If you are reading this now, that means we’ve survived the end of the world. Yes, we still are here, and we will be here for a long time. What will also be here is the wonderful selection of films we have to watch.
First up, we have a very long-anticipated film in store about possibly the greatest manhunt in history. “Zero Dark Thirty” details the decade-long War on Terror starting with the infamous bombings of the World Trade Center in 2001, and ending with the death of Osama Bin Laden in 2011. The film has stirred some controversy since its initial announcement, but hopefully it won’t upon its release. The movie is set to star names like Jessica Chastain, Joel Edgerton, Scott Adkins, and Ricky Sekhon, and will be released January 11th.
On a lighter note, he said he’d be back, and boy is it in a big way! Arnold Schwarzenegger has officially ended his term as California’s “Governator” and has returned to Hollywood. So far, he’s done “The Expendables 2,” and now he’s looking to team up with MTV legend Johnny Knoxville in “The Last Stand.” He plays an aging, small-town sheriff who is forced to put a stop to an onslaught of criminals speeding his way. Coming January 18th, everyone is excited to see this Austrian legend return to the silver screen.
I saw a trailer for another movie online, and I instantly knew I needed to see the film. Why? Here are a few reasons: Halle Berry, Anna Faris, Kieran Culkin, Hugh Jackman, Johnny Knoxville, Stephen Merchant, Uma Thurman, and Kate Winslet. All. Rolled. Into. One. The film is titled simply “Movie 43,” and I can say nothing more than, “Oh my gosh, look at that cast!” and “Go see that trailer!” “Movie 43” will be in theaters January 25th.
Since 1939, “The Wizard of Oz” has become one of the most famous films of all time, winning dozens of awards. A little-known sequel was released in 1985 under the name “Return to Oz.” Since many people do not know that this movie exists, writer/director Sam Raimi stepped in to make a prequel to this classic film starring James Franco, Michelle Williams, and Mila Kunis. To be released March 8th, “Oz: The Great and Powerful” is set to be one of the most anticipated films of all time.
On a child-friendly note, Dreamworks Studios (the people who brought us “Shrek”) has gone back to prehistoric times to create a family adventure film, “The Croods.” I don’t have much to say about this film, but it certainly does look visually stunning, and it appears to have good voice acting, with such talents of Emma Stone, Cloris Leachman, Catherine Keener, Nicolas Cage, and Ryan Reynolds. Look for it in theaters March 22nd.
Finally, Blue Sky Studios, who brought us “Ice Age” and “Rio,” has promised to release an adaptation of “The Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bugs,” under the name “Epic.” I don’t know much about this film, either, but it does appear to have a rather interesting ensemble cast, including Aziz Ansari, Pitbull, Beyoncé Knowles, and Steven Tyler. Look for it in theaters everywhere May 24th.
