(BauerGriffin, PacificCoastNews)
With apologies to Breaking Dawn - Part 2, John Carter, The Amazing Spiderman, The Avengers, and American Reunion, here are the real can't miss films of 2012. With most Hollywood blockbusters, and especially within the comic book genre, you know what you're going to get. I can say with confidence right now that John Carter, Spiderman, and The Avengers will all look terrific and will probably be worth seeing, but they will all be effects-driven mindless popcorn action flicks that provide zero intellectual stimulation. This is fine, of course, many of us use the movies as a way to relax and unwind, and not thinking at all can be a godsend sometimes. However, looking a bit deeper into the upcoming crop of films for this new year reveals some true gems. These are the movies you really need to see in 2012.
1. The Dark Knight - July 2012
Easily #1, The Dark Knight Rises will end Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale's Batman trilogy that began seven years ago with Batman Begins. 2008's The Dark Knight was lauded critically and commercially and fans are expecting more of the same for Rises. With the additions of Tom Hardy as Bane and Anne Hathaway as Catwoman, as well as smaller roles filled by Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Marion Cotillard, Rises features another amazing cast. What remains to be seen is what path Nolan will take with his hero. Set eight years after the end of The Dark Knight, the story will revolve around a graying Bruce Wayne. Will Nolan take Batman to places unexplored in comic book films? Will the hero meet his maker in Bane? The looming threat of Batman's death makes The Dark Knight Rises the most anticipated comic book film ever made.
Easily #1, The Dark Knight Rises will end Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale's Batman trilogy that began seven years ago with Batman Begins. 2008's The Dark Knight was lauded critically and commercially and fans are expecting more of the same for Rises. With the additions of Tom Hardy as Bane and Anne Hathaway as Catwoman, as well as smaller roles filled by Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Marion Cotillard, Rises features another amazing cast. What remains to be seen is what path Nolan will take with his hero. Set eight years after the end of The Dark Knight, the story will revolve around a graying Bruce Wayne. Will Nolan take Batman to places unexplored in comic book films? Will the hero meet his maker in Bane? The looming threat of Batman's death makes The Dark Knight Rises the most anticipated comic book film ever made.
2. Lincoln - December 2012
Spielberg and Lewis on set (Richmond Times-Dispatch)Directed by Steven Spielberg and based on Doris Kearns Goodwin's encyclopedic novel, Team of Rivals, Lincoln is expected to be one of the best films of 2012 and a major Oscar contender come this time next year. Daniel Day-Lewis will play the title role so his involvement alone makes the film a must-see. The method actor chooses his projects wisely and Lincoln may be his most ambitious yet. Giving the iconic 16th American President life is a daunting task that only Lewis may be able to pull off. Though, he won't be alone as Lincoln has an amazing supporting cast in Tommy Lee Jones, Gordon-Levitt, Jared Harris, John Hawkes, David Strathairn, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Sally Field.
3. The Hunger Games - March 23, 2012
With a built in audience devout to the Suzanne Collins novels, The Hunger Games should see a huge opening weekend and total box office take. Director Gary Ross cast Jennifer Lawrence as his young heroine, Katniss Everdeen, and the role should propel her career. Katniss has been the idol of young girls everywhere since the novel's publication in 2008, but the book does quite a bit to distance itself from other young adult novels like the Twilight series. For one, the setting is post-apocalyptic, violent, and no real place for children. Much like Ender's Game, The Hunger Games places children in an adult context and treats them without sympathy. Katniss must face off with 23 other "tributes" aged 12 to 18, in a televised fight to the death masquerading as tradition in a twisted future American society. The loyal book following and "The Running Man meets Lord of the Flies" storyline makes The Hunger Games a potential blockbuster for 2012.
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With a built in audience devout to the Suzanne Collins novels, The Hunger Games should see a huge opening weekend and total box office take. Director Gary Ross cast Jennifer Lawrence as his young heroine, Katniss Everdeen, and the role should propel her career. Katniss has been the idol of young girls everywhere since the novel's publication in 2008, but the book does quite a bit to distance itself from other young adult novels like the Twilight series. For one, the setting is post-apocalyptic, violent, and no real place for children. Much like Ender's Game, The Hunger Games places children in an adult context and treats them without sympathy. Katniss must face off with 23 other "tributes" aged 12 to 18, in a televised fight to the death masquerading as tradition in a twisted future American society. The loyal book following and "The Running Man meets Lord of the Flies" storyline makes The Hunger Games a potential blockbuster for 2012.
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4. Prometheus - June 8, 2012
Ridley Scott's film was originally conceived as a prequel to Alien, but rewrites have changed the story and we won't be seeing Ridley in this one. Prometheus is the name of a spaceship carrying a team of explorers deep into the solar system in hopes of discovering the origins of life on Earth. Noomi Rapace (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Sweden) will star as the lead scientist with Michael Fassbender playing an android. Charlize Theron, Patrick Wilson, Idris Elba, and Guy Pearce also co-star. Scott, who is the industry's foremost authority on extraterrestrial science-fiction, returns to what he does best with Prometheus. Expect a dark, terrifying account of close encounters. I'm hoping for an R-rating for this one and some serious scary alien murders. Basically, I'd like Alien again.
5. Moonrise Kingdom - May 2012
Keitel on set (caughtonset.com)Wes Anderson's first live-action film since 2007's The Darjeeling Limited will be met with unrivaled fervor from film buffs and hipsters everywhere. As with Darjeeling, Moonrise Kingdom was written by Anderson and Roman Coppola, and will feature some old hands, but also plenty of new ones. Bill Murray will appear in his fifth Anderson film, as will Jason Schwartzman (his third). Joining them will be Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Tilda Swinton (always destined to work with Wes in my opinion), Frances McDormand, and Harvey Keitel. The all-star cast will all portray small-town New Englanders who set off in search of a young couple who flee the town. Anderson set the story in the 1960's so it will be interesting to see how he directs a period piece, something he's never done before.
6. Skyfall - November 9, 2012
The newest James Bond film is Daniel Craig's third in the historic franchise. He has been offered a huge contract that would place him in the next five Bond films also. Craig's success as the British secret agent has put the once-moribund franchise back on top. Skyfall will test Bond's relationship with M (Judy Dench), as her past will intersect with the present and cause the main conflict in the film. What sets this edition apart, however, is the inclusion of director Sam Mendes. His presence lends real credence to a production that could have been explosion after explosion. Mendes has a talent for real narrative storytelling so Skyfall may actually have a plot worth paying attention to. Can Mendes do what no other Bond director has ever done? Can he make a film that doesn't just look spectacular, but actually has some depth?
7. This is 40 - December 2012
The newest James Bond film is Daniel Craig's third in the historic franchise. He has been offered a huge contract that would place him in the next five Bond films also. Craig's success as the British secret agent has put the once-moribund franchise back on top. Skyfall will test Bond's relationship with M (Judy Dench), as her past will intersect with the present and cause the main conflict in the film. What sets this edition apart, however, is the inclusion of director Sam Mendes. His presence lends real credence to a production that could have been explosion after explosion. Mendes has a talent for real narrative storytelling so Skyfall may actually have a plot worth paying attention to. Can Mendes do what no other Bond director has ever done? Can he make a film that doesn't just look spectacular, but actually has some depth? 7. This is 40 - December 2012
Judd Apatow's second film of 2012 (The Five-Year Engagement) is a spin-off of his 2007 film, Knocked Up. The story will center around the lives of Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Leslie Mann) a couple years after the events of Knocked Up. Jason Segal and Megan Fox will co-star. Apatow's films all follow the same basic premise: a guy is humiliated hilariously and built back up by his collection of friends and the woman he loves. Knocked Up was one of the surprise hits of 2007, so This is 40 should do well with date-night crowds and anyone 40 and under. Plus, the dynamic duo of Rudd and Segal is hard to pass up in any context.
8. Dark Shadows - May 12, 2012
Johnny Depp and Tim Burton reunite for the ninth time on Dark Shadows, the supernatural vampire story based on the cult 1966-1971 gothic soap opera . Depp will play Barnabas Collins, a rich playboy who is turned into a vampire and loses his estate. The cast will feature Eva Green, Michelle Pfieffer, Helena Bonham-Carter, and Chloe Moretz. Burton films are typically filled with his trademark creative style and sound. He loves the macabre and Dark Shadows seems to be set in the same kind of world that made Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hollow, and Batman so memorable. The adult subject matter and the presence of Depp in the lead points to a return to form for Burton. Although we may be even more impressed with his other 2012 release: his new remake of his own film, Frankenweenie .
(EntertainmentWeekly.com)
9. The Great Gatsby - December 25, 2012
Visionary director Baz Luhrman lends his talents to the classic American novel, The Great Gatsby. The ambitious project will be worth a shot based on the impressive pedigree alone. Jack Clayton's 1974 film starring Robert Redford stands as a lackluster intertpretation of the colorful novel so there is much room for improvement. Luhrman should embrace the music of the time and fill the screen with the color and vivacity the '74 film lacked. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Gatsby, Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway and Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanon, the 2012 edition sports an impressive cast of A-list talent.
Leonardo DiCaprio and the cast of Baz Luhrmann's 'The Great Gatsby' film driving scenes on location. (Bauer Griffin)more pics »10. Looper - September 28, 2012
8. Dark Shadows - May 12, 2012
Johnny Depp and Tim Burton reunite for the ninth time on Dark Shadows, the supernatural vampire story based on the cult 1966-1971 gothic soap opera . Depp will play Barnabas Collins, a rich playboy who is turned into a vampire and loses his estate. The cast will feature Eva Green, Michelle Pfieffer, Helena Bonham-Carter, and Chloe Moretz. Burton films are typically filled with his trademark creative style and sound. He loves the macabre and Dark Shadows seems to be set in the same kind of world that made Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hollow, and Batman so memorable. The adult subject matter and the presence of Depp in the lead points to a return to form for Burton. Although we may be even more impressed with his other 2012 release: his new remake of his own film, Frankenweenie .
(EntertainmentWeekly.com)
9. The Great Gatsby - December 25, 2012
Visionary director Baz Luhrman lends his talents to the classic American novel, The Great Gatsby. The ambitious project will be worth a shot based on the impressive pedigree alone. Jack Clayton's 1974 film starring Robert Redford stands as a lackluster intertpretation of the colorful novel so there is much room for improvement. Luhrman should embrace the music of the time and fill the screen with the color and vivacity the '74 film lacked. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Gatsby, Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway and Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanon, the 2012 edition sports an impressive cast of A-list talent.
Leonardo DiCaprio and the cast of Baz Luhrmann's 'The Great Gatsby' film driving scenes on location. (Bauer Griffin)more pics »10. Looper - September 28, 2012
Rian Johnson's long-awaited science-fiction thriller will be released this Fall. The film features futuristic hit-men, called "loopers" who wait for their marks to be sent to their time from the future. Problems arise when one looper (Gordon-Levitt) is tasked with killing his future self (Bruce Willis). Johnson and Levitt teamed up to great success in 2005's Brick, the film which really made Levitt as a serious actor. Their reunion and Johnson's original story could make Looper one of the real hits of 2012. Good science-fiction is hard to come by these days, but solid ones typically rule the box office. My bet is Looper will be something really special. Johnson has a unique cinematic style and vision that should lend itself spectacularly to a sci-fi story like this.
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