immensely, powered by one of the best performances of Woody Harrelson’s career".
3) Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
This one is based on John le Carré's novel of the same name, and comprises of the strongest male cast since 'The Departed' - Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, John Hurt, Toby Jones, Mark Strong. Oldman plays George Smiley, a legendary spy recruited to sniff out a Russian mole lurking in the agency. Everyone at Toronto loved this film, and I doubt that I won't follow suit.
2) The Raid
A Welsh filmmaker and a Thai producer saw 'Tropa De Elite' and thought 'heck, we can do better than this'. Behold 'The Raid' - an action film that has been described as as a nonstop action bonanza that will kick you in the head and make you like it. Martial arts actor Iko Uwais could just be the next Tony Jaa. Still not convinced? Watch THIS trailer and have your mind blown.
1) The Artist
This one is my second most anticipated film of the year. Second only to 'Tintin'. Michel Hazanavicius' 'The Artist' is an ode to the black and white silent film era, and it has opened to overwhelmingly positive reviews. But you don't need to read reviews, you just need to watch this beautiful trailer and pick your jaw up from the floor.
Honorable mentions: 'We need to talk about Kevin', 'Beginners' and 'The Skin I Live in'
Honorably not mentioned: 'Trishna'. Because The Hollywood Reporter liked it.
was about to ask where Tintin stood... until I read the last para.
ReplyDeleteWhat? No J.Edgar?! The travesty!
ReplyDeleteBut wow, I did NOT know of Monster in Paris! Thanks, dude! My personal list would also include Hugo, Take Shelter and The Iron Lady. Though, Carnage is really what's making my body parts tingle with excitement.
where is Sherlock Holmes?
ReplyDeleteWill you please write anything about Deol (Marathi Film)?. I have to get rid of that movie
ReplyDelete