Jason's Movie Blog

Hello, everyone! The year of 2020 is quickly winding down as we all are getting ready to celebrate and ring in the new year. For those keeping track, 2019 saw a lot of movie releases, with some that were box-office success, some that were big time flops, and some that were just mediocre. In the coming weeks, I’ll be posting my personal top ten “Best” and “Worst” lists of 2019 movies. Be sure to check them out!

Moving on, the start of 2020 is about to begin and this year looks to be a very promising for movies, ranging from several different categories and genres. Now, on the twilight eve of 2019, here’s a look at my top fifteen most anticipated movies of 2020.

#15 – Godzilla vs. Kong

Release Date: November 20^th, 2020

Trailer: N/A

 

Legendary’s MonsterVerse has indeed been the stuff of big-screen monster theatricals; tackling the large-than-life kaiju monsters in reimaging Godzilla and his arsenal of fan-favorites (Ghidorah, Rodan, Mothra, etc.). Now, Godzilla vs. Kong, the fourth feature in the MonsterVerse franchise, is expected to see Godzilla (i.e. the King of Monsters) going up against Kong (the presiding ruler of Skull Island). How or why these two titans have to battle each other is still a mystery, but I’m sure it will be a giant monster blockbuster that will surely test each of the gigantic beings in a battle for supremacy.

#14 – Bad Boys for Life

Release Date: January 17^th, 2020

Trailer: Bad Boys for Life Official Trailer #2

 

It’s been sometime since we’ve seeing Bad Boys characters Mike Lowery and Marcus Burnett since their last theatrical outing back in 2003. Well, there back and ready for some more high-level action thrills of tracking down bad guys in Bad Boys for Life. With actors Will Smith and Martin Lawrence returning to reprise their roles, the movie is set for a action oriented third outing with these two (now older / seasoned) cop detectives as they prepare for “one last ride” together in taking down drug dealers and getting caught in high speed chases and blazing shootouts. This is one “threequel” that I am looking forward to…

#13 – The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It

Release Date: September 11^th, 2020

Trailer: N/A

 

The Warrens are back! Since the release of The Conjuring 2, this cinematic horror universe has expanded into various spin-off films from The Nun, The Curse of La Llorona, Annabelle: Creation, and Annabelle Comes Home; finding each of these endeavors to have mix results. Now, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, the third Conjuring movie (and the eighth overall entry in the Conjuring Universe), seeks to return to franchise to its “horror glory” as the characters of Eddie and Lorraine Warren (once again played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) investigate a young boy’s soul that takes them beyond anything they’d ever seen before. What horrors await in this third Conjuring is unknown, but I, for one, am looking forward to see what mysterious and demonic spirits that Warrens uncover.

#12 – The King’s Man

Release Date: September 18^th, 2020

Trailer: The King’s Man Official Teaser Trailer

 

The Kingsman movies have always been a fun and entertaining romp by combining James Bond spy aesthetics with some “over-the-top” theatrics of saving world and taking down the bad guys. Now, 2020 will see the return of this franchise, but its third installment in the Kingsman series will be in a form of a prequel, with the release of The King’s Man. Set in the backdrop of World War I, the movie sets to see the organization of Kingman begin and how the formation of new recruits are up to the task to stop a collection tyrants and criminal masterminds from unleashing an unspeakable evil. With a premise like that as well as recognizable cast (i.e Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton, Mathew Goode, Rhys Ifans, Tom Hollander, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Djimon Hounsou), I’m definitely looking forward to seeing The King’s Man.

#11 – Black Widow

Release Date: May 1^st, 2020

Trailer: Black Widow Official Teaser Trailer

 

After the epic and dramatic conclusion of its Phase III saga, the Marvel Cinematic Universe gears back up for its Phase IV installment, with the movie Black Widow first one up on the docket. In truth, it will be interesting to see how this movie gets received. Taking place after the events of Captain America: Civil War, the film will focus on the character of Natasha Romanov; exploring her past and given a more central focus of her character. With the character already established in this cinematic superhero world (as a supporting player), I’m quite interested to see the character of Romanov / Black Widow getting her own superhero movie. With actress Scarlett Johannsson reprising her role as the title character, the film’s supporting cast (i.e. David Harbour, Rachel Weisz, Florence Pugh, etc.), and an intriguing narrative of uncovering the past, Black Widow will surely make a notable superhero splash in 2020.

#10 – Death on the Nile

Release Date: October 9^th, 2020

Trailer: N/A

 

In 2017, Agatha Christie’s classic mystery novel returned to the big screen for a recent cinematic adaptation update of Murder on the Orient Express, with actor / director Kenneth Branagh pulling double duty on the film as the director and starring in the lead role of renown detective Hercule Poirot. Despite the film having mixed reviews, the movie still made its money back (and then some); green lighting a future sequel to be put in the works. Death on the Nile is next theatrical project (adapted once again from Christie’s original novel) and sees once again the super sleuthing work of Poirot to solve another mystery. With Branagh back in the director’s chair / lead role and with another star-studded casts (i.e. Armie Hammer, Gal Gadot, Russell Brand, Letitia Wright, Rose Leslie, and Annette Bening), I, for one, can’t wait to see this movie….

#9 – Fast & Furious 9

Release Date: May 22^nd, 2020

Trailer: N/A

 

Yes, despite the “larger than life” heroics and bombastic action scenes that the latter entries have become, I’ll be the first and foremost to admit that I do love the Fast & Furious franchise. Sure, there are plenty of moments in the series that have become ridiculous and defying the odds, but its one of the mindless “guilty pleasure” popcorn flick that I have come to love in movie escapism. With the proven success of the 2017’s Fate of the Furious, Fast & Furious 9, the ninth entry in the franchise. will roar into the summer of 2020; bringing with it all the high-octane action and over-the-top stunts of Vin Diesel’s character of Dominic Toretto and his entire crew. With many of the returning players reprising their roles from the previous films as well as a few new ones (i.e. John Cena and Michael Rooker), Fast & Furious 9 is poised to be a fun summer blockbuster. Details on the film’s plot have yet to be released, but it surely be another ridiculously fun plot of Toretto’s team saving with the world. And personally, I can’t wait to see it….

#8 – Wonder Woman 1984

Release Date: June 5^th, 2020

Trailer: Wonder Woman 1984 Official Trailer

 

2017’s Wonder Woman was a breath of fresh-air; rejuvenating interest within the mixed fanbase of the DCEU endeavors by creating a solid origin story narrative that was part superhero , part history, and part fantasy / mythology as well as developing a strong female character of Diana Prince / Wonder Woman in both character development and exceptionally played by actress Gal Gadot. Given the success of the film, a sequel was a forgone conclusion and 2020 will see it with the release of Wonder Woman 1984. With the movie (obviously) set in 1984, Diana will face off against two worthy adversaries as well as the sudden reappearance of her old love, Steve Trevor. With plenty of anticipation for a solid sequel, Wonder Woman 1984 has a lot to live up to, but with Gadot and director Patty Jenkins back, this movie will surely lite up the summer at the movies.

#7 – Mulan

Release Date: March 27^th, 2020

Trailer: Mulan Offical Trailer

 

Disney’s live-action remake has certainly been a “theatrical fanfare” of sorts; bringing much anticipation to the proceedings as well as skepticism and overall “leeriness”. Several adaptations remakes have worked, but 2019 showcases that these endeavors are drawing more criticism and casting a doubt on these live-action prospects. 2020 sees the return of these Disney reimaginings with the release of Mulan, the live-action remake of the 1998 animated classic. With several changes being made, including addition of the character of Xian Lang (a powerful / shape shifting witch), the changing of the character Mushu (Mulan’s guardian dragon sidekick) to a Phoenix bird, and removing all the songs from animated film, Mulan has certainly fallen under a “microscope” with its fanbase; scrutinizing those details. However, the film’s trailer certainly has plenty to offer as the film looks quite amazing in its production quality, a solid Asian cast, and in the classic, with the film still retain the fundamentals of the original of a young girl setting out to prove her worth for herself, her family, and her people. I’m hoping that 2020’s Mulan “will bring honor” to us all….

#6 – Eternals

Release Date: November 6^th, 2020

Trailer: N/A

 

Following the release of Black Widow, the Marvel Cinematic Universe will get another superhero feature in 2020, with the release of The Eternals. The official synopsis is thin, but says….in a story spanning over 7000 years, the Eternals, an immortal alien race created by the Celestials, protect humanity from their evil counterparts the Deviants. With a new array of Marvel characters, a diverse cast (i.e Kit Harrington, Richard Madden, Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Gemma Chan, Brian Tyree Henry, and Kumail Nanjiani), and new narrative from the already established world, The Eternals is shaping up to be an exciting new adventure in the MCU’s Phase IV saga. I never heard the Eternal comic books, but I might have to pick up one or two of them before seeing the movie.

#5 – Tenet

Release Date: July 17^th, 2020

Trailer: Tenet Official Trailer

 

When director Christopher Nolan does a movie, everyone look to it has the next “big thing” in Hollywood. True, he has an incredibly solid track record with past endeavors, including The Dark Knight Trilogy, Inception, Interstellar, and Dunkirk. In 2020, Nolan will release his next film project…an action thriller titled Tenet. Very little is known about the project as there’s not much of a synopsis with the exception of the project being described as an action epic revolving around international espionage, time travel, and evolution, as well as the announcement of the film’s cast, which consists of talents such as Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Kenneth Branagh, Clemence Posey, and John David Washington. In the end, the mystery surrounding what Tenet actually is definitely something to see and I personally can’t wait to see what Nolan’s latest film produces.

#4 – Onward

Release Date: March 6^th, 2020

Trailer: Onward Official Trailer #2

 

As always, Pixar Animation Studio releases their animated feature of the year; inviting moviegoers everywhere to enjoy a special animated endeavor from either their well-stacked (and successful) franchise films (i.e. Toy Story, Cars, Monsters Inc, etc.) or drum up a new original story (i.e. Brave, Up, Inside Out, Coco, etc.). Whatever the case, be sure for their signature style of animated fun and dramatic heart. 2020 will see their latest project come to light with the release of Onward in March. The film’s premise looks right up their alley, which boasts a plenty of colorful animation, an interesting setting (a fantasy-esque world that’s set in modern-ish times), a solid voice talents (i.e. Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, Octavia Spencer, etc.), and a heartfelt central plot of two brothers and journeying together to see their dad one last time. All in all, Onward seems like a surefire recipe of Pixar’s signature style of animated fun and emotional drama subtext….and I can’t wait to see it!

#3 – Top Gun: Maverick

Release Date: June 26^th, 2020

Trailer: Top Gun: Maverick Official Trailer #2

 

Of late (or rather the past decade or so), Hollywood has taken an interest of revisiting older film properties; producing a plethora of belated sequels to the original; attempting to “spark” nostalgia from revisiting an old familiar. It’s been almost 34 years since the original 1986 film flew onto the big screen and Top Gun: Maverick seems to sees to return to the skies above for a new generation of potential hotshot flying aces to prove their worth. Of course, actor Tom Cruise (who certainly has age well in between the two films) is returning as seasoned pilot Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell as a flight instructor for the new recruits, which consists of call sign names of Hangman, Phoenix, Payback, Fanboy, and Rooster (who is the son of Maverick’s old friend / RIO). With a solid cast (Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, and Ed Harris) and new innovated ways of filmmaking to tell its aerial sky flying cinematics, Top Gun: Maverick aims for the skies and is ready to give the go ahead for a “sonic boom” in the summer of 2020.

#2 – No Time to Die

Release Date: April 10^th, 2020

Trailer: No Time to Die Official Trailer

 

The name of James Bond has been certainly been the stuff of cinematic legend and has certainly been a proven (and lucrative) franchise throughout the years. The Daniel Craig Bond films have been up and downs with Casino Royale and Skyfall to be the highs, while Quantum of Solace and Spectre have been the lows. 2020 will see the fifth and final entry in the Daniel Craig James Bond movies with the release of No Time to Die. Judging from the trailer, the movie definitely looks good with plenty of old favorites spy nuances being presented as well as the returning supporting cast members. I always certain do love a good James Bond feature. Plus….to see actor Rami Malek as the movie’s classic “Bond villain” in the movie is definitely gonna be treat. What’s to get uncover and how the film will ultimately play out still remains a mystery. However, No Time to Die is geared to be a “final bow” for Craig’s “diamond in the rough” iteration of James Bond and I’m definitely hyped to see it….

#1 – Dune

Release Date: December 18^th, 2020

Trailer: N/A

 

And so, it begins! The trap is set. The prey approaches. A glorious winter is about to descend on House Atreides and all its heirs, and very soon, the years of humiliation visited upon my family will finally be avenged! Frank Herbert’s Dune series has become an instant and classic paramount staple in science fiction literary; ranked amongst the greatest in the genre (equally on part to Tolkien’s works in the fantasy genre).

Based on Herbert’s 1965 novel, the story is set in the distant future amidst a feudal interstellar society in which various noble houses control planetary fiefs, Dune tells the story of young Paul Atreides, whose family accepts the stewardship of the planet Arrakis. While the planet is an inhospitable and sparsely populated desert wasteland, it is the only source of melange, or “the spice”, a drug that extends life and enhances mental abilities. Melange is also necessary for space navigation, which requires a kind of multidimensional awareness and foresight that only the drug provides. As melange can only be produced on Arrakis, control of the planet is thus a coveted and dangerous undertaking. The story explores the multi-layered interactions of politics, religion, ecology, technology, and human emotion, as the factions of the empire confront each other in a struggle for the control of Arrakis and its spice.

Various adaptations have been previously done in the past, including the 1984 film and its 2000 TV mini-series (and its 2003 sequel), but a project like this is ripped for a newer adaptation, with 2020 release of Dune. At the helm is visionary director Denis Villeneuve, the creative mastermind behind Arrival, Sicario, and Blade Runner 2049, which certainly leaves a strong impression that the film is in the right hands as well as boasting an impressive cast, including Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgard, Dave Bautista, Jason Momoa, and Javier Bardem.

With a solid foundation of source material of dueling households, rebellious free folk, and a prophesied hero who could unite or destroy them all, a visionary director, a (quite literally a dream cast), Dune is set to be a much-anticipated cinematic project. One thing is certain…. the spice must flow and which is why Dune is my most anticipated movie of 2020.

 

Yes, I know that there are some other 2020 movies that I am excited about (Halloween Kills, A Quiet Place Part II, Birds of Prey, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, etc), but then this list would be way too long. So, what do you guys think? What are some of the movies that you are personally looking forward to seeing in 2020? Let me know….