January is always an exciting time when it comes to film. Sifting through upcoming releases and seeing what piques your interest (sometimes even being surprised by something), and having that moment where, with the previous year behind you, you see how everything you were excited for stacked up and turned out. And hopefully it ends up better than worse. While I’m still taking a few weeks to compile my favourite films of 2016, I thought I’d get to talking about a few of the movies I’m most excited for this year.

10: Mary and the Witch’s Flower

     The first film from Studio Ponoc, the studio that was founded in 2015 by Yoshiaki Nishimura, who was previously a head producer over at Studio Ghibli, and directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, director of The Secret World of Arriety and When Marnie Was There. The film itself concerns a girl who finds out that she has the power to become a witch, but only for one night.
    While we've only gotten one very short teaser, Mary and the Witch's Flower is a film that will quite possibly be one of the sweetest and most imaginative of the year. Yes, the teaser does feel very reminiscent of Ghibli, but it would be unfair to compare the two. The only reason I brought it up is because I have already seen it mentioned before, and as much as I know that people mean it as a compliment, it's important to let these new works stand on their own, in their own name. I hope that the film does end up as magical and fantastic as it seems to be, because I would love to see what other pieces of imaginative wonder Studio Ponoc will bring us.

09: T2 Trainspotting

    Taking elements from Irvine Welsh’s literary sequel to Trainspotting, Porno, the sequel is set twenty years after the original, as Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor) returns home to make peace with his friends, and hopefully avoiding a very angry Begbie. This may be complicated since, you know, Renton stole their money.
    When it was first announced, I was hesitant about the idea of Trainspotting having a sequel, the same way as I would be with almost anything going back to “revisit” a previous property. Yes, Danny Boyle is behind it and, yes, the original cast is returning, but one can’t help but feel hesitant in situations like these. This goes double when the original is widely acclaimed as one of the best British films of all time. Then the trailer was released and I was fully onboard. Not only did it capture the feel and kinetic energy of the original, and make you excited to see these characters again, but it was fun to see it play off of the original’s most famous line. If the trailer is any indication of the finished product, it will be a sequel that is well worth the wait.

08: Dunkirk

    We’ve already seen Christopher Nolan tackle quite a bit of different things in his career, and his venture into the harrowing evacuation of allied soldiers in World War II seems like a perfect mix. Nolan has always been a filmmaker who knows how to make a tense spectacle, so we can easily guarantee that it is going to be a nails-in-the-armrest experience for the better part of its running time. It will also be interesting to see, this being based off true events, if he keeps to a straightforward narrative or finds another way to tell the story, as he is wont to do with more original projects.

07: Logan

    Originally, I had this as a runner-up, then the final trailer and word of the first 40-minute screenings came and my excitement could not be contained. I find it incredibly hard to get excited for superhero films anymore, and have for quite a while. The difference here is that Logan is a film that is very much working through a different genre. I love the western feel and atmosphere we have been presented so far. It’s something that could very easily come off as trying too hard, or not fitting properly, but it’s a very apt feel for the character of Logan.
     Not only do we get what looks to be a great new side of Xavier through the always fantastic Patrick Stewart, but it most notably is the last hurrah for Hugh Jackman as Wolverine (unless he’s persuaded otherwise, since we know Ryan Reynolds is trying hard to do so). Jackman has always been great in the role, very much making it his own, and as bittersweet as it is to know we won’t be seeing any more of him, the film seems to be giving him a proper, loving sendoff. It’s appropriate that the character who has been such a loner for so long is coming to a character conclusion in a story centering around familial connections. It looks like it will be a heartfelt goodbye to an individual we love so much.
     Before I move on, I must quickly mention one more thing; X-23. I am incredibly happy to see her being used, and not because she’s a new character being introduced. I’m always ecstatic about new and interesting women characters in film, and the fact that it’s a young girl makes me even happier. I’m just as excited to see how they have a strong girl become a, hopeful, mainstay in the on-screen comics universe as I am for Hugh Jackman’s final role as the title character.

06: The Lego Batman Movie

     A few years ago, we were surprised by the fact that The Lego Movie turned out to be as fantastic and heart-touching as it was. We were also treated to quite a few memorable, and fun, characters. Now, with the fatigue of the fiasco surrounding the DCEU and whatever is happening there, it feels like a great breath of fresh air that we are getting a DC superhero film that isn’t incredibly self-serious and tries painstakingly hard for gravitas. It’s especially refreshing to me, since I am a major fan of DC, and can’t muster any real excitement towards the upcoming films, at least what I should be feeling as a fan.
     I’m a massive Batman fan, as I’m sure you can tell from other areas on the website, but I know the jokes that can be easily made at the character’s expense whenever he’s treated as being so serious and grim. The trailers have all shown that, like The Lego Movie, this is obviously made from a place of love, and I enjoy the fact that the makers seem to be tackling multiple aspects of the caped crusader’s history. If it’s even half as fun as the movie that preceded it, we’re in for one of the most fun times at the theater this year.

05: Paddington 2

     The lovable bear, voiced by Ben Whishaw, returns in this film where he seeks to find whomever happened to steal a special book purchased as a birthday gift.
     The choice and excitement for Paddington 2 rests solely on the first Paddington film. The trailers were okay, but I think a lot of people expected the film to turn out the way that quite a few adaptations of beloved classics go. Instead, we got a heartwarming, sweet, and worthwhile film based on the character, and if you haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend it. I simply hope that this one is of the same quality, as it's never a bad time to have such a movie with such a lovable and sweet character to spend the time with.

04: Blade Runner 2049

    If you had told me years ago that I would be excited about a Blade Runner sequel, I probably would’ve been very hesitant to believe you. Yet, here we are, and the film ranks as high as it does. Not only do we get Harrison Ford returning, with Ryan Gosling by his side, but we are also treated to Denis Villeneuve behind the camera. Villeneuve has quickly become one of my new favourite filmmakers to look forward to, as everything he has released has been fantastic in its own way. I don’t want to know too much about the surprises they have in store, but the initial teaser trailer was perfect in keeping us in the dark about everything while also being fun enough to make us excited.
    The original is a very high benchmark in science-fiction, but if the talent involved is anything to go by, we are in very safe and capable hands.

03: Baby Driver

    A getaway driver for bank robbers wants to find a way out to make a new life for himself. Before he can, though, he takes part in a robbery that doesn’t quite go that well.
    This entry hinges entirely on the fact that it’s the new film from Edgar Wright. I have loved everything the man has made so far, his style and writing always making sure that his films end up on some of my ‘favourites of the year’ lists. He also has a wonderful taste in music, which I hear will play a big part in the film itself. There isn’t much else to say, except that it’s sure to be as fun to see in the theaters as his other films, I’m sure.

02: The Shape of Water
    Guillermo del Toro brings us a story set in Cold War-era America, where a government facility janitor falls in love with an aquatic man that is held captive for testing.
    I’m not going to lie, the top three honestly do revolve around the fact that they are films being made by filmmaker’s I absolutely adore. I love del Toro’s imagination, it is one of the best in the business, but the biggest pull here is the fact that he seems to be working on a smaller scale than he has in his last few outings. His more personal, tightly contained films have always been the best. Not to mention, we always have the usual del Toro greatness to look forward to, such as his magnificent designs. There’s no question about it that this will be a very touching and sweet film, based purely on the one line synopsis. I expect to end up quite teary-eyed.

01: Untitled Paul Thomas Anderson Film

     Besides the fact that the film is set in 1950’s London and deals with the fashion industry, there is very little we know about PTA’s newest venture. That’s fine by me. After taking his time in the 00’s, going so far as only making two films in a ten-year span, Anderson seems to have hit his stride in terms of productions. I’m not sure if he spent the majority of his time away writing a variety of screenplays he can now work through at a steady pace or what, but I am not complaining in the slightest. The man is very high on my list of personal favourite filmmakers, constantly working on producing some of the best films of our modern era.
    Just as importantly, this film sees Anderson teaming back up with There Will Be Blood star Daniel Day-Lewis, one of my favourite actors of all time. Talking to me about this film face to face may end up making me launch into a giddy ramble.