As we open up 2014, there’s temptation to look forward to the year in movies that await us. For me, 2013 was a bit underwhelming, especially during the summer, so here’s hoping that 2014′s slate of films picks up the slack a little. Here’s this week’s 5 For Friday: 5 Most Anticipated Films of 2014
5. Godzilla
Release Date: May 16
If it turns out to be a flop, then it’s simply a case of “Fool me twice, shame on me.” With a top-notch cast that includes Bryan Cranston, Elizabeth Olsen, and Ken Watanabe, the new Godzilla will hopefully fall in line with recent films such as Pacific Rim and Super 8 rather than the masterful disaster from 1998.
4. Gone Girl
Release Date: October 3
I haven’t read the best-selling novel by Gillian Flynn, but in the hands of director David Fincher, it sounds like it has the makings of a fantastic companion piece to his masterful remake of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, which was my favorite film of 2011. With Ben Affleck in the midst of a sort of renaissance, this seems like the perfect vehicle to take the goodwill he’s received from his directorial projects and reclaim his star power before he dons the cape and cowl.
3. X-Men: Days of Futures Past
Release Date: May 23
While I wouldn’t necessarily call the X-Men films the creep of the crop when it comes to comic book movies, they have been solid for the most part (The Last Stand the only exception). Days of Futures Past is an interesting bridge between the original trilogy and X-Men: First Class, using time travel as an opportunity to bring the casts of both together. So, not only do we get to see James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender as Professor X and Magneto, respectively, but Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellan get to reprise their roles as well.
2. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part I
Release Date: November 21
Catching Fire, as I stated in my review, pushed this series out of the minor leagues known as “young adult films” and realized the story’s full potential of a politically-minded actioner with a fantastic female lead in Katniss Everdeen. Currently, Catching Fire is in my Top 10 films of 2013 (a list which will make an appearance later this month) and its quality has me greatly anticipating the first part of Mockingjay. I will say that I do not like the way these cash cow series have now split the last installment into two parts, but if the Twilight series can get away with it, then it seems like a minor gripe for a series that is far superior.
1. Interstellar
Release Date: November 7
You just had to say Christopher Nolan and this movie shot up the anticipation board for me. Throw in a Matthew McConaughey that seems rejuvenated and the idea of space and time travel and you already have my ticket purchased.
Christopher Nolan is arguably one of the most interesting directors of his generation and this film looks like it could be his most ambitious. As his films, even with The Dark Knight trilogy, delve into the psychological, this could potentially be Nolan’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. Of course, those are enormous shoes to fill, but he’s yet to disappoint.
