I studied TV and film production when I was an undergrad, so I've had an interest and appreciation for filmmaking for a long, long time. I still read movie news websites, and given a couple recent blog posts things haven't changed for me all that much in terms of my interest in movies. I don't go to theaters nearly as much as I used to, but I still try to get out to see the occasional big movie, Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol being a great example (and I still have to see Sherlock Holmes 2 and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo).
Anyways, everybody and their uncle has a list of the movies coming out next year that they are excited to see, so I figured I'd chime in too.
Here goes...
10. Argo - This one is kinda flying under the radar compared to most of the other films on this list. It's on my top ten because it's written and directed by Ben Affleck; before you crucify me for that, don't forget that Affleck wrote and directed Gone, Baby, Gone and The Town. I don't like Affleck much as an actor, but as a writer/director there aren't many guys who perk my interest more than him. And the film is based on a true story from 1979, with what sounds like a Fargo-esque dark comedy element to it. Sold.
9. The Bourne Legacy - I loved all the Bourne movies, but this one is taking the Bourne series and running in a different direction. There's no Jason Bourne in this film, but it somehow takes place in the same universe as the three previous films. And it stars Jeremy Renner, who's quickly becoming one of my favorite actors. I don't know much else about the overall plot of the film, which is a refreshing thing nowadays with spoilers easily found all over online.
8. The Amazing Spider-Man - I was VERY ambivalent about this film at first. It's a reboot of the entire Spider-Man mythology, even though the entire series only started 10 years ago. Then I saw the trailer that featured a first-person perspective of Spider-Man flying around New York City, which I have to believe in 3D will look simply amazing. I only hope there isn't too much time wasted on Peter Parker's origins in this film, since mass audiences already know it from the first go-round and don't need to see it again.
7. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter - Tell me you're not intrigued simply from that title. Revisionist history stories are always fun to play with, but this is about as far out in left field one could go with such an idea. Honest Abe's mother is killed by a vampire when Abe is only a boy, and then devotes his life to kill as many of the creatures as he can, all the way to when he reaches the presidency. This could be a really fun ride.
6. John Carter - The movie has about the blandest title imaginable, but the trailers look incredible for it. It's also Pixar's first-ever foray into live action filmmaking, and one of their in-house directors is making the film. It looks a lot like Attack of the Clones (not good), and one of the shots has the main character looking a lot like the Na'vi from Avatar (uh oh), but it could end up being Indiana Jones in Space. And that could be a great thing.
5. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - I loved all three Lord of the Rings films, but for some reason The Hobbit had a really odd history of being brought to the silver screen. Peter Jackson was only going to produce the film and sought a new director for it; after a couple names came and went, Jackson said, "Okay fine, I guess I'll direct it." Patience pays off, because even though the newly-released teaser mainly introduces us to all the main characters of the film, it brings back all the good memories of the LOTR trilogy.
4. Skyfall - Finally, James Bond is back! I was really hoping the new Bond film would continue the storyline laid out between Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, but according to everything I've read, this is will be a stand-alone film. That's okay though; I'm just glad it's happening. I have no idea what significance the title has, but if the movie is as catastrophic as the title implies, we could be in for another great international trip with Bond.
3. Prometheus - Speaking of great returns, Ridley Scott is finally back and making what was supposed to be a prequel to Alien. I wasn't too hot on the idea at first, mainly because I felt the Alien mythology had been beaten to an ugly pulp. To my relief, it's now an original film, but supposedly there are still some connections to the Alien films. I'm not entirely sure what to make of that, but the teaser trailer looks incredible.
2. The Dark Knight Rises - Christopher Nolan has done some amazing things with his first two Batman films. I really didn't know how he'd be able to follow up The Dark Knight, but it looks like the conclusion to his trilogy is an epic battle not seen since Return of the King. And in just about any other year, this would've been my #1 film to see, except...
1. The Avengers - It's a movie that's been over 4 years in the making, with its seeds being planted back in the first Iron Man film. Marvel went about it the right way, giving each major character his own film so audiences could get to know his backstory. I still don't know much about the overall plot of the movie, except that Loki (from Thor) is the main villain and may wreak havoc on the Earth in a similar way to what happens in the comic books. From the footage that's been made available so far, every character gets something important to contribute in the film, so hopefully no one will outshine the others in the group.
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