Most anticipated movies in 2012

2012 will be a historic year for many reasons. Here are just a few:

The London Games. Euro 2012 (I am Hispanic and I love soccer. What can I say?). The 2012 Presidential Election (this is big only for Americans. I suppose it is important to any governments that sponsor terrorism, too). The end of the world.

Yes, the Mayan 2012 doomsday reference was unoriginal, but it had to be in there somewhere, right? Otherwise I wouldn’t be up to date on my pop culture references.

Is that a pop culture reference? Technically it is more of a history geek/conspiracy theorist reference, being that it deals with, you know, the Mayans and prophecies and governments hiding the secret of the end of the world and whatnot.

That whole rant about 2012 was sort of random.

Anyhow…

There is more big stuff going on in 2012. To say 2012 will birth some of the biggest sequels, prequels, remakes and…um… new movies…is an understatement (I almost forgot to include “new movies” in that list, since there are so few of them these days).

With all that being said let me introduce my biased version of the top 10 most anticipated movies of 2012.

10.  The Amazing Spiderman

Directed by: Marc Webb; Release Date: July 3, 2012

Starring: Andrew Garfield (Spiderman), Emma Stone (Gwen Stacy) and Rhys Ifans (Dr. Curt Connors/the Lizard).

Reasons to watch: Emma Stone. The fact that it is another superhero movie that looks watchable and the curiosity factor.

Reasons to skip: There is already a Spiderman movie. Actually, there is already a whole trilogy deal going on with that other one.

Rhetorical questions: Will it be original? Who is more awkward, Andrew Garfield or Toby Maguire?

Final world: Go for it. Even though there is word there has already been a Spiderman franchise, it is still Spiderman, and Emma Stone is in it and all your friends will all be seeing it. Protesting against it will be pointless.

9.  The Bourne Legacy

Directed by: Tony Gilroy; Release Date: August 3, 2012

Starring: Jeremy Renner (Aaron Cross), Rachel Weisz and Edward Norton.

Reasons to watch: The fourth installment of the Bourne films is directed by the screenwriter of the first three movies, so it should have a genuine feel. The plot is supposed to be a follow up of the events after the third one.

Reasons to skip: There is only one: Jason Bourne is apparently not starring in it, which is slightly disappointing to say the least.

Rhetorical questions: So, what will a Bourne movie that doesn’t star Matt Damon be about? The book The Bourne Legacy by Eric Van Lustbader is about Bourne…so once again, I am confused as to what the movie will be about…just saying.

Final world: Well, any hardcore Bourne fan will be watching it. So I will be there. If you like action, it will be worth it, because this is guaranteed to be full of silenced shooting and crazy knife attacks. If that is your cup of tea.

8. Snow White and the Huntsman

Directed by: Rupert Sanders; Release Date: June 1, 2012

Starring: Kristen Stewart (Snow White), Charlize Theron (Queen Ravenna), Christ Hemsworth (The Huntsman).

Reasons to watch: The curiosity factor: swords, magic and a twist on a classic…sounds good to me. I am no fan of Twilight, but I think Kristen Stewart could pull this off, and add Thor, I mean, Chris Hemsworth into the mix and you may have a hit. This is made by the people who created Alice in Wonderland, and that movie wasn’t too bad. Thus, expect some zainy and mcweirdo scenes.

Reasons to skip: I don’t know why, but for some reason I think of Twilight when I see the trailer.

Rhetorical Questions: Kristen, could you maybe relax and not give that creepy look in this film? Also, could you fall in love with humans this time?

Final word: The medieval fantasy genre has always brought some pretty darn good movies. This one could definitely be one of them. Guys, go with a girl and you will be ok, or be brave like me and not care if your caught watching a movie that stars Kristen Stewart.

7.  World War Z

Directed by: Marc Foster; Release Date: December 21, 2012

Starring: Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos, James Badge Dale

Reasons to watch: Zombies! Quantom of Solace director Marc Foster brings us his first zombie movie, and this one seems really promising. The book by Max Brooks is about a UN agent describing the happenings of “World War Z.” Anytime you mix the UN, world war, infections, post-apocalyptic settings and you have a story.

Reasons to skip: If zombies aren’t your thing, this might not be your movie. Also, how many zombie movies will there be?

Rhetorical questions: Brad Pitt, the…zombie slayer? Will this be an action version of Contagion? Am I the only one creeping about the release date?

Final word: If you are a nerd like me, any movies about world war, UN problems, post-apocalyptic settings and disaster scenarios is a must see. Plus, I need more zombie action once season two of The Walking Dead is over.

6. Red Tails

Directed by: Anthony Hemmingway; Release Date: January 20, 2012

Starring: Cuba Gooding, Jr., Terrence Howard, Bryan Cranston, Ne-Yo.

Reasons to watch: Produced by George Lucas, this film promises roller coaster action while documenting a major part of Air Force history and civil rights. Red Tails will focus around the segregated Tuskegee Airmen and their journey to skies in WWII.

Reasons to skip: I suppose if you aren’t into history.

Rhetorical questions: Wait—Lucas is producing it? This won’t have any sci-fi references in it, will it?

Final Word: This is gold for history buffs and war movie aficionados. Hey, if Spielberg can get into WWII, so can Lucas! Expect it to be adrenaline laced, hero based and patriotic from start to finish.

5.  The Hunger Games

Directed by: Gary Ross; Release Date: March 23, 2012

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, and Woody Harrelson

Reasons to watch: All fans of the books have great reason. For those who haven’t read the books, there is still plenty of reasons to go. This flick is about a post-America world, Panem, which demands each one of its districts give one boy and a girl to participate in a reality show that is fought to the death. Yea, I think it sounds interesting, too.

Reasons to skip: It is too early to tell. It depends on whether the directors are able to blend the fine line between a dark plot and a young adult movie.

Rhetorical questions: So this is kind of like a futuristic Gladiator? Who does Jennifer Lawrence remind me of?

Final word: Once again, the post-apocalyptic-ness of the movie is drawing me in. It definitely appears to have enough to make it worth a peek.

4. Red Dawn

Directed by: Dan Bradley; Release Date: November 2, 2012

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Josh Peck, Adrianne Palicki, Josh Hutcherson, Isabel Lucas.

Reasons to watch: Red Dawn…again! Movies about the poor rebels fighting the oppressors always make good movies. The first was a classic, the remake has lots of potential, and it is feeding off the recent rise of WWIII storylines. It has quite an interesting cast, too.

Reasons to skip: It’s another remake, and that always has the potential to be a disaster. Homefront was a rather disappointing video game, and hopefully the writers of this flick did a better job of incorporating North Korea as villains.

Rhetorical question: Thor, I mean, Chris Hemsworth, and Josh Peck??? Why does it seem like these two guys are miles apart? Why has this film taken so long to be released? Are we that scared of China that the film needed to be re-written to make the villains N. Korea?

Final word: Finally, after almost two years of re-writes and release dates, the film is ready for a November 2 release date. Go see it to be nice to the poor producers and directors who stuck with the movie and never gave up. They deserve it.

3. The Avengers

Directed by: Joss Whedon; Release Date: May 4, 2012

Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Hiddleston.

Reasons to watch: It really doesn’t get to much bigger than this. It is the first live action version of The Avengers, and the sweet part is that it ties into the Iron Man films, Captain America, The Incredible Hulk and Thor. This is huge.

Reasons to skip: If heart pounding action, superheroes, super villains and the fact that the last 5 major superhero movies tie into this isn’t your thing, go ahead and skip it.

Rhetorical questions: Wait! That is NOT the same actor that was in The Hulk. I mean, the Incredible Hulk. Wait, both the Hulk and The Incredible Hulk had different actors portraying the Hulk. So this makes a third Hulk actor. Yes, I can add up to three, and I do realize that wasn’t a question.

Final word: Really, you need to see this. Weird about the Hulk, though. I hate when they switch actors. Geez.

2. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Directed by: Peter Jackson; Release Date: December 14, 2012

Starring: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Graham McTavish, Orlando Bloom, Benedict Cumberbatch, Andy Serkis

Reasons to watch: IT’S HERE! Finally, after nine agonizing years of no LTOR, it is back! Peter Jackson will be taking control of the reigns, again, and yes, Gollum is back, too.  Dwarves, dragons, Gollum, elves, hobbits…the list of reasons goes on and on. Don’t forget Jackson already confirmed a sequel.

Reasons to skip: If there are any reasons why this should be skipped, please write to me, the editors of The Post, or leave a comment below. Actually, please don’t write the editors. Write me or leave a comment.

Rhetorical questions: How will they make Ian McKellen look younger? It is rumored Elijah Wood is signed on. How will that work? Will Galadriel be as creepy as she was in the LTOR? How many times is too many to see this in the theaters?

Final word: The Hobbit is gold for LOTR fans, so expect a huge turnout. If you haven’t seen the Lord of the Rings trilogy, please contact me. You are welcome to come over to see it at my house, and I will even supply free food.    

1. The Dark Knight Rises

Directed by: Christopher Nolan; Release Date: July 20, 2012

Starring: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Anne Hathaway, Tom Hardy, Marion Cotillard, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Liam Neeson.

Reasons to watch: Remember that movie that came out in 2008 called “The Dark Knight?” This is the sequel to it. Actually, I can’t compile enough reasons why one should watch this. This will be the final Batman movie by Nolan, and it is promising to be an epic. The trailer reveals the return of the tumbler (plus a flying tumbler), brutal action, and of course, Batman.

Reasons to skip: None. I am only heartbroken Heath Ledger won’t be in it, but that is not a reason why not to see it.

Rhetorical questions: How will Nolan make Catwoman cool? Is it just me, or did the “Gotham Rogues” resemble the Steelers and did they have the same players? What will be said about the Joker? It’s called “The Dark Knight Rises,” but the tagline says “The Legend Ends Here? Wait, is that Liam Neeson’s name in the cast? Why are Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Marion Cotillard in this? Is this an Inception reunion as well? Wasn’t Bane the only villain who technically defeated Batman?

Final word: This, ladies and gentlemen, is going to be the film to beat. The anticipation is about as big as it will ever get. Whether it is in the burning question of whether Bane will break the back of the Bat or waiting to see the surprise villains Nolan will add, this will be the blockbuster of the year. Anything short of breaking Avatar’s record will probably be a disappointment.