Thoughts

1) Hi guys? Wassup blah blah blah, cutting right to the chase here- TILDA SWINTON JUST JOINED THE DOCTOR STRANGE MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And this is the movie which has Benedict Cumberbatch playing the lead. This is already the most alien-looking cast of all time. Swinton is going to play, get this, a Tibetan mystic called the Ancient One who mentors Strange (is that his real name?). I mean, duh! Also, it seems that this character was male in the comic but like why would you cast some man when you can get Tilda? I knew there was a reason I loved MCU. Now all I really, really, *really* need is for Loki to somehow find his way into this film.

2) Video- I didn't get to watch this until today and I actually cried laughing. I am starting to really like Kit Harrington, the weirdo sketch dude, now.

Everyone is great in it but I especially loved Harrington, Leslie, Rheon and Clarke. And, man, does Peter Dinklage have charisma!

3) Trailers- The Crimson Peak trailer nearly killed me. This film is going to be so fucking awesome. And goodness gracious, Hiddles in THAT scene *fans herself*. The Point Break remake looks sooo meh. The main guy is even more expressionless than Keanu Reeves (who seriously works his expressionless-ness). Also, why anyone would remake Point Break when Hot Fuzz exists is beyond me. I got teary-eyed just watching Diary of a Teenage Girl. I just know that I will love it. The End of the Tour looks pretty good too. I haven't read any of David Foster Wallace's books but I aim to before watching the movie. Love the cast. Speaking of, I thought the Steve Jobs trailer was fairly decent and I don't know how but I missed the announcement that Kate Winslet is in it. It feels like forever since I've seen her in anything. Pan looks pretty. That's it, really. All I could think of during The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials trailer was how Aiden Gillen has transformed into Littlefinger and he seems to be that character in everything he does. But also, heyyyyy Dylan O'Brien! Missed you and your incredible arms #objectifyallmen. I am dying to watch Macbeth now and its clips are just fueling that fire. God, this movie is going to be amazeballs. Cooties looks hilarious. I generally don't like it when kids die in movies but hey, zombie children sound terrifying. The A Very Murray Christmas trailer has a lot of Bill Murray in it so that's, um, fair. Are you guys watching the Hannibal teasers? This is only one of them but I love all the happy music they're playing in them. I so can't wait for that show. Finally, Scream Queens kind of makes me think of Drop Dead Gorgeous and I love that. Emma Roberts can play such a great, posh bitch.

4) Finally, someone needs to release footage of the interactions between these two, in a non-creepy way of course-

And to put this into perspective-

Now I want both of them to make a movie together. Not just that, seeing how much Dolan hung out with Sienna Miller during the festival, I want him to meet Tom Sturridge (Miller's baby-daddy and my 16 year old-self's dream man) and put him in his movies because Sturridge is practically custom-made to be in them.

      Yes, this was random. I honestly didn't care for any other news items that much. Okay byeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Let's Get It Started- MY 30 MOST ANTICIPATED FILMS OF 2015

         I usually post this list on 1st January every year but due to exams etc., I wasn't able to. However, it is finally here! It was very hard to make it. I started with 20 movies in mind, then I did some research and the list expanded to 25 and today I looked at some more "most anticipated" lists and now this list contains 30 films. Well, technically 31. You'll see. 

        It was super weird to actually make this list because we've been talking about 2015 and all its big movies for AGES and now that it's here, it's just strange. My list has a few of the blockbusters but a lot of the smaller, indie directors that I have grown fond of in the last couple of years have their films coming out this year and I have more of those. I feel like Adam Driver is in all the films in this list (Year of Adam Driver?), followed by Alicia Vikander and Tom Hardy.

       I must also plug the upcoming Across the Universe Podcast episode where I list down what was my top 5 most anticipated 2015 films (the list is slightly altered now) along with Mette and Sofia. Keep your ears out for that one.

30.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (Dir: Guy Ritchie)

I have kicked out a lot of what might be much better movies to keep this on my list because, well, LOOK at these two men! And there's Alicia Vikander and Elizabeth Debicki who are also super hot (and Hugh Grant who used to be hot). It could be a lot of fun. I still really like the first Sherlock Holmes movie and I just rewatched Snatch and remembered the amazingness Ritchie is capable of. Here's hoping it's not another This Means War.

29.

Demolition (Dir: Jean-Marc Vallée)

Jake Gyllenhaal is in a lot of movies this year and though this is the only one making my list, I'm sure they will all be amazing seeing the track he's on. I haven't seen Wild yet but Vallée gets really good performances from his actors. I also like its story.

28.

Untitled Woody Allen Project

Seeing Woody's track record, this one should be good. I love the pairing of Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone and also that Woody is setting the film in America again. Please let this be a Blue Jasmine and not a To Rome with Love!

27.

Ant-Man (Dir: Peyton Reed)

This was my #1 most anticipated film of EVER when Edgar Wright was attached to it. He left but we do have a very interesting cast led by the adorable and now officially hot Paul Rudd, so I am still looking forward to it. Marvel does try to do different things within the superhero genre parameters and this one has been described as a heist movie and I am curious to see how they pull it off.

26.

The Revenant (Dir: Alejandro González Iñárritu)

As Michael Keaton said in his Golden Globe speech, every actor now wants to work with Iñárritu. So it was obviously really exciting to hear that he's teaming up with Leo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy next. The story is a kind of a revenge western and I can't wait to see what they all do.

25.

Silence (Dir: Martin Scorsese)

I love stories about religion and Scorsese has been trying to make this one for a long time. Though it also stars Liam Neeson and Adam Driver, I am most excited about Andrew Garfield because he hasn't had a chance to really act since The Social Network and he has so much potential which could be tapped into in a film like this. You go, Garfield!

24.

Tulip Fever (Dir: Justin Chadwick)

Honestly, the only reason I am so looking forward to this is Jack O'Connell. Pretty sure he doesn't even have a big role but that's who I'm here for. Although the story IS interesting and the rest of the cast, led by Dane DeHaan, Alicia Vikander and Christoph Waltz are also good so I'm not completely insane to include it here.

23.

Joy (Dir: David O'Russell)

Yes, American Hustle was a pain in the ass but I can't forget how much I loved Silver Linings Playbook and the awesomeness of JLaw and O'Russell coming together. This is quite a zany subject for a biopic (it's about the creator of something called the Miracle Mop?) and I feel that both the film and JLaw will do a really good job.

22.

Magic Mike XXL (Dir: Gregory Jacobs)

I adore Magic Mike and though I never imagined it having a sequel, I am totally OK with one, or twenty tbh as long as these gorgeous men keep stripping :P I'm curious to see how this one will fare without Soderbergh however.

21.

Money Monster (Dir: Jodie Foster)

Hello again, Jack. I didn't even know this film existed or that he's now working with Hollywood heavyweights like Julia Roberts and George Clooney, but yayy! It seems like an interesting story and I'm pretty sue Jack (and everyone else) will be up to the task. I'm also excited to see what Foster does.

20.

Untitled Cameron Crowe Project

Emma Stone, Bradley Cooper, Rachel McAdams, Bill Murray etc. etc- this film has an amazing cast and Crowe is capable of greatness and I am basically pumped!

19.

Life (Dir: Anton Corbijn)

Corbijn made one of the most stunning and heartbreaking biopics that I have ever seen, Control, and now he's making one again about another tragic, young talent- James Dean. I still don't understand how a film that stars Robert Pattinson and Dane DeHaan has the latter starring as Dean and not the former but I'm going to put my trust in Corbijn.

18.

Mad Max: Fury Road (Dir: George Miller)

This film is on my list solely on the basis of its trailers. I honestly prefer watching its trailers to watching entire films, they are *that* spectacular. I hope the film delivers on the promise.

17.

Bombay Velvet (Dir: Anurag Kashyap)

This is the only Bollywood film in my list and it had to be here because of the director and the talent involved. Though I have only seen 3 of Kashyap's films, I am already a fan and this is the starriest movie of his so far, so I am intrigued to say the least. Both Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma can actually act, and that too really well, and I like that they're taking a chance with an offbeat director like Kashyap.

16.

Frankenstein (Dir: Paul McGuigan)

Daniel Radcliffe as Igor? James McAvoy as Frankenstein? The writer of Chronicle and the director of Lucky Number Slevin and Sherlock's "A Scandal in Belgravia"? And all of this in one film? What is this awesomosity and when can I watch it?!

15.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Dir: J.J. Abrams)

I like how little we know about this film and how much potential it has in all our eyes. The new cast is diverse and exciting. Abrams at least can make fun movies. And the teaser was awesome! I'm in.

14.

Tomorrowland (Dir: Brad Bird)

I have infinite faith in Bird because I have loved all his films so far and though this ones seems a bit risky, I think he can pull it off. Also, Britt Robertson is adorbs.

13.

High Rise (Dir: Ben Wheatley)

I am so intrigued by the plot. It's like a dystopia in a building, which kind of reminds me of Snowpiercer, which is obviously a good thing. Plus the whole cast is amazeballs and it is led by the brilliant Tom Hiddleston. Cannot effing wait.

12.

The Lobster (Dir: Yorgos Lanthimos)

Lanthimos previous two features, Dogtooth and Alps, were thought-provoking and unforgettable works of art. This is his English language debut and this story is equally tantalizing, as is the cast he has rounded up which includes Colin Farrell, Ben Whishaw, Rachel Weisz and John C. Reilly.

11.

Midnight Special (Dir: Jeff Nichols)

I really liked Take Shelter and Mud broke my heart. So I was on board with anything Nichols made next. Then came the news that it will star Kirsten Dunst, Nichols regular- Michael Shannon, and Joel Edgerton and that it has a sci-fi angle and I got really excited. I think this film will be great.

10.

Sicario (Dir: Denis Villeneuve)

After Prisoners and Enemy, I can watch a washing powder commercial directed by Villeneuve. Lucky for me, his next project is slightly more interesting than that. It's about a CIA agent who is pushed to her ethical and moral limits on a job across the borders. Also it stars Full Metal Bitch herself, Emily Blunt and Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro. I love Blunt and am super stoked to see what she does in this film.

9.

Crimson Peak (Dir: Guillermo Del Toro)

Del Toro is returning to his horror roots with this film that has a very exciting cast- Hiddles, Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain and Charlie Hunnam. I love that Hiddles is playing a creepy charmer and the whole ol' timey horror feel of this film. If it is even 1/20th as good as The Devil's Backbone, it will be worth the price of the cinema ticket.

8.

Inside Out (Dir: Pete Docter)

My love for Pixar has been well-documented on this blog. Unless it is a movie about cars, I am here for any and every thing Pixar does, and ever since I heard about the concept behind Inside Out, I have been really curious to see how they tackle it. Plus I love the fact that Amy Poehler is in a Pixar film. Dawwwwwww.

7.

Spectre (Dir: Sam Mendes)

I loved the hell out of Skyfall and when it was announced that Mendes is returning for the next Bond too, I couldn't wait! This is set in a post-Skyfall world with (spoilers) a new M and it will be interesting how the new dynamic between Ralph Fiennes' M and Daniel Craig's Bond will develop. Also, it has Lea Seydoux, Monica Bellucci and (yawn) Christoph Waltz, who plays the villain (double yawn). As excited as I am for this film, I still wish they had the balls to make someone like Seydoux the villain. Still, Bond is Bond and we always want more of him.

6.

Macbeth (Dir: Justin Kurzel)

Fassy as Macbeth and Marion Cotillard as Lady Macbeth are two of my most favourite casting decisions of all time. These are such meaty roles for actors like them, who have immeasurable talent, and I am sure that they will find new things to explore and portray in something as well-known as the "Scottish play". Plus, the film is said to be really dark and gritty and I am so ready to experience all of that.

5.

The Death and Life of John. F. Donovan (Dir: Xavier Dolan)

Dolan is my new film god and he can do no wrong in my eyes. So obviously,  I was pumped for his English language debut. Then he went and Twitter-flirted with Jessica Chastain and got her to star in what has been described as a Miranda Priestley-ish role in his film about the film business and I got even more excited. However, he then cast Kit "Stupidface" Harrington and the film slipped a couple of places in this list. Still, I think if anyone can maybe make me hate Harrington's face less, it is Dolan and also, I have tried imagining what Chastain will be like in this film and it has given me goosebumps.

4.

Carol (Dir: Todd Field)

This film was in my most anticipated list last year and it is here again because I really cannot fucking wait for this film. I think it will be wonderful.

3.

Mistress America and While We're Young (Dir: Noah Baumbach)

I've tagged them both here together because while for some, While We're Young is a 2014 film, it will only come out here this year, and then there is Mistress America which is also supposed to release in 2015. I have heard great things about the former and the latter reunites the lovely Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach after the delightful Frances Ha, which I loved to bits, so it automatically becomes a must-watch for me.

2.

The Hateful Eight (Dir: Quentin Tarantino)

I don't need to explain this one, right?

1.

The Avengers: Age of Ultron (Dir: Joss Whedon)

If you weren't expecting this as my most anticipated film of 2015, you really don't know me. Hello, I am Nikhat and I FREAKING LURVEEEEEEEEEEE THE AVENGERS!! Okay? Okay. 

I have honestly been waiting for this film ever since I saw The Avengers and my excitement has only increased exponentially since then. Still, I am not hoping for it to be better than The Avengers or something equally futile like that- I just need it to be really good. I have become a Whedon fan post-Buffy and I really think he can pull something like this off. Also, James Spader's Ultron sounds terrifying and good supervillains are literally the best.

Are you excited about any of these? What are your most anticipated 2015 releases?

Thoughts

        I think I am definitely turning these posts into a fortnight thing which is better than them being a month thing. In this way you guys get a bigger, meatier, possibly crazier post and I get to feel less bad about my laziness. Win-win, probably. Anyways, onto the post!

1) Matt Smith is going to star in the Terminator reboot, Terminator: Genesis and will also be a major part of its 2 sequels. I'll be honest, I was kind of going to skip these movies. I like the original and really like Judgement Day but my interest had fizzled out. I would not have watched them even for Emilia Clarke (sorry Khaleesi fans) but yeah, the addition of my favourite television actor does change everything. His character is someone who will be working close to John Connor, who will be played by Jason Clarke. I am sincerely praying he doesn't play some gangly nerd dude and that he does get to bulk up a bit, especially after this :) I am happy to see at least two members of Karen and the Babes (i.e., Karen Gillan, Matt, Arthur Darvill) getting breakout roles in these blockbuster movies. Now all I need is for Darvill to get cast as Newt Scamander in the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them trilogy because he will be *perfect*.

2) David Fincher won't be making the Sorkin-Jobs movie after all, which sucks! But they're probably going to replace him with Danny Boyle, which is awesome! The last time Boyle made a sorta biopic, it was 127 Hours which I loved (coincidentally, it was my second favourite movie of 2010 right below Fincher's The Social Network). Boyle apparently wants Leonardo DiCaprio to play Jobs though and that is not great news. I really want Leo to stop doing biopics already. Yes WoWS was kind of a biopic and so is the next movie he is making with Jonah Hill but man, I thought Leo was finally embracing his comedic side! Gahhhhhh. So yes to Boyle and no to Leo.

3) Woody Allen's next movie after Magic in the Moonlight will star Joaquin Phoenix. Fuck yes!! I love Phoenix and with his recent career choices, he can do no wrong in my eyes, and Woody is still my favourite filmmaker. I can imagine the film being Sweet and Lowdown-esque for some reason, not that we know anything about the plot or whether it is a comedy or tragedy or a dramedy. It's just that Phoenix would be really great in a role like that although he can honestly do anything with that face of his. #favcinematicface

4) Oh since my last post, the Cannes 2014 lineup has been announced. Here is the full list. Some really exciting movies here like Foxcatcher, Maps to the Stars, Clouds of Sils Maria, Mommy, The Search, Saint Laurent (which stars Gaspard Ulliel, Lea Seydoux and Louis Garrel!! Their combined beauty will blind us) and most importantly for me, Ryan Gosling's directorial debut Lost River, which is the boring name they replaced How to Catch A Monster with. Anywhoo, I am super stoked about it still even though I am 97.6849203% sure I will hate it. Oh and the Cannes jury has been announced as well. It's pretty amazing. It will be headed by Jane Campion and has Sofia Coppola, Gael García Bernal, Nicolas Winding-Refn and Leila Hatami (who was in the incredible A Separation) among others. On a sidenote, I totally had a dream about Sofia Coppola the other day where I was trying to befriend her 'cuz duh. It also had Kelly Preston and Peter Sarsgaard :/

5) Jessica Chastain will be playing Marilyn Monroe in Andrew Dominik's next, Blonde. This is pretty fantastic news. I don't think anyone can *really* look like Monroe but I think Chastain can get the mannerisms right. And it's not a proper biopic but rather based on the book of the same name by Joyce Carol Oates where he has reimagined her tale of glamour and rise and fall in Hollywood and all that. Dominik has called it "a really sprawling, emotional nightmare fairy-tale type movie" so that's interesting. Naomi Watts was previously attached to this project but in La Chastain we trust. Chastain is also apparently being courted to play the co-lead in the next Mission Impossible film, which is exciting news.

6) The cast of Star Wars Episode 7 has finally been revealed and it is quite an impressive one. Like in the case of the Terminator reboot, I wasn't all that psyched about this movie but hot damn, that is one cool cast! John Boyega who was excellent in Attack the Block, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac and Domnhnall Gleeson, who are all becoming some of my favourite actors to watch, Andy Serkins who is awesome, Max von Sydow who is a legend, and the returning cast members that include Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill and Peter Mayhew. The only person I don't know is Daisy Ridley but it's just good to know that there is more than one female character in this.

7) Other news- So Zach Snyder will be directing the Justice League movie as well as the Superman VS Batman movie. This isn't even the worst part of it. Apparently Matt Damon is in talks to play someone called Aquaman? On one hand, I desperately want this to happen because it will be HILARIOUS and oh so cute because Ben and Matt forever OMG, but on the other hand, I like Damon and this sounds *awful*. There is a movie called Genius about writer Thomas Wolfe and editor Max Perkins that is being made. Originally, Michael Fassbender was slated to play Wolfe but he has now been replaced by Jude Law, while Perkins will be played by Colin Firth. The film will also star Nicole Kidman. I like Law though of course Fassy would have been a cooler choice. Lessee how this works. The new Jungle Book movie will have Lupita Nyong'o and Scarlett Johansson voicing some of the animals which is kind of silly because if you are going to have those two women in a film, at least make it live action. Joe Wright's Pan continues to baffle as it will now also star Amanda Seyfried and Cara Delevigne. The cast has really out-whited itself but I still have faith in Wright. Justin Kurtzel, who is directing the Fassy-Cotilard Macbeth movie will next direct the Assassin's Creed movie which will also star Fassy. I can get behind this. JK Rowling's The Casual Vacancy is going to become a TV series that will be shown in BBC and HBO. I wasn't too big a fan of the book but I can see it working as a show and the studios are cool. Finally, Steven Spielberg will be directing the movie adaptation of Roald Dahl's BFG. It is one of the only Dahl books I haven't read but my brother ensures me it is brilliant and therefore this is awesome news.

8) There are sooooo many videos I want to share, from the McAvoy-Fassbender-Jackman interviews to Emma Stone's awesome awesomeness, but in order to be as current as possible, I give you this-

So funny. Especially the part he screams and the hand bit. Also, I want to be Beyonce when I grow up.

9) Pictures- A number of images from Magic in the Moonlight have been released. Though Stone's and Firth's age difference is a bit big, I can feel the chemistry already and they are both just so charming. New pictures from the aforementioned Macbeth movie. I am kind of sick of watching Macbeth adaptations but I do like the look of this a lot. A few stills from Gosling's Lost River have also been released. God, this film will be weird. Still, where's Matt Smith yo? And Robert Downey Jr. has tweeted this slice of fried gold from the shooting of Avengers 2. ZOMG SO EXCITED!!!!!!!

10) Trailers- Some good/great ones here. Maps to the Stars looks sufficiently strange but I do love the cast and as long as there are no giant rats in this one, I'm good. The Trip to Italy is funny, obviously. We can never have too many Michael Caine impressions. And the food looks wow. Let's Be Cops has Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans Jr. and looks pretty funny albeit a little stupid. Still, I adore Johnson too much. They Came Together has another of my favourite TV comedians, Amy Poehler, teaming up with the always adorable Paul Rudd. This too seems a little crazy but parodies can be fun and these two are awesome! Boyhood maybe doesn't have a super fantabulous trailer but I cannot wait for this movie! It will be beautiful and amazing and the best thing ever! Accio! My two favourite trailers in *sigh* the last month are What We Do in the Shadows and Gone Girl. In case of the former, it just looks so funny and brilliant and in case of the latter, well, it just *sounds* so funny and brilliant. Seriously, I love Fincher to death! That song and the stuff shown in the trailer is like something out of Amy's diary. It goes with the "perfect" image of the Dunnes and has enough creepiness to keep us wondering. Pure, unadulterated love.

11) Finally, the Graham Norton-Fassy-McAvoy-Jackman might be the greatest interview ever conducted. It's definitely hottest. Here are some gems from it-

These three are the only people that make "Blurred Lines" classy.

McAvoy was on fire.

McBender 4eva.

Sorry Benny, but 'tis true.

And that's it. Tata!