January is a generally forgettable month in film releases. People try to catch up on the Oscar nominees, or the Golden Globe victors, and a slew of mediocre to above average horrors, actioners, and thrillers try to fill in the void and give the casual audience something to see while they wait for something better to come.
When speaking of something better on its way, it should be noted 2012 is one of the most jam-packed years we’ve had in quite some time, both in possible blockbsuter status, and overall quality. There’s an abundance of blockbusters looking to take over the scene and make this year one of the highest-grossing ever. The release schedule is loaded, mostly from March to December, with goodies of all genres for all types of audiences.
Harry Potter may well be gone, but the legend of “The Lord of the Rings” returns. There’s another “Twilight” on its way, the last one in fact, which will surely pull in its biggest numbers. There’s another addition to the young adult craze to pop into Hollywood, “The Hunger Games,” which will debut its first film in the series in just a few months. And how can we not mention the superheroes? The money train of Spider-Man hitches up for another ride, and Hollywood’s highest-grossing superhero has a final bout under master Christopher Nolan’s reigns.
Anticipation is running high, and I thought it a swell idea to share my own upcoming favorites, and explain just why I’m so hyped about them. Perhaps some of these are already on your list, but maybe one, two, or even more have snuck past you. No worries, that’s why I’m here. It was hard work, but I narrowed it down to 15 movies that are going to rock 2012’s world
(Note: All release dates were acquired from the International Movie Database (IMDB))
15. “Dark Shadows” directed by Tim Burton(May 11th)
st. Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Eva Green, Chloe Moretz
–Based on the cult TV show, the story follows the life of Barnabas Collins, a vampire who comes across monsters of all shapes and sizes.
Ok, ok, it is another Depp/Burton run. And while I’ll be the first to admit some of their more recent projects have left a bit to be desired (namely “Charlie & the Chocolate Factory” and “Alice in Wonderland”), “Dark Shadows” has all the makings of oddities and weirdness that sets Burton in a place he can thrive. The gothic style, the ghouls, goblins, and other creepy dwellers, and a stellar cast, complete with the gorgeous pair, Michelle Pfeiffer and Eva Green (not to mention the wonderful Chloe Grace Moretz). Cult has always been what Burton and Depp do best together, so look for this movie to re-ignite the flame and get people excited about their collaborations again.
14. “James Bond: Skyfall” directed by Sam Mendes (November 9th)
st. Daniel Craig, Ralph Fiennes, Javier Bardem, Judi Dench
– Things escape from M’s past and put the entire operation, including James Bond, at risk. When MI6 comes under attack, 007 must stop the threat, no matter the consequences.
“Quantum of Solace” may have let some of us faithfuls down, but who can forget the excitement and the thrill “Casino Royale” delivered to the masses? Daniel Craig helped reinvigorate a franchise, and there’s still potential in this newly delivered Bond. Sam Mendes is an intriguing choice, and while at this point he’s been more indie cred than blockbuster fodder, those who have seen “Road to Perdition” know how solid of a thriller Mendes can’t deliver. It will be his most action-oriented film, but he hasn’t failed with a project yet. Toss in Fiennes and Bardem, and you have some deadly dudes making what will hopefully be one deadly movie.
13. “The Bourne Legacy” directed by Tony Gilroy(August 3rd)
st. Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton
– Jason Bourne is gone, but a new CIA operative, Aaron Cross, shows us all there was never just one.
Losing Matt Damon in a film series may have caused some worry, but after “Mission Impossible 4,” voices of concern should rightfully remain silent. I’m talking about Jeremy Renner, who’s came up the charts of Hollywood, and is all but set for breakout status in the upcoming year; not only is he the newest lead of the Bourne series, he’s also landed a spot in the upcoming Avengers movie. Having to replace Matt Damon doesn’t sound that bad anymore, does it? Oh, yeah, did I mention Edward friggin’ Norton? Yeah, he’s added to the cast as well. Tony Gilroy is once again at the writer’s chair, but this time he’s also taking over as the director. An exciting move for him, and another exciting film for us.
12. “Wettest County” directed by John Hillcoat (August 31st)
st. Tom Hardy, Jessica Chastain, Gary Oldman, Shia LaBeouf, Guy Pearce
– The tale of a bootlegging gang in Depression-Era Franklin County, Virginia. When authorities get involved in the scheme, they demand a cut of their profits.
Where do I even start? This is probably the least recognized title on this list, but there’s nothing but ‘incredible’ when judging it on paper. John Hillcoat possessed a crafty hand when delivering the deep and emotionally complicated “The Proposition,” and he handled doom n’ gloom with a strong resilience in “The Road.” So tossing him in with 1930’s gangsters in Virginia, he should be able to give us something just as mysterious and layered as previous works. This is also a return to writing for the folk singer Nick Cave, who wrote the script to “The Proposition.” Then there’s the cast list itself. Both Jessica Chastain and Tom Hardy have mastered the ropes on the climb to stardom, and they’ve packed a good many quality films behind them. Throw in the consistent Guy Pearce, and one of the greatest to grace the screens, Gary Oldman, and you have potentially the best ensemble of 2012.
11. “The Great Gatsby’s” directed by Baz Luhrmann (December 25th)
st. Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Tobey Maguire, Joel Edgerton
– Nick Carroway is a Midwesterner who moves to Long Island, and becomes enamored by the mysterious and high-time lifestyle of his neighbor, Jay Gatsbys. While in Gatsby’s company, he comes across tragedy and falls further into the rabbit hole than he ever intended.
I shouldn’t have to explain why this one makes the list. The Great Gatsby’s is one of the finest novels ever written, and who better to handle the lavishness and the inner turmoil than Baz Luhrmann. “Australia” may have been slightly lackluster, but “Moulin Rouge” and “Romeo + Juliet” had a refreshing spirit to them that enlightened audiences. It will be beautifully styled, if it stays anywhere near the book it will be beautifully told, and with DiCaprio at the helm, it will be acted splendidly.
10. “The Amazing Spider-Man” directed by Marc Webb (July 3rd)
st. Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Martin Sheen, Sally Field
– Peter Parker discovers something from his past that might explain why his parents vanished when he was young. He is set on a path that leads him to his father’s former partner, Dr. Curt Conners.
Spider-Man was my favorite super-hero growing up. I loved his humanity, his origin story, his villains, all of it. And Sam Raimi did it all justice, at least with his first two installments (the train fell off the tracks in the third). But there’s plenty to be amped for in the reboot. The story will reportedly be based more off of the Ultimate Spider-Man series (focusing on Gwen Stacy instead of MJ is a big sign), and Andrew Garfield might be the best of Hollywood’s youth. Spidey fans have been waiting for the Lizard to debut on-screen for years, and July 3rd, 2012, is gonna be our lucky day.
09. “Prometheus” directed by Ridley Scott (June 8th)
st. Noomi Rapace, Charlize Theron, Patrick Wilson, Michael Fassbender
– A group of explorers come across a discovery that may lead them to the explanation behind mankind on Earth. Their journey leads them to the ends of the universe, pitting them against a terrifying evil.
“Alien” is arguably the greatest horror movie ever. It was made 33 years ago, true, but the same director is back at the helm, the legendary Ridley Scott, and it doesn’t hurt Damon Lindelof, one of the key writers behind Lost, has inked the script. And if Sigourney Weaver aka Ripley needed to be placed, thank God it was Noomi Rapace, known for her role as the goth-punk badass Lisbeth Salander. This girl can play tough. Packed with a stellar supporting cast (Fassbender, Theron, Pearce, Wilson, Elba), the Alien legacy just might find a new general of followers.
08. “Moonrise Kingdom” directed by Wes Anderson (May 25th)
st. Jared Gillman, Kara Hayward, Edward Norton, Bruce Willis
– Two young lovers escape a small New England town, and a colorful search party sets out to find them.
If you handed me a piece of paper and said “list five director/actor pairings you want to see you haven’t yet,” it’s a safe bet Edward Norton in a film directed by Wes Anderson is going somewhere in those five. Norton displayed a quirky quasi-charm in movies like “Leaves of Grass” and “Death to Smoochy,” and it’s that kind of ability that would soar under Anderson’s off-beat storytelling and dark humor. Two kids decide to go on a wild and unforgettable love adventure, and in Anderson’s hands that’s lethal. There’s Bruce Willis being like a satire of, well, Bruce Willis. With all that in mind, this is a must-see. Wes Anderson scores every time he steps up to the plate, and this sounds like a grand slam.
07. “The Avengers” directed by Joss Whedon (May 4th, 2012)
st. Robert Downey Jr., Samuel L. Jackson, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo
– A group of superheroes are brought together by S.H.I.E.L.D. and Commander Nick Fury. Loki has gathered forces and planned an attack on Earth, and this makeshift team, given the name The Avengers, are the World’s only hope.
Iron Man. Thor. Captain America. Hulk. Hawkeye. Black Widow. And Samuel Mothereffin’ Jackson. Talk about a legendary cast. While some casuals may have been disappointed with the selection of Joss Whedon, the man hasn’t disappointed yet (even Dollhouse was quality television). He writes with a wry wit and a strong sense of the epic, and with a background in comics, he’s a perfect choice. There’s never been a superhero movie like this, and I can’t wait to see the likes of Downey Jr., Jackson, Evans, and Ruffalo working together. It’s gonna be a hell of a ball.
06. “Django Unchained” directed by Quentin Tarantino (Dec. 25th)
st. Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Samuel L. Jackson
– Once a slave, now a bounty hunter, a man attempts to rescue his wife from the evil clutches of a Mississippi plantation owner.
Remember when I was talking about “Moonrise Kingdom,” and how Anderson/Norton was a dream pairing? Same goes for Dicaprio/Tarantino. Coming off the brutally triumphant “Inglorious Basterds,” Tarantino is once again prepared to release a violent epic. It’s gonna be the usual Tarantino affair of blood, action, machismo, and superbly clever dialogue. And the usual Tarantino affair is awesome. Oh, and Christoph Waltz was brought back into the fold, which should excite anyone who saw the first 20 minutes of Basterds (some of Tarantino’s best work).
05. “World War Z” directed by Marc Forster (Dec. 21st)
st. Brad Pitt, Mirellie Enos, Matthew Fox, David Morse
– A U.N. employee travels around the world, fighting against the ultimate zombie outbreak.
First off, the novel written by Max Brooks is an incredible fictional account of a seemingly realistic zombie outbreak. Zombies might turn you off, but the book read like any well-written historical book might be like, with a strong focus on the horrifying notion of war against the ultimate enemy; the dead. There are tales of tragedy, sadness, death, and even hope. Details are still a bit scarce as to how the journalistic re-telling will be adapted for theaters, but as a big zombie fan, and an even bigger Brad Pitt fan, I’ll be impatiently awaiting December.
04. “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” directed Peter Jackson (Dec. 14th)
st. Martin Freeman, Ian McKellan, Richard Armitage, Andy Serkis
– An adventurous hobbit travels to the Lonely Mountain with a gang of dwarves to recover the treasure that they lost to the dragon known as Smaug.
The “Lord of the Rings” trilogy took its audience on a splendid magical journey, so much so that the last installment garnered several Oscars. “The Hobbit” is where it all began, though, and there’s no better man for the job than Peter Jackson. While Del Toro was an interesting first choice, Jackson hasn’t led us astray yet, and a good number have argued “The Hobbit” has the best story of them all. We can expect nothing less than gorgeous scenery, fantastical creatures, and beings battling for Middle Earth, and the ultimate story of how a small man can do some big things.
03. “The Master” directed. Paul Thomas Anderson (TBA)
st. Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Joaquin Phoenix
– A drama set in the 1950’s about an enterprising intellectual, known to many as “the master,” who begins a faith-based organization that catches on like wildfire.
Let us all welcome Joaquin Phoenix back into the world of acting. Much better than that rapping thing you were trying to do. And who better to return with than Paul Thomas Anderson? Coming off of arguably his best movie, and one of the best movies of our generation, “There Will Be Blood,” PTA takes on the idea of one of the most hot-button topics in America; scientology. You may not have heard much about this movie yet, but when it gets a release date and that day draws near, you’ll be reading about it everywhere. Phillip Seymour Hoffman is known for his charisma and intensity, and he’s a perfect choice for the rumored Hubbard-like main character. PTA and Hoffman go all out, and this is already a front runner for the Oscars in my mind.
02. “Lincoln” directed by Steven Spielberg (December)
st. Daniel Day-Lewis, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tommy Lee Jones
– As the Civil War tests a nation, their sixteenth President leads the North to victory.
With two Oscars under his belt, and even more incredible performances, Daniel Day-Lewis has solidified himself as Hollywood’s go-to man for epics. Gangs of New York,” “There Will Be Blood,” and even with those in mind, it’s hard not to think Day-Lewis taking the role of Abraham Lincoln will be his most unforgettable performance yet. “Lincoln” was one of those “will it ever” projects for Spielberg, a supposed script sitting around in a ‘to be produced’ pile, but it’s finally seeing the light. Spielberg’s pulled together quite a crew for what should be an iconic masterpiece.
01. “The Dark Knight Rises” directed by Christopher Nolan (July 20th)
st. Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman Anne Hathaway, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
– Starting eight years after the events that took place in its predecessor, “The Dark Knight,” a powerful leader of a loyal and deadly organization, a man known as Bane, brings his forces to Gotham City, calling its former hero Batman to return to the fold.
An obvious choice, I know, but can you really blame me? Batman Begins” was the breath of fresh air the franchise needed, and Nolan tipped the scales and changed the way people looked at superhero movies with “The Dark Knight.” Now we have Nolan’s final installment, and the added pieces are spectacular. Tom Hardy’s blown everyone out of the water with performances in films such as “Bronson,” “Inception”, and “Warrior”, and he’s all kinds of jacked up in this one. He looks great, a testament to Nolan’s realistic but accented vision, and much better than the previous version that was silly and cartoonish. We also get the sexy Anne Hathaway taking over as Selina Kyle, and since there will be some more delving into Batman’s past (big yeah!), Liam Neeson will be returning to reprise the role of Ra’s Al Ghul. There’s also Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who’s playing an unknown named John Blake, and the possible implications he’ll have in the upcoming movie. There’s enough hysteria to keep busy during our wait to July.
There they are, 15 movies to come out this year that are my hopeful highlights. There’s plenty others, (like Pixar’s “Brave,” for example), but these ones really seem to have all the pieces of puzzle in order, ready to make one great movie. I hope I helped you get excited for one big year in Hollywood! Big names, big stars, big talent, here’s to 2012, and another year of Hollywood.
