Most Anticipated Movies of 2012

In ascending order, these are the films that you should most be looking forward to in the coming year. Learn a bit about each movie, why you should watch it, and check the trailers out if they have been released.
Feel free to leave a comment about any of the films that you are excited too see or any you think I may have missed.

14: Battleship: (May 18, 2012)

Don’t worry. They get better from here:
Sure, Avatar director James Cameron referred to Battleship as an example of the story crisis in Hollywood, and while this movie does resemble a Transformers sequel in the high seas with battleships that the United States doesn't even have in their fleet anymore, you should still give it a look.
First off, it has Liam Neeson, and you can rarely go wrong there (unless you count maybe Chloe, Clash of the Titans, Phantom Menace...ok...He's still a good actor). The real test for this film will be finding out how much acting talent Rihanna may have hidden under her proverbial umbrella.
At the very least, even if Liam and Rihanna can't save this unofficial Transformers 4, it will at least be a fun mindless night at the movies.

13: Red Tails: (January 20, 2012)

Red Tails is another one of those historic tales about a group of minorities that faces prejudice in the military and ends up saving the day. While the concept that all groups are equal despite creed and skin color is an important one, I cannot help to think that Hollywood has done it to death.
Despite the lack of an original concept, the film is liable to at the very least be very well done. The trailer that was released shows extremely high quality special effects. Produced by George Lucas, it uses impeccable animation for the dog fights even if they are somewhat reminiscent of the opening scene of Star Wars: Episode III. The clips of Cuba Gooding, Jr. show a good deal of acting talent. He will most likely give a great and very emotional performance.

12: The Woman in Black: (February 10, 2012)

The question is:
Can Harry Potter be anyone other than Harry Potter?
Successful series of films have a history of ruining young actors' careers (see the real Star Wars trilogy, overlook Harrison Ford).
Young Harry Potter (...sorry Daniel Radcliffe) definitely has some acting chops, but will those forever be hidden beneath an invisibility cloak known as the bargain bin at Walmart.
The Woman in Black is a unique type of horror movie that seems more atmospheric with a feeling of creepy than using simply the jumps and scares that make most horror films marketable today. In other words, don't expect a topless twenty year old getting stabbed to death while running naked out of a motel. In my opinion, this will be a far better film, but will audiences actually go to see it? I hope so, and if so, Ten Points to Gryffindor?

11: Snow White and the Huntsman: (June 1, 2012)

Snow White and the Huntsman is the obvious grown up cousin of the fairy tale. The trailer that was released and blasted all over the internet for several weeks in November was surprisingly amazing. The special effects in the trailer are beautiful and Charlize Theron and Chris Hemsworth (you may know him better as Thor) are great actors who will most likely give stunning performances.
The only downside to this film is named Kristen Stewart. The question on everyone's mind...will Bella Swan single-handedly ruin this movie with bad acting, unnecessary lip biting, and awkward breathing? Eh...either way, it’s probably better than the other Snow White movie coming out this year which is primarily two hours of Julia Roberts being really annoying with a bad accent.

10: The Great Gatsby: (December 25, 2012)

The film adaptation of the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel that I hope you have at least heard of holds a good deal of promise. It would be a welcome update to the 1974 film with its ridiculous screaming and laughable acting (if you've ever had to sit through it in English class, you know what I mean).
The project is helmed by director Baz Luhrman who has a history of making fantastic windows into historic landscapes including Romeo+Juliet, Moulin Rouge!, and Australia. It will also be starring Leonardo DiCaprio who is always perfect for a period piece.
If you don't know the story, it is about the slow devolution of a bunch of rich and successful people, which I think will be welcomed by audiences who can barely afford to see the film as the economy continues to suffer.

9: The Expendables 2: (August 17, 2012)

Don't go into this film expecting a beautiful, heart-felt story. Don't go expecting the next Casa Blanca, Gone With the Wind, or even Inception. Try not to go in expecting anything much at all. The only thing you should expect is some mediocre acting and some giant explosions. And isn't that all you really need.
No matter how you slice it, the first Expendables was a fun time at the movies. The nostalgia and testosterone in the theatre was so thick that a cloud of it nearly blocked the screen.
Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, and pretty much anyone who was not dead at the end of the first film will be returning. Bruce Willis and the Governator will be reprising their roles with a good deal more screen time. And added to the cast will be Van Damme and the holy grail of semi-retro action flicks: Chuck Norris.

8: Prometheus: (June 8, 2012)

Another sequel (actually a prequel) to the movie Alien sounds like just a generic action flick, and based on the most recent sequels to the franchise, not even a good one. So why is it included in the list?
This, my friends, is called a reboot. And with who they have at the helm of the project, maybe even a good one.
The film is sure to be gritty as directed by Ridley Scott (a la Black Hawk Down, Gladiator). It also is liable to hold some twists and plot points beyond just your standard creature movie as scripted by Damon Lindelof (a la LOST). The film focuses on several new concepts added to the franchise including possibly intergalactic bio-warfare and maybe an origin story for the Alien species. The photos and other material released show some nostalgic set pieces and costumes that resemble the original film.

7: The Avengers: (May 4, 2012)

The star power of Robert Downey, Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, and Samuel L. Jackson, combined with geek love for a culmination of every Marvel superhero movie that has been made in the past several years could still not move this flick up this list.
It will undoubtedly be good, directed by geek god, Joss Whedon, and starring characters from the worlds of Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, and Captain America. It just as of now is remarkably unremarkable. The trailer that has been released appears just as a Michael Bay explo-show, as opposed to the quirky and interesting storytelling that audiences have come to love from Joss Whedon. Time will tell, and maybe we can hope for more as the Avengers unite.

6: The Amazing Spider-Man: (July 3, 2012)

After the travesty that was emoSpidey in Spiderman 3, the people at Marvel decided let’s scrap the trilogy we started less than a decade ago and start from scratch. They do this a lot (see Hulk--2003, The Incredible Hulk--2008, The Avengers--2012). Despite the fact that just continuing the series may have been a lot less annoying, the new web-slinger does look promising.
Emma Stone (Easy A, Superbad) and Andrew Garfield (The Social Network, The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus) are both very likable, attractive, and talented young actors who far outshine the stars of the former films. The villain was an interesting choice. The Lizard (much like Doc. Oc) is a scientist whose experimentation accidentally forms himself into the monster that gives him his namesake. Think The Fly with claws. Then, of course, Spidey has to come and save the day.
The trailer that has been released is nearly an exact replica of the first Spiderman movie from a few years back, which was very disappointing, but hopefully as we get closer to the release date, more impressive material will be shown.

5: Iron Sky: (April 4, 2012)

Chances are you’ve never heard of this film. But let’s begin by describing to you the premise of it: In 1945, a base was set up on the dark side of the Moon by Nazi scientists. The year is 2018, and they are now ready to conquer Earth. Now, a mass of flying saucers and Swastika-shaped mother ships descend upon the planet.
This looks to be the funniest, most offensive and downright unconventional piece of cinema in years. It belongs in much the same category as last years April Fool's Joke: Rubber. I highly suggest seeing it and until then, prepare for the Fourth Reich.

4: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: (December 14 2012):

After a long wait full of pre-production woes, we only have to wait ...another year to finally see the prequel to The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Director Peter Jackson (LOTR, King King) once again shapes Middle Earth for us, and many characters that we have previously seen will be making a return visit to the magical land.
In this, a much younger Bilbo Baggins is led by Gandalf and a gaggle of dwarves to a Lonely Mountain full of treasure and a fearsome dragon. Along the way, Bilbo will happen upon a gangle creature who possesses an item that will shape the path of the aforementioned trilogy. Expect all the beautiful cinematography and perfect acting that you have already seen, along with a story that is a bit less depressing and a lot more fun.

3: The Hunger Games: (March 23, 2012):

Before you see the movie, read the books. People have told you this before, and you didn't listen. People will tell you that about this film. I am telling you, they are right.
These young adult books put to shame most other books from any age group. They tell of a dystopian America torn apart by events so possibly in our future, and an effort to right the regime that controls the twisted country. And within that there is a beautiful character study into not only the narrator, but all the other characters who are simply pawns on both sides of the revolution.
The younger cast is comprised of relatively unknown faces, but the older cast hails names like Stanley Tucci, Woody Harrelson, Donald Sutherland, and even Lenny Kravitz. The most recent trailer shows a beautifully acted and shot film that follows the novels perfectly. If they do follow the books, then yes, this will be an undeniable classic. This could and hopefully should spawn a trilogy popular enough to take the place of the void left by the final Harry Potter film.

2: The Dark Knight Rises: (July 20, 2012)

Christopher Nolan if you are not yet aware is one of the greatest directors of our generation. If you disagree, I am sorry to tell you that you are wrong. Just looking at the numbers, his films have been increasingly impressive in the box office, and beyond the money, he holds onto an artistic quality that most successful directors lose by their second movie.
In his latest film, and supposed finale to his dark, gritty, and realistic Batman trilogy, he joins half the cast of Inception to the franchise, including Joseph Gordon Levitt and Tom Hardy. The latter of these will play the formidable villain Bane.
The other possible villain slated for the film is Selina Kyle (aka Catwoman). This choice alone is a bit questionable, as is casting Anne Hathaway in the role. Her outfit brings on even a bit more trepidation as it doesn’t appear to fit in Nolan’s realistic Gotham. But my faith in this director and his team is unshaken even with it partially in the hands of the star of Love and Other Drugs....maybe.

1: The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 (November 16, 2012)

Because...
IT’S FINALLY OVER!!!!!