TOP 10 FILMS OF 2017

 Hello there puny humans,
once again it is time to sit down and recap the year of 2017. It was really tough. There have been a lot of great movies this year and I had a hard time deciding which movies I wanted to keep in the list and which I could let go. Because I am basing this on German release dates, Oscar-winning movies like La La Land were still in the run but films like The Shape of Water weren't yet. Also I unfortunately missed the critically acclaimed Get Out. I thought about catching it on DVD before starting this article, but since creating this list was already hard enough, I decided not to.
My rating system is composed of cinematic craftsmanship, fulfillment of potential, rewatchability factor, entertainment value and how the film touched me emotionally aka. personal preference. Even though it's kind of a cop-out considering the title, I will also briefly touch on my honorable mentions (in no particular order) just because I believe that these film definitely need recognition:

MOONLIGHT: This was not only an incredibly important, but also an incredibly well made film. It is a tender exploration of race and sexual identity with outstanding performances by every one involved.

SPLIT: This claustrophobic thriller was a brilliant comeback for M. Night Shyamalan. With fantastic visual story-telling and a masterclass performance by McAvoy, this film could have easily made my top ten. It loses a few points however for associating Dissociative Identity Disorder with criminal behaviour.

STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII - THE LAST JEDI: My most anticipated film of the year doesn't quite make the cut. Why? Well, I certainly thought the highs in The Last Jedi were incredibly high, but as of now, I'm still torn about some other elements. I think I need some time to completely make up my mind about this film.

WONDER WOMAN: Who doesn't love Gal Gadot? Men want to marry her and women want to be her. Heck, I also want to be her! This film was near to a perfect superhero origin story, with a sincerity and seriousness that I have been missing in some of the latest comic-book outing. It was only the CGI-heavy third act that kind of took it down a few spots.

MY LIFE AS A ZUCCHINI: One of the best kids movies I've ever seen. This film (of that I thought it was going to be a childish borefest) literally brought tears to my eyes. It tells tales of terrible fates in such an innocent way that it breaks your heart over and over again. Children won't get the darkness of this film, even though it is hidden in plain sight and so adults will have a very different viewing experience. Certainly worth your time.

And now, without further ado, let's dive into the Top 10:

10. "THE BIG SICK"
My number ten spot goes to the movie that was a breath of fresh air in the genre of romantic comedies. It is based on the actual life of main actor and screenwriter Kumail Nanjiani, and it really shows: The Big Sick is multilayered and absolutely genuine. The film is more than a love story as it also heavily features topics like the cultural barriers (including racism in both directions), recovering from setbacks and what it's like to try to build a career in show business. Kumail Nanjiani and Zoe Kazan have great chemistry and are two endlessly charming main characters. But also the supporting cast is on the top of their game with Ray Romano and Holly Hunter leading the way. This film is funny, sad, heart-warming and even gets you thinking a couple of times. Because when characters argue, you can usually understand where both sides are coming from and that they actually have a point. It just shows how great the writing is! The Academy Award nomination for Best Screenplay is well-deserved.

9. "SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING"
I have expressed my love for the webslinger multiple times in my articles. Naturally I was curious to see what this third cinematic incarnation of the character had to offer. I was not disappointed. It was a blast! I've always loved the first two Sam Raimi Spider-Man films from the early 2000s, because they tell such a classic and inspiring super-hero story. Spider-Man: Homecoming however, captures the feeling you get from reading a Spidey comic like no other film has. Tom Holland is perfectly cast and is able to play both, Peter Parker an Spider-Man, flawlessly. This film had everything you need in a film about the wallcrawler: action, humor and, most importantly, a lot of heart. Even though they took the character to high school for the third time, the movie managed to stay fresh. Director Jon Watts recreated the magic of a John Hughes film and the fantastic Michael Keaton gave us one of Marvel Studios' best villains. That subtle but creepy scene in the car was amazing. I didn't think a Spider-Man movie could still have that much juice in it. This was popcorn entertainment at its best.

8. "LION"
This February release tells the awe-inspiring true story is about a little boy, Saroo, who gets separated from his family in India as child. Shortly after, he is adopted and moves to Australia. But losing his family haunts him for all the years to come and so after 20 years he decides to find them despite having as little information as you possibly can. The first half of the film is set in India and features an incredibly heart-wrenching performance by the eight-year old Sunny Pawar. Having lived in India for four month, I have witnessed the cruel reality of street children with my own eyes and so I found this part of the film extremely engulfing. The second half of the film shows Saroo as a grown man. Among other things this part explores his struggle with cultural identity and what it feels like to look Indian, but not know a whole lot about that country. As someone who has a similar relationship with his heritage, I could completely empathize with the character. Needless to say, this film really resonated with me on a deeply personal level.

7. "DUNKIRK"
Unlike most other war movies, Christopher Nolan tells this story in an unconventionally impersonal way. This took a little bit of getting used to in the beginning, but once I accepted that, I was in for a unique cinematic ride. Nolan proved to me once again that he is one of the greatest directors working at the moment. Like a conductor of an orchestra he has an incredible oversight over every element of his project, manages to use each of those elements to its fullest potential and combine all of them in a way that creates a perfect harmony. Dunkirk was an amazing demonstration of his cinematic craftsmanship. The cinematography, the score, the sound-design, everything was working in unison to fully captivate the viewer. Additionally, the way the different stories were intertwined made sure that I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. My heart would bleed if I ever saw someone watch this movie on an airplane or on their phone. This film was made for the big screen!

6. "MOTHER!"

I'll be honest with you, watching mother! made me feel really uncomfortable. When the end credits of this film started rolling my initial thought was: "What the f**k did I just watch?". Back then I would have never thought about watching it again, let alone putting it in my Top 10. But the more I thought about this film the more I started loving it. In a way, this film represents the very essence of cinema itself. The images stick with you, its themes make you think and it starts a vivid conversation. And these things apply even if you didn't like the film. This really seems like it was a personal passion project for Aronofsky. I was put in awe by the unbridled and raw creative vision I was witnessing and it felt like had just stepped into Aronofsky's mind just when he was starting to have a wild feverish dream. But this movie is not great because of sheer shock value, it actually makes a hard-hitting commentary on humanity. Furthermore, this movie impresses with strong leading performances and a masterful direction. Disturbing? Yes! But also a fantastic piece of motion picture art.

5. "BABY DRIVER"

I praised the previous two films for their artistic value and highly competent direction. My number five spot - Baby Driver - can most definitely join the ranks of them, although tonally this is vastly different film. Once again Edgar Wright proves that just because a movie is full of fun and action, that doesn't mean it can't be an impressive display of creativity. The way that he utilizes the soundtrack is ingenious. Not only do the songs match the action, they are also an extension of our main character's emotions. Their tempo, their mood and their lyrics all serve as a door to Baby's inner life. And if that wasn't enough for you, Wright also plays with the color schemes, adds clever foreshadowing and pays homage to old-school Hollywood crime stories. In my initial review I called this film a meticulously crafted, brilliantly edited and perfectly cast music-video-motion-picture-hybrid. And half a year later I still agree 100%. But before I run out of positive words to use, I'll just say: Damn, what a ride!

4. "LA LA LAND"

This film was released over a year ago in mid-January and yet, I still find myself randomly going "Ba-ba-da-ba da-ba-da-ba-ba..." to the tune of Another Day of Sun in my head. Coming to Germany with a lot of momentum after breaking Golden Globes records, La la Land soon experienced some backlash, because audience thought to themselves: "Wait, this is what all the fuss is about? A romantic musical?" But to me, this movie was much more than that. Yes it's true that on the surface this looks like a typical boy-meets-girl story and it's not like Gosling and Stone's dancing and singing was unparalleled or something. But if you just dive a little bit deeper into this film you'll find something truly special. A love letter to the golden age of cinema, a perfect blend of escapism and realism, a deconstruction of postmodernism and over all, just fantastic film making. I had loads of fun with the charming performances, the catchy songs, the playful set-design, the elaborate lighting and the beautiful shots. After this and the fantastic movie Whiplash, I will watch anything that Damien Chazelle puts out next!

3. "IN THE FADE" / "AUS DEM NICHTS"

I am not too fond of German cinema. Not because of a lack of quality, but because of a lack of variety. There are very few real genre films in Germany (like fantasy epics, horror movies or science fiction films) and directors don't seem eager to use a distinct visual style in their film. Fatih Akin is different however. As a film maker he doesn't hide in the shadow of a good story. He elevates his stories through his directorial voice. In The Fade (original title: Aus dem Nichts) is his best work so far. This film captivated me from start to finish. I was amazed how many emotions Akin could solely through images and it reminded of Martin Scorsese's early work. But not only Akin was on the top of his game. Leading lady Diane Kruger was astonishing and I am still scratching my head over the fact that she didn't get an acting nomination at the Oscars. This whole film was an incredibly real portrayal of loss, grief, hopelessness and anger. Deeply personal and endlessly thrilling - I had my heart in my mouth for the entire last 20 minutes of the film.

2. "LOGAN"

After X-Men: Apocalypse came out in theaters, I was convinced that the X-Men franchise was dead. And now, here I am with its latest entry in my number two spot. No doubt, Hugh Jackman's Wolverine has always been the best part of these films, but even his first solo movie was terrible. But Logan blew me away. It was such a mature way to tell a superhero story, with a patient narrative style, well-rounded meaningful themes and more than a few moments of sincere vulnerability. And yet, there was still plenty of room for breathtaking and brutal action. In a time where I was sick of almost every blockbuster stuffing itself with self-aware comedy, this comic-book movie dared too take itself seriously. Extracting the characters from a generic superhero story-line and inserting them into a neo-western road movie was another great choice that made Logan so unique. This film looked and felt different, and I thought that was absolutely fantastic. On top of that, the film features Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart's best performance in the franchise, as well as newcomer Dafne Keen, a thirteen year-old actress that was able to match Jackman in emotional power and sheer badassery. Finally, Wolverine's last line in the film was one of the best character moments in comic-book movie history. And Logan is one of the best superhero films of all time!

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1. "BLADE RUNNER 2049"

Dennis Villeneuve is an exceptional talent! After impressing audiences and critics with Arrival, Sicario and Prisoners, he has now created his personal masterpiece. First of all, Blade Runner 2049 is simply a f**king gorgeous film! I want it in a picture frame on my living room wall. These beautiful wide shots combined with flawless visual effects, superb lighting and artistic coloring gave me (and excuse my language here) multiple eye-gasms. But wait, there’s more! Not only is Blade Runner 2049 visually stunning, but it is a perfect cerebral science-fiction thriller as well. Villeneuve respectfully built on the world that the first Blade Runner created. And by broadening its world he was also able to broaden the themes and so he poses multiple questions at the same time. As a sci-fi fan you can find shades of many different films of the genre here, such as Ghost In The Shell, Her, Inception and Ex Machina.

All of this contributed to the film completely sucking me in. Instead of a screening room, I had stepped into a time machine and was transported to the year 2049 in an alternate dimension. It was a completely immersive experience. No virtual reality needed! This is one of these extremely rare arthouse-blockbuster hybrids that has as much of an entertainment factor as it has artistic value. I would even dare to say that it is better than the original.

So that’s my „Top 10“ list for 2017. There were a ton of amazing films and it was hard to chose, but the longer I look at this list, the more happy I am with it. But what did you think? Do you agree or disagree? Are you one of the many people who skipped my number one choice when it was theaters? Did you wonder why Thor: Ragnarok didn’t make the cut? Feel free to comment below! And if you haven’t yet, be sure to check out the full reviews for my top 10 choices that you can find on this blog.

Sincerely,
Your Cinemartian

TOP 10 FILMS OF 2016

 Hello there puny humans,
2016 was an weird year. Politically, for me personally and even movie wise. There were so many highly anticipated blockbusters. Star Wars was back, Independence Day, Marvel Studios, DC, Star Trek, The X-Men and even Harry Potter. Some of these even with two new entries to their franchise. Quite a few of them were huge hits, others were destroyed by critics and audiences alike, and in between we even got indie flicks about blood drinking models or corpses with a thirst for adventure. And while, having a life and all that, I was not able to watch every single movie that came out this year (I've missed gems like Sing Street, The Lobster or the afore mentioned The Neon Demon), I think I've covered all the big ones and a few more. So much so, that for the first time, I acquired a "Most Disappointing Films of 2016"-list this year (coming soon). Further more, this list is based on German release dates, meaning that some films from late 2015 could still make it, while other more recent films couldn't. It was tough to put this list together, but for this year I decided to look at what movie personally stuck with me the most. But now without further ado, here are my 10 favorite films of 2016:

10. "DEADPOOL"
The number ten spot on my list was hard-fought, but in the end, the Merc with a Mouth came out on top (his healing factor might have something to do with that). I initially missed this film in theaters and only caught up on it recently on DVD. Till then, the movie had already been hyped up so much that it annoyed me, and I went into full "I read Deadpool Comics before he was mainstream"-huffy-Hipster-Mode. But exactly that statement is one of the reasons I ended up enjoying this film so much. Deadpool is a spot-on adaptation of the comic-book character. It's bloody, it's vulgar, it's childish and just a whole lot of fun. Additionally, it was refreshing to see a small-scale superhero film for once. To all who couldn't get enough of Wade Wilson, I recommend to read Deadpool: Dracula's Gauntlet and Deadpool/Spider-Man Vol. 1 - Isn't it bromantic.

9. "ZOOTOPIA"
I usually don't watch a lot of animated movies. Even though they entertain me well enough, they usually fail to make a big impression. Zootopia however was different. On the one hand, it took heavy inspiration from the classic film-noir. Its story-line played out less like a kids movies and more like the mystery crime dramas I love so dearly. With the addition of the comedic buddy cop element, the whole thing felt like a film that Shane Black would write if someone forced him to go PG. And there were pop-culture references galore. It was fantastic. On the other hand, the film very openly dealt with the topic of discrimination, which I feel quite strongly about. While some accused the movie of being unfocused on that regard, I think it just holistically depicted the complexity of the topic. My future children will have to watch this!

8. "NOCTURNAL ANIMALS"
When I first saw the trailer for this December release, I wasn't quite sure what to make of the film. I decided to skip this one for now, and catch it some time later. After a recommendation of a trusted friend however, I bought the ticket anyways, and I am so very glad that I did. Nocturnal Animals was a cunning thriller that was suspenseful through and through. It is a tale of love and revenge, two things we can all relate to, and it completely engages you. You can tell that writer-director Tom Ford is first and foremost a visual artist, as this is an incredible visually driven film. The way he weaves the two stories into each other is brilliant, and as the film progresses he even begins toying with the audience's expectations. With its recurring themes and images, the film is so carefully crafted that I felt I immediately had to watch it again to analyze it.

7. "THE NICE GUYS"
I mentioned earlier that I liked Zootopia because it felt a little bit like a Shane Black movie. Well, this one actually is a Shane Black movie. And a damn good one. The creator of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang has done it again. This film is a neo-noir buddy cop movie that is absolutely hilarious. Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling get to show off their great comedic chops, and as usual the dialogue, no, the whole film is written with a very special kind of humor. Wrapped inside of it, is a fun mystery that demands to be solved. Black has the gift to make his characters seem like everyday-people by letting them make mistakes and have their stupid moments. It is so beautifully random that it is almost impossible to foresee when a scene will be told straight or end in a goofy way. Therefore, it becomes incredibly unpredictable. The Nice Guys is one of those films where you quote your favorite scenes back and forth with your friends with whom you just left the theater. Absolutely Golden.

6. "ARRIVAL"
If the name Denis Villeneuve doesn't ring a bell by now, it should after this article! The french-canadian director has one hell of a resumé, with psychological thrillers like Prisoners, Enemy and Sicario under his belt. Arrival marks his first venture into sci-fi and shows that the guy can apperently do anything. The film is an incredibly intelligent science-fiction piece, that takes a more realistic approach than some others: The aliens do not land only in America (nor on its landmarks), they are not immediately aggressive and the first action of the government is not to draw weapons, but to find a way to comunicate with them. It is in a way a film about language and how it affects our way of thinking. Might sound boring to some, but I assure you it is the exact opposite. Villeneuve is a master of suspense and even catches you off guard with an unexpected plot twist. On top of that, the design and concept of the heptapods, their space-ships, and they're language is so imaginative that you want to explore it just as much as our main characters do. This film is smart. I love smart films.

5. "10 CLOVERFIELD LANE"

Kicking off the Top Five is a film that I knew I would enjoy, but didn't know I would enjoy this much. 10 Cloverfield Lane sucked me in from minute one and gave me an absolute thrill ride. In its core, the premise is simple: After a car accident, a young women finds herself in a locked shelter/bunker with two men who claim the outside world was contaminated by a chemical attack. But as you read this you are already asking yourselves some intriguing questions, that the film attempts to answer. Sure, there are a lot of claustrophobic thrillers where a person doesn't quite know what's going on, but this film stands out because of a few simple things. Firstly, there is John Goodman's performance as Howard, the man in charge. He proves once and for all that he is one of the best character actors working today. He creeps you out and simultaneously evokes empathy. Few actors can do that. Secondly, Mary Elizabeth Winstead's Michelle is not your typical helpless protagonist you often see in such films. On the contrary, she is smart and inventive and thinks of possible solution before the audience does, rather than afterwards. Lastly, the whole film refrains from jump scares or cheap tricks, and instead masterfully combines the actors, the plot, the camera work and the music to create an atmosphere with a huge tension. And then at the very end, the film goes wild and almost enters a new genre, but viewer's who actually read the title of the film will know what's going on.

4. "CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR"

So many big budget blockbusters came out this year, but only Captain America: Civil War managed to make this list. Why? Because it is just f**king entertaining. The Russo brothers completely nailed this film. They properly adapted the themes of the original comic book story-line (incidentally being one of my favorites) for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. They managed the difficult task of handling so many different iconic characters. They introduced a brand-new and spot-on Spider-Man. They crafted amazing action-pieces that just make you jump with joy. They even managed to put in a little plot twist in and create an unexpected third act. They were the perfect directing duo to make this film. My initial review had nothing but love for this film, and eight month later I still stand by every word. It is a dream-come-true for Marvel fans, and a nightmare for the Warner Bros.-executives in charge of the DC cinematic universe. I want to watch that airport scene again right now. Man, what a blast it was!

3. "CAPTAIN FANTASTIC"

Just above Captain America, on the third spot on my list, sits yet another Captain. But the film at hand is not about caped vigilantes or spandex wearing super-humans. It is in fact an independent comedy-drama about a man who is forced to travel to the "outside world" with his kids, who he has so far raised in the woods under intensive physical and intellectual education. This movie is as funny as it is thought-provoking, as charming as it is surprising. It has a message, something to say about our society, but it doesn't paint things black and white. While other indie-flicks are just all about a bunch of hipsters and/or misfits sticking it to "The Man", this film dares to question its protagonist. Its big themes are obviously parenting and the down-sides of modern society, but what gets overlooked by many viewers and reviewers is the beautifully realistic, respectful and subtle way the film portrays manic-depression and how such a mental disorder affects a whole family. This film is wonderfully sweet and endlessly charming. I've said it before in my review. This film is, indeed, fantastic.

2. "SWISS ARMY MAN"

Yes. That "farting corpse movie" you heard about is my second favorite film of 2016. It is almost frustrating to try to talk to people about how good this film is. Most people are already put-off when I explain the plot to them. "A guy walks around with a dead body and uses it as a multi-functional tool? That can't be a proper movie. That is just too damn weird!" Of course that is weird. But it is glamorously weird! Swiss Army Man is unlike anything you have ever seen before, and while original doesn't always mean good, this film will certainly surprise you if you give it a chance. It is a heartfelt story about friendship, love, loneliness, social etiquette and life itself. In all its oddness, it is a very sincere movie. Radcliffe and Dano have great chemistry and sell every single scene their in, no matter if it is emotional or outrageous. Further more the two directors, the Daniels, have a unique visual voice and their film is highly stylized. Coming from a music-video background, they are quite experienced in saying things through images rather than words. Speaking of music, the Soundtrack of this movie is something quite special as well. It is used as an additional canal to bring the thoughts and feelings of the characters across. I praised it in my initial review and gave it a Cinemartian Movie Award. So when you put it all together, Swiss Army Man is truly one of a kind. I really wish more people would have checked it out.

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1. "ROOM"

There was never any doubt! No movie was able to top the emotional response this film evoked in me when I watched it early this year. Having premiered as early as September 2015 in the US, this film deservingly took home an Academy Award for Best Actress at last years ceremony (and if you asked me, it could have gotten even a few more).
Its pre-Oscar buzz had intrigued me, and yet I had no idea what the move was about when I sat down and watched it. From then on, it made me curios, thrilled me, scared me, made me laugh, made me incredibly sad, and filled me with joy. It broke my heart and patched it up again all in the course of 118 Minutes. I was blown away. Completely. And after buying the DVD and having re-watched it multiple times, it still has that same effect. While the movie convinces on so many different levels, its greatest strength is that it feels very real and very honest. A brilliantly written, beautifully acted and perfectly executed roller coaster, this is the best film I've seen in 2016. As well as one of the best films I have seen, period.

There you have it. My Top Ten of 2016. As you might have noticed, not many big budget films made the cut and my Top Three solely consists of independent films. Maybe I am suffering from a little bit of blockbuster fatigue, or this was just an especially strong year for smaller films, who knows. But what do you think? Do you agree or disagree with my choices? Are you a hardcore Potterhead that now hates me for not including Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them? Or a Star Wars geek that would prefer Rogue One over any of these films?* Feel free to comment below and don't forget to spread the word by liking and sharing. And if you wonder what movies could end up on next year's list, you might want to check out my "Top 10 Most Anticipated Films of 2017".

Sincerely,
Your Cinemartian

*FYI: I did enjoy those two films quite a lot, just like Doctor Strange, but the competition was too strong this year.

TOP 10 ANTICIPATED FILMS OF 2017

 Hello there puny humans,
the year 2016 was a big cinematic year. Batman and Superman faced off on the big screen for the first time, the Harry Potter saga continued, and we got to fill-in the gap between the Star Wars Episodes III and IV. This year, however, will not be one bit less interesting, and looking back at how a lot of 2016's blockbusters turned out, 2017 might even be the better year for movie goers. It was hard to put together this list and I kept moving films up and down as I wrote it. Ultimately it came down to which movies I want to catch in theaters rather than later on DVD. Thus, before I get to my Top Ten of my most anticipated movies, I will give you spots 15 to 11 as quick honorable mentions:

15. MANCHESTER BY THE SEA: This drama staring Casey Affleck has already been released in the States. Affleck's nuanced performance and the genuineness of the film got a lot of praise. Looks like my kind of drama.

14. EDGE OF SEVENTEEN: This R-rated high-school comedy had an intriguing trailer and stars the likes of Woody Harrelson and the twenty year-old (already Oscar nominated), incredibly talented Hailee Steinfeld. Surely a good time!

13. GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL.2: The crew is back! And while the first trailer didn't completely blow me away, I still have a great enough memory of the first installment to get me excited for this one.

12. THOR: RAGNAROK: If Thor: The Dark World had been a better film and I wasn't suffering from a little superhero movie fatigue, this movie would be higher on my list. Especially because the involvement of Kiwi director Taika Waititi and the inclusion of The Hulk and Doctor Strange promise a fun action-packed ride.

11. LOGAN: This film moved from spot ten to spot seven on my list and then back down to eleven. I just couldn't make up my mind about it. The X-Men have often disappointed in the past, including their Wolverine solo movies, but oh boy, did that trailer look good!

10. KING ARTHUR

Some might be surprised that this film beat out the other five for a spot in the top ten. Yes, maybe I might be guilty of being a fanboy of director Guy Ritchie, but I simply love his trademark style and comedy. Against the opinions of all of my friends, I declared The Man from U.N.C.L.E. the best spy film of 2015, above Spectre, Mission: Impossible 5 and the cult-hit Kingsman. I don't know why, but somehow Ritchie always finds a way to charm me. When the trailer for King Arthur: Legend of the Sword dropped, you could see his fingerprints all over it. I was swayed!

9. GHOST IN THE SHELL
I still have reservations about this movie due to its casting. Firstly, I am not a big fan of Scarlett Johansson in action movies as I think dramas and smaller scale films suit her much better. Secondly, I am annoyed by the obvious whitewashing of this Asian character. I can't deny however that I really really want to see what the live action adaptation of the 1989 anime classic will look like. As a fan of the original, I am equally excited as I am nervous. It is an intellectual science fiction thriller that does not only offer great action sequences, but is also composed of many beautiful shots. This adaption could be great or it could suck. Either way, I will buy a ticket for this film. And so far, the first full trailer did look pretty cool.

8. WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES

When Dawn of the Planet of the Apes landed on my number eight spot of my favorite movies of 2014, I started by saying: "Apes on horsebacks with machine-guns! Is there anything more I need to tell you?" And that argument still stands. This franchise already delivered two very different but equally awesome films. And while War looks similar to Dawn, I can't wait to see how they are going to put the spectacle on yet another level. These movies have always been worth watching just for breaking new technological ground alone. But seeing Andy Serkis' character Caeser evolve with every film is also reason enough to get your butt into a movie theater. The master of motion capture is back, and I expect no less than yet another amazing performance. Watch the trailer here!

7. DUNKIRK
Christopher Nolan has never made a bad movie. Seriously, if your worst film is The Dark Knight Rises (a film that didn't only earn millions of dollars, but created a continuously quoted movie villain with Tom Hardy's Bane) you are doing pretty damn good. Yes, Nolan's body of work is damn impressive. Next to masterpieces like The Dark Knight, Inception and Memento, even his low-budget student film Following manages to stun you. While not everyone loved Interstellar, I actually did, and so the name of this director is all I need to hear to get me on board. Additionally, the topic of World War II is new territory for him, which makes it even more interesting to see what he will do with this material. I am sure he will put me in awe once more.

6. SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING
I have been reading Spider-Man comic books since I was ten years old, and he has been my favorite superhero ever since. But while the comics managed to keep that character interesting, the movies struggled after Sam Raimi's first two great incarnations. Spiderman 3 was a total disaster, and the franchise reboot staring Andrew Garfield as the wall-crawler didn't do the character justice either. When Marvel Studios finally struck a deal with Sony to re-reboot Spidey into their cinematic universe, I was hoping that they could get it right this time. Then Captain America: Civil War came along and Tom Holland's portrayal of the web-slinger even exceeded my expectations. For the first time I felt that they perfectly translated my biggest childhood hero onto the big screen. No surprise that I will most definitely stand in line to see this solo film!

5. BLADE RUNNER 2049
After Indiana Jones 4, A Good Day to Die Hard, the latest Terminator abomination and a long list of horrible late sequels, I was not particularly pleased with the fact that they were going to make a second Blade Runner film. The iconic movie that seems to have an endless amount of alternate cuts, was one of the last few sci-fi classics that stayed untouched. After getting caught up on director Denis Villeneuve's work however (including Enemy, Sicario and Arrival), I was confident that this continuation was in the best hands it could be. Villeneuve is a master of smart, dark suspense-films, which is exactly what Blade Runner is all about. Even though the first teaser didn't really show much at all, it sure demonstrated that he totally nailed the atmosphere this world needs. By now, I am totally hooked.

4. THE DARK TOWER

Little has been revealed about the movie adaptation of Stephen King's famous book series. I didn't even have an official poster to put here. Except for one short story, I haven't even read any of the books that take place in that universe. So why does this project end up so high on my list? Well, first of all, having no preexisting knowledge of something that seems to be an epic story is refreshingly intriguing. Stephen King is a master of creating worlds with a unique atmosphere and even that little short story already engaged me deeply. Second of all, I am a humongous fan of Idris Elba, who I feel is not as appreciated in Hollywood as he should be. Everyone who has seen the TV show Luther knows that Elba can combine vulnerability and strength in a character as if it was the easiest acting task. Giving him the long overdue leading role in a franchise and pitting him against an equally strong actor such as Matthew McConaughey will with certainty be a blast to watch.

3. JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2

When a buddy of mine and I went to the theaters on a nice February evening two years ago, we expected nothing more than to be mildly entertained by yet another action-heavy one-man-show. What we got however was John Wick, an exhilarating ride with amazingly choreographed fight scenes, great camera work and an unexpectedly fun world that was somehow one of a kind. Even though the substantial framework was familiar, the film felt incredibly new and fresh. I left the theater wanting more and this year my wish will come true. The trailer to John Wick: Chapter 2 (as the movie is simply but fittingly named) promises to bring us the same slick stylistic feel of the first movie, only with twice the action. This franchise knows exactly what it is and what it isn't, and therefore you can just sit back and enjoy a spectacular show. One of the few movies this year where I am 99.99% positive that I will absolutely love it.

2. KONG: SKULL ISLAND
Anyone who knows me long enough (or reads this blog) has at some point realized that I am a sucker for creature features. The Gremlins is my favorite Christmas movies, I will defend Pacific Rim until my dying day, I renamed my phone Godzilla and I wouldn't cut a single minute of Peter Jackson's three hour version of King Kong. This year, the first original movie monster gets a new interpretation with Warner Bros' Kong: Skull Island. Starring the brilliant actress Brie Larson, as well as the likes of Tom Hiddleston, John Goodman and Samuel L. Jackson, this movie lays the groundwork for an even bigger motion picture event: Godzilla vs. Kong scheduled to come out in 2020 (and referring to the very same Godzilla of the 2014 film). This set-up combined with everything I saw in the trailer makes me jump of joy. I got so excited just writing about this that I immediately moved the film up on this list from fourth place to the number two spot. My inner eight year-old just couldn't resist.

...

1. STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII

I had never been a Star Wars fanboy. Just a regular fan, who really enjoyed those six films (well, at leas three-and-a-half of them). Some of that probably had to do with the fact that I didn't watch the movies until I was a teenager and so never connected the films with any form of childhood nostalgia. I never played the video games, watched the Clone Wars series or read a tie-in novel. 

I had also never seen a Star Wars film in theaters. Until December 17th, 2015 one minute past midnight. As soon as John Williams' score boomed out of the sound system and I saw the opening crawl appear on the big screen, it was as if I finally wholly got it. The Force Awakens awoke my love for this franchise in a new way. Despite a few issues, the film left me wanting more. Wanting to find out the answers to the mysteries it put out there: Who are Rey's parents? Who is Supreme Leader Snoke? What was Luke doing that whole time? How will Kylo Ren strike back?

And while Rogue One didn't sweep me of my feet, it might have partially been due to the fact that I liked Episode VII so much that I was still preoccupied with that story-line. There is no way that I am going to miss the chance to get all the answers I want by standing in line for this movie! My ticket is basically already sold.

There you go. Those are my 15 picks for films to look forward to in 2017. The fact that I felt the need to expand my regular top ten list and still had to let a few movies go, should be a pretty good sign. Even if half of these films end up being disappointments, there are still enough movies to enjoy this year. But what are your picks? Which movie would you have liked to see higher up? Are there movies you are excited about that aren't even on this list? Feel free to comment below!

I wish you all a happy cinematic 2017,

Your Cinemartian

TOP 10 FILMS OF 2015

 Hello there puny humans,
yet another year has passed and it is time to look back at the incredible cinematic year that was 2015. As always, this top ten list is based on German release dates, which are slightly shifted from the initial dates. As a result, films like Taratino's The Hateful Eight and Inarritu's The Revenant weren't able to make it here, but films like Whiplash still could. Furthermore, it is important to note, that I am still a human being and it is not possible for me to watch every movie ever (especially in a year where I conducted my bachelor thesis, and planned a 4 month stay in India), so I've missed some little jems like Straight Outta Compton, Sicario and Creed. When putting together this list, I was suprised by myself that eventhough a lot of releases this year were big blockbusters of a franchise (Marvel, Star Wars, Hunger Games, Bond, Mission Impossible, etc.) most of the films on this list are not. It was not easy, but to me, a fresh and original idea can compensate minor flaws in execution. Ultimately it came down to the question of: "Which film would I watch again right now?". Now without further ado, I present to you my (maybe a little suprising) personal top ten films of 2015:

10. INSIDE OUT
Opening this list is Pixar's newest hit. While the animation studio has always produced great movies, Inside Out is something very special. Not only charming, funny, and cute, but also with a nice message that even some adults can still learn from, it is a wonderful family film. As a psychology student, I could also appreciate that some scientific theories were woven into the film (for example the headquater team resembling five of Ekman's six basic emotions). If the cleverness wasn't enough, the passionate voicework of the cast makes this film very sympathic as well. Joy is the role Amy Poehler was born to voice. Overall, this movie is a heartwarming, fun time and a film I will definitively watch with my future kids. 

9. KRAMPUS

Yes, this horror comedy beat out a couple of big blockbusters for me this year. Why? Because this film's got style. The creature design of Krampus alone makes this movie totally rewatchable. The film is bubbling over with cool new ideas and yet the use of practical effects over CGI gives this movie a nice old-school vibe. Throw in a great score by Douglas Pipes and I am sold. And then of course, I have a sweet spot for fun creature features a la Gremlins. Sure, there was room for improvment, but Krampus still felt incredibly fresh. It made me laugh AND gave me the chills. No jump scares needed. And technically it also has a nice message, that it just puts forward aggressively. Some people might not be able to get on board with the idea of an Anti-Santa, but I totally loved this film. And as I already said in my initial review: The ending felt perfect. 

8. THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.

Once more, Guy Ritchie reminded me why he is one of my favorite filmmakers. If you want witty dialogue, an ensemble cast, gangsters, crime and bad boys with guns, you either go to him or Tarantino. But while the latter will give you a haunted house version, Ritchie's is kind of a bouncy castle: Flashy, colorful, a little goofy, but over all tons of fun. The cast is not only beautiful but has great chemistry as well. Henry Cavill is more suave than he ever was and Armie Hammer makes clear that he is very much underrated. Together they have such entertaining and charming quips, that some critics interpreted it as a secret romantic relationship between the characters. But also Alicia Vikander (who has decided to make her Hollywood debut in not one, but three movies this year) manages to hold her own against these two using her naturally given combination of sexy and cute. Other than that, the film offers the typical stylistic direction, music and weird humor of Guy Ritchy, resulting in sequences that sometimes are a little bonkers. But in a good way. Despite strong competition, this was the slickest spy movie of the year to me.

7. EX MACHINA
Being mostly overlooked before its release, Ex Machina quickly gained a lot of praise by fans of the science-fiction genre. Rather focussing on characters and dialogue, this film is more of an intellectual thriller than a big action spectacle. The limitations in actors and settings give it a claustrophobic vibe and suck you right into the film. As such an (almost philosophical) take on artificial intelligence should, it poses a lot of questions about our own existence as well. Since its release last summer, I've re-watched it multiple times, because it is one of those movies you want to show to your friends so that you can talk with them about it. Additionally, it stars three of the best upcoming talents at the moment, who bring in the acting prowess to prove it. Domnhall Gleeson nails the role of the every-day guy the audience can relate to, and while Alicia Vikanda's graceful depiction of the robot Ava is superb, it is Oscar Isaacs endlessly charismatic performance of the douchy, alcoholic genius, Nathan, that totally steals the show. Most definitely worth your time. 

6. JOHN WICK
„People keep asking me if I'm back. Yeah, I'm thinking I'm back!“ Hardly ever has Keanu Reeves spoken truer words. After a long break from acting and only two mediocre films, he redeemed himself with a bang. Or rather multiple bangs, because John Wick is a gun-wielding menace with no intention of saving ammunition. Admittedly, there have been more than plenty tales of a one-man army driven by revenge, but John Wick gives this concept two little twists that make it stand out. On the one hand, he is neither avenging his wife nor his daughter, but a cute little puppy called "Daisy", which might be a first in the action genre. On the other hand, this movie builds a hilariously strange underground world where being a hitman seems to be the most casual thing ever. All of that is topped with a perfect match of excellent stunt- and camera work. Needless to say, John Wick is one hell of a ride! Click here to read my full review. 

5. AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON

Putting the top five in an order was a really tough task, and I didn't expect that the number one spot of my most anticipated films of 2015 only got fifth place. But don't be fooled, I was completely ecstatic after leaving the theatre! Avengers: Age of Ultron perfectly captures what it is like to read a Marvel comic: All your favourite heroes (and more) coming together, big huge action pieces, tons of quips, grand visual effects and camera work that strongly resembles the panels of a comic-book. This film is like an unstoppable juggernaut that at the same time manages the balancing act of standing on its own and setting up multiple sequels. Yes it moves fast, maybe too fast for some, and there is a lot going on, but as a Marvel fanboy I enjoyed the heck out of it. This film is stuffed with "Hell yeah!" moments and the 'Hulk vs Hulkbuster' fight alone had me cheering in excitement. My inner 8 year-old has hardly ever been so satisfied.
 
4. WHIPLASH

Who knew a film about jazz music could be this haunting? Whiplash is an absolutely fantastic film that brilliantly depicts the interesting relationship between a student and his mentor. Both characters are pretty messed up on their own, but it is their interaction that constantly puts you on the edge of your seat. Outstanding performances, absolutely quotable dialogue and then of course the way music is woven into all this. The ambiguos ending still comes to my mind sometimes and it is a film that thrilled me through and through. To me the final jazz concert of this film had higher stakes than Matt Damon's rescue in this year's The Martian. My review had nothing but praise for the film, and months later I still stand by that statement: Whiplash is intense from start to finish!

3. STAR WARS - EPISODE VII: THE FORCE AWAKENS

The force is not only awake, it went out for an early morning run. Yes, Star Wars is back! How great is that? As the release date came closer, the whole planet seemed to get more and more pumped. When I sat in the theatre for the midnight premiere and the opening crawl appeared, I already said to myself "Holy shit, this is awesome, I am watching a new Star Wars movie!", and then the rest on the film didn't allow me to calm down either. The Force Awakens is a fantastic new entry for this absolute popculture phenomenon. While the film is very reminissent of the original trilogy, there are enough of new elements to the saga to get me incredibly excited for what's coming next. The new characters are anything but uninteresting, and Daisy Ridley, John Boyga, Adam Driver and (once again) Oscar Isaac give splendid performances. Even Harrison Ford seemed to be enjoying himself. Episode VII had everything I wanted from a new Star Wars movie: Action, nostalgia, mystery, lightsaber duels, space battles, a little philosophy and a constant sense of wonder. The legend continues, and easily takes my number three spot.

2. MAD MAX: FURY ROAD

While some spots on this list were changed around during the writing process, my top two choices were undisputed. Landing on second place for my favorite movies of last year, is a film that completely took me by storm. Mad Max: Fury Road is exactly what the title suggests: A crazy, furious ride. So much so, that it let's the other well-known car driven franchise with a 'furious' title look like an elementary school play. Basically the whole movie is one giant car chase that hardly gives you any time to take a breath. George Miller has unleashed all his creativity it seems, resulting in a bizarre and wicked world that is unparalleled. It gives us wonderfully strange characters, and eventhough the title reads 'Mad Max', Charlize Theron's Furiosa is the secret star of the film. Furthermore, the stuntwork in this movie is out of this world. You won't believe it, but everything that seems like it could have been done with practical effects, was done so. It looks real, because it is real. Every single frame of this movie could be sold as painting. It is a visual masterpiece. A true action extravaganza through and through. I can say nothing more than: "Oh, what a film! What a lovely film!"

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1. BIRDMAN 
OR (THE UNEXPECTED VIRTUE OF IGNORANCE)

"People, they love blood. They love action. Not this talky, depressing, philosophical bullshit."
Alejandro G. Iñárritu's Birdman gets, without a doubt, the number one spot on this list. I fell in love with this movie on an artistic as well as on a personal level. It is so multilayered that I had the feeling no review (including my own) really captured what the film was like. On the one hand, it is a film about showbusiness itself. Cheeky but respectfully addressing the merits and flaws of big action blockbusters as well as intellectual, "sophisticated" art, it concedes both of them to a right to exist. On the other hand it is also a story about people, about their hopes, dreams, fears, disappointments, and views of where they belong in this world, but more importantly about the fact that everyone of us, no matter how we appear on the outside, has his own hidden baggage to carry around. I personally saw a lot of myself in Riggan Thomson and found my own thoughts in his dialogue including a little nagging Birdman on my shoulder. Additionally, the movie resonated with me emotionally, because of its theater/backstage setting. As someone who has acted in plays as well (though on a much tinier scale), I could totally dig the atmosphere connected to such a place and event. Of course I would be a fool not to mention the artistic value of the film. The actors are on the top of their game across-the-board, and the impressive choice to compress the whole movie (including multiple time jumps) into one single take does not only showcase Emmanuel Lubezki's camera skills, but also makes the viewer an additional character in the film. With tons of great sequences, that leave room for interpretation, a few seemingly supernatural elements thrown in and an ending that gets discussions going, you can find new things in Birdman with every view. To me, it is not only my favorite film of 2015, but also one of my favourite films of all time.

So these are my Top 10 films of 2015. Do you agree? Disagree? Are you wondering why I didn't put The Martian on here? (an extra article on that might come in the future). Feel free to share your opinion by commenting below. Other than that I just hope you are excited for 2016, because just as last year, there are a bunch of big and interesting films to come out: Captain America: Civil War, Batman V. Superman, Star Wars: Rogue One, Deadpool, Fantastic Beasts, The Nice Guys and many more... Let's see which movies make it on next year's list!

Sincerely,

Your Cinemartian

TOP 3 FILMS FOR HALLOWEEN ...from a Horrorfilm-Sceptic

 Hello there puny humans,
if you have followed this blog you might have noticed that I haven't really reviewed any horror films. If you know me personally you might even know that I am not really a fan of the genre. Not only do I think that most horror films often have sloppy scripts and fall back to cheap tricks rather than good filmmaking, but I am also a person who doesn't really get scared. Basements, darkness, ghost stories or being alone at home have never frightened me all that much, even as a kid. Thus, the selling point of horror films has basically always been lost on me from the get-go.* But I guess you have kind of an obligation to do something like a Halloween special as a film reviewer, so I decided to come up with three of my favourite scary movies you can watch tonight (in no particulare order):

1. TRIANGLE
Released in 2009, this australien-british horror film is unknown to many people, eventhough it really shouldn't be. Starting off very cliché'd, you think this will be a cookie cutter horror flick, but after about half an hour it catches you off guard and you start asking yourself what's actually going on. It is one of those films you should watch without really knowing much about it, because there are a few possible spoilers. So if you decide to watch this flick I recommend not watching any trailers. Unfortunately that also leaves me in the position of not being able to tell you much more. But what I can tell you is that Triangle is a mystery psycho-thriller disguised as a cheap horror flick, and more complex than most of the scary movies you'll watch this weekend. It has a high rewatchability factor, because you will notice new things even the third time you're watching it. There are quite a few parts where it gets bloody, but they are mostly in the first half of the film. It got 4 out of 5 stars from Empire Magazine, holds 82% at Rotten Tomatoes and it certainly gets my approval.

2. THE CABIN IN THE WOODS

Screenwriters Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard got together on a weekend with the intention to write a film about everything they love and everthing they hate about horror films. The result is this unique horror comedy (?) that turned the rules of the genre on their own heads. Once again this is a film you should know as little as possible about (I know, I'm horrible), so that you can allow it to surprise you. Just know, that you will be surprised, because if you eagerly expect a very classic teens-go-to-the-woods-and-get-murdered story you might be startled at what you are actually getting. House of Cards' Kristen Connoly and Thor himself, Chris Hemsworth, star in the film, but the real show-stealer is highly underappreciated actor and Joss Whedon regulare Fran Kranz. Once you've seen his performance as the constantly stoned character of Marty, you'll wonder why he doesn't get cast more often. Another thing cinema fans might enjoy is that the film isn't only an homage to horror films, but to the making of movies as well. There is literally tons of blood during the showdown, but the clever and over-the-top script manages to mitigate these images quite a bit. The Cabin in the Woods was definitely one of my favorite films of 2012.

3. PAN'S LABYRINTH

My last recommendation is far less trashy than your standard Halloween movie. On the contrary: Guillermo del Toro's dark fairy tale Pan's Labyrinth is a critically acclaimed masterpiece, and the best proof that thorough, classic filmmaking is usually much more terrifying than simply going for the fast and easy shock value. The reason this film is so great is that it perfectly matches a fantastical world full of creatures and wonder, with a real-life story set during true historic events. This brilliant concept allows the film to send shivers down your spine on multiple levels. The children-eating "Pale Man" (see poster) is creepy enough on his own, and yet the truely terrifying monster is Captain Vidal. A human being with nothing supernatural to him. The film makes reality the most sinister thing and so hardly ever does horror feel more legit than here. I left the movie more haunted than after any ghost, possession or slasher film, but still enchanted by its magic. It is an elaborate piece of cinema with a lot of love for detail. A great story completed with beautiful visuals and del Toros best work yet. A film for the ages.

There you go. These are my personal picks for Halloween. Do you agree or disagree? What are your favorite horror films? Feel free to comment below and share your opinion. I've already been told that The Babadook would have made this list if I had already seen it. So I guess that is another movie watching experience I've got to look forward to. Enjoy your Halloween and have a spooky night!

Sincerely,
Your Cinemartian

*Don't get me wrong. I am not fearless. I am extremely afraid of heights and terrified by the concept of death itself, but these fears are usually discussed in other genres like dramas or thrillers.

TOP 10 ANTICIPATED FILMS OF 2015

 Hello there puny humans,
although 2014 was an amazing year for movie geeks, it is pretty likely that in 2015 your head will explode, due to all the awesomeness coming our way. We have a mind-blowing set of blockbusters that'll be released and with this list I want to tell you what films to look out for. It was incredibly tough, and so firstly, I have two honorable mentions to make: James Bond 007 - Spectre and Ant-Man. Both films are probably going to be great, the first one coming hot of Skyfall and the second one being yet another Marvel Studios movie. I was truly surprised they didn't make the cut, but apparently there are ten films I am more excited for this year:

10. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 5

Tom Cruise is a controversial guy, but when it comes to making movies he has never made a film that you could truly consider "bad". Mission:Impossible - Ghost Protocol was tons of fun and showed me how much I love the franchise. While the Bond movies had to distance themselves from the funny gadgets to be able to be taken serious again, the M:I films have always managed to keep their "creative" technology in the mix without going full on silly. With the writer of Edge of Tomorrow and The Usual Suspects in the director's chair, I have very high hopes for this new installment.

9. THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART 2
In my review of Mockingjay Part 1 I basically said that the film was a little underwhelming, nonetheless, that is also pretty much the reason why I am very excited for Part 2. Having read the books, I know that all the action they held back in the first half of this finale will be filling the time of the resultingly much more epic second film. So far, I really liked the series as a whole and I am looking forward to its big conclusion. All the people who missed the games in the last movie will be served the deadliest game of the franchise yet: the revolutionary war! 

8. THE HATEFUL EIGHT

Quentin Tarantino with another revenge themed western? Well, count me in! Landing (very fittingly) on my number eight spot is the project that almost hadn't been made. After an early draft of the script was leaked, a slightly pissed-off Tarantino declared it would now never be put into film. Maybe someone convinced him or the script was just too good to resist, but the film starring the likes of Samuel L. Jackson and Channing Tatum will be coming to the big screen after all. The title and poster are already bad-ass, and I trust Tarantino to entertain me once more with this flick!

 7. EX MACHINA

 I was already working on this list, when suddenly this film came to my mind. While it hasn't gotten a lot of media attention, I was super pumped for it after rewatching its trailer. Written and directed by the guy who conceived the screenplays of films like the fan favourites 28 Days Later and Dredd, as well as one of my favourite sci-fi films, Sunshine, I am pretty sure it'll amaze me. Oscar Isaac, Domnhall Gleeson (both of which are also staring in Star Wars Episode VII) and Alicia Vikander in the role of an artificial intelligence are basically the only people in the cast. As a fan of that sort of story telling and the sci-fi genre in general, this film simply had to make the list.

6. WHIPLASH

This movie wasn't really on my radar until it came out in the U.S. in early October. Critics of all kinds praised this film for its intensity and the performances of its actors Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons. I already got what they were talking about just by looking at the trailer: Although fictional, this story of a talented young drummer who is tormented by his mentor who wants to "realize his full potential" feels extremely real. Now landing in tons of Top 10 lists of 2014, I just couldn't keep it out of mine, and I really can't wait untill its finally released over here. 

5. BIRDMAN

Just like Whiplash, this film has already been released in the States and gained nothing but positive reviews since then. Starring Michael Keaton (who was literally a childhood hero to me in the form of Batman) in a self-ironic role, and edited in a way that it looks like it is one single shot, this film roused my interest both artisticly and in regard of its content. If you can believe the hype, it is a movie full of great performances, fascinating imagery and almost philosophical themes. Award winning and definetly worth being in my top five. I have been so very excited ever since its first trailer.

4. STAR WARS EPISODE VII: THE FORCE AWAKENS

Alright, alright, keep calm and put down your torches and pitchforks. Yes, Star Wars Episode VII "only" gets the number four spot, but don't think that I am not super excited for it! I'm just a little cautious, because I feel like it is not a guaranteed hit, but trust me, I will be more than happy if it is. With the rights with Disney and J. J. Abrahams at the helm, I have to admit there is a good chance we will get an amazing new entry for the world-wide pop culture phenomenon that is Star Wars. New lightsabers, epic space battles and characters to get to know. Sounds awesome. I will not fail to watch this on the big screen! 

3. JURASSIC WORLD

It seems like dinosaurs haven't found their way into film and television since the 90's, but are they able to make a comeback? I'm certain they are, and that the film to give them their well deserved return to glory will be Jurassic World. As a kid, the original Jurassic Park film was one of the first times that I experienced real movie magic. Years later, the first footage of this new film mixed that nostalgia with my love for monster movies. To me, it had the perfect balance of old and new elements, and its tagline "The park is open" gave me goosebumps. With Chris Pratt as the lead, whom I've enjoyed watching even prior to his recent success, I am eagerly anticipating this films release.

2. MAD MAX: FURY ROAD

 I didn't have this film on my radar at all until its trailer dropped at the end of the year. And what a trailer it was! A fascinating color palette, amazing costume design, astonishing action sequences and breath-taking visuals accompanied by music of Giuseppe Verdi. Mad Max: Fury Road seems like the perfect combination of art and entertainment. George Miller, who directed the original trilogy staring Mel Gibson (which I had never watched, but now it is at the top of my to-do-list) is back, with talents like Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron and Nicholas Hoult among the cast. I was totally taken by storm, and so I have an extremely good feeling about this one!

...

1. AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is my personal Holy Grail of Blockbusters and I have watched and loved every single thing they put out there so far, including short-films and television shows. Sure, I enjoyed some more than others, but I'm still a total fanboy, and so the second film in which all of these superheroes team up is my most anticipated one of 2015! I've been wishing to see this movie ever since the end credits of 2012's The Avengers started roling, and I have watched its first official trailer a gazillion times by now. Bringing back our favourite heroes and introducing some new ones, plus a bad-ass villain and Iron Man's famous "Hulkbuster" armor, this movie is going to be a blast for sure! I wouldn't miss it for the world!

So these are the ten films you should definitively look out for this year! It is a great time for cinema, and aside from my top pics presented here, I am sure there are many other good movies coming out as well. Hopefully, I could pass my excitement on to you, and now all that's left for me to say is: Enjoy a ridiculously entertaining 2015!

Your Cinemartian