2019 is here and we are in the thick of winter doldrums. As we’ve done in years past, we’ve canvassed the most guy-worthy movies to see this year. Trust us ‘LLERO’s, the big screen looks packed full of testosterone driven entertainment in 2019.
January
Glass
January is typically a sleepy month at the movies. Holiday flicks are holding over so studios don’t pull out the big guns. Not in 2019. We get a hybrid sequel in the form of Glass, a sequel to both M. Night Shyamalan’s Unbreakable and Split. Mr. Glass, The Beast and David Dunn find themselves together in a mental institution. Dunn will have to use his supernatural abilities to track down Mr. Glass and the Beast. We just like that our favorite Argentine stunner Anya-Taylor Joy returns as Casey Cooke.
February
Miss Bala
Gina Rodriguez stars as Gloria, a makeup artist from L.A. whose best friend is abducted while she is visiting her in Tijuana, Mexico. In the course of her search and rescue for her, Gloria is kidnapped and forced to smuggle money for a drug cartel. She works her way into the good graces of its leader as well as the DEA and turns the tables on everyone. In her escape she finds a power she never knew she had as she navigates a dangerous world of cross-border crime.
March
Captain Marvel
After a quiet 2018, Marvel is back in the game with the release of its first superheroine led film. Said to have a ’90’s throwback vibe, Captain Marvel tells the origin story of Carol Danvers, a former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, as she turns into one of the galaxy’s mightiest heroes and joins Starforce, an elite alien military team, before returning home with new questions about her past and identity when the Earth is caught in the center of a galactic conflict. Thanos perhaps? That’s our question? Also, how will she fit into the MCU, specifically the next Avengers outing?
April
Shazam
Billy Batson isn’t quite ready for the Justice League, but he is finally getting his own flick. The trailer for Shazam dropped to good buzz at Comic-Cons across the nation. Early looks at the suit and story details have gotten passionate responses, both good and bad. This along with a lighter funny feel is generating positive buzz. If Shazam is as successful as his prior DCU colleagues Wonder Woman and Aquaman, it looks like the DCU will have finally found its footing.
HellBoy
The Dark Horse Comics character HellBoy gets rebooted. This time instead of Guillermo del Toro at the helm and Ron Perlman in the titular role, Neil Marshall directs and David Harbour plays the lead. The film also features Milla Jovovich, Ian McShane, Sasha Lane, and Daniel Dae Kim. From the looks of the trailer it seems to have a lighter tone, it’s said to draw inspiration from Darkness Calls, The Wild Hunt, and The Storm and the Fury. Questions still abound about this, but it seems worth a look.
Avengers: EndGame
The sequel to 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War. When we left our heroes half of them were turned to ash with the snap of Thanos fingers. How will they fair in the next installment? If the trailer is any indication they are splintered, in danger and in regroup mode. But a savior may be coming from one of the unlikeliest places. Once again directed by Anthony and Joe Russo. Win, lose or draw, looks like this is going to be one hell of a ride.
May
John Wick: Chapter 3
The third outing in the John Wick franchise is as testosterone laden a film as you will get. When we last saw the titular assassin played by Keanu Reeves, he was excommunicado with a public contract out on him. Wick was granted a one-hour grace period. From what we know Mr. Wick will fight his way out of New York and make it to Europe, where we will learn even more of his backstory. Along for the ride this go around are Halle Barry and Anjelica Houston. It should not disappoint.
August
Hobbs and Shaw
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson returns as Luke Hobbs and Jason Statham as Deckard Shaw in the Fast & Furious spinoff Hobbs & Shaw. Directed by David Leitch, not much is known about the film except that the two will form an unlikely alliance in an effort to take down baddy in the form of Idris Elba. Also, along for the ride is Eiza Gonzalez. We can definitely get on board with that.
October
The Joker
Perhaps one of the most famous comic book villains of all time, Batman’s arch rival “The Joker”, is finally getting his own film. With the A-list talent behind the picture, it appears it won’t be your regular comic book fare. Produced by Martin Scorsese, staring Joaquin Phoenix as the Clown Prince of Crime, with cast members such as Robert De Niro and Zazie Beets this looks like it could be a contender next awards season.
December
Star Wars: Episode IX
The biggest fanboy film of them all rounds out the year in December. Star Wars: Episode IX, is said to be last in the franchise based on the original core of nine films (we will believe that when we see it). When we last left our heroes they were reunited, but on the run from the Kylo Ren and The First Order. Various rumors have floated about, from seeing more of the Knights of Ren, to an appearance by Lando Calrissian, to a villain even more dangerous than the Sith. With J.J. Abraham’s returning to direct look for this one to have a feel good vibe and offer plenty of nostalgic surprises.
