Jason's Movie Blog

Hey, everyone! The year of 2016 is quickly winding down as we all are getting ready to celebrate and ring in the new year. For those keeping track, 2016 saw a lot of movie release, with some that were box-office success, some that flopped big time, and some that were just mediocre. In the coming weeks, I’ll be posting my personal top ten “Best” and “Worst” lists of 2016 movies. Be sure to check them out!

Moving on, the start of 2016 is about to begin and this year looks to be a very promising for movies, ranging from different categories and genres. Now, on the twilight eve of 2016, here’s a look at my top fifteen most anticipated movies of 2017.

15 – Dunkirk

Released Date: July 21st, 2017

Trailer: Dunkirk Theatrical Trailer

 

Acclaimed director Christopher Nolan returns to the movies with his latest film Dunkirk. Using the backdrop setting of WWII, Dunkirk is a bit of a departure from Nolan’s previous work (The Dark Knight trilogy, Inception, and Interstellar), but Nolan is a highly capable director to create some exciting cinematic events in the historic Battle of Dunkirk. With cast of consisting of Hardy, Rylance, Murphy, and Brannugh and Nolan at the helm, Dunkirk is going to be looked at with much anticipation.

14 – Live by Night

Released Date: January 13th, 2017

Trailer: Forgot to post one

 

With one of the first films to be released on this list, Live by Night looks to be very gritty and engaging crime drama feature. Based on the book by Dennis Lehane, the movie is set in the 1920s and 30s and follows Joe Coughlin, the favored son of a Boston Police Captain, who turns to bootlegging and a rum-runner has definitely got my eye. With Ben Affleck as Joe Coughlin, a 20s-gangster feature, and a great cast (Fanning, Gleeson, Miller, Saldana, etc.), Live by Night looks to be very promising movie.

13 – The LEGO Batman Movie

Released Date: February 10th, 2017

Trailer: The LEGO Batman Movie Theatrical Trailer 2

 

Everything is Awesome!” in The LEGO Movie and now we return to that world in an interesting side-story feature titled The LEGO Batman Movie. It seems to have the same fun, humor, and boisterous LEGO frivolities from the previous movie. I usually die laughing every time I watch one of the trailers for this animated film. Plus, Will Arnett is reprising his role as Bruce Wayne / Batman, a fan favorite of mine from The LEGO Movie. Definitely going to see this movie when it comes out.

12 – Logan

Released Date: March 3rd, 2017

Trailer: Logan Trailer

 

With 20^th Century holding onto the Deadpool and X-Men franchise, the studio returns to the world of mutants and the fan-favorite character of Logan in this new movie. Set in the future, where mutant-kind is dying out, Logan (Hugh Jackman) fights to survive with Charles Xavier and mysterious girl, who (presumably) is like him. Personally, I wasn’t a fan of the last solo film (Wolverine), but this movie (using the “Old Man Logan” as its source material), Logan looks to be better. And, of course, this is also an anticipated film as it is Hugh Jackman’s final role as Logan / Wolverine.

11 – Pitch Perfect 3

Release Date: December 22nd, 2017

Trailer: N/A

 

The Bellas are back again in Pitch Perfect 3. While no story / plot synopsis has been revealed, this third installment will see several characters return (Kendrick, Snow, Wilson, Camp, Steinfeld, and Banks have all confirmed to reprise their roles). Get ready for some catchy accapella singing, another riff-off (a fan favorite), and catch up with your favorite Barton Bellas. I hope it’s going to be  a “Acca-awesome” sequel.\

10 – The Fate of the Furious

Release Date: April 14th, 2017

Trailer: The Fate of the Furious Trailer

 

The Fate of the Furious….a very appropriate title for the film. The eighth film in this franchise sees one of the franchise’s main characters (Dominic Toretto) turn bad and pits himself against his former team / friends. Get ready for high octane thrills and huge action sequences, and some super ridiculous (yet fun) scenarios. With most of the characters returning (plus some new ones), The Fate of the Furious looks to be a fun ride. I wonder if they’re going to address Paul Walker’s character death or just don’t mention him at all (like what they did to Heath Ledger’s Joker).

9 – Wonder Woman

Release Date: June 2nd, 2017

Trailer: Wonder Woman Theatrical Trailer

 

Gal Gadot returns as Diana Prince in the film Wonder Woman. Set as origin story to the superhero character, Wonder Woman has plenty to like about, especially after Gadot’s appearance in Dawn of Justice. With a backdrop setting that’s part superhero, part fantasy, and part WWI, Wonder Woman is going to be like combination of Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger (I know that’s borrowing from Marvel films, but you get the idea). There’s still plenty to like and to get excited about when Wonder Woman gets released in late 2017.

8 – Justice League

Release Date: November 17th, 2017

Trailer: Justice League Teaser Trailer

 

While I’ve said (multiple times) that I’m more of a Marvel fan that a DC Comics fan, Justice League looks to be interesting film. With Dawn of Justice acting as precursor to setting up many of the characters / events, Justice League will finally try to match its superhero power with that of Marvel’s The Avengers, which was released back in 2012. With the film universe established, will Justice League by the success that everyone wants it to be (despite the criticism found in Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad). Regardless, Justice League will be on everyone’s radar when it comes out, including mine. Here’s to hoping that it’s a big win in the DCEU.

7 – Thor: Ragnarok

Release Date: July 28th, 2017

Trailer: N/A

 

Ragnarok is coming! Besides his little cameo appearance at the end of Doctor Strange (spoilers), we haven’t seeing the Asgardian God of Thunder in quite some time since he departed Earth (and the Avengers) in Avengers: Age of Ultron. With Hemsworth and Hiddleston returning as Thor and Loki (as well Hopkin’s Odin, Lady Sif and the Warriors Three) and joined by Jeff Goldblum, Cate Blanchett, Karl Urban, and Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner / Hulk, Thor: Ragnarok is sure to be a very exciting superhero movie for the start of the 2017 holiday season at the movies.

6 – Spider-Man: Homecoming

Release Date: July 7th, 2017

Trailer: Spider-Man: Homecoming Teaser Trailer

 

The web-slinging hero returns (once again), but now within the MCU. After his big-screen debut in Captain America: Civil War, Tom Holland’s Peter Parker / Spider-Man finds himself stuck between an odd place of being a normal teenager (with normal problems) and becoming a superhero. The film’s premise looks fun with plenty of Marvel superhero fun, especially with Holland’s youth iteration of Peter Parker being the film’s highlight. Plus, with Michael Keaton playing the film’s main bad guy (Adrian Toomes / The Vulture), Spider-Man: Homecoming seems to be very promising summer blockbuster in 2017.

5 – Power Rangers

Release Date: March 24th, 2017

Trailer: Power Rangers Teaser Trailer

 

Go, Go…. Power Rangers! Jason, Zack, Billy, Kimberly, and Trinity return to face off against Elizabeth Banks as Rita Repulsa. Whether the movie will be successful or not is still to be determined. However, with many fans of the original Mighty Morphin Power Ranger series (including myself), it’s hard to deny that Power Rangers will be looked upon with both highly anticipation and childhood nostalgia. I for one am super excited to see this movie and hoping for it to be successful, so a potential movie franchise be maybe (i.e. The Green with Evil saga, Lord Zedd’s arrival, The White Ranger Saga, etc.).

4 – War of the Planet of the Apes

Release Date: July 14th, 2017

Trailer: War of the Planet of the Apes Teaser Trailer

 

Caesar and his ape brethren followers return in an exciting and (possible) final chapter than began in 2011 with Rise of the Planet of the Apes and continued on in 2014 with Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. Andy Serkis once again returns as Caesar and is internally conflicted with the on-going war and a new enemy found in Woody Harrelson’s The Colonel. I’m huge fan of Dawn of the Planets of the Apes, so I’m hoping that this third installment will continue the same tone as that one. With a new narrative layer in this war between apes and humans and everything coming to a head, will War of the Planets of the Apes be the final installment? Will just have to wait and see….

3 – Beauty and the Beast

Release Date: March 17th, 2017

Trailer: Beauty and the Beast Theatrical Trailer

 

The tale as “old as time” returns, with a brand new live-action adaptation from Disney. Continuing its current trend of bringing its animated classic to live-action, Disney’s Beauty and Beast looks to be another big hit (following the success of The Jungle Book). With an impressive cast (Watson, Stevens, Evans, Thompson, McKellen, McGregor, etc.), a promise to capture 1992 film (songs and all), and a classic story, I can’t wait to see this new version of Belle, Beasts, and the rest of the colorful characters in the enchanted castle come to life once again.

2 – Star Wars: Episode VIII

 

Release Date: December 15th, 2017

Trailer: N/A

 

At the end of 2017, the world will finally catch up with Rey, Finn, Poe, BB-8, and the rest of the characters in the second installment of new Star Wars saga (Episode VII, Episode VIII, and Episode IX). While no “official” title has been given, its safe bet that this installment of Star Wars will be on everyone’s watch list and will rake in millions at the worldwide box office. Will Rey’s parents be revealed? Will Luke Skywalker die? Who is Supreme Leader Snoke? And (following her untimely passing) what will become of Carrie Fisher’s General Leia Organa? After the universal success of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Star Wars: Episode VIII sure has a lot to live up to. Let’s hope that “The Force” will be strong with Episode VIII.

1 – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Release Date: May 5th, 2017

Trailer: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 Teaser Trailer 2

 

What can I say…you knew that this was going to be my personal “must-see” movie of 2017. The galaxy’s biggest band of misfits are back and ready save the galaxy once again in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2. I’ve seeing the trailers for this movie many times and each time I get a little bit more excited I’m happy to see all of the original cast is back (Pratt, Saldana, Bautista, Cooper, Diesel, etc.) and I can’t wait to see where this next chapter goes. And, of course, I can’t wait to hear all the new music selections from Awesome Mix Vol. 2. Similar to Captain America Civil War, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 is sure to much anticipation and blockbuster fun to the start of the summer movies of 2017.

 

I pretty sure that I forgot I a couple of movies (sorry, guys), but I couldn’t fit them onto this list. What do you guys think? What other 2017 movies are you guys excited about? Let me know.