The List | 13 Most Anticipated Films of 2013

1. Before Midnight

Director: Richard Linklater

Starring: Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy 

Synopsis: We meet Celine and Jesse nine years after their last rendezvous in Paris. Almost two decades have passed since their first encounter on a train bound for Vienna, and we now find them in their early forties in Greece. Before the clock strikes midnight, we will again become part of their story.

Why Anticipate? : No film in modern history has portrayed the pain of love, longing and letting-go, the way the two Before films have done. While Sunrise was about self-fulfillment and self-discovery through attraction, Sunset was about self-realisation of the profound feelings of regret over the missed opportunities in life. Nine years after they met in Paris, they meet again this time in Greece and inspite of being apprehensive that a 3rd film may spoil the sanctity of my association with Jesse and Celine, I can't stop myself from eagerly waiting to know what has transpired in their lives since they last met.

2. Upstream Color

Director: Shane Carruth

Starring: Andrew Sensenig, Shane Carruth, Brina Palencia

Synopsis: Kris is derailed from her life when she is drugged by a small-time thief. But something bigger is going on. She is unknowingly drawn into the life cycle of a presence that permeates the microscopic world, moving to nematodes, plant life, livestock, and back again. Along the way, she finds another being—a familiar, who is equally consumed by the larger force. The two search urgently for a place of safety within each other as they struggle to assemble the loose fragments of wrecked lives.

Why Anticipate? : Anyone remotely familiar with Shane Caruth's previous and only work Primer, a densely layered and incredibly complex story about time travel would know his immense capability and vision as a film-maker . I will go ahead and say that he can very well be the next Christopher Nolan or Charlie Kaufman. With its powerful cinematic language, Upstream Color is an entirely original, mythic, romantic thriller that goes in search of truths that lie just beyond our reach.

3. Only God Forgives

Director: Nicolas Winding Refn

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Kristin Scott Thomas

Synopsis: The film follows Julian, who runs a Thai boxing club as a front organization for his family's drug smuggling operation, as he is forced by his mother Jenna to find and kill the individual, a Bangkok police lieutenant, responsible for his brother's recent death. Ultimately, Julian and police lieutenant decide to settle their differences in a Thai-boxing match.

Why Anticipate? : Director Nocholas Refn's last work Drive was truly a deft portrayal of crime world in an uncharacteristic retro style story-telling and music. Drive was among my top 3 favorites in 2011, and I expect this to be as good. Though what intensifies the anticipation is it's adrenaline inducing plot and the above gruesome picture of Ryan Gosling [ next Brad Pitt ? ]

4.  Her

Director: Spike Jonze

Stars: Joaquin Phoenix, Olivia Wilde, Rooney Mara, Amy Adams, Samantha Morton

Synopsis: In the not so distant future, Theodore, a lonely writer purchases a newly developed operating system designed to meet the user's every needs. To Theordore's surprise, a romantic relationship develops between him and his operating system. This unconventional love story blends science fiction and romance in a sweet tale that explores the nature of love and the ways that technology isolates and connects us all.

Why Anticipate? : A director who has Being John Malkovich and Adaptation on his resume, again takes the plunge in a  sci-fi drama. Only a ignorant will not be interested in this. If you still aren't convinced, the synopsis above only summarizes how intriguing the final product could be. Add to that the madness of Joaquin Phoenix, and we might have a lip-smacking film at our behest. 

5. Diana

Director: Oliver Hirschbiegel

Starring: Naomi Watts, Naveen Andrews

Synopsis: When Princess Diana flew to Pakistan in May 1997, she went to meet the family of Dr. Hasnat Khan, the man she wanted to marry. One of the most famous and beautiful women in the world, she hoped to persuade Dr. Khan’s mother that she would make a suitable wife for her son. Had she succeeded, the events of that summer might have been very different.A love story about family, friendship and the calamity of fame.

Why Anticipate? : A film about the most enigmatic and controversial woman of her time. Do we need any more reason to wait for this ? If yes, then I do have some more. Naomi Watts plays Princess Diana in what could be her glory to Oscars and Hirschbiegel [better known for his brilliant film about last days of Hitler called Downfall] directs this.

6. Gravity

Director: Alfonso Cuaron

Starring: George Clooney, Sandra Bullock

Synopsis: Dr. Ryan Stone, a brilliant medical engineer on her first shuttle mission, with veteran astronaut Matt Kowalsky in command of his last flight before retiring. But on a seemingly routine spacewalk, disaster strikes. The shuttle is destroyed, leaving Stone and Kowalsky to nothing but each other and spiraling out into the blackness. The deafening silence tells them they have lost any link to Earth…and any chance for rescue. As fear turns to panic, every gulp of air eats away at what little oxygen is left. But the only way home may be to go further out into the terrifying expanse of space.

Why Anticipate? : If synopsis above wasn't enough here is an interesting nugget of information about the film - the opening 20 minutes of the film is one single continuous shot, all in real time.  

7. Snowpiercer

Director: Joon-ho Bong

Starring: Kang-ho Song, Chris Evans, Jamie Bell, Tilda Swinton, John Hurt, Alison Pill, Octavia Spencer, Ed Harris.

Synopsis: The story is set in a new ice age caused by a failed experiment to stop global warming that killed virtually all life on the planet.  The sole survivors live on a train called Snowpercer—powered by a perpetual machine—who struggle with the class system implemented on the train. 

Why Anticipate? : Joon-ho Bong has become an international name just by directing few brilliant Korean films such as Memories of Murder, The Host and Mother. He forays into Hollywood with this mammoth film which not only has a gripping premise but also incredible potential to be one of the truly great sci-fi films of the year.

8. The Monuments Men

Director: George Clooney

Starring: George Clooney, Daniel Craig, Cate Blanchett, Matt Damon, Jean Dujardin, Bill Murray, John Goodman

Synopsis: In a race against time, a crew of art historians and museum curators unite to recover renown works of art stolen by Nazis before Hitler destroys them.

Why Anticipate? : Not much is known about the film except that it's an adventure story, a World War period film and has a galaxy of stars [see above] in it. And yes Clooney directs it too. I am in, are you ?

9. Stoker

Director: Chan-wook Park

Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Nicole Kidman, Matthew Goode

Synopsis: After India's father dies, her Uncle Charlie, who she never knew existed, comes to live with her and her unstable mother. India starts suspecting his motives but soon becomes increasingly infatuated to this mysterious, charming man.

Why Anticipate? : For those unfamiliar with Chan-wook Park, here's what you need to know, he is the director of Oldboy. With a similar incestuous sounding plot in Stoker, Park has again decided to chart out a dangerous territory for his Hollywood debut. The trailer, the images, the music, all are pointing towards the fact that Park has succeeded again in making a spine-chilling thriller. And did I say it stars Nicole Kidman ?

10. The Great Gatsby

Director: Baz Luhrmann

Starring:  Leonardo DiCaprio, Amitabh Bachchan, Toby Maguire, Carey Mulligan

Synopsis: An adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's Long Island-set novel, where Midwesterner Nick Carraway is lured into the lavish world of his neighbor, Jay Gatsby. Soon enough, however, Carraway will see through the cracks of Gatsby's nouveau riche existence, where obsession, madness, and tragedy await.

Why Anticipate? : If names like Baz Luhrmann, Leonardo DiCaprio, a lavish looking trailer aren't enough to wait for this, set yourself up for India's biggest acting legend Amitabh Bachchan's debut in Hollywood, albeit in a small supporting role. Presence of one of the brightest future stars, beautiful Carey Mulligan only soars the expectations. 

11. Twelve years a slave

Director: Steve MacQueen

Starring: Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Paul Giamatti, Quvenzhané Wallis

Synopsis:  A riveting account of a free black man kidnapped from New York and sold into brutal slavery in mid-1850s Louisiana, and the inspiring story of his desperate struggle to return home to his family.

Why Anticipate? : Steve MacQueen's last film Shame, a haunting tale of nymphomaniac and his struggles to maintain relationship, is such a beautiful character study that it was as per me, best film of 2011. He is back again, this time with a period drama, and an incredible group of actors. Not to mention, his and my favorite too, Michael Fassbender stars again.

12. The Wolf on the Wallstreet

Director: Martin Scorsese

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Matthew McConaughey, Jon Favreau, Kyle Chandler, Jean Dujardin

Synopsis: A film about Jordan Belfort, a New York penny stockbroker who served 20 months in prison for refusing to cooperate in a massive 1990s securities fraud case that involved widespread corruption on Wall Street and in the corporate banking world, including mob infiltration. 

Why Anticipate? : Scorsese ventures into a territory he is best at, crime drama and with what could be Leo's best work till date, expect fireworks and a lot of Oscars.

13. To the Wonder

Director: Terrence Malick

Starring: Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Javier Bardem, Olga Kurylenko

Synopsis: After visiting Mont Saint-Michel, Marina and Neil come to Oklahoma, where problems arise. Marina meets a priest and fellow exile, who is struggling with his vocation, while Neil renews his ties with a childhood friend, Jane.

Why Anticipate? : Terrence Malick once known for his reclusiveness and directing five films in 30 years, has suddenly and magically become prolific with his four movies coming in next two years. Also, famous for his elegantly beautiful films [the image above is a proof of that] though at times philosophical and even deeply personal. I loved his last effort, a poetry in motion, Tree of Life and this one has similar vibes. 

Honorable Mentions: 

David Lowery's Ain't Them Bodies Saint [ Rooney Mara, Casey Affleck] picture above

Ridley Scott's The Counselor [Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem, Cameron Diaz, Penelope Cruz]

Spike Lee's Oldboy [Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Oslen]

Anton Corbijn's A Most Wanted Man [Willem Dafoe, Rachel McAdams, Philip Seymour Hoffman]

James Gray's Lowlife [Jeremy Renner, Marion Cotillard, Joaquin Phoenix]

Paul Greengrass' Captain Philips [Tom Hanks]

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