The 10 MOST ANTICIPATED Movies of 2012 and a preview of the rest!

Ok, so I’m a bit late on getting this article completed.  Here we are four months into 2012 and so far there have been a few notable films released, but as we all know most of the ‘big’ event films are still to come.   If you look at the list of films coming out this year, it appears that 2012 may be one of the biggest of all time.  The following characters – some who have been gone for awhile and some who have only had a temporary absence – are returning to the big screen.  The Dark Knight, Spider-Man, the Men in Black, the Twilight Saga characters, James Bond, Leatherface, the Expendables, a new Bourne, Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Hulk, Nick Fury, Black Widow, and a return to middle Earth with the characters of The Hobbit.   The list is quite impressive and to think that Superman: The Man of Steel was originally scheduled for a December release until it got bumped to summer 2013.  Same goes for Brad Pitt’s World War Z, which was on my top 10 list before it also get moved to next summer.  I will admit that it is somewhat difficult to pick 10 of the most anticipated films in any given year.  Some are obvious (hello Avengers) and some not so much (what the hell is Prometheus ?).   Here are my most eagerly awaited releases of the year…and the reasons why they made the cut.

1. THE AVENGERS – Why?  Where do I begin?  Even though, personally, I’m slightly more interested in seeing Chris Nolan wrap up his Dark Knight trilogy, I do believe that there is no bigger film this year than Joss Whedon’s The Avengers.  Let’s face it, Marvel Studios has done everything nearly to perfection up until this point with their standalone superhero films and there is no reason to think that the collaboration of all of them is going to be anything less than stellar.  With an all-star cast and all but one of the original players returning (sorry Edward Norton) and the direction of fanboy Whedon, expect an all out action assault when the superheroes come together this May.  Cast includes – Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner aka Hulk), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Robert Downey Jr. (Tony Stark aka Iron Man), Chris Evans (Steve Rogers aka Captain America), Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), and Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye).  Kudos to Marvel for doing it right…all of the individual films were either really good to great and they have done a great job with the build up to this film.  Don’t think it’s over though…Captain America 2, Iron Man 3, Thor 2, and an Avengers sequel are already in the works.  May 4

2.  THE DARK KNIGHT RISES -  Why?  Because it is the end (well, at least the end of Nolan’s vision of Batman).  I have complete faith in Christopher Nolan when it comes to this franchise that he single handidly rejuvenated.  Audiences will, however, have to go in with modest expectations.  This will not be The Dark Knight…nor will it try to be.  There is no character in the Batman universe as interesting on-screen than the Joker and Heath Ledger’s performance was the stuff of legend.   Nolan is smart enough to realize this and trust me when I tell you that Tom Hardy is going to blow everyone away as Bane.  Bane will completely overshadow Anne Hathaway’s Catwoman and that’s probably a good thing.  Nolan promises to wrap up his trilogy by taking the storyline back to what started in Batman Begins.  At the end of the day, I see TDKR falling right between the second and first films, respectively, thus making this one of the best film trilogies of all time.   No Joker.  No Two-Face.  No problem. July 20

3.  THE HOBBIT - Why?  Because Peter Jackson is directing again and he knows how to get audiences eager to take a trip back to middle Earth.  After New Line greenlit this 2 part prequel to the hugely successful Lord of the Rings trilogy, many wondered if Peter Jackson would return to direct it.  Initially, he said no, only wanting to be a producer on the project.  However, after his pal Guillermo del Toro turned the job down, to everyone’s delight…Jackson stepped in.  Del Toro is a fine director and has a unique vision in his films but honestly, should anyone else but Jackson be touching these films?  I think not.  Not only is he returning to the directors chair, but he managed to bring back Elijah Wood, Orlando Bloom, Hugo Weaving, Christopher Lee, Andy Serkis, and Ian Hom to reprise their famous roles.  The story follows the curious Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, as he journeys to the Lonely Mountain with a vigorous group of Dwarves to reclaim a treasure stolen from them by the dragon Smaug.   Expect amazing visuals…intense drama…and fine performances.  Hopefully, it will be just like watching a new Lord of the Rings film.  That would be fine with me.  December 14

4.  LINCOLN – Why?  Because this film has been 20 years in the making and Daniel Day Lewis is going to amaze audiences with his portayal of arguably our greatest President.  For those who don’t know, this film is not going to be a story told about a young Lincoln.  It’s not a true biopic in the sense of the term.  It centers around our sixteenth President of the United States as he guides the North to victory during the Civil War.  Liam Neeson was once attached to star in this film, but due to ongoing delays in getting it off the ground, his contract ran out and he decided not to do it.  In steps the great Daniel Day Lewis.  Either one of them would have done a fine job, but I think Lewis actually fits the role a bit better than Neeson.  Joining him are Sally Field (Mary Todd Lincoln), Tommy Lee Jones (Thaddeus Stevens), John Hawkes (Robert Latham), Joseph Gordon Levitt (Robert Todd Lincoln), Jackie Earl Haley (Alexander Stevens), and Jared Harris (Ulysses S. Grant).  Director Steven Spielberg has assembled a fine cast and look for this film to garner lots of Oscar buzz after it’s release.  This has been a passion project for Spielberg for 2 decades…I expect nothing less than a truly remarkable production.  December TBD

5.   THE HUNGER GAMES -  Why?  Casting Jennifer Lawrence was brilliant.  And the March release date was smart -  it will pretty much rule the box office until The Avengers comes out.  Turning popular novels into successful films is no easy task, but when a lot of thought and effort are put into doing so, the results can be solid.  Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight novels are a great example of such efforts.  And so brings us to the next big book-to-film franchise…The Hunger Games.  Success begins with the cast and director.  The casting department really did well with this first film in a series of four.  Each character suits what they represent in the book.  The cast includes Lawrence, Stanley Tucci, Woody Harrelson, Lenny Kravitz, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Wes Bentley, and Elizabeth Banks.  Director Gary Ross (who, unfortunately is not returning for the sequel Catching Fire) displays fine skills bringing the novel to life and even though not everyone can be satisfied with the finished product, I would say that most of the die hard fans truly enjoyed the film.  Over $300 million U.S. box office and counting (as I write this), it has already surpassed any box office gross of any one Twilight film.  Lionsgate has a sure thing here…if they hire the right replacement for Ross.  Perhaps they can follow in the footsteps of Harry Potter and the aforementioned Twilight series and hire different directors to give their own unique vision to the material.  Wouldn’t be a bad idea.  March 16- currently playing

6.  PROMETHEUS - Why?  Ridley Scott is back doing what he does best.  An Alien film.  Yes, it’s not a true sequel or prequel, but it does have to do with the origins of the Alien universe.  Director Scott has assembled a fine cast here with Charlize Theron, Michael Fassbender, Noomi Rapace, Guy Pearce, Idris Elba, and Patrick Wilson.  Great cast aside, the main factor that will bring audiences in is the plot, which does have ties to the Alien universe.  Curiousity will bring sci-fi fans out in droves and this definitely a film that can build on good word of mouth.  Story is as follows – A team of scientists journey through the universe on the spaceship “Prometheus” on a voyage to investigate Alien life forms. The team of scientists becomes stranded on an Alien world, and as they struggle to survive it becomes clear that the horrors they experience are not just a threat to themselves, but to all of mankind.  The recently released trailer was stunning and does a nice job of enticing the viewer and making them want more.  Add it all together…1.  Ridley Scott  2.  A film that involves the ‘Alien’ universe  3.  Solid actors  4.  Sci-fi at it’s best.  Total = The biggest must see sci-fi, action-horror film of the year. June 8

7.  SKYFALL – Why?  Because James Bond is back.  And Daniel Craig is still James Bond.  It has been a few years since Quantum of Solace, the last James Bond film, and during that time Daniel Craig has attempted to establish himself beyond the 007 identity.  He has had a hit with Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (and has signed for the two upcoming sequels), but a string of misfires also followed Craig post Bond.  Daniel is James.  He is my personal favorite actor to play Bond due to his physicality, charm, and acting ability.  The story this time centers around Bond’s loyalty to M (Judi Dench), as it is tested when her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.  Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Road to Perdition) is directing this 23rd Bond installment and Javier Bardem is the villain.  Ralph Fiennes also has a role in the film.  The Bond films always tend to rake in the bucks, especially overseas.  November 9

8.  DJANGO UNCHAINED – Why?  Because it’s Quentin Tarantino directing Leonardo DiCaprio as the bad guy.  Tarantino doesn’t make many films, but when he does audiences get excited.  One of, if not, the most clever dialogue writer in the industry, Quentin always seems to create characters that we never forget.  This time around the plot revolves around a slave-turned-bounty hunter (Jaime Foxx) who sets out to rescue his wife from a brutal Mississippi plantation owner (DiCaprio).  Joining these two fine actors are Christoph Waltz (so memorable in Inglourious Basterds), Kurt Russell, Samuel L. Jackson, Kerry Washington, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Don Johnson.  Expect Tarantino to dive into the issue of slavery like no other director has.  Expect a lot of brutality…a lot of memorable lines…and fine performances.  The staples of a Tarantino film.  The only thing I question is the release date.  As of now, it is slated for a Christmas Day release, which I think is an odd choice.  In my opinion, the studio should back this up to late November or early December.  This is another one to look for during awards season.  December 25

9.  THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN – Why?  Because a ‘Spider-Man’ film in 3D should be ‘amazing’ to watch.  And the Lizard will make a cool villain.  I agree with most people that it is way too early to reboot a franchise that is still so fresh in everyone’s minds.  It’s hard for me to picture anyone other than Tobey Maguire playing Peter Parker aka Spider-Man.  Welcome to the new Hollywood.  Expect a lot more sudden reboots over the next few years (Batman is already getting prepped for a reboot and the third and final film in Christopher Nolan’s trilogy hasn’t even opened yet).  There are a lot of question marks surrounding this reboot.  The casting of Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker.  He has only been seen by most in The Social Network, in which he gave a solid performance, but his body of work is very limited.  And then there is director Marc Webb, best known for the romantic comedy 500 Days of Summer and a handful of music videos.  Once again, does his resume warrant him taking over such a big franchise?  There are a couple of positives though…the casting of Emma Stone, who is one of the best young actresses working today, was smart.  Also, if there was ever a film that can benefit from the 3D format, it’s Spider-Man.   Massive action sequences mixed with Spidey swinging around from spot to spot lend themselves to great 3D.  Will audiences be able to look past the former trilogy and give the new vision a chance…or will they balk at the idea of ‘a different’ Spider-Man altogether.  Let’s put it this way…the flick had better be great.  All questions will be answered…July 3

10.  BRAVE – Why?  Because it’s Pixar’s first film to have a female action hero.  And did I mention it’s a Pixar film?  A studio that can do no wrong.  So far, the Disney/Pixar combination has provided a continuous string of hit after hit and I see no reason for it to stop here.  The main difference this time around is that our hero is…a female.  Actually, this may work in the film’s favor.  Not only does the film center around Princess Merida, but the princess also has incredible archery skills that should also draw in young boys eager to see some nice animated action sequences.  Here is the story – determined to make her own path in life, Princess Merida defies a custom that brings chaos to her kingdom. Granted one wish, Merida must rely on her bravery to undo a beastly curse.  So far the marketing for Brave has been relatively light, but expect that to change a lot between now and release date.  Disney has delivered a promising trailer that reminds us yet again that nobody does animation better than Pixar. Disney is also smart by releasing this in a month that features no major kid films.  June 22

Best of the rest…

The Twilight Saga presents: Breaking Dawn Part 2 – The finale of one of the biggest film and book franchises should be something to see.   I will admit that each film is better than the last which bodes well for this one.  Taylor Lautner’s bad acting aside, at least the other members of the cast have managed to also improve with each film.  Fans are going to turn out in droves for this ‘supposed’ final film.  Yes, there is a rumor that a new book may be written.  Bella Swan as a vampire will give Kristen Stewart a chance to have more fun with the role now.  I have a strong feeling that Breaking Dawn 2 will be the best film of the series.  November 16

The Bourne Legacy – Looking at this title you would think that Matt Damon is returning to the role that made him an action film star…but you would be wrong.  Damon is out.  Up and comer Jeremy Renner is in.  The story revolves around another assassin, Aaron Cross, who was trained in the same program as Jason Bourne.  Tony Gilroy is the man behind the camera this time.  Joan Allen is reprising her role as Pam Landy and Edward Norton and Rachel Weisz join the cast.  A Bourne film without Damon seems like a possible failure, however, if there is an actor that can keep the franchise rolling it’s Renner, who did a fine job in last year’s Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol.  August 3

G.I. Joe: Retaliation - Now this is a sequel that definitely looks better than the original.  With the addition of Dwayne Johnson and Bruce Willis to the cast and a teaser trailer that truly knocks the first film on its ass, this second and probably not the final G.I. Joe film, will try to make people forget about its predecessor.  The first film was just ok in my opinion.  It lacked something…something which looks to be the prescense of Willis and Johnson.  Expect an all out action assault when this opens in late June.  I’m not expecting huge box office totals for this one, but if it crosses $100 million here in the States, then consider it a success.  It will do well overseas, as most action heavy films do.  June 29

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter - The title along should be enough to get an opening weekend gross of $30 million plus.  With Tim Burton executive producing and Timur Bekmambetov (Night Watch and Day Watch) directing, this could be perhaps the most fun couple of hours at a movie theater this year.  Yet another film that should be cool in 3D.  The plot is a simple one and a silly one – Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, discovers vampires are planning to take over the United States. He makes it his mission to eliminate them.  Sounds great…I’m in.  Great counter-programming opposite Disney-Pixar’s Brave.  June 22

The Great Gatsby – Eccentric director Baz Luhrmann is lavishly remaking the 1974 film of the same name that starred Mia Farrow and Robert Redford.  Armed with a massive budget and two of Hollywood’s hottest actors – Carrie Mulligan and Leonardo DiCaprio – Baz is hoping the bring a unique version of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel to the big screen.  For those not familiar with the story, here is a brief synopsis.  Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire), a Midwesterner now living on Long Island, finds himself fascinated by the mysterious past and lavish lifestyle of his neighbor, Jay Gatsby (DiCaprio).  He is drawn into Gatsby’s circle, becoming a witness to obsession and tragedy.  Luhrmann last worked with Leo in Romeo & Juliet.    Baz is a good director, but his style of directing does not appeal to everyone.  Another issue is that, as of right now, this fim is scheduled to be released Christmas Day…the same day as Leo’s other film, Django Unchained.  Too much Leo?  I have a feeling one of the films will move back at least one week.  It’s not common for an lead actor to have two major films open on the same day.  December 25

Dark Shadows –  Great campy fun.  That pretty much describes how I felt when I saw the trailer for Tim Burton and Johnny Depp’s latest collaboration.  Kind of a cross between Sweeney Todd and Beetlejuice (both Burton films), expect the film to be very dark at times and very lighthearted and funny at others.  Depp and Burton always work well together and I don’t see that trend ending.  Along for the ride this time are Michelle Pfieffer, Chloe Grace Moretz, Jonny Lee Miller, Eva Green, and Jackie Earl Haley.  Short version of the story – an imprisoned vampire, Barnabas Collins (Depp), is set free and returns to his ancestral home, where his dysfunctional descendants are in need of his protection.  Depp continues to get roles such as these and I’m glad to see him really sink his teeth into this one.  Trailer looks very promising and it has a good release date that will benefit it’s box office returns.  May 11

American Reunion - If we learned anything from trying to throw another entry onto a franchise that essentially died 10 plus years ago, it’s that perhaps you should just leave it alone.  Scream 4 was released about the same time frame last year as American Reunion is to be this year.  The majority of people that actually saw the fourth entry in the Scream franchise enjoyed it, but also considered not memorable enough to recommend it to friends or come back for repeated viewings.  Will that same fate follow the new American Pie film?  Perhaps.  It’s really difficult for a franchise considered ‘done’ to rejuvenate itself so many years later even if it does manage to get the entire cast back from the original.  I hope the film is good, because it would be a shame to get everyone back and it still be a piece of garbage.  Box office for the first weekend was a bit underwhelming, but it could hang around for awhile if word of mouth is strong.  With Stifler (Sean William Scott) in the mix…you can never count this group out.  April 6 (now playing)

Wrath of the Titans – After a lackluster attempt at remaking a classic, Warner Bros. decided to greenlight a sequel with the hopes that it would outdo its predecessor in every way.  It was inevitable because even though Clash of the Titans was considered a disappointment to most, the film managed to make a boatload of money here and overseas defying critics and those who said that film was mediocre at best.  A different director was brought in and the main players in the first film are back for another round.  Sam Worthington (Perseus), Liam Neeson (Zeus), and Ralph Fiennes (Hades) return in what promises to be an action packed follow up.  Good thing is that the film was actually filmed in 3D this time, which should hopefully make up for that crappy post-conversion that was done with the first film. It was BAD.  Good news and not so good news for the studio…as I write this, Wrath has only pulled in $65 million here in the U.S., but it has taken in $215 million worldwide, which means that at the end of the day it will be considered a success.  March 30 (now playing)

Snow White and the Huntsman – I had little to no interest in this flick until I saw the trailer a couple of weeks back.  Not only is this quite a different take on the Snow White legend, but it actually looks like a solid, well made action epic as well.  Kristen Stewart, love her or hate her, does have a screen prescence that can’t be denied.  Casting her as the title character was a smart move considerering that all of her Twi-hard fans will probably turn out in droves to see this one.  Combine that with the casting of none other than Thor himself, Chris Hemsworth, as the other title character and the beautiful Charlize Theron as the Evil Queen and you have the makings of a good adventure film with some fine acting.  I have a feeling that word of mouth on the picture will be outstanding and hopefully so.  The twist to the fairy tale is as follows – the Huntsman is ordered to take Snow White into the woods to kill her but winds up becoming her protector and mentor in a quest to vanquish the Evil Queen.  I look forward to any film that gives Charlize a chance to be devilishly evil.  June 1

Ice Age: Continental Drift – Animated sequels are far more frequent these days that they were decades ago.  And if there were sequels, a lot of times they went straight to dvd.  Not so much any more.  A successful animated production usually means we will get at least one sequel in theaters and in the case of Fox’s Ice Age franchise…well, here is the third one.  I wouldn’t put Ice Age up their with Toy Story or Shrek in terms of overall quality, but the films have been consistently funny and wholesome for the little ones.  I have no doubt that this fourth installment will pull in major bucks for the studio and I wouldn’t be surprised if a fifth film isn’t already on the drawing board.  This sequel looks like a lot of fun.  Our favorite characters are back and here is the synopsis – Manny, Diego, and Sid embark upon another adventure after their continent is set adrift. Using an iceberg as a ship, they encounter sea creatures and battle pirates as they explore a new world.  Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, and Denis Leary reprise their famous voiceover roles and Sean William Scott, Peter Dinklage, Alan Tudyk, Jennifer Lopez, Aziz Ansari, Nicki Minaj, and many others lend their voices to some new characters.  After the Brave audience dies down, Ice Age 4 should reap the benefits.  July 13

Rock of Ages – Director Adam Shankman, who successfully remade Hairspray in 2007, is back to try his hand at bringing another popular stage musical to the big screen and he has assembled quite the cast to do so with.  Rock of Ages features Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Julianne Hough, newcomer Diego Boneta (who may become a household name after this), Catherine Zeta Jones, Malin Akerman, Bryan Cranston, Will Forte, Paul Giamatti, Mary J. Blige, and a nearly unrecognizble Tom Cruise.  Cruise probably has the most buzz going for him headed toward the release date simply because this is a big stretch for him – he’s playing an ’80′s hair metal rock star named Stacee Jaxx.  He looks a lot like a darker haired Bret Michaels from the group Poison in the trailer and Cruise does actually sing in the film.  He wanted this role badly and I’m sure he will pull it off to perfection.  Story – Set in 1987 Los Angeles, Drew (Diego) and Sherrie (Julianne) are two young people chasing their dreams in the big city. When they meet, it’s love at first sight, though their romance will face a series of challenges. Rock of Ages is not going to be a film for the masses, but if it’s done properly then word of mouth could propel it up near $100 million gross.  Film musicals are a tough sell, but judging by the first trailer, this one has what it takes to be a hit.  June 15

John Carter – Oh, where do I begin.  Having already seen this film, let me tell you what went wrong.  Marketing…an unknown (at least to most people) as the title character…and horrendous word of mouth.  It was like the perfect storm of bomb for Disney, the studio that produced it.  Odd thing about John Carter is that it is actually a good film.  However, it is a forgettable one.  Disney, who rarely ever has a miss with their animated releases, continues to be about 50/50 in the live action department.  For every Pirates of the Caribbean (which featured a major star in Johnny Depp), there is a Prince of Persia (which featured an unproven box office winner in Jake Gyllenhaal).  Here is some advice to the big wigs at Disney – when it comes to your mega budget, live action productions, spend the extra dough and get a proven box office winner to star in them.  Few people cared to see John Carter more than once and many of those that saw it once did not recommend it to friends and family.  The built in audience just was not there.  For the few fans out there who would like to see another entry – fuggetaboutit.  Disney won’t make the same mistake twice.  Consider this series done.  Going into 2012, it was one of the highest profile releases of the year…going out, it will be one of the least memorable.  Don’t worry Taylor Kitsch…it wasn’t your fault.  You shouldn’t have been in it to begin with.  Unfortunately for Taylor, he’s also starring in Battleship, which opens in May and didn’t even make my list of most anticipated films.  March 9 (currently playing)

The Dictator – Borat…then Bruno…now, The Dictator.  Sacha Baron Cohen definitely goes all in when he creates his memorable characters, and his most recent one might be the most controversial of all.  The first trailer for this comedy was hilarious and like Baron Cohen’s other films, curiosity will make audiences want to see this.  Opening weekend numbers should be good, but expect the film to be very front loaded…but if (and this is a big if) the film can somehow cross over to more of a mass audience, then it could make more money than expected.  Sacha Baron Cohen really doesn’t care to appeal to the masses though, so I’m sure the film will offend lots of people.  I think it looks really funny…let’s hope it’s more Borat than Bruno.  Megan Fox, Anna Faris, and John C. Reilly join Sacha in director Larry Charles comedy.  Charles also directed Borat and Bruno.  May 16

Men in Black III – Will Smith is back in the summer movie fray with another entry in the popular Men in Black series.  It has been awhile since we’ve seen Mr. Smith in anything, but he always seems to be having fun playing Agent J.  This series has not been a favorite of mine.  The first film was fun, especially the interaction between Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, but I really couldn’t stand the second one.  Judging by the new trailer, I’m not seeing too much that excites me about this entry either.  The one thing I do like though is the casting of Josh Brolin as a young Agent K.  He’s a dead ringer for a young Tommy Lee Jones and he has his mannerisms down perfectly.  The plot is this – Agent J travels in time to MIB’s early years in the 1960s, to stop an alien from assassinating his friend Agent K and changing history.  Alice Eve, Emma Thompson, and Jemaine Clement are along for the adventure this time around.  Look for MIB III to rule the Memorial Day Weekend…but I’m not so sure it will do very well after that.  Hoping the film is more exciting than the trailer.  May 25

Savages – Oliver Stone is back doing what he does best…gritty ensemble pieces about serious subjects.  Here he has assembled the following cast – Salma Hayek, Blake Lively, Benicio Del Toro, Taylor Kitsch, John Travolta, Emile Hirsch, Uma Thurman, and Aaron Johnson.  Not much to go on as far as details, but here is the general story – Pot growers Ben (Johnson) and Chon (Kitsch) face off against the Mexican drug cartel who kidnapped their shared girlfriend, O (Lively).  There may not be a director out there that handles this type of material better than Stone.  He’s gone down this route before with U-Turn and Natural Born Killers.  Expect a very gritty, in your face drama and some great performances.  Good counterprogramming against The Amazing Spider-Man.   July 6

Neighborhood Watch -  Check out this synopsis -  Suburban dads who form a neighborhood watch group as a way to get out of their day-to-day family routines find themselves defending the Earth from an alien invasion.  Sounds like a lot of fun, right?  The premise alone sounds like a riot, but then add consistent funnyman Vince Vaughn, Ben Stiller, Jonah Hill, and Richard Ayoade as the group and you know this is going to be hilarious.  Even though very little footage has been shown yet, with Seth Rogen being one of the writers, you know that the script has to have some great dialogue.  Positioned as a late summer comedy, NW should do very well, box office wise.  There is always a good comedy that comes out in late July and gets near or crosses the $100 million mark.  I see no reason why this one shouldn’t do the same.  July 27

Total Recall – Yes, another remake.  And yes, another remake starring Colin Farrell (remember last summer’s Fright Night?  Didn’t think so).  Where Fright Night seriously could have gone without being redone, I have high hopes for Total Recall.  Why?  A few reasons.  Director Len Wiseman has shown that he can handle action films pretty well having directed Underworld 1 and 2, plus Live Free or Die Hard, which I thought were enjoyable.   Colin Farrell is also a strong lead actor.  He has not really had to carry a film primarily on his own yet, but this will give him an opportunity that he really needs to become a more ‘box office’ star.  Oh, and check out the cast.  Jessica Biel (hottie!), Kate Beckinsale (hottie!), Ethan Hawke, Bryan Cranston (this guy is having a busy year), Bill Nighy, John Cho, and Bokeem Woodbine are playing important characters in the film.  The trailer looks much better than I thought it would and the movie seems like a good fit for the beginning of August.  All of the other big action films (except Expendables 2) are out of the way.  August 3

The Expendables 2 – Sylvester Stallone really should have done this back in the early 1990′s when all of these old timers were still young enough to go full force into the action sequences.  Ah, whatever.  It’s just good to see them all together period.  The first film was incredibly fun to watch, with old school action and adrenaline at every turn.  Let’s hope Stallone and company up the ante this time around.  Let’s look at the positives.  First of all, Stallone is not directing.  This is a good thing.  Not that he did a bad job with part one, but a more experienced action film director may be able to better handle the large action pieces that, from what I hear, are frequent in the script.  I admire Stallone for going after the likes of Chuck Norris and Jean Claude Van Damme and convincing them to sign up for the sequel.  With all of the machoness the first time around, it did seem like they needed to be there to make it complete.  Another bonus…this time we get more Arnold and more Willis, as both of there roles are beefed up this time around.  Cast is as follows – Sly Stallone, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenneger, Randy Couture, Chuck Norris, Jean Claude Van Damme (the bad guy!), Liam Hemsworth, Terry Crews, Jet Li, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, and  Scott Adkins.  Who needs Steven Seagal?  Perfect film to end the summer with.  August 17

The Campaign (aka Dog Fight) – The title of this film just recently changed to The Campaign.  It’s also the only other comedy coming out this summer that can rival Neighborhood Watch (Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn).  A lot of people don’t really get Will Ferrell’s humor and even more people don’t get Zach Galifianakis’ either.  I am not one of those people.  Personally, I think Ferrell is the funniest actor working today.  He consistenly creates memorable roles that stay with you long after seeing them.  Putting him with Galifianakis should make for one hell of a funny film…especially considering the plot.  Two rival North Carolina politicians, Cam Brady (Ferrell) and Marty Huggins (Galifianakis), with presidential aspirations tangle with one another.  Jay Roach is the man behind the camera.  His notable films include the Meet the Parents and Austin Powers franchises.  I say just let Zach and Will improv the majority of the film and it will turn out great.  This is a must see and has the potential to go down as the funniest film of the year.  August 10 

Killing Them Softly (aka Cogan’s Trade) – Brad Pitt teams up with his Assassination of Jesse James director Andrew Dominik for dark, gritty drama.  Pitt plays Jackie Cogan, who is a professional enforcer who investigates a heist that went down during a mob-protected poker game.  This is a role that Brad can really sink his teeth into.  He is one of the most versatile actors working today and for the most, he makes quality films.  Joining him in this particularly male heavy cast are Richard Jenkins, Ray Liotta, James Gandolfini, and Scott McNairy.  Pitt is becoming ‘Mr. Fall’ release man…last year, Moneyball opened around the same date.  September 21

Looper – One of the more interesting looking films coming out this fall features rising star Joseph Gordon-Levitt and action star Bruce Willis in this futuristic thriller.   In the year 2042, a mob hitman (Gordon Levitt) assassinates targets that arrive from the future of 2072. For him it’s just a job… till he receives a new target: himself from the future (Willis).  The just released trailer looks promising and Gordon-Levitt looks cool in the role.  Willis can always be counted on to give a solid, crowd pleasing performance and this looks like his type of film.  Looper will be one to watch for this fall.  Might surprise a lot of people.  I hope so, because Gordon-Levitt is a good actor and it would be nice to see him have box office success in a lead role.  He also has a small role in The Dark Knight Rises.  Emily Blunt also stars in Looper..which is out September 28.

 Hotel Transylvania - Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Steve Buscemi, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, David Spade, Fran Drescher, and Cee-Lo Green lend their voices to this animated feature about  Dracula, who operates a high-end resort away from the human world, goes into overprotective mode when a boy discovers the resort and falls for the count’s teen-aged daughter.  Hey, at least it’s not Jack and Jill 2.  Kidding aside, the voice talents involved here are quite impressive.  This one could be one that appeals to both kids and well, older kids.  September 21

The Master – Joaquin Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman star in director Paul Thomas Anderson’s tale about the relationship between a charismatic intellectual known as “the Master”, whose faith-based organization begins to catch on in America, and a young drifter who becomes his right-hand man.  The film is set in the 1950′s and also stars Amy Adams.  This is the first film to star Phoenix since his so called ‘retirement’ from acting a couple years ago.  There is no way someone this talented can stay away from making movies.  I feel this is a good role for Joaquin to come back with.  It’s a low key production that may end up surprising audiences when it gets released this fall.  Expect some great scenes between Hoffman and Phoenix, both of whom are two of the top talents in the industry.  Director Anderson’s film usually do well with critics, so expect a bit of Oscar talk when that season hits full swing toward the end of the year.  October 12

The Lorax – Currently in release, this bright, colorful, and charming little Dr. Seuss tale is credited with bringing the box office back to form by exceeding all expectations this past March.  Danny DeVito, Zac Efron, and Taylor Swift lend their voices to this story of a  12-year-old boy who searches for the one  thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, the grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world.  Animated films usually look great in 3D and I’m sure this was no exception.  Still making money…released on March 2

 Frankenweenie – Tim Burton is a busy man this year.  Not only does he have Dark Shadows coming out in may, he also serves as producer on Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, which opens in June.  Well, just in time for Halloween comes a pet project of his that he’s been working on for many years.   Frankenweenie’s plot is this -  When young Victor’s pet dog Sparky (who stars in Victor’s home-made monster movies) is hit by a car, Victor decides to bring him back to life the only way he knows how. But when the bolt-necked “monster” wreaks havoc and terror in the hearts of Victor’s neighbors, he has to convince them (and his parents) that despite his appearance, Sparky’s still the good loyal friend he’s always been.  The material definitely lends itself to Burton’s talents.  I’m not quite sure families will be dying to take their kids to see this considering it’s dark nature (think The Nightmare Before Christmas), but it should do decent box office considering its release date.  Oh, and the film is totally in black and white…and in 3D.  October 5

 Ted – A story centered on a man and his teddy bear, who comes to life as the result of a childhood wish.  Sounds incredibly silly and it is, but interest is high for this project due to its creator.  Seth MacFarlane, the man behind Family Guy, wrote, directs, and stars in this comedy that also features Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis.  This is Seth’s first live action feature film and if it’s half as funny as episodes of FG, then we are all in for something good here.  Expect Ted (the bear) to be extremely rude and obscene…this is not a film for kids, despite the lovable teddy bear.  Just look at the image above.  Hilarious.  July 13

Paranormal Activity 4 – Each sequel to this incredibly popular series has been much better than expected.  The writers keep the twists coming along and that keeps audiences coming back.  The specific plot is not yet available but plan on more ‘found footage’ that probably takes place when the girls are teenagers.  Not sure, they could go a couple of different routes here.  I have enjoyed each movie thus far and expect that to continue here.   Let’s hope the end it soon though…I don’t want it to fall apart like the Saw franchise did toward the end of its run.  October 19

47 Ronin -  I am eagerly awaiting a trailer for this action epic set to release this November.  Basic plot –  An 18th century set story centered on a band of samurai who set out to avenge the death of their master.  Keanu Reeves has proven himself to be a good action star with the Matrix films and I expect nothing less here.  Reeves is really the only major star in the film and his name alone is going to have to carry the picture to box office success.  This is a film that can benefit from strong word of mouth and it may have to in order to play through the holiday season.  It will be playing against James Bond…which might not be a good thing.  Update: Film has been moved to February 2013

Gravity – George Clooney and Sandra Bullock star in this drama about the lone survivor of a space mission to repair the Hubble telescope who desperately tries to return to Earth and reunite with her daughter.  Expectations are somewhat high for this film due to it being the first major release for director Alfonso Cuaron after his critically acclaimed Children of Men.  That film had a hard time finding a following at the box office and this one may follow the same fate.  Clooney and Bullock bring more star power to the production, so perhaps in can do decent business.  Another issue I have with Gravity is that it’s going to be a post-conversion 3D film.  Post-converted films never look as good as films that are shot in 3D (unless you are James Cameron).  This film was be heavy on the drama and performances should be really good.  November 21  

Rise of the Guardians – 2012 features a lot of animated films, but the one that stands out the most to me (with the exception of Brave) is this tale about some characters you may know.  When an evil spirit known as Pitch lays down the gauntlet to take over the world, the immortal Guardians (North, Tooth, Jack Frost, and Bunnyman) must join forces for the first time to protect the hopes, beliefs and imagination of children everywhere.  The trailer looks amazing and this will definitely be a film to see in 3D.  It should do well throughout the holidays.  Looks interesting and different.  November 21

and even more…

Great Hope Springs (aka Hope Springs) – Drama starring Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones, and Steve Carell. August 10

Piranha 3DD – Gorefest sequel starring Christopher Lloyd and Ving Rhames.  First one was silly fun…this one should be too.  June 1

The Lucky One – Romance starring Zac Efron and Taylor Schilling.  Based on the Nicholas Sparks novel.  April 20

The Cabin in the Woods – Horror/comedy starring Thor himself, Chris Hemsworth.  Produced by Joss Whedon (director of The Avengers).  April 13

Battleship – Action heavy film loosely based on the board game.  Stars Taylor Kitsch, Brooklyn Decker, Alexander Skarsgard, Rihanna, and Liam Neeson.  May 18

What to Expect When You’re Expecting – Ensemble comedy starring Jennifer Lopez, Cameron Diaz, Anna Kendrick, Matthew Morrison, Chris Rock, Rodrigo Santoro, and Brooklyn Decker.  May 18

That’s My Boy – Comedy starring Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg.  These two names alone should bring a decent amount of laughs.  June 15

Magic Mike – Steven Soderbergh’s film about…male strippers.  Stars Channing Tatum, Matthew McConaughey, Alex Pettyfer, and Matt Bomer.  June 29

Life of Pi - Ang Lee directs Tobey Maguire in this film based on the best-selling novel by Yann Martel.  It is a magical adventure story centering on Pi Patel, the precocious son of a zoo keeper. Dwellers in Pondicherry, India, the family decides to move to Canada, hitching a ride on a huge freighter. After a shipwreck, Pi finds himself adrift in the Pacific Ocean on a 26-foot lifeboat with a zebra, a hyena, an orangutan and a 450-pound Bengal tiger named Richard Parker, all fighting for survival.  This sounds like a winner.  Ang Lee’s first film in awhile.  December 21

This is 40 – Director Judd Apatow’s follow up to his very successful Knocked Up follows the lives of Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Leslie Mann) a few years after the events of the first film.  Jason Segal, Megan Fox, Melissa McCarthy, and John Lithgow also star.  December 21

Gangster Squad – Star heavy film that chronicles the the LAPD’s fight to keep East Coast Mafia types out of Los Angeles in the 1940s and 50s.  Ryan Gosling, Josh Brolin, Nick Nolte, Emma Stone, and Sean Penn star.  TBD 2012

Argo -  Director Ben Affleck has found success with his two feature films – Gone Baby Gone and The Town.  Ben likes to tackle serious issues and this is no departure from that.  As the Iranian revolution reaches a boiling point, a CIA ‘exfiltration’ specialist concocts a risky plan to free six Americans who have found shelter at the home of the Canadian ambassador.  Bryan Cranston and Taylor Schilling co-star.  October 12

Wreck-It Ralph – In this animated 3D film, the title character longs to be as beloved as his game’s perfect Good Guy, Fix-It Felix. When a modern, first-person shooter game arrives at the arcade, Ralph sees it as his ticket to heroism and happiness. He sneaks into the game with a simple plan of winning a medal, but wrecks everything, and accidently unleashes a deadly enemy that threatens every game in the arcade.  John C. Reilly and Sarah Silverman lend their voices to the production.  November 2

Trouble With the Curve – Clint Eastwood plays an aging baseball scout goes on a road trip with his adult daughter, played by Amy Adams.  Justin Timberlake co-stars.  Could be this year’s Moneyball?  September 28

and the list goes on and on…

Sparkle (Whitney Houston’s final film, also starring Jordin Sparks), Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (Steve Carell and Keira Knightley), Katy Perry: Part of Me 3D (well…Katy Perry), The Three Stooges (directed by the Farrelly Bros.), Five Year Engagement (Emily Blunt and Jason Segal), The Raven (John Cusack), Moonrise Kingdom (Bruce Willis and Edward Norton), Step Up: Revolution (4th in the series and in 3D), Tyler Perry’s The Marriage Counselor (written by and starring Perry), Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (3rd in the popular series), The Odd Life of Timothy Green (Disney comedy/drama with Joel Edgerton and Jennifer Garner), Paranorman (voiced by Casey Affleck), The House at the End of the Street (Jennifer Lawrence), Vamps (director Amy Hecklering once again directing Alicia Silverstone), Here Comes the Boom (comedy with Kevin James and Salma Hayek), Resident Evil: Retribution (Milla Jovovich returns), Silent Hill: Revelations 3D (Sean Bean and Radha Mitchell), Alex Cross (Tyler Perry playing a young version of the detective played in two films by Morgan Freeman – co-stars Matthew Fox and Ed Burns), Red Dawn (remake starring Chris Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson), and One Shot (action film starring Tom Cruise), End of Watch (starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Anna Kendrick, and America Ferrera), The Baytown Disco (starring Paul Wesley, Billy Bob Thornton and Eva Longoria).

One other major project that’s getting a lot of buzz…Kathryn Bigelow’s follow-up to her Oscar winning The Hurt Locker.  Tentatively titled Zero Dark Thirty features Mark Strong, Joel Edgerton, Jessica Chastain, Edgar Ramirez, Chris Pratt, and Kyle Chandler.

3D Re-releases to look forward to…

Finding Nemo 3D - Pixar hit a home run with this release a few years back and I think this film will do well with a post 3D conversion.  Last fall, The Lion King had a really nice transfer and so did this January’s Beauty and the Beast.  Pixar films are definitely more colorful…more crisp…more clear.  All of this bodes well for the 3D format.  Plus, I’m sure the kids will be dying to see this when it comes out.  Big kids too.  September 14

Titanic 3D – James Cameron’s masterpiece is getting the 3D treatment for the 100th anniversary of that fateful night back in 1912.  Having already seen this I can tell you it is the best post-converted 3D film to date.  The second highest grossing movie of all time hasn’t aged a bit since it’s 1997 release.  Just a beautiful film.  April 4

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace 3D – Yes, this is probably the weakest film in the entire saga but it is still a Star Wars film in 3D…which is cool nonetheless.  The 3D is not nearly as well done as one had hoped, but seeing Darth Maul kicking ass (before he gets sliced in half) is worth heading back to theaters to view once again.  Lucas needs to get James Cameron to help him convert the remaining Episodes…seriously.  Call him.  Currently playing

Keep in mind that release dates are always subject to change and some may be removed from the 2012 schedule altogether.  Trends that are continuing this year…3D…reboots…and sequels.  This should be one of the biggest years in box office history.  Too early to tell who will be talked about come awards season.  We will get into that later in the year.

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