By Fresh Fiction Staff
Movies breathe life into us here at Fresh Fiction. Between our staff we see hundreds of films – some great, some bad, and most are just mediocre. However, whether it is a masked superhero, stories of marginalized groups, a slapstick comedy, or even an adorable bear spreading joy throughout the world, we find ourselves constantly excited for something.
2019 will be no different.
Our staff took time from the holiday break to bring a mix of blockbusters and indies that will be hitting the big-screen this year. So, bookmark this article so you can keep up
GLASS
Jan. 18
Everyone’s eyebrows raised at the end of SPLIT, revealing that it is in the same world as UNBREAKABLE. M. Night Shyamalan’s world of superheroes and villains fires on all cylinders, with Bruce Willis’ David and Samuel L. Jackson’s Elijah Glass locked in a psychiatric ward, with James McAvoy’s Kevin (+23 other personalities, including the Beast) front and center. Best not to look too much into this one as there will surely be twists and turns.
– Jared McMillan
CAPTAIN MARVEL
Mar. 8
It feels like we’ve all been waiting decades for a female-fronted stand-alone feature from Marvel. And thank goodness that after all the badgering and brick-laying many fans and journalists have done, we’re finally getting one. Not only does this look like a win, hooking effortlessly into the MCU phases that have been so carefully constructed, it also figures to be as big for female empowerment as WONDER WOMAN was. The jolt her two-minute trailer delivered was undeniable. I can only imagine the electricity her two-hour movie will conduct.
– Courtney Howard
THE MUSTANG
Mar. 15
You always have me at hello with any film starring Matthias Schoenaerts (sho nuff!), but especially with this indie from Laure Clermont-Tonnerre. Her short film, RABBIT, is incredibly moving and layered so I can only imagine her feature length debut will be too. Two of the best movies of last year had male protagonists and horses (THE RIDER and LEAN ON PETE). My soul is ready for more equine therapy.
– Courtney Howard
US
Mar. 15
Jordan Peele has proved his genius two years ago with the social horror film GET OUT, and his follow-up, US, seems to be following the same trend. With a trailer that debuted to rapturous praise on Christmas Day and a cast including BLACK PANTHER’s Winston Duke and Lupita Nyong’o, US is poised to take horror fans by storm and bring in some new blood to the genre.
– James C. Clay
SHAZAM!
Apr. 5
DC movies might fully embrace the humorous side with this comic adaptation, which allows a 14-year old to become a superhero by shouting SHAZAM! Zachary Levi plays the titular hero, acting much like his character in CHUCK. Also, it will be interesting to see how director David F. Sandberg (LIGHTS OUT, ANNABELLE: CREATION) does outside of the horror genre.
– Jared McMillan
AVENGERS: ENDGAME
Apr. 28
This movie could make two billion dollars without ever releasing another piece of marketing. Four years ago, superhero films were starting to feel uninspired and the fatigue was setting in, yet the Marvel Cinematic Universe was able to reinvent itself time and time again and has culminated with INFINITY WAR and (finally) ENDGAME. Will Tony Stark, Cap and Thor actually perish at the hands of Thanos? Doubtful, but this film could be the escapist finale that filmgoers are longing for. Tune in Apr. 26 to find out.
– James C. Clay
JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3
May 17
At the end of JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2, the titular dog-loving hitman (Keanu Reeves) is seen running to escape a world littered with hitmen. There’s a price on John Wick’s head, and he ain’t gonna lie down easy. Expect some more great hand-to-hand combat, raining lead, Keanu on a horse, and doggies. It looks like even series newbie Halle Berry has some hounds to do serious damage.
– Preston Barta
BRIGHTBURN
May 24
Make MAN OF STEEL but turn the hero into a killer a la Michael Meyers and you have director David Yarovesky’s feature. It’s a helluva hook! Eerie, disquieting and clever AF. This will hopefully be the superhero sleeper of the summer season.
– Courtney Howard
GODZILLA: KING OF MONSTERS
May 31
Take all my monies! After a few hiccups for the Western cinematic iterations of this indelible Japanese daikaiju, it appears filmmakers will finally deliver on the titanic power of the icon and his allies and adversaries. Revealing the other giant monsters (Mothra, Rodan, King Ghidorah) in the marketing campaign has been an absolute delight for fans of this franchise. It’s about time someone gave the property the earth-shaking grandeur it deserves.
– Courtney Howard
ROCKETMAN
May 31
Thank God for Taron Egerton. Am I right, ladies? The KINGSMAN cutie vanishes behind rhinestones and oversized glasses this year when ROCKETMAN premieres on May 31. The biopic follows the rise and success of iconic entertainer Elton John, and if the public interest in BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY last year is an inclination, audiences could find themselves singing along to “Tiny Dancer,” “Bennie and the Jets,” and “Still Standing” this spring.
– Gwen Reyes
SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME
Jul. 5
For those who have seen INFINITY WAR, the fact that a sequel to SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING is in the works at all may be a little confusing. It’s unfortunate that any emotional weight that came with seeing half of the Marvel Cinematic Universe literally crumble before our eyes is all but removed simply by knowing that FAR FROM HOME is a thing. That being said, I still must admit I’m curious to see how all this plays out. HOMECOMING was a fantastic return to form after the ironically titled AMAZING SPIDER-MAN films, so if the folks behind the camera can figure out a way to give us another outing with Tom Holland as the titular web crawler without insulting our intelligence, I’m all for it.
– Connor Bynum
THE LION KING
Jul. 19
After years of experimenting with occasional live-action remakes of their classic films, Disney appears to be going all out with the concept for 2019. With a total of three slated for releases this year, including ALADDIN, LADY AND THE TRAMP and (my most anticipated of the bunch) THE LION KING. Being a child of the 90s, I saw the original film a whopping nine times in theaters, so this one is very near and dear to my heart. With an all-star cast (including Donald Glover as Simba, Chiwetel Ejiofor as the villainous Scar, and the one-and-only James Earl Jones reprising his role of Mufasa), this could very well prove to be as timeless as its predecessor. And as icing on the cake, Elton John and composer Hans Zimmer are also returning to provide new music for the film. Say what you will about whether or not an entirely computer-generated film can really qualify as a live-action movie – I just can’t wait to see this one.
– Connor Bynum
ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD
Aug. 9
Quentin Tarantino’s ninth directed film will delve into the Manson Family murders, hippie culture and the Hollywood studio system in 1969 Los Angeles. It’s being labeled as “the Manson movie,” but QT has said it’s only the backdrop to a much larger story. (Think INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS. Hitler was only in a few scenes of that film.) Whatever it ends up being about, I am absolutely thrilled for more QT dialogue, crazy Leo and Brad Pitt acting, and a jam-worthy soundtrack. Also, there’s this quote from QT about the film: “probably the closest [film] to PULP FICTION that I have done.” Well, this truly may be his masterpiece.
– Preston Barta
IT: CHAPTER 2
Sep. 6
The Losers’ Club is back and all grown up. That also means Pennywise the Dancing Clown (Bill Skarsgård) is also back, and he is ready to murder this group (including Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy and Bill Hader) after they threw his ass down that well. (Actually he crawled down it after the kids power of love beat out their fear of him.) I suspect there will be some darker elements to this half. However, I hope it doesn’t lose its sense of wonder. From some of the still photos that have been released, it looks as if the film will have some flashbacks with kids. How they handle the spider sequence will be interesting.
– Preston Barta
DOWNTON ABBEY
Sep. 20
Despite not finishing the last two seasons of the beloved Edwardian-era drama, I am counting down the days to September 20. The film version picks up where the series left off. And with creator Julian Fellowes involved, fans are guaranteed at least 90 minutes of decadent visual luxury – and a lot of old-timey shade.
– Gwen Reyes
THE KITCHEN
Sep. 20
Though the plot bears a passing resemblance to WIDOWS (women who band together to do their criminal husbands’ jobs), I certainly hope audiences will show up to support Tiffany Haddish, Melissa McCarthy and Elisabeth Moss. While the ensemble cast is alluring and should deliver some awards-caliber performances, this also marks the directing debut of screenwriter Andrea Berloff (STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON).
– Courtney Howard
STAR WARS: EP. IX
Dec. 20
Need I explain myself? As divisive as as THE LAST JEDI was, one thing is for certain: anything could happen. Director Rian Johnson let the “past die.” He wiped the franchise clean in many ways. So, with franchise rebooter J.J. Abrams returning to helm to close the sequel trilogy, maybe it’ll have a safe landing. Perhaps he’ll fix the things that pissed fans off and piss off the other fans who want something riskier. There’s no pleasing people. At this point, if there are some cool lightsaber battles, different worlds and (for the love of God) some Knights of Ren backstory, I’ll scream like the Rebels when one of the eighth Death Stars exploded.
– Preston Barta
LITTLE WOMEN
Dec. 25
Greta Gerwig’s follow-up to LADY BIRD is not an original story, but instead her interpretation of Louise May Alcott’s classic coming-of-age novel LITTLE WOMEN. Gerwig’s version reunites her with her LADY BIRD star Saoirse Ronan, who plays the precocious Jo March. Fans of the book can start ranking this new version among the others at Christmas.
– Gwen Reyes
THE IRISHMAN
TBA
Martin Scorsese directing Al Pacino, Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci in a mobster movie? Always psyched for a new film from one of the greatest living directors, but also, it’s a chance to see two of Hollywood’s best actors brought back to form. The fact that it’s about Jimmy Hoffa is icing on the cake.
– Jared McMillan
JOJO THE RABBIT
TBA
You may not think it, but THOR RAGNAROK director Taika Waititi could be the perfect director to helm a movie about Adolf Hitler as a young German boy’s imaginary friend. (à la DROP DEAD FRED.) However, Waititi’s work has explored childhood with beauty, poise and humor. This film is positioned to be a joyous piece of work that will appease general audiences and weirdos alike.
– James C. Clay
Honorable Mentions: POKÉMON: DETECTIVE PIKACHU (May 10), TOY STORY 4 (Jun. 21), FORD V. FERRARI (Jun. 28), UNTITLED TERMINATOR SEQUEL (Jul. 19), FAST & FURIOUS PRESENTS: HOBBS AND SHAW (Aug. 2), ZOMBIELAND 2 (Oct. 11), A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD (Oct. 18), KNIVES OUT (Nov. 27) and UNTITLED JUMANJI SEQUEL (TBA).
