As a film critic, it’s important to remain open minded when you walk into any screening. However, it would be disingenuous if we didn’t disclose that the anticipation of seeing some releases is about on par with getting audited by the IRS. So I sat down, looked at the calendar for 2017, and came up with the five film releases that are the least anticipated releases during the new year.
5. Pitch Perfect 3
What exactly is left for these Bellas to accomplish? We’ve seen Anna Kendrick and her crew conquer both the collegiate and the international acapella singing circuit (eye roll). Maybe they go pro this time? How can the narrative of the third film go in any sort of plausible direction?
4.The Emoji Movie
So now Hollywood is officially out of ideas and has resorted to creating a film based on the symbols we use on our phone. Really? What’s sad is that it’s being released the first week of August and will stand a real shot at being the #1 movie in America that week.
3.Fifty Shades Darker
Just when you thought America’s scars were starting to heal, it seems we are getting a Fifty Shades of Grey sequel. While it’s not shocking that they are releasing a sequel (it made 571 million dollars domestically), that doesn’t mean this film will be any more palatable than the first one. In the absence of any sort of narrative, I would expect to see more nude scenes involving the film’s two stars (Oh Joy).
2. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man Tell No Tales
Must we go back to the well once more? Again this is all about ticket sales as Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides made 241 million dollars domestically. That doesn’t mean the film is anything close to resembling a quality film, it just means there is a demand for Johnny Depp to put on that ridiculous Captain Jack outfit once more.
1.Justice League
Now before anyone accuses me of being a hater of DC films, let me remind everyone that I was one of the few people who wrote a decent review for Batman v Superman. My issues with Justice League stems equally from both Zack Snyder and the interference with the studio. Snyder has demonstrated an affinity for showing little respect for the rich history of these iconic DC characters. They say change is good but too much change can deter from the enjoyment of the film. Speaking of change, the negative response to DC’s 2016 release has lead to changes in the film (some coming from the studio directly). All this change seems to be taking this film down a path of inconsistency that could be spell doom.
Final Thoughts
Nothing would make me happier than to be wrong about all five of these films and for the final products to be something that I can recommend to everyone. However, as it stands right now, the evidence seems to point in a different direction. What do you guys think? Let me know and leave your comments.
