The Ball has dropped, the champagne has popped, and you're
now living in the future. The Mayans and Roland Emmerich have already predicted
that this will be our last year, which is okay with me now that the Batman saga
is ending. But Batman isn't
alone. Many highly anticipated
films ever are opening this year, and I'm giving you my picks for the ones you
absolutely cannot miss.
You will notice The
Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn "“ Part II is not on this list, and please know
that its absence was not an oversight. Also missing is The Amazing Spiderman. Much like The Twilight Sage, Spiderman
has fallen victim to the tweening crazy, sent back to high school to likely end
up in an unhealthy relationship with Gwen Stacey. I do apologize; my picks are
a little hero heavy. In my own defense, I am a huge nerd.
And without further ado"¦.
1. The Dark Knight Rises, July 20, 2012
Christopher Nolan is doing what no other director has ever
done with a comic book hero, he's ending his story. This film takes place 8 years after the events of The Dark
Knight as Bane pushes Gotham and the Batman to their breaking points. I was
a little worried about Anne Hathaway being cast as Catwoman, but that was
quickly overshadowed by the casting of Joseph Gordon-Levitt. I'm intrigued to
find out the role his character will play in the story as there are whispers
that he will either take the mantle of Batman or Robin. I know, just the
thought of there being a Robin sends shivers down your spine. I'm willing to
give Nolan a little credit and withhold my judgment until release day.
2. The Avengers, May 4, 2012
Joss Whedon takes the helm of this helicarrier, as he
directs his first big time blockbuster film. This story takes place on a day unlike
any other"¦As far as I know, there seems to be multiple villains at play in this
film. If you have seen the trailer you know that Loki is involved, but Red
Skull has also been rumored to have a part in the film. I've been waiting four
years for this film and I'm excited to see if it's been done right.
3. Prometheus, June 8, 2012
Ridley Scott directs this somewhat prequel to Alien as it is hinted we may learn the
origin of the creatures. It's not that I don't want to know, but sometimes
things are better off left as a mystery. It tends to make things scarier when their
origins are unknown. (I don't want
to find out that the shark from Jaws
was some mutant that escaped a research facility in northern Florida---I just
want to be scared of the water.) But
don't be fooled, I'm still going to watch it. Call me crazy but my curiosity will get the better of me and
I will want to know what this incredibly attractive team of explorers find on
their journey through the darkest corners of the universe.
4. The Hunger Games, March 23, 2012
Set in a dystopian future where survivor has finally been
canceled, The Hunger Games has now
become its replacement. Well that's at least how I see it. There have been so
many future dystopian battle-to-the-death matches on television that I seem to
have lost count. I hold out hope for this one, mainly because the cast includes
Jennifer Lawrence, Woody Harrelson, and Stanley Tucci,, as well as countless
other big names that simply aren't as important to me.
5. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, December 14, 2012
This film is directed by Peter Jackson and is the prequel to
the Lord of the Rings trilogy that
explains how Bilbo Baggins came into possession of the one ring"¦enough said.
6. Chronicle, February 3, 2012
This film looks extremely promising as it follows three high
school friends as they gain superpowers through an incredible discover they all
make. I'm guessing an alien ship from the trailer. Since not everyone is good,
not every teen that gets super powers turns into Spiderman. Chronicle explores what would happen to
a teen with powers if they pulled a Luke Skywalker and ventured to the darkside.
I find the premise intriguing, and if done properly could be very entertaining.
Also, the blonde girl in trailer is really hot.
7. Brave, June 22, 2012
Pixar is going to make me cry again, I know it. This story
follows the fiery haired Princess Merida as she attempts to blaze her own trail
by defying age old customs and freeing her people from a terrible curse. She
apparently is magically awesome at archery because she made a wish to a blue
fairy thing. It's Pixar, just go see it.
8. Rise of the Guardians, November 21, 2012
Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and Jack
Frost must defend the world against the Bogeyman. There is no trailer up yet
for this Dreamworks film, but it sounds interesting enough and it stars Hugh
Jackman, Alex Baldwin, and Isla Fisher. More importantly, it does not star Tim
Allen, Dwayne Johnson, or Michael Keaton.
9. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, June 22, 2012
Its history meets fiction in this awesome adaptation of the
book by the same name. Lincolns mother is murdered by a creature of the night,
which drives Lincoln to use an axe on vampires and their slave-owning minions.
You had me at vampire hunter Mr. President.
10. Snow White and the Huntsman, June 1, 2012
A new twist on this old fairy-tale turns Snow White into a
Joan of Arc type character. From what I can tell, the huntsman, aka Thor with
axes, decides to train Snow White rather than kill her. His goal is to ultimately free their
land from the really hot Evil Queen. I am very much looking forward to Snow White and the Hunstman because of
Ian McShane, Charlize Theron, Chris Hemsworth, and Nick Frost. The only thing
that could ruin it is Kristen Stewart mere involvement.
11. The Expendables 2, August 17, 2012
Chuck Norris is in it. If you don't see it, he'll roundhouse
kick your whole family.
12. Skyfall, November 9, 2012
There is no trailer out yet for this latest Bond flick, but
one can only hope it's better than Quantum
of Solace. I have high expectations for it since Javier Bardem joined the
cast as a yet unnamed villain. From what I've read, MI6 and M come under attack
and Bond's loyalty is pushed to its limits. Hmm, I'm starting to see a trend in
the films for this year.
Honorable Mentions go out to American Reunion which arrives
in theaters April 6th, This Means War,opening February 17th,
and the Dredd remake which comes to a theater near you on September 21st.
Welcome to 2012! Now go out and watch some movies"¦.
