As the New Year approaches so does the awards ceremony season, but also the anticipation of what 2012 will bring us in the form of exciting films. I'm not much of a theater goer these days, mainly because I think most of what comes out of Hollywood is crap, or recycled material because no one seems to have an original story in their head unless their an independent film maker. I still go see the summer blockbusters, but even those disappoint me sometimes. However, I have high hopes for the class of 2012. If you'll notice, all the films on the list below are either sequels, prequels, or based on books. But don't fret, I still plan on seeing Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace in February when it comes out in 3-D. I'm a fan boy, sue me. Here are the 2012 films I'm psyched to see, in chronological order.
Underworld: Awakening (January 20)
Kate Beckinsale is back the way we all like her; in black leather. She is reprising her role as Selene, the vampire death dealer. She wakes up after being asleep for 12 years in a world she doesn't know. The humans are now hunting vampires and lycans and Selene must find a hybrid child before the humans do. Scott Speedman is rumored to return as Michael, the first vampire/lycan hybrid. I find it rather suspicious that Selene was asleep for 12 years, there is a hybrid child who is about 12 years-old, and that in the last film we saw Selene and Michael in they "got busy". This is just my guess/hope.
The Hunger Games (March 23)
This is the most anticipated film based on a book since that last Harry Potter film. My wife is a huge fan of this book series and is always trying to get me to read them. I may have buckled on Harry Potter, and liked them, but I'm standing strong on this one; unless of course I like the film when I see it.
Director Gary Ross, who has brought us such classic films as Big, Pleasantville, and Dave, brings a future to the big screen where twelve districts choose two young people, a girl and a boy, and they compete to the death for their districts abundance of necessities. Katniss Everdeen, played by X-Men: First Class’s Jennifer Lawrence, volunteers to take her little sister's place and must kill all her competitors on live television in order to see her sister and friends again.
This film has a star-pact cast such as Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, and Lenny Kravitz. The trailer for this film makes it seem exciting, and with Harry Potter now over and Twilight about to end the book worms need something new to look forward too. I just hope the love story is better than Twilight. Bella Swan has my vote for most annoying fictional character ever, even more than Jar-Jar Binks!
American Reunion (April 6)
I was a freshman in high school when American Pie came out, so I was in the right age where I found it both heart-warming and hilarious. The sequel was just as enjoyable for me, but when American Wedding came out half the cast was gone so I found it lacking compared to its predecessors. But in American Reunion the entire cast from the first two films are back for their high school reunion. What will follow I'm assuming is embarrassing moments for Jim(Jason Biggs), Stifler(Sean William Scott) will be annoying, and Finch(Eddie Kaye Thomas) will sleep with Stifler's mom.
The film is directed and written by the same pair that brought as all three Harold and Kumar films. Even Tara Reid is coming out of rehab to play Vicky. Wait, is she in or out of rehab this month? Oh well, bring out the pie and let's get this filth fest going!
The Avengers (May 4)
I don't know how Marvel Studios has done it but they've turned the film industry into something people never thought it could be; a comic book publisher. Like Marvel comics, four separate titles and characters will all come together in one title as the Avengers must defend Earth from Loki, the god of mischief. Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, and the Incredible Hulk will all play a role in this film that is bound to spawn several sequels not only for the individual characters but the Avengers franchise as well. This is movie history here and with Joss Whedon directing it all I guarantee a good show. Just make sure you see the first five films leading up to it. I can let you borrow them if you want. Avengers Assemble!
Men in Black III (May 25)
It's been a while since we saw Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones take on the scum of the universe, but I must say they were sorely missed. This time around Agent J, played by Smith, must travel back in time to the 1960's in order to stop an alien from killing a young Agent K and destroying Earth's future. Josh Brolin looks like he'll do a good job of imitating a young Tommy Lee Jones, and Barry Sonnenfeld, the man who directed the first two MIB films, is back to lead this one. They've got my ticket money already, but like most movies, I'm not seeing it in 3-D.
Snow White and the Huntsman (June 1)
Freshman film director Rupert Sanders puts a dark slant on this fairy tale classic. Twilight alumni, Kristen Stewart plays Snow White and Thor himself, Chris Hemsworth, is the Huntsman who was sent by the queen to kill her. However the two join forces instead against the queen, played by Charlize Theron. Along with the dwarves, this group is out to take down the evil queen and her mirror.
The film looks a lot more interesting than just the classic tale, and even better than the Julia Roberts comedy coming out that is also about Snow White. I'm not a fan of Kristen Stewart by a long shot, but the film does look good enough to provide a worth-while movie experience. Now if I can just remember all the dwarf’s names.
Prometheus (June 8)
Ridley Scott returns to space in this film that is said to be a prequel, or similar, to the Aliens anthology. Charlize Theron, Patrick Wilson, and X-Men: First Class's Michael Fassbender are part of the team put together to find the origins of mankind, but what they find may be much more terrifying. Scott directed the first Aliens film, along with Blade Runner, Gladiator, and Black Hawk Down so anything he makes usually entertains me. If this film does have a connection to Alien then I can't wait to see how the stomach bugs got their start.
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (June 22)
From the director of Wanted comes a fictional tale about an American hero. When young Lincoln's mother is killed by supernatural creatures he goes on a killing spree to crush the undead. This is based on a book and stars Benjamin Walker as honest Abe himself. Scott Pilgrim's Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Serenity's Alan Tudyk also star in this tale that would give the Winchester brothers run for their money. It may not be serious but I think it'll be fun.
G.I. Joe: Retaliation (June 29)
I wasn't a big fan of G.I. Joe in the 1980's, but I loved the 1987 G.I. Joe film starring Sgt. Slaughter and Don Johnson as Lt. Falcon. The first G.I. Joe film, The Rise of Cobra, wasn't too bad, just so long as you weren't expecting a true adaptation to the animated series. Plus Channing Tatum and Marlon Waynes as the lead roles didn't help my interest level. This time around the Joes have been named fugitives and Dwayne Johnson stars as one of my favorite Joes, Roadblock. Roadblock, along with an all-new team that includes Flint, Lady Jaye, and Snake Eyes, have to take down Cobra. At the end of the last film Zartan now looks like the President of the United States and this means good news for Cobra, but bad news for the Joes.
Based on the trailer I'm hoping Channing Tatum isn't in most of the film, but I'm hoping Snake Eyes is. Bruce Willis makes an appearance and Friday Nights Light alumni Adrianne Palicki is the film’s eye candy as Lady Jaye. I'm also psyched to see two characters that were introduced in the 1987 film, Jinx and Tunnel Rat. From the looks of it Jinx seems to help Snake Eyes take down some Cobra ninjas. I am a little worried that the director's most famous film so far has been Step Up 2: The Streets. Oh well, Yo Joe!
The Amazing Spider-Man (July 3)
The third Spider-Man film left a bad taste in everyone's mouth and although I feel it was a nice, complete, trilogy Sony Pictures decided to start over and I can't say I blame them. Director Sam Raimi, Tobey Maguire, and Kirsten Dunst are out and it's a Brand New Day. Actual Spider-Man fans will get that last pun. The Social Network's Andrew Garfield takes over as Peter Parker, who lives with his aunt and uncle, played by Martin Sheen and Sally Fields. This take on the web slinger by director Marc Webb seems a little darker than Raimi's and from the trailer it looks like it may include the past of Peter's parents, who were spies in the comic books. Rhys Ifans will play Peter's mentor-turned-villian as Dr. Kurt Connor's, a.k.a., the Lizard. Rounding out this outstanding ensemble is Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy, Peter's first girlfriend before Mary Jane in the comic books.
I wasn't thrilled about this re-boot until I was the trailer. It appears Webb and Sony are going nowhere near what Raimi did, which I think will make it seem new and fresh. I was a senior in high school when the first Spider-Man film came out so while it may seem like ten years is too soon for another Spider-Man I think I speak for Sony Pictures when I say, shut up and just watch it.
The Dark Knight Rises (July 20)
Christopher Nolan completes his trilogy of the Gotham City protector next year, and I'm sure he has a few surprises for all of us. It's been eight years since the event of The Dark Knight and a new terrorist, Bane, is causing problems for a Gotham City that has been silent for a while. Bruce Wayne, still played by Christian Bale, must come out of the shadows to take down this villain whose intelligence is just as fit as his muscles. Being thrown into the mix is Anne Hathaway playing Selena Kyle, more famously known as Catwoman. Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, and Liam Neeson all return in their supporting roles.
All I'm saying is that with it being eight years later that means Gordon's daughter is at least a teenager; hello Batgirl! Nolan and Bale both say this will be their last Batman film and that this film truly completes the trilogy. In any event, The Dark Knight Rises is bound to be one of the most anticipated films of the summer, and the one of the most talked about. If you're interested in knowing more about the character known as Bane check out Batman: Knightfall.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (December 14)
After a lot of heartache and debate over this film Peter Jackson was swayed back into the director's seat for this return to Middle Earth. This classic prequel to the Lord of the Rings finds a younger Bilbo Baggins accompanying a fellowship of dwarves to Lonely Mountain to retrieve their treasure from the dragon, Smaug. They are led by none other than Gandalf; still played by Ian McKellen. Other returning LOTR cast members include Orlando Bloom as Legolas, Christopher Lee as Saruman, and Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins.
Before their adventure is over Bilbo will run into Gollum, take possession of the ring, and set-up one of the most beloved tales of all-time. With Jackson back at the helm you can be sure this film be just as exciting and breathtaking as the films that came before it; my precious.
