The future is now. 2015 is the year that Marty McFly promised us hover-boards, flying cars, holographic cinema, video games you play using only your mind and self-tying shoelaces. Sadly none of these predictions are likely to emerge in the next 12 months – but here’s five reasons to be hopeful at Danish cinemas over the coming year …
1. The master is back
After There Will Be Blood and 2013’s The Master, it seems Paul Thomas Anderson is on a roll. His comedy oddity Inherent Vice promises to be more divisive than anything else he’s done thus far.
2. So is the maverick
The least prolific of the living greats is arguably Terence Malick and since his ode to humanity, Tree Of Life, he seems suddenly aware of his own mortality. A slew of films from him are in the pipeline and his as-yet-untitled release this year stars Christian Bale and will undoubtedly be something special.
3. Back to what Del does best
Crimson Peak is the latest picture from Guillermo Del Toro (Hellboy, Pan’s Labyrinth) – he’s one of my favourite working genre directors and it’s great to see him returning to horror with this haunted house flick …
4. Marvellous news
Marvel Comics up the ante this year with three films over the usual two. Following the studio’s track record, there’s no reason to not get excited about Antman, Avengers: Age Of Ultron and The Fantastic Four …
5. Sci-fi: Max but no McFly
There are approximately 60 science fiction films being released this year. Among them is The Martian by sci-fi granddaddy Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner and erm … Prometheus), Chappie from District 9 director Neil Blomkamp, the new Star Wars from JJ Abrams, and Ex Machina, an intriguing AI drama from Alex Garland (The Beach). However, I’m most excited about apocalyptic reboot Mad Max: Fury Road from original director George Miller – the trailer had my jaw on the floor.
For now, I recommend seeking out Mike Leigh’s Mr Turner, which is still out on release, and avoiding Good People (which is also a film), Taken 3 and The House Of Magic. Finally, there’s Angelina Jolie’s second directorial effort, Unbroken – which is reviewed this week.
