Most anticipated movies of 2012 part 1

The films of 2011 have come and gone, and now it's time to look forward. It's always fun to start fresh every year, and to finally see films that have been in production since (at least) last year. In the first week of the year, I look at what's around the corner, and find that special ten that have really gotten my attention. So, in part one, I talk about films ten through six and I offer the trailers for each film.


10.

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance

Cast: Nicolas Cage, Violante Placido, Christopher Lambert, Ciaran Hinds

Director: Mark Neveldine, Brian Taylor

Release: February 17th

I will admit that the 2007 Ghost Rider was a cheesy mess that went too light with a character that is, for all intents and purposes, a soldier of Hell. This time around, we look to be going on the darker side of the of the Ghost Rider. I do like Nicholas Cage, and thought that he was fine in the first film. It wasn't his acting that was the problem, it was the tone and little use of hard action that really sank the first film. Through the previews alone I can see the film with a harder edge and more action. It will be interesting to see if the trailer is just the tip of the iceberg or a summary of all the good parts of the film. 

9.

Snow White and the Seven Huntsmen

 

Cast: Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron, Ian McShane

Director: Rupert Sanders

Release: June 1

Maybe Kristen Stewart wouldn't have been my first choice to play Snow White but I think it will be interesting to see what she can do. Out of the two Snow White stories coming to theaters (the other being Mirror, Mirror) this one seems the most serious and fantasy action oriented.  This is really a welcomed twist of the old fairy tale, and seeing that the title character is in battle armor really brings that home. Add to that the dark undertone, an interesting cast, and this might be the fairest snow white movie of them all.

8.

Prometheus

Cast: Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron, Patrick Wilson

Director: Ridley Scott

Release: June 8

Is it a prequel to 1979's Alien or isn't it? That is a great question that really didn't matter after I saw the preview. All I know is that I really want to see this film. I am a fan of the Alien films, and even if this has the slightest bit of that DNA I'm all in. Alien really defined the sci-fi horror genre, and it will be fun to see Scott come back to the genre that he established with a new cast of actors that I have come to really like (Rapace and Fassbender are among my favorite actors). I'm hoping that it's an Alien prequel, but if it is more than that, I still would love to take a look.

7.

The Hunger Games

Cast: Jennifer Lawrence,  Josh Hutcherson ,Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson

Director: Gary Ross

Release: March 23

I was reading about this book called "The Hunger Games" and it was getting to the point I finally broke down and read the first one once I heard the movie was in the works. This young adult book definitely held my attention, and it definitely puts the adult in young adult. I am eager to see how the film brings the book to life, and casting Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen was an interesting choice. I never thought of her in the role, but once I saw the trailer, I could see it.  I'm excited to see The Hunger Games, because I really enjoyed the book, and seeing it play out on screen will hopefully be a blast.

6.


The Expendables 2

Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Bruce Willis, Dolph Lundgren

Director: Simon West

Release: August 17

The Expendables was a all out, guns blazing throwback to 80's action films for the Modern Warfare generation. It was crazy fun, and I am looking forward to round two. The second round will bring new old school action stars like Jean-Claude Van Damme and even Chuck Norris. It also looks like Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger will be getting to see some more screen time too. Sure this movie is most likely about the gun and 'splosions, but I'm allowed a guilty pleasure now and then.