Hello, Wekksters, Wekkites, and Wekk-a-maniacs, it’s Kevin. If you listened to Episode 64 of our main podcast, you know that we previewed the a variety of creative endeavors to be released in 2017 that each of us anticipates. (If you haven’t heard the episode, check it out. If it is half as fun to listen to as it was to record, you’ll definitely enjoy it.)
My part of that episode was to mention the six movies that I anticipated in 2017. The truth is, though, I overdid it a bit. I wound up doing research on much more than six films. Also, I listed my level of anticipation for each film from a scale of 0-5, 5 being the most anticipated. (Yeah, I know. Overkill, right?)
Therefore, without further ado, here is my full list of 2017 movies that I researched along with the YouTube movie trailers links (if any) related to each film.
2/20 The Lego Batman Movie
LEGO has made some great film and video content in the past, and seeing Will Ferrell’s Batman character is most welcome.
ANTICIPATION- 4/5
3/3 Logan
I have very high hopes for this film adaptation of the “Old Man Logan” comics, but since this isn’t done by Marvel Studios, it is still a crap shoot, and we all know how risky non-Marvel films are these days. Only Deadpool can be considered a recent success. If the trailer is any indication, they might have the right formula.
ANTICIPATION – 4/5
3/17 – Beauty and the Beast
Um. no. As much as I like Emma Watson in the Belle role, and even though I think it would take a monumental blunder for Disney to screw this up, I am just not that interested. I already saw the animated movie and the play, and that’s all I really need. I will need to see how this looks on Rotten Tomatoes before I ultimately decide, but for now…
ANTICIPATION – 2/5
3/17 Life
Based solely on the trailer, it looks like it may be a cross between ALIEN, Gravity, and The Thing. I hope it has more surprises than that. Still., I’m curious…
ANTICIPATION – 4/5
3/20 Kong: Skull Island
In my first WTF of this previews list, I have to wonder why this was green-lighted. Peter Jackson’s “King Kong” was 12 years ago, so maybe this will be the Jurassic World of 2017. And, it has Tom Hiddleston, but I have to give it…
ANTICIPATION – 1/5
3/24 Power Rangers
Man, am I ever the wrong audience for this crap. But, the fact that Bryan Cranston and Bill Hader are in it might change my mind? Probably not.
ANTICIPATION – 1/5
3/31 Ghost in the Shell
Scarlett Johansson playing a character traditionally thought to be Japanese doesn’t bother me in the slightest. I have high hopes for this, but sometimes my high hopes turn out disappointing me. The trailer so far looks good.
ANTICIPATION – 4/5
4/28 – The Circle
THIS is the Emma Watson film I want to see. It has Tom Hanks, John Boyega, Karen Gillan, Patton Oswalt, and Bill “Game Over, Man” Paxton, and with music by Danny Elfman. Based on the Dave Eggers’ book of the same name, how could it lose? We shall see.
ANTICIPATION – 4/5
5/5 Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2
As I said on the show, the first trailer made me laugh out loud, so I have to think this will battle “Star Wars: Episode 8” for top box office slot.
ANTICIPATION – 5/5 Same as the date of release. Yay!
5/12 King Arthur: Legend of the Sword
This Guy Ritchie film looks like a mashup of the movie Excalibur, Sons of Anarchy, and Lord of the Rings. Planned as a six film series (Yes. You read that right. SIX FILMS.) it definitely looks like a Guy Ritchie film if it was set in some alt-universe version of the King Arthur story where men wear hybrid medieval-slash-21st Century clothing. That said…
ANTICIPATION – 3/5
5/19 Alien: Covenant
I’m actually surprised by my tepid response to this trailer. It didn’t impress me as much as I wanted as it looked too much like the first four Alien films rehashed. Even so…
ANTICIPATION – 4/5
5/26 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales
This is my Second WTF on my list. I get that people love the Jack Sparrow character, but does Johnny Depp need help with alimony payments? Is he cash poor? I didn’t even watch the last “Pirates” movie, and I probably won’t watch this one unless it gets amazing reviews.
ANTICIPATION – 2/5
6/2 Wonder Woman
BAM! YES! Gal Gadot was the only positive part of Batman V Superman, and I cannot wait to see her solo superhero movie. The early word on this film is disappointing, so I sincerely hope that whatever problems it faces are corrected before release.
ANTICIPATION – 5/5
6/9 The Mummy
I have absolutely no enthusiasm for a Tom Cruise Mummy re-do. This just feels weird.
ANTICIPATION -0/5
6/9 World War Z 2 (Directed by David Fincher.)
While I enjoyed World War Z to a certain extent, it wasn’t enough to want to see a sequel. The ONLY thing that makes me NOT laugh that they’re making this sequel is that David Fincher is directing. So, middling enthusiasm.
ANTICIPATION – 3/5
6/16 Cars 3
I didn’t see Cars 2, so unless I hear that this movie is a must-see, I’ll probably be skipping this one.
ANTICIPATION -1/5
6/23 Transformers: The Last Knight
If you like Transformers movies, then this movie is for you. It is DEFINITELY not for me.
ANTICIPATION – 0/5
6/30 Despicable 3
More Gru, more minions, more Steve Carell, which means more laughs and fun. Not a priority, but I expect it to be as fun as the last two.
ANTICIPATION – 3/5
7/7 Spider-Man: Homecoming
Listen to the podcast for my thoughts on this one. I’m excited. My only other comment is that it looks like the master of the snarky comeback is finally back after a few bumpy films. And Marvel Studios is actually co-producing this one, which is a first.
ANTICIPATION – 5/5
7/14 War for the Planet of the Apes
A serviceable movie series only gets medium excitement from me.
ANTICIPATION – 2/5
7/21 Dunkirk (by Christopher Nolan)
A film about the amazing story of the British Expeditionary Force being routed by the Germans to the coast of Dunkirk, France, and the massiveflotilla of rescue craft sent from England to save the men on the beaches. Besides, I’ll see anything by Christopher Nolan…
ANTICIPATION – 5/5
7/21 Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets Luc Besson
Okay. This is my most anticipated film that I did not mention on the podcast. Based on a French sci-fi comics series that started in 1967, this is the first filmed adaptation of that beloved sci-fi classic. Directed by The Fifth Element’s Luc Besson, it looks fabulous, and I have high hopes, but looks can be deceiving.
ANTICIPATION – 4/5
No Official Trailer Yet
7/28 The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger
Some fans didn’t like that Idris Elba, a “black man,” is playing the character Roland, who many thought was white, but Stephen King himself said it could be either, and he loves Idris Elba, so shut it, critics. I haven’t read the series yet, but this will light the fire of my reading this year. I have a bit of time, and I say, “Go Idris.”
ANTICIPATION – 3/5
10/6 Blade Runner 2049
Alright. Bear with me here. I will be shocking some of my nerd-brethren with my opinion of this film, but until I read that pundits are talking about this as a possible Oscar contender, I see this movie as an abomination and a total money grab. I do not need any Blade Runner nostalgia films mucking up my memory of the original. I’m rarely opposed to sequels, but I oppose this with a passion, which means the film has a very, VERY high bar to reach. The only thing that is not making me give it a ZERO is that Harrison Ford decided to do it, AND Ryan Gosling seems to pick good projects. But in my mind this film has a mountain to climb before it gets me to the acceptance phase. Only time will tell.
ANTICIPATION – 1/5 (Let the dissing and harassment commence.)
No Official Trailer Yet
10/6 Kingsman: The Golden Circle
While I enjoyed the first film as a nice homage to spy films, I felt it never established enough of its own identity. Too much time was spent on the “wink wink nudge nudge, Hey didja catch that Bond reference” reference for my liking. But, if there is one fight scene as cool as the one in the church in the first movie, the sequel will be well worth the price of admission. I just hope they have more of their own catch phrases and style than pulling an Bond reference-fest.
ANTICIPATION – 4/5
No Official Trailer Yet
11/3 Thor: Ragnarok
Not much else to add from my comments from the podcast. I am very curious and excited about this film and where this story will lead us. It looks like a nice combo of dark and humorous, so let’s hope that works.
ANTICIPATION – 4/5
11/17 Justice League
Another podcast mention. This movie has more riding on its success than any other movie this year because it may affect whether or not we get more solo DC films. Also, if Wonder Woman under-performs, DC will need this movie to kick ass.
ANTICIPATION – 5/5
No Official Trailer Yet
12/15 Star Wars: Episode VIII
Come on. Do I really have to explain myself on this one? I don’t even know a title and I know I will see this film. Period. It will be bittersweet watching Carrie Fisher’s final work on a Star Wars film. (sigh)
ANTICIPATION – Infinity/5
No Official Trailer Yet
12/22 Jumanji
This is Number Three in my WTF series of WHY THIS FILM? Was this film necessary? NO! I read they are honoring Robin Williams in some way, but what’s next? A n Aladdin reboot? How about a Mrs Doubtfire reboot with Louis C.K.? Why not?
ANTICIPATION – 0/5
Now, go see a movie today!
Cheers,
Kevin
Wekk Podcast 