Another annual list that I like to share is my anticipated films. The Oscars represent an end to the fiscal year of films. So with a new year of films ahead of us, here are my most anticipated films for 2012, in no particular order.
THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY
Directed by Peter Jackson
After a ridiculously long wait, The Hobbit will finally hit theaters this winter. As exciting as Guillermo Del Toro would have been, Peter Jackson takes the reins with all the epic command that he had over the Lord of the Rings trilogy. And after watching the first trailer, I am instantly reminded of all the glorious entertainment I had with the Trilogy. Watch the trailer again and savour all of the sheer epic-ness: the thrill of seeing Ian McKellan in full Gandalf gear again, the promise of the great performance Martin Freeman will deliver, or hearing the first strains of some new compositions that Howard Shore will lay down. It looks incredible, and I cannot wait.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T90Holdcrps
THE DARK KNIGHT RISES
Directed by Christopher Nolan
And so Chris Nolan brings his epic trilogy to a close. Nolan’s Batman has been one of the most popular characters in the past decade, and will forever be cemented as a pop icon. The trilogy itself will most likely be looked at as an important milestone in film history, much like the original Star Wars trilogy is regarded. Nolan’s series kicked off a new dawn for superhero movies, and he will forever be regarded as a God to fanboys. The Dark Knight Rises looks every bit as promising as the previous films were. DEY SHAY BAH-SAH-RAH! BAH-SAH-RAH!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GokKUqLcvD8
PROMETHEUS
Directed by Ridley Scott
Probably the best trailer I saw last year was the trailer for Ridley Scott’s new film, Prometheus. Every single moment of that trailer gets me excited. It’s been 30 years since Scott has dabbled in science-fiction, a genre that he helped pioneer. And with Prometheus, he revisits his Alien franchise with a fresh perspective. Prometheus will serve as a prequel to the first Alien, and as the trailer indicated, the film appears to have the same incredible style that Scott adapted for Alien.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sftuxbvGwiU
THIS IS FORTY
Directed by Judd Apatow
There’s no doubt that Judd Apatow has quickly become someone I look up to when it comes to comedy. His last film, Funny People, wound up being one of my favourite films of all time. And with This is Forty, it’s apparent that he will once more deliver a movie with his signature humour, and more importantly, his signature emotion. The movie is a spin-off of his 2007 film Knocked Up, and follows the lives of Pete and Debbie, the charming couple played by Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann. Apatow and Mann’s daughters, Maude and Iris, return to play Pete and Debbie’s kids.
SKYFALL
Directed by Sam Mendes
I love Daniel Craig. The most bad-ass James Bond of all time returns to the big-screen, and it’s never looked more promising. The project is being helmed by Sam Mendes, the director of masterpieces like American Beauty and Revolutionary Road. The cinematography will be conducted by one of hollywood’s most legendary cinematographers, Roger Deakins. And to add icing to the cake, Javier Bardem has been cast as the film’s primary villain.
NERO FIDDLED
Directed by Woody Allen
Like clockwork, Woody Allen will churn out another movie in 2012, titled Nero Fiddled. Just as he used great cities like New York, Barcelona and Paris, Rome serves as the location for Nero Fiddled. Starring in the film is Jesse Eisenberg, Ellen Page, Roberto Benigni, Penelope Cruz, Alec Baldwin and Allen himself in his first acting role since 2006. There’s nothing more to say. I’m perpetually excited about anything involving Mr. Allen.
THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES
Directed by Derek Cianfrance
I love Ryan Gosling too. And boy oh boy, does he look impressive in The Place Beyond The Pines. The movie will be directed and co-written by Derek Cianfrance, who Gosling previously worked with on the amazing Blue Valentine. The story is about a motorcycle stunt rider played by Gosling who considers comitting a crime in order to provide for his newborn child. He is opposed by a cop-turned-politician, played by Bradley Cooper.
WORLD WAR Z
Directed by Marc Forster
Zombies, baby. The ultimate tome of zombie literature will finally be adapted into a feature length film. Brad Pitt will produce and star in Max Brooks’ oral history of the zombie war. The novel consists of a series of interviews that Brooks conducts with survivors of a fictitous zombie war. It was one of the most terrifying books I have ever read and it haunted me for months. I have no idea how this will be adapted, but rest assured, this will not be any average zombie story. This will strive to be a masterpiece in every sense of the word.
THE GREAT GATSBY
Directed by Baz Luhrmann
Baz Luhrmann, director of Moulin Rouge and Romeo+Juliet is set to adapt F. Scott Fitzgerald’s masterpiece, The Great Gatsby. Previous adaptations of the novel include the 1974 classic starring Robert Redford, Mia Farrow and Sam Waterston. This year, Tobey MacGuire takes the role of narrator Nick Carraway and Carey Mulligan takes on the role of Daisy Buchanan. In the title iconic role of Jay Gatsby is the astoundingly talented Leonardo DiCaprio. It will also feature the Hollywood debut of a Bollywood icon in Amitabh Bachchan. There really is no better person to helm this film than the grand and regal stylings of Baz Luhrmann. And there really is no better man to step into the shoes of one of literature’s most iconic characters than Leo DiCaprio. Give this man an Oscar already.
THE EXPENDABLES 2
Directed by Simon West
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCUjFRC4Tvw
Need I say more? Give all these guys Oscars already.
calvindsilva 