A Reel Preview: The Year in Film 2017 - Episode I

The bad news about the first month of the year is that it is traditionally the place where unwanted movies are released; a Movie Siberia where films deemed not good enough for the summer months and no-way-in-hell-good-enough for Oscar Season go to quietly die. But the good news is there are a few notable late 2016 awards-hopefuls which move from limited to wide release in the first couple weeks of January. Here is a preview for the leftovers and the first batch of new films for 2017.

The leftovers:

LIVE BY NIGHT – The last time Ben Affleck was behind the camera, he won Best Picture for ARGO. This time he brings us a 1920’s gangster flick based on the novel of the same name. Co-starring is Elle Fanning, Brendan Gleeson, Sienna Miller, Zoe Saldana, Chris Cooper, and Scott Eastwood (son of Clint).

SILENCE – Legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese is back…this time with a film that he’s been trying to make for decades. Andrew Garfield (HACKSAW RIDGE) and Adam Driver (THE FORCE AWAKENS), play 17^th century priests who travel to Japan to rescue their mentor, played by Liam Neeson.

THE FOUNDER – Michael Keaton seems to be determined to get an Oscar; appearing in an awards-hopeful for the third year in a row…this time playing Ray Kroc, the founder of McDonald’s. It is directed by John Lee Hancock (THE BLIND SIDE).

A MONSTER CALLS – Based on the novel of the same name, this fantasy drama has a young boy befriending a tree-like monster. Stars Sigourney Weaver and Emily Blunt. Liam Neeson provides the voice of the monster. Acclaimed director JA Bayona (A MONSTER CALLS) directs.

HIDDEN FIGURES – The story of Katherine Johnson, the African American mathematician who calculated the flight trajectories for the Mercury and Apollo space programs. Co-stars Octavia Spencer, Kevin Costner, and Kirsten Dunst. It is directed by Theodore Melfi (ST. VINCENT).

...And the new films:

UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS – This fifth (!) entry in the franchise of warring vampires and werewolves has Kate Beckinsale returning to the role.

MONSTER TRUCKS – Lucas Till (X-MEN: FIRST CLASS), plays a high school student who befriends a strange subterranean creature who has a knack for powering trucks. Co-stars Jane Levy, Rob Lowe, Danny Glover, and Barry Pepper.

XXX: RETURN OF XANDER CAGE – Vin Diesel returns to the extreme-sports turned international spy character in this third film of the franchise. Co-stars Donnie Yen, Toni Collette, and Samuel L. Jackson.

SPLIT – M. Night Shyamalan (THE SIXTH SENSE, SIGNS, UNBREAKABLE) is back with a horror-thriller in which James McAvoy (X-MEN: FIRST CLASS) plays a kidnapper with 24 different alternate personalities.

RESIDENT EVIL: THE FINAL CHAPTER – In what seems like the 865^th film in this franchise, Milla Jovovich returns to the role in humanity’s final battle against the hordes (promises, promises). Shitty director Paul WS Anderson is back to direct.

I AM MICHAEL -  In this true story, James Franco plays a gay activist who renounces homosexuality and becomes a Christian pastor. Co-stars Zachary Quinto (STAR TREK), and Emma Roberts.

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Next month, Reel Speak previews the month of February.