Ones to Watch: The Best Movies for 2013 Part 3

The year is almost over. The world didn’t end and it looks like there will in fact be a 2013. With the new year brings a new crop of movies so I’m bringing a 4 part series to cover some of the movies I’m look forward to in the year to come and also a few I’m cringing at the thought that they are coming to the silver screen.

This is a continuation of the list. You can go back and read Part 1 and Part 2.

Oz The Great and Powerful
About a year ago or so, I had heard rumors that there was going to be a new Oz film. With The Wizard of Oz being one of my all time favorite films, I was more than a bit concerned with the recent trend of remakes and reboots filling the theaters. I was a bit more than relieved a few months later to find out this is neither a remake or a reboot. It’s a prequel to the movie I love so much telling the tale of how with wizard gets to Oz. While I’m not totally sold on James Franco as an actor, the movie looks absolutely gorgeous. The same care with the look of this movie and the special effects appear to be the on par with what made Alice In Wonderland a spectacular visual experience. I’m just hopeful that this doesn’t turn out to be like Return to Oz.

Oblivion
Oblivion is a Sci/Fi action film that features a pretty high profile cast of actors, most notably Tom Cruise and Morgan Freeman. It’s not to say that good actors don’t pick bad films, but I think it’s a good sign to the quality of film we are in store for. I don’t know much about the comic book this film is based on, but the trailer does make it out to be chock full of action and plot twists. If this movie is even half as good as Tom Cruise is crazy, I think we are in for a real treat.

The Great Gatsby
Rarely is it a good sign when a movie release date slips, but I’m going to make an exception for this film. Originally it was slated to be out by now, but it’s now scheduled for a May release. While it’s been a bit since Baz Luhrmann has directed a major feature film, I’m hopeful that this film takes on the great look that his other early 20th century film, Moulin Rouge!, had. Incorporate Leonardo DiCaprio portraying the leading role, and this film looks to be a great tribute to the classic book.

The World’s End
The combination of Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Edgar Wright have brought us great movies like Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. I am hopeful that their reunion film brings back the same quality of brilliant, unique stories entwined with the silly humor that made their other films great. This one is slated for the end of the year, so there isn’t much on it, but the timing is perfect for it to be a Holiday season blockbuster and I can’t wait to be there to judge the result. I only hope that some of the running gags that threaded Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz together make their way into this film as well.

Side Effects
Steven Soderbergh can be a polarizing director. There are lots of people who don’t like his work. Maybe it’s due to his unapologetic themes, and this one doesn’t seem to be any different. The cast of this film looks ridiculous (in a good way) and I have little doubt that Soderbergh will incorporate a genuinely unique look at relationships in this suspense thriller. Like his other stuff, it probably won’t be for everyone, but I think it will undoubtedly incite plenty of discussion among film watchers. To me, that’s the best kind of art – something that makes you think and question your ideals.

Stay tuned for Part 4 covering some of the worst movies to coming in 2013.