Caffeinated Clint
I’ll be wearing the tomato hat by the end of the list, but I’ve left a few films off this list that many might say deserve to be on here (largely “The Hobbit”, “G.I Joe : Retaliation”, “Ghost Rider : Spirit of Vengeance”, and “Men in Black III”) simply because I don’t much care to see them at the moment. Things might change. Trailers may come that spike my interest. But as of today, December 30th 2011, I’m not dripping wet for Middle Earth, Channing Tatum or flaming Skulls. And please, how red must those MIB teats be now? Can it surely still be producing milk!?
Several other films have been left off the list, ones that many are looking forward to, simply because… I’ve already seen them. I’ve been lucky enough to have already screened some of early 2012’s releases – like Oren Moverman’s “Rampart”, Aussie comedy “Any Questions for Ben?”, Kristen Wiig comedy “Friends with Kids” et al – so it wouldn’t make much sense to include them below.
Spot the 007, “Alien” fan and Tarantino hard case, below.
Update 1 : For those who are crying, “Where’s the Hobbit!?” Read above – I’m not a fan of the films, thus it doesn’t make the list of movies I’m anticipating for 2012. I’d simply be caving in to the masses by including it. This is a personal list.
Update 2 : I neglected to include a couple of films that would’ve otherwise made the list had I remembered they were due out in 2012. The films are “Argo”, the latest starring/directing effort from Ben Affleck about the C.I.A’s plan to fake a film production;”The Great Gatsby” with Leo, Tobes and Carey; “Man on a Ledge” starring Sam Worthington; and Andrew ‘Chopper’ Dominik’s “Cogan’s Trade” starring Brad Pitt. SO JUST PRETEND I DID INCLUDE THOSE SOMEWHERE IN THE 25.
Update 3 : “Where’s the Arthouse fare, Clint!?” Click the FIND function on your Browser and look for the words “Red Lights”, “Cosmopolis”, “Wish You Were Here”.
25. The Amazing Spider-Man
More out of protest than anything, I refuse to get too excited about… well, a movie that I feel I’ve already seen… and yesterday (in my mind; it really does feel like yesterday I was writing up that ‘twin towers being digitally removed from Spider-Man trailer’ though, I know, it was a decade ago now). Still, I welcome frown movement here – and with Marc Webb directing, Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Sally Field and Martin Sheen starring, plus promises of a more ‘faithful’ adaptation of the Marvel comic, I might just get that. I’m, as I’m sure many of you are, such a fan of Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man” though that this unnecessary reboot really does have its work cut out for it.
24. Vamps
Personal fave Alicia Silverstone reuniting with “Clueless” director Amy Heckerling? “I’d buy that for a dollar!”
23. Lovelace
As you’ll have read in my script review, there’s a really decent story here. If Amanda Seyfried can lose the top and bring the goods as the abused porn icon, we might just have an Oscar contender for 2013. This is a story that has it all – sex, thrills, drama, comedy… it’s “Boogie Nights” with black-eyes, if you will.
22. Warm Bodies
Sales art looks a lot like “Twilight”, but don’t let that put you off, this tale of a zombie and human (Nicholas Houlter and Teresa Palmer, respectively) falling in love sounds very decent. The story, for one, sounds a lot meatier and “fun” than other young adult novels cum films. Must try read the book it’s upon before the film unspools.
21.The Hunger Games
A bonafide hit before it’s even out of cans, the feature film adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ best-selling book actually looks (and reads) quite brilliant. It’s capable director (“Seabiscuit” director Gary Ross), superb cast (Jennifer Lawrence, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci) and lavish landscapes, have coloured my interest.
20. The Company You Keep
Y’all know I’m a Robert Redford film from way back. Not that I expect this political thriller – co-starring young Shia LaBeouf – to be anywhere near as good as “All the President’s Men” or “The Sting”, but still… one can hope, right? Even a “Legal Eagles” or “Sneakers” mesh would work for me, Bob!
19. Red Lights
The director of “Buried” tries to resuscitate the fading careers of Robert De Niro and Sigourney Weaver with a Lynchian mood piece that’s so thoughtful of story that the two actors will have to rely on their performance skills to see the movie works. Good.
18. This is Forty
A “Knocked Up” spin-off with Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann reprising their characters from the earlier film? Yes please! That dripping sound is my taste buds squirting interest juice!
17. 21 Jump Street
Being a big fan of the original series (though, quite frankly, it doesn’t much look like the show) I’m hanging for the “21 Jump Street” movie. From the looks of this trailer, Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum have great chemistry, also appropriately cast, Ice Cube as the Captain. Reminds me a little of Steven Williams. No sign of Johnny Depp’s rumoured Tom Hanson cameo yet, but I’m pretty sure it actually got shot…
16. The Five-Year Engagement
After “The Muppets”, Jason Segel and Nick Stoller can do no wrong. With Emily Blunt and Jacki Weaver, it’s a guarantee.
15. American Reunion
Supposedly as sweet and silly as the original was. Can’t wait.
In the new film, directed by Hayden Schlossberg and Jon Hurwitz, the graduates of East Great Falls High head home for a reunion – which many of them only find out about thanks to – of course – Facebook.
In the film Steve ‘Stifler’ is no longer the crude ladies man he was in highschool; in fact, he’s a bit of a loser. Stuck in a dead-end job (where he’s forced to answer to ‘bitch’) and having no luck with the ladies these days, Stifler will be lucky enough to get to the reunion – let alone score with a woman there. A few white lies and one chubby chick later and Stifler may reclaim his mojo.
As for the others? Oz (Chris Klein) has gone ‘Hollywood’, having claimed fame in a reality show; he now lives with money-hungry bimbo Mia in a pricey Malibu mansion; Jim (Jason Biggs) and Michelle (Alyson Hannigan) are married with child – though the ‘YouTube’ sensation (Jim’s dance from the first film is now famous) is close to wandering; Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas) has been traveling the world, doing all sorts of amazing things; and Heather (Mena Suvari), Oz’s ex, is shacked up with a much-older doctor beau. Also returning are Thomas Ian Nicholas as Kevin, Tara Reid as Vicki and Eugene Levy as Jim’s Dad.
14. John Carter
If former Pixar boy Brad Bird can bring magic to the world of the IMF, then his former colleague Andrew Stanton will likely hit this one out of the park too – -trailer looks impressive. And gotta love ‘Tim Riggins’!
13. Lincoln
Hey, as disappointing as it was that after umpteen years attached to play the part Liam Neeson ultimately had to nix Spielberg’s “Lincoln” project (Neeson, of course, fronted Spielbuster’s “Schindler’s List”), you can’t bring out the whine card when it comes to the choice of his replacement – Daniel Day Lewis. Forget about replacement, the man’s just as good an actor as you’ll find. Full stop. In any film. Maybe even on the credit roll of “E-Street”. Even “Son of Mask 2″ would probably be worth a watch if Day Lewis was in it. Which he isn’t.
All jokes aside, Day Lewis is going to do magic with such Lincoln bites as “Allow the president to invade a neighboring nation, whenever he shall deem it necessary to repel an invasion, and you allow him to do so whenever he may choose to say he deems it necessary for such a purpose – and you allow him to make war at pleasure”, no!?
Giddy.
12. Gangster Squad
Ryan Gosling, Sean Penn… Hat Squad? Rat-a-tat-tat!? Hells yeah!
11. Wish You Were Here
Aussie thriller with Teresa Palmer and Joel Edgerton from the BlueTongue gang. Looks splendid.
10. The Bourne Legacy
Matt Damon mightn’t be back, but much of the supporting cast of the previous three films are back. In addition, Tony Gilroy is helming, the story is set parallel to the Damon moies, and Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz and Edward Norton have joined the ‘franchise’. How bad can it be!?
9. The Avengers
I’m hoping it’s not ‘Iron Man and his Super Friends’ but even if it is, Joss Whedon’s a fabulous writer/director so can’t imagine this one being anything less than bloody entertaining.
8. Rock of Ages
I absolutely love the stage musical. It’s great. My flares flap just hearing the words “Rock of Ages”. And I can’t imagine Adam Shankman will have rooted the concept with the transfer to the silver screen. The first trailer and poster for the starry sing-along has hit. The flick, a love letter to the mullet-adorned rockers of the ’80s and featuring music by such greats as REO Speedwagon, Starship, and Poison, features a terrific ensemble cast including Tom Cruise (as Stacee Jaxx!), Bryan Cranston (as the Mayor), Alec Baldwin (As Dennis), and Julianne Hough (Sherrie).
7. Cosmopolis
Say what you will, Robert Pattinson is the still clandestine talent of the Twilight franchise. Coupled with director David Croneberg, he might finally be able to convince the cynics of that.
6. Looper
Rian Johnson’s time-travel picture starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt (who played the lead in Johnson’s “Brick”), the picture tells of hitmen that are sent their victims from the future. So in turn, what happens is the target vanishes without a trace from the future and the killers (or ‘Loopers’ as they’re called) merely have to get rid of the body of someone who doesn’t technically exist. Sounds very cool. And did I mention… Rian Johnson!?
5. Savages
Oliver Stone. Drug trade movie. Travolta. Del Toro. Thuman. Nuf said?
The film, the story of the Californian dope game, stars Taylor Kitsch and Aaron Johnson as two successful young growers/distributors who a Mexican drug cartel (led by Salma Hayek) try and coerce into working for them. After refusing their offer, the cartel kidnaps the boys’ “trippy” female friend (Blake Lively).
Yes, I’ll take a pound.
4. Skyfall
A new 007 film!? Yes! ‘Bout time!
3. The Dark Knight Rises
Christopher Nolan’s ‘conclusion’ to the trilogy; sure to be one of the most epic, best-written and snazziest-looking film of the year. Jury is still out on the Bane character, largely because he’s hard to understand (in the prologue), but I think Tom Hardy will walk away with praise not punches.
2. Django Unchained
Tarantino. That is All.
1. Prometheus
“Alien” prequel. Ridley Scott. Fassbender. Don’t tease me! You’re still months away!
