The films I need to see in 2006
As I have no life outside my house at the moment, (seriously Warrington sucks when you don’t have a car) I have been browsing many a film website. On my travels I have come across a few films that I hope I will enjoy in the coming New Year. I was going to do a top ten, but I can’t really be arsed. So in no particular order, here is what I will be watching:
Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man’s Chest
Director: Gore Verbinski
Starring: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley
What it’s about: The sequel to the hugely popular Curse of the Black Pearl.
Why I will be watching it: Do I really need to explain? The first one rocked and Captain Jack Sparrow is quite possibly the coolest man ever! Mmmmmmmmm Johnny.
X-Men 3
Director: Brett Ratner
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Patrick Stuart, Ian McKellen
What it’s about: Sequel to the 2 previous X-Men films, dealing with the mutants’ struggle against human beings.
Why I will be watching it: I’m a huge geek!
V for Vendetta
Director: James McTeigue
Starring: Natalie Portman, Hugo Weaving, Steven Fry
What it’s about: Set in a future London run by fascists; a group of vigilantes, lead by a man only known as ‘V’, try to take back their city.
Why I will be watching it: It looks damn cool, and I’m looking forward to seeing if anyone can actually pull off a film where the main character is a terrorist!
The Departed
Director: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson
What it’s about: Based on the Hong Kong crime thriller ‘Infernal Affairs’, it tells the story of a police mole who has to infiltrate the mob, but unbeknownst to them, the mob have their own mole in the police. It’s just a matter of time before they rat each other out.
Why I will be watching it: I loved Infernal Affairs (if you haven’t seen it; do so), I love Martin Scorsese, I love Jack Nicholson, and I love Leo and Matt. So I figure I’m gonna love this film.
(10 quid she hates it with a passion – Neale)
The Da Vinci Code
Director: Ron Howard
Starring: Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou, Jean Reno
What it’s about: Schmeh, I cant really be arsed to explain. Go read the book.
Why I will be watching it: Well it’s not as if I anticipate it being good, quite the opposite in fact. It’s just on the list out of morbid curiosity, to see how badly Hollywood fucks up something which should be easy to adapt. Hands up anyone else who thinks Tom Hanks is miscast? Oh right, everyone then!
Memoirs of a Geisha
Director: Rob Marshall
Starring: Zhang Ziyi, Ken Watanabe, Michelle Yeoh, Gong Li
What it’s about: Adapted from the acclaimed novel, Memoirs tells the story of a young girl sold to the life of a geisha in pre-war Japan.
Why I will be watching it: See above. It’s going to be crap, but I know I’ll watch it anyway.
Brokeback Mountain
Director: Ang Lee
Starring: Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal
What it’s about: It’s the gay cowboy film that’s been ruffling the feathers of right wing America. Set in the 60’s, it is a love story between two ranchers who have to conceal their affair from their wives and peers.
Why I will be watching it: It’s not often that straight actors are willing to play gay characters, (maybe for fear that the public will think they actually are in real life) and it’s not often Hollywood produces an intelligent drama about homosexuality.
The Good Shepherd
Director: Robert DeNiro
Starring: Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, Joe Pesci
What it’s about: The story of the CIA told by one of its founders, James Wilson.
Why I will be watching it: I usually avoid DeNiro’s recent efforts like the plague (come on, it hurts to watch a great actor piss his career away!), but as he is behind the camera with a genre familiar to him, this film may just be great. The return of Joe Pesci also has me very excited.
Munich
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Eric Bana, Daniel Craig, Geoffrey Rush
What it’s about: Set in the aftermath of the 1972 Munich Olympic massacre of 11 Israeli athletes, this film tells the story of a secret squad who help to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Why I will be watching it: I’m always up for seeing a Spielberg film, even if he has lost a little of his magic, he still manages to entertain me.
Miami Vice
Director: Michael Mann
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Colin Farrell
What it’s about: Based on the old TV series of the same name, Miami Vice is about undercover cops trying to bust drug traffickers.
Why I will be watching it: All Mann’s previous efforts about the criminal underworld (Collateral, Heat) have been great, so I have no reason to believe this will be any different.
Sicko
Director: Michael Moore
Starring: Michael Moore
What it’s about: This time Mike takes on the US government’s health policy.
Why I will be watching it: Love him or hate him, Mike always delivers a funny and entertaining documentary.
Superman Returns
Director: Bryan Singer
Starring: Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, James Marsden
What it’s about: Well erm…. After a long absence, Superman returns!
Why I will be watching it: The Superman TV series is a fond childhood memory, as are the original films. Factor in the director of the first X-Men films and you have what is sure to be a Superhero-tastic adventure.