Our Most-Anticipated Films of 2011
Rango (Gore Verbinski; March 4th)
Synopsis: A chameleon that aspires to be a swashbuckling hero finds himself in a Western town plagued by bandits and is forced to literally play the role in order to protect it.
Why You Should See It: The original Pirates team reunites for something that looks surprisingly inspired compared to most of the animation we’ve been prepared to pay money for this year, including Pixar’s dreadful-looking Cars 2. - Dan M.
Battle: Los Angeles (Jonathan Liebesman; March 11th)
Synopsis: A Marine platoon faces off against an alien invasion in Los Angeles.
Why You Should See It: If for no other reason, the PR and marketing department deserve your recognition and 10 bucks for their stellar trailer, posters and overall campaign. Whoever found that auto-tune song? Brava. - Dan M.
Water For Elephants (Francis Lawrence; April 22nd)
Synopsis: A veterinary student abandons his studies after his parents are killed and joins a traveling circus as their vet.
Why You Should See It: Based on the best-selling novel, this film boosts an impressive cast including Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon and Christoph Waltz. The trailer looks stunning, and with Waltz in the intriguing role of August Rosenbluth, it’s hopeful that the story will be equally pleasing. – Kristen C.
X-Men: First Class (Matthew Vaughn; June 3rd)
Synopsis: Before Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were archenemies, they were closest of friends, working together, with other Mutants (some familiar, some new), to stop the greatest threat the world has ever known. In the process, a rift between them opened, which began the eternal war between Magneto’s Brotherhood and Professor X’s X-MEN.
Why You Should See It: After prepping, but ultimately departing X-Men: Last Stand, Matthew Vaugnn’s (Kick-Ass, Stardust) return to the franchise should provide a breath of fresh air after a sharp decline with non-Singer productions. Bryan Singer also returns as producer, and the stellar cast top-lined by James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender place it in my most-anticipated summer movie category. – Jordan R.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (David Yates; July 15th)
Synopsis: The end begins as Harry, Ron, and Hermione go back to Hogwarts to find and destroy Voldemorts final horcruxes, but when Voldemort finds out about their mission, the biggest battle begins and life as they know it will never be the same again.
Why You Should See It: If you’re like almost every other movie goer for the past decade, you’re anxiously awaiting the finale of this epic series. With the original cast reprising their final roles, the special effects blowing our minds, and the final battle between good and evil within our grasp, this is definitely a film you don’t want to miss. – Josh B.
Immortals (Tarsem; Nov. 11th)
Synopsis: Greek warrior Theseus battles against imprisoned titans.
Why You Should See It: Tarsem has the eye and style of a God. The Cell and The Fall were like 2 hours of going down the chocolate river in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate factory with being bombarded by uncanny imagery. And with The Fall, Tarsem showed he can make something a little more coherent and emotionally compelling than his initial debut film. Hopefully, he continues that rise with this sword and sandals epic. - Jack G.
On The Road (Walter Salles)
Synopsis: A young man sets out to travel the roads and railways of America.
Why You Should See It: Here’s hoping Walter Salles’ next is more ‘The Motorcycle Diaries’ than ‘Dark Water,’ the how-did-this-finally-get-made adaptation of the Jack Kerouac road novel. With Francis Ford Coppola producing and a young, talented cast (Sam Riley, Garrett Hedlund, Kristen Stewart, Kirsten Dunst) leading the way, this could make Beat-wannabes dreams come true. – Jordan R.
Midnight In Paris (Woody Allen)
Synopsis: A romantic comedy about a family traveling to the French capital for business. The party includes a young engaged couple forced to confront the illusion that a life different from their own is better.
Why You Should See It: Selected for the opening night film at Cannes, Woody Allen is due for a hit after his last two films have disappointed. The large ensemble cast includes Owen Wilson, Marion Cotillard, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates, Michael Sheen, Adrien Brody, Nina Arianda, Corey Stoll, Mimi Kennedy, Kurt Fullerby, Carla Bruni, and Léa Seydoux. –Jordan R.
Ceremony (Max Winkler)
Synopsis: A young guy crashes the wedding of the thirty-something woman he wants back.
Why You Should See It: Winkler’s directorial debut premiered at TIFF to positive reviews, including my own. Taking a note from Wes Anderson screenplays and a filmmaking style from Baumbach, he has created a lively, often hilarious look at impossible love. – Jordan R.
Butter (Jim Field Smith)
Synopsis: A comedy set in the Midwest U.S., where an adopted girl discovers her talent for butter carving and finds herself pitted against an ambitious local woman in their town’s annual contest.
Why You Should See It: I thought She’s Out of My League was one of the more overlooked comedies last year, and now Jim Field Smith returns with a stronger cast of Olivia Wilde, Hugh Jackman, and Jennifer Garner for his latest film. While the rumored Sundance premiere never happened, look for a release later in the year. – Jordan R.
Synopsis: A chameleon that aspires to be a swashbuckling hero finds himself in a Western town plagued by bandits and is forced to literally play the role in order to protect it.
Why You Should See It: The original Pirates team reunites for something that looks surprisingly inspired compared to most of the animation we’ve been prepared to pay money for this year, including Pixar’s dreadful-looking Cars 2. - Dan M.
Battle: Los Angeles (Jonathan Liebesman; March 11th)
Synopsis: A Marine platoon faces off against an alien invasion in Los Angeles.
Why You Should See It: If for no other reason, the PR and marketing department deserve your recognition and 10 bucks for their stellar trailer, posters and overall campaign. Whoever found that auto-tune song? Brava. - Dan M.
Water For Elephants (Francis Lawrence; April 22nd)
Synopsis: A veterinary student abandons his studies after his parents are killed and joins a traveling circus as their vet.
Why You Should See It: Based on the best-selling novel, this film boosts an impressive cast including Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon and Christoph Waltz. The trailer looks stunning, and with Waltz in the intriguing role of August Rosenbluth, it’s hopeful that the story will be equally pleasing. – Kristen C.
X-Men: First Class (Matthew Vaughn; June 3rd)
Synopsis: Before Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were archenemies, they were closest of friends, working together, with other Mutants (some familiar, some new), to stop the greatest threat the world has ever known. In the process, a rift between them opened, which began the eternal war between Magneto’s Brotherhood and Professor X’s X-MEN.
Why You Should See It: After prepping, but ultimately departing X-Men: Last Stand, Matthew Vaugnn’s (Kick-Ass, Stardust) return to the franchise should provide a breath of fresh air after a sharp decline with non-Singer productions. Bryan Singer also returns as producer, and the stellar cast top-lined by James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender place it in my most-anticipated summer movie category. – Jordan R.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (David Yates; July 15th)
Synopsis: The end begins as Harry, Ron, and Hermione go back to Hogwarts to find and destroy Voldemorts final horcruxes, but when Voldemort finds out about their mission, the biggest battle begins and life as they know it will never be the same again.
Why You Should See It: If you’re like almost every other movie goer for the past decade, you’re anxiously awaiting the finale of this epic series. With the original cast reprising their final roles, the special effects blowing our minds, and the final battle between good and evil within our grasp, this is definitely a film you don’t want to miss. – Josh B.
Immortals (Tarsem; Nov. 11th)
Synopsis: Greek warrior Theseus battles against imprisoned titans.
Why You Should See It: Tarsem has the eye and style of a God. The Cell and The Fall were like 2 hours of going down the chocolate river in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate factory with being bombarded by uncanny imagery. And with The Fall, Tarsem showed he can make something a little more coherent and emotionally compelling than his initial debut film. Hopefully, he continues that rise with this sword and sandals epic. - Jack G.
On The Road (Walter Salles)
Synopsis: A young man sets out to travel the roads and railways of America.
Why You Should See It: Here’s hoping Walter Salles’ next is more ‘The Motorcycle Diaries’ than ‘Dark Water,’ the how-did-this-finally-get-made adaptation of the Jack Kerouac road novel. With Francis Ford Coppola producing and a young, talented cast (Sam Riley, Garrett Hedlund, Kristen Stewart, Kirsten Dunst) leading the way, this could make Beat-wannabes dreams come true. – Jordan R.
Midnight In Paris (Woody Allen)
Synopsis: A romantic comedy about a family traveling to the French capital for business. The party includes a young engaged couple forced to confront the illusion that a life different from their own is better.
Why You Should See It: Selected for the opening night film at Cannes, Woody Allen is due for a hit after his last two films have disappointed. The large ensemble cast includes Owen Wilson, Marion Cotillard, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates, Michael Sheen, Adrien Brody, Nina Arianda, Corey Stoll, Mimi Kennedy, Kurt Fullerby, Carla Bruni, and Léa Seydoux. –Jordan R.
Ceremony (Max Winkler)
Synopsis: A young guy crashes the wedding of the thirty-something woman he wants back.
Why You Should See It: Winkler’s directorial debut premiered at TIFF to positive reviews, including my own. Taking a note from Wes Anderson screenplays and a filmmaking style from Baumbach, he has created a lively, often hilarious look at impossible love. – Jordan R.
Butter (Jim Field Smith)
Synopsis: A comedy set in the Midwest U.S., where an adopted girl discovers her talent for butter carving and finds herself pitted against an ambitious local woman in their town’s annual contest.
Why You Should See It: I thought She’s Out of My League was one of the more overlooked comedies last year, and now Jim Field Smith returns with a stronger cast of Olivia Wilde, Hugh Jackman, and Jennifer Garner for his latest film. While the rumored Sundance premiere never happened, look for a release later in the year. – Jordan R.
FilmStage for the rest
xoxo
Carrie
0 comments:
Post a Comment