The Year Ahead0

Hello everyone I wasn’t sure what to write about this week. I really needed to stop being so proactive with my life and just sit on my ass for a couple of days to watch movies, TV and play video games. Then I could come up with something new to write. New to write? There’s an idea? How about we have a bit of a look at some of the new films coming out this year and see what’s worth a look:

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 – This is definitely my number one most anticipated film of 2011. Even if you’re not a big Harry Potter fan you have to admit that the whole movie series has been quite an impressive feat. How many other franchises can you think of that consist of eight movies created in the space of a decade and still has its original cast intact (minus Richard Harris who died after the second film)? It has still remained fresh and captivating with the story just getting better and better as it has progressed. It really is an historical milestone to think that in only a few months it’ll be all over. We’ve watched these kids grow up on the screen (That Emma Watson sure has filled out hasn’t she) and grown into better actors along the way. The characters have been through a lot so it’s finally time to see the end of their story. Where we last left them was in pretty well the most awful depressing situation you can think of. Now the gloves are off and the final showdown is about to happen. I for one am going to enjoy the hell out of this film and to think it’s less then six months away now. I better finish these books quick smart.

Thor and Captain America – I love superheroes and nothing gets me quite excited like a superhero movie. But when it comes to Marvel’s plan to create an entire movie universe of superheroes’ with interconnecting films I start to loose my shit. Iron Man was great and so was The Incredible Hulk. Iron Man 2 dipped a bit but I’m looking forward to seeing how these movies come together. First up is Thor the story of the Norse God of thunder who is cast out of Asgard and sent to earth. Far fetched? Sure. But there is bound to be lots of magical powers, muscle pumping fight scenes, Anthony Hopkins as Odin and Natalie Portman as the love interest (she’s racking the films up this year). Then we have Captain America, the story set during the backdrop of World War II where Steve Rodgers (a normal man) volunteers for a top-secret research project which gives him super powers. I assume after this point Captain America spends the rest of the film beating the crap out of Nazis. Awesome. Plus Hugo Weaving plays the villain, The Red Skull (the man sure does play to his strengths). Who doesn’t want to see these films, honestly? Let’s just hope these are well fleshed out movies with great characters and storylines, rather then just being a big advert for The Avengers film like Iron Man 2 tended to be.

Green Lantern – Sticking with the Superhero thing, let’s jump the fence and see what DC is up to. The Dark Knight Rises is still a year away not to mention the Zack Snyder reboot of Superman. So what do we have to look forward to in 2011? Green Lantern that’s what or who. Maybe lesser known to mainstream audiences, Green Lantern is a fan favorite who has gotten even more popular in recent times. The story tells of Hal Jordan a military test pilot who is granted astonishing powers in the form of a mystic ring from beyond the stars. The ring allows him to create what ever he can envision. Along with this great power he is also inducted into an intergalactic squadron, charged with the task of keeping peace in the universe. So think Jedi with ability to fly, fancy rings and wearing green spandex.  And you thought Thor was far fetched. Starring Ryan Reynolds the film is set to be a special effect extravaganza with a quirky attitude to it. I think that Ryan Reynolds is a great actor with a lot of respect for comic characters. But Hal Jordan has always been more of a serious character and I still feel with his quick wit and lighthearted attitude Reynolds would suit The Flash better. Just my thoughts but hopefully it should be a lot of fun.

The Adventures of TinTin: The Secret of the Unicorn – Now a lot of you may not know of TinTin as a Belgium comic book but some of you may remember watching the cartoon of Tin Tin back in the early nineties, which was great. It was a kids’ show but it was one of those kids’ shows that still had more mature themes and undertones. It’s set in the early twentieth century and is about a young reporter, and his dog, who travels the world solving mysteries and getting into dangerous adventures. Think Indiana Jones meets Scooby Do but better. Still, it’s an odd choice to be made into a film, but it does seem strange for Spielberg’s first film back in the director’s chair since his less then popular fourth Indiana Jones film. But Spielberg acquired the rights to make the adaptation 20 years ago and if he’s been sitting on it for this long it does make me curious. What makes me even more curious is that while Steven Spielberg is directing, Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings) and Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Scott Pilgrim) are also involved. Could they have something pretty good in the works? We’ll find out in December.

Crap Loads of Sequels – Now I was going to make this one Cars 2, because it’s Pixar and they always bring their A game. But Cars is my least favorite of their movies, so as good as the sequel will be I’m just not that super excited about it. Then I thought that there are dozens of sequels out this year so there has to be a few points of interest. The Hangover is still one of the funniest movies in the past decade and there is no way in hell I’m missing Part 2. It wasn’t a movie that cried for a sequel but if they can get some of that chemistry going between the cast again I’ll be more then happy. Sure the second two Pirates movies let a bit to be desired but we have to admit that it’ll be nice to see Jack Sparrow again. Not to mention Jeffery Rush is back and Ian McShane will be playing the greatest pirate of all time, Black Beard. Can you think of a better actor to play a drunken murdering bastard? Scream 4 is out this year and I don’t know what to say. It’s been over ten years since the last one, so I guess they are due. They may need to amp up the gore to run with the Saw movies. Also I have to mention it so don’t hate me, Transformers 3. Now I’m not saying I’m going to like it, but like the rest of you I’ll probably see it. Just think we’ve run out of material from the last film to bitch about so think of it as a dumping ground for your hate.

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I know there are lots more films worth mentioning, like the new Kevin Smith thriller Red State. Or if you haven’t seen the trailer for Cowboys and Aliens check it out (so cool).  Or for more superhero goodness X-Men First Class should keep people pleased (assuming it’s better then the third one). Super 8 is getting me really excited but like Cloverfield before it not much is known. But let’s hope this is a great year for film with lots of unsuspected surprises. Either way I’m going to be forking out a lot of money in the cinemas during 2011. Have a great week everyone and we’ll see you next week.

Rowan