The Dark Knight Rises, The Hunger Games, The Hobbit and the top ten movies to look forward to in 2012
Brad Sturdivant
January 2nd, 2012
2011 has come and gone and admittedly, it was a weak year in movies. Aside from MI4, none of the big budget blockbusters lived up to their potential. And with a few exceptions, none of the dramatic Oscar contenders managed to impress. So with another year behind us, it’s time to look ahead to what promises to be a huge year at the cinema. Sequels and prequels alone will dominate the box office, as will remakes, TV to big screen adaptations and surprises that we don’t even know about yet.
Below is a list of the top ten movies I’m looking forward to in 2012 (click the title to watch the trailer where available):
10. THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY – This is probably #1 on most people’s list, but for me, it’s more of an afterthought. I know, I know, that’s sacrilege in some circles, but I think this film has a lot to live up to and although Peter Jackson is a professional, I have concerns that he was so reluctant to take on the project. But everything we’ve seen so far is exciting, so I’ll be there in line with everyone else when it hits theaters on December 14th.
9. ARGO – Ben Affleck’s last starring/directing effort was THE TOWN, which was one of the best movies of 2010, so his follow up gets a place on the most anticipated of 2012. I love the 70’s setting and the story of a CIA rescue mission, so everything is set up for Affleck to knock this out of the park.
8. THE PIRATES! BAND OF MISFITS – The trailer had me laughing out loud and if this is even close to the level of CHICKEN RUN, audiences will be in for a treat. Featuring an unrecognizable voice effort from Hugh Grant, Pirates promises to be one of the better kids movies of 2012.
7. WORLD WAR Z – I never thought this film would actually get made, but since Brad Pitt wanted it to be so, it was so. Zombies are the new vampires in 2012 and who better to take us through a post-apocalyptic zombie world than Brad Pitt? I’m excited to see where they go with the story and from the set photos, it looks like they’re going all out on making this famous novel come to life.
6. HOW I SPENT MY SUMMER VACATION (Now called GET THE GRINGO) – After 2011’s THE BEAVER, Mel Gibson officially re-established himself as one of the best actors working today. Yeah, I know he has some off-screen “issues”, but the guy commands the screen and any project of his is a must-see. Early word on Summer Vacation is that it’s a great film with an incredible performance from Gibson, so let’s hope audiences don’t pass it up like they did THE BEAVER.
5. THE HUNGER GAMES – When this was first announced, I had very little interest in seeing the film. But give credit to the legion of fans and to Lionsgate, who has marketed the film so efficiently, because now it’s one of my most anticipated films of 2012. Expectations for this are super high, but Jennifer Lawrence and company should be able to pull it off.
4. THE AVENGERS – I don’t think there’s a movie in 2012 that’s more ripe with potential pitfalls than Joss Whedon’s superhero ensemble film THE AVENGERS. All of those stars can carry a movie on their own, but can they work together? I’m still disappointed that The Hulk wasn’t the villain in the film and I’m concerned Loki isn’t compelling enough to make a formidable villain, but I have trust in Whedon and can’t wait to see if he pulls it off.
3. GANGSTER SQUAD – Ryan Gosling, Sean Penn, Josh Brolin; need I say more? After winning over millions of fans in 2011 with three great films, Ryan Gosling is officially one to watch for in 2012. I love the idea of an old school gangster film with a talented cast, the likes of which we haven’t seen in a long time.
2. DJANGO UNCHAINED – The only reason Tarantino’s next film isn’t #1 is because of Batman. Otherwise, anything Tarantino does automatically goes on the top of the must-see list. Django promises to be his most controversial film to date and if he sticks to his guns, it could be one of the most difficult to watch with racism, violence, rape and brutality running rampant throughout the film. In other words, typical Tarantino.
1. THE DARK KNIGHT RISES – One thing you may not know about me is that I didn’t think THE DARK KNIGHT was the best movie of 2008, let alone the best comic book movie ever made. But I liked it and I’m very interested to see where Nolan goes with the story. Plus, the mere thought that Bane might break Batman’s back has me foaming at the mouth with anticipation. I have the sneaking suspicion that Nolan is going to deliver the movie everyone is expecting.
Special mention: Terrence Malick’s next film (which might be called THE BURIAL), PROMETHEUS (I need more evidence before I get too excited for this one), THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN PART 2 (because finally, it’s the end of the Twilight series), 21 JUMP STREET (the trailer is great).
