The year isn’t quite over, but we’re already looking forward to movies slated to be released in 2019. There are plenty of sequels that will certainly catch the eyes of the masses (movies like Glass, and It: Part II come to mind). And while those are fun and good, we’re also on the lookout for festival favorites, adaptations, and the latest in streaming. So without further ado, here are 10 movies we are curious about in 2019.
Elliot’s Picks
Honey Boy
Set to debut at the Sundance Film Festival is a movie in which Shia LaBeouf plays his own father. Yes, he plays his dad. And who plays Shia? That would be none other than Lucas Hedges. The plot seems fairly simple: a child actor tries to mend his relationship with his alcoholic father. I’m all in on Shia-related projects. I’m not entirely sure why I am. I can’t help it. Shia–I’m ready for your whatever you have in store for us.
Us
Jordan Peele has recently released a brief description of his latest social-thriller: A mother and a father take their kids to their beach house expecting to enjoy time with friends. But their serenity turns to tension and chaos when some visitors arrive uninvited. Peele has teamed back up with the Get Out studio Blumhouse, so that bodes well. Keep an eye on Sundance this year, as that’s where Peele debuted Get Out at a secret midnight screening.
Dumbo
I’m not one to get too excited about Disney recycling through movies it has already made and, well, making them again, typically by making a cartoon movies into a live-action feature. This changed, however, when I saw the trailer for Tim Burton’s Dumbo. I am a pretty big Burton fan, and once I saw the cast of Michael Keaton, Colin Farrell, and Eva Green, I knew I was going to be seeing it. The trailer is enchanting, enough to get me to finally see one of these revamped Disney projects.
The Woman in the Window
Based on the A.J. Finn novel, The Woman in the Window is being directed by Joe Wright. It’s a Rear Window-type story where a woman (Amy Adams) witnesses a disturbing act of violence when she spies on her neighbors. With Julianne Moore and Gary Oldman starring alongside her, I can’t wait for October 4th. Oh, and did I mention it’s adapted by Tracy Letts?
Knives Out
Yes, Rian Johnson brought us the divisive Star Wars XIII. But before that, he brought us Brick, a neo-noir set in a high school, and it’s incredible. Rian is returning to the scene of [the] crime with his latest movie Knives Out, in which Daniel Craig is slated to play an “American Poirot.” Rian Johnson doing a mystery movie has me excited. Take one look at the case and just try to tell me you’re not excited, too.
William’s Picks
Dragged Across Concretete
After watching Bone Tomahawk and Brawl in Cell Block 99, Craig S. Zahler is one of my favorite directors. Starring Vince Vaughn and Mel Gibson, this story is about two cops who get suspended from the force only to delve deeper into the criminal underworld to seek justice. Zahler takes his time with his stories and building his characters. Also, he ain’t shy about incorporating some good old fashioned violence. Mark my words, this movie will likely make my top 10 favorite movies of 2019.
Once Upon A Time In Hollywood
Quentin Tarantino is back at it with an all-star cast, including Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kurt Russell and Margot Robbie, just to name a few. A story set in 1969 Los Angeles, it follows a faded TV actor and his stunt double trying to make it big in Hollywood during the era of the Charles Manson murders. Of course I’m looking forward to this. You had me at Tarantino.
John Wick: Chapter 3
If John Wick riding a horse in the middle of traffic doesn’t get you excited for this sequel, I don’t know what will. Brought to us (again) by acclaimed stuntman and director Chad Stahelski, this story picks up where the last one left off, where John Wick appeared to be running from the entire city of New York. This franchise has infused new blood into the action movie genre. Keanu Reeves returns as the hit-man we have grown to love and I can’t wait to see what this next installment brings to the franchise.
Yeah, I’m thinkin’ he’s back.
Hellboy
While there are some DC and Marvel comic book movies on the slate for 2019 that I am looking forward to, Dark Horse Comics is looking to revamp one of its titles on the big screen. With an overload of comic book movies every year as usual, this one has somewhat flown under the radar. Guillermo Del Toro first brought this character to life with Ron Perlman bringing a fun, more light-hearted take on the character from hell. David Harbour definitely seems to be looking the part. But more importantly, this is rumored to receive an R rating, which is always a good sign for a comic book movie. While DC and Marvel are busy doing their thing, I’ll be looking forward to the character who is hell-bent on exacting justice.
Velvet Buzzsaw
Dan Gilroy brought us Nightcrawler, an original thriller about a sociopath that gave us Jake Gyllenhaal’s greatest performance of this century, quite possibly of his entire career. Gilroy is back with a similar cast starring Jake G. and Rene Russo, adding more stellar cast members like John Malkovich and Toni Collette. A thriller about money, artists, and mega-collectors. I don’t have any other reason to be excited about this other than the fact Gilroy is bringing us something original and starring some of the best actors in the biz. Jake G. and Malkovich? Yes please.
