Action and Adaptations: The 10 Movies To Watch In The Second Half Of 2019
So this list has some flaws: I forgot to do it before Spider-Man came out so I had to leave that off, a handful of these movies are on here because I think they could be spectacularly bad (hello, Cats) and to be honest, I could have included a good four or five more. But I decided to whittle it down to the top ten - the good, the bad and the potential.
The Lion King
July 19
So, I’m a bit skeptical of this remake. The Disney original has been one of my favorite movies since I was three or four years old, and I’m concerned nothing can live up to that in my mind. I do have to admit, though, that baby Simba is stupidly adorable. Hopefully with a great cast, this movie can rank higher in my mind than the recently redone Aladdin.
Once Upon A Time In Hollywood
July 26
I’m not often a big fan of Tarantino films since I can only handle so much blood in my movies, but the context of this one is fascinating. It’s a period of Hollywood that seems so long ago but really isn’t, and I’m curious how they’ll capture all the feelings of Manson hysteria from this perspective.
Hobbs & Shaw
August 2
I know this movie will be ridiculous. There is not a single doubt in my mind. The trailers have made me laugh out loud multiple times and it seems to be leaning hard into its insanity. If you’re going to be a explosion-filled, insane action movie, just own it. And that’s exactly what this Fast & Furious spin off is doing
Where’d You Go Bernadette
August 16
I swear the release date for this movie has changed eight times. Hopefully, it’ll finally be in theaters officially in August. I read the book and am really curious how the adaptation will play out. The preview already seems to be straying quite a bit, so I am a tiny bit apprehensive.
Downton Abbey
September 20
I adore Downton Abbey. So much so that I studied abroad in England and took a class about the manor home and it’s uses in that tv show and novels. I have high hopes for this follow up, especially since it seems that every single cast member has signed back on and will be present for one more go.
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil
October 18
I may be one of the only people excited about this sequel, but I legitimately enjoyed the first Maleficent and am curious to see where they take this story. It definitely seems to be taking a bit of a turn from the first one’s tone and it’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out as we get further into her story.
Last Christmas
November 8
Emilia Clarke, Emma Thompson and Henry Golding in a romantic comedy. If I need to explain it more, I don’t know how to help you. My only concern is that this is clearly a holiday movie coming out still a few weeks before Thanksgiving. Feel like it could have done better with a late November date.
Knives Out
November 27
We’re in need for a good whodunnit and this one will probably fit the bill. A solid cast, an impressive director and a potentially new take on this genre means that I’ll be on the edge of my seat, if only for seeing Chris Evans in a role that is completely different from the Captain America one we’re so used to.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
December 20
Naturally this one has to be on the most-anticipated, especially since they seem to be promising some kind of conclusion with this one. At the very least, we should get closure on some of the stories, and I’m a tad anxious/curious to see how they worked Leia into this one.
Cats
December 20
Okay. Is this a movie I really want to see? Not really. Do I think it’s going to be a train wreck, even with an all-star cast? Probably. For that reason alone, do I intend on seeing it and potentially scarring myself for life? Abso-freaking-lutely. The fact that they aren’t telling us anything about the movie or sharing images makes it even more intriguing.
Which of these are you most excited to see on a big screen? Did I leave your most anticipated movie off my list? Let me know.