Thoughts

     I know I said that I'm on hiatus but too much has been happening in the movie world and Twitter barely does justice to my deep, profound thoughts on them, and so here we are!

1) GOSLING FANGIRL TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!- So deep, yes? Anyways, not gonna lie, this was kind of the whole reason to make this post. The Gos has been sort of M.I.A. since Only God Forgives and, of course, it's been dreadful. This week he has answered all my (and, like, other people's. Whatever) prayers. First, the news broke out that he will star in his Disneyland buddy Guillermo del Toro's Haunted Mansion, which is awesome. Reportedly, this isn't as scary as Crimson Peak is, rather it's a supernatural family film (whatever that means). Next, it was reported that Gos and Emma Stone will replace Miles Teller and Emma Watson in Damien Chazelle's next, the musical La La Land. I was already really excited about this movie because of Chazelle and as much as I adore Teller and Watson, I am wayyyy crazier about the Gos and Stone, who have great onscreen chemistry together as seen in Crazy, Stupid, Love and even Gangster Squad. Plus, I have greater faith in their singing abilities. And then came the news that sort of pushed me over the edge. While everyone was losing their shit over the new Star Wars movie (yes, it's exciting but calm down), I had a massive freak out about the news that the Gos may be starring in the Blade Runner sequel. LIKE OHMYGODIDEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (That was an example of how coherent my thoughts were after I read about this). Normally, I wouldn't be this pumped about a sequel to a film that is as perfect as Blade Runner but the inclusion of Denis Villeneuve had already warmed me to the idea. Then came the Gos news and the thought of him as a blade runner or a replicant or anything really- FUCK YEAH! I can't wait. For any of these. All seem like really good projects and by directors who I already love. Yaay for Gos!

2) The Cannes Film Festival lineup was just announced and many of my most anticipated films of this year are on it like Carol, Macbeth, Sicario, The Lobster, Irrational Man and Mad Max: Road Warrior, plus other films that sound really interesting like Louder Than Bombs, The Sea of Trees and Mountains May Depart. There are also two Indian films entering the festival- Masaan directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and Gurvinder Singh's The Fourth Direction. As always, I wish I could go there and watch the movies but since that's not gonna happen, I hope these movies are good and I don't have to wait for forever to watch them.

3) Eddie Redmayne is in talks to star as Newt Scamander in the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them movie trilogy. I like Redmayne and I understand that he's hugely bankable right now and he would be good in this role, but after rumours spread about Matt Smith circling the role, I can't help but be disappointed by their actual choice. Sorry to go full Whovian-Potterhead head on you but Smith is such a Hufflepuff. He's already played a role that resonates with both children and adults alike and he would have been perfect! Also, Smith and badgers are already a thing :(

4) I am obviously dying for The Avengers: Age of Ultron and it's getting some really interesting reviews so far. One of the main reasons I will love this movie is its cast. Such crazy, awesome dorks-

Peter Pan :')

5) Trailers- Um, it's been too long to talk about ALL the trailers so I'll just talk about the ones I've been obsessing over for the past few weeks. Let's start with The Hateful Eight teaser. I love it. I think all teasers should be like this- actually teasing us by not blatantly showing what the film is about. I know there must be a hundred clues in the teaser which we'll understand once we've watched the movie but for now, it's just cool and bloody and fun. The new Star Wars trailer is pretty cool too. It has Han Solo and Chewbacca in it so yay for that. I just wish there was more Oscar Isaac because, well, duh. Ant-Man finally looks totally awesome. The new trailer gives us an idea of Ant-Man's powers which is good because until now, I was basically going to watch it for Paul Rudd's abs. I have declared everywhere that Mad Max: Road Warrior has my favourite trailers of all time and this one is no different. Goddamnit, I want this film in my life right now! Speaking of, how wonderful does Me and Earl and the Dying Girl look? I saw the trailer and I knew I would love it.  An older trailer that I really loved was of Slow West's. It looks like a really fun movie, which I wasn't expecting. Plus, the shot of Fassy sitting and smoking his cigar is my desktop wallpaper because, um, duh. Spectre is another trailer that's been out for a while which I really liked it. It looks stunning, though I wish Lea Seydoux was in it. The Suffragette teaser is a bit weird. The music is too loud and I'm not sure that #VotingMatters is the best way to promote a film. Dil Dhadakne Do is a new Bollywood film by Zoya Akhtar and it actually looks really good. I like its cast and dysfunctional families is a rare subject for a Bollywood film. Coming to television, True Detective season 2's teaser trailer is quite good as it doesn't really tell us anything about the story and because of Colin Farrell's mustache. Orange is the New Black season 3 trailer is even better. I mean, #SorryNotSorry is what I'm talking about, man! That's an awesome hashtag. Learn something, Suffragette!

6) Finally, Anna Kendrick spoke my mind when she tweeted this-

I mean...

God, I've missed this.

I don't know when I'll be doing this next. I should have a few posts up but I'm on a Mad Men binge atm so no promises. Bye all :)

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?