Film fanatics everywhere are anxiously awaiting “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” or “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I” later this year. But what about the lesser-known genre? Yes, I am talking about Period films. “Jonah Hex”, “Water for Elephants”, ‘True Grit” or the independent film “Carnies”. This is our list of our most anticipated Period films coming soon to theaters and DVD.
10. The Hobbit
Ok, The Hobbit is not coming out this year, but originally it was scheduled for part 1 to come out this coming December. Financial problems with MGM and the departure of Director Guillermo Del Toro has pushed this film back to, well no one knows. All we do know is that we want it, and we want it now.
9. Centurion
Centurion tells the story of a Roman Legion which is nearly wiped out by the barbarians known as the Picts. The remaining Legionnaires, led by Quintus Diaz (Michael Fassbender, 300), must survive behind enemy lines while being pursued by the Pict warrior Etain (Olga Kurylenko, Quantum of Solace).
8. Bel Ami
The Story of the rise to power of Georges Duroy in Paris by manipulating the city’s most influential and wealthy women. This film stars Twilight’s Robert Pattinson and many are anxiously waiting to see if Robert can hold his own against Hollywood sirens like Uma Thurman and Kristen Scott Thomas.
7. Carnies
This lower budgeted, Depression era, sideshow film has been on everyone’s radar for quite sometime now. Recent news of the October 12th DVD release date, and a yet to be announced limited theatrical date has brought about a high level of anticipation. Also, the combination of creature icon Doug Jones (Pan’s Labyrinth, Hellboy 1 and 2), and horror legend Reggie Bannister (Phantasm 1 thru 4, Bubba Hotep) have fans drooling at the mouth for this film.
6. The Eagle of the Ninth
This is another Roman Legion film, but it stars the new action go to guy Channing Tatum. It tells the story of Roman soldier and his quest for his Legion’s lost gold emblem. Mark Strong comes off of very impressive bad guy roles in Kick-Ass and Sherlock Holmes to play Guern, an ex-soldier who holds crucial information about the ninth Legion.
5. Seasons of the Witch
Nicholas Cage stars as a 14th century knight who must transfer a girl to a remote abbey. She is believed to be a witch and is the cause of the black plague. This film also stars fan favorites, Ron Perlman (Hellboy 1 and 2) and Christopher Lee (Lord of the Rings). Rumor has it that this film is not a remake of the Halloween film of the same name. We can only hope that that is true.
4. True Grit
This is a much-anticipated remake of the John Wayne classic about U.S Marshal helping a young woman track down her father’s murderer. The Coen Brothers are on board as the Directors and Writers, so we know that they will do this film the justice it deserves. Also, the film boasts a powerhouse cast in Josh Brolin, Matt Damon, and recent Academy Award winner Jeff Bridges.
3. Get Low
Robert Duvall plays the feisty and nasty hermit who throws his own funeral party while he’s still alive in 1930’s Tennessee. Bill Murray also stars in this film and from the looks of the trailer it looks like it is going to be a cult classic of epic proportions.
2. Water For Elephants
What’s this, another Robert Pattinson film? Of course, he is the hottest thing in Hollywood right now. He plays a veterinarian who joins a traveling circus in the Great Depression. Oscar winners Reese Witherspoon and Christoph Waltz star in this heart felt film about a torn love between his character and the married Marlena (Reese Witherspoon) and his new way of training a stubborn elephant that should get the approval of PETA.
1. Jonah Hex
What more can we ask for? Man’s man Josh Brolin as a supernatural bounty hunter hellbent on his bounty, Megan Fox running around in a corset, John Malkovich playing a bad guy, and it’s a Western. This film is based on the hit comic series by DC comics and I can honestly say that I will be first in line opening day to see it.
