Fourth-day Universe's 2014 Movie Watchlist
All the sci-fi, fantasy, animated, horror, and comic book movies we plan on watching, reviewing, and otherwise highlighting this coming year. Think we need to include more?
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- DirectorChristopher LandonStarsAndrew JacobsJorge DiazGabrielle WalshWhen a young man becomes the target of a malevolent entity, he must uncover its true intentions before it takes complete control of him.Kicking off the New Year with a haunted house film, the latest in the found footage phenomenon. Here is the link to our review: http://fourthdayuniverse.com/reports/2014/01/why-paranormal-activity-the-marked-ones-almost-made-me-sick/
- DirectorRenny HarlinStarsKellan LutzGaia WeissScott AdkinsThe origin story of the mythical Greek hero. Betrayed by his stepfather, the King, and exiled and sold into slavery because of a forbidden love, Hercules must use his formidable powers to fight his way back to his rightful kingdom.This "origin story" for Hercules doesn't have Dwayne Johnson or John Hurt in it, but it doesn't have Brett Ratner directing either, so neither movie really has an edge, at this point. Here is our review: http://fourthdayuniverse.com/reports/2014/01/movies-you-can-watch-instead-of-the-legend-of-hercules/
- DirectorMatt Bettinelli-OlpinTyler GillettStarsAllison MillerZach GilfordSam AndersonAfter a mysterious, lost night on their honeymoon, a newlywed couple finds themselves dealing with an earlier-than-planned pregnancy.You'd think horror wouldn't exactly lend itself to the found footage genre. After all, who stops to video record their gruesome and grisly deaths? And yet, in the first month of the year, we have not one but two entries from the genre. Here's our review: http://fourthdayuniverse.com/reports/2014/01/devils-due/
- DirectorPeter LepeniotisStarsWill ArnettBrendan FraserLiam NeesonAn incorrigibly self-serving exiled squirrel finds himself helping his former park brethren survive by raiding a nut store, a location that also happens to be a front for a human gang's bank robbery.The animated movie year is off to a...nutty start with this film about a squirrel who plots to rob a nut store. Will Arnett is definitely developing his voice acting resume, as he'll move on from this to play Batman in "The Lego Movie".
- DirectorStuart BeattieStarsAaron EckhartBill NighyMiranda OttoFrankenstein's creature finds himself caught in an all-out, centuries-old war between two immortal clans.Aaron Eckhart stars in this decidedly Underworld-esque vision of what happened to Frankenstein's monster centuries after he was brought (back) to life. Its first trailers and images have drawn a certain amount of scorn, but what happened to just having a fun, action-filled adventure movie? Isn't that what kept the "Underworld" franchise alive (so to speak) for so long?
- DirectorPhil LordChristopher MillerStarsChris PrattWill FerrellElizabeth BanksAn ordinary LEGO construction worker, thought to be the prophesied as "special", is recruited to join a quest to stop an evil tyrant from gluing the LEGO universe into eternal stasis.Before 2015, we'll get to see Batman and Wonder Woman on the screen at the same time, and that alone would be enough to get me to the movies. This looks absolutely hilarious.
Read our review of the movie here: http://fourthdayuniverse.com/reports/2014/02/buried-in-layers-of-legos-or-is-everything-awesome/ - DirectorJosé PadilhaStarsJoel KinnamanGary OldmanMichael KeatonIn 2028 Detroit, when Alex Murphy, a loving husband, father and good cop, is critically injured in the line of duty, the multinational conglomerate OmniCorp sees their chance for a part-man, part-robot police officer.The themes of the original film, including corporate greed run amok, seem to be taking a backseat to "man versus machine". As much as I enjoyed the original, I think RoboCop is the perfect character to examine that sort of story. How much of the human body can you replace until you're no longer human?
Read our review of the movie here: http://fourthdayuniverse.com/reports/2014/02/robocop-repurposed/ - DirectorMark WatersStarsZoey DeutchLucy FryDanila KozlovskiyRose Hathaway is a Dhampir, half human-half vampire, a guardian of the Moroi, peaceful, mortal vampires living discreetly within our world. Her calling is to protect the Moroi from bloodthirsty, immortal Vampires, the Strigoi.Young adult literature movie adaptations have a (mostly) undeserved reputation for being...well, kind of not very good at all, no matter how good the books are. With no more "Twilight" movies in the queue and with "The Hunger Games" becoming such a powerhouse, the general attitude towards these movies may, in fact, be shifting in favor of YA movies. "Vampire Academy", more than just needing to give its own franchise an excuse to thrive, could help raise an entire genre to a new level; or, it could confirm THG as a one-hit wonder.
- DirectorAkiva GoldsmanStarsColin FarrellJessica Brown FindlayRussell CroweA burglar falls for an heiress as she dies in his arms. When he learns that he has the gift of reincarnation, he sets out to save her.Ah, a good old-fashioned love story for Valentine's Day, with a reincarnation twist. Even if it isn't that great, it'll be nice to have a "date night" alternative to "RoboCop" and "Vampire Academy".
- DirectorNoam MurroStarsSullivan StapletonEva GreenLena HeadeyGreek general Themistocles of Athens leads the naval charge against invading Persian forces led by mortal-turned-god Xerxes and Artemisia, vengeful commander of the Persian navy.Both a sequel and a prequel of Zack Snyder's adaptation of Frank Miller's graphic novel. Let's see how well the relative newcomer Noam Murro does as he directs this war epic.
- DirectorRob MinkoffStarsTy BurrellMax CharlesStephen ColbertSherman, a young boy, misuses a time machine made by his scientist father Mr. Peabody and causes the world history to go haywire. It is now up to Mr. Peabody to rescue his son and the world.Of all the time travel stories coming out this year, this one looks like the most fun, and not just because it's a cartoon. Ty Burrell, as the voice of the talking, time-traveling dog, leads an all-star voice cast with a script by the award-winning stage and screen scribe Craig Wright.
- DirectorNeil BurgerStarsShailene WoodleyTheo JamesKate WinsletIn a world divided by factions based on virtues, Tris learns she's Divergent and won't fit in. When she discovers a plot to destroy Divergents, Tris and the mysterious Four must find out what makes Divergents dangerous before it's too late."Divergent" is a different kind of adventure story, but one that addresses the central question of youth everywhere: What will I be when I grow up?
- DirectorDarren AronofskyStarsRussell CroweJennifer ConnellyAnthony HopkinsNoah is chosen by God to undertake a momentous mission before an apocalyptic flood cleanses the world.Can religion really be considered "fantasy"? By people who aren't members of that religion, the answer certainly seems to be yes. After all, we've had plenty of films based on Greek mythology, which used to be the religion of the Greeks. But what of biblical epics, or other films featuring "major" religious figures who are still regarded as such? Come March, we'll take a deeper look at the question. (We won't be reviewing February's "Son of God", since it seems that film will be treated more as a biopic than a fantasy film.)
- DirectorAnthony RussoJoe RussoStarsChris EvansSamuel L. JacksonScarlett JohanssonAs Steve Rogers struggles to embrace his role in the modern world, he teams up with a fellow Avenger and S.H.I.E.L.D agent, Black Widow, to battle a new threat from history: an assassin known as the Winter Soldier.Even before the first Captain America film was announced, people were saying a movie with him set in the present day would be the perfect movie for saying "this is what's wrong with America today". We'll get at least a little of that in TWS, which means, however the movie ends, there will be a large number of people dissatisfied with how he ultimately reacts to the modern world. Not that Marvel is afraid of controversial movie endings.
- DirectorCarlos SaldanhaStarsJesse EisenbergAnne HathawayJemaine ClementIt's a jungle out there for Blu, Jewel, and their three kids after they're hurtled from Rio de Janeiro to the wilds of the Amazon. As Blu tries to fit in, he goes beak-to-beak with the vengeful Nigel and meets his father-in-law.Blu and Jewel are no longer the only two of their kind, as they head to the Amazon to find Jewel's family.
- DirectorWally PfisterStarsJohnny DeppRebecca HallMorgan FreemanA scientist's drive for artificial intelligence takes on dangerous implications when his own consciousness is uploaded into one such program.If Johnny Depp is ever uploaded to a computer, then I'll just assume it's the end of the world. But, the first trailer for this head trip (pun intended?) of a movie promises more than just a ghost in a machine. What will happen when computers surpass humans in intelligence has been a staple of sci-fi films for decades, but we may just see the most imaginative interpretation of the "singularity" yet.
- DirectorMike FlanaganStarsKaren GillanBrenton ThwaitesKatee SackhoffA recently released inmate from a mental asylum learns from his sister that the murders he was convicted of committing were actually orchestrated by a supernatural entity, the Lasser Glass mirror.You had me at Katee Sackhoff and Karen Gillan. An evil mirror also makes things interesting.
- DirectorJohn PogueStarsJared HarrisSam ClaflinOlivia CookeA university professor and a team of students conduct an experiment on a young woman, uncovering terrifyingly dark, unexpected forces in the process.What if someone deliberately set out to raise a supernatural being to haunt a girl with the intent to study it? After "The Woman in Black", I'm very eager to see how this film does.
- DirectorMarc WebbStarsAndrew GarfieldEmma StoneJamie FoxxWhen New York is put under siege by Oscorp, it is up to Spider-Man to save the city he swore to protect as well as his loved ones.Of all the superhero movies to come out in recent years, TASM2 seems to be the only one still following the old formula for superhero sequels, i.e., giving the hero multiple villains to fight. But, Sony seems to be learning from their previous run of Spidey films, establishing a larger universe for Spider-Man's villains, possibly even letting them have solo films. Are they doing the reverse of what Marvel did, letting the villains team up instead of the heroes? We'll know more in May.
- DirectorWill FinnDaniel St. PierreStarsLea MicheleKelsey GrammerDan AykroydShortly after a tornado rips through her Kansas home, Dorothy returns to Oz to save her friends from a villainous jester.With no more wicked witches to melt, Dorothy finds herself facing the Jester, a much more...colorful villain.
- DirectorGareth EdwardsStarsAaron Taylor-JohnsonElizabeth OlsenBryan CranstonThe world is beset by the appearance of monstrous creatures, but one of them may be the only one who can save humanity.It seems like Americans shouldn't try to build a Godzilla franchise, and not just because of Emmerich's 1998 outing with the iconic character/monster. Godzilla is intrinsically Japanese in origin, mythology, and development. It would be like a Japanese film company announcing they were working on a Superman film set in Japan; sure, technically he's not an American and his craft could have landed anywhere when it arrived, but it just feels wrong, all the same. Still, it is being developed in conjunction with Japanese filmmakers, and it's worth giving director Garth Edwards and a fairly thrilling cast a chance, especially on Godzilla's 60th anniversary.
- DirectorBryan SingerStarsPatrick StewartIan McKellenHugh JackmanThe X-Men send Wolverine to the past in a desperate effort to change history and prevent an event that results in doom for both humans and mutants.What plot could be enough to lure Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, and Ian McKellen to the screen together once more? What lies in the future (and the past) for our favorite mutant characters? How can time travel reboot the franchise without being (too) obvious about the fact that they're trying to reboot the franchise? Answers to all those questions and more this May.
- DirectorRobert StrombergStarsAngelina JolieElle FanningSharlto CopleyA vengeful fairy is driven to curse an infant princess, only to discover that the child could be the one person who can restore peace to their troubled land.So far, all we know is this is "Sleeping Beauty" from the sorceress' perspective. The script has seen more than a couple of pairs of hands, and the director, Robert Stromberg, is in the big chair for the first time (though the visual effects portion of his resume is quite impressive). Hoping for more details about the plot soon (and to see Angelina Jolie turn into a dragon).
- DirectorDoug LimanStarsTom CruiseEmily BluntBill PaxtonA soldier fighting aliens gets to relive the same day over and over again, the day restarting every time he dies.So, Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt play two soldiers who are stuck in a "Groundhog Day"-style time loop that, unfortunately, loops through a brutal battle that keeps killing them. But is there more to breaking this loop than just surviving the day (and getting the girl)?
- DirectorDean DeBloisStarsJay BaruchelCate BlanchettGerard ButlerWhen Hiccup and Toothless discover an ice cave that is home to hundreds of new wild dragons and the mysterious Dragon Rider, the two friends find themselves at the center of a battle to protect the peace.This sequel to the surprise hit of 2010 brings us more dragons, more characters, and more thrills as Hiccup leads his companions into a larger world that can only be seen from the back of a dragon.
- DirectorMichael BayStarsMark WahlbergNicola Peltz BeckhamJack ReynorWhen humanity allies with a bounty hunter in pursuit of Optimus Prime, the Autobots turn to a mechanic and his family for help.Michael Bay has promised us that this movie will be darker and less silly than the previous entries in the franchise. But, that's what he promised when working on "Dark of the Moon", too. He's also brought in a whole new human cast, though I doubt anyone has said to themselves what this franchise needs is more human characters. But, as long as people keep watching his movies, I guess you have to keep calling him a "success".
- DirectorJames BobinStarsRicky GervaisTy BurrellTina FeyWhile on a grand world tour, The Muppets find themselves wrapped into an European jewel-heist caper headed by a Kermit the Frog look-alike and his dastardly sidekick.Enjoying their newfound resurgence, the Muppets may have themselves an all-new Muppet caper, so to speak. Past films have usually been about the Muppets themselves, while 2011's "The Muppets" seemed to focus much more on the human characters and newcomer Walter. As much as I enjoyed it, I hope this film keeps the guest stars in the guest column, so to speak.
- DirectorMatt ReevesStarsGary OldmanKeri RussellAndy SerkisThe fragile peace between apes and humans is threatened as mistrust and betrayal threaten to plunge both tribes into a war for dominance over the Earth.This is now, with the exceptions of "Star Trek" and "Godzilla", the largest sci-fi movie franchise in history. While 2011's "Rise" may have started the ape-ocalypse, "Dawn" promises "all-out war". With all the really big weapons on humanity's side, it'll be interesting to see what the apes bring to the battlefield.
- DirectorBobs GannawayStarsDane CookEd HarrisJulie BowenWhen Dusty learns that his engine is damaged and he may never race again, he joins a forest fire and rescue unit to be trained as a firefighter, or else his air strip will be shut down.No more racing. Now it's time for something more heroic from the makers of "Cars" and "Planes".
- DirectorLana WachowskiLilly WachowskiStarsChanning TatumMila KunisEddie RedmayneA young woman discovers her destiny as an heiress of intergalactic nobility and must fight to protect the inhabitants of Earth from an ancient and destructive industry.The Wachowskis are bringing us another original sci-fi film, one with potentially as much scope as space operas of the past. I'm not completely won over by the first trailer, but there's plenty of time to add to the excitement.
- DirectorBrett RatnerStarsDwayne JohnsonJohn HurtIan McShaneHaving endured his legendary twelve labors, Hercules, the Greek demigod, has his life as a sword-for-hire tested when the King of Thrace and his daughter seek his aid in defeating a tyrannical warlord.The one in January is an origin story, and this one is about his life after the Twelve Labors. I guess, if you want to see Hercules "laboring", you'll have to watch the 2006 Brazilian production.
- DirectorJames GunnStarsChris PrattVin DieselBradley CooperA group of intergalactic criminals must pull together to stop a fanatical warrior with plans to purge the universe.Not since the first "Thor" film has such an obscure Marvel character (or team of characters) been given such a high-profile film with such an integral role in the larger cinematic universe. The space opera genre gets another chance as Marvel unveils a new facet to their great experiment.
- DirectorJonathan LiebesmanStarsMegan FoxWill ArnettWilliam FichtnerWhen a kingpin threatens New York City, a group of mutated turtle warriors must emerge from the shadows to protect their home.Michael Bay's second major project of the year is scant on details following the welcome announcement that they won't be aliens (just fighting aliens). The more people seem to learn about it, the worse the howling seems to grow. And yet, that hasn't stopped Bay's "Transformers" movies from being powerhouses.
- DirectorPhillip NoyceStarsBrenton ThwaitesJeff BridgesMeryl StreepIn a seemingly perfect community without war, pain, suffering, differences or choices, a young boy is chosen to learn from an elderly man, the true pain and pleasure of the "real" world.Not exactly the standard YA film adaptation, this movie is based on Lois Lowry's multiple-award-winning book about a boy learning the truth about the world in which he lives. With such prominent stars as Meryl Streep and Jeff Bridges lending gravitas, this could be one of the more powerful films of the year.
- DirectorFrank MillerRobert RodriguezStarsMickey RourkeJessica AlbaJosh BrolinSome of Sin City's most hard-boiled citizens cross paths with a few of its more reviled inhabitants.This is a...continuation of the Frank Miller graphic novels (neither a sequel nor a prequel, and yet both).
- DirectorWes BallStarsDylan O'BrienKaya ScodelarioWill PoulterThomas is deposited in a community of boys after his memory is erased, soon learning they're all trapped in a maze that will require him to join forces with fellow "runners" for a shot at escape.To tide over fans of post-apocalyptic young adult life-or-death contests until "Mockingjay - Part 1" comes out, we have this adaptation of James Dashner's popular novel. This potential franchise starter has plenty to distinguish itself, including the enforced amnesia of the main character. Still, expect a lot of naysayers to predict its death before it even airs a trailer.
- DirectorGraham AnnableAnthony StacchiStarsBen KingsleyJared HarrisNick FrostA young orphaned boy raised by underground cave-dwelling trash collectors tries to save his friends from an evil exterminator.Stop motion animation forges ahead with this charming adaptation of Alan Snow's tale of a young lad raised by underground creatures. I always look forward to these types of movies, whatever the plot.
- DirectorGary ShoreStarsLuke EvansDominic CooperSarah GadonAs his kingdom is being threatened by the Turks, young prince Vlad Tepes must become a monster feared by his own people in order to obtain the power needed to protect his own family, and the families of his kingdom.Much remains "untold" about what seems to be a biopic of sorts of the "real" Dracula, Vlad the Impaler, mixed with the mythology of the world's most famous vampire.
- DirectorDon HallChris WilliamsStarsRyan PotterScott AdsitJamie ChungA special bond develops between plus-sized inflatable robot Baymax and prodigy Hiro Hamada, who together team up with a group of friends to form a band of high-tech heroes.Marvel and Disney are producing their first animated film together this November. It's about a boy and his robot joining a superhero team in the city of San Fransokyo. At the moment, that's about all we know.
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsMatthew McConaugheyAnne HathawayJessica ChastainWhen Earth becomes uninhabitable in the future, a farmer and ex-NASA pilot, Joseph Cooper, is tasked to pilot a spacecraft, along with a team of researchers, to find a new planet for humans.Even more than "Guardians of the Galaxy", Christopher Nolan's latest project has a chance to give space opera (and exploration) a new chance on the big screen. What will his characters find on the other side of the wormhole that opens the vast, unexplored regions of space to humanity? New life and new civilizations? Time travel? As with all of Nolan's films, I cannot wait to find out.
- DirectorFrancis LawrenceStarsJennifer LawrenceJosh HutchersonLiam HemsworthKatniss Everdeen is in District 13 after she shatters the games forever. Under the leadership of President Coin and the advice of her trusted friends, Katniss spreads her wings as she fights to save Peeta and a nation moved by her courage.Not since "Empire Strikes Back" has a movie ending on a cliffhanger made audiences so eager for the next installment as last year's "Catching Fire". Splitting the final installment of Suzanne Collins' series into two books may seem like a money grab, but given how much was crammed into CF, I think they could stand to give M1's plot a little breathing room.
- DirectorPeter JacksonStarsIan McKellenMartin FreemanRichard ArmitageBilbo and company are forced to engage in a war against an array of combatants and keep the Lonely Mountain from falling into the hands of a rising darkness.Is there anything to say, at this point? After seeing Smaug on the big screen, I'm practically thirsting for more. The lure of the Battle of Five Armies is almost as irresistible. This will be quite the cap to a long and, hopefully, satisfying movie franchise.
- DirectorRob MarshallStarsAnna KendrickMeryl StreepChris PineA witch tasks a childless baker and his wife with procuring magical items from classic fairy tales to reverse the curse put on their family tree.The latest musical to head for the screen sees a number of fairy tale characters meeting in "Once Upon a Time" fashion. My biggest concern so far is Johnny Depp was cast as the Big Bad Wolf, a very big star for what was a very minor role in the stage production. This suggests big changes to the narrative, at least. Hopefully, the more we learn, the more everyone's concerns will be allayed.