This is a little late, sorry! Really should have tried to get it out earlier. So here are my picks for 2017, and they kind of start in February because I’ve covered what I’d like to catch in January already. I’m sure you all know my tastes by now – I like fantasy and horror.
Still, what I’ve learnt is that the most unexpected films can sometimes be the best, as “The Kid from the Big Apple” showed me in 2016.
1. The Lego Batman Movie (10 Feb)
Can you see all those other Justice League members in the background? Yes? So far they’ve mostly only appeared in direct-to-tv films, so it’s a blast to see an animated Justice League appear before the live action Justice League movie is out! Plus, they are Legos. Haven’t we all tried to assemble our own makeshift teams of heroes using Lego minifigure stand-ins (because they didn’t have so many franchise licenses back then)? This is it! This is the realisation of our dreams!
2. Beauty and the Beast (19 Mar)
I would actually prefer a “The Little Mermaid” movie heh but remakes of childhood classics always hit the sweet spot. Besides, if this does well, we might actually get said movie.
Moving on to “Beauty and the Beast”. They had such catchy songs, and Beast’s act to let Belle go, despite the fact that it would doom him and his castle, was what made me truly believe that he loved her.
Before that, erm, even as a young age I thought that he was attracted to her physically rather than mentally. Come on. You thought that way too OK?
3. Power Rangers (24 Mar)
So many childhood movies! The slight issue with “Power Rangers” movies is that they’re essentially just upsized versions of a television episode – it’s not like you get more than one Megazord fight per movie right? I can see why you don’t want to debut the shiny new Zords in the middle of the film since they’re the ace in the hand but still, I would want to see more combining robots.
Anyway, if you’ve read the synopsis, there’s a significant effort made to tie in all the elements together and make it more internally consistent. I can’t say I like the new designs very much but then I didn’t (and still don’t) really fancy the designs of the “Transformers” movie characters (as much as other versions) and I bought all the toys still.
4. Annabelle II (19 May)
Kudos to the producers of Annabelle for daring to use a number in the title to show it’s a sequel! As opposed to “Annabelle: Return of the Doll” or something like that. That doll should really be thrown away but here’s to more long, lingering shots of Annabelle in “Annabelle 2” even though she doesn’t move at all.
Wait, was that a twitch?
5. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (26 May)
Um. I like pirates as much as the other – OK I actually like the magical portions of “Pirates of the Caribbean” instead of the piratey parts, since really, piracy is about being a sailor and the only sailors I truly dig are Sailor Moon and her friends.
I know everyone thinks that Davy Jones and Calypso were corny but those were the parts I liked very much. The attempt to make it a semi-mythological movie won me over, and I hope that “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” does the same.
6. Baywatch (26 May)
Of course I’m not expecting a proper story or anything, but I just want to see how silly “Baywatch” will be. I’m kind of miffed that it’s targeting the female audience with all its posters though. I thought “Baywatch” was for guys.
7. Wonder Woman (2 June)
I recently managed to assemble the cast (comics-wise) of Wonder Woman thanks to a great customiser and fellow reviewer and I’m really hoping to see how this interpretation of Wonder Woman stacks up. Also I’m curious to know who the antagonist is. I just hope it doesn’t end up with her having to throw a continent into outer space or one of those plot devices where she loses all her powers and must show that she’s just as wonderful without those powers as she is with them.
8. The Mummy (2 June)
I liked how the titular Mummy was an unstoppable force in the original “The Mummy” (OK I mean the 1999 one la), and how in the sequel, he was given some humanisation when his powers were taken away and his girlfriend ran away and left him alone. There was also the Scorpion King, who was pretty cool except for his CGI, until we got a whole movie about him. Sigh.
So I hope 2017’s “The Mummy” instils that fear that an unstoppable, Biblical force of evil is out to destroy the main characters. If it can recapture that dread, it’d be a success.
9. Transformers: The Last Knight (23 June)
I spelt this as “The Last Night” in a pitch to one of my editors, sigh. And I don’t see why anyone would be surprised this is on my list. More giant robots that turn into cars battling each other for the fate of a planet that’s really just a giant hotel to them? Yes. This might be the film where Megatron finally reclaims his role as the fearsome leader of the Decepticons. Everyone’s been mopping the floor with him in the past few films.
Also, more toys. Be still, my beating heart.
10. Spider-Man: Homecoming (7 July)
I like Spider-Man. I think the comics are very lechey to read though, since I think they focus way too much on his personal life and there’s not enough action, plus I don’t want to wade through 10 issues just to see one storyline through. TPBs for the win. I liked Spider-Man: The Animated Series though – even though the voice acting sounded like he was rushing to cram 10 words in one second at times, it helped me empathise with him by putting just the right amount of personal drama.
Anyways, new Spidey movie! I think Andrew Garfield was an awesome Spider-Man who really captured that restless energy of a teenager/young adult (man I wish I had that energy these days), but I’d like to see how Tom Holland does it. He’s so tiny.
11. It (8 Sep)
I have a perverse liking of horror. And that classic symbol of fear, clowns… well, I actually associate clowns with horror than comedy simply because I’ve never actually laughed because of something a clown did. I have been freaked out by what clowns do though. So I wonder if using a clown as a corruption of what is meant to be a symbol of innocence works anymore.
Although It would probably have more up it’s sleeve than just clowns in “It”.
12. Kingsman: The Golden Circle (6 Oct)
I liked the British humour, as drab and dark as it was, in the first film. I especially liked the over-the-top violence since it sated my need for action while still tickling my funny bone in a morbid way. Wasn’t too much of a fan of Eggsy since he seemed kind of a lout, but then “Kingsman: The Golden Circle” will have him as a gentleman, so let’s see how he evolves!
13. Thor: Ragnarok (3 Nov)
I’m a little surprised why they didn’t name it “Twilight of the Gods” instead since that’s more recognisable, but then I guess it adds a little mystery to the title when you have “Ragnarok” instead. And there’s Executioner in it! It’s fun to see a bunch of flying/walking bricks take on immense challenges on a scale that we mortals can’t even fathom, and hopefully we’ll see a tease of Thanos in it too.
14. Justice League (17 Nov)
I can’t wait to see the Justice League assemble. We’re one step closer to seeing a Justice League vs Avengers film. Yeah they’re super serious and grim and dark but come on! Don’t you want to see them assemble and battle incredibly powerful foes? We might even have some jokes, with Flash in there.
Although personally I’d rather have Hawkgirl or Martian Manhunter than Cyborg, since really Cyborg could defeat everyone if he used his powers properly and COME ON LA why does anyone really think Cyborg is cool? Couldn’t we just have John Stewart as a Green Lantern if we needed racial diversity?
15. Murder on the Orient Express (22 Nov)
I like movie adaptations of novels – they’re every writer’s dream. OK, at least it’s my dream at least, to have someone else adapt my idea on to the big screen. Plus I will write my own screenplay for sure. I didn’t watch “Murder on the Orient Express”, nor did I read the novel. But I know it’s a classic and it’s always been on my watch list. I’ll finally be able to watch a version that isn’t super retro!
16. Star Wars: Episode VIII (5 Dec)
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – I’m only a casual fan of Star Wars, OK? I like the Force and the Jedi aspects the most, because they speak to a great and innate power within all of us to do good and move things with our minds and fight with laser swords. Not so much the tech although Death Star and Starkiller Base yo!
I want to see Snoke and Luke Skywalker duke it out in Episode VIII. Might not happen, but you know Luke has to die. What better way than in battle against the big bad of the new series?
17. Pitch Perfect 3 (22 Dec)
I have a thing for musicals (everyone does), but especially so when they’re helmed by a whole team of well-choreographed good-looking young folk. I liked “Glee” for most of the early seasons, at least before they went to college and had very contrived ways to make everyone still stay in touch. So it’s no surprise that I would like “Pitch Perfect” and hope to see it continue right?
See, not everything I like is about fantasy and fights.
So what are you looking forward to in 2017? Leave me a comment with your picks!
Marcus Goh is a Singapore television scriptwriter. He’s also a Transformers enthusiast and avid pop culture scholar. He Tweets/Instagrams at Optimarcus and writes at marcusgohmarcusgoh.com.
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