A new year is upon us, so it’s time to once again look forward to the year in movies.
Is this the year 3D gives up the ghost, or gets a foothold? What will be the year’s biggest hit, what will be the biggest disappointment?
Hollywood continues to churn out sequels, remakes, and adaptations, with occasional new content, so let’s take a look at what is in store for us this year...
Three Dimensions
The battle over 3D rages on, with big hitters like Chris Nolan steadfast against 3D, while powerful names such as Scorcese and Cameron are fully behind it. The studios also like it as the tickets are more expensive, and it is harder to pirate. Audiences are in decline for 3D films, but there are some big movies coming out in the format, not always with a 2D option, will this help 3D or hurt cinema in general?
This year sees some big movies released in 3D, both new and old with George Lucas starting an annual 3D re-release of his biggest franchise, Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) - IMDb. Also coming to the 3D screens this year are: The Darkest Hour (2011) - IMDb, Underworld: Awakening (2012) - IMDb, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012) - IMDb, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2012) - IMDb, Leatherface 3D (2012) - IMDb, Titanic (1997) - IMDb, The Cabin in the Woods (2012) - IMDb, The Avengers (2012) - IMDb, The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) - IMDb, and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) - IMDb among others, no doubt.
Sequels and Prequels
This year, as ever, sees a lot of sequels. Jason Segel writes and stars in The Muppets (2011) - IMDb, despite the critical drubbing of earlier entries, this year sees the cast return for Wrath of the Titans (2012) - IMDb, and G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2012) - IMDb
Apparently there is an audience for StreetDance 2 (2012) - IMDb and Step Up 4 (2012) - IMDb
Josh Brolin plays a young K in a time travel themed Men in Black III (2012) - IMDb. Another dormant franchise returns as Ridley Scott brings us the prequel to Alien in Prometheus (2012) - IMDb.
The kids get their share of sequels with Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (2012) - IMDb, Madagascar 3: Europes Most Wanted (2012) - IMDb, and IMDb - Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012)
Nativity, seen this Christmas just gone on TV, didn’t make great waves in the cinema, so it is a little surprising to see a sequel, this time starring David Tennant as a new teacher taking his class on a road trip in Nativity 2: The Second Coming (2012) - IMDb
For the rest of us we have The Bourne Legacy (2012) - IMDb, Resident Evil: Retribution (2012) - IMDb, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 (2012) - IMDb, The Dark Knight Rises (2012) - IMDb, Skyfall (2012) - IMDb, and Untitled Taken Sequel (2012) - IMDb
Adaptation
Adaptations are popular, as ever.
Following last year’s Red Riding Hod adaptation, there is a run of fairytale movies. Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters (2012) - IMDb, Mirror Mirror (2012) - IMDb, Snow White and the Huntsman (2012) - IMDb, and Jack the Giant Killer (2012) - IMDb.
Television shows are also represented with big screen adaptations for IMDb - 21 Jump Street (2012), Cavegirl the Movie (2012) - IMDb, and The Sweeney (2012) - IMDb
Stage shows, books and stage shows based on books, also see adaptations with Uncle Spielberg’s pick War Horse (2011) - IMDb first up this month. Ralph Fiennes gets in the director’s seat for Coriolanus (2011) - IMDb, Daniel Radcliffe tries to shed the shadow of Potter with The Woman in Black (2012) - IMDb.
In an effort to find the next Potter/Twilight-ish franchise, this year sees The Hunger Games (2012) - IMDb, the first film from a series of books. Similarities are drawn to Battle Royale as a group of kids are forced to fight to the death live on television, though this is likely to be PG and not as graphic as BR.
The Three Stooges (2012) - IMDb sees an attempt to bring back to life iconic American Comedians.
This year’s big musical release is Rock of Ages (2012) - IMDb.
Following on from The Grinch and Horton Hears a Who this year sees IMDb - Dr. Seuss The Lorax (2012).
Based on the Philip K. Dick short story Total Recall (2012) - IMDb stars Colin Farrell. Unlike the Arnold/Verhoeven version, this time there is no visit to Mars, apparently.
The popular and somewhat culturally iconic novel of the same name Life of Pi (2012) - IMDb comes to the big screen.
After the success (at least financially) of Transformers and GI Joe, Hasbro again have their toys turned into a movie, this time the IMDb - Battleship (2012) brand is used to tell a story of alien invasion.
Animation
There seems to be a few animated movies that could be big films this year, and most of them are original stories.
From the makers of Chicken Run comes The Pirates! Band of Misfits (2012) - IMDb. Pixar brings us the a mix of Mulan and Braveheart with IMDb - Brave (2012).
Tim Burton returns to animation with Frankenweenie (2012) - IMDb. Also coming out with a similar dark theme is Hotel Transylvania (2012) - IMDb.
Christmas sees the release of Rise of the Guardians (2012) - IMDb telling the story of Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and Jack Frost teaming up to take on the Bogeyman.
Wreck-It Ralph (2012) - IMDb sees a computer game villain causing chaos at his arcade when he decides he wants to be a hero.
What I’m looking forward to
The Darkest Hour (2011) - IMDb
Although it is 3D, this looks visually interesting and fun. Electricity eating Aliens attack Moscow and a group of American tourists are left to fight back.
IMDb - Haywire (2011)
Steven Soderbergh, hot woman spy (Gina Carano) kicking ass in style, fighting a conspiracy. Michael Fassbender, in support. What more do you need? The CIA trained a female spy and now try to take her out. But don’t think of her as a woman, that would be a mistake.
A Dangerous Method (2011) - IMDb
Cronenberg directing Fassbender and Viggo Mortensen, with Keira Knightly being kinky. I’m in. A story about the relationship between Freud and Jung and the birth of psychoanalysis.
The Cabin in the Woods (2012) - IMDb
Joss Whedon wrote the script, which is a good sign. The trailer looks fun. A few recognisable faces from TV. A bunch of kids go ‘off the grid’ to the eponymous cabin to relax after college, only to find there is more to this cabin than they thought...
The Avengers (2012) - IMDb
Joss Whedon again, this time teaming with Robert Downey Jr and Sam L Jackson, this should be fun. Iron Man, Captain America, Incredible Hulk, Thor and Hawkeye team up to fight Loki and his invading army.
Rock of Ages (2012) - IMDb
This year’s big musical is the film adaptation of 80s rock stage show. With the likes of Tom Cruise, Bryan Cranston, Malin Akerman, Paul Giamatti, Alec Baldwin, Julianne Hough, directed by Adam Shankman, this is great talent. Despite being a musical, this could be one for the guys with Twisted Sister, Poison, REO Speed Wagon, Styx, Starship, Journey, Survivor, Europe, Whitesnake, Foreigner, this is an 80s child’s wet dream.
The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) - IMDb
I was as sceptical as the next guy about a reboot so soon, but the closer we get to this one, the more excited I’m getting.
The Dark Knight Rises (2012) - IMDb
Nolan is my current favourite director, and he showed with The Dark Knight that he can follow up a great film with an equally great or better one, but can he do it again. The closer we get to its release, the more I’m starting to question if Bruce Wayne will survive...
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012) - IMDb
This just seems quirky enough to work.
The Bourne Legacy (2012) - IMDb
This may seem like an exercise in commercial cinema, but they have got the writer of the original trilogy back to write and direct. It will also be interesting to see Jeremy Renner’s career progressing. With Hawkeye in the Avengers, and being added to Mission Impossible as the potential replacement for Tom Cruise, this should be a chance for him to show he can carry a film on his own.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) - IMDb
Peter Jackson did fantastic job on the Lord of the Rings films, while the Hobbit isn’t as epic, it still promises to be one of the films of the year.
Django Unchained (2012) - IMDb
Tarantino is back. He may not have managed to capture the quality of his early career, but he always gives us something different to what else is in the cinema, and always has a strong cast.
Other highlights this year
IMDb - The Iron Lady (2011)
Shame (2011) - IMDb
J. Edgar (2011) - IMDb
The Descendants (2011) - IMDb
Jack and Jill (2011) - IMDb (ok, maybe this will be a lowlight)
Young Adult (2011) - IMDb
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (2011) - IMDb
The Devil Inside (2012) - IMDb
IMDb - John Carter (2012)
We Bought a Zoo (2011) - IMDb
The Dictator (2012) - IMDb
Release dates are subject to change, so if you want an up-to-date schedule check here:
IMDb: Upcoming Releases for UK
Is this the year 3D gives up the ghost, or gets a foothold? What will be the year’s biggest hit, what will be the biggest disappointment?
Hollywood continues to churn out sequels, remakes, and adaptations, with occasional new content, so let’s take a look at what is in store for us this year...
Three Dimensions
The battle over 3D rages on, with big hitters like Chris Nolan steadfast against 3D, while powerful names such as Scorcese and Cameron are fully behind it. The studios also like it as the tickets are more expensive, and it is harder to pirate. Audiences are in decline for 3D films, but there are some big movies coming out in the format, not always with a 2D option, will this help 3D or hurt cinema in general?
This year sees some big movies released in 3D, both new and old with George Lucas starting an annual 3D re-release of his biggest franchise, Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) - IMDb. Also coming to the 3D screens this year are: The Darkest Hour (2011) - IMDb, Underworld: Awakening (2012) - IMDb, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012) - IMDb, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2012) - IMDb, Leatherface 3D (2012) - IMDb, Titanic (1997) - IMDb, The Cabin in the Woods (2012) - IMDb, The Avengers (2012) - IMDb, The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) - IMDb, and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) - IMDb among others, no doubt.
Sequels and Prequels
This year, as ever, sees a lot of sequels. Jason Segel writes and stars in The Muppets (2011) - IMDb, despite the critical drubbing of earlier entries, this year sees the cast return for Wrath of the Titans (2012) - IMDb, and G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2012) - IMDb
Apparently there is an audience for StreetDance 2 (2012) - IMDb and Step Up 4 (2012) - IMDb
Josh Brolin plays a young K in a time travel themed Men in Black III (2012) - IMDb. Another dormant franchise returns as Ridley Scott brings us the prequel to Alien in Prometheus (2012) - IMDb.
The kids get their share of sequels with Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (2012) - IMDb, Madagascar 3: Europes Most Wanted (2012) - IMDb, and IMDb - Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012)
Nativity, seen this Christmas just gone on TV, didn’t make great waves in the cinema, so it is a little surprising to see a sequel, this time starring David Tennant as a new teacher taking his class on a road trip in Nativity 2: The Second Coming (2012) - IMDb
For the rest of us we have The Bourne Legacy (2012) - IMDb, Resident Evil: Retribution (2012) - IMDb, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 (2012) - IMDb, The Dark Knight Rises (2012) - IMDb, Skyfall (2012) - IMDb, and Untitled Taken Sequel (2012) - IMDb
Adaptation
Adaptations are popular, as ever.
Following last year’s Red Riding Hod adaptation, there is a run of fairytale movies. Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters (2012) - IMDb, Mirror Mirror (2012) - IMDb, Snow White and the Huntsman (2012) - IMDb, and Jack the Giant Killer (2012) - IMDb.
Television shows are also represented with big screen adaptations for IMDb - 21 Jump Street (2012), Cavegirl the Movie (2012) - IMDb, and The Sweeney (2012) - IMDb
Stage shows, books and stage shows based on books, also see adaptations with Uncle Spielberg’s pick War Horse (2011) - IMDb first up this month. Ralph Fiennes gets in the director’s seat for Coriolanus (2011) - IMDb, Daniel Radcliffe tries to shed the shadow of Potter with The Woman in Black (2012) - IMDb.
In an effort to find the next Potter/Twilight-ish franchise, this year sees The Hunger Games (2012) - IMDb, the first film from a series of books. Similarities are drawn to Battle Royale as a group of kids are forced to fight to the death live on television, though this is likely to be PG and not as graphic as BR.
The Three Stooges (2012) - IMDb sees an attempt to bring back to life iconic American Comedians.
This year’s big musical release is Rock of Ages (2012) - IMDb.
Following on from The Grinch and Horton Hears a Who this year sees IMDb - Dr. Seuss The Lorax (2012).
Based on the Philip K. Dick short story Total Recall (2012) - IMDb stars Colin Farrell. Unlike the Arnold/Verhoeven version, this time there is no visit to Mars, apparently.
The popular and somewhat culturally iconic novel of the same name Life of Pi (2012) - IMDb comes to the big screen.
After the success (at least financially) of Transformers and GI Joe, Hasbro again have their toys turned into a movie, this time the IMDb - Battleship (2012) brand is used to tell a story of alien invasion.
Animation
There seems to be a few animated movies that could be big films this year, and most of them are original stories.
From the makers of Chicken Run comes The Pirates! Band of Misfits (2012) - IMDb. Pixar brings us the a mix of Mulan and Braveheart with IMDb - Brave (2012).
Tim Burton returns to animation with Frankenweenie (2012) - IMDb. Also coming out with a similar dark theme is Hotel Transylvania (2012) - IMDb.
Christmas sees the release of Rise of the Guardians (2012) - IMDb telling the story of Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and Jack Frost teaming up to take on the Bogeyman.
Wreck-It Ralph (2012) - IMDb sees a computer game villain causing chaos at his arcade when he decides he wants to be a hero.
What I’m looking forward to
The Darkest Hour (2011) - IMDb
Although it is 3D, this looks visually interesting and fun. Electricity eating Aliens attack Moscow and a group of American tourists are left to fight back.
IMDb - Haywire (2011)
Steven Soderbergh, hot woman spy (Gina Carano) kicking ass in style, fighting a conspiracy. Michael Fassbender, in support. What more do you need? The CIA trained a female spy and now try to take her out. But don’t think of her as a woman, that would be a mistake.
A Dangerous Method (2011) - IMDb
Cronenberg directing Fassbender and Viggo Mortensen, with Keira Knightly being kinky. I’m in. A story about the relationship between Freud and Jung and the birth of psychoanalysis.
The Cabin in the Woods (2012) - IMDb
Joss Whedon wrote the script, which is a good sign. The trailer looks fun. A few recognisable faces from TV. A bunch of kids go ‘off the grid’ to the eponymous cabin to relax after college, only to find there is more to this cabin than they thought...
The Avengers (2012) - IMDb
Joss Whedon again, this time teaming with Robert Downey Jr and Sam L Jackson, this should be fun. Iron Man, Captain America, Incredible Hulk, Thor and Hawkeye team up to fight Loki and his invading army.
Rock of Ages (2012) - IMDb
This year’s big musical is the film adaptation of 80s rock stage show. With the likes of Tom Cruise, Bryan Cranston, Malin Akerman, Paul Giamatti, Alec Baldwin, Julianne Hough, directed by Adam Shankman, this is great talent. Despite being a musical, this could be one for the guys with Twisted Sister, Poison, REO Speed Wagon, Styx, Starship, Journey, Survivor, Europe, Whitesnake, Foreigner, this is an 80s child’s wet dream.
The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) - IMDb
I was as sceptical as the next guy about a reboot so soon, but the closer we get to this one, the more excited I’m getting.
The Dark Knight Rises (2012) - IMDb
Nolan is my current favourite director, and he showed with The Dark Knight that he can follow up a great film with an equally great or better one, but can he do it again. The closer we get to its release, the more I’m starting to question if Bruce Wayne will survive...
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012) - IMDb
This just seems quirky enough to work.
The Bourne Legacy (2012) - IMDb
This may seem like an exercise in commercial cinema, but they have got the writer of the original trilogy back to write and direct. It will also be interesting to see Jeremy Renner’s career progressing. With Hawkeye in the Avengers, and being added to Mission Impossible as the potential replacement for Tom Cruise, this should be a chance for him to show he can carry a film on his own.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) - IMDb
Peter Jackson did fantastic job on the Lord of the Rings films, while the Hobbit isn’t as epic, it still promises to be one of the films of the year.
Django Unchained (2012) - IMDb
Tarantino is back. He may not have managed to capture the quality of his early career, but he always gives us something different to what else is in the cinema, and always has a strong cast.
Other highlights this year
IMDb - The Iron Lady (2011)
Shame (2011) - IMDb
J. Edgar (2011) - IMDb
The Descendants (2011) - IMDb
Jack and Jill (2011) - IMDb (ok, maybe this will be a lowlight)
Young Adult (2011) - IMDb
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (2011) - IMDb
The Devil Inside (2012) - IMDb
IMDb - John Carter (2012)
We Bought a Zoo (2011) - IMDb
The Dictator (2012) - IMDb
Release dates are subject to change, so if you want an up-to-date schedule check here:
IMDb: Upcoming Releases for UK
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