Top 15 Films To Look Out For: Pre-Summer 2007 Hype List
December 30, 2006
by Alex Billington
As we near the end of 2006 and more importantly the start of 2007, it's time we start looking forward to some of the more exciting films in the new year. Before obviously jumping too deep into the very exciting realm of summer that features handfuls of trilogy conclusions and more, I thought I'd take a look at the pre-summer films in what I call the hype list.
(Not counting the first week or two of January for the overflow-from-2006 films like Children of Men and Perfume.)
Keep up to date with the complete 2007 Release Schedule here.
January:
Smokin’ Aces
(Jan 26)
Lots of guns and lots of violent mayhem are packed into this. I've been looking forward to it ever since we posted the first trailer a long while ago and have been getting more and more excited since director Joe Carnahan has been running a blog keeping people up-to-date and excited for it. I hope it's as good as all the trailers make it out to be combined with the positive buzz that's been coming from early reviews.
February:
Hannibal Rising
(Feb 9)
There's a bit more to this Hannibal film than you'll originally think, as you can tell from this photo above. Still as dark as a film about Hannibal Lecter should be, but this film has been so quiet and hardly recognized when I've heard it will be incredible. I'm not that big of a horror/thriller fan, and honestly I can't wait to see this.
Ghost Rider
(Feb 16)
This is the super-hero film that will deliver complete comic book excellence well in advance of the Spider-Man / Transformers summer, and it looks like it'll be incredible. I've been anxiously awaiting it all while the buzz has been unfortunately declining. I hope it will pick up in early February before its release and draw the excited crowds of comic book fans. Don't judge this on the jumbled trailers alone, judge it on how great Nic Cage as Ghost Rider will be.
Reno 911!: Miami
(Feb 23)
Have you had enough Borat? Another great TV comedy is being brought to the big screen, and this time it's Reno 911! Featuring the full cast this time down in Miami. If you haven't seen the trailer, go watch it right now! These guys are even funnier than Borat in their TV show and will deliver and even funnier full length film. It's even got exploding helicopters!
The Number 23
(Feb 23)
A dark, mysterious thriller from Joel Schumacher. This guy knows how to set the mood and in the trailers so far, Jim Carrey looks darker and eviler than we've ever seen him. I typically am not that interested in this films, but I'm telling you, this one will be just amazing. Be prepared to be shocked in this one!
The Astronaut Farmer
(Feb 23)
This dramatic role for Billy Bob Thornton looks like it'll just be one of those feel-good films with a bit more “umph” to it than the regular Hollywood crap that's pumped out. Another one where you need to watch the trailer - it's a great introduction to the story. A change from the violent, action, and comic book movies that are filling this list.
March:
Zodiac
(Mar 2)
A very intricate thriller starring a great cast and directed by the one-and-only David Fincher of Fight Club. I'm truly excited to see what he can do with this 70′s murder mystery in San Francisco and if he can turn it into as incredible of a film as is Se7en and Fight Club. Plus it's got my vote for the best poster of 2006!
300
(Mar 9)
My single #1 most anticipated film of all of 2007. Whenever I watch the trailer I just go crazy. I seen lots of movies, and will be seeing lots of movies in 2007, and when I watch this, I am more excited than anything I've seen or heard of. This movie will blow us away with something we've never seen before and will never see again. Pure brilliance!
Reign Over Me
(Mar 9)
Another really good drama that just has this incredible tangent feeling from the trailer. Out of all the pre-summer dramas, this is my most highly anticipated. A great cast with another comedic actor turned dramatic, and yet still a wonderful story that will have plenty of happy and plenty of sad moments. Check this out even if you're not a big fan of drama - you may yet be interested.
Shooter
(Mar 16)
Ever since the new trailer came out, I've been looking forward to this. “Marky Mark” Wahlberg is one of my favorite actors as of current and putting him into a violent full-of-action film makes it even better. The few scenes he had where he shot a gun in The Departed were great - now imagine a whole movie with him like that, even though that's a far step from what this probably is.
Sunshine
(Mar 16 - Unconfirmed)
Still unconfirmed on its date and no real trailer, this still does sound incredible. A sci-fi, something we've been missing a lot of as of current, that becomes a dramatic thriller up in space, but with some true finesse. There is a bootlegged trailer you can watch, and maybe that will get you a little more excited for this. Let's hope it still comes out in March!
TMNT
(Mar 23)
Finally, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are back! Even with the latest 160 photos released, this looks great. Some have been a bit sad that it's CGI, but just imagine how incredible it's going to be and how much awesome fights there will be! One of the only animated films, along with Ratatouille, that I'm really looking forward to in 2007.
April:
Grindhouse
(Apr 6)
This one has been pure joy since I saw the first footage back at Comic-Con. The whole experience of it is going to be incredible, with fake trailers and everything they're doing to make it into a film that truly feels like it came from a grind house theater! Everything you love about Tarantino and Rodriguez combined into one film - yes!
Hot Fuzz
(Apr 13)
Since Shaun of the Dead came out, I can't imagine one person who isn't waiting to see the next film from this trio. A now here it is! All about some vigilante cops and still as hilarious as could be, with some serial killer horror thrown in (as they know best from Shaun of the Dead). Can't wait for this - will definitely be one of the best comedies of 2007!
The Kingdom
(Apr 20)
Again, after the new trailer came out, I've become pretty excited for it. Although I think Jennifer Garner wasn't the greatest choice, you can hardly go wrong with Jamie Foxx in an action-intense film. And Peter Berg is never a let down either, I mean, look at The Rundown - oh wait, maybe not. Either way, I'll be looking forward to seeing it.
