From Oscar contenders in January to the usual summer blockbusters, we look ahead to the 2017 films that people are already talking about.
Whether in cinemas now or arriving in the coming weeks, there are plenty of great films coming to the big screen.
Silence
Starring: Liam Neeson, Adam Driver, Andrew Garfield.
Liam Neeson’s missionary priest has gone AWOL (Taken 4?) so his proteges travel to Japan to find him.
Reasons to watch it: Martin Scorcese is back in the director’s chair. ‘Nuff said.
Manchester by the Sea
Starring: Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler.
The other Affleck brother stars as a man who is asked to become his nephew’s reluctant guardian.
Reasons to watch it: It’s getting rave reviews and it’s already generating Oscar buzz.
T2: Trainspotting
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Kelly MacDonald, Jonny Lee Miller.
Choose a sequel to one of the best films of the 90s. Choose Danny Boyle coming back as director. Choose hoping it lives up to the original.
Reasons to watch it: The first film is a classic so expectations are high.
Dunkirk
Starring: Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Harry Styles.
Director Christopher Nolan’s World War II flick has a star-studded cast and we can’t wait to see his take on the genre.
Reasons to watch it: Christopher Nolan.
Guardians of the Galaxy 2
Starring: Chris Pratt, Vin Diesel, Karen Gillan.
We’re suffering from comic book movie fatigue as much as the next man but GOTG injected some much needed goofiness and humour into the genre.
Reasons to watch it: It looks like seriously good craic!
War for the Planet of the Apes
Starring: Woody Harrelson, Judy Greer, Andy Serkis.
The first two Apes films were a lesson in how to reboot a franchise. Will the third time be the charm?
Reasons to watch: It could yet be a perfect trilogy.
Justice League
https://youtu.be/M-2gW0N40LA
Starring: Amy Adams, Ben Affleck, Ezra Miller.
DC’s attempts at universe-building haven’t gone well. So this could offer redemption or end up as a cinematic car crash. Place your bets!
Reasons to watch: The trailer looks relatively decent (Nobody mention Suicide Squad)…
Star Wars: Episode VIII
Starring: Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Daisy Ridley.
It’s the new Star Wars film.
Reasons to watch: It’s the new Star Wars film.
Logan
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Dafne Keen.
An ageing Wolverine has to get his claws out one more time, despite suffering from a dose of the Danny Glovers (he’s too old for this Snikt).
Reasons to watch: The trailer looks pretty damn good.
The Fate of the Furious
Starring: Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Charlize Theron.
More cars, more crazy stunts and more unnecessary speeches about family from this enduring franchise.
Reasons to watch: It’s bubblegum for the eyes.
Alien Covenant
Starring: Michael Fassbender, Noomi Rapace, James Franco.
Director Ridley Scott returns with the latest Alien film.
Reasons to watch: Creepy extraterrestrial shenanigans.
John Wick Chapter II
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen.
The first film saw the former hitman go on a murderous rampage because someone killed his dog. Maybe they let his budgie out of its cage this time. Who knows?
Reasons to watch: Gun-toting carnage.
Spider-Man: Homecoming
Starring: Tom Holland, Robert Downey Jr, Michael Keating.
Spider-Man gets his first Marvel solo film so expect web-slinging, one-liners and discussions about great responsibility.
Reasons to watch: Tom Holland’s Spider-Man was one of the best things about Captain America: Civil War.
Blade Runner 2049
https://youtu.be/GDscTTE-P-k
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Jared Leto.
This sequel to the sci-fi classic comes loaded with expectations but it’s hard not to get excited about it.
Reasons to watch: Director Denis Villeneuve is well placed to do it justice.
Hacksaw Ridge
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, Hugo Weaving.
The unlikely but true story of a US soldier who took part in some of the bloodiest battles in World War II without ever carrying a gun.
Reasons to watch: Director Mel Gibson may be controversial but he knows how to make an engaging film.
Free Fire
Starring: Brie Larson, Cillian Murphy, Sharlto Copley.
A gun deal goes pear-shaped in seventies Boston. Unsurprisingly, shots and wisecracks ensue…
Reasons to watch: Murphy and Larson are always reliable and the trailer certainly sells it.
Lego Batman
Starring: Will Arnett, Jenny Slate, Rosario Dawson.
The Lego Movie surprised everyone by being pretty amazing. If you didn’t like it, there may actually be something wrong with you.
Reasons to watch: Lego Batman looks like more of the same and we’ll take that.
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