A Star Is Born and 19 Other Films To Look Forward To Before 2018 Is Through

Currently, the MHT Top of 2018 list is 92 films deep and should see at least 50 movies added to it before we turn the page to 2019. (Which usually happens in mid-January because (a) January movies typically suck and (b) some “2018” films don’t get a wide release until January.) As typical, the Labor Day weekend is one of the weakest release weeks of the year with the widest release belonging to something called Kin about a kid who finds a space gun. Considering last year the widest release was Tulip Fever ($1.4 million opening on roughly 700 screens) and 2016 featured The Light Between Oceans, the only question really is where the heck is Alicia Vikander? (Note: Her next film, The Earthquake Bird, isn’t expected until 2019.) Since we’ve hit a lull and the only movie left for me to review of films I’ve seen is Black Panther and I want to see it again before I review it, here’s the 5 movies from each month MHT is looking forward to seeing:

SEPTEMBER

5. The Predator (September 14th)

Genetically upgraded Predators, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang director Shane Black and awesome kid actor Jacob Tremblay are enough to overlook yet another unnecessary reboot/remake/sequel. 

4. Life Itself (September 21st)

An ensemble cast, multiple storylines and two actresses named Olivia whose last names pointlessly add an “e” (Wilde and Cooke) PLUS Antonio Banderas in a serious role? I’ll bite.

3. Assassination Nation (September 21st)

If A24 went away tomorrow, Neon would be the studio that would make me see a film sight unseen. The cool standee at my local Regal is enough to have me wondering what the heck this one is all about. 

2. Fahrenheit 11/9 (September 21st)

Michael Moore is back to skewer Donald Trump. Okay.

1. White Boy Rick (September 14th)

The film most likely to make noise during Awards season features Richie Merritt as Ricky Wershe Jr. who (as Wikipedia says) was a street hustler, FBI informant and drug kingpin — all before he turned 16. Matthew McConaughey (who I’ll watch in anything) plays his dad.

OCTOBER

5. Serenity (October 19th)

See previous note about Matthew McConaughey.

4. Venom (October 5th)

My favorite comic book character has already been ruined once but at least this time when they butcher it, he’ll be the star. Plus, there’s Tom Hardy. How bad could it be? (Don’t answer that!)

3. First Man (October 12th)

You’re hoping for Ryan Gosling as Neil Armstrong and Emma Stone* as the Man in the Moon sharing a dance when he finally makes one small step for man and one giant leap for mankind, aren’t you? I am. I mean why else would Damien Chazelle direct?
*Emma Stone is not in the film.

2. Bad Time at the El Royale (October 12th)

Writer/director Drew Goodard is talented and the cast (Jeff Bridges, Dakota Johnson, Jon Hamm, Cynthia Erivo, Cailee Spaeny, Lewis Pullman and Chris Hemsworth) sounds interesting. The trailer has a glimmer of hope mixed with a hint of disaster that just makes this watch that much more intriguing. Plus, an appearance by Russell Crowe? Let’s go!

1. A Star Is Born (October 5th)

The most serious threat to current #1 Sorry to Bother You is this movie right here. Every time Lady Gaga begins to sing in the trailer for the Bradley Cooper directed (and also starring) remake that’s always been a hit, I get the feels. Please let Dave Chappelle have a significant enough role to get Oscar consideration. PLEASE!!!

NOVEMBER

5. Widows (November 16th)

The director of 12 Years A Slave, the writer of Gone Girl (the novel), a quartet of bad-ass chicks headed by Viola Davis and the Liam Neesons? Even Colin Firth can’t ruin this one.

4. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (November 16th)

Admittedly, I fell asleep during the first non-Harry Potter trip to the Wizarding World. I guess I’m just curious if this one casts somnium on me, too.

3. Ralph Breaks the Internet (November 21st)

Wreck It Ralph was a lot of fun. So, why not?

2. Creed II (November 21st)

Michael B. Jordan was great as Creed and has been excellent in almost everything he’s done, actually. Plus, I’m a huge Rocky fanboy. I even like the one that had Tommy Morrison in it. There’s also Sylvester Stallone picking up the pen again for the sequel.

1. Bohemian Rhapsody (November 2nd)

Rami Malek will get nominated for Best Actor based on this performance. Book it!

DECEMBER

5. Aquaman (December 21st)

This could be a disaster. Heck, I’m expecting it to be. If they get the Internet fixed after Ralph breaks it, Aquaman may put it back on the shelf.

4. Holmes and Watson (December 21st)

Guilty pleasure, thy names are Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly… if it happens. (It’s almost September, there’s still no trailer and they’ve punted twice on the release date.)

3. Mary Queen of Scots (December 7th)

Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie look fierce as Mary and Elizabeth. 

2. Under the Silver Lake (December 7th)

A24’s most promising release of the rest of the year looks quirky (and I’m not just talking about Andrew Garfield) and is from the writer and director of It Follows. Good news for those who were scared as hell by It Follows, it doesn’t appear to be a horror movie. Bad news is I can’t say that with 100% certainty.

1. On the Basis of Sex (December 25th)

The last time we saw Felicity Jones on Christmas, she was dying trying to save the plans to blow up the Death Star for the Rebels. This Christmas, she’ll have a slightly more iconic role as Ruth Bader Ginsberg before ascending to the Supreme Court as a young lawyer fighting for women’s rights. Pencil her name in for a Best Actress nomination, too.

Did I miss anything? Add in the comments below!