Here are the 16 films I’m most looking forward to for the remainder 2016 (not to worry, we haven’t missed much in Jan. or Feb.)
“The BFG” – Steven Spielberg re-teams with his “Bridge of Spies” Oscar nominee Mark Rylance to bring Roald Dahl’s classic book (a tale I enjoyed reading in Elementary School) to life. July 1
“Boo! A Madea Halloween” – Tyler Perry pulled-off “A Madea Christmas” and now his feisty, iconic character will tackle another holiday, hopefully with hilarity. Oct. 21
“Christine” – Straight out of Sundance comes this buzzed-about true-story drama with Rebecca Hall as Florida TV news anchor Christine Chubbuck, who committed suicide on the air. Hall’s performance has earned rave reviews, and Michael C. Hall and Tracy Letts are also being praised in this inevitable Awards contender. Release Date TBA
“Collateral Beauty” – “The Devil Wears Prada” director David Frankel tackles this “ad man goes on a downhill spiral” drama with an all-star cast of Will Smith, Helen Mirren, Keira Knightley, Edward Norton, Michael Pena and Naomie Harris (“Spectre”). Dec. 16
“Finding Dory” – 13 years after “Nemo”, Pixar takes us back under the sea for the continuing adventures of a father and son clownfish and their forgetful, fun-loving friend. June 17
“The Founder” – Michael Keaton plays Ray Kroc, the founder of McDonald’s in director John Lee Hancock’s follow-up to “Saving Mr. Banks”. Nov. 25
“The Girl on the Train” – Maybe Emily Blunt will finally get an Oscar nomination for this “Gone Girl”-esque thriller based on a 2012 novel, brought to the screen by “The Help” director Tate Taylor. Oct. 7
“Hello, My Name Is Doris” – Those who’ve seen it say Sally Field is outstanding as an older woman looking for a younger man in this indie comedy. Mar. 11
“Kevin Hart: What Now?” – It’s Hart’s latest stand-up comedy concert movie – and I was at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field for the filming of it! The goal: spot myself on screen! Oct. 14
“Kubo and the Two Strings” – Following Oscar nominees “Corpse Bride”, “Coraline”, “ParaNorman” and “The Boxtrolls”, Laika Animation may just have their most ambititious stop-motion project yet with this family adventure. Aug. 19
“La La Land” – “Whiplash” director Damien Chazelle depicts a modern musical romance set in Hollywood. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone team-up for the third time and J.K. Simmons plays a guy named “Boss”. July 15
“The Light Between Oceans” – Derek Cianfrance (“The Place Beyond the Pines”) directs Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander in this novel adaptation set in Australia. Sept. 2
“The Meddler” – Rose Byrne, Susan Sarandon and Simmons headline the latest indie dramedy from Lorene Scafaria (“Seeking a Friend for the End of the World”). Apr. 22
“Money Monster” – George Clooney plays a popular financial TV host who is held hostage live on-air and Julia Roberts is the producer who must try to get him out alive in this Jodie Foster-directed thriller. May 13
“Sing!” – Illumination Entertainment (the makers of “Despicable Me”) treat the holidays with an animated musical comedy about an all-animal singing competition. Dec. 21
“Sully” – Tom Hanks and Clint Eastwood could become the pair of the year as they bring 2009’s heroic “Miracle on the Hudson” story to the screen. Sept. 9