Goodbye 2014, hello 2015. 2014 has been a rather (inter)stellar one for cinema. And 2015 is looking very bright with some big release. So what are some of the films to look out for? Well, here’s a list of films that you should watch
A Most Violent Year
This crime drama has been gaining plenty of momentum ahead of the awards season in the coming months. And it should. Starring Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain, two extremely talented actors, the story follows a man and his family as they capitalize upon one of the most violent years in terms of crime rates in New York City. Directed by J.C Chandor (All is Lost), expect good acting, gripping drama and a bittersweet taste in your mouth after watching it.
Knight of Cups
If you haven’t heard of the cinema giant that is Terrence Malick, then perhaps now is the best time to familiarise yourself with him. The arthouse cinema giant is back with a brand new film and the cast is, as usual, top notch. Pretty much every actor in Hollywood wants to work with this guy, and it isn’t difficult to see why. The film stars Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Natalie Portman and Antonio Banderas, with cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki (Gravity, Children of Men). Like all his works, this one is most definitely going to be confusingly wonderful. Even the trailer puzzles me to no end.
The Hateful Eight
Photo credits: The Dissolve
The modern master is back. After Inglourious Basterds and Django Unchained, Quentin Tarantino will only get better as time passes. The Hateful Eight sees him back with his old friend Samuel L. Jackson, with a story about bounty hunters in post-Civil War Wyoming.
Far from the Madding Crowd
An adaptation of the classic Thomas Hardy novel, this one’s for the classic romance lovers. Directed by the legendary Thomas Vinterberg (The Hunt) and starring Carey Mulligan. Prepare the tissues. And corsets.
Tomorrowland
Not to be confused with the infamous music festival in Belgium, Tomorrowland is the brain child of Brad Bird (Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol) and Damon Lindelof (TV series Lost). Due to the fact that Lindelof is involved, expect to have your mind extracted from your body and served to you on a plate whilst you try not to defecate in your pants from the twist at the end. Also, there’s George Clooney. Everything with Clooney is good.
Bridge of Spies
Photo credits: PMC Variety
There hasn’t been much hype surrounding this film, which is rather strange as it is directed by Steven Spielberg (Jaws, Jurassic Park). As one of the leading pioneers in the New Hollywood era, Spielberg has been consistent in making films of the highest quality. It stars Tom Hanks as a lawyer who had to secure an American pilot’s return from the USSR after he was shot down the Cold War period. Co-written by the Coen Brothers (Fargo, The Big Lebowski), expect this one to be funny and tense and entertaining all at the same time.
Spectre
The next James Bond film. Directed by Sam Mendes (Skyfall, American Beauty) and staring Daniel Craig in his fourth Bond role, this one is looking to top the previous bond film Skyfall. It just might be the best Bond film of all time. A debate of such arises every time a new Bond film comes out. After all, there are 24 of them including this one.
Midnight Special
Photo credits: Indiewire
Jeff Nichols is one of the most underrated directors working today. This might be the film to change that underrated perception. His past two films, Take Shelter and Mud, have been nothing short of spectacular. Described as a sci-fi chase film that pays homage to John Carpenter, the films stars Michael Shannon, Kirsten Dunst and Adam Driver.
Sea of Trees
Photo credits: Teaser-Trailer
Matthew McConaughey returns to the big screen with a different modern day Auteur in 2015. This time, he pairs up with Gus Van Sant (Milk, Good Will Hunting), to make a film about an American man who attempts suicide in Japan’s Suicide Forest. The premise sounds mysteriously exciting and Van Sant has been known to be an excellent storyteller.
Inside Out
Just watch the trailer. It’s amazing.
Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens
Geeks of the world, unite. Possibly the most anticipate release of 2015, the epic space opera series is back with a new trilogy and spin-off films. Directed by J.J. Abrams (Star Trek), the first of the trilogy, it stars new and old faces. Creator George Lucas has stepped aside for the upcoming projects and handed the reins over to a new breed of exciting directors. Promising.
Other Films That You Should Not Miss
- Gokseong by Na Hong-Jin
- Pan by Joe Wright
- While We’re Young by Noah Baumbach
- The Revenant by Alejandro González Iñárritu
- Jurassic World by Colin Trevorrow
- Crimson Peak by Guillermo del Toro
- Terminator Genisys by Alan Taylor
- The Jungle Book by Jon Favreau
- Mad Max by George Miller
- Jane’s Got A Gun by Gavin O’Connor