Adam Lenhardt
Senior HTF Member
NOTE: This isn't intended as a poll, but to generate some genuine discussion on the exciting year ahead of us.
And with that said, I will defy it and post my list of top ten
And with that said, I will defy it and post my list of top ten
- Jersey Girl
This is by far my most anticipated film of the year. Chasing Amy was perhaps his greatest flick, emotionally charged... it zings around from the dramatic to the comedic effortlessly. Perhaps the lowest point was the cinematography. Now, after the wonderful low-brow Jay and Silent Bob, he's ready to release another dramedy on the world. With the competent Vilmos Zsigmond lensing the flick, we should have the best looking Smith flick to date. And the family themes explored are interesting to me, and I'm eager to see his take on them. I know very little about the flick, and that makes me anticipate it all the more. - Kill Bill
Having never seen Jackie Brown, Pulp Fiction, or Reservoir Dogs, I can't say that I've fallen under Tarantino's spell. But everything about the trailer for this flick just kicked my ass. The music, the editing, the urban samurai fighting shit. This looks like a blast. - Return of the King
The Two Towers was a disappointment for me... but only because Fellowship of the Ring had been such a completely marvelous success. Even as a disappointment, the scope and epic scale of it cannot be denied. I got goose bumps several times. And some of the stuff that I missed from this film is promised to be in ROTK. Combined, I have little doubt that the Lord of the Rings will be the most impressive work of fantasy in cinema history. I can't wait to see how Jackson and Co. end it all. - Matrix Reloaded/Matrix Revolutions
While I wasn't as taken with the original as some people were, I still thought it was a kick ass action flick. And with all the buzz I've heard on these flicks along with the kick ass teaser trailer, I expect them to deliver a seriously entertaining ride. - Once Upon a Time in Mexico
Robert Rodriguez is my idol, I just dig the shit he does. The third and final chapter of his El Mariachi Trilogy of films, and I doubt I'm the only one looking forward to the machine gun in guitar case-toting El Mariachi's return. It will be very interesting indeed to see how Rodriguez handles slow mo with the Sony 24P high-def cameras. - Seabiscuit
Filmed partially at the nearby historic Saratoga race track, it tells the tale of the horse Seabiscuit, circa 1938. Its owner had no previous noteworthy thoroughbreds, its trainer had never created a spectacular success, and its jockey had been on a downward slide. And the 1938 match race between Seabiscuit and Triple Crown winner War Admiral at Pimlico Race Course in Maryland, which many horse racing enthusiasts still consider to be the best race of all time. From the director of Pleasantville, Gary Ross, and featuring an all-star cast including Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges, and William H. Macy. The trailer played the hope in a time of despair card very well. I expect good things. - Daredevil
Starring Ben Affleck in the title role, it is an adaptation of the comic about a blind man who works as a lawyer by day and a costumed vigilante by night. Written and Directed by Mark Steven Johnson of Simon Birch fame, he seems at face value to be an ill-conceived choice. But in all the interviews, he's come across as a genuine fan boy and all his casting choices (except perhaps Affleck in the title role) have suited the characters over signing big name talent. I'm a bit wary about whether or not he can pull off the action set pieces, but I like everything I've seen so far. - Hulk
Stars Eric Bana and Jennifer Connelly. Directed by Ang Lee. Another Marvel Comics adaptation, this one about a scientist with a mean, green Jekyll/Hyde complex when someone pisses him off. The teaser was good, and the talent is top notch. The only thing that keeps this so low on my list is all the rumoured problems during production, and the fact they've been having serious problems with the CG Hulk. A commercial revealing all is scheduled to run during the super bowl. We'll see then. - Holes
Screenplay by Louis Sachar, adapting his own award-winning children's novel. It's the story, more or less, of "A warden at a juvinile detention center has children dig large holes, claiming it builds character, but is really looking for a legendary hidden treasure," at least if you trust IMDB. I've heard good things about the book, and it seems sort of quirky. There's also some favorites of mine involved... Sigourney Weaver, Jon Voight, and Henry Winkler. I'm tracking this one with increasing curiosity. - TimelineDirected by one of my all time favorites, Richard Donner, it's an adaptation of Michael Crichton's novel. Essentially a time travel flick set in the Middle Ages, it looks like a rush. It also reteams Donner with Jerry Goldsmith for the first time since The Omen.[/list=1]
