Here are the 7 films I’m most looking forward to seeing during the First Half of 2018:
“THE COMMUTER” (Friday)
Liam Neeson’s latest action thriller was actually on my list of Most Anticipated Films of 2017, since its release date was originally last Fall. But then Lionsgate pushed it to 2018. So it’s also on this list!
“PADDINGTON 2” (Friday)
The original, released in the U.S. in Jan. 2015, was a surprisingly deep and moving family adventure – and a box office smash. Reviews in the U.K. (where it’s been released since Nov.) are nothing short of stellar, with some calling this even better than the first film and one of the best movie sequels of all-time.
“EARLY MAN” (Feb. 16)
Aardman is back with another stop-motion comedy sure to delight animation fans. Eddie Redmayne, Tom Hiddleston, Maisie Williams (“Game of Thrones”) and Timothy Spall lead the voice cast of this caveman tale.
“ISLE OF DOGS” (Mar. 23 – Limited)
Wes Anderson returns to stop-motion animation as well (following 2009’s “Fantastic Mr. Fox” – one of the best animated films of the 21st Century). And he’s brought along an all-star cast, including Bryan Cranston, Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Frances McDormand, Scarlett Johansson, Tilda Swinton, Jeff Goldblum and Greta Gerwig. It’s a missing dog movie, but with Anderson at the helm, there should be a lot more to this story than just that.
“TULLY” (Apr. 20)
The “Young Adult” trio of director Jason Reitman, writer Diablo Cody and star Charlize Theron re-team for this motherhood comedy.
“WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR?” (June 8 – Limited)
Focus Features is distributing this documentary on Mister Rogers. Very intriguing.
“INCREDIBLES 2” (June 15)
Pixar’s long-awaited sequel to their 2004 Oscar winner will reportedly pick-up right where the original left-off, with Elastagirl (aka Helen Parr) at the center of this second chapter. Brad Bird is back as director, writer and the voice of Edna Mode.