Last year’s lineup of movies, music and TV has left some pretty big shoes to fill for 2014. Last year saw Sandra Bullock floating in space, a Netflix comedy-drama about a women’s prison, pop geniuses releasing albums and Beyoncé changing the game by releasing a secret album with 14 songs and 17 music videos.
Can 2014 compare with its upcoming releases?
Movies
Ryan Howe
“I, Frankenstein”
Jan. 24
Color me intrigued for this movie. I’ve seen the trailer multiple times over break as I spent most of my time at Showplace 12. The first time I saw the trailer, I was not excited and I was mostly bored. But as I saw the trailer at every single movie, it grew on me. It looks fun, action packed and who doesn’t want to see Aaron Eckhart (“Thank You for Smoking”) raise hell as Frankenstein’s monster?
“The Lego Movie”
Feb. 7
Batman. Wizards. Abraham Lincoln. Legos? The trailer had me at Lego Batman making butt jokes. Who doesn’t need a good laugh every once in a while? I’ll make this my only kid movie worth seeing this year. Who cares about the story? Morgan Freeman is in it.
“The Monuments Men”
Feb. 7
Labeled as “this year’s ‘Argo,’” this film is the one I am most excited about. A group of old overweight men take on Nazis to steal back already stolen art. It’s as if someone took all the blood, guts and Tarantino out of “Inglourious Basterds” and made this movie just for me. It looks witty, action packed and has an all star cast. I mean, John Goodman fights Nazis. What more do we need?
“The Grand Budapest Hotel”
March 7
I know two things about this movie: a concierge and a lobby boy are on the run from the cops, and it was written and directed by Wes Anderson. Do we need to know any more?
“Noah”
March 28
Two of everything. Elephants, tigers, bears and movie tickets, please. Director Darren Aronofsky, the man who brought us “Black Swan,” “Requiem for a Dream” and “Pi,” brings us the story of Noah and the ark with a little style to it — combining an apocalypse, an army of men, a storm, more animals than the Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Emma Watson. I need to see this twice.
“The Other Woman”
April 25
Call me whatever you want, but I love a good chick flick, especially ones where women band together to take down a womanizing man who treats them like garbage. In this movie, three women (Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann and Kate Upton) work together to take down the one thing they have in common: the same boyfriend. It looks funny, sexy and full of terrible puns. It’s going to be great.
“Neighbors”
May 9
I’ll see anything with Seth Rogen. I even suffered through “The Guilt Trip.” But it looks as if he is returning to his roots, taking on Zac Efron in a battle to control the neighborhood. The trailer is enough to know the movie will be raunchy enough to satisfy my hard R rating movie needs. If you haven’t yet, go watch the restricted trailer. It’s worth it.
“X-Men: Days of Future Past”
May 23
I’m nervous about this one. Hollywood has taken one of my favorite comic book stories of all time and put it into movie form. Already, I’ve noticed the terrible decisions to make Wolverine the main character, yet again, and to reduce the strong female roles in the movie. I’ll see it, and hopefully, I’ll like it. As long as it’s better than “X-Men: First Class” I’ll be satisfied. It’s not much of a standard, though.
“The Fault in Our Stars”
June 6
I’ll be bringing multiple boxes of tissues to this one. From the book by Indy author John Green, the movie will follow the story of two teenagers who meet at a cancer support group. If it’s anything like the book, it will make audiences laugh and cry. The tagline, “One Sick Love Story,” still troubles me, but I have high, high hopes for this movie.
TV
Ryan Howe
“Girls”
Jan. 12
In its two seasons, “Girls” has captivated me. I’ve made sure I have HBO GO just for this show. Lena Dunham created a show that connects with people. Following the difficult and awkward lives of four friends in New York, every college student should watch this. It’s fresh, honest and blunt. Catch up before the new season, and see why I’m obsessed.
“Shameless”
Jan. 12
Returning for its fourth season, “Shameless” will jump back into the lives of the Gallagher family, a Chicago family living in poverty. The first three seasons were exceptionally funny and captivating. William H. Macy and Emily Rossum do an extraordinary job with the comedy-drama, but the real star is Joan Cusack. Can someone get this woman an Emmy?
“The Fosters”
Jan. 13
Call me a softy, but I love a good family drama. I never got into shows with teenage pregnancies or lying teenagers, but ABC hit the spot with this series, focusing on a lesbian couple who takes in two foster kids on top of the three they already have. It’s heartbreaking. It’s inspiring. It’s corny. It’s a pretty great show.
“Looking”
Jan. 19
“Looking” is the new HBO series that will follow a group of gay men living in San Francisco. That’s all I know — that’s all I need to know. HBO has a had huge successes with a lot of its series, and this one is looking to be a new hit. It seems to follow in the footsteps of “Girls,” therefore I have to give it a try.
“Game of Thrones”
April 2
It’s another HBO great, and I watched the first two seasons in less than three days. The show draws in audiences and has them rooting for their favorite characters, until they die — after all, a lot of deaths happen in this show. The story follows the lives of different people trying to take over the throne and rule based off the fantasy series of the same name. The series showcases heartbreak, sex, betrayal and strong character development.
“Orange is the New Black”
Premiering in summer of 2013, the Netflix original drew in audiences everywhere. Revolving around the inmates of a woman’s prison, OITNB gave me everything I needed. It quickly became one of my favorite shows of all time. The second season may not have a release date, but if it follows a trend, I’ll be in a prison coma come summertime.
Music
Austin Henson
“Fading West” by Switchfoot
Jan. 14
A documentary, which will accompany Switchfoot’s ninth studio album, follows the band as the members travel to multiple surfing destinations. Switchfoot is already on tour to promote the album. Check out more info on the tour and album on the band’s website.
“After the Disco” by Broken Bells
Jan. 14
Broken Bells is made up of Brian Burton and The Shins’ James Mercer. The former is most recognizable as Danger Mouse and the other half of Gnarls Barkley. Burton had great success working with The Black Keys, Beck and Norah Jones. The most interesting song from “After the Disco” has to be “Holding on For Life,” as it is based on an alien encounter that Mercer and Burton supposedly had.
Ed Sheeran
Feb. 17
English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran is set to release his second studio album. After achieving international acclaim for his first, he wrote a few songs for Taylor Swift and One Direction before headlining his own tour. Rick Rubin produced it and Sheeran recorded the new album in Nashville, Tennessee and Los Angeles.
Unscheduled, so be patient:
Adele
Adele went to London to lay down vocals for her third album, according to The Independent, a British newspaper.
“X” by Chris Brown
“X” is Chris Brown’s sixth studio album. He started recording it in 2012, and he said this album is moving away from pop — he’s going for the “Quincy Jones approach.” It will be a double album, with 10 songs on each.
Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe has been a staple in rock music since the ’80s. Although in recent years, the band has focused more on touring and live events instead of releasing new music. However, that changes this year. The band has announced one final album and tour before breaking up.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
The California rockers are still touring to promote its last album, “I’m with You” from 2011, but have talked about getting back into the studio soon for another album. With bassist Flea in the supergroup Atoms For Peace, the band slated early this year as the start date for recording.
Soundgarden
Another ’90s powerhouse band is making a new album for the new year. Although details are a bit foggy, bassist Ben Shepherd said the band plans to start recording after its “King Animal” tour concludes.
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