Things We’re Excited For in 2019 Part I

Well, it’s safe to say that 2018 has been a year. Truly. There have been 4 seasons. 365 days. 12 months. One could even say 525,600 minutes have gone by (figuratively speaking of course, because of the way these posts are scheduled to come out.) But how exactly do you measure a year? In television? In movies? In music, books, and Broadway? If so, you came to the right place. Here’s our non-definitive list of things we’re excited for coming out in 2019.

Note: These lists are ordered by scheduled release date given at the time of the post being made and are not completed lists (because we don’t know everything releasing next year and for in case we get some Beyoncé drops from someone, who knows…) Some dates may be subject to change.

Check out our list of music, books, Broadway, and misc. coming out in 2019 here.

Television

Young Justice: Outsiders (January 4th)

The-Team…for-now-Young-Justice-Ssn-3-e1530201704180-700x380Focusing on the young counterparts of the famous Justice League, Young Justice: Outsiders will follow the heroes as they investigate the world of metahuman trafficking.

“LOOK WHAT IS FINALLY BACK. After being canceled back in 2013 following a shocking and heartbreaking season two finale, fans have been campaigning for a third season and never quit. Enter 2016 when it was officially announced that a third season would be made. Premiering January 4th on DC Universe, the DC Comics digital media service, fans will finally be able to see the journeys of their favorite characters continue. I’m a little more than apprehensive about this. Don’t get me wrong – I am so excited for this show to be back. There are a handful of characters that I adore and missed getting to see. There’s also the aftermath of – SPOILER – Wally’s disappearance and the idea of if he is really, truly gone. But what has me worried is the massive slate of characters that are to be expected in this third season. That was really what made season two feel so subpar and disconnected for me compared to the first. There were too many mouths to feed, so to say. Many of these new characters didn’t get the screen time or development that they deserved while the season also pushed aside many beloved heroes. It is due to this that I felt a lack of investment in a lot of the newer characters introduced and also a longing for some of the original ones the audience saw. Regardless of all of that, I am excited. I can’t wait to see Dick Grayson, Artemis Crock, Kaldur’ahm, Jaime Reyes, and Bart Allen back in action after all this time! Also, I’m desperately waiting for the return of Wally West and for DC to not be cowards and let Jaime and Bart be allowed to fall in love like they totally should be doing.” – Mary

RWBY Vol 6. (Second Half) (January 5th on RoosterTeeth.com)

nycc_rwby_poster_rgb1Four girls and their friends train to become Huntresses, the defenders of humanity and only hopes for defeating the Grimm – dark creatures who bring forth destruction and death upon the world.

“This is probably one of my top three favorite shows. Where “RWBY” shines is that it doesn’t shy away from the gloom and gore of battle but it also isn’t afraid to explore its characters and the effects that all of this has on them. Some fans may argue that the previous two volumes were a drag but I have to wholeheartedly disagree. Not only did we see how each character was affected by, and coped with, the Battle of Beacon and the many losses they were faced with that day, but they also showcased how each girl grew outside of their group. They each had to mature individually in order to come together again and be an even stronger unit than they were before. Volume 6 is, like the volumes before it, unafraid to dive into a darker setting than ever before. RWBY has faced their most terrifying Grimm yet – one that slowly sucks the will to live out of a person until their soul is sucked dry – and have learned scary truths, like how those with Silver Eyes are horribly hunted down and defeated, or the history of their trusted mentor Ozpin and their most dangerous enemy Salem. With the show returning after it’s week break for Christmas and back to releasing new episodes every Saturday through January, I’m excited to see how this season will build up to the finale. I’m curious as to if Adam will catch up with the group, if Cinder will come face to face with Ruby or Salem, and just how the group will bring Salem to an understanding of the balance of life and death. I’m also curious as to if we will finally get Bumbleby!! Lastly, I really can’t wait to see if the theory of the four Maidens and Ozma is correct. Will we find out in this volume? Probably unlikely but the thought of it makes me yell. THEORY (POSSIBLE SPOILERS): Okay, this isn’t my theory but there is one floating around that Ozma and Salem’s four daughters are the original four Maidens. I was totally on board with this and then I looked into it even MORE and guys, I need this to be true. Ozpin, in retelling the story of how the Maidens came to be, say that the four sisters went to old hermit – who he later admitted was him – and this could have been him in his third reincarnation which would have allowed his daughters to be a bit older and! Let me live in this theory, okay.” – Mary

Brooklyn Nine-Nine (January 10th on NBC)

rs_770x1024-181214153110-1024x770.brooklyn-nine-nine-key-art-lp.121418 Making the switch from FOX to NBC, Brooklyn Nine-Nine returns to our television screens for season six. The ensemble comedy about detectives in New York’s 99th precinct stars Andy Samberg, Melissa Fumero, Andre Braugher, Stephanie Beatriz, Terry Crews, Chelsea Peretti, Joe Lo Trulio, Dirk Blocker, and Joel Mckinnon Miller.

“A fun fact is that my Hulu Year in Review says that apparently, Brooklyn Nine-Nine was my most watched show in 2018. I don’t doubt it, I’ve rewatched the show multiple times. I’ll spare you how I felt about the show being canceled and being picked back up. (While I’m at it, any reporters that may be reading this, please ask the cast better questions than just about that. I have ideas, hit me up.) Ensemble sitcoms about found families are always my favorite. But, the reason I tend to sing a ton of praises about this show has to do with the fact that it blends goofy and clever comedy with heart and growth and relevancy in a way that, speaking as a black girl living in a city with a very corrupt police department, shouldn’t necessarily make sense in a comedy about a police precinct. And yet, it works. (Maybe unpacking all of this is a Monday Musings post for another day because this was a simplified response. Who knows…) I’m excited to see what this new season brings and seeing Jake Peralta-Santiago and Amy Santiago-Peralta be married and Rosa falling in love with a girl and Gina having some iconic temporary sendoff and The Doug Judy returning and the show finally being free of its award show snubbing curse.” – Brie

“I was definitely late to the B99 train but I fell in love deep with it real quick. Hearing its initial cancellation by FOX was absolutely heartbreaking and to see it get picked up by NBC lifted many hearts. The new network is already proving to be a better home for the show, between releasing never-before-seen bloopers, massive social media campaigns, and that incredible Die Hard inspired promo. This comedy relies heavily on the relationships of cops, and their foes, in Brooklyn’s 99th precinct. That is where the heart of the show lies and that is where many fans can find their fondness and adoration for it. I’m excited to see how each relationship continues to grow and I can’t wait to find out what married life is like for Jake and Amy, if Holt got the Commissioner job, how Doug Judy is doing, and how we will say goodbye to Gina (sad face emoji). Also, I’m so ready for the laughs.” – Mary

Roswell, New Mexico (January 15th on The CW)

roswell-reboot-meet-the-cast--1-1520952914-view-0Based off a book series and the original television run, this CW reboot will explore the stories of three aliens and a local woman in the town of Roswell.

“There are a lot of things I’m curious about with this one. I watched the original series on reruns when I was younger and I remember there being a couple of questionable aspects of it, as well as some parts being just downright unbearable. I’m happy about the aging up of the characters, for pesky teen drama is not a worry and more mature themes can be approached now. The current political climate of the country also leads to a curiosity as to whether or not this will be addressed in the show. Regardless, here’s to crossing my fingers that the reboot keeps “Here With You” by Dido as the theme song. It is truly an iconic one and I will always be brought back to this series whenever I hear it on the radio or in a store.” – Mary

Rent: Live (January 27th on FOX)

qjq3RyKF_400x400The next stage to small screen musical to air, RENT is the found family story of six struggling and impoverished Bohemian artists in New York City’s East Village during the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Written by the late Jonathan Larson, this adaptation is directed by Michael Greif and Alex Rudzinski and stars Jordan Fisher, Kiersey Clemons, Vanessa Hudgens, Tinashe, Brennin Hunt, Brandon Victor Dixton, Valentina, and Mario.

“Since the rebirth of musical spectaculars on television, The Wiz! has so far been my favorite partially because it’s The Wiz and if you know me, you know how much I’ve always stanned that musical, regardless how much it could be improved with a few rewrites. But, I also loved it because of the simplicity. Not necessarily digging at all the other musical spectaculars, but part of why it was so exciting to me was because it felt like I was actually watching a stage musical brought to television. It blended the two mediums in a way I would love for these musical spectaculars to take more advantage of. Bringing this back to RENT (yet another musical I love and stan despite how much better it’d be with rewrites), I really hope we get simplicity in this simple yet complex story. RENT is essentially a timeless story, it’s always going to be relevant in some way. (I won’t say ‘Now, more than ever in 2018/2019’ because it’s just a bold-face lie. For the most part, the problems these characters experience and what love can do have all existed before now! Fun fact!) I hope this adaptation is done well for so many reasons. Partially because I’m hoping this catapults Kiersey into potentially playing Dmitry in Anastasia on Broadway. Also because Vanessa Hudgens playing Gabriella Montez in High School Musical is one of the things that made me love musicals as a child. And because Jordan Fisher is awesome and I’m forever rooting for the great people we feature on Teenplicity. (My casual flex.) But, regardless of the flaws in the story, RENT represents some of the best things that art can offer: bringing people together, letting marginalized people be the protagonists in their own story instead of just cishet white men (well, kinda…but Mark is black/biracial in this adaptation so…), and showing love and acceptance to those so used to being ignored.” – Brie

“I have never seen this musical beforehand but I am HYPE for how this live event will turn out. FOX has not quite been able to top the ratings of their presentation of Grease! a few years back. With Rent: Live holding some of the heavy hitting, show-stopping performers from the former musical, there is high hopes for this new one. In addition to Vanessa Hudgens and Jordan Fisher, I am really looking forward to seeing how Kiersey Clemons and Mario deal with the pressure of this live production.” – Mary

 One Day At A Time (Season three) (February 8th on Netflix)

one-day-at-a-timeA reboot of the ‘70s and ‘80s hit show, this Netflix series follows the single mother, who is a recent Army veteran, and the rest of her Cuban-American family as they deal with issues regarding racism, homophobia, PTSD, and the usual familial drama.

“This show is amazing and wonderful and makes me feel so full and it really is some of the best television we currently have. It’s what it means to be a good and meaningful and relevant sitcom. It’s along the ranks of all the multi-cam sitcoms in the 90s (and obviously Norman Lear’s previous work which if you haven’t wiki’d him before or minored in television so you had to study him, go do it, what a career…) and what’s great about it is having a show where the family is so loudly and unapologetically Latinx (Cuban-American to be exact) and they also get to be more than that. There’s no transcending race although they’re relatable. And forever I’m happy for it. Sidenote: Melissa Fumero and Stephanie Beatriz guest star in an episode this season with Gloria Estefan who is playing Rita Moreno’s sister like?????” – Brie

“The only sitcom we need. Okay, to dive a bit deeper into that, this show has a lot of heart packed into its humor and its emotional moments. This is probably one of the very rare shows that made me laugh so hard and also sob my heart out in the same episode – for multiple episodes. The love this family has for each other, the humor and gravity that they are able to give each situation, and the depth of exploration that they go through is what makes this show so remarkable. The characters are so incredibly human that the confusion and heartbreak and absolute joy they go through feels so real and relatable. There are so many moments that stand out to me that mean so much to me. The reactions to Elena coming out, the crushing moment at her quinceanera, when no one was quite sure if Lydia would pull through, Penelope’s PSTD from war. I’m excited to see how the third season will continue this trend of caring deeply and so realistically, and the careful understanding and attention to the many emotions that each person holds. Honestly, I’m ready for whatever ride this show wants to take me on.” – Mary

9-1-1 (Season 2B) (March 18th on FOX)

DlJ87ttVAAAFhn3 [www.imagesplitter.net]9-1-1 follows the lives of first responders – police officers, firefighters, and EMTs – as they work through work crises and personal drama.

“The camaraderie between each of the characters is what makes the show thrive. While the conflicts each team finds themselves in while on the job is interesting, the relationships of each member are the true captivating aspect of the show. The way each person is able to feed off of whoever is closest and is able to command the adoration of the audience is where the show wins. I could not care less if there were just mundane accidents each episode, as long as we still got the moments between characters like we do now. Anyway, Maddie and Buck deserve the world. Maddie, finally free of her abusive ex, is unknowingly back in his clutches. Er, well, her friend/almost new boyfriend is. After finally gaining the strength to leave him, she thought she found peace. Now with the first half of season two ending with the reveal that Chimney’s new friend is, in fact, Maddie’s ex, and that he knows where Chimney lives, leaves the audience on the edge of their seat and hoping that her ex is not able to hurt anyone else and that Maddie will finally be free. Buck, on the other hand, fell hard for the first time and then was burned when his first love abruptly left. A reformed playboy, he’s finally starting to explore another relationship with a smart and sarcastic woman who fans were introduced to during the season two premiere. Here’s hoping that he can make this relationship work! Also, I would do anything for Hen. And Angela Bassett is incredible and amazing and wow.” – Mary

Burden of Truth (The CW)

maxresdefaultSeason one of this CBC original show followed big city lawyer Joanna as she returned to her hometown for a seemingly easy case that uncovered dark secrets about the town – and her own family. U.S. Premiere in late 2019.

“When season two of Burden of Truth premieres in Canada in early January, the show will cover the aftermath of Millwood’s steel mill shutting down after it was revealed that they dumped toxic waste on school grounds, ultimately sickening multiple girls. Joanna, who has since left the small town after it turned her life upside-down, finds herself in deeper trouble than she ever imagined as her new case proves to be threatening her way of life. On the other hand, her temporary partner from season one is forced to face the anger of Millwood as unemployment rises and his brother comes to town. There are not enough good things to say about this show. I honestly love it so much and although the show won’t come to the US until later this year, it is bound to be as fantastic as the first season. A lot of shows like to flaunt the gray morality of their characters – ahem, you may know which one I’m specifically talking about – but this show does it in such a subtle way. How far are good people willing to go to prove something and receive justice against the corrupted? It paints a bleak picture, one of which leaves the viewer uncertain of where they may fall if they had been presented with the problem. Joanna Chang is remarkable. Such a strong character in the way that she’s deeply developed already and that she refuses to be beaten down, Joanna swallows hard and makes the tough call. She doesn’t always like having to do it but she knows what it takes to win and what is needed for justice to be served – even if that means bringing down her own family at the same time. She is honestly one of my favorite fictional characters ever. Flawed, morally gray, and not always the quote-unquote good guy, the way she is presented conflict and reacts is so human. The way she resolves conflict too is incredibly strengthening. Part of this goes to the writing and part of it goes to Kristin Kreuk’s jaw-dropping acting chops. Another thing I’m particularly looking forward to in season two is getting a bit more of a look into the life of Luna and Molly following the trial and settlement. Two characters who I love that have quite an emotional and dedicated, loving relationship with each other. Seeing these two together was always a joy for me and I can’t wait to see how they continue to build their lives with each other.” – Mary

The Owl House (Disney Channel)

The_Owl_House_PromoAn animated comedy/horror/fantasy from Disney Channel, The Owl House follows 15-year-old self-assured orphan Luz who befriends rebellious witch Eda and tiny warrior King when she finds a portal to the Demon Realm. Created by Dana Terrance (Gravity Falls, DuckTales) the show is set to premiere in 2019, exact premiere date unknown.

“I have been secretly screaming about my excitement for this show since I first heard about it. For starters, let’s just freak out about the character design. It’s just stunning and great. Luz is truly coming through with this pixie cut and flyaways and cute, yet sensible outfit. Now, let’s freak out about the concept. A determined young girl on a journey and receiving a found family with what I assume to be other misfits? Classic. Wonderful. I’m already sold and ready to cry at the moment when they all realize they care about each other. Okay, we will now move on to the fact that this show comes from someone who has worked on Gravity Falls (one of Disney Channels best shows, fight me) and that it’s the fourth show in Disney Television Animation history to be created by a woman. Brilliant! Bring in more women and people that aren’t men to create things especially multigenre animation like this! All of this is just what I feel like I deserve honestly. Not to put too much pressure on the show before we even get a promo but like, I already love this show and have adopted Luz as my own and will protect her.” – Brie

Amphibia (Disney Channel)

Amphibia_PromoAnother animated Disney Channel comedy/fantasy/adventure, Amphibia is about self-centered 13-year-old Anne Boonchuy, a Thai-American magically transported to a world inhabited by frogs (Amphibia) where she meets young, adventurous frog Sprig who guides her into being a true hero. Created by Matt Braly (Gravity Falls, Big City Greens) the show is set to premiere in early 2019, exact premiere date unknown.

“I’m assuming you just read my blurb for The Owl House, so I’m also assuming you already know what I’m going to point out. Yep, you guessed it, MORE GRAVITY FALLS PEOPLE OUT HERE BEING AMAZING!!!!! But also I’m assuming you know my brand enough to know what else I’m going to point out which is ANOTHER BROWN GIRL PROTAGONIST IN ANIMATION!!!!! I am already ready for all the Thai girls that look like Anne being able to cosplay as her. But, I’m also really excited to see a young girl who is described as being self-centered (from what I’ve read) be the main character and get an arc where she can grow. Usually, the 13-year-old self-centered girl in a story about tweens/teens is just that: the 13-year-old self-centered girl. She’s a bump in the road for the protagonist when needed, but other than that she’s just looked at negatively as selfish or unlikable with growth only if it’s convenient or temporary. I’m hopeful that this is going to be an entertaining show that also understands that girlhood isn’t that simple.” – Brie

Euphoria (HBO)

zendeuphBased on the Isreali series by the same name, Euphoria is a tale as old as time following a group of high school students as they survive school and all for the drama that comes with it and their own lives. Created by  Ron Leshem, Daphna Levin, and Tmira Yardeni, the American version is written by Sam Levinson, executive produced by Drake, and produced by A24. The show stars Zendaya, Storm Reid, Algee Smith, Maud Apatow, and more. No exact release date has been announced currently.

“We don’t know much about Euphoria. All we’ve really gotten was a sort of cryptic teaser of Zendaya that only vaguely reminds me of that one Sparkles and Wine teaser that we’ve all probably seen at least a gif of. (I had to Google the vaguest description and ended up finding it because I didn’t know the name and even then, I’m sure this lighting technique is inspired by a movie that I can’t quite pin/figure out the name of.) It’s been predicted that this show will either be very ambitious in how it captures high school life or it’ll just be an edgier Degrassi since Drake is producing. At the moment, my guess is that it’ll be a mixture of both. After all, it’s on HBO, so it seems like the targeted demographic is slightly shifted. And A24 has a pretty set aesthetic and brand they don’t seem to have any interest breaking. I’m interested in hearing more about this, but until then I’m mostly here for Zendaya.” – Brie

Veronica Mars (Hulu)

Veronica-Mars-Reboot-2018Returning as an 8 episode limited series on Hulu, Veronica Mars will follow the title character (Kristen Bell) as she returns to her hardcore So-Cal noir roots. The exact premiere date is unknown.

“I’ll keep this short, among the millions and billions of reboots and revivals that television is giving us for reasons unknown/questionable (I have a few theories but why get into it here) Veronica Mars kind of actually makes more sense than most. For the record, yes, I’m 100% positive there’s someone out there who has an original idea for a noir mystery drama where the protagonist is a girl (teen or adult) that could have potentially been greenlit and took the place of this already established property. But, Veronica Mars is kind of like the little show that could. The show lasted three seasons (only 64 episodes) and for all intents and purposes is a strong example of what it meant to be a cult classic right as we were on the cusp of the social media age taking place. It’s also just a limited series which means it seems like they’re not really interested in exhausting the story as much as they are just creating a little extra part of the Veronica Mars world. And if that’s not enough, I just really trust Kristen Bell, okay. (Also yay Izabela Vidovic! Another person we’ve featured on this site!)” – Brie

Pose (FX)

poseSet in 1987-88 during the rise of the HIV/AIDs epidemic, Pose juxtaposes three worlds of the African-American and Latinx ballroom community, yuppie culture, and downtown social and literary scene. Created by Steven Canals, Ryan Murphy, and Brad Falchuk and executive produced by Janet Mock, the show starts MJ Rodriguez, Billy Porter, Indya Moore, Angelica Ross, Dominique Jackson, Ryan Jamaal Swain, Hailie Sahar, Evan Peters, Kate Mara and more. The premiere date for season 2 is unknown. Season 1 is available to watch for free here.

Pose was my favorite show of 2018. Just, period, it was. If the show doesn’t win at least all of it’s Golden Globes and any Emmy it can possibly win in 2019, we’ve failed as a society even more than I thought. And the funniest thing about it is that I was so hesitant to watch it originally because of Ryan Murphy. I hadn’t known much about the show or the production or who was working on it. The way it was originally put on my radar was ‘Ryan Murphy working on a show about transwomen’ without the very important notes that the show was about trans women of color and that it starred multiple transwomen of color playing the roles, and that Janet Mock would produce, direct, and write on the show that was actually mostly created by Steven Canals an Afro-Latinx screenwriter who loosely based the concept on his experience growing up in 80s New York as a member of the LGBTQ community. (These were the real selling points people! I grew up on GLEE, I know these things!) This show is amazing, it’s about found families and ball culture and even though a part of me doesn’t feel right making the comparison, it’s pretty much what I think RENT could have/maybe should been in another time/place (#RENTreference). I put this show on the list mostly because I just want more people to be watching it and talking about it. It’s such a good show that I think has managed to get pushed slightly under the radar even though it features so many things that people ask for constantly in television. This show serves well-written, iconic moments having, timely stories, great characters, wonderful dynamics realness and we will show Pose the respect it deserves.” – Brie

Honorable Mentions:

  • CNN mini-series American Style
  • New episodes of CNN mini-series The History of Comedy
  • New episodes of CNN mini-series The 2000s
  • New episodes of Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj
  • New episodes of Queer Eye
  • New episodes of On My Block
  • Netflix premiere of Carmen Sandiego
  • Possibly the seventh season of The Clone Wars

Movies

What Men Want (February 8th)

imagesFollowing a night out to cope with being passed over for a promotion, a woman finds that she is able to hear the thoughts of men.

“I want the record to show that Taraji P. Henson is a multifaceted powerhouse and I adore her. I am honestly looking forward to just a good comedy in 2019 and this seems like it’s going to deliver. Taraji P. Henson is a great comedic actress and she’s already nailing the humor in the trailer. I’m also really excited to see how she plays off of the other characters in the film, especially considering how self-important some guys seem to think of themselves. I can’t wait for her to get her well-deserved promotion and, if she wants, her romance too.” – Mary

Us (March 15th)

MV5BODUyODM0NjYyNF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwNjAwMDU5NjM@._V1_From the mind behind Get Out, Jordan Peele’s newest film shows that you can be your own worst enemy.

“I’m really upset that the day the trailer released Black Twitter got all the jokes out about Lupita telling her son to get rhythm and then proceeding to snap on the 1 and 3 to ‘I Got 5 on It’ which is not only arguably one of the easiest songs to vibe to but also has one of the dopest beats to ever exist. Also, I know everyone (or at least everyone black, right?) has already said it but using this beat as the song for this trailer and then remixing it?!?!?! LISTEN!!!!!!!! I cannot believe!!!!! But I’m supposed to be talking about the movie, so I’m excited. I don’t like horror movies or scary movies or anything with jump scares. The fact that I saw Get Out in theaters was a miracle that was only because my best friends really wanted to see it and I just managed to be in a good enough audience that I was comfortable watching it. That said, psychologically scary things are cool to me (could not name five of those kinds of movies but just trust me on this–I’ve seen two episodes of Black Mirror). It’s both the worst and best thing for overthinkers like me to watch because I already knew I was my own worst enemy and now I have a movie to validate me! Thanks for playing into all of my fears!” – Brie

“I will be the first to admit that I am definitely not a horror movie fan. I tried tricking myself into thinking this during middle school and high school yet I’ve failed miserably. Those D-movies that are on SyFy or the really bad horror remakes? Count me in, that doesn’t freak me out. Scream? Freaking love that one. The great psychological thriller that 10 Cloverfield Lane could have been? A favorite. But Us absolutely terrifies me from the trailer alone. Watching the trailer, I cringed, I felt like someone was watching me, and I felt completely vulnerable. The movie is already presenting the vulnerabilities of the characters and how they’re feeling in the situation and it leaves me in awe while also scaring me to death. Okay, and did you see that creepy crawling that was happening? No thank you. Maybe one day, in broad sunlight, I won’t be terrified to watch this movie. But I don’t see that happening any time soon. Honestly, though, scary movies don’t necessarily scare me, usually. Sure I’ll get creeped or grossed out but terrifying and horrifying vulnerability? Never. Props to Jordan Peele and the entire cast on that and good luck to everyone who is crazy enough to watch this in a dark theater and totally isn’t irrationally thinking about that person creepily crawling up the aisle and to your seat. Anyway, I put this on my list because I’m excited to see if this lives up to the expectations of fans and the absolute fright it’s put into me.” – Mary

Shazam! (April 5th)

maxresdefault (1)Heroes come in all shapes, sizes, and ages. A teen is  suddenly able to magically transform himself into a tall, muscular adult superhero who possesses the power of the gods, like Hercules’ strength, lightning, and the ability to fly. However, his powers are put to the test as he finds himself facing off against evil in the form of Dr. Thaddeus Sivana.

“I think it’s no secret that DC Comics tends to struggle when it comes to building its cinematic universe. Where they once thrived with the Christopher Nolan trilogy, there seems to be no coherent plan or dedicated time to crafting the individual heroes within this universe. DC, for a while, seemed more focused on the bigger picture. While they still lack focus and capability for the multi-hero films, they are starting to show their strength in the ability to tell a singular story, as was showcased through Wonder Woman. While Aquaman is receiving mixed reviews, I have my sights set on Shazam! It truly seems like a fun film that is actually just focused on this one hero instead of an overarching complete universe (though of course there are hints and Easter Eggs that point to the DCEU). Also, not to be that person but Billy Batson is played by Asher Angel, who’s been featured on Teenplicity. *finger gun point*” – Mary

Avengers: Endgame (April 26th)

PosterPart two of Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame looks at our heroes dealing with the aftermath of Infinity Wars events as they believe all hope is lost.

“Look, I already know Steve is gonna die, okay. Just give him the beard back and the stealth suit back when it happens at the very least, you cowards. Also justice for Shuri, Valkyrie, and Okoye getting screentime together like the good Lord intended. Bless up.” – Brie

“How could I not put this on the list? What is easily the most anticipated film of 2019, fans will see a close to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as we know it. Ten years in the making, with many fallen heroes along the way, this film will pick up after the devastating “snap” by Thanos that rid the universe of half its populations. Endgame will explore the aftermath and how the remaining heroes set about defeating Thanos once and for all. There are too many reasons as to why I’m excited and looking forward to this movie. It is guaranteed to be an absolute punch to the gut as it will most likely be a sendoff to many of the beloved original Avengers. In addition to watching their separate journeys converging into one and watching as they plot together, it will be interesting to see how they are all affected by “The Snap”. Thor’s has lost all of his people, Tony is adrift in space and waiting to die, and everyone else lost loved ones. I’m intrigued as to how these changes will affect their solution-making. Lastly, I absolutely adore the relationship between Captain America and Black Widow and would totally pay for eighty more movies of the two of them on missions together. Alas, that won’t happen but I will surely enjoy as they navigate their changed world with Ant-Man by their side. Anyway, let’s just bless the fact that for this final go-around, the Russo Brothers gave Black Widow her eyebrows back.” – Mary

Aladdin (May 24th)

aladdinposterA live action remake of the animated Disney classic, this film follows a street rat as he uncovers a magic lamp – home of an all-powerful Genie – and sets off on an adventure of a lifetime as he tries to capture the heart of the princess.

“It’s a whole new world of reboots/revivals/remakes!!!!!!! You ain’t never had a reboot/revival/remake like me! Prince Ali fabulous as he, Will Smith plays the Genie! Yes, all of those were bad but surely I’ve given you enough gems in these blurbs by now that you can forgive me. Aladdin is a Disney classic and out of all of the announced Disney movie remakes that we’ve been given, this one actually makes the most sense. (Mulan does too except that it doesn’t seem like they’re necessarily making an actual remake of that movie, just telling the story of Fa Mulan in a different way.) I want to put a lot of faith into this movie and believe in it, or at the very least the music. The teaser made me excited, I think the character designs are fine but could have been upped somehow but since it’s not my culture, I’m letting people who are a part of that culture be at the forefront of that conversation (actually they should be at the forefront of every conversation about this.) Just do it justice Disney. Also just another really slight flex, but I’ve interviewed Aladdin, no big deal. Would do it again, hit me up Disney PR.” – Brie

“Like many of the movies that will probably make this list, there is a lot of anticipation leading up to the release of this film. In recent years, Disney has not been shy to live action remakes of beloved classics. Some films are practically an exact retelling of the animated film – coughBeautyandtheBeastcough – others shed a deeper light on the relationships at the core, like 2015’s Cinderella, and there are some that give a completely new light to the original story like Maleficent. I want to say that I am EXCITED. I am thrilled with what we have seen so far and I can’t wait to watch how the film has developed and been created. Also, Will Smith as the Genie is simply the greatest thing I can think of? I know that a lot of people are hesitant because of the iconic mark left by Robin Williams but I truly believe that Will Smith has the ability to twist it to fit his own version. From the visuals to the cast, my excitement continues to grow. Side note that I’m really curious as to if the film will include “Proud of Your Boy”. An absolutely gut-wrenching song that was written by Howard Ashman for the first film based on his own life, the song was initially cut but brought back for the Broadway musical. It adds depth to Aladdin’s character and it would be great to see it in the film.” – Mary

Men in Black: International (June 14th)

tessamibA sci-fi action comedy, Men in Black: International is a spinoff of the Men in Black series starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. This movie finds two MIB secret agents (Tessa Thompson and Chris Hemsworth) traveling the globe to solve a murder mystery. The movie also stars Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, and Kumail Nanjiani.

“The trailer to this movie released a week or so ago and I just wanna repeat (because I’ve already tweeted this) that I feel like this movie was made specifically for me to make sure I’ll watch it. I will and I appreciate the pandering Sony. Keep it up. Not only do I really want my own Men in Black suit so I can look as dope as Tessa Thompson, but I am also so excited for the jokes about how this movie is basically a Valkyrie/Thor AU. Honestly, let’s just solidify Tessa Thompson and Chris Hemsworth as Hollywood’s new buddy comedy duo. Go watch Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor or something for inspiration and let’s get this ball rolling.” – Brie

“Okay but Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson. That’s all. Real talk though, I’m really hyped to see this pair teamed up together again and I’m excited to see how this dynamic gets played out on screen.” – Mary

Spiderman: Far From Home (July 5th)

imagesThe second installment of the Spiderman franchise in the MCU, Far From Home follows Peter Parker (Tom Holland) as he and his friends study abroad in Europe and he’s tasked with having to battle the Elementals. Far From Home stars Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Jake Gyllenhaal, Marisa Tomei and more.

“I’m excited for Far From Home and I’ll go on record saying that Tom Holland is the best live action Peter Parker. (Yes, I did grow up watching the Tobey McGuire movies, yes I’ve seen the Andrew Garfield movies, yes I think they both brought good things to the table but I’m just stating facts here.) But more importantly, because I am nothing if not petty and a Zendaya stan first and foremost, Michelle and Peter are going to be so cute awkwardly crushing on each other and anyone that is mad about Peter having black girls as his love interest can stay mad while I’m over here winning!!!!! All I want Far From Home to do is officially solidify Michelle into the dynamic of Peter and Ned and Peter’s other life as Spiderman. I’m still holding onto the headcanon that I’ve had since the first time I saw Homecoming which is that Michelle already knows that Peter is Spiderman but hasn’t told anyone because she doesn’t think it’s her secret to tell. For a while, my headcanon was that she was working under Tony Stark, but that’s too Agent 13 in Winter Soldier for the MCU to do it twice (at least not in a way that blatantly obvious because we all know they reuse formulas…name one MCU movie where the third act isn’t just a big fight for the most part.) Also, I want a scene in this movie where Michelle is telling Peter (and possibly Ned) about some book she’s reading or some intersectional feminist theory or something and later on in the movie, it ends up paying off in some way and Peter (or Ned) repeats it. I’m sure this is a bunch of pressure and I know this movie isn’t about Michelle but like………..can it be though?” – Brie

The Lion King (July 19th)

p14113286_p_v8_aaA remake of the 1994 classic, The Lion King follows Simba, a young lion destined to be king of Pride Rock who turns away from the responsibility after he believes he’s responsible for the murder of his father Mufasa. This live-action remake stars Donald Glover, James Earl Jones, JD McCrary, Shahadi Wright Joseph, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Keegan Michael-Key, Seth Rogan, Billy Eichner, and the Beyoncé Knowles-Carter.

“BEYONCÉ???????????????????????????? That’s it……………that’s the whole blurb just BEYONCÉ????????????????????????????? When a Lion King live action was announced, I think I was hesitant like a lot of people. To be fair, I was the same way with Jungle Book. Here’s the thing, we don’t actually need a Lion King live action. The movie still holds up and is enjoyable across generations. The stage musical is still running. And there isn’t a single human in the movie so the whole movie has to be CGI unless Disney found a way into the world that the underrated movie Cat’s Don’t Dance exists in. (Off topic: If there was ever a movie to give an unneeded adaptation of some sort……it’s this one. I need it. Or at least put it on Netflix/Hulu.) But you know what? I want a live action Lion King adaptation. I just want to see if they can do it. And they cast so many talented performers that I already know the remakes of the songs are gonna slap. Even if the movie is just like Jungle Book and all of the beats are exactly the same, I’m still hype for this because all that does is guarantee that ya girl is gonna cry at some point while watching and enjoy the whole thing.” – Brie

“I will protect baby Simba with all my life. On that note, this definitely isn’t one of my favorite Disney films and though they call it live-action, it really… isn’t. ANYWAY. You know that video where the lion opens a car door and all of a sudden ‘Don’t Hurt Yourself’ by Beyoncé starts blasting? That is wholeheartedly how I imagine Nala taking down Scar.” – Mary

Zombieland 2 (October 11th)

268380-zombieland-2-0-230-0-345-cropA follow-up to the film Zombieland, this one takes place ten years after the original with the return of original cast. The group of beloved characters is moving to the Heartland and find themselves facing “Super Zombies”.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen the first film but I loved it. There was a quirky humor to it but also a realism – or as much of a realism as you can get in a zombie flick – that I adored. From the many tips and tricks that were given throughout the film (“Seatbelts.” “Check the back seat.” “When in doubt, know the way out.”) to the total uncertainty of what was going on, it was a refreshing take on a genre that’s otherwise been beaten to death. Pun intended. I’m really excited to see how the characters have changed in the last ten years, what other tips might be coming our way, and if they ever found any more Twinkies.” – Mary

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (October 18th)

0_copyWhat he at first resentfully accepts as just another assignment, a journalist from Esquire finds his view on life changed after doing a profile on the television icon Fred Rogers.

“Mr. Rogers is one of the people whose death I still very much remember hearing about when I was younger. It’s still weird to think his presence is gone even though it isn’t really. I’m not saying the world is as kind and patient and loving as what Mr. Rogers Neighborhood made it out to be, but when word was first announced about this movie, the amount of love and excitement and anecdotes I saw proved that what he gave to the world really did leave some form of impact. His show taught the children and adults alike that watched the show empathy and in a way that didn’t talk down to children. And with Tom Hanks playing Mr. Rogers…it’s pretty much perfect casting. If anyone, not-Robin Williams had to play Mr. Rogers, name another performer who has spoken to so many different generations with their work? It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood and it’s about to be emotional and lit at the same time.” – Brie

“I love Mr. Rogers. Let me just start with that. I grew up watching a few reruns of the show and it truly is an incredible show that still holds up to this day. While I still have to see the documentary Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, I am gladly adding this film to my watchlist as well. The main thing I’m looking forward to, besides another telling of how wonderful Mr. Rogers is, has to be the fact that Tom Hanks will be the very lovely neighbor. I can’t wait to see how he takes on the role as he consistently delivers such a good performance and he is, after all, America’s Dad.” – Mary

Honorable Mentions:

  • Lego Movie 2
  • Captain Marvel
  • Charlie’s Angels
  • Saving Zoe

Disclaimer: We do not own any of the pictures used for this post.

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