Last year it seemed to be a pretty popular post and after putting 2011 behind me with my Top 20 of the Year posted I think it’s time that I take a look forward.
You may ask if I feel like 2012 will be a better year for cinema than 2011 was? I’d first say that I thought 2011 was a pretty good year for movies and I can’t imagine how much worse they could do this year with some of my favourite filmmakers all having films being released this year.
These films are ordered only by their release date (so don’t try and quibble with me about ranking) and I do admit that this list is just brushing the surface of films that I’m inevitably going to head out to the cinema to enjoy, I know I’m a sick sick man. So let’s get into the thick of it.
Haywire (dir. Steven Soderbergh) Jan. 20th
Have I not mentioned my love of all things Soderbergh? He’s a director who’s willing to take chances with genres and differing techniques and this time around he’s going to make his first ever action movie. I’ll be there to see the results.
Chronicle (dir. Josh Trank) Feb. 3rd
I do feel like the “found footage” genre is getting a little used but somehow this one still looks worth my time. Maybe it’s because I just like that guy from Parenthood and want to see how he does.
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (dir. Mark Neveldine & Brian Taylor) Feb. 17th
So those of you out there who read this blog may know that I loathe the first Ghost Rider film. I however, do believe that this is one of the best trailers of the last year since not only is it generally exciting, but it’s also exciting with Nicolas Cage in it being Ghost Rider, one of the worst comic book characters of all time… But Neveldine and Taylor have a certain style of frenetic ridiculous action that I feel it might just deliver on it’s promise of entertainment.
Being Flynn (dir. Paul Weitz) Mar. 2nd
Robert De Niro is an actor who over the years has fallen out of favour from time to time but has never truly escaped our minds completely with his talent. Here, along with Paul Dano, he will play the role of a struggling writer who has a chance to reconnect with his estranged son and I imagine the bumps along the way will make for entertaining drama.
Casa de mi Padre (dir. Matt Piedmont) Mar. 16th
Will Ferrel in what looks to be an all Spanish film, about the most insane and over the top hero character. I’m in.
The Raid (dir. Gareth Evans) Mar 23rd
I’ve heard nothing but great things about this movie since it screened at TIFF last year and based on the trailer I can’t imagine myself not falling in love. It looks like what you would get if you took Hard Boiled and 13 Assassins, blended them together and then decided to remove the first hour of character build and just throw me into the middle of the action.
Prometheus (dir. Ridley Scott) June 8th
Yes I fear the internet. Can you imagine what would’ve happened if I had left this off the list? Actually I’m curious. With Idris Elba and Michael Fassbender in the remake prequel to Alien, the film that I believe put Scott on the map, I’m curious enough.
Brave (dir. Mark Andrews & Brenda Chapman) June 22nd
It’s Pixar and it’s not Cars. Enough.
G. I. JOE: Retaliation (dir. Jon Chu) June 29th
Just like Ghost Rider I think the action looks just right to get me in the theatre. Only disappointment is that Joseph Gordon-Levitt won’t be back to reprise his career defining role as Cobra Commander.
Magic Mike (dir. Steven Soderbergh) June 29th
Two Soderbergh films in one year? Is that allowed? I’m gushing.
Does not see Battleship! Come on you know you want to see it. Aliens in my classic game, yes! jk, it will be terrible but I cant help but watch it for that character cast.
Anyway, Ice Age Continently Drift is what Im really looking forward too, something about the 3rd one really excited me and was so memorable and this one will hopefully be even more epic.
Looking forward to Snow White & The Huntsmen, Twilight (of course), Resident Evil Retribution , and most of the other action ones you chose such as GI Joe, Spiderman, and Skyfall.
Until I hear Liam Neeson say "You sunk my battleship" with his level of gravitas that movie remains too stupid to make the list. I'll try my best not to make fun of your Twilight love.
GI JOE just looks like it'll make me happy to see thing blow up and watch The Rock and Bruce Willis fight side by side seems perfect to me.
Where's "The Master" by P.T. Anderson & "Moonrise Kingdom" by Wes Anderson? Look at the first part of my list. I went more the art house/auteurs route with that list.
Oh shit there's a Gondry film coming out this year?
I know I missed out on the PTA and Wes Anderson film… they totally make my list, but I was just kind of rushing through this post to be quite honest. My apologies for the unwarranted omissions.