2012 saw some superb films emerge including The Hunger Games, Avengers Assemble, The Hobbit, Silver Linings Playbook, and The Dark Knight Rises.
So what films can we expect from 2013, and will they top 2012?
Here are my picks, of which films I am most looking forward to seeing.
Stoker
Release date: 1st March 2013
Director: Park Chan-Wook
Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Nicole Kidman, Matthew Goode, Dermot Mulroney, and Jacki Weaver
Rating: 18
Plot: After India’s (Mia Wasikowska) father dies in an auto accident, her Uncle Charlie (Matthew Goode), who she never knew existed, comes to live with her and her emotionally unstable mother (Nicole Kidman). Soon after his arrival, she comes to suspect this mysterious, charming man has ulterior motives, but instead of feeling outrage or horror, this friendless girl becomes increasingly infatuated with him.
My POV: I love a good thriller (not horror, oh no!) but thrillers I am all for. Although this film appears very dark with themes of a sexual (and lets face it creepy) nature, I am very excited about this film. I am a fan of Mia Wasikowska after seeing her performance in The Kids Are All Right, and no-one can forget Nicole Kidman’s performance in the psychological thriller The Others, therefore I hold high expectations for this film. I am also excited to see Jacki Weaver in this film. I loved her performance in Silver Linings Playbook.
Oz: The Great and Powerful
Release Date: 8th March 2013
Director: Sam Raimi
Starring: James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams, Zach Braff.
Rating: PG
Plot: When Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he’s hit the jackpot–fame and fortune are his for the taking–that is until he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone’s been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late.
My POV: I have been looking forward to this film for the best part of a year and very excited that it is coming out next week. Everyone loves The Wizard Of Oz (it’s called a classic for a reason!) and Wicked, the musical production is equally as enthralling. So why not add another to the collection with this film, Oz: The Great and Powerful. A film which stars James Franco, Mila Kunis, and Zach Braff as a talking monkey is bound to be a winner, right? We shall soon find out!
The Great Gatsby
Release Date: 17th May 2013
Director: Baz Luhrmann
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton, Isla Fisher, Jason Clarke
Rating: TBA
Plot: Nick Carraway (Tobey Macguire), a Midwesterner now living on Long Island, finds himself fascinated by the mysterious past and lavish lifestyle of his neighbor, Jay Gatsby (Leondardo DiCaprio). He is drawn into Gatsby’s circle, becoming a witness to obsession and tragedy.
My POV: As a graduate with a degree in English, and an avid film-lover, I get very excited when I hear about book to film adaptations, however with this excitement also comes scepticism. However, with the acting talent of Leonardo DiCaprio, I am sure this film will live up to its expectation.
The Wolverine
Release Date: 26th July 2013
Director: James Mangold
Starring: Hugh Jackman
Rating: TBA
Plot: Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) travels to Japan, where he engages a mysterious figure from his past in a fight that has lasting consequences.Vulnerable for the first time, and pushed to his physical and emotional limits, he confronts not only lethal samurai steel, but also his inner struggle against his own immortality, emerging more powerful than ever before.
My POV: I am a huge X-Men fan, and although X-Men Origins: Wolverine left little to be desired, I am hopeful that this film will meet the standard of the previous X-Men trilogy. Besides, it’s Hugh Jackman!
Spring Breakers
Release Date: 5th April 2013
Director: Harmony Korine
Starring: James Franco, Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Benson, Rachel Korine
Rating: TBA
Plot: Four college girls who land in jail after robbing a restaurant in order to fund their spring break vacation find themselves bailed out by a drug and arms dealer who wants them to do some dirty work.
My POV: Okay, hear me out. This film is on the list basically because I want to see how bad it is, is that wrong? Perhaps if they had cast actors not trying to break their good-girl Disney image this film may be seen as acceptable (and who knows may even interesting!) but when you cast Selena Gomez and Vanessa Hudgens in a film about girls who rob a restaurant, land in jail, and work for a drug dealer?…I mean really? As I said, let’s see how bad this movie turns out. My guess is, it’ll be a flop (or a joke) of a movie.
Jurassic Park 3D
Release Date: April 2013
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Bob Peck, Martin Ferrero, BD Wong, Samuel L. Jackson, Wayne Knight, Ariana Richards
Rating: PG
Plot: During a preview tour, a theme park suffers a major power breakdown that allows its cloned dinosaur exhibits to run amok.
My POV: Sure, it’s just a ploy to get people to pay to watch a movie they’ve already seen, but I love that they are re-releasing Jurassic Park into theatres (and in 3D no less!) 2013 actually marks the 20th anniversary since it’s release!
Dorothy of Oz
Release Date: TBA
Director: Will Finn, Dan St. Pierre
Starring: Kelsey Grammer, Dan Aykroyd, James Belushi, Lea Michele, Hugh Dancy, Megan Hilty, Patrick Stewart, Oliver Platt, Martin Short
Rating: TBA (most likely G)
Plot: Dorothy (Lea Michele) returns to Kansas to find it devastated. Dorothy then finds a new way to get back to the Land of Oz only to discover that her old friends the Scarecrow (Dan Aykroyd), Tin Man (Kelsey Grammer), Cowardly Lion (James Belushi) and the entire Land of Oz are all in grave danger. On Dorothy’s new journey through Oz, she meets new friends like a marshmallow man named Marshal Mallow (Hugh Dancy), a china doll princess (Megan Hilty), an ancient tree named Tugg (Patrick Stewart), and a large owl named Wiser (Oliver Platt). With the help of her new friends, they band together against a wicked Jester (Martin Short) who wants to control Oz by turning important people into marionettes.
My POV: Very very excited about this Wizard of Oz adaptation also. A great voice cast too! I have very high hopes.
Saving Mr Banks
Release Date: December 2013
Director: John Lee Hancock
Starring: Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson, Colin Farrell
Rating: TBA
Plot: The film centers on the life of Travers, shifting between 1907 with her childhood in Queensland, Australia, the negotiations with Walt Disney and the making of Mary Poppins in the 1960s.While in California for filming, Travers thinks back to her difficult childhood in Australia, most especially to her father, the inspiration for the role of the story’s patriarch, Mr. Banks.
My POV: While I have not heard much about this film (virtually nothing in actual fact), I am very excited about the prospect of a film about Walt Disney, and the adaptation of Mary Poppins from book to screen (on our screens!). Very excited about this film, pity it’s so far away. I am also looking forward to seeing Tom Hanks’ portrayal of Walt Disney.
Red Dawn
Release Date: 15th March 2013
Director: Dan Bradley
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Josh Peck, Adrianne Palicki, Isabel Lucas, Connor Cruise
Rating: 12
Plot: A group of teenagers look to save their town from an invasion of North Korean soldiers.
My POV: Even though this was released in the USA in 2012, Ireland unfortunately has decided to wait until March to release this film (which thankfully is only two weeks away). It’s no secret that I am a big fan of Josh Hutcherson, and I’m not going to lie, that is the main reason I want to see this film. However it does look promising so I am hopeful that it will be a good action film.
Anchorman: The Legend Continues
Release Date: December 2013
Director: Adam McKay
Starring: Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, John C. Reilly (rumoured)
Rating: TBA
Plot: The continuing on-set adventures of San Diego’s top rated newsman.
My POV: Will Ferrell, probably definitely my favourite comedic actor ever. I also love Paul Rudd, and Anchorman, so really this sequel has been long awaited. Again pity it’s not released until December (and that’s in the US, which means I could be waiting another year to see it over here!). Alas I shall look forward to it nonetheless.
Frozen
Release Date: 6th December 2013
Director: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee
Starring: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff
Rating: TBA (more than likely G)
Plot: When Anna (Kristen Bell) is cursed by her estranged sister, the cold-hearted Snow Queen Elsa (Idina Menzel), Anna’s only hope of reversing the curse is to survive a perilous but thrilling journey across an icy and unforgiving landscape. Joined by a rugged, thrill-seeking outdoorsman Kristoff (Jonathan Groff), his one-antlered reindeer and a hapless snowman, Anna must race against time, conquer the elements and battle an army of frozen sinister warriors if she ever hopes to melt her frozen heart.
My POV: Disney Animated Classics + Hans Christian Anderson = One very happy me. Plus what a great cast! The Disney nerd in me is definitely freaking out!
Monsters University
Release Date: 12th July 2013
Director: Dan Scanlon
Starring: John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Steve Buscemi, Helen Mirren
Rating: TBA (again more than likely G)
Plot: A look at the relationship between Mike and Sully during their days at the University of Fear — when they weren’t necessarily the best of friends
My POV: Cannot contain my excitement over this one. Monsters Inc is definitely one of the best Pixar movies there is (then again, they’re all amazing!) and whoever came up with the idea of a prequel set in Mike and Sully’s University days…I salute you. Big expectations for this one, doubt very much I will be disappointed.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Release Date: 22nd November 2013
Director: Francis Lawrence (no relation to Jennifer Lawrence)
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Sam Claflin, Lenny Kravitz, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland, Phillip Seymour Hoffman
Rating: TBA (I’m guessing 12)
Plot: Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) has returned home safe after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games along with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson). Winning means that they must turn around and leave their family and close friends, embarking on a “Victor’s Tour” of the districts. Along the way Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering, but the Capitol is still very much in control as President Snow (Donald Sutherland) prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games (Quarter Quell) – a competition that could change Panem forever.
My POV: Don’t know where to start with this one. I love The Hunger Games trilogy. Suzanne Collins knew what she was doing when she wrote those babies. With the alarmingly perfect and talented cast (I’m looking at you Lawrence and Hutcherson), The Hunger Games has proved to be a highly successful franchise. The first film of the series, The Hunger Games was phenomenal. I am most certainly looking forward to seeing what the new director, Francis Lawrence, can bring to these films (he is signed on to do the next film also). Indeed this is certainly my most anticipated film of 2013.
– Bee
BeeMinor 