The twilight saga has been dominating the American cinema for the past five years. Befitting its status as one of the biggest blockbusters of all time, it’s even infiltrated my own personal collection of films. As a self-proclaimed “Twilight addict,” it’s safe to assume that I’ve seen every single one of the seven films in the series. And while I do love a good comeback story, it’s about time for the saga to draw to a close and let the next big thing emerge.
Breaking Dawn – Part 2
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 continues the story of Bella and Edward’s (played by Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson) quest for love, as well as the battle between vampire and human. Though it’s the conclusion to the story, it does contain some incredible set pieces that will undoubtedly get the audience chills.
The film adapts the fourth novel in the Twilight series, Breaking Dawn, which was released in June 2012. As with the other films in the series, director Bill Condon brings his unique talents to the project, making for what is arguably the best of the bunch. He’s been a master of adapting beloved source material for the big screen, from 2001’s Osmosis to 2007’s Shadowhunters.
The Dark Knight Trilogy
Released in 2008, 2008’s The Dark Knight was a defining moment in both Heath Ledger’s and Tom Hardy’s career. The former won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of the Joker, while the latter played a key role in a film that became one of the biggest box office hits of all time. The Dark Knight was followed by the 2008 sequel, The Dark Knight Rises, where Ledger’s Joker returned in a climactic showdown, and Hardy’s Bane rampaged across the landscape of Gotham City.
Deadpool
The most recent cinematic interpretation of the legendary Deadpool is just as bold as the Merc with a Mouth himself. The film adapts the character from the pages of the Marvel comic book, bringing his snarky wit and colorful outfits to life on screen. It’s no wonder why Deadpool is so beloved among fans, as he consistently delivers on-point one-liners and keeps the laughs coming throughout its nearly three-hour running time.
The Avengers
The first of the Marvel Studios blockbusters to roll into town is, fittingly enough, an adaptation of one of the world’s greatest comic book sagas. The Avengers brings the Infinity Gauntlet to the big screen, as the notorious Gauntlet itself is the prize in a game that pits humanity’s greatest heroes against each other in order to win the day. Though it’s a bit of a downer when compared to the original comic series, which is all about having fun, it still remains one of the most memorable movies of all time. I mean, who doesn’t love a good ol’ superhero brawl?
After taking a bit of a break following the 2018 release of Solo: A Star Wars Story, the original supergroup has reformed for a 2019 sequel. Though it remains to be seen whether or not The Avengers will measure up to the legacy it was built on, it’s certainly going to be challenging for it to live up to the standards established by its predecessors.
Star Wars
While we’re on the subject of superheroes, let’s not forget about the universe beyond movies. Star Wars is back with a vengeance, as J.J. Abrams has returned to bring the excitement of the saga once more. Though it originally began as a television series back in 1977, the movie adaptation of the iconic franchise did not premiere until May of this year and it’s already made a profound impression on audiences. Most notably, it’s been touted as a potential Game of Thrones alternative, since it’s considered to be a bit darker and more realistic than the former (though it’s not meant to be a replacement). Star Wars remains one of the most popular film series of all time, having grossed over $10 billion at the box office since its inception.
Mullets
When it comes to hair, simplicity is often considered to be the ultimate sophistication. And that’s certainly the case with The Greatest Showman’s hair artist William Barrett. The makeup and hair wiz behind Lady Gaga’s iconic meat dress made waves last year with his jaw-dropping hairstyles for the main characters in The Greatest Showman. Though the costumes in the film are what get the eye, it’s the hair that truly steals the show. To this day, the hairstyle is considered to be one of the most influential of all time and it’s not difficult to see why. Simplicity is often the key to getting a hairstyle right and Barrett proves that with his trademark use of chunky curls, which made a splash on the big screen and elevated the style to a whole new level.
Bojack Horseman
Netflix has been on a roll lately when it comes to original movies, with their incredible blend of comedy and heartwarming stories. One of their most acclaimed series is Bojack Horseman, which follows Bojack Horseman (played by comedy legend and animal-lover Thomas Edison Jr.) as he embarks on a new life in Mexico with his fiancée Tootsie (Rachel Bloom). The show is named after a Bojack horse, whom he encounters at a Texas bar, and who he names Bojack Horseman, after. The name has since stuck.
Though the first season of Bojack Horseman aired a year ago, it feels like it just went down in history as one of the funniest and most heartfelt series of all time. It doesn’t hurt that it’s also one of the most beautiful TV shows as well. This Saturday Night Live alumna has proven time and time again that she’s one of the most talented female comedians of our era and she continues to thrill audiences with her unique brand of comedy. (And what’s more is she created, wrote, and directed her own show.)
Forrest Gump
Dumb and dumber, or just plain dumb? That’s what the titular character of Forrest Gump would have to answer to every day of his life if he followed the advice of Tom Hanks’ character Robert Forrest. Though the advice that Forrest Gump’s character receives is rather useless, it’s still considered to be one of the most quotable films of all time. Hanks won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Forrest Gump, whose unique charm and sunny disposition helped make the film such an all-time favorite. (In addition to which, the film also marked a turning point in Hanks’ career, making him one of the biggest names in the industry today.)