Music Spotlight – Favorite Music of 2012: Part 1

Ab-Soul – ILLuminate

ILLuminate features Kendrick Lamar and is off Ab-Soul’s album Control System. Skhye Hutch’s beat grooves, while Ab-Soul and Kendrick lay down impressive verses. The hip hop track is infinitely listenable with a hypnotic quality to it. Three of Black Hippy’s four members are on this list – they are taking over the game. Available for download: here

Alicia Keys – Girl on Fire (Inferno Version)

Girl of Fire (Inferno Version) features Nicki Minaj and is off Alicia Keys’s album Girl on Fire. It may not be the kind of music that Keys’s more strictly R&B fans want, as it has a very modern poppy sound with Jeff Bhasker and Salaam Remi producing (in addition to Keys), but it is infectious and shows off her fantastic, powerful voice. Available for download: here

A$AP Rocky – Goldie

Goldie is off A$AP Rocky’s major label debut album LONG.LIVE.A$AP. What stands out immediately about this track is Hit-Boy’s brilliant beat (did any producer have a better 2012?). The hook is also addictive (I said it must be), subconsciously finding its way in and demanding the listener to sing along. Rocky’s verses announce him as one of hip hop’s great young talents, ready to rise. Available for download: here

Chairlift – Amanaemonesia

Amanaemonesia is off Chairlift’s album Something. While Chairlift’s other singles off Something are also great (Sidewalk Safari and Met Before), Amanaemonesia seems to perfectly capture the growing trend of dream pop groups making modern new wave music (a musical direction I am very much in favor of and enjoying). Producers Dan Carey and Alan Moulder give Chairlift a great sound. Available for download: here

Cold Cave – A Little Death to Laugh

A Little Death to Laugh is not off an album; rather it is just a standalone single. The track features Cold Cave’s (Wesley Eisold) brand of dark synth pop, but is much catchier than a lot of his more noise-art songs. One could even call it poppy – well if bleak can be poppy. It is the prevalent synthesizer that drives the song that just draws the listener in – it is wonderful (or again as wonderful as bleak can be). Available for download: here

Side Effects (2013) – Review

Review: Side Effects is a thriller that constantly manipulates audience expectations with each twist. The film is about Emily Taylor, a young woman that seems to be suffering from depression. Her husband Martin has just been released from prison. After an apparent suicide attempt, Emily is treated by Dr. Jonathan Banks who tries her on a number of medications before finding one that seems to work, however Emily begins to sleepwalk as a side effect. One evening Martin comes home to find Emily in the kitchen making dinner, but she is asleep. When he tries to wake her, she stabs him to death with a cutting knife. Who is to blame? Emily? Dr. Banks for keeping her on the medication? The drug company? But not all is as it seems. There are some spoilers in this review, best if you see the film first.

Director Steven Soderbergh is an intelligent filmmaker who understands storytelling, and what the audience expects given what a certain kind of narrative tells them – what they pick up consciously and subconsciously. With Side Effects, Soderbergh seems to be playing a game with the audience, constantly managing their expectations and changing their perception of the characters – which is really what the best ‘twist’ thrillers do: you think you know who the characters are and what is going on, but then everything changes.

Soderbergh also seems interested in raising concerns or questions about how depression is dealt with by the healthcare system in America (which is likely corporate run at this stage). Before the film starts to throw out plot and character twists, it seems to be a subtle (or maybe passively aggressive) attack on this system. Healthcare professionals just seem to drug their patients with whatever the latest pill is (or whichever they are being paid to promote) without really addressing the root cause of the depression. Just about every character in the film seems to be on something to help them manage (be it beta-blockers, anti-depressants, or sedatives). Emily experiencing grave side effects leading to a tragic death seems to call into question the whole system and who is at fault. Each participant in the system seems to be shifting the blame. While Soderbergh does not clearly attack the drug companies, doctors, or our society in which pill-taking is commonplace, the whole system and cycle feels dubious at best.

However, the film then shifts as Dr. Banks’s life falls apart, as he is left holding the short stick in the blame game. He desperately wants to find out what happened, feeling like he did not make a mistake. Soderbergh sets his struggle to find the truth up as a man driven mad by loss, grasping at straws, driving away the people in his life even more. His claims seem baseless and are getting more and more outlandish, as he thinks there is a conspiracy against him. The audience believes that Emily is the victim and Dr. Banks very well could be to blame (he seems like a corporate stooge at one point, taking money to peddle their drugs). Soderbergh has done something interesting here. The film begins and Emily is the protagonist. The audience connects with her struggle with depression, trying to cope with her life and the pressure of her husband’s return. Thus, Dr. Banks to some extent feels like the villain. He is too busy with his own life to really pay enough attention to his patient Emily, and thus made a mistake that cost her dearly. Then, he begins to make claims against her, naming her as the chief architect in the conspiracy against him. This turns him into even more of a villain, as again the audience is behind Emily. However, Soderbergh then starts to introduce cracks in Emily’s story and Dr. Banks seems like he might be making sense – maybe he is on to something. Suddenly, Soderbergh has changed the audience’s expectations. At first the film was a drama about Emily dealing with a tragic event and maybe and raising social issues about the pharmaceutical company/healthcare system relationship, and now it is a mystery that Dr. Banks is trying to solve with Emily as maybe the villain. It is not often that a film can have its protagonist and antagonist switch places without missing a beat.

Soderbergh continues to play with the audience as the film develops and their perception of the characters changes. The characters and what the audience thought the film was are completely different by the end. Ultimately the film plays as a thriller, as the narrative becomes a cat and mouse game between Emily and Dr. Banks. Soderbergh’s mastery of narrative filmmaking is essential to the film being fluid amidst all the plot twists and narrative tone changes. He structures the narrative to build, as more information is told to the audience.

However, this is a thriller without much action – setting it apart from a genre that seems to have become an offshoot of the action genre – in terms of explosions, gunplay, and physical altercations (as there are none, which I found refreshing). This is a thriller of wits (like the classic thrillers of old – The Third Man and Notorious to a couple from the 1940s). But, for some, it may play a little slow due to the lack of action (especially in the first half before things start to pick up with the plot twists).

Side Effects sees Soderbergh doing a lot with one film. It is somewhat a psychological thriller (as Dr. Banks feels his world slipping away), a drama about depression, a questioning look at the healthcare system (in regards to their management of patients with social issues and pharmaceutical companies’ role in the system), a character drama (as Emily and Dr. Banks are both well-conceived and developed), and a plot twist driven thriller. It is an entertaining film that engages the viewer’s mind as well. And, as it develops, Soderbergh’s storytelling ability reveals itself to be quite marvelous.

Technical, aesthetic & acting achievements: Steven Soderbergh has announced that Side Effects will be his last film (at least for the next few years), as he plans to focus on television. It is a fitting way for him to go out, as it is one of his best films (especially from a narrative standpoint).

Soderbergh also shot the film, something he often does. The cinematography has a very stylized look, with soft focus and haloing lights. Matched with Howard Cummings’s production design, which is very much grounded in reality, it gives the film sort of a heighted sense (like not everything is as it seems). Thomas Newman’s score is also very good, perfectly fitting the tone shifts.

Like most of Soderbergh’s films, the cast is very good, giving very naturalistic performances. Channing Tatum has a small role as Martin (and used as a bit of a red herring), but it is important as his performance brings a lot of credibility to Emily (setting her up initially as the protagonist and victim). Catherine Zeta-Jones plays Emily’s former doctor. She plays her character to be seemingly powerful and confident, but really out of her depth and insecure. Jude Law is great in the film (Soderbergh gets very good work out of him – see Contagion). Law plays Dr. Banks and has a range of emotions he must go through over the course of the film. But what he does very well is make the audience believe that he is both the villain and the hero at different moments (which is vital to the film’s success). Rooney Mara continues to show herself as one of the great young talents in Hollywood right now. She is fantastic in the film. Emily seems initially completely vulnerable and weak, but as the film goes on it is all just a measured act (it reminds me of Edward Norton’s brilliant work in Primal Fear, though the revelation is not so grandiose in this film).

Summary & score: Side Effects is a good thriller, as it constantly changes the audience’s perception as it develops, built on great performances from its leads and nimble storytelling from its director. 8/10

Movie of the Week – Great Expectations

This week’s movie: Great Expectations (1946).

Based on the classic Charles Dickens story, Pip, an orphan, suddenly is thrust into high society by an unknown benefactor. However, he becomes obsessed with Estella, a beautiful but rude and prideful girl who tells him that she can never love him, and yet Pip does not seem to waver in his feelings.

The film is directed by David Lean – the master British filmmaker who in his early career (black & white films) made Brief Encounter, Oliver Twist, and Hobson’s Choice and in his later career (sweeping epics in color) The Bridge on the River Kwai, Lawrence of Arabia (in my opinion the greatest film ever made), and Doctor Zhivago. Great Expectations is one of his best early career films.

Lean worked with composer Walter Goehr and production designer John Bryan (who won an Oscar for his work) on the film, but it is his collaboration with cinematographer Guy Green (who also won an Oscar) that is best remembered. The photography (especially when Pip meets Magwitch) in the film is incredible and highly influential. Even today, it is considered among cinema’s best. Green also shot Oliver Twist for Lean and the film’s opening is visually astounding.

The film stars Tony Wager and John Mills as Pip (young and adult respectively), and features Valerie Hobson, Jean Simmons (who is fantastic, making her film debut), Bernard Miles, Francis Sullivan (who is also great in Oliver Twist), Finlay Currie, Martita Hunt, and Alec Guinness (who would go on to star in five more Lean films).

Great Expectations won two Oscars on its five nominations (including Best Picture and Best Film, but it probably should have won in retrospect considering the other nominated films). It is a must-see for fans of David Lean and those looking to have a good working knowledge of the greatest British films.

Trailer: Here

Available on: Blu-ray and DVD

Pusha T – Wrath of Caine Mixtape (2013) – Review

Review: Pusha T is ready to drop his first solo LP My Name Is My Name, but first he though we might all enjoy a mixtape. And, he was right, as Wrath of Caine is quite good. Building off the success of his Fear of God mixtape and Fear of God II: Let Us Pray EP from 2012, Pusha T has certainly put himself among the top MCs right now, and probably Kanye West’s best artist on his G.O.O.D. Music label. My Name Is My Name is one of the most anticipated hip hop releases of 2013.

Wrath of Caine finds Pusha T lyrically doing his normal thing, rapping about slinging cocaine with his great and easily recognizable ab-libs and religious imagery. Sure, maybe it is a little tired, but his word play, flow, and lyrical dexterity are fantastic making his raps delightful and engaging regardless. He also has a number of strong features, including Rick Ross, Wale, and his Re-Up Gang mate Ab-Liva.

Musically, Wrath of Caine is solid, with a street and reggae feel. It does not have that much flair, but it is only a mixtape and one would imagine that Pusha T is saving the best stuff for his album. That said, Southside, The Renegades, Young Chop, The Neptunes, Boogz N Tapez, Jake-One, and Bink! all provide good beats.

Even though this is just a prelude to his upcoming album, Wrath of Caine is better than most hip hop LPs and well worth checking out. 3/5

Essential Tracks:

1)      Blocka – Produced by Young Chop, featuring Popcaan and Travis Scott

2)      Millions – Produced by Southside, featuring Rick Ross

3)      Only You Can Tell It – Produced by Boogz N Tapez, featuring Wale

Available on: Digital Download

Warm Bodies (2013) – Review

Review: Warm Bodies is a fun mix of genres with a surprisingly fluid (yet subtle) message. The film is about two young people (star-crossed lovers, if you will) who happen to be from different sides of a giant wall. The zombie-apocalypse has happened, and the surviving humans have built a massive wall protecting them from the zombie masses that surround them, but they still need to scavenge outside their protective enclosure for supplies from time to time. During one such supply run, Julie and a group of her friends are attacked by a zombie horde, but one of the zombies, R, has an unexpected reaction upon seeing Julie. R finds his life as a zombie to be unfulfilling. He is bored and craves connection. When he sees Julie, something changes within him and he decides to protect her and not eat her. He takes her back to his home, and the two of them form an unlikely bond that could save humanity. Just a warning: this review does contain some plot spoilers, so seeing the film first would probably be wise before reading the full review.

It would be easy to dismiss Warm Bodies for many reasons based on its premise – like: it is just another zombie movie trying to exploit the current fad (headlined by the AMC series The Walking Dead) and a Twilight copycat supernatural genre teenage romance aimed at drama-caving young women. However, writer-director Jonathan Levine’s film (based on Isaac Marion’s novel) is so much more. Yes, it is a zombie movie and yes it does center around two young characters, one a zombie and one a human girl, who develop a relationship, but Levine also addresses social issues, fleshes out great characters, and infuses the film with very funny material. And, best of all for genre fans, it is a good zombie movie too.

Visually, the film has a very typical post-apocalyptic look – things are in shambles, civilization has collapsed and retreated into an entrenched area, and dangerous creatures roam the wasteland. Plus, the action beats are done very well, fitting what one might expect in a zombie movie. However, Levine quickly makes it apparent that this is not a typical zombie film, as it opens with voice-over narration from R. He explains the mundane life that he has as a zombie and his inner aspirations. What works well about this is that Levine has established R as a character the audience can relate to – how different is R’s life to the banality of the typical day-to-day life of the viewer (aside from being a zombie) and all R wants is to not be alone, which is what we all want really. Outwardly, R cannot really communicate, so the use of voice-over allows him to stay in character while still enabling the audience to get to know him. This is the first major difference between most zombie movies and Warm Bodies. Here, the zombie is the main character and not just the monster (and they are still the monster too, as they do attack and kill humans). The audience actually gets to take a stake in their story.

Levine likes to switch gears and genres with the film. It starts out like a typical zombie movie (with a twist, as R, a zombie, is the main character and the audience hears his inner thoughts), but after R and his fellow zombies attack and kill most of Julie’s friends (R eats her boyfriend) he takes Julie back to his home and the film shifts to more of a romantic comedy. Julie does not know what to make of R. She does not really like him at first (because she is terrified of him), but as she gets to know him she sees there is something different about him. R, on the other hand, is trying his hardest to impress Julie, as he has fallen for her almost immediately (a common troupe of young love in movies – the main character having a crush on a seemingly unattainable girl or boy, and over time they come around). R acts chivalrously towards Julie, trying to both keep her safe and to evoke some affection. They share some pleasant times and Julie does form an affinity for R, but this relationship only exists in isolation. Her group would not approve and likely would shoot R in the head, and his group would not approve and likely eat Julie’s brains.

While it is certainly not new territory to have characters from two opposing sides form a bond, Levine does it in a manner that still feels fresh, while referencing Romeo and Juliet (of course) and making a social statement as well. Shakespeare’s play is probably the most famous to feature star-crossed lovers, and Levine pays tribute (along with Marion, the novel’s author). First, and maybe the most obvious, are the main characters’ names: R and Julie for Romeo and Juliet. Second, there are visual and narrative references as well – most notably there is a scene in which Julie is on the balcony outside her room and R has snuck into the human compound to find her and calls to her from below the balcony. This is maybe the most iconic of the Romeo and Juliet imagery.

Levine seems to also be very interested in delivering a social message with the film about love being the answer to problems and not fighting or war. It is the love and understanding between R and Julie that unites the humans and zombies, rather than one making the other subservient or eradicating them. Once Julie gets to see the zombies interacting with each other, she realizes that they are misunderstood and not so much different than humans. One of the final images in the film sees the massive wall that separates the humans from the zombies being destroyed, which invites memories of seeing the Berlin wall come down. Again, Levine is promoting love, understanding, and togetherness rather than hate and fear. What is great about Warm Bodies is that Levine never forces feeds or is heavy-handed with this social message. It seems to organically come out of the narrative (a sign of good direction).

The film also has a lot of great comedy. The interaction between R and Julie plays very much like the normal interaction between an awkward boy who is interested in a girl. It is resonates with the audience because they can relate. But, it also has an additional comedic undercurrent due to the sheer ridiculousness of the situation: a zombie making googly-eyes at a young woman and trying to get her to like him.

Unlike Romeo and Juliet, however, Warm Bodies is not a tragedy. In fact, its resolution is a very neat and tidy happy ending. (Personally, I thought) it works well, but maybe it is too wrapped up in a bow for some – especially those looking for a zombie movie, because ultimately this is not a zombie movie, it just operates under the guise as one, it is a romance. The resolution seems too easy. Would zombies and humans suddenly be friends? Well, there are a few factors to consider. First, they worked together to defeat a common enemy in the Bonies (super zombies that want to kill both the humans and zombies, once they become more human-like). Second, R and Julie’s connection ignited something in the zombies that made them become more human, even restarting their hearts. And third, there is no timeframe between the events of R and Julie starting a revolution of sorts and the tearing down of the wall signifying zombie and human co-habitation. Really, the specifics of how exactly they live together do not matter, as the message of the film is what is important. We can assume that they worked something out.

The film also embraces many of the clichés of the romance genre. And therefore, yes, the film does feature many of the same clichés, but Levine has turned them on their head, so to speak, by staging his romance in a world ravaged by the zombie apocalypse. Also, a lot of the humor comes from seeing these cliché romantic moments played between a zombie and a human girl. The film does not shy away from the clichés. It draws attention to them and revels in them.

Warm Bodies is not just a zombie movie or just a romance or just an action adventure. It blends all three creating a very fun and entertaining experience, and one that actually aspires to uplift through its positive social message of love. It is the first great film of 2013.

Technical, aesthetic & acting achievements: Jonathan Levine has now made four films, though his last two saw bigger commercial releases. 50/50 and Warm Bodies have both been very good films, blending genres and delivering great stories with wonderfully relatable characters and meaning. He is definitely a filmmaker on the rise and one to watch.

Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders give the film a score that equally matches its genre blending aspects. However, it is the soundtrack that really shines, as it features both great music and songs that poke fun at and play with the zombie and romance movie features (stuff like: John Waite’s Missing You, Bruce Springsteen’s Hungry Heat, and Bob Dylan’s Shelter from the Storm). Levine uses music cues fantastically throughout the film as well. Javier Aguirresarobe’s cinematography is brilliant. He creates varying looks for the film depending on whether something is taking place pre, during, or post the zombie apocalypse. During has a very bleak color saturated look, while before (seen through memories) and after are much brighter, angelically lit, and filled with color. Martin Whist’s production design is equally great. R’s home inside the main cabin of an airplane, filled with knickknacks, is full of character. The dilapidated and decrepit city (in the wake of the zombie apocalypse) feels just as authentic as any zombie movie.

The film is comprised mainly of only a few main roles, and the cast is great across the board in them. John Malkovich plays Julie’s father, who also happens to be the leader of the humans (because if she is Juliet, then her father must be the patriarch of the Capulets). While he does not have much screen time, he is able to create the sense of a menacing and vindictive father that would never trust in a zombie. Analeigh Tipton is fun in support as Julie’s friend Nora. She is kind of goofy and sweet, but kind of badass too (she reminds me of the girls in Red Dawn a little). Rob Corddry is brilliant as R’s friend M. He has perfect comedic timing and brings heart and emotional depth to his role as well (something that is very important in aligning the audience with the plight of the zombies). Tipton and Corddry bring so much more to their roles than the typical throwaway one-dimensional best friends to the leads parts that the romance genre usually churns out. Teresa Palmer’s Julie is fairly complex for a teenage romance film. She is dealing intense emotions with the loss of her mom (turned by zombies and then shot in the head by her father), a distant father who is driven by hate, a boyfriend who is pulling away, and of course the zombie apocalypse, and yet she wants to be in love, have fun, and just be young but does not really have that luxury. This is why her mini-vacation away from her life with R (once she got over her somewhat debilitating fear) affects her so much and why she forms such a strong bond with him, because he enables her to feel those things. Palmer is able to covey all these emotions drawing the audience into the narrative and love story, as she must carry most the scenes with R merely reacting to her (due to the nature of his character). It is by far her best work to date. Nicholas Hoult has a very difficult role as R. He has to be a zombie, yet be a character the audience can relate to and care about. The voice-over narration helps, however Hoult is able to do enough with his face to sell his inner emotions. It is easy to overlook the performance, but it is great work.

Summary & score: Warm Bodies is both an exciting zombie movie and a funny and charming romance. It even has genuine and positive social message. It does all this while feeling fresh and original. 7/10

Movie of the Week – The Rules of the Game

This week’s movie: The Rules of the Game (1939).

The comedy/drama is a sly look at bourgeois life through an assorted cast of characters who all assemble at a French chateau for a hunting party (both the rich and their servants).

Writer-director Jean Renoir describes the film as a look at a civilization and culture that had become so self-indulgent and grotesque that it needed to die. And thus, the French upper-class did not find the satire of the film to be very funny when it premiered in Paris, leading to it being banned by the government. Years after WWII, France had gone through a transformation (France’s identity during the war, especially after Vichy France which collaborated with the Nazis, had taken a major hit, which prompted its new leaders like Charles de Gaulle to usher in political and social change and reform) and Renoir’s film found its audience finally. In 1959, the film was restored to a version that Renoir approved (as most of the original prints were lost or destroyed during the war), and has since become one of most revered films of all-time (Sight & Sound for example has it ranked number four on its Top 50 Greatest Films of All Time list).

Renoir worked with four cinematographers on the film: Jean-Paul Alphen, Jean Bachelet, Jacques Lemare, and Alain Renoir, creating a photography that was ahead of its time (and is still praised today). He also worked with composer Joseph Kosma and production designers Max Douy and Eugene Lourie.

The Rules of the Game and La Grande Illusion are Jean Renoir’s masterpieces (both considered to be among the best films ever made). My personal favorite of the two is The Rules of the Game, but they are both must-sees for fans of French Realism and those looking to have a strong working knowledge of cinema’s greatest films.

Trailer: Here

Available on: Blu-ray, DVD, and Streaming

Most Anticipated Films of 2013 – Part 2: Prestige and Fun Films

Prestige Films:

Title: The Counselor

Release: November 15

Genre: Crime Drama

Plot: When a lawyer gets himself involved in drug trafficking, he finds that he is in way over his head.

Director: Ridley Scott

Main Cast: Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem, Michael Fassbender, Cameron Diaz, and Penelope Cruz

Why It’s Anticipated: Simple. The Counselor features a great director in Ridley Scott who has made good thrillers with Body of Lies and Black Hawk Down recently. And, it has an even better cast with Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem, Michael Fassbender, and Penelope Cruz. Plus, it is written by Cormac McCarthy, the author responsible for No Country for Old Men and The Road (this is his first feature screenplay). This has definite potential to be a critical and commercial hit.

Editor’s Thoughts: The only blemish on this film is that it also stars Cameron Diaz in addition to the wonderful principal group. She is fine, but cannot play dramatically intense scenes and is noticeably suspect when acting against talented people (see Gangs of New York). Ridley Scott is also a little hit or miss with his films, but this seems to be right in his wheel-house and should have a good script (which is important for the quality of his work). I think it is very likely that it turns out to be among the best films of the year.

Trailer (if available): Here

Title: Trance

Release: Fall

Genre: Crime Drama, Thriller

Plot: Simon, an art auctioneer, helps a group of criminals steal a painting, but is hit on the head during the heist and cannot remember where he stashed it. The criminals bring in a hypnotherapist to find the memory.

Director: Danny Boyle

Main Cast: James McAvoy, Rosario Dawson, and Vincent Cassel

Why It’s Anticipated: Danny Boyle has been making awards friendly films lately with 127 Hours and Slum Dog Millionaire, but his fans know him better for his great and gritty thrillers (28 Days Later… and Shallow Grave) and of course his breakthrough hit Trainspotting (dealing with heroin addicts in Edinburgh). I also really like his sci-fi film Sunshine (mixing a thriller with sort of a classic style cerebral sci-fi film). Trance feels much more like the old Danny Boyle style films – which is great.

Editor’s Thoughts: Trance looks like a manic crime thriller, that also feels like a much more raw version of Inception (Anthony Dod Mantle’s digital photography being partially the reason). Boyle is also working again with one of his great early collaborators: writer John Hodge (who wrote Boyle’s first four films), which is why it probably feels so much more like his early work (based on the trailer). We should all be excited for Boyle’s return to the crime thriller.

Trailer (if available): Here

Title: 12 Years a Slave

Release: Fall

Genre: Drama

Plot: Solomon Northup lives in New York in the mid-1800s. And then, one day he is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the Deep South.

Director: Steve McQueen

Main Cast: Brad Pitt, Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael Fassbender, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Quvenzhane Wallis

Why It’s Anticipated: Writer-director Steve McQueen has only made two films (Hunger and Shame) but he can already be called an auteur. He is one of the great new talents in independent cinema. He alone is a good reason to be very excited for this film, but he has also put together a phenomenal cast. It includes Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender (this is his third collaboration with McQueen), Chiwetel Ejiofor (who stars as Solomon; he is one of the most underrated actors right now), Benedict Cumberbatch (who is about to have a massive 2013), Sarah Paulson, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti, Michael K. Williams (from Broadwalk Empire and The Wire), Garret Dillahunt (a fantastic character actor), Scoot McNairy (one of the great breakthrough actors of 2012 with Argo and Killing Them Softly), and Dwight Henry and Quvenzhane Wallis (who both starred in Beasts of the Southern Wild). I am not sure that there is a better cast in 2013 (well, unless Terrence Malick’s two upcoming films not named To the Wonder do come out, then they are also in the conversation for best cast).

Editor’s Thoughts: While Django Unchained offered a potentially exaggerated view of slavery in the Deep South to make a point, McQueen will likely create a very realistic portrayal of life, which will probably be more intense and affecting than the theatrics of Quentin Tarantino’s film. McQueen has yet to have a crossover film into the mainstream. No one saw Hunger or knew about it when it came out. Its merit eventually brought viewers to it (and the Criterion Collection released a wonderful Blu-ray version of the film as well). Shame had a lot of Oscar potential for both the film and especially stars Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan, but its focus (being sex addiction) was too graphic, dark or intense for mainstream audiences. Twelve Years a Slave could be his first big hit with larger audiences due to its name stars, and the subject material seemingly would appeal more to Oscar voters. I think it has a lot of potential to be the best film of 2013.

Trailer (if available): Here

Title: The Wolf of Wall Street

Release: Fall

Genre: Crime Drama

Plot: Jordan Belfort is a successful stockbroker on Wall Street. However, things become difficult for him when he is asked to cooperate on a large case involving securities fraud and mob infiltration in the corporate banking world.

Director: Martin Scorsese

Main Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Matthew McConaughey, Kyle Chandler, and Jean Dujardin

Why It’s Anticipated: Martin Scorsese is working again with two of his best recent collaborators: writer Terence Winter and star Leonardo DiCaprio. Winter and Scorsese worked together on the pilot episode of Boardwalk Empire (which Winter created/wrote and Scorsese directed and executively produced). DiCaprio and Scorsese have worked together four times prior to this film, garnering Scorsese his only Oscar (for The Departed). The supporting cast is also very good. Matthew McConaughey is continuing his resurgence after a strong 2012, and this is Jean Dujardin’s first big project since The Artist made him a star in America.

Editor’s Thoughts: While Hugo was okay, I am happy to see Scorsese return to serious drama. This project seems like a great fit for him, and it will be interesting if he can make the first great feature film involving the ‘villainy’ of Wall Street in the wake of the financial crisis. So far, there have been a few good movies (Too Big to Fail, Arbitrage, and Margin Call have their moments), but nothing great (the best piece on the subject is the documentary Inside Job).

Trailer (if available): Here

Title: Terrence Malick’s 2013 projects: Knight of Cups and a film still untitled

Release: Fall or 2014 (or beyond?)

Genre: Drama, Romance, Music

Plot: Knight of Cups is about a man, temptations, celebrity, and excess, while the untitled film is about two intersecting love triangles involving obsession and betrayal set against the music scene of Austin, Texas.

Director: Terrence Malick

Main Cast: Christian Bale, Natalie Portman, Ryan Gosling, Rooney Mara, and Cate Blanchett

Why It’s Anticipated: Terrence Malick is one of the great American auteurs. Typically, it is years between films, and yet he might have three films coming out in 2013 (following The Tree of Life which came out in 2011). Malick is again working with cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki and production designer Jack Fisk. Their collaboration has yielded some of the most beautiful photography in recent memory (The New World and The Tree of Life are both visually tremendous). The cast across both films is brilliant as well, filled with wonderful actors: Christian Bale, Natalie Portman, Teresa Palmer, Cate Blanchett, Antonio Banderas, Wes Bentley, Joel Kinnaman, Imogen Poots, Holly Hunter, Isabel Lucas, Shea Whigham, Thomas Lennon, Ryan O’Neal, Freida Pinto, Jamie Harris, Ryan Gosling, Michael Fassbender, Val Kilmer, Berenice Marlohe, Boyd Holbrook, Haley Bennett, and Florence Welch (now, the question is who will actually make it into the final cut of the films – Malick is known for shooting way more material than he needs, for example the first cut of The Thin Red Line was five hours).

Editor’s Thoughts: I have a theory that Knight of Cups and the as of now untitled film are really companion pieces. No one else is saying this, so this is pure speculation, but it just strikes me as curious that these two films were essentially shot at the same time and both star Bale, Portman, and Blanchett. I love all of Malick’s work, so these films are among the things I am most excited to see. And yes, even though it got a mixed response last year during its festival screenings, I do want to see To the Wonder too (his third film scheduled for 2013 – and the only one that is for sure actually coming out this year).

Trailer (if available): Here

Fun Films:

Title: The Bling Ring

Release: Summer

Genre: Crime Drama

Plot: Based on actual events, a group of fame-obsessed teenagers led by Nicki decides to rob celebrities’ homes.

Director: Sofia Coppola

Main Cast: Emma Watson, Leslie Mann, and Taissa Farmiga

Why It’s Anticipated: Sofia Coppola is still considered one of the great indie filmmakers right now because of Lost in Translation (her masterpiece), but her other films also have a fantastic style and aesthetic to them (I do like Marie Antoinette and Somewhere). However, the bigger draw might be star Emma Watson taking on her first leading role since Harry Potter. She is currently atop her age group with Jennifer Lawrence, Kristen Stewart, and Emma Stone, but the behavior of moviegoers seems to be changing. Before, star power would bring in viewers (and this is still true to some degree), but today it is the genre, story, and marketing that seem to really drive ticket sales. Thus, small films like this that star emerging talents who are already big stars due to their work in huge franchises, like Watson, give an indication if star power really does play as big a role as it once did.

Editor’s Thoughts: The Bling Ring is the last film Harris Savides shot before his untimely death last October. He worked with Coppola previously on Somewhere. He was one of the true talents in indie cinema and will be very much missed. Watson has done a very good job in picking projects since finishing Harry Potter. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a wonderful teen drama (and it is too bad that not more people saw it in theatres), and her upcoming projects all sound good, including This Is the End and a supporting role in Darren Aronofsky’s Noah (which will be one of the big films of 2014). Nicki in The Bling Ring is a character unlike any she has played before, so it will be interesting to see if she can transform herself to fit the character. If the film is a critical success with Watson showing performance range, it will set her up to be among Hollywood’s most sought-after young actresses (even more so than she already is). And, Coppola has collaborated very well with young actresses in the past: Kirsten Dunst, Scarlett Johannson, and Elle Fanning.

Trailer (if available): Here

Title: Can a Song Save Your Life?

Release: Summer or Fall

Genre: Dramedy, Music

Plot: A music business executive who is fed up and disheartened with the business, finds new life after forming a bond with a young struggling singer-songwriter new to Manhattan.

Director: John Carney

Main Cast: Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Hailee Steinfeld, and Catherine Keener

Why It’s Anticipated: While Once was little seen during its theatrical run, it has gained a bigger following on DVD since. It is maybe the best musical of the last decade and a beautiful love story. Therefore, its director John Carney doing another music-centric drama should make a lot of Once’s fans very excited. However, this time Carney is working with bigger name actors like Mark Ruffalo and Keira Knightley who star, as well as executive producer Judd Apatow (who seems like an odd collaborator at first, but his work does feature well-done characters and heart much like Carney’s own). This film will being Carney’s genius to a much larger audience (I just hope he can capture the same magic as Once).

Editor’s Thoughts: In addition to the strong group of actors starring in the film, it also features Adam Levine (of Maroon 5), CeeLo Green, and Yasiin Bey (formally known as Mos Def) as well, all of which bring great musical talent to the film (and Bey is a good actor too). I am also quite looking forward to seeing Hailee Steinfeld’s performance. She was brilliant in The Coen Brothers’ True Grit, but I have not seen her in anything since. 2013 will likely be a huge breakthrough year for her, as she also stars in Romeo and Juliet, Three Days to Kill, and Ender’s Game (which, while not making my most anticipated list, is on many people’s 2013 lists).

Trailer (if available): Here

Title: Her

Release: Summer or Fall

Genre: Comedy

Plot: Theodore is a lonely writer who develops a strange relationship with a newly-purchased operating system that is designed to fulfill his every need.

Director: Spike Jonze

Main Cast: Olivia Wilde, Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Joaquin Phoenix, and Samantha Morton

Why It’s Anticipated: Spike Jonze is a wonderfully imaginative and unique directing talent. And, he is working with a fabulous group of actors. Her (which is the working title and could be changed) sounds like another weird concept, much like Jonze’s brilliant collaborations with Charlie Kaufman: Being John Malkovich and Adaptation., though Jonze wrote this film (as he did his last film Where the Wild Things Are) and is not working with Kaufman.

Editor’s Thoughts: I am most interested in seeing Jonze’s work with Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, and Rooney Mara as he seems to bring out amazing performances from his actors, like: Nicholas Cage and Chris Cooper in Adaptation. while John Malkovich is hysterical in Being John Malkovich and John Cusack gives maybe the best performance of his career in the film. Additionally, I am excited to see the collaboration between cinematographer Hoyte Van Hoytema (one of the best working right now, having shot The Fighter, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and Let the Right One In) and Jonze.

Trailer (if available): Here

Title: Inside Llewyn Davis

Release: Fall

Genre: Drama, Music

Plot: Llewyn Davis is a folk singer-songwriter trying to make it in the 1960s’ New York Greenwich Village scene.

Director: Ethan and Joel Coen

Main Cast: Carey Mulligan, Justin Timberlake, Garrett Hedlund, John Goodman, and Oscar Isaac

Why It’s Anticipated: Every new Coen Brothers film is a big deal for cinema fans, as they are among America’s great auteurs. Plus, they have been on a streak of great films since No Country for Old Men. The cast featuring Justin Timberlake, Garrett Hedlund (who was the best part of Country Strong), and newcomer (and likely future star) Oscar Isaac also seem to be a great fit for the music scenes – and the last time the Coens did a music centric film we were treated to O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Editor’s Thoughts: I am interested to see how the collaboration between French cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel and the Coen Brothers works out. They have worked with Roger Deakins on eleven of their last twelve films since Barton Fink (Emmanuel Lubezki shot Burn After Reading for them). Delbonnel is one of the finest D.P.s working right now (and one of my favorite). He is known for his stylized color palettes and well-defined grain structure of his film stock. Often, he saturates his primary colors with desaturated muted secondary colors. This look is definitely apparent in the trailer, giving the film sort of a somber feel. The film should play as a love letter to the folk music scene of 1960s Greenwich Village (which birthed Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Mimi and Richard Farina – plus, this is loosely based off Dave Van Ronk’s memoir The Mayor of MacDougal Street). I just wonder how much Delbonnel’s distinctive visual style will affect the Coens’ own style.

Trailer (if available): Here

Title: Mood Indigo

Release: Fall

Genre: Romance, Fantasy

Plot: Colin meets Chloe; they fall in love and get married. But, on their honeymoon Chloe falls ill with an unusual illness caused by a flower growing in her lungs.

Director: Michel Gondry

Main Cast: Audrey Tautou, Romain Duris, Omar Sy, and Gad Elmaleh

Why It’s Anticipated: Michel Gondry is one of the most inventive visual directors working in cinema right now. Films like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and The Science of Sleep exhibit a unique, children’s fantasy quality to them, but still have strong narratives and wonderfully full characters. Mood Indigo very much looks like The Science of Sleep, stylistically (which is great).

Editor’s Thoughts: As a fan of Gondry’s work, I am looking forward to this, as he has a very distinctive feel and look to his work (usually – though his Hollywood film The Green Hornet was visually fairly generic). However, I may be even more enthusiastic for this film’s cast (or at least their coupling with Gondry). Romain Duris, Audrey Tautou, Gad Elmaleh (who is hilarious in Priceless and The Valet, and has a funny cameo in Midnight in Paris), and Omar Sy are among France’s great talents. Plus, Duris and Tautou have great chemistry from their work with Cedric Klapisch (and his trilogy beginning with L’Auberge Espagnole). All four actors feel like perfect choices to work with Gondry (I cannot wait to see this).

Trailer (if available): Here

Most Anticipated Films of 2013 – Part 1: Blockbusters

Blockbusters:

Title: Elysium

Release: August 9

Genre: Sci-Fi Action Drama

Plot: The year is 2159. Earth is ruined. The wealthy live on a space station called Elysium while the rest of humanity toils away below on Earth, forced to stay there by harsh anti-immigration laws that preserve the luxurious lifestyle of the citizens of Elysium. Backed into a corner, an ex-con, Max, agrees to take on a difficult mission to find a way into Elysium, one that could bring equality to the people of Earth.

Director: Neill Blomkamp

Main Cast: Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Sharlto Copley, and Diego Luna

Why It’s Anticipated: Neill Blomkamp became one of the most hyped directors in the sci-fi genre after his first feature District 9. He was attached to a Halo movie (based on the X-Box game) until that project fell apart, but now fans finally get to see a new film from him. Blomkamp is again working with his District 9 collaborators actor Sharlto Copley, cinematographer Trent Opaloch, and production designer Philip Ivy again (though, Peter Jackson is not involved on the production side this time).

Editor’s Thoughts: Elysium was initially scheduled to debut in March but was pushed back to August. Why is not completely clear, but here are two thoughts: 1) March is overcrowded with big releases like Jack the Giant Slayer, Oz the Great and Powerful, G.I. Joe: Retaliation, and The Host so maybe Sony wanted to place this in a different spot on their calendar and August is the month that District 9 opened in and succeeded. Or 2) the film is not as good as Sony was hoping so they moved it to August where summer blockbuster-like movies go to die (like Total Recall and The Bourne Legacy last year). Reviews of the script by online critics (take that as you will) have not been overwhelmingly positive. I am inclined to think it is more the former than the latter.

Trailer (if available): Here

Title: Gravity

Release: October 4

Genre: Sci-Fi Thriller

Plot: Two astronauts are the lone inhabitants of a space shuttle. However, after a piece of debris crashes into them leaving them adrift and alone, they desperately try to get back home to Earth.

Director: Alfonso Cuaron

Main Cast:  Sandra Bullock and George Clooney

Why It’s Anticipated: Alfonso Cuaron is one of the great directors we have today. He is coming off of two big critical and commercial successes in Hollywood with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (arguably the best of the series) and Children of Men (to go with his two excellent Mexican films Love in the Time of Hysteria and Y Tu Mama Tambien). Gravity has also been hyped after Cuaron screened an early cut for a small audience last year to strongly postive buzz – talk of twenty minute fluid single takes where a buzz among those who saw the cut. Also, having Sandra Bullock and George Clooney will help bring in average filmgoers, which will help the box office (which is good, as if cool films like this do well then Hollywood will make more original content from great directors and not just the same generic nonsense).

Editor’s Thoughts:  Gravity was initially scheduled for release in November of last year (and was one of my most anticipated of 2012), but Warner Bros. decided to push it back because the holiday season became overcrowded. Then, they thought briefly about releasing it in early 2013 (like March), but they like the film and think it has awards potential, which is why it now has the October release date. Another thing to be excited about is that Cuaron is working again with cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki. Their work together on Children of Men is incredible, and this is supposed to feature amazing long-takes. This is the film I am most excited to see in 2013.

Trailer (if available): Here

Title: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Release: December 13

Genre: Adventure Fantasy

Plot: Part two of The Hobbit Trilogy finds Bilbo, Gandalf, and the Dwarves continuing their journey to get the Dwarves’ home back from the vicious dragon Smaug.

Director: Peter Jackson

Main Cast: Martin Freeman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, and Richard Armitage

Why It’s Anticipated: An Unexpected Journey was one of the biggest films of 2012, so it stands to reason that The Desolation of Smaug will be equally as big. Plus, this film should be more action-packed as it will drive deeper into the meat of the story’s drama (which was sort of the problem with part one). Another great aspect of this film is that Benedict Cumberbatch is voicing Smaug.

Editor’s Thoughts: It will be interesting to see if Peter Jackson releases this film with both the high frame-rate and regular versions. I was interested, but never got around to seeing An Unexpected Journey in high frame-rate 3D so I cannot speak to it from personal experience. However, most people who did see that version felt that the high frame-rate ruined the movie (#HobbitVomit was trending on Twitter). So, will Jackson stick to his guns and try to win people over or will he give in to the criticism? I did enjoy An Unexpected Journey (even with its pacing issues) and am very much looking forward to part two, because I think it will be much better as there will be more organically story driven action and drama (instead of action scenes being overly long, artificially extended because the story does not have that much action for a big blockbuster).

Trailer (if available): Here

Title: Iron Man 3

Release: May 3

Genre: Action Adventure Thriller

Plot: After attack is waged on Tony Stark, taking a huge personal toll, he sets off to find those responsible. His quest leads him to China where he faces his most powerful enemy yet, The Mandarin. Tony also wrestles with the question that haunts him: “Does the man make the suit or does the suit make the man?”

Director: Shane Black

Main Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Ben Kingsley, and Rebecca Hall

Why It’s Anticipated:  The Avengers was the biggest film of 2012, and Iron Man and Iron Man 2 were relatively well-received by critics and loved by fans (well, more Iron Man than its sequel). Iron 3 kicks off Phase II of Marvel’s Avengers’ film series, and it looks like a fantastic movie rising to the challenge that Joss Whedon set with The Avengers (which is easily the best film in the series so far).

Editor’s Thoughts: While I cannot know this for sure, I suspect that Robert Downey Jr. brought writer-director Shane Black in to make this film, as they have a strong relationship (Black directed Downey Jr. in his film Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, which helped resurrect Downey Jr.’s career leading to him being cast as Tony Stark), after Jon Favreau stepped down.  Black is one of the best action writers in Hollywood (he wrote Lethal Weapon, The Monster Squad, The Last Boy Scout, Last Action Hero, and The Long Kiss Goodnight before making his directorial debut and writing Kiss Kiss Bang Bang).  Iron Man 3 is only his second film as a director, but Kiss Kiss Bang Bang was brilliant so I have nothing but faith in his abilities. I would go further as to say that I am more excited for Iron Man 3 because Black is doing it. The film also boasts an impressive cast of new actors to the series including: Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall, Ben Kingsley, and James Badge Dale. In all likeliness, it is between this film, Star Trek Into Darkness, and Man of Steel for best summer film.

Trailer (if available): Here

Title: Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

Release: December 25

Genre: Action Thriller, Drama

Plot: Rebooting the Jack Ryan series (again), this adventure finds the young CIA analyst uncovering a Russian plot to crash the U.S. economy via terrorist attack.

Director: Kenneth Branagh

Main Cast: Chris Pine, Keira Knightley, Kevin Costner, and Kenneth Branagh

Why It’s Anticipated: Jack Ryan is Paramount Pictures’ Christmas blockbuster. The Tom Clancy Jack Ryan series has been a fan favorite since its first incantation in 1990 with The Hunt for Red October, only to be followed up with Harrison Ford’s (as Jack Ryan)very entertaining two films with director Phillip Noyce: Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger. Likely, this will be Paramount’s attempt to create another James Bond, Ethan Hunt, Jason Bourne like franchise and this will probably feature more action than past Jack Ryan films (but will also hopefully feature Ryan playing detective as well like the past films).

Editor’s Thoughts: The first reboot of the series, The Sum of All Fears, came too close to 9/11 and was just too much at the time. Paramount seems to have put together a good team for this rejuvenation (of a franchise I liked a lot in the 1990s). Kenneth Branagh did a good job with Thor and is otherwise a good filmmaker; it is also fantastic that he is playing the villain. The studio turned to Chris Pine as their new Jack Ryan. He is great in the Star Trek reboot, bringing a lot of swagger and energy, and should be a great Ryan. Keira Knightley brings a higher level of talent to the role of Ryan’s wife than past incarnations, so maybe she will be more involved in the drama as well. And, Kevin Costner is a really good choice to play Ryan’s mentor, as it is a role he does well. All in all, it is the cast, director, and my past nostalgia for the 1990s Jack Ryan adventures that have me very interested and excited to see how this turns out.

Trailer (if available): Here

Title: Man of Steel

Release: June 14

Genre: Action Adventure Drama

Plot: A retelling of the Superman origin story. Clark Kent is an alien infant raised on Earth. He grows up hiding his superhuman abilities. When his adopted world is threatened, he must decide if he should reveal his abilities to protect Earth.

Director: Zack Snyder

Main Cast: Henry Cavill, Russell Crowe, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, and Kevin Costner

Why It’s Anticipated: Superman is maybe the biggest and best known comic book character. Plus, the creative team that reimagined Batman starting with Batman Begins (David Goyer and Christopher Nolan – who’s latest film, The Dark Knight Rises, was one of the best of 2012) is now taking on Clark Kent, which should have you very excited. Goyer and Nolan will probably ground the character in a more realistic character driven environment (as realistic as an alien who fights crime can be) with characters who will emotionally resonate with the audience. While Marvel and Disney want to make really fun comic book movies, Warner Bros (with Goyer and Nolan, et al.) want to continue to make comic book films (with great action) that also appeal as satisfying dramas (like The Dark Knight Trilogy).

Editor’s Thoughts: Zack Snyder makes a lot of sense as the director for a Superman movie. He has a great grasp of wonderful cinematic visuals, and his style, which seems to get in the way of his storytelling sometimes, will likely be reined in Nolan (who is producing). Snyder has an overall strong filmography as a director. Dawn of the Dead was a good debut, and 300 showcased his ability to pull off stunning visuals. While Watchman was good, it suffered from overindulgence in Snyder’s style. Sucker Punch on the other hand was completely derailed by Snyder’s style over story and content. Based on the Man of Steel trailers, it appears that Snyder has given the film strong (if not iconic) visuals but has put the story first, which is great news for the film. It looks like it is going to be very good (another piece of good news: Nolan has brought in his frequent collaborator Hans Zimmer to score the film). I also really like the casting of Henry Cavill as Clark Kent. I think he will make a fantastic Superman (and Michael Shannon is going to be a great villain – he was born to be a comic book villain).

Trailer (if available): Here

Title: Pacific Rim

Release: July 12

Genre: Sci-Fi Action Adventure

Plot: Massive aliens attack Earth, threatening the very survival of the human race. In an effort to fight back, giant robots piloted by humans are used to wage the battle for Earth.

Director: Guillermo del Toro

Main Cast: Idris Elba, Charlie Hunnam, Rinko Kikuchi, Ron Perlman, and Charlie Day

Why It’s Anticipated: Enormous mechanized warriors fighting huge alien monsters, what is not awesome about that? It is like Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (only Mechagodzilla is good and piloted by humans to stop Godzilla – and there are lots of both).  This should be a highly entertaining huge action film.

Editor’s Thoughts: For the fans of Guillermo del Toro, this holds a whole different level of excitement and anticipation. He is responsible for some good stuff (the Hellboy films and Pan’s Labyrinth), especially when it comes to creating creatures.  Pacific Rim also has a great cast – who is not excited to hear the crazy stuff Charlie Day gets to spout off? Whether this is just a big fun summer movie or something that transcends the blockbuster genre (like say The Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises) remains to be seen, but certainly this is something to get hyped for if you like blockbuster action films.

Trailer (if available): Here

Title: Star Trek Into Darkness

Release: May 17

Genre: Sci-Fi Action Adventure

Plot: The crew of the Enterprise is called back to Earth, however when they arrive they find that a seemingly unstoppable force has devastated Starfleet and left the planet in chaos. Captain Kirk and his crew are tasked with going on a manhunt to bring the responsible man to justice.

Director: J.J. Abrams

Main Cast: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Alice Eve

Why It’s Anticipated: Despite hardcore Star Trek fans having issues with J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek, it brought the cherished sci-fi world to the masses of movie-goers and they loved it (as did critics). Star Trek Into Darkness looks to be an even bigger adventure. Chances are if you liked the first film you are going to really like this one too.

Editor’s Thoughts: J.J. Abrams is one of the best action-film directors in Hollywood right now. His films have a frenetic pace – always moving forward and packed with action. Yet, he still is able to develop great characters. Plus, they are extremely fun and entertaining. Star Trek into Darkness is his fourth feature film (following Mission: Impossible III, Star Trek, and Super 8). I am also interested and excited to see Benedict Cumberbatch play the film’s main villain. I think he is going to be fantastic (2013 very well could be his breakthrough year, as he is starring in an impressive list of films: August: Osage County, Twelve Years a Slave, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, and this).

Trailer (if available): Here

Title: This Is the End

Release: June 14

Genre: Action Comedy

Plot: A bunch of friends go to a party at James Franco’s house, and then the apocalypse happens and they have to deal with it.

Director: Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen

Main Cast: Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, James Franco, Danny McBride, and Jonah Hill

Why It’s Anticipated: The film features a ton of funny and otherwise great people on top of the film’s very funny stars in supporting and cameo roles, like: Jason Segel, Emma Watson, Paul Rudd, Michael Cera, Craig Robinson, and Mindy Kaling (among others). Plus, the writing team of Rogen and Goldberg is responsible for Superbad and Pineapple Express (and Rogen wrote on Undeclared and Da Ali G Show, while Goldberg also wrote on Da Ali G Show and co-wrote the criminally under seen Hockey comedy Goon with Jay Baruchel), so generally their stuff is funny and very entertaining. Basically, this has most of today’s best film comedians all together in a crazy action-horror-comedy premise – how is it not going to be awesome?

Editor’s Thoughts: Based on the short Jay & Seth versus the Apocalypse, this has the potential to be an amazing comedy, and certainly the best of the year. But, it is so ambitious that it reminds me of Your Highness (which I thought was going to be brilliant and hysterical but it was ultimately disappointing), so this could just as easily fall apart as be fantastic. That is what happens when you go big – either it works and is great, or it does not and falls flat, but at least it has the potential to be great. Most comedies now are just boring, tired narratives reusing ‘it’ jokes from past films. Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Danny McBride, Jason Segel, Paull Rudd, and Jay Baruchel are making the best comedies right now, so having them all in the same film playing themselves should be a lot of fun (and it helps that they are all real life friends and have wonderful chemistry, which is paramount in comedy). Plus, the premise sounds like a riot (I mean, there is a shot of Emma Watson with an ax in the teaser, so…).

Trailer (if available): Here

Title: Thor: The Dark World

Release: November 8

Genre: Action Adventure Fantasy

Plot: After the events of The Avengers, an ancient race of Dark Elves threatens to throw the universe back into darkness – that is, unless Thor can stop them.

Director: Alan Taylor

Main Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, and Christopher Eccleston

Why It’s Anticipated: Thor outperformed the expectations that Marvel had for it, and now after the huge success of The Avengers this new Thor adventure has many fans very excited (though, this is well below Iron Man 3). Marvel is also bringing back almost the entire cast of the first film. The Avengers essentially made all the Marvel Phase II films must-sees.

Editor’s Thoughts: With director Kenneth Branagh not returning, Marvel decided to make an interesting and timely choice for his replacement in Alan Taylor. He is one of the major creative forces behind HBO’s Game of Thrones, directing six of the twenty episodes in seasons one (2) and two (4) and serving as a co-executive producer for all of season two. While Branagh gave Thor a fantasy feel, Marvel wants Taylor to give Thor a much more gritty realistic feel, though still keeping some fantasy aspects – basically they want it to feel and look like Game of Thrones. I think it probably will work out very well for them. Christopher Yost is also one of the film’s writers, which is a great thing too given the material.

Trailer (if available): Here