The Bat Cave

A little late with this preview as I was in Hawaii for the past week.

Anticipation Meter – 5 (Very High)

It (September 8th, theaters) – It has always been one of my favorite Stephen King books and I’ve always hated the 1990 miniseries. I revisited both earlier this year in preparation for this film and you can read my review here. This is the story of a group of kids in the small town of Derry, Maine that take on an ancient evil, a shape-shifting monster that frequently takes the form of Pennywise the clown, that appears every 27 years and murders children. The book is plenty scary and the characters, particularly as kids, are a lot of fun. This film will focus on the kids and the trailers have looked fantastic. After 123 reviews, It currently has a fresh rating of 89%, which is extremely strong for a remake in the horror genre. Possibly my most anticipated film of the year – it checks all my boxes. I might even go see it tonight by myself if I have to.

Anticipation Meter – 4 (Strong)

Wind River (August, theaters) – I think this movie came out in August, but I didn’t include it in my preview, so I’ll include it here. This is a thriller set in a remote Native American Reservation, starring Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen, and written and directed by Taylor Sheridan who wrote Hell or High Water and Sicario. Wind River has a 86% fresh rating, the trailer looked great, and one of my friends already went out of his way to message me and say it’s the best film of 2017. What’s not to love?

mother! (September 15th, theaters) – This movie snuck up on me and I’m not sure how. It’s written and directed by Darren Aronofsky, the guy responsible for Requiem For A Dream, The Wrestler, and Black Swan – all of which made my top 10 films in their respective years of release. mother! also stars my current favorite actress Jennifer Lawrence and another great actor in Javier Bardem. I don’t really know what this movie is about but I don’t care too much. The trailer is perfectly chilling and minimalist, giving an idea of the film’s tone while revealing nothing. Aronofsky does weird really well and this film looks tailor made for another Jennifer Lawrence Oscar campaign. Count me in.

Anticipation Meter – 3 (Moderate)

First They Killed My Father: A Daughter Remembers Cambodia (September 15th, theaters, Netflix) – Directed by Angelina Jolie about a human rights activist trying to survive in Cambodia during an oppressive dictatorship. My wife is Cambodian and I don’t know too much about her family’s culture so I have extra interest in this film.

Battle of the Sexes (September 22nd, theaters) – Emma Stone stars as former #1 women’s tennis star Billie Jean King and Steve Carell stars as ex-men’s champ Bobby Riggs in this film about the high profile tennis match between the two players. From the directors of Little Miss Sunshine and the writer of 127 Hours and Slumdog Millionaire this movie could have some serious Oscar pedigree.

Stronger (September 22nd, theaters) – Based on a true story, Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Jeff Bauman, a man that lost both his legs during the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013. Trailer is solid and looks like a very strong role for Gyllenhaal.

American Made (September 29th, theaters) – Tom Cruise plays a TWA pilot that gets recruited by the CIA to fly for one of the biggest covert CIA operations in American history, one that reaches all the way to the Medillin drug cartel and Pablo Escobar. Directed by Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity), this movie looks like a lot of fun.

Anticipation Meter – 2 (Low)

American Assassin (September 15th, theaters) – CIA thriller starring Dylan O’Brien and Michael Keaton. Looks decent.

Kingsman: The Golden Circle (September 22nd, theaters) – The original was better than I expected it to be. Maybe this one will be too. I’ve seen the trailer about ten times already and I can’t say I really want to see the movie.

Flatliners (September 29th, theaters) – Ellen Page and Diego Luna star in this remake about five medical students trying to uncover the secrets of life after death. Honestly, the trailer doesn’t look very good.

Anticipation Meter – 1 (Nonexistent)

Home Again (September 8th, theaters) – Reese Witherspoon romantic comedy.

The Lego Ninjago Movie (September 22nd, theaters) – This would have to get pretty stellar reviews for me to go see it.