{IMAGE_2}The number of films tied to geek culture has expanded rapidly in recent years, accounting for a bigger and bigger percentage of Hollywood releases. "Best in Shows" is the ICv2 list of geek films, arranged by quarter, with some context for each. Dates and other information are updated until release with new info as we get it. To see all the periods we’re covering, see the "Best in Shows Index."
The Book of Life
October 17
From producer Guillermo del Toro and director Jorge Gutierrez comes this 3D animated love story centered around the Mexican Day of the Dead holiday. Channing Tatum (G.I. Joe) and Zoe Saldana (Star Trek) lead the voice cast that will include Ice Cube, Christina Applegate, Danny Trejo, and (of course) Ron Perlman. A love triangle among childhood friends takes a supernatural turn when the gods bet on the outcome. For more information, see “'Book of Life' Tie-In Book From Dark Horse".
Paranormal Activity 5
October 24
Paranormal Activity started the entire "found footage" horror film craze back in 2009, but this ultra-cheap method of filmmaking has fallen out of favor with audiences who have been burned time and time again. 2013 was one of the best years in decades for horror films, but none of the top horror genre performers was a "found footage" film.
Horns
October 31
Based on Joe Hill’s (Locke & Key) dark, paranormal novel, the film stars Daniel “Harry Potter” Radcliffe as a young man who finds himself accused of the rape and murder of his girlfriend. Coincidentally (or not) he wakes up to find he’s suddenly grown horns that grant him mystical powers, which he decides to use to catch the real killer (see “'Horns' Trailer Demonizes Harry Potter”).
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1
November 21
Clearly the safest bet in 2015, this series has developed a devoted following among young viewers. The second Hunger Games film was the highest-grossing movie released in 2013 in North America, and the third installment is certainly a contender for the same title in 2014 (see "Catching Fire, Frozen Power Record Turkey Day").
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
December 17
The final installment of Peter Jackson’s Hobbit Trilogy is another solid bet to do well at the box office in 2014. In fact the final film in Jackson’s LOTR trilogy took the lion’s share of the awards and did extremely well at the box office. Dividing The Hobbit into 3 films was perhaps a "movie too far," but fantasy fans will not forsake the conclusion of this well-made fantasy series. There are numerous games based on the film (see "WizKids Does Hobbit Strategy Game" and "The Battle of Five Armies Board Game")
Click here for Best in Shows, Q1 2015.
