Top 20 Most Anticipated Movies for 2014

A brand new year always brings one guarantee: a brand new batch of movies hitting a silver screens nationwide! 2013 was a fantastic year at the movies with film after film delivering on its promise of thrills and award worthiness. A handful of movies that were released in 2013 were instant classics and clearly films that will be talked about 50 years from now.

But 2013 is over and 2014 is just around the corner...and 2014 looks as promising as ever!

Every month from January to December, on paper, looks to consist of a handful of films that we will probably be talking about this time next year. The first part of the year looks surprisingly very promising while the summer looks as spectacular as ever with the Oscar season already shaping up to be one great race!

Let's take a look at 20 films that I cannot wait to see in 2014!

20. Get on Up

Synopsis: A chronicle of James Brown's rise from extreme poverty to become one of the most influential musicians in history.
Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Nelsan Ellis
Director: Tate Taylor
Release: August 1

In 2011, director Tate Taylor made quite a name for himself when he released the stellar The Help as it went on to garner 4 Oscar nominations and a win for Octavia Spencer for Best Supporting Actress. On paper, this looks to be another entertaining, yet powerful take on a dark period of history. James Brown is a legend and bringing him to the screen is going to be challenging, but Chadwick Boseman is more than capable of doing so. If you want any proof, go check out this past year's 42, in which Boseman portrays Jackie Robinson, another American legend. Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer are great in everything they do and Get on Up is already on its way to being a heavy hitter come next Oscar season.

19. The Fault in Our Stars

Synopsis: Hazel and Gus are two teenagers who share an acerbic wit, a disdain for the conventional, and a love that sweeps them on a journey. Their relationship is all the more miraculous given that Hazel's other constant companion is an oxygen tank, Gus jokes about his prosthetic leg, and they met and fell in love at a cancer support group.
Starring: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Willem Dafoe, Laura Dern
Director: Josh Boone
Release: June 6

Every now and then, a movie will be coming up that, for no apparent reason, I'm intrigued by, and in 2014, The Fault in Our Stars is that movie. How in the world did a film about two teenagers falling in love who happen to also have cancer find its way on this list? Shailene Woodley. Woodley is one of the best up and coming actresses in Hollywood after making a name for herself in The Descendants and The Spectacular Now. Now, she gets to finally take center stage and showcase her true talents for all of the nation. Seeing Dafoe in a supporting turn is also intriguing as well as seeing how the young, yet talented Josh Boone directs such a storyline.

18. Exodus

Synopsis: The story of Moses from the Bible
Starring: Christian Bale, Aaron Paul, Sigourney Weaver, Joel Edgerton
Director: Ridley Scott
Release: December 12

This year sees the release of 3 Biblical epics: Russell Crowe's Noah in March and The Bible's Son of God coming out in February. The first one of the three making this list, however, is Scott's Exodus, and the reason for that is to see Christian Bale act once again, something that is always a treat. Whatever role he takes on, it is a guarantee that he will be completely immersed in that role and will give it all he's got, and that's something you can truly appreciate as a viewer. The story of Moses is also an excellent story to translate to the screen, and Ridley Scott needs a truly phenomenal film after a couple of disappointments the last few years.

17. Guardians of the Galaxy

Synopsis: A jet pilot gets stranded in space, and must unite a diverse team of aliens to form a squad capable of defeating cosmic threats.
Starring: Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Zoe Saldana, Lee Pace
Director: James Gunn
Release: August 1

Up to this point, Marvel has, very effectively, played it safe by releasing films that they know the audience will love featuring the characters everybody knows like Iron Man and Thor. This August, however, Marvel is going to take their first real gamble and truly see how beloved this company is with the release of Guardians of the Galaxy. Not everybody knows the story of these Marvel characters, and most people probably didn't even know this was a Marvel movie. That's why this is a gamble, but based off of history, Marvel usually doesn't disappoint.

16. Muppets: Most Wanted

Synopsis: While on a grand world tour, The Muppets find themselves wrapped into an European jewel-heist caper headed by a Kermit the Frog look-alike and his dastardly sidekick.
Starring: Ricky Gervais, Tina Fey, Ty Burrell
Director: James Bobin
Release: March 21

In 2011, Kermit and the gang returned to the silver screen better than ever as they co-stared alongside Amy Adams and Jason Segal in The Muppets in one of the funnest movies of the year. This time around, Adams and Segal are gone, but Gervais, Burrell, and Fey are in, and this looks to be one fun film to watch. Disney is on a hot streak as of late when it comes to quality so they're going to continue to give everything they've got to get to the best product out there, and Muppets: Most Wanted will benefit.

15. Noah

Synopsis: The Biblical Noah suffers visions of an apocalyptic deluge and takes measures to protect his family from the coming flood.
Starring: Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Emma Watson, Logan Lerman
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Release: March 28

The story of Noah is one of my favorites in the entire Bible as it's a story about a man who personifies faith and then lives it out regardless of the consequences. This story is also one that I cannot wait play out on the big screen. Russell Crowe is one of my personal favorite actors so to see him take on this role is exciting enough, but then when you take a look at the supporting cast led by Connelly, Watson, and Lerman, it's a guarantee that the acting will be top-notch. Aronofsky is an interesting choice as director which prevents Noah from being higher on this list, but the story and acting is simply too grand to ignore.

14. Godzilla

Synopsis: A giant radioactive monster called Godzilla appears to wreak destruction on mankind.
Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Bryan Cranston, Sally Hawkins
Director: Gareth Edwards
Release: May 16

A few weeks ago, Godzilla probably wouldn't have made it on this list. Why? Because I knew nothing about it. Not the stars, the director, the story. Nothing. But then they released the trailer, and I was sold! The trailer featured excellent visuals that are reminiscent of this past year's Pacific Rim. The real shock to me, however, came when I saw the cast list which features Breaking Bad's Bryan Cranston who is one of the greatest actors around. Throw in Taylor-Johnson, Olsen, and Hawkins and you have something most films of this magnitude lack: star power, and that goes a long way.

13. How to Train Your Dragon 2

Synopsis: It's been five years since Hiccup and Toothless successfully united dragons and vikings on the island of Berk. While Astrid, Snoutlout and the rest of the gang are challenging each other to dragon races (the island's new favorite contact sport), the now inseparable pair journey through the skies, charting unmapped territories and exploring new worlds. When one of their adventures leads to the discovery of a secret ice cave that is home to hundreds of new wild dragons and the mysterious Dragon Rider, the two friends find themselves at the center of a battle to protect the peace. Now, Hiccup and Toothless must unite to stand up for what they believe while recognizing that only together do they have the power to change the future of both men and dragons.
Starring: Jay Baruchel, Kristen Wiig, Jonah Hill, Cate Blanchett
Director: Dean DeBlois
Release: June 13

Outside of Disney, there are very few animated films that I consider classics, and How to Train Your Dragon is one of those classics. It was thoroughly entertaining while also bringing out great visuals and a surprisingly heartfelt story along with superb voice talent and an abundance of hilarity. My expectations are very high for this sequel, but after taking a look at the plot and returning voice actors, I have a feeling that those expectations have potentially to be eclipsed. I sure hope so!

12. Edge of Tomorrow

Synopsis: A soldier fighting in a war with aliens finds himself caught in a time loop of his last day in the battle, though he becomes better skilled along the way.
Starring: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Bill Paxton, Lara Pulver
Director: Doug Liman
Release: June 6

Last April, Tom Cruise returned the science-fiction genre with the incredibly entertaining Oblivion. When Cruise is doing science-fiction, he's usually at his best. War of the Worlds and Minority Report are two classics in my opinion, and Edge of Tomorrow looks to have all the makings of another classic. Emily Blunt costars alongside Cruise, and she has the potential to steal the show away from Cruise. Doug Liman has some impressive credentials as well as he has directed The Bourne Identity and Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Edge of Tomorrow's trailer was also impressive which gives me hope that this movie is going to be great.

11. Transcendence

Synopsis: A terminally ill scientist downloads his body into a computer. This grants him power beyond his wildest dreams, and soon he becomes unstoppable.
Starring: Johnny Depp, Rebecca Hall, Morgan Freeman, Cillian Murphy
Director: Wally Pfister
Release: April 18

Wally Pfister was the cinematographer for The Dark Knight trilogy which means he's been able to work under a living legend: director Christopher Nolan. With Transcendence, Pfister takes his first crack at directing for himself and Nolan is producing. This film has all the making of being a truly amazing film. Of course, when you have Johnny Depp as your star, you're well on your way. The supporting cast is also fantastic, but the storyline is also extremely promising. I've got a feeling that this movie is going to bend some minds and cause some arguments, which is very similar to Inception (a Nolan-directed, Pfister-shot movie), and that movie is a classic.

10. Transformers: Age of Extinction

Synopsis: A mechanic and his daughter make a discovery that brings down Autobots and Decepticons - and a paranoid government official - on them.
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci, Kelsey Grammer, Nicola Peltz
Director: Michael Bay
Release: June 27

Say what you want about the first three installments of the Transformers franchise in regard to the cinematic side of things, but you can't argue that for most people, those three films were incredibly entertaining, and that was with Shia LaBeouf at the helm. Now, Mark Wahlberg is the star, somebody with actually acting capability, alongside those famous shape-shifters. Not much is known about the storyline yet and a trailer is yet to be released, but Bay will undoubtedly bring it with the visuals and deliver one of the most entertaining summer blockbusters of the year.

9. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Synopsis: Survivors of the simian plague trigger an all-out war between humanity and Caesar's growing forces.
Starring: Gary Oldman, Jason Clarke, Andy Serkis, Keri Russell
Director: Matt Reeves
Release: July 11

When Rise of the Planet of the Apes came out in 2011 with James Franco starring, expectations for this reboot were pretty low and most people mocked and scoffed at the idea of attempting to redo the franchise once again. Then, however, audiences saw the final product, and they began to think otherwise because the reboot worked and worked really well. Franco is out this time around, but the stars are still shining with veteran Oldman costarring alongside up and coming superstar Jason Clarke and CGI expert Andy Serkis. The first trailer was really well done and gives me hope that this film can exceed the expectations that the first one put on it.

8. Maleficent

Synopsis: The "Sleeping Beauty" tale is told from the perspective of the villainous Maleficent and looks at the events that hardened her heart and drove her to curse young Princess Aurora.
Starring: Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Sharlto Copley, Juno Temple
Director: Robert Stromberg
Release: May 30

In the history of Disney villains, none have been more evil and vile than Sleeping Beauty's Maleficent, so it's only fitting that the infamous villain get a movie all to herself, and be portrayed by Angelina Jolie nonetheless. Jolie's presence is why this film is ranked so high on this list because she fits the profile of Maleficent perfectly in my opinion, and I can't wait to see what she does with the role to take it above and beyond my expectations. Sharlto Copley (District 9, Elysium) is turning in a supporting role here which also has me intrigued. Disney has plans to maybe bring some more villains to the big screen after this one, so they obviously think that Maleficent is going to win audiences worldwide. You've sold me.

7. Into the Woods

Synopsis: A witch conspires to teach important lessons to various characters of popular children's stories including Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk and Rapunzel.
Starring: Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine
Director: Rob Marshall
Release: December 25

I'm a sucker for a musical. Whether it be a Disney animated musical like this past year's Frozen, or a heavier adaption like 2012's Les Miserables, if you're singing, I'll be singing right there with you. Into the Woods (which is being released by Disney) boasts a stellar cast who can all sing AND act which is so vital. Rob Marshall is also behind the camera directing it all, and he knows his way around a musical as he was at the helm of the 2003 Best Picture winner Chicago. Disney has given this film a prime awards season release date on Christmas Day 2014, obviously a huge vote of confidence for for the film, and with Streep and Depp starring, who could blame them?

6. The Hobbit: There and Back Again

Synopsis: The Company of Thorin has reached Smaug's lair; but, can Bilbo and the Dwarves reclaim Erebor and the treasure? And, if so, can they hold on to it?
Starring: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellan, Luke Evans, Evangeline Lilly
Director: Peter Jackson
Release: December 17

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey was a bit of a disappointed for Lord of the Rings fans overall, but Peter Jackson and company saved face this past December with an excellent second installment, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. The way this past film ended makes me really anxious to see There and Back Again to see how they tie everything together once and for all. The entire cast from Smaug, and, most importantly, Smaug himself returns in what will surely be an epic finale.

5. Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Synopsis: Steve Rogers struggles to embrace his role in the modern world and battles a new threat from old history: the Soviet agent known as the Winter Soldier.
Starring: Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Redford
Directors: Anthony and Joe Russo
Release: April 4

Marvel looks to continue their hot streak with creating a sequel for their first Avenger, Captain America. This is one of the final two films (Guardians of the Galaxy) Marvel will be releasing before the highly anticipated The Avengers: Age of Ultron in May 2015 (Spoiler Alert: that will appear at #1 on this list next year). Thor: The Dark World severely lacked the presence of SHIELD, so I'm thinking, and the trailer all but confirms, that we will be getting a heavy dose of the secret agency this time around, something I thoroughly look forward to. The addition of Robert Redford as a new agent is also intriguing and exciting. Let's hope that Marvel hits yet another home run.

4. The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Synopsis: Peter Parker runs the gauntlet as the mysterious company Oscorp sends up a slew of supervillains against him, impacting on his life.
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Jamie Foxx, Emma Stone, Paul Giamatti
Director: Marc Webb
Release: May 2

When Marvel decided to reboot the Spider-Man franchise back in the summer of 2012, I was skeptical, simply because I thought it was too soon since the release of Spider-Man 3. Luckily, The Amazing Spider-Man was an extremely well done movie with great thrills and performances, especially from the new webslinger, Andrew Garfield. This time around, Jamie Foxx and Paul Giamatti are enemies of Spider-Man and Oscorp is also investigated more in depth. Marvel has placed the sequel in its prime first weekend of May slot, signalling confidence. I hope it can deliver.

3. Interstellar

Synopsis: A group of explorers make use of a newly discovered wormhole to surpass the limitations on human space travel and conquer the vast distances involved in an interstellar voyage.
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Michael Caine
Director: Christopher Nolan
Release: November 7

Now that The Dark Knight franchise is complete with Christopher Nolan at the helm, Nolan is free to do whatever he wants, when he wants, with who he wants. It's exciting beyond words to see Nolan dive back into some original flare because when he does just that, he's at his best. The Prestige and Inception are two of my favorites films ever, both directed by Nolan. With Interstellar, Nolan has trule brought together some of the best actors on the planet to pull off what will undoubtedly be an epic adventure. McConaughey is on an absolute roll right now and I can't to see him continue his career resurgence and after the spellbinding Zero Dark Thirty, Jessica Chastain is back and will hopefully continue to be one of the best actresses working today alongside her costar, Anne Hathaway, who is coming off her first Oscar win for Les Miserables.

2. X-Men: Days of Future Past

Synopsis: The X-Men send Wolverine to the past in a desperate effort to change history and prevent an event that results in doom for both humans and mutants.
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence
Director: Bryan Singer
Release: May 23

In addition to the four actors mentioned above, this X-Men installment also stars Ian McKellan, James McAvoy, Nicholas Hoult, and Halle Berry. I'm sold!

1. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay- Part 1

Synopsis: Katniss Everdeen reluctantly becomes the symbol of a mass rebellion against the autocratic Capitol.
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman
Director: Francis Lawrence
Release: November 21

The Hunger Games franchise is one of the best around, and this November, the end begins. While this book is, admittedly, my least favorite of the trilogy, it's impossible to not get excited to see how this all comes to a close. Lawrence is picture perfect as Katniss, and I have no doubt that she'll deliver another great performance in the movie. Julianne Moore joins the cast for the last two films which I have no problem with at all. Here's hoping that the end of this franchise is as spectacular as the beginning.

Updated Oscar Predictions

Oscar season is in full swing and while we're still over a month away from the nominees actually being announced, the fields for all categories are beginning to look pretty clear. Let's take a look at the nominees as I see them with the first film or name listed being the frontrunner and the last name being the most vulnerable.

Best Picture

12 Years a Slave
Gravity
Saving Mr. Banks
The Wolf of Wall Street
Nebraska
Captain Phillips
Her
Inside Llewyn Davis
American Hustle

Possible Spoilers: Lone Survivor, Dallas Buyers Club, Lee Daniels' The Butler

With The Wolf of Wall Street and American Hustle revealing themselves, all of the possible nominees have been seen and reviewed. 12 Years a Slave and Gravity are still the frontrunners and have received nice boosts from critic groups nationwide to begin the award season. Saving Mr. Banks' chances will rely heavily on its box office performance domestically. If people show up for this movie, the Academy could award it for being the lighter film. Watch out for The Wolf of Wall Street. I've heard from more than one critic that it's Martin Scorsese's best film which is a HUGE complement. Outside of those four, I don't forsee any other film being a threat at the point. They're safe for nominations, but a win is unlikely.

Best Director

Steve McQueen, 12 Years a Slave
Alfonso Cuaron, Gravity
Martin Scorsese, The Wolf of Wall Street
Joel and Ethan Coen, Inside Llewyn Davis
Paul Greengrass, Captain Phillips

Possible Spoilers: Alexander Payne, Nebraska; Spike Jonze, Her; John Lee Hancock, Saving Mr. Banks; David O. Russell, American Hustle

McQueen and Cuaron are locker in, and one of the two will probably end up being the winner. If The Wolf of Wall Street continues to gain momentum, Scorsese can play in as a major factor. The last two spots are up for grabs. The Coen brothers are Oscar favorites so I would not be shocked in the least to see them sited. Greengrass has lost a lot of momentum since the beginning of the season, but I have faith that he'll be able to sneak in with his directing of one of the year's best films. The possible spoilers all have a legit shot at sneaking into the field but will need help in the precursors.

Best Actor

Chiwetal Ejiofor, 12 Years a Slave
Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club
Bruce Dern, Nebraska
Tom Hanks, Captain Phillips
Leonardo DiCaprio, The Wolf of Wall Street

Possible Spoilers: Robert Redford, All is Lost; Forrest Whitaker, Lee Daniels' The Butler; Joaquin Phoenix, Her; Oscar Isaac, Inside Llewyn Davis; Christian Bale, American Hustle

The top four seem pretty safe at this point with all having a pretty good chance to take home the prize. The final spot is up for grabs though in a big way. I'm going with DiCaprio because 1) he was snubbed last year for Django Unchained; 2) he's never won an Oscar; and 3) The Wolf of Wall Street is gaining some serious buzz. Redford has lost a lot of steam as of late, even missing out on the SAG nomination. The remaining four all have a shot, but are looking less likely everyday.

Best Actress

Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine
Sandra Bullock, Gravity
Emma Thompson, Saving Mr. Banks
Meryl Streep, August: Osage County
Judi Dench, Philomena

Possible Spoiler: Amy Adams, American Hustle

Basically, these five actresses are the final five. I do not see any other actress sneaking in and bumping one of these five. Adams has a chance because she's a four-time nominee and American Hustle could gain momentum once the public begins to see it, but it's a long shot. These five look to be safe. Who wins, however, is a different story. I can see Blanchett, Bullock, or Thompson taking home the prize with Streep and Dench happy to be nominated. Whoever may win will then be a multiple Oscar winner as each one of these five actresses have won in the past.

Best Supporting Actor

Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club
Michael Fassbender, 12 Years a Slave
Tom Hanks, Saving Mr. Banks
James Gandolfini, Enough Said
Barkhard Abdi, Captain Phillips

Possible Spoilers: Jonah Hill, The Wolf of Wall Street; Daniel Bruhl, Rush; John Goodman, Inside Llewyn Davis; Will Forte, Nebraska; Bradley Cooper, American Hustle

Of all the categories, this one is the most wide open with only Leto and Fassbender being safe at this point in the race. Hanks is probably going to be able to sneak in there because, well, he's Tom Hanks as he's playing Walt Disney. The late James Gandolfini should be receiving a posthumous nomination with a chance at pulling off the upset and getting the win. Abdi had been quiet up to this point in the race, but then he scored a SAG nomination, and now I believe he'll be able to sneak in. All five spoilers have a chance to break into the field with Hill being the most likely because of the anticipated Wolf momentum.

Best Supporting Actress

Oprah Winfrey, Lee Daniels' The Butler
Lupita Nyong'o, 12 Years a Slave
Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle
June Squibb, Nebraska
Octavia Spencer, Fruitvale Station

Possible Spoilers: Julia Roberts, August: Osage County; Margo Martindale, August: Osage County

If Oprah is nominated, which I highly anticpate her being, I don't see her losing. She is, by far, the best part of The Butler and she can work the awards circuit like nobody else. Nyong'o, though, poses a huge threat as she is representing the Best Picture frontunner. Her role is heartbreaking and the Academy loves role like her's. Lawrence is one of the most popular actresses in the business today and she is on her way to going down in history as one of the best actresses of all-time. If American Hustle can pick up some steam, watch out for Lawrence. Squibb and Spencer will have to settle for a nomination, but watch out for the Osage County women. They're both hot on their heels.