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Top 10
Anticipated Films of 2006
By
Rachel Sexton
The following is a list of ten films I am most excited about seeing
in 2006. There are a lot of pictures that ALMOST made the cut (Marie
Antoinette, Decameron: Angels & Virgins, Cars,
The Fountain) but I needed to narrow the list down to
just a few. Here they are in random order:
1. Tristan and Isolde (January 13) Each year I like to
choose one film that seems unexpected, and this one, opening this very
weekend, takes that prize. This medieval Romeo and Juliet-esque love
story is exactly to my tastes. I like the cast (Spiderman’s
James Franco, Henry Cavill) and director Kevin Reynolds has done work
in the past I’ve liked (Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves). The
trailer hints at lush production values. (FOX)
2. Superman Returns (July 1) The miscasting of
Lois
Lane aside (a blonde?!? shame on you, Warner Bros., even if she is in
a brown wig!), director Bryan Singer brings Krypton’s only son back to
life in gigantic fashion. Kevin Spacey is Lex Luthor and newbie
Brandon Routh looks to fit the part of Clark Kent perfectly. The hype
starts now. (Warner Bros.)
3.
Mission:
Impossible 3
(May 5) Cruise returns to one of the roles we love him in best, super
spy Ethan Hunt. He’s joined by series regular Ving Rhames, as well as
newcomers Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Keri Russell, Billy Crudup and
Laurence Fishburne. J.J Abrams, the genius of Alias and Lost,
has been handed the writing and directing duties. This one looks more
realistic and team-focused than the first two. (Paramount)
4. As You Like It (Fall/Winter) Kenneth Branagh is the
Shakespeare adapter of our time (Hamlet, Henry V,
Much Ado About Nothing), so this version of one of the Bard’s best
romances should fit right in with his previous work. He’s always
trying new things with these classic plays. The setting (Asia)
combined with the cast (Bryce Dallas Howard, Alfred Molina, Kevin
Kline) will intrigue even non-Shakespeare-philes. (Miramax)
5. The Departed (August) Martin Scorsese. Leonardo DiCaprio.
Matt Damon. Mark Wahlberg. Martin Sheen. Jack Nicholson. Cops and
gangsters. Is there any way this CAN’T be a good film? I think every
film fan is rooting for greatness and for Scorsese to finally clutch
that elusive Oscar. Based on a
Hong
Kong film, Infernal Affairs. (Warner Bros.)
6. All the King’s Men (Winter) The cast consists of Sean
Penn, Jude Law, Kate Winslet and Patricia Clarkson. Steven Zaillian (A
Civil Action, Searching for Bobby Fischer) writes and
directs. It is a remake of a past Best Picture Academy Award winner.
The remake has even more awards stamped all over it. At the very
least, the performances can’t miss. (Sony)
7. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (July 7) As
the tag line says, “Captain Jack is back!” Johnny Depp’s
Oscar-nominated role is a fans favorite, and the trailer hints he’s in
fine form. That Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, director Gore
Verbinski and writers Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio all returned bodes
well. (Disney)
8. The DaVinci Code (May 19) Everyone knows the book, and
now everyone can see the film directed by Ron Howard and starring Tom
Hanks. Wonderful French actress Audrey Tautou (A Very Long
Engagement) also stars, while others in the cast include Ian
McKellen and Paul Bettany, two of my faves. Exciting and
thought-provoking, the book should hopefully prove to be very
cinematic in the hands of these filmmakers. (Sony)
9. The Black Dahlia (Fall) Some of my favorite actors
including Josh Hartnett, Aaron Eckhart and Hilary Swank appear under
the direction of Brian DePalma (The Untouchables, Carrie)
for this adaptation of James Ellroy’s novel about L.A.’s infamous
1940’s murder case of the same name. Given that Ellroy also wrote
L.A. Confidential, one of my all-time favorite films, could this
be just as good? Here’s hoping. (Universal)
10. X-Men 3 (May 26) Though director Singer defected (see #2),
the main cast is back playing everyone’s favorite squad of mutants.
Surprises, new characters and the usual action all look to be on
display if the trailer is any indication. Director Brett Ratner (Rush
Hour) takes over directing duties, and we’ll just have to wait
until Memorial Day to see if he comes through or not. (FOX)
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