What To Look Forward To In 2014: Part 2

In the second part of our look forward to the cinema releases for the forthcoming year Thomas shares the films that he is most anticipating.

American Hustle

Already released in several territories and a possible award contender the film has a great cast including Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper who have teemed up with director David O’Russell again after the Oscar success of Silver Linings Playbook. The film has that authentic nineteen eighties look and oozes sex and style. American Hustle has just been released in the UK. You can view the trailer for the film here.

Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom

In the wake of Mandela’s recent passing, the interest in this biopic has increased significantly. Based on the book of the same name it traces his life from his early childhood, through his political struggles, his lengthy incarceration and his rise to power in the new South Africa. Idris Elba is a top class actor and if the trailer is anything to go by you can expect a strong and emotional performance. The film also marks the return of U2 who provide a brand new song to the soundtrack. The film is now on general release.

The Monuments Men

George Clooney returns to the directors chair for this story of a special army squad that is tasked with rescuing works of art under threat of destruction during the second world war. early indications were that this could have been an award contender but the film’s release was held back due to production issues on the latest Scorsese pushed its opening back. With a an overcrowded schedule something had to give. That will not detract from the quality cast on show in the trailer. The film is released on the 7th of February.

The LEGO Movie

What’s not to love about The LEGO movie. It follow on in the same tradition as the hugely successful game adaptations. The secret to their success was the humour that filled every aspect of the experience. The movie is set to be just as good based on the trailer. This will appeal to children and adults alike and will possibly be the first big hit film of the year. The LEGO movie is released on the 14th of February.

Muppets Most Wanted

After the surprising success of the 2011 reboot anticipation for the follow-up is high. Without Jason Segal, the driving force behind the previous film, the film does not look to have any of its excitement and humour. The usual madcap antics will ensue at various locations and there is a rumour of Miss Piggy getting married. If this is anything like last one it’s should make my end of year top 10. The film is released on the 21st of March. The trailer can be found here.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

For many Rise Of The Planet of the Apes was the surprise hit of 2011. The sequel, again featuring Andy Serkis as the Ape leader Caesar, is set a decade after the events of Rise where an unsteady truce between man and ape is about to come to a very violent end. Joining the cast are Gary Oldman and Keri Russell. The film is out on the 11th of July. You can see why the film is so hotly anticipated by checking out the trailer here

Teenage Mutant Ninja turtles

William Fichtner is Shredder. If that doesn’t sell it then you probably won’t be in the market for the live action reboot of the heroes on a half shell. The turtles will be brought to the screen using the latest in motion capture technology. Director Jonathan Liebesman is no stranger to big budget action films having brought Wrath of the Titans and Battle Los Angeles to the screen in recent years. The turtles film is scheduled for release on the 8th of August.

The Expendables 3

The franchise that shows no signs of stopping any time soon. The second instalment was pretty much universally panned by critics which had absolutely no effect on the box office takings with it raking in over $300 million worldwide. Joining the usual cast this time are an impressive array of famous names including Antonio Banderas, Mel Gibson and Harrison Ford. The Expendables 3 is in cinemas everywhere on the 15th of August.

Interstellar

The return of Christopher Nolan. After the success of The Dark Knight trilogy he returns with an original movie that has not had much information produced. The basis synopsis of the studio states that it ‘chronicles the adventures of a group of explorers who make use of a newly discovered wormhole to surpass the limitations on human space travel and conquer the vast distances involved in an interstellar voyage.’ With a stellar cast including Anne Hathaway and Matthew McConaughey the film will be nothing short of enthralling if past efforts is anything to go by. We will have to wait until the 7th of November for what is many people’s pick as the most anticipated film of the year.

Dumb and Dumber To

Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels return for a sequel that no one was expecting or even asking for. Set twenty years after the first film the plot revolves around the guys going on a trip to find a long-lost child in a bid to gain a kidney. The film is under the direction of the Farrelly brothers so we kind of know what to expect in terms of gross out, bad taste comedy. Lloyd and Harry return on the 14th of November.