Ryan McNeilI suppose it’s no surprise that for the last five days I’ve had that Death Cab For Cutie song playing in my head. Y’know the one? It starts off by saying quite plainly “…So this is the new year / But I don’t feel any different…”.
That line couldn’t sum me up any better right now. Perhaps it’s because I haven’t been one to drop mad loot and get screaming drunk on December 31st for a good few years now. Mental note – go to a huge bash next year and see if it makes a difference.
Then again, it could be that for now, and for the next week or two I’ll be catching up on a few 2009 movies before I can truly start to embrace 2010 at the movies. While ’10 might have to wait a week or three, I’m actually quite looking forward to getting into it. However, I have to smile to myself when I consider what I’m looking forward to. See, it was this time last year that I rhymed off five flicks that had me hot and bothered. Now here we are twelve months later…one of the five sucked, three fell short of what I’d hoped they’d be, and one I haven’t even seen yet!
Can 2010 be better? Hard to say, but these five at least give me something to look forward to…
#5. SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD… Admit it – you’re shocked that my list is starting with a comic book flick. That may or may not be, but I’m surprised myself that my list is starting with a Michael Cera movie. Believe me gang, this tale of a hipster trying to win a young lass’ affections video game style will win you over. ‘Course for me it gets an insane amount of bonus hype points for being set in my hometown. (August)
#4. SHUTTER ISLAND… It’s strange that a film on this list has already disappointed me, but that is indeed the case with the next offering coming up from Saint Scorsese. While I’m quite happy that a film on this list will be up in a matter of weeks, I’m slightly bummed that it was pushed back from its October release date. Usually a delay in opening is reason to be concerned, however if THE ROAD taught me anything it’s that sometimes there’s just no explaining why we have to wait for the good stuff. (February)
#3. ALICE IN WONDERLAND… Shocked again, right? Seems like I’ve been getting little nibbles of this one for a good long time, but alas, it was only August that we got the first moving glimpse at what Tim Burton was going to Lewis Carroll’s classic. Still not crazy about the look of The Mad Hatter, but I’m hoping it’s a minor detail. (March)
#2. IRON MAN 2… Really? You want me to comment on this choice?? Okay, well let me see…how about…It’s IRON MAN Fuckin’ Two!!!!! Moving on. (May)
#1. INCEPTION… As I looked back on the decade recently, it dawned on me that Christopher Nolan has never steered me wrong. Thus, I almost need no further sell than his name to drop down my hard-earned loot. That might sound like blindly drinking the directorial kool-aid, but what can I say? If Nolan’s attachment wasn’t enough, we’ve got two mindbending teasers thus far and an absolutely stellar cast. Right this moment I know nothing of the plot, and if I can help it – it’ll stay that way until opening night. (July)
Did I miss one? Feel free to leave comments with your own choices for can’t wait movies of 2010, along with suggestions for the next top five.
Inception & Iron Man2 tops my list as well. I am also curious about Kick Ass. It could either be really good or really awful. The rest would be: The White Ribbon, Chloe, Toy Story 3, Tron Legacy, and The Expendables.
I'm actually with on you on all of these. Wasn't sold on Shutter Island until the most recent trailer which totally kicked ass. Still can't stand it when Leo puts on that stupid effing Boston accent though.
Good call on Tron Legacy, CS.
Aside from Scott Pilgrim tale, which until wiki-ing it I knew precious little, the rest of your list is identical to mine.
So keep me in mind for those release dates.
I was indeed surprised to see Scott Pilgrim, but great choice! It appears to be shaping up really well- I'm looking forward to how Edgar Wright handles the source material, and how he chooses to end it.
I am so confused by the Inception trailer, it sort of turns me off to it. And Shutter Island looked really good but the fact that it was moved from a fall release to February makes me think there's something wrong with it.
Kick Ass, Alice in Wonderland, Iron Man 2, and Tron Legacy are on mine
@ CS… Heh, count me out for THE EXPENDABLES, but the whole idea of it does give me quite a smile.
I am curious about WHITE RIBBON though.
@ Aiden… I have to wonder if Scorsese will ever make a movie without Leo ever again.
@ Cheshire… Yeah, much of our 2010 conversation might be left on the podcast cutting room floor, so I thought I needed to actually take to the keyboard on this one. Once you wiki'd Pilgrim, what did you think?
@ Alex… I think Pilgrim will work well, but worse things have happened. Colour me hopeful…and also, colour me excited for KICK-ASS as well!
I'm interested in Pilgrim but cautiously so, I love the talent involved though. I agree with all your other choices. Though as CS pointed out: Toy Story 3. It's lack of inclusion on your list does force me to hit you with the ever dangerous:
BOOOOOOOOOOOO!
There.
P.S. Major congrats on hitting top 3 on the LAMB Leaderboard charts! You and your "audience" – psssh overrated if you ask me 🙂
Other than the obvious choice of Alice and IM2:
Clash of the Titans looks pretty good. Tron, The Last Air Bender, Kick Ass … Hmmmm – I'm starting to see a trend here…
Great list! I really can't wait for Alice! I hope it doesn't let us down…
Inception tops my list also, with Shutter Island and Iron Man 2 coming in at 3 and 4 respectively. Alice in Wonderland just missed out on my top ten. I love the Depp/Burton collaboration, but I guess I'm having trouble being excited about the story. We'll see though, the 3D should be great!
Didn't know you were that big a Nolan fan.
@ Univarn… I'm jazzed about TS3, but am seriously curious about what it will be able to add to parts one and two.
@ Danger… Fangirl much?
@ Vanessa… Seems like we've been waiting for Alice for a long time. Almost so long that it might not be able to live up! Here's hoping it does.
@ Danny… Just glanced at your list, and felt a bit dumb for not including BLACK SWAN. SOCIAL NETWORK has me a bit worried though. I'm a huge Fincher fan, but that still strikes me as such an odd concept for a movie.
@ Andrew… Yep – love him. Also (in case I've never mentioned it) Spielberg, Scorsese, Fincher, Mann, and The Coens.
The top 4 are totally on my list too, off the top of my head at the moment I am struggling to think of what else I am really looking forward to.
I definitely agree that it is an odd concept, especially for a Fincher film. His films usually are enhanced by a strong visceral presence, but this hardly seems like a project in need of Fincher's signature style.
In short, I can understand where your skepticism is coming from.
@ CAZ… After I posted this I remembered that there's a new Terrance Mallick movie coming out this year that sounds pretty cool too!
@ Danny… Yeah, something about the idea of "Facebook: The Movie" leaves me skeptical.