People keep asking me what films I'm excited for in 2012. Maybe because this year has been relatively light on so far in terms of good films - at least arthouse-indie stuff. The films that jump out at me as being must-sees that I was really excited about seeing so far were all massive blockbusters like "The Hunger Games", "MI-4", "The Avengers" et al, hey I didn't even hate "John Carter".
Sure I saw "Damsels in Distress" last week (possibly 1 of only a hundred odd that saw it as it shifted cinemas in Toronto weekly before it jumped outta here) and sure it was great, but I also saw it back in 2011, which was a long enough time ago now (eep!). So there was also "Cabin in The Woods" and it may have been indie and kitschy but it is that it (at least so far) 2012? Searching back in recent memory I'd have to say so, and thats a little bit lame.
Sure I saw "Damsels in Distress" last week (possibly 1 of only a hundred odd that saw it as it shifted cinemas in Toronto weekly before it jumped outta here) and sure it was great, but I also saw it back in 2011, which was a long enough time ago now (eep!). So there was also "Cabin in The Woods" and it may have been indie and kitschy but it is that it (at least so far) 2012? Searching back in recent memory I'd have to say so, and thats a little bit lame.
Not quite a blockbuster in the vein of the above but shout out to the "21 Jump St" remake, I saw it when I was kicked out of my apartment in New York, 6 hours before I had to board a 12 hour bus back to Toronto, and had the first of many sinus infections that lasted all Spring (not allergies, seriously I wish). Anyway, obvsi I had super low expectations, I didn't even care about the first "21 Jump St" series, but it was AWESOME. Fittingly enough if 2012 is about return of the blockbuster with a heart and a brain, then its also about the return of the movie star with versatility. I'm almost surprised I'm talking about Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum here, but having seen Hill in both "Moneyball" and Tatum in "Haywire", as well as both in "21 Jump St", they've quickly become my favourite stars of at least the first half of 2012. Also cautiously optimistic about the future career of Dave Franco, because I'm trying to forcibly forget everything the other Franco bro has done since "Pineapple Express", and if I could IRL hide/block/whatever updates from this guy for the future, goddamn you know I would. However little Franco - hope for the world, fingers crossed.
I should note as well, I'm also super excited about the resurrection of James Marsden - thanks "30 Rock" - I feel like I haven't seen that guy since "Disturbing Behaviour" and now he's not only on one of my fave shows but one of my most highly anticipated 2012 flicks!
Anways here are some films I'm excited about for the rest of 2012 - not all indie and arthouse, but like I'm going to make a list without Batman -
Moonrise Kingdom - Wes Anderson - To be honest, I haven't really loved a Wes Anderson since The Royal Tenenbaums, and I really didn't like The Life Aquatic. However I haven't spoken to anyone that doesn't love this film. Plus everyone already thinks I'm obsessed with it, why fight it?
Lawrence Anways - Xavier Dolan - My love for Xavier Dolan is no secret, I think he's a total genius and I will watch everything he does numerous times.
The Master - PT Anderson - PT's aptly titled Master (because he is one),
Bacherlorette - Leslye Headland - I posted about Leslye back around Sundance, because she's pretty awesome, and the cast for this film seem pretty awesome, in particular Lizzy Caplan and James Marsden.
Spring Breakers - Harmony Korine - Harmony and Disney Kids? Sounds Awesome.
To Rome With Love -Woody Allen- New Woody Allen, always a must see - also Woody and Judy Davis together are my favessss.
Killer Joe - William Friedkin - Friedkin does Southern noir, yes please.
Dark Knight Rises - Christopher Nolan- Nolan forevs. Also JGL, minus points for trying to make Anne Hathaway sexy.
Armour - Michael Haneke - Since we're sans Von Trier this year, I guess a new Haneke will do.
On The Road - Walter Salles - I don't care what anyone says, I hate this book, but I'm gagging to see this movie. I absolutely adore Kristen Stewart and this film almost looks like someone took a Tom Ford film and rolled it in sweat and dirt - poifect.
Beasts of the Southern Wild - Benh Zeitlin - I'm basing this on the young kids touching coming-of-age adventure vibes of the trailer.
Looper - Rian Johnson - I love me some JGL and Bruce, also kind of just looks like Inception style stuff with more JGL (heart). Also I liked Brick AND the Brothers Bloom - haters step off.
Magic Mike - Steven Soderbergh - See Above, also Soderbergh is always interesting.
Honorable mentions: "Peace, Love and Misunderstanding" and "Union Square", I saw them both at TIFF last year, both are aces. Also cutesy indies "Celeste and Jesse Forever" for Andy Samberg and Rashida Jones, "Safety Not Guaranteed" for Mark Duplass and Aubrey Plaza, love you guys and want you to make good films. "Mud", "A Glimpse Inside The Mind of Charles Swan III", "Inside Llewyn Davis" - newies from Jeff Nichols, Roman Coppola and Coen Bros - always exciting. The "Loneliest Planet" and "Samsara" are two that I missed at TIFF and am dyyyyyyying to catch on the release rebound.
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