Fresh Films of 2021 - Ben Nixon

Fresh Films of 2021

by ben nixon

2020 was a bit barren for the movie industry. Many big releases were delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic and cinemas around the world closed or are now in danger of closing. Many movies managed to find success on streaming platforms, which may very well be the future of movie distribution. However, there is high hope this year that more movies will be released in cinemas. So, here are some to get excited for:

DUNE

If you keep up to date with current directors, you might have heard of Denis Villeneuve. He has made Oscar-calibre dramas for many years and my personal favourite movie of all time, Blade Runner 2049. Dune is an adaptation of a popular science-fiction novel by Frank Herbert. It revolves around a futuristic world where one man must keep the most precious element in the galaxy safe. First helmed by David Lynch in 1984, this remake is said to be epic, dramatic and visually spectacular! With an acclaimed director and an all-star cast, featuring Timothée Chalamet and Oscar Isaac, I am hoping for this to be the same thought-provoking and characterdriven sci-fi film that Blade Runner was!

A QUIET PLACE PART II

While the first movie wasn’t perfect, I loved the originality of A Quiet Place and the tension built around the need to not make a sound in a world of sound-hunting monsters. Whilst I didn’t think a sequel was necessary, early reviews for Part II were very positive and the trailer showed some captivating scenes that grabbed my attention. The movie was originally scheduled for release in April last year; however, we will hopefully get to see it this year and jump out of our seats in fright!

LAST NIGHT IN SOHO

Another long-delayed film from 2020, Last Night in Soho is a horror film centred around the London fashion industry during the 1960s. It’s directed by Edgar Wright, who has made a string of successful, hyper-coloured comedies including The Cornetto Trilogy and Baby Driver. Although he’s worked with horror-comedy in Shaun of the Dead, pure horror is a very different avenue for him. Can he do it? No matter what, this movie will be intriguing to see and will surely contain his signature fast-paced editing style.

PINOCCHIO

Don’t worry! This is not another live-action Disney remake. This Pinocchio movie is being directed by Guillermo Del Toro, the film maker behind Pan’s Labyrinth, Hellboy, Pacific Rim and the overrated The Shape of Water. While I’m not the biggest fan of Del Toro’s work (hence the comment on The Shape of Water), I admire his distinct style and fantastical creatures. What’s most compelling about this is that it is a stop-motion film. I’m a huge fan of stop-motion and the idea of a well-known director stepping into animation is intriguing. This will be one to watch!

THE MATRIx 4

The Matrix is one of my favourite science fiction movies and Lana Wachowski, the original creator, is back. However, I’m not so sure about this one. I haven’t loved any Wachowski movies outside of the first Matrix. Cloud Atlas is okay, but I found the Matrix sequels themselves slow and overly philosophical. Very little about the plot has been revealed but at least this will allow us to reminisce about the original film. I’m not super excited, but I am very curious.

DON’T LOOk UP

Although we have been given very little information so far, from what we know, Don’t Look Up is a science fiction comedy about a group of astronauts as they try and find a way to warn Earth about an approaching meteorite. Directed by Adam McKay of Anchorman and The Big Short fame and starring Leonardo Dicaprio, Jennifer Lawrence and Timothée Chalamet among many others, this movie has caught my attention.

While there are many films to look forward to, there is still one big question. Will these films debut on the big screen or will streaming releases be the future of the movie industry? Personally, I don’t have a problem with streaming being a dominant platform for movies. I have been watching them at home for a long time. However, I have always enjoyed movie premieres and midnight screenings. There is always a fun sense of anticipation watching films at the cinemas. Event movies in particular, like Marvel and Star Wars, are a joy for me. Seeing everyone in costume and immersing myself in the cinema experience is always something I will love. Still, the current state of the world doesn’t leave much space for that. Hopefully, things will get better soon, but if not, we should count ourselves lucky to be able to watch them in the comfort of our home.