This is generally the kind of post I do in November, but I felt like taking an early look. What I found was a list of mostly remakes and sequels. It's really kind of sad. This list will likely change before the end of the year, but for now, here's what we've got.
- Spider-Man: Homecoming - Potentially the first good Spider-Man movie. Okay - the second Toby McGuire was was okay, but this is likely to be a lot better. Apparently, the film will be drawing inspiration from the films of John Hughes. They're apparently casting Michale Keaton as one of Spider-Man's rogues who hasn't previously appeared in a film. Who could it be? The Vulture? Mysterio? Kraven the Hunter?
- Star Wars, Episode VIII - If they're mirroring the original trilogy, this one is their Empire. It needs to be good. I'm hopeful.
- Guardians of the Galaxy 2 - I know I just got finished complaining about sequels, but I'm completely down for more Drax. And Star Lord too.
- Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets - I know pretty much nothing about this film. It could be another Jupiter Rising, or it might be good.
- Ghost in the Shell - With Scarlett Johannson. It's not the Akira film everyone's been waiting for, but it might be worth watching.
- Untitled Blade Runner Sequel - Seriously? Wow. Okay - I'll try.
- God Particle - A J.J. Abrams film. Looks interesting. Astronauts conduct an experiment and then the Earth disappears.
- The Dark Tower - I never read the books, but I know a lot of people who love them.
- Alien: Covenant - Prometheus was kind of a train wreck, I know. Is it bad that I'm hoping this one is better?
- Uncharted - Based on the game. I'm not expecting much.
- Wonder Woman - It's a DC film. Not even sure I'll rent it.
- Justice League - Ditto - it's DC's Avengers. Meh.
- Untitled Wolverine Movie - I rented Wolverine 17, or whatever the last one was. It wasn't great.
So that's a list of what to me are the notable films, both apparently good and expectedly bad. But there are also a ton of reboots and sequels. Apparently someone noticed that people were making money from remakes of 80s films. Check this out.
- Jumanji - Apparently, "Internet reception to this announcement was negative, with some (internet forum) posters remarking that this announcement came too soon after the death of Williams." - personally, I think the
film franchise can survive without Robin Williams, I'm just not sure the story needs to be retold.
- The Six Billion Dollar Man - Played by Hugh Jackman. In itself, not notable. What is notable? Apparently, it's a musical.
- It - The Steven King book. Not sure anyone can do as good a job as Tim Curry did with Pennywise.
- Flatliners - Aside from the 80s-ness of it, I never really loved the original.
- Friday the 13th - Again?
- CHIPs - It can only ever be good if they go the route they did with the Starsky & Hutch comedy remake.
- Baywatch - Seriously?
And then there are the remakes.
- World War Z 2
- Cars 3
- Kingsman: The Golden Circle
- Transformers: The Last Knight
- Despicable Me 3
- War for the Planet of the Apes
- Amityville: The Awakening
- Paddington 2
- The Croods 2
- Pitch Perfect 3
- Insidious: Chapter 4
- Underworld: Blood Wars
- xXx: The Return of Xander Cage
- Saw: Legacy
- Resident Evil: The Final Chapter
- T2: Trainspotting 2
- Fifty Shades Darker
- John Wick: Chapter 2
- Kong: Skull Island
- Smurfs: The Lost Village
- Fast 8
- The Nut Job 2
- Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Men Tell No Tales
- Bad Boys 3
- The Equalizer 2
Nearly all of these are completely unnecessary. I'd rather have original movies flop than have to live in a world where World War Z 2, Trainspotting 2 and another Transformers movie exist. The first World War Z movie stole the name of an amazing book and slapped it on an unrelated zombie film. It was almost as bad as another Transformers movie murdering my childhood.