Well, the bell has rung, the ball has dropped. Welcome to 2017, folks. Hopefully, it's kind to us. There's a lot set to happen in the new year: inaugurations, album drops, fashion fads, new memes and yes, movie releases. Here's a list of the movies I can't wait to see in the coming months. Maybe you'll find one you like, too.
1. Hidden Figures
Fun fact: I love historical docu-dramas. Set for nationwide release this Friday, January 6, this movie remembers and exposes the three brilliant black women responsible for sending a man into space. This untold story follows Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monae) as they defy all expectations, crossing gender and race lines and inspiring future generations to dream big and never settle. I, for one, can't wait to see this film.
2. Beauty and the Beast
Another fun fact: I love Disney. Beauty and the Beast has always been one of my favorite Disney movies and I look forward to seeing the live-action adaptation. Emma Watson is sure to be amazing in this (the "Belle" of the ball, one might say). If it's anything like the adaptation of Cinderella (2015), it will be an instant classic and soon to be one of my favorites.
3. Power Rangers
I was never really into Power Rangers when I was a kid. I liked the idea of superheroes but while one of my sisters and my best friend across the street dressed up as different characters all the time, it never stuck with me. Until a few weeks ago when I saw the trailer. I'd never been a huge fan of the Power Rangers, but now I found myself curious, watching the trailer again and again. It's got aliens, ordinary kids becoming extraordinary, and the work of fate. Hopefully, this will live up to its reputation. I can't wait to find out.
4. Table 19
Okay, so maybe this is just because Anna Kendrick is the star and she does comedy films well. Maybe I just really identify with the band of misfits who got stuck at Table 19 at this wedding (at least I won't have to worry about that when my sister gets married in the fall... right, Lea??). Anyway, all I'm asking is that this movie lives up to its trailer and make me laugh.
5. Wonder Woman
A female superhero movie... Doesn't that just sound great? It does to me. Especially when it focuses on a superhero with a story ripped straight from the world of Greek myths. Growing up, I only ever read the Spiderman comics because my uncle collected them from church bazaars and yard sales. But I am eager to follow the origin story of another superhero (and hopefully I can relate to her better than poor, mild-mannered Peter Parker).
6. Cars 3
Mostly I'm curious. In case you haven't seen the trailer, Pixar seems to hint at the violent, explosive demise of the main character, racecar extraordinaire, Lightning McQueen. As he seems to skid out in the middle of a race, flying through the air and flipping end over end before we see ashes and flame before the screen cuts to black and we see the phrase "from this moment, everything will change." Cars was my little sister's favorite movie when we were little (she was weirdly obsessed with both real cars and the movies; love you, Caroline). I sincerely hope that the trailer is misleading and Lightning is not dead. I guess I'll have to wait until June to find out.
7. Despicable Me 3
Ah, the return of former villain turned hero Gru (voiced by Steve Carrell). This time he seems to be battling an 80s themed supervillain? Not really sure what's going on here but Gru and the minions always promise a good laugh, so I will probably end up seeing this movie at some point. If nothing else, it's a good family-friendly film coming out this summer.
8. Pitch Perfect 3
It's the year of trilogies, apparently? (Not that any of these are really trilogies, just the third installment in successful franchises). It's really unclear what the plot of this movie will be, but Brittany Snow has died her hair red in preparation for reprising her role as Chloe Beale and Skylar Astin has confirmed he will not be returning as Jesse Swanson. I'm sure more details are to come later this year and I look forward to it.
9. A Monster Calls
Have no fear, this isn't a horror movie. I'm a wimp about horror movies, usually. No, this is just a family friendly movie about a little boy dealing with the terrors of the real world (mainly his mother's illness and school bullies) by escaping into a fantasy world with friendly monsters and fairytales. It seems to be a wholesome film billed as a story that "explores courage, loss, and faith." (Source) Coming out later this week, here's hoping it lives up to expectations.
10. The Space Between Us
I'm sensing a pattern here... This too is a family film... Described as a space themed "Romeo and Juliet", it chronicles the tale of the first boy born on Mars who falls in love with a girl on Earth. Somehow, he gets to Earth where things go wrong and he's on the run with the girl. The main plot (boy meets girl, they fall for each other, something is keeping them apart, blah, blah, blah) is as old as time but it adds twists like space and science and overall, this promises to be a good story line and I plan to at least give this movie a chance.
This is by no means a comprehensive list of all the movies coming out in 2017; it's just the ten I am most excited for. Got any other recommendations for me?
