2017 may turn out to be quite an exciting year since a number of favourite directors’ works will see the light of day this year. I am even more thrilled that there is only one superhero film in this list.

That is if you count ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ as one. I consider it more as an adventure than a superhero film. I am going to see it in cinema tomorrow.

However, this post is so late as we are in the last week of April already. The year also has seen some interesting releases like ‘T2 Trainspotting’ by Danny Boyle, ‘Free Fire’ by Ben Whitley, ‘Get Out’ by Jordan Peele, and surprisingly surprising ‘Logan’ by James Mangold. But, after reading the list of upcoming films in post-april 2017, I’d like to note 10 films and put them here anyway, partly as a checklist.

 

 

Murder on the Orient Express (by Kenneth Branagh)

I dunno. Even though I’ve read the novel many times and seen various adaptations of it, I still want to see this adaptation. No. I feel compelled to watch this. What will Kenneth Branagh’s Hercule Poirot‘s moustache be like?

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (by James Gunn)

Of course, I’m expecting all the fun adventures and misadventures of the first ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and, most importantly, its sense of humour. I hope that it won’t get lost in the plot of the bigger Marvel Universe.

家族はつらいよ2 / What A Wonderful Family 2 (by Yamada Yoji)

This is a sequel to 2016’s ‘What a Wonderful Family’ by Yamada Yoji, another Japanese director whose works I’ve probably seen more than others (those ‘Tora-san’ films!). The 2016 film was fun and witty with quirky characters. Of course, I want to see this family again.

Blade Runner 2046 (by Denis Villeneuve)

I like Mr Villeneuve’s directing in ‘Arrival’ so perhaps this sequel to ‘Blade Runner’ may turn out well. Although the franchise is perhaps more an action-oriented sci-fi, I expect less noisy explosions and more thoughtful scenes.

The Snowman (by Tomas Alfredson)

An adaptation of Jo Nesbø’s novel of the same title, ‘The Snowman’ stars Michael Fassbender as a cop investigating a homicide and lists interesting casts. Since I like Alfredson’s ‘Let The Right One In’ and ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’, I’ll be waiting for this.

 

 

The Dark Tower (by Nikolaj Arcel)

Some mentioned that this is going to be an adaptation of Stephen King’s horror fantasy novels that I liked, and others said this is a sequel. Either way, I am in.

옥자/Okja (by Bong Joon-Ho)

I like Director Bong’s films I’ve seen so far: ‘Barking Dogs Never Bite’, ‘Memories of Murder’, ‘Snowpiercer’, and ‘Mother’. I suspect I’ll like this one too. His second film with international cast, ‘Okja’ is also co-written by him and Jon Ronson (‘The Men Who Stared at Goats’, ‘Frank’).

No title yet, currently listed as ‘Untitled Fashion Project’ (by Paul Thomas Anderson)

Scheduled to be released by the end of the year, the film is Anderson’s second collaboration with Daniel Day-Lewis. Considering that ‘There Will Be Blood’ constantly comes up in talks on best films and personal favourites in recent memory, my expectation is quite high.

 Update:  The title is ‘Phantom Thread’.

Dunkirk (by Christopher Nolan)

This seems to top everyone’s lists of most anticipated films of 2017. Well, no wonder there. This is Mr Nolan writing and directing so ‘nuff said, even though I generally don’t go to war films. Besides, some of the best actors today are lining up in this film, like Cillian Murphy, Tom Hardy, Mark Rylance, and Kenneth Branagh.

三度目の殺人/The Third Murder (by Kore’eda Hirokazu)

After watching ‘After Life’, I would anticipate and watch anything Kore’eda-san makes that I can get hold of — it’s hard getting non-Hollywood films screened at my local cinema. This is no exception and perhaps more so since it’s listed as everyone’s favourite genre, a thriller.

Let’s see how many, in this list, I will manage to see. And how about your list? Is there anything I shouldn’t miss from yours? Shall we compare notes?

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